Giga Games 1/Giga Games.iso/net/d_d/caltech/fluff/mage.flf

Text File | 1993-06-22 | 22.1 KB | 385 lines

                  The Mage and his Lover

             by Dana Moore <[e-mail]>

                         Chapter1

     Palin De Magere wandered along a barren road, the muddy
quagmire left by the rains covered the black robes now sagging with
the weight of its new burden.  The mage silently traveled on.  The going
was slow and the rain threatened once again.  He laughed,  a world
without shelter he thought as he slowly trod along.  As with
everything lately, it was soon forgotten, as something other than
himself controlled his mind driving him closer to nowhere.  He had
no idea except that all the answers lie in a strange land he cared
little or knew little about.  However he would continue.
     That night he made camp in a grove of trees, a small fire blazed
just out of sight of the road.  Palin tried to study as he usually did
when sleep should have consumed him.  Tonight however, his lack of
sleep had little to do with studying, to many sounds without names
required a silent vigil.  His only company was the singing stars whom
afforded him more comfort than the mad cries of the phantoms which now
filled his thoughts.
     "I swear to you Carmon,  I cannot go farther without rest."  Palin
sprang to the skies; the words echoing in his ears.  A silent flutter of
wings softly rested in the trees as the phantoms of moments ago gave
way to flesh, and new dangers.
     "I thought you were ready for this journey.  If we travel through
the night we may be in Assalya by the marrow."
     "My lord, even one as wise as yourself knows it is foolish to
travel at night."  He noticed his liege was not listening.  He leaned
against a tree and gazed at the night sky.
     "One more day and we could be in King Furd's court
getting the audience for which I seek."  His fists were clenched,
"Damn this delay, Dalamar.  You are one to try my patience.  Remember
who it is you serve."
    "My lord, a warrior traveling in the night is like a bird tossing in
the wind.  His best intentions are wrong directions and his surest
steps are merely disaster with her comely shape, wrapping her arms
around him.  Be wise my lord, it is for you that I propose this rest."
Dalamar confident in his reasoning sat upon an old stump.  Knowing
his liege for and intelligent man he assumed that they were there
for the night, and there was no way that would change.
     "You annoy me more than all the demons of the Abyss, I will take
my repast by myself tonight."  With that he stalked into the woods.
Palin watched quietly as the exchange took place, he was aware of the
prize that has stumbled into his lap.  Pawns in a deadly game, whose
prize was worth all the fires hell had ever consumed.  He flew away
in the direction of Carmon.
     Carmon sat beside a stream, polishing his armor, admiring the way
the moonlight exaggerated the curves of his breastplate.  He sat
entranced as the water lapped at the mossy bank.  He was glad Dalamar
has suggested they stop there for the night.  Dalamar had his own
aspirations he knew, but he had also earned his trust; which
was more than his many followers could claim.  He heard something in the
forest.  Were there cries? With a leap he was up and half way across the
river.  A woman, her pleas for help were like daggers in his mind,
her sing-song voice played like a melody in his brain. He must find
her.
     I am a young man, Palin thought,  but the fighter comes with
ease.  How can a man be so foolish and lead others?
     "Were are you?"  He cried, "I plead with you show me so I may
aide you."  Palin finished the spell.  "Good gods!" Carmon yelled.
Floating above his head appeared a small glowing sphere. The blue
light it created cast strange shadows as it swayed in the wind.
     "Help me I need you."  Those words struck a cord in Carmon;
the voice was angelic.  He could plainly see her now.  Tattered
skirts created a mound of filth at the bottom of the sphere, revealing
only that which lied above to his gaze.
     "Who are you?" his mutterings were not unlike that of a smitten
page.  Was he in love with this girl?  It is that voice, he thought,
but that did not curb his feelings.
     "My name is Jessica De Magere."
     Bowing with a flourish he stuttered, "H-how may I h-help you
m'lady?"  Her long brown hair caressed her shoulder.  Her bodice was
tight, causing Carmon to blush at what it suggested.
     "My father is Palin De Magere, he is a great man and a powerful
magic user.  I am trapped by a demon whom seeks to destroy him.  He now
travels to Assalya to petition for a fief.  As he grows in power
my chances to be saved also grow.  Pledge yourself to him, help him
save me.  When I am saved, you will have my love.  For I already love
you.  Do not tell my father you have seen me.  His fear for my safety
could break his concentration, and that would mean my death."
     "How can I find this man?"  His mind was resolved, Palin thought.
His sense of chivalry was foolhardy.
     "He is two days  ahead of you on this road.  His travel is
determined, but my father does not hurry, you will catch him."  A tear
stained her cheek, "Thank you Carmon, by the grace of the gods thank
you."  A cloud of mist settled over the warrior, he bowed his head and
slumped to the ground.  His dreams that night were full of thoughts
where that beautiful woman did a lazy dance, smiling at a handsome
warrior, who was him.
     As the great warrior slept, Dalamar sat by the fire.  He had no
idea his lord would be so angry.  What was the bid deal anyway?
Assalya was only a weeks journey, but the fool had said a day.  He
began to brush his long hair out of his eyes, the old childhood habit
calmed him.  He heard a flapping of wings in the distance.  A forest
in the middle of nowhere.  There was no purpose to any of this,
this life was worthless.  Palin laughed as he cast the spell.  How
he would change his tune he thought.  Carmon had treated him like a
baby, how they both gained so much power amazed him.  Well things would
soon change, very soon indeed.
     As morning came, Dalamar found his master half lying in a stream
deep in the woods.  Fear sought him, as he stared at his unconscious
master.  "Carmon please wake up!"  Carmon was covered in sweat, his head
rested on his armor, which lay in a pile inches away from the rushing
waters.  Dalamar shook his lord, fearing incantations or worse.  He
looked to the skies, the sunlight piercing the gaps in the trees danced
on his face, illuminating his terrified expression.
     Slowly Carmon awoke, at the same instant a smile erupted from a pit
of sorrow.  "Carmon, are you all right?  I worried you were dead."
     "I had a most incredible night filled with the evil pleasures of
Abyss."  Dalamar realized the flourishing verbiage of Carmon to be a
sign of his continued good health.  Carmon rose to his feet.  "We must
hurry, there is someone we must find.  Help me ready my armor.

========================================================================

                         Chapter 2

   Bassibul was sitting beneath a willow tree, her body warming
in the morning sun.  Nothing better than a nice bath.  Her clothes
hung over a branch, drying like their owner.  She soon dosed off,
while clouds threw their shadows over her naked body.
  "Wake up," he monotone voice expressed a violence which was
reflected in his eyes.  He had come upon her sleeping form an
hour ago.  Palin decided he too would enjoy a bath. The spell
he administered to the girl would assure his
privacy, and also would not free his latest catch.  After he was
finished, he threw her clothes on top of her young form.  The sun
still played on the few remaining drops lying atop her stomach.
     "Get up."  His second command brought growing impatience.
Was there time for this?  However, he would not need to speak
a third time as Bassibul awoke, still oblivious to her nakedness.
Upon gaining her head, and noticing the mage standing over her, she
let out a slight scream, speaking words inaudible to Palin.
     "Speaking to your god, no doubt." There was a trace of
cynicism in that tobne.  "They willl do you no good.  I am not
here bearing evil.  I placed no marks upon your flesh.  I am
here to help you.  At least show me some courtesy."  Upon this,
the young girl noticed her scantly-covered body, rushing to
cover herself she raved, "What are you doing here, and be
a gentleman, by the gods turn away!"  Palin turned more to hide the
sneering smile than to appease the woman.  "Who are you and what do you
want?"  Palin turned to see her fully dressed now.  Her long robes which
covered even the curves of her armor proved to Palin that he saw that
which is reserved for the eyes of the gods.  He stifled a smile as
he replied.
     "You are searching for something.  I am here to see that you find
it.  It is as simple as that."  Palin leaned against a tree, tired of
so much talk.
     "What do you mean?"  her sideways glance assured Palin he had the
right girl.
     "You are searching for the septre of Liyarda, are you not?"
Bassibul flinched at the sound of her diety's name.  How did he know
and who is this man?  She tried to study the light blue eyes that looked
down at her.  Could this be the assistance she had prayed for?  He is
slightly handsome, she thought, probably a charlatan, but he could keep
me company for a short while.
     "Fine," she said, "since you know so much about me, why dont' you
inform me of what your intentions are." She poised herself ready to
interpret any reaction that flashed across his blank face.
     "I am traveling to Assayla to petition the kind for a fief.  I
would like to appoint you court cleric.  After what I've seen so far,
you could be a great assistance to me."
     The blood rushed to her face gave a falst picture of the
anger which seized her.  His blatant reference to her body disgusted
her.  The reaction Palin was looking for.  "So be it, let's go."
With that she grabbed her things and stalked toward the main road.
Palin stood watching her, and soon followed.

=======================================================================

                       The Mage and his Lover, Part 3

                            Warlords of Assalya

                 by Mike Kochis  <[e-mail]>


   The Grey claw yawned, stretched, and awoke.  His grey wings wrapped about
him like a cloak, and absorbed the warm rays of the sun.  He was so interested
in his latest project (the bare-taloned vivisection of a small rabbit) that
he almost didn't notice when his charge emerged from the cave, and began to
sneak away yet again.  Almost.
   With a flap of wings, he was in the air, and upon her in an instant.  With
slightly more effort, he landed before her.  He grasped her as she ran into him.
He sighed.  "Why are you always trying this?  Your spells are exhausted, do
you really think to overcome me physically?"
   Her fists slammed repeatedly against his dense flesh.  When the bruising
forced her to stop, he gripped her chin and forced her eyes to gaze into his.
"I have not been an unkind host."
   She spat into his face.  He laughed and flung her over one of his broad
shoulders.  "Jessica, my dear, you are most masochistic to do this to yourself.
When have I ever lacked in courtesy or provision?"
   "You keep me in a cave.  Whatever harm you mean my father, you'll not --"
   The Grey Claw laughed, and dumped her unceremoniously before the cave.
"Your father will know nothing of this until it is too late."
   "Too late for what?"  Noticing the demon distracted, she followed his eyes
to the stilll-twitching form of the rabbit.
   "Why your marriage, of course.  I do so love weddings.  No, no, not to that
oaf you reached with your spells last night.  I see that surprises you.  Why
should I bother whom you contact, as long as the spell is burned from your
memory afterwards?   But I am getting side-tracked.
   "Behold!  Batarrassh, the snake god.  Since your birth, he has admired you,
and watched your powers grow.  When he comes to earth -- what is that?  Oh, yes,
I assure you that the orcs are even now completing the rituals to bring him
onto this plane of existance.  He will destroy them, of course.  But who truly
cares, so long as I get what I want?"
   "And what DO you want, demon, that you would risk my father's wrath?"
   "Your father's wrath, your father's wrath.  Your father is busy with other
endeavors, as I have told you.  He is unaware of your plight, and your mortal
lover is not going to inform him.  The only others who know are the two of us,
and which of us will inform him?
   "Oh no, dear Jessica.  You will remain here, safe in this cave, on the
rations I had the foresight to stock.  Unless you want to take of the offerings
of the forest?  No?  It is a pity, raw flesh is such a delicacy where I come
from."
   "You can return there for all I care, and rot in damnation!"  This evoked
a wince from the demon.
   "Ah, if only I could, Jessica.  Know that I have been working machinations
here for six years, all of them with that single goal.  And I assure you that
I would not be damned, but rather glorified.  I am a champion of my master
there, and my return would be welcomed.  My wife - oh if only you could see her
in her true splendor!  You would understand why I am driven to return home."
   "You can do that with a thought."
   The red-orange eyes flashed at her.  "No, I cannot!  Why do you think I hate
the damnable wizards so?  In my first fight, I slew the mage while only a
half-formed banishment acted upon me.  I am trapped in hell, but not the hell
I call home.  NO!  Rather I am trapped here, in this place of cold.  Alone.
Uncomforted but by the pain I cause the wretched creatures that live here.
Again and again, I have honorably served wizards, on the promise of being
transported home.  Again and again, they have betrayed me, and I have left
their bones to bleach in the sun.  I am done with dealing with your kind,
and will be glad if the Snake-God betrays me, for he has the strength to kill
me.  But -- I think he will not, for I am JUST powerful enough to be a threat
to him, should we clash.  Yes, either way, my torment will be over within a
week."
   Jessica, all color drained from her face, stared at the demon.  "Then why
did you not service some other power.  Why bring this menace to earth?"
   He chuckled.  "This earth has scorned me.  Your father has scorned me,
treating me with the disrespect only a chaos demon deserves.  In this manner,
I strike at both before leaving, and damn the world after I am departed!  Go,
Jessica.  Eat and maintain your strength, and be glad that I still possess
enough of honor to leave your virginity and your body intact, for my deal
only promises that you shall be alive a week from hence.  Do you consider
THAT before attempting such a rash escape."
   "I shall." she said, and returned inside the cave to weep and pray for
hope.
   Outside, the demon heard her weeping.  Perhaps to keep himself from thinking
of it, he killed the rabbit and began to eat.


   Big Boss ordered the men about, just to make himself feel good.  Not that
it did.  The temple construction was behind schedule, and twice they'd had to
tear down the northern tower and start over from the ground up.  He thought
about cursing his shamans, but they looked enough on edge to curse him back.
   "Hrm."
   "What you want, Gramash, clearing throat?"
   "Pardon, Big Boss, but why we bother builders?"
   "New Lords in human lands.  Bring many troops.  Turn tide of battle in
human favor."
   "So make peace, Big Boss."
   Big Boss smashed the helmet of Gramash with his hand, content with the
resulting dent.  He stood over the moaning Gramash with a broad smile.
"Gramash is dumb and short-sided.  Orcs not for peace.  War more profitable.
War bring more slaves.  Humans not like orcs, never accept as peace.  Only
option, this."
   "Not only option.  We move to area without new lords."
   "Gramash is talking nonsense.  Still stunned from helmet.  Human lords
not let move.  Dwarves not let move.  We fight, or we die.  If fight, then
die.  This only option.  Appeal to Snake-God."
   "Snake-God is evil!  He'll turn on us, smash to thin, pasty goo."
   "You Gramash, obey, or Big Boss smash you to thin, pasty goo."
   Gramash pulled himself into a sitting position.  "I will obey.  Not meant
to offend Big Boss."
   "Good." said Big Boss, wheeling away with a smile on his face.  With
renewed vigour he urged the workers to build.


========================================================================

                          Chapter 4

     The rain had stopped, and the road was becoming more manageable.
Carmon kept a good pace and now Dalamar, three days after he had
awakened his master, showed obvious signs of fatigue.  His lord had
spoke little, conveying words in broad strides, and a steady march
which persisted without sleep, food and water for days now.  Above
all it was conversation he missed.  Slowing a pace he said, "Master
what is it, why do we keep such a pace?"
     Carmon, his hair plastered to his face, conquered by an unending
barrage of sweat, turned to his companion.  His walking forgotten in
light of this new interruption.  "If you look to the north," Carmon
pointed to a ragged chain of mountains, barely a speck against the
horizon,  "you will see the Northgate mountains."  Carmon's face became
sullen  as he spoke.  "Do you know who lives at the base of those
mountains?
     Dalamar realized the answer to this question, and when he
spoke it was forced, "The orcs my lord." These words brought terrifying
memories to mind.  How could he forget the hideous creatures that killed
so many of his neighbors.  The monsters that killed his own family.
     "When the orcs killed my mother the pain was too much for my father
to bear.  As he took his life so do I hunt those who caused this to
happen.  I will serve them their revenge, the mongrels will realize too
late that what they've eaten is their death."
      This speech made made Dalamar grow cold.  Sure his powers had
grown in that terrible war after its occurrence two summers ago, but at
what cost?  He had forgotten the horrors of the war.  "I am sorry for
bringing up these memories my lord, please let us continue."

      Carmon awoke the next morning, a clean mist settling around him.
The night before the massive warrior just could not continue, falling in
the road where he now lay, sleep racing to his eyelids.  No matter
where I sleep, he thought.  He now felt refreshed and ready to go on.
This is when the shouts began.  He was up with sword in hand in an
instant.  Carmon knew that voice.  He dammed himself for his
stubbornness which had left them unguarded the night before.  "Dalamar,
what's the matter, ho Dalamar!"  He found him on he side of the road
wandering surprisingly near.  More surprising however, was that he was
alone.
     "My lord, help me!  Bandits have ripped the sight from my eyes."
His hands found Carmon, and the big man could clearly see the whites
of the irises which represented blindness.
     "Your eyes are still there, what happened to you?"
     He stopped his whimpering, wiping his sightless vessels with his
sleeve. "I do not know my lord.  I awoke this morning, but my sight
still sleeps, and I cannot make it arise."  He began to cry, "I am
doomed."  Carmon sat beside his friend until his tears dried.  Dalamar
rose, heading in the general direction of the road.  "Let us go my lord.
We've orcs to kill, and pretty girls to save."
     Carmon rose taking the arm of his friend, ignoring the bitterness
of his voice he added, "Yes, and all the glories of the heavens to
amass."  With a smile on his lips Carmon quickened their pace.

     Later that evening Palin and Bassibul camped in the darkness.  A
hundred yards away, the warrior and his blind magician ate a silent
supper.  The smell of their stew danced in the air, playing a gentle
tune to Bassibul who had not eaten in quite some time.  "Why are we
here?"  she protested, "I thought we were going to see Furd."
     "We are, and so are they.  These are our new companions."  With
that he was gone, vanishing into the woods.  Bassibul sat upon the wet
leaves and sneezed.  She prayed next, asking her goddess why she was
stuck with such a man as this.  Asking if he was indeed a human at
all, and also wondering what was to become of her.
     As before his spells worked wonderfully on the big oaf of a man.
This brute makes any trickster look like the king of the elven realms.
Palin laughed as he walked from the woods.  This Carmon was suck a fool.
Carmon stood frozen, his hand on his sword, demands placed upon his body
going unanswered.
     "Who are you?" Dalamar begged, tears grouping around the lids as
his eyes darted to unseen targets.
     "My name is Palin De Magere, and you've been following me...why?"
     A look of surprise washed over Dalamar's face, "We have?"
     "Most certainly, and now I ask myself is how to kill such vermin as
you."
     "Please, we are only going to see some King...Furd is his name,
isn't that right Carmon?  Tell him, please tell him m'lord."
     Carmon tried to speak, the ability coming on his second attempt.
"I pledge my service to you Palin De Magere."
     Dalamar was amazed, "What are you talking about, I thought we
were going after the orcs?  What is this all about?"
     "Why would you pledge service to me?"  Palin asked, "I am also
traveling to King Furd, but I am no orc, nor do I have a quarrel with
anyone."
     "I am aware of your exploits," Carmon lied, Plain knew this, he
enjoyed manipulating this man.  "I pledge myself and my friend here to
you so we may follow the greatest mage in all the northlands."
     "And for my trouble I get a stubborn warrior, and a blind magician.
I think I will pass on this genial offer."
     Carmon's eyes became saucers.  His speech was hysterical, "But you
cannot!"
     "Why not?"
     "Without a warrior, Furd will not let you adopt a fief.  It is his
law."
     Palin pretended to think things over.  "Then it is settled.  Let us
return to my camp, after we restore the sight of our resident fool."
As he clapped his hands his spell ended, and the sight returned to
Dalamar, this was all that was necessary to make a puppet of the young
mage.
     "Thank you, every ounce of my blood is for you."
     "Wonderful," Palin played along, "If you don't get up that will be
nothing."  Sooner than expected they made their way back to Bassibul.