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From: [e-mail] (Lance Dooly)
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Subject: STORY: The Tales of Dark Haven (Chapter 18)
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Date: 30 Aug 1995 09:15:31 -0400
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- The Tales of Dark Haven ---------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-                                                                            -
- These stories are from an on-going E-mail campaign, and are currently      -
- maintained by Lance Dooly ([e-mail]).  New stories will be  -
- posted in rec.games.frp.archives and are available for anonymous FTP       -
- at tfnet.ils.unc.edu in /pub/dark.                                         -
-                                                                            -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------- Chapter 18: And Back We Go Again ----------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The party emerge from the mines to meet with Mindak .... All except
Arlon, who disappeared shortly after arguing (once more) with Keilan
.....

(DM:)
When you arrive outside, Mindak is there. He does not seem concerned
too much by any delay caused by the battle, especially considering
what could have happened to him and his miners should someone, feeling
safe in the 'secured' chambers, have accidentally triggered the
arrival of these Daemons, trapping the Miners inside, with no way to
get help..... He will not mind if you wait a bit to heal up, but will
not let you guys camp out and relearn spells and such, as that would
take too much time, and he would be able to get another group to scout
the tunnels earlier than that. The fight did not take that long, so it
is still fairly early. Late morning/early afternoonish.

(Arlon:)
Still invisible, he has trailed the party as they emerged from the
tunnels. He remains in the cave near the wall, but close enough to
listen to the conversation.

(Falrun:)
Falrun is looking very closely to the floor, and listening very
attentively.  He is taking actions you would think of under the same
circumstances, that he is spotting for invisible people.  He is
already looking around where Arlon is and may have picked up some
subtle signs (footprints etc, pebbles accidentally kicked) of Arlon's
whereabouts...

No one else is looking, and Falrun seems to keep his suspicions to
himself.

(Arlon:)
*You are more perceptive than I gave you credit, Falrun.  I'll have to
be more careful.  You may not like our society but you sure use our
talents well.*

He begins to think of something to polymorph into - a harpy but
keeping his own feet.  He wonders if the trident will transform with
him - it does not. In his new form, he then waits for an opportunity
to move back down the cave and out of view.

(Silver:)
As the rest of the party go together to talk to Mindak, Silver will
stay close to Keilan.  Silver will not join in the talk with Mindak.
There is a reaction as she emerges from the cave - she will look
toward the sky, and if we go to the top of the rock, will gaze
longingly inland to the forest canopy.

OOC: She will go with the majority of the party, but if there's a
     split with a few going down into the caves, she will try to
     caution against it. Some great roleplaying here!

(Shade:)
Out there we ask Mindak to guide those who decide to keep on the
original contract.

(Dithion:)
Dithion Ulderan goes out to where Mindak is located and says, "Take me
to the other tunnels...I will be entering them as soon as I get
there."

(Shade:)
"Hey man, take it slow!" - says Shade loudly while an impotent smile
curls his lips - "Wait for us, we are coming, you know?"

(Dithion:)
When Shade asks him to wait, he says, "Aye, I will wait, sorry."

(Falrun:)
Falrun approaches Mindak and says, "My dear Mindak, we have just
experienced a terrible battle with three demon-spawned creatures that
would surely have destroyed a lesser party.  You were wise to procure
our services for this job."

(Shade:)
Shade hardly suffocates a chuckle, choking a little.

(Falrun:)
"Now if you would be so kind as to show us to the tunnels that we were
hired to explore, we shall begin the task for which we were originally
contracted.  We would like to begin this task before the day is too
far gone and delay your operation for as short a time as possible."

(Arlon:)
Still invisible and polymorphed into a harpy-form, and still waiting
for an opportunity to move back down the cave, he takes his chance
when Falrun addresses Mindak. Arlon quietly turns and makes his way
back down the cave - every few steps making a leap and gliding as far
as he can with wings extended.  He goes down to one of the main
tunnels and again waits for the group and he transforms back to
himself.

(Falrun:)
Falrun will then wait for the others to double check their equipment
before following Mindak to the tunnels that need exploring.

(DM:)
Mindak responds a bit hesitantly to the boast that you guys easily
dispatched the creatures (after all, he saw you guys flee into the
pool-room), but will allow for you guys to heal a bit, but not long
enough to rest fully.

(Falrun:)
OOC: Well, it was worth a try.

(DM/Mindak:)
"Well, t'is about noon now, and I give ya six hours ta do what ya have
to. After that, other groups will come that may be better able and
better rested to deal with the tunnels more efficiently. For one, the
Darkhaven Dozen would probably have no problems with even the nastiest
Demons, but I do not expect them back until after eight. If you need,
I can give ya a bonus of 250 gp for taking care of this unexpected
problem, if ye needs buy new supplies. That is about as good an offer
as I can give ya. Oh yeah, by the bye. Where are me perls?"

(Falrun:)
"I believe your pearls are still in the basins, unless somebody picked
them up."

To the rest of the group Falrun says, "I don't know if six hours will
be worth the delay.  Can six hours help anybody?  If not, I'm for
continuing on right now, however, I would be glad if some of you
masters of the mystic arts could replenish some of your lost power."

"It is my understanding of the arcane arts that such a short time,
without any real sleep, will just be wasted effort.  Any other
suggestions?"

Falrun then waits to hear the replies of the party.  As he waits, he
gazes around apparently enjoying the view although he doesn't show any
amusement in his expression.

(Dithion:)
Dithion says to Mindak, "After we enter the tunnels, how long until
you send a second party if we don't come out?  A day?  Two?  What?"

Dithion awaits an answer....

(DM/Mindak:)
"Well, can't say fer sure. Probably a full day, or sooner if nasty
critters begin appearing through the entrance."  Mindak answers with a
wry smile.

(Silver:)
Silver shudders at the mention of more unnatural apparitions. But
surely they couldn't be worse than we just met ... could they ?

(Dithion:)
Dithion sighs and says, "O.k., I say we go on.  What of the rest of
ye?  If it turns sour, we flee.  If not, then we don't."  Then he
turns to Mindak and says, "However, if the tunnels prove vast, then we
will only explore out for half a day.  We will not jeopardize our
reward to another group because you think us dead.  Understand?  You
are paying for a day, it would seem.  Eight hours out, eight for rest,
and eight back.  I doubt we will get everything explored.  This
complex seems to have once held a highly advanced people."

(Shade:)
The drow turns to the rest of the party and says "Just a moment
friends, our group is really not at its best capabilities now , to
understate it. I really suggest to everyone to take greater care in
what is to be done. We cannot afford another battle as harsh as the
previous one."

(Dithion:)
Dithion smiles and says to Shade, "Aye, you speak the truth.  My god
would have me running to the ends of the world....hmm, well I guess he
has."  He smiles again, and says, "The reason I asked Mindak about
time was thus...we can go in, and camp for eight hours, then push for
16 or until we need to flee.  I do not expect we could go on as we
are, but I do not want us to lose our contract.  So, my suggestion and
intent, is to go into the complex find a place close by, and camp to
recover.  Then we will continue.  Of course, much of this is up to the
others."

(Shade:)
"Well stated, Dithion" - is the drow's comment - "Let's go. Who is
coming?"

(Silver:)
Turning to Keilan, Silver said quietly "I think Dithion has the right
idea, don't you, Keilan ?"

(Keilan:)
In answer to Silver, he says "It is his first good notion."

(Falrun:)
"Aye, Dithion, it sounds like a good plan to me also."

"Then if there are no other objections, let us be off."

(Dithion:)
Dithion calls to Mindak "Lead us to the entrance."

(Silver:)
On the way to the entrance to the mines, Silver remembers Arlon,
prompting her to say to Shade and Tatiana "You know, I desperately
wish that I too could run away from such situations. I know running
away solves nothing, but ...." she pauses with a wistful smile.
"Still, I count all of us as friends, even if some of us are going
through a difficult time at the moment" nodding her head towards
Keilan.

(Shade:)
"I would lie saying I'm not worried for this harshness among some of
us, we desperately need to trust each other to be efficient in battle,
and above all _I_ desperately need to take good care of my dear
friends: I haven't so many to spare, you know?"

(Silver:)
"But that's what being friends is all about, isn't it ?"

(Shade:)
The drow smiles wordlessly

(Silver:)
As they see the entrance to the mines once more, Silver turns to Shade
and says "I don't think I could ever get used to this underground
life, Shade."

(Shade:)
"I hope you will never get used to it!" - replies Shade in mock
indignation, then, smiling broadly - "It is one of the most
interesting sides of your charming personality, Silver"

(Tatiana:)
Before heading back into the tunnels behind the rest of the party, she
took one more look out to the Jungle.  So full of life, energy, and
wide open spaces.  With a sigh she walked to the tunnel entrance
Mindak was concerned with. She followed along quietly.

(Silver:)
Hesitantly, Silver moved nearer to Tatiana, and asked "Is .... is Tuft
OK, 'Ana ?" pausing briefly before continuing "and .... and you, of
course .... are you OK ?"

(Tatiana:)
Without taking her eyes off of the scenery, she answer with a longing
sigh and a far away look "Yes Tuft is okay.  He's dozing off again at
the moment."

"Me?" turning to look at Silver. "Yeah, I guess I'm okay." she
answered hesitantly.  Her body was wounded more than any of the others
and her arm was held tentatively.  "I guess being underground is
affecting me more than I thought it would.  That and all this
bickering.  It really hurts the spirit.  ya' know?"

(Silver:)
"Ohh, you have a bardish way of seeing to the heart of things, 'Ana"

Before going down into the tunnels, Silver will speak out - not too
loudly, but not in a whisper, perhaps a slight touch of guilt in her
voice "Arlon, please .... no, never mind.  Just take care of yourself"
and lowering her head, she re-entered the dark mines.



And so the party, some more reluctantly than others, re-enter the
mines ....

(DM:)
Meta: On Kaeyar, he seems to have some real-life problems, and has not
      been able to play for some time. Until such a time as he can
      sort out these problems, I will play Kaeyar as an NPC.

The party, strung out with an eager Shade and Dithion at the front,
and the reluctant Keilan and Tatiana at the rear, slowly trudges back
into the dark tunnels. After some 50 meters into the second shaft
(same one as you entered the first time), you now take a left, instead
of going straight to the temple. Mindak and four miners accompany you,
to show you the way.

When you reach a blockade of rubble, the four miners set to work, and
remove the blockade slowly. After it has been cleared enough for you
to pass, one at a time, they step back to let you through.

(Arlon:)
Arlon has been waiting, invisible, at one side of the tunnel. After a
short time the group passes by, lead by Mindak, and Arlon then
continues tailing the group.  The group stops at the blocked cave
entrance and wait for the dwarves to open it up, Arlon remains about
20 meters away.

(Silver:)
Silver walks all the way to the new tunnel area in silence.  As the
rocks are removed from the new tunnel entrance, Silver looks with eyes
becoming wider. She seems to shrink in upon herself somewhat.

(DM/Mindak:)
"Good luck, and may Clanggeddin be with you." mutters Mindak, as you
climb through the opening one after the other. It is completely dark,
so one of you will probably want to light a torch. After having done
so, you see you stand in a natural tunnel, one end leading off to the
right, one to the left.  You busted into the tunnel sideways.

Where to?

(Dithion:)
Dithion says, "Seal the tunnel entrance" to the dwarves on the other
side. "We will wait here until you do so, so that something might not
enter after we leave.  We will tap on the rock repeatedly to let you
know we are coming.  Then you tap seven times, and we will reply with
four taps...that way you will know it is us over here...then you can
dig us out."

(Silver:)
"Oh No !" comes the plaintive cry from Silver. "Oh please, no. Not
that." She looks around the group with a pleading, almost desperate
expression ...

(Keilan:)
"No.  Do not seal the tunnel.  There is no point in trapping ourselves
down here."

(Tatiana:)
She looks nervously towards the dwarves escorting Mindak as the order
to seal the tunnel was given.

Keilan shouted his reservations as well, and she nodded her
disagreement with the order.

"I don't think we should do that either.  It serves no real purpose
anyway.  If we unleash something big enough to wipe us out, a few
rocks and rubble won't stop it either."

The look on her face says she's more scared of being trapped inside
though.

(Falrun:)
"I don't think it will matter except for the fact that a wandering
creature may find an open tunnel entrance and decide to check it out.
That might cause the dwarves some problems.  But if the dwarves don't
mind, we might as well leave it open for the peace of mind of some
members of the party.  As for me, I've been in tighter spots."

(Dithion:)
Dithion says, "Very well, keep the tunnels open, or do as you wish."
He shrugs knowing that the dwarves will do as they wish anyway.

(Arlon:)
As the group enters the cave, Arlon thinks of a way of entering the
cave without alerting anyone.  His hopes of an easy access are high
when most of the group wants the cave left unsealed.

(DM:)
Unnoticed by those who have passed through, the dwarves are now busy
resealing the entrance to the tunnel.

(Arlon:)
The dwarves start to seal up the entrance anyway.  He needs to act
fast to get into the tunnel with the rest of the group, so Arlon
starts to transform into a large spider.

The Arlon/spider climbs through on the roof of the opening while
holding the trident in his jaws - the dwarves were mostly unaware of
this due to their work. When he is through he stays on the wall and
waits for the group to move far enough ahead.

(Dithion:)
After they all get through the entrance, Dithion says, "Well, shall we
travel a bit?"  He smiles and says, "I would suggest going to the
right."

Meta: Any idea on which way leads to the ocean, and so forth?  Can
      anyone get any bearings down here?

(DM:)
Well, the mine shaft you were following led about straight landinward,
so the tunnel you guys are in now is parallel to the coastline as far
as you can tell.

(Tatiana:)
"Let's head to the left.  I heard someplace once that left is right
and right is wrong; or something like that?  Probably some strange
eastern saying or something"

OOC: Just choose a way it doesn't matter to me

(Silver:)
Silver expresses no preference in which way the party head, looking
back to the hole in the tunnel wall while nearby.

OOC: Silver has no torches, so cannot be the one who lights one.

(Falrun:)
"I believe that if we go right, we will be heading in the direction of
the town.  If that is so, I would prefer to explore that way first.
We may be able to find an alternate entrance/exit that is closer to
the town, or we may find a danger that is more threatening."

"If everyone agrees, I believe it would be better if I scouted about
fifty feet in front of the party.  That way those who are without
infravision can use torches and I'll still be able to use my vision
and the cover of darkness.  However, a more ideal scout might be
someone who could use magic to make themselves invisible, or to change
into a small creature that would easily be able to avoid detection."

(Arlon:)
*Good try my friend, but it is not time for me to come back just yet,
hopefully soon.* Falrun goes first followed by Dithion and the rest,
Arlon follows in spider form.

(Falrun:)
OOC: Was the wall that the dwarves broke through natural rock, or
     could it have been a manufactured wall put up, oh... say two to
     three thousand years ago?  Just a thought.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana sighed audibly to relax herself and get back into the proper
frame of mind for a dungeon crawl. "Alright let's psych ourselves up
for this shall we?" "After all we did just rid the world of 3 daemons
with no loss of life on our side!"

(Dithion:)
He turns to the right, and starts up the tunnel after Falrun...but
stops part way, and chants for a moment.  Suddenly his club begins
glowing with an intensity equal to daylight. Then he continues on....

Meta: Continual light on the club...

(Falrun:)
If it is agreed then, "I will scout approximately 50' ahead of the
party.  If I see anything dangerous, I will stop and wait for the rest
of the group to catch up."

Falrun then heads off to the right, ahead of Dithion, and proceeds to
scout out the tunnels.

(DM:)
Okay, If I got this right, the following happens.  Falrun up ahead,
followed by Dithion with a glowing club, and the rest strung out
behind Dithion. After some 150 yards you see Falrun waiting up ahead
for you all. The tunnel had been bending towards the left for some
time, and now you reach some kind of chamber/widening of the tunnel.
There are two 'exits'.  One to the left, and one to the right. What
with the continual light, you spot water on the floor (a puddle/pool
across the tunnel) in the right exit.

The tunnels you guys are now in are NATURAL tunnels, complete with
irregular rocky floors and walls etc, plenty of niches for stuff to
hide in. The pool could just be water gathered in a depression of the
rock, and does not look like a deliberate construction.  Nothing here
does.

What next?

(Falrun:)
When the rest of the party reaches Falrun, he will walk around the
area to the right "exit" and inspect the opening for traps and will
also try to gather as much info as he can on this passage.

(Shade:)
The drow takes a rock and nonchalantly throws it in the pool "Let's be
sure you really are a pool - he mutters to himself - a mimic is such a
nasty neighbor..."

(Falrun:)
Falrun suddenly jumps back and in a flurry of motion, has his swords
drawn and stands ready to face some invisible creature in the
direction of the puddle of water.  Blushingly, he puts his swords away
when he realizes that the disturbance was caused by Shade's stone.
"Hey, how about a little more warning next time?" he calls.

(Shade:)
"Uh, Sorry Falrun" chuckles the drow.

(Falrun:)
Now that his attention is drawn to it, Falrun walks over to the puddle
to give it a quick glance just to make sure that it was only Shade's
stone.  After a quick look he gives a little "Harumph" and goes back
to the entrance on the right.

(Dithion:)
Dithion says to Falrun, "Have you checked either of these passages?"
indicating the exits to the right and left.  "If not, we might want to
take a quick look.  A chamber with one entrance only will be best for
camping.  Perhaps to the left...no water at least in sight, so it may
be more comfortable." He smiles and moves to look into the right
chamber.

(Falrun:)
"I suggest we keep going to the right.  It will be easier to keep our
bearings if we always stay to one side of the corridor for now."

(Dithion:)
Dithion says, "Good thinking, Falrun." He goes to the right...

(DM:)
By the way, from the sounds you heard after you left, you figured the
Dwarves sealed you guys in anyways. They were not overly concerned
with your objections it seems...

(Silver:)
"Ohh no..." said Silver as she listened to the sounds of the dwarves.
It was close to a whimper, really. Reminiscent of a small bear cub
that has been separated from it's mother.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana put an arm through Silver's, more for her own comfort than
Silver's.  A nervous smile crossed her face as Silver gave her a
questioning look.

Slowly they started to follow Falrun and Dithion.  The braver of the
group, or perhaps most foolhardy as only history can tell. 'Hopefully
history will be kind' she thought to herself.

(Silver:)
"Thank you, 'Ana" whispered Silver. Once Silver had briefly, but
nervously, glanced all around, she smiled back at Tatiana close next
to her. "Thank you for understanding. This takes me back ... many
years" and Tatiana could feel her shudder as they walked.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana gave Silver a questioning look.  "I'm not sure what you mean?"
"Do you want to talk about it?"

(Silver:)
"Perhaps it is time. Time someone else knew."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana raised her eyebrow in curiosity.

(Silver:)
Silver starts hesitantly, relating a tale which is obviously painful
to her.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana squeezed her arm gently to reassure her.

(Silver:)
"It was ... years ago, back when I was a young girl. The others ...
saw me as different, and started hurting me by calling names ... like
'DemonSpawn' ... and then I ran from them ... but they chased me,
throwing stones at me ... even those I thought were friends."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana started at that comment and began to wonder why the children
would say such a thing.

(Silver:)
"I ran into a small hole in a cliff which opened into a cave, and they
stood at the entrance throwing stones in at me. Then they piled up
rocks at the entrance, blocking out the light, blocking me in."

"They laughed all the while, calling out names again"

"Then the laughter stopped, and I heard and saw nothing for what
seemed like forever. I slept, but had nothing to eat nor drink. I
called, but there was no answer. I tried to move the rocks, but I was
only a young child at the time."

"After a few days, I became delirious and started hallucinating.
Nameless terrors attacked me and I screamed. Close to death I was, yet
those screams were heard by a passing stranger. He rescued me, and
cared for me until I was well again."

Swallowing nervously, Silver added " .... two of those children were
my own brothers. They lied and said I had run away into the forest."

(Tatiana:)
"That's simply awful!  Why no-one as kind as you should be treated so
badly!" Shaking her head in dismay.  "Mans cruelty never ceases to
astound me.  I will never understand the roots of evil"

(Silver:)
"The dwarves blocking up the tunnel entrance brought some of that back
to haunt me."

Smiling thinly at Tatiana, Silver says "And so now you know."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana pulled Silver a little closer for a hug.  "You're with friends
now Silver.  And as long as you remain as you are I'll try never to
allow that kind of mistreatment to happen again."

(Silver:)
Silver returns the hug, and says "Thanks 'Ana. You are a good friend
indeed. However, I had thought that sharing this story might help to
ease the pain of it. Perhaps in time..."

(Tatiana:)
"One thing does prompt a question if I may ask?" "Why were they
calling you DemonSpawn?"

(Silver:)
"Oh, because of my silver hair. I came from a village where everyone
was dark-haired, and at birth some of the elders said that I had been
'Touched by an Angel', but others muttered worse things behind my
back."

(Shade:)
Shade turns to the two ladies "I didn't mean to poke in" - he smiles
warmly - "but my long ears, you know..." - he slightly pulls his
elvish ears feigning an helpless shrug, then seriously - "I do know
how painful it can be, feeling different from the ones who are around
you, but, even if any one of us is different from the others, Tatiana
is right: you are between friends now Silver."  A twisted smile curls
the drow's lips "We may unleash daemons upon you but we will never let
them mistreat you" - he frowns at his own words and bows to Silver and
Tatiana - "be kind Miladies, forgive the cruel humor of a drow."

(DM:)
>From what I gathered, you guys head on to the right, the corridor with
the pool/puddle in it. Falrun, Dithion and Shade take the point,
Falrun first, with Shade and Dithion slightly behind him to the left
and right. You step carefully in the muddy water, and as you lower
your feet, you feel solid rock at about five centimeters, your next
steps remain cautious, and with good reason, as the floor in the
puddle is quite uneven. Everyone wades carefully but the floor is
slick from mineral offset (all roll dex check at -10 + AC due to armor
(i.e. no armor is reg dex check, leather at -2 etc etc) If you fail,
you fall :-), and take 1d2 hpd from scrapes, and worst of all.... you
get wet! This tramping around through the water continues for about 50
meters, with the depth of the water varying from 5cm to 50cm, then you
reach dry land.  The corridor opens up into a large cave shortly after
the corridor became dry, and there is another corridor branching off
to the left.

(Falrun:)
Falrun starts to make his way carefully through the puddle.  He makes
it halfway through the puddle when suddenly his feet slip out from
under him.  He pulls himself back to his feet, muttering "This just
isn't my day!"

OOC: Failed save, took 2 hpd.

(Dithion:)
Dithion is obviously not very dextrous.  He falls down a couple times,
until he starts to use his club for additional support....

By the time he makes it across, he is wet, muddy, and very happy.
(Caving is soooo much fun, if you guys haven't done it before, you
should!)

(He is also down by 2 hps)

(Shade:)
"This rock is awfully slipperyiooooo...." At once the drow starts
dancing in the water desperately trying to stay on his feet. Finally,
he manages to do it but not before having splashed cold water on his
two companions "Sorry guys," - he mutters apologetically - "you'd
better stay a little further from me."

OOC: I rolled 9 (just barely enough)

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana watched as Shade and the others started to cross.  "Hey guys!
There's no way I'm crossing this stuff!  I'll be on my butt most of
the time!.  And I've had enough of being uncomfortable!"

(Shade:)
"Don't worry 'Ana, we'll be back soooooo" - another small duck like
dance - "oon."

(Tatiana:)
"You guys check it out ahead and I'll wait here.  Where I can stand on
steady ground!"

(Shade:)
"Ok, we'll check it and then get back to tell you all."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana stands on the dry side of the cave floor looking at the
treacherous ground before the party.  Shrugging her shoulders she
turns to guard the path they had just came down.

OOC: I'm not following.  Tatiana will walk the path back to the
     intersection and guard there.

(Silver:)
Seeing Shade slide about precariously in the water, Silver calls to
the others close by her "'Ana, Keil, Kaeyar, wait before you cross
here. Allow me ... Mielikki willing, of course ... to help you across
this area"

OOC: Presume that Falrun & Dithion are already across, and Arlon is
     still watching us ...  somewhere ... 8-)

Taking a small piece of cork from her satchel, she says steadily

      "My dear Mielikki,
       In small things you have mastery,
       Guide the path we tread,
       Keep us safe once more"

And embraces each of her friends in turn. The embrace gave no
indication that anything strange was going to happen, but as each of
them stepped into the puddle, they found that they did not enter it,
but rather stepped onto it. The puddle felt "springy", and they
remained secure on the surface of the water. Their feet did not even
get wet from the puddle.

OOC: Water Walk, will continue for 10 turns on each of us.

(Tatiana:)
"Thank you Silver" she said with a reassured smile.

With confidence Tatiana followed the rest of the group across the
water to the sparkling room.

(Arlon:)
When the group gets to the puddle, Arlon will wait for all to cross
before attempts it, he is amused as Shade has a little trouble.  Arlon
will crawl on the wall for the entire length of the puddle (in spider
form).

(Keilan:)
Keilan delights at Silver's endowing him to walk on water.  "You
should get a post at a river ford.  I'd pay money just to walk back
and forth for hours like this."

(Silver:)
"I'd never really thought about it that way before. I always take joy
in any gift from Mielikki. But it is rather fun, isn't it ?" she said
with a smile.
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------------------------------ End of Chapter 18 -----------------------------
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--
*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*
Lance Dooly
[e-mail]                         "Not I," said the cat.
Physics/Chemistry/Philosophy   (PCP?!)