NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/alt/pub/dragons/4589

Text File | 1993-01-25 | 5.4 KB | 87 lines

Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Path: sparky!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!emory!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!eff!ssd.intel.com!ichips!hfglobe!ibeam!hutch
From: [e-mail] (Steve Hutchison)
Subject: [Inn] Kadrys: Surprising Sights...
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Organization: Intel Corp., Hillsboro, Oregon
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 21:00:56 GMT
Lines: 76

[ADMIN]  This is posted for Andrea Evans.
Please forgive the choppiness at the end - I've had to edit to fit in
with the Introducing Krupp continuity.


As 'Raelf tells Mary Littlefair of events in the Black Dragon Inn, Kadrys
listens in silence, wincing imperceptibly at the memory of Screamer's
excruciating idea of music. Kadrys does not contribute a word to the tale.
There are some things that people should be spared. The memory of the waitress
Strungout's offspring, writhing just under her skin, brings a certain grimness
to his expression. He searches his mind for some less disturbing topic, and
recalls the rare moment of genuine startlement he had experienced when meeting
ar'Elya. Had he really glimpsed his own reflection in the 'kan's eyes? He peers
intently across the table. As if sensitive to the pressure of his stare, the
burly warrior shifts slightly in his chair, half-turning to glance at the
vampire. Yes, there it is. Instantly Kadrys shifts his eyes to the emptied
glasses on the table, checking to see if his recent long stay in the
Shadowlands had somehow affected his physical self. No. The surface of the
glasses contain tiny distorted images of the entire table, and all its
occupants. All of them, save only himself. He frowns absently at the twisted
reflection of the empty chair he is occupying, and a moment later his curiosity
draws his eyes into an uncharacteristically frank stare, openly studying the
pin-sharp images in ar'Elya's emerald orbs.

A moment later he gives a quiet gasp of astonishment. Sure enough, the images
are both of himself. But - they are not the _same_ images! In one eye is an
indistinct and shadowy vision: a looming dark form, a pale face, a mouth agape
on long white fangs, and blazing red eyes. It is himself, but certainly not
himself as he is now: the quiet customer of the Inn. It might be himself as
seen by one of his prey: a victim's vision of a vampire. In the other eye is a
clearer image: himself as he was in mortal life, dressed for a night's 'work':
all in tightfitting black, even to the sleevelike hood which masks the face and
leaves only the eyes uncovered. A thin cord of black silk tied to a blackened
grapnel is coiled over one shoulder, a roll of picks is in one black-gloved
hand, and an amulet of ward-deflection is bound to his brows. Vampire. Thief.

How extraordinary... Kadrys draws breath to ask ar'Elya about this bizarre
sight, when the images suddenly change. One eye now contains a distant image of
himself as he has spent most of his unlife: a shadow among shadows, a face at a
window, peering in at the light and warmth and life he cannot share. The other
eye contains a vision of himself as he was on his first date with Imariye': a
tender, loving smile illuminating his entire face, as he holds out in offering
a bouquet of deep red roses. Loner. Lover. He struggles for control over the
emotions roused by the torrent of memories, when the images change again. This
time, the first image shows him at one of the many times he has had to fight
for his life. Surrounded by a ring of foes, he is crouched in catlike
readiness to move in any direction. His fangs are bared in an avid smile and
his eyes shine with the wild glee of battle. The second shows an image for the
first time not too dissimilar from himself as he now appears to the rest of the
Inn. He is settled in a cosy corner of a library, a book open on his lap, but
his eyes are fixed in quiet contemplation upon the people passing before him.
Fighter. Philosopher. His curiosity, however, is now too intense to let him
remain silent.

"ar'Elya..." he starts, but the warrior interrups him, grinning reassuringly.
"Don't worry. You know 'Raelf. He works with elements. With me it's personas.
Roles. Everybody's more than one person. I just got a knack of seeing who
people are." Kadrys nods slowly as comprehension dawns.
"Ahh. 'Reflecting Stone'. I understand."
He makes a private resolution not to study ar'Elya's eyes any further.
'I may not _like_ the selves I may see...' he thinks grimly.

His train of thought is broken by the sound of a crash as a tray of mugs hits
the floor. He glances over his shoulder to see Serene bent over a halfling
sitting with his back to the wall.  Noting Father Lucas turning to help, he
returns his attention to the conversation when the word "dead" is spoken.
He is finishing his sentence, somewhat abstracted, when the sensation of a
touch runs THROUGH his arm.  He glances down in surprise.

He knew halflings had a deserved reputation for silence, but this? Kadrys had
_not_ heard the halfling arrive at all. An instant later, a frown of concerned
surprise etches itself on the vampire's face. Not only no footsteps. No
heartbeat. No intakes of breath. Kadrys switches attention to his other senses.
No scent of blood or flesh. No radiated bodyheat. His suspicions are confirmed,
as the ghost looks at him, yells "VAMPIRE!" and bolts THROUGH the crowd, to be
brought up short as he bounces off the magically warded walls of the Inn.