*************************
[Dark] Compendium, Chapter I
*************************

Whilst Sera found the small girl with the parchment, a rider came to the Inn.
The rider was heavily cloaked in black, with a glint of silver shining from
its depths.  The rider dismounted and walked into the inn.  In the light of
the fireplace, the rider pulled back his hood, and revealed very elven features.
He was quite large for an elf, the size of the average human.  As he strode to 
the bar, it was revealed that the silver glints from beneath the cloak was
from chain mail.  The elven stranger motioned for the bartender and speaking
in a near whisper, said "I am looking for a young girl"...


______________________________


>Hugh replied "Well, we don't see many children here at the Inn...but,
>tell me more.  And, you're welcome to post a notice so that anyone who
>might see her would know who to contact.  Please, tell me more...
>
>[Meantime, Sera is trying to get some help to bring the still
>unconscious young girl to the Inn...]

The Elf looks quite concerned.  Frowning, he reaches under his cloak and
pulls out a leather bag, from which he takes out a silver piece.  He places
the silver piece on the counter.  It is of obvious ancient elvish mint. 
"Please bring me some food and drink" he says, and begins to move towards
a table.  He suddenly stops and turns back toward Hugh "Has anyone else come
in seeking a young girl?"

[what IS going on outside?]


______________________________

Subject: [Inn] Eldarion and a knife
Newsgroups: alt.dragons-inn
Summary: 
Keywords: 
Organization: The Elven House of Elessidel

>Hugh looks up as Sara, the young girl, and Garrison make their entrance.
>He says to the Elf "Perhaps the one you are seeking has been brought to
>you?"

The elf immediately pulls his hood back up.  As he does this, a small, lizard
like creature with wings peaks out from behind the elfs neck, only to be
obscured once again by the hood. "Tis drafty in here" the elf whispers.

>He then goes off, returning with the succulent roast beef, a flagon of ale,
>and freshly baked bread with butter.  Hugh says "I'm sorry I didn't answer
>your question earlier, but all the activity distracted me a bit.  No,
>no one has come in looking for a young girl..."

The elf gathers up the food and ale, and moves to an empty table at the corner.
Once in the shadows of the corner, he pulls back the hood, and pulls out a
long, wicked looking knife.  The elf cuts the beef with the knife, though this
does not look like the type of knife one would eat with.  As he slowly eats,
the knife never leaves his hands.  The knife suddenly is flipped in his hand,
point in hand, as the old man bends forward torwards the girl.  As the old man
continues his ministrations, the elf relaxes and goes back to his meal, all
the time watching.

>        With a startling jerk she sits upright, dropping the small scroll she
>had so desperately clug onto all this while. It rolls gently under Garrison's
>chair, un-noticed by all, except the large elf who recently  left the bar to
>investigate the commotion.

The elf curses under his breath, and whispers into his cloak.  The small lizard
like creature, a pocket dragon, stealthily climbs down from the elf's shoulders
and, moving from shadow to shadow, makes its way towards the scroll.

The fire in the fireplace suddenly dies down, and the candles about the room
become dim, as the elf whispers to himself.  He stops whispering when he hears
the sounds of hoofbeats (3 discerned by his elvish ear) galloping towards the
inn.  Cursing once again, the elf loosens the sword in its scabbard, and once
again begins quickly whispering to himself.  He suddenly stops whispering, and
shouts "Dardt, telanu veldai!".  The pocket dragon immediately quits moving
in the shadows and dives forward and snatches the scroll from the floor. "Ke
lann nu te, Dardt!" shouts the elf, and the pocket dragon (Dardt) speeds back
toward the elf.

(Which of course has caused much commotion at the inn)(sorry)

__________________________

>A few seconds later, three heavily armoured elf soldiers, enter the
>Inn. They immediately scan the large room as if they were hunters looking for
>prey. 

As one of the elven soldiers stays at the door, keeping it open,  the other
two approach the bar.

>One of the
>two manages to stumble over Garrison's staff, which magically seamed to get
>in the elf's way (this brings out a few chuckels from the crowd). "Watch where
>you put that thing old man", growls the warrior. Garrison retorts with a
>feable apology and states: "I'm a blind old man, what is your excuse?" (more
>chuckles)

H>Hawthorne, the halfling priest of Epicuria, interposed himself between
H>the obviously angry elf and Garrison.  He had no doubt that, despite his
H>blindness, Garrison could handle himself.  Hawthorne just wanted to make
H>sure there were no misunderstandings.

H>"Excuse me, good sir," he addressed the elven soldier.  "My name is
H>Hawthorne Dragonsjest, and I work for Hugh, the owner of this
H>establishment.  I know you stalwart soldiers are poised and ready foraction against whatever threatens your important mission.  However, as a
H>friend concerned for your welfare, I felt it encumbant upon me to
H>mention that this inn is protected by special spells that dispell hostile
H>magics and turn offensive actions back upon the perpetrator."

The elven warrior smiles evilly at this, and his eyes seem to glow red.
Garrison seems to start, and mumbles to himself, "something is not right
here...they are not what they seem!"  Eldarion, once again cloaked, sends
Dardt up into the rafters of the inn, and draws his sword, keeping it
beneath his cloak.  As the sword is drawn, Garrison starts again, and
turns his blind eyes toward Eldarion, seeming to stare at him.  He senses
a grave, dangerous force come into play, a force perhaps too powerful for
the wards of this inn.  Eldarion slowly makes his way toward the bar.  

H>Hawthorne smiled, all genuine charming innocence.
H>"Now, may I get you and your comrades some of the inn's finest elven
H>wine, blessed by Epicuria, Goddess of Wine and Merriment, while your
H>commander speaks with my employer regarding your business?"

H>Beaming the smile of a gracious host at the intruding elves, Hawthorne
H>gestures to a table and prepares to take their orders as their waiter.

>Before the angry elf could react, his leader commands his
>presence at the bar. Talking to the bar-keep Hugh, the largest of the gang
>questions, "have you seen a girl with red hair recently?" "We have 
>information that places her near this area", he states.

By this time Eldarion is at the other end of the bar.  He pulls back his hood
and smiles at the other elf.  The leader of the trio looks from Hugh to
Eldarion.  "You!" is all he can say as Eldarion launches himself towards the
two at the bar, colliding with them both with such force, they are carried out
the door of the inn, colliding with the third elf warrior on the way out.  As
the patrons of the inn rush to the windows and doorway to see what is 
happening, Eldarion has disintangled himself from the other three elves, and
moving with lightning speed, plunges his sword into the nearest of the elves.
The impaled elf screams like a beast, and his image begins to shift into
something much darker.  Claw like hands desperately grasp at the blade, but
the sword stays deeply embedded in the creature.  As the thing dies, wisps 
of smoke seem to leave the body of the creature and enter into the sword.  As
the creature shudders its last, Eldarion desperately tries to pull the sword
out.

The other two 'elves', seeing the fate of their comrade, also begin to shift.
They are creatures of claw and shadow, cloaked in darkness.  They move to
opposite sides of the struggling Eldarion, who continues to pull at the
sword.  "Let go....arrrgh....release it!" He seems to shout at his sword.
Finally, as the creatures are about to charge, Eldarion wrenches the sword
free, and Garrison walks out of the inn, seeming to glow.  Seeing the 
sword free, and the arrival of another seeming opponent, the leader rasps
out "Krushak!" and Eldarion is propelled into the wall of the inn by some
unseen force.  The creatures mount their black steeds, and the leader points
a claw at Eldarion and rasps "You are a fool...you cannot save her.  She
will come to US when the time is right!"  Eldarion, visibly shaken from
being thrown into the wall, looks up and points his sword at the leader,
"By my blood, you shall not have her!!!" he shouts.  The leader, seems to
smile at this, and turning toward the inn, rasps "and you mortals, will
now pay for your insolence!" and stretches out its claw towards the inn. A
fireball the size of a man appears before the creature and hurtles towards
the inn.  As everyone in the inn shrinks back, the fireball collides with
the inn, but instead  of exploding, it dissipates.  "Thank the gods, the 
wards held! says Hugh.

The creature, seeing its attack come to nigh, rasps something intelligible
to its remaining comrade, and the two gallop towards the woods.  Before
they reach the woods, they seemingly begin to waver, and then disapppear.

Eldarion slumps against the wall and sheaths the sword.  His head is
bleeding from the impact with the wall, and he topples to the ground.  The
pocket dragon streaks from the inn, and lands upon Eldarion's motionless
body, hissing threateningly at the nearby Garrison.

(Authors comment:  To anyone who notices, this sword seems to be made of
some sort of translucent black marble.  But the silver veins running
through this 'marble' seem to move and twist about.)

________________________


Subject: [Inn] Eldarion to Sera
Newsgroups: alt.dragons-inn
Organization: The Elven House of Elessidel
Summary: 
Keywords: 


>'bush' looks up and tells the frantic child that everything should be fine
>now.  "He's still unconscious, but his wounds have been made right, and when 
>he recovers he'll be fine.  Upset maybe, but physically fine.  We could wake
>him right here, but that could be dangerous.  The only drawback, is that
>we'll need some help to carry him into the inn."  'bush' looks around
>expectantly, for a volunteer.  
>
> 
> 	Quickly, a couple of strong men including Hawthorne, come to the aid
> of the fallen elf. They carefully pick him off the ground and carry his limp
> body up to a room, where Sera can administer some care. The pet Dragon pocket
> begins to whimper, "Don't fret little one", 'bush' says in a reassuring tone,
> "I will bring you to your masters bed-side."
> 

Dardt streaks up to 'bush's shoulder, and gives 'bush's face a lick for
helping his master. The men carry the inert Eldarion up to the room, one 
of whom, upon brushing the sheathed sword at Eldarion's side, yelps "Gods,
this thing is freezing cold!"  They place Eldarion on the bed, and quickly
leave, not wanting anymore to do with such things.

Eldarion awakes as Sera places a cold compress to his head.  He spends some
time trying to regain focus on Sera and says something really intelligent,
"Gaak". "Hush now, you've had quite a tumble" says Sera, pushing Eldarion
back on the bed.  "You've been near the centre of quite a bit of commotion
of late.  How is your head?"  Eldarion tentatively feels at his temples,
and finds it not too painful.  "I feel well, my lady.  I thank you for your
concern...is everything...alright here?"  "As well as can be expected, what
with your swordplay and the fireworks" she frowns at him.  "I...am sorry,
but I was trying to stop things from getting out of hand."  Sera takes the
compress off Eldarions head and returns it to the bowl.  "I do have one
question.  Actually, I have many, but one which is foremost in my mind.  
How was it that the wards of the inn did not stop you from attacking those
creatures and taking them outside?"  "Tis a curse I must bear." Eldarion
says, almost inaudibly.  "What else would you know of me?" asks Eldarion.
Sera really wasn't satisfied with the answer to her first question, but she
did not wish to push it.  "Well, you could start with your name, and where
you are from."

Eldarion smiles "My name is Eldarion, and I come from the elven nation of
Tynntangial, far, far to the east.  Unlike those beasts, the Darkguard, who
transformed themselves as elven soldiers,  I really am part of Tynntangial's
army.  I have been trailing them for many weeks, for I have sought that which
they have sought.  I am sorry about the events which have happened here, but
I feared that none of you could see the darkguards for what they really were
save perhaps that blind old man, who knew something was afoot.  There are
magics, and there are magics.  I sensed the magics which protect this place,
but I knew that the darkguard possess great powers as well.  I did not wish
to see what would happen should these forces be forced to clash, so I reacted.
I had the best interests of the inn patrons at heart."  Eldarion looks around,
"What happened to the girl?...and where is Dardt?"

{Eldarion is a captain of elven cavarly in Tynntangial.  He stands nearly six
feet tall, in our measurments.   All of his kinsmen of House Elessidel are of
similar tall height for elves.  He has silver hair and amber eyes, and wears
the elvish chain mail and uniform of the royal cavalry under a heavy, black
cloak.  He has a companion, a pocket dragon names Dardt.  He is also in 
possesion of an evil looking sword of which I will go into depth as the story
continues}  (Last note:  He is also in possesion of the scroll which Zeph has
struggled with)

_______________________________


As Eldarion sits up on the bed-

>        Zeph enters the room and quickly joins Eldarion, by his bed-side. Tears
>running down her cheeks, she cries "thank the gods, you're well!" For the first
>time, Eldarion has a chance to view Zephilia, face to face.

Eldarion beams a broad smile "Well met kinsman, at last.

> "I have been
>searching for you for a long while...dear child", Eldarion tells the sobbing
>child. He can see tears coating fair skin, dripping from eyes of the most
>beautiful green pigment. She stood, by his quick estimation, at about 4 feet
>and 10 inches (she has some growing to do, he thinks to himself). Her legs
>were long and slender, giving him an impression of agility and speed. But most
>remarkable of all her dazling features was her mane of fire. She will grow to
>be a remarkable woman one day, he ponders. "Thank you, with all my heart, for
>chasing those creatures away", Zeph says with a smile that lightens Eldarion's
>heart. "It would seam that I have many saviours today", the girl declares in a
>happy voice and then gives Eldarion a soft hug.

Eldarion wholeheartedly returns the embrace, whispering in her ear in elvish
"Blood of my blood, you are safe now."  He looks up past Zeph at the blind
old man, and although he knows the old man cannot see him, he nods in greeting.
He slowly pulls Zeph from the long hug she was giving him. "We have much to
discuss, kinsman."  He looks her deeply in the eyes.  "There is grave evil
afoot.  Things have been set in motion and pieces have been put into play by
the great evil in the north.  Those things I just barely stopped are called
'Darkguards' in the language of our people.  They will be back.  But they
will come back thrice reinforced.  We must be away from this place soon, not
just for our sake, but for the sake of the people at this inn."  He pauses,
contemplating.  "Where shall we go?  I am wanted in these lands." Zeph says
to Eldarion.  "We must plan this carefully, kinsman, for the game has begun,
and for the sake of all the peoples, we must not lose."  He once again looks
up past Zeph, "Old one, do you wish to be party to this?  The road will be
long and hard.  The Darkguard will continue to seek us out along the way. 
And there are even darker, more powerful creatures that may be set in our
path.  What say you?"

_____________________________

After watching bush leave the room, Eldarion tentatively tries to get on
his feet, and finds that there is no dizziness or pain left from his
encounter with the darkguards.  He arranges his armour, and puts things
aright on his equipment belt.  "Cha, Dardt" he says, and the pocket dragon
alights upon his shoulder.  He sees the old man standing in the corner,
once again seeming to watch him with dead eyes.  It was a bit unnerving.

Eldarion crosses over to the room and stands before the old man.  "I am
not as trusting as my cousin when it comes to dealing with humans."  He says
softly to the old man.  "In most cases, I would not do what I am about to.
But I will trust in the judgement of my kinsman, and in the kindness you
have shown."  He reaches out and grasps the old man's hand.  "Well met,
Garrison.  I am Eldarion Elessidel of House Elessidel, Captain of Legentors,
and...a friend."

After Eldarion and Garrison confirm their friendship, and the fact that
they both oppose the same evil, Eldarion sits at a table in the room. "Come,
my friend, let us sit.  There is much to discuss and plan and so little time.
I for one, am quite short on my elven field rations.  And we must look into
horses for the rest of you, assuming you do not already have them.  I will
let Zeph ride my mount, Gilaen, and I will take the mount the darkguard rode
in on.  Though the darkguard are beings of shadow, their horses are natural,
and of good, hardy stock.  The same heritage that belongs to the horses of
the Legentors, as a matter of fact." 

Just then, Sera walks into the room with a pitcher of ale and a tray of mugs.
"I thought you might be thirsty up here." she says setting the pitcher and
tray down. "Zeph is in my room getting dressed, in good, leather traveling
clothes.  One of my best, as a matter of fact."  Eldarion reaches into the
pouch at his side and pulls out four gold elven sovereigns of Tynntangial,
and places the coins in Sera's hand.  "You have been quite kind, dear lady,
and I thank you for your assistance.  I wish to repay your kindness, as well
as purchase some traveling rations, dried beef, beans and such.  We will be
leaving soon."  Sera looks down at her hands and smiles.  "I will have the
rations ready for your departure, good sir."  As she turns to leave, Eldarion
reaches out and grasps her arm.  "Sera, should anyone come looking for us..."
she interupts him "I've never heard or seen of you? yes, yes, I get that
all the time."  She rushes out the doorway and squeals as she bumps into 
'bush', coming back into the room.  She whirls around 'bush' and heads down
the stairs as 'bush' calls down "We're sorry!"  'bush' comes into the room,
followed by a smirking Zeph (now dressed to travel), who had just witnessed
the scene at the doorway.



________________________

Both Garrison and Eldarion smile at the incident at the doorway.

b>As Sera rushes down the steps in front of 'bush's apology, 'bush' turns and
b>enters the room.  "Eldarion, we're glad to see you up and about so quickly!

Eldarion gets up and greets 'bush' "Well met, my friend.  I thank you for
the assistance given outside.  Please, join us that we may plan our journey"
'bush' and Eldarion sit at the table occupied by Garrison.

z>Zeph takes an added step or two into the room after closing the door
z>behind her. She is fully clothed for the first time since arriving at the inn
z>earlier that same day. In her left arm, rests a long coat (to be used in
z>colder weather). Her forest green blouse is covered slightly by a tan leather
z>vest. She wears snug fitting leather pants that are almost midnight black
z>that reach down to almost meet her new moccasins.

Eldarion once again gets up (as do the other two, being quite the gentlemen!)
and greets Zeph. "Well met, cousin." He smiles, and grasps Zeph by her
shoulders, looking her up and down.  "Now you look ready to travel"  Zeph
once again comes forward and hugs Eldarion. "I have so many question for you,
of my parents and our family"  Eldarion puts his fingers lightly on Zeph's
lips, "I will tell you all you want to know, and more, once we are on the
road.  For now, let us sit and make our plans."  Eldarion, opens the door
and calls down to Sera and orders some food to be brought up (greens and
potatoes and mushrooms for Garrison), then leads Zeph to the table where
Garrison and 'bush' await.

z>"At last, we are a team." She announces,
z>happy as ever."Shall we spend the evening eating and getting to
z>know one another?" Zeph asks, light heartedly and beams a smile at the three
z>gentlemen she has only recently met. She has not felt so happy so secure for
z>a long time. I have kin, she thinks to herself while waiting for the men to
z>answer, causing her eyes to twinkle with delight. The four are grouped
z>together in private for the first time (I should say five -let's not forget
z>Eldarion's little companion).

They all take their seats, and begin to discuss the days events as well as
plan their journey.  'bush' begins by mentioning he has no need of a horse,
that he doesn't know how to ride one, and that a horse would in fact, hinder
him.

b>"On a horse we will probally slow the rest of you
b>down, but we run rather well on the ground?"  'bush' smiles at the company,
b>a rather odd sight, that hopeful grin on that finely etched face of white,
b>rough skin.

"I see no reason for you to 'have' to ride a horse, friend 'bush'" says
Eldarion.  "My only concern would be in a situation where we would need
to leave in haste.  I for one would not leave you behind."  The others nod
in agreement.  "But, I suppose, should the need arise, we could pull you
up on one of our mounts, unless you have a more clever way to evade in
haste?"

There is a knock on the door, and Sera enters bearing a heaping tray of food.
She sets it down on the table, and leaves after being paid four silver elven
crowns by Eldarion.  The group begins to eat.  Dardt begins peaking out of the
folds of Eldarion's hood, and begins to chitter.  Zeph reaches out with a bit
of beef and feeds it to the pocket dragon.  Dardt immediately leaves the
security of Eldarion's cloak and alights on Zeph's shoulder.  "Looks like you
have made a friend" says 'bush', smiling.  Eldarion nods, "He likes you Zeph,
he usually never takes food from others, save perhaps my sister Ellana."  The
pocket dragon continues to tear at a pheasant leg offered by Zeph, and once
finished, begins to make cooing noises, and curls up on Zeph's shoulder,
falling asleep.

"Well my friends," begins Eldarion over the meal "we find that we need only
get one more horse, which Garrison says he can get without problem.  I have
taken the liberty of purchasing rations for us along the way.  Garrison and
'bush' can add to the rations from the land, and Dardt is an excellent hunter
of rabbits and fowl.  It would seem we are ready to go.  The question is,
where shall we journey to?  I for one wish to get Zeph and this scroll to the
safety of Tynntangial as soon as possible.  But there is the matter of
clearing Zeph's name, and I for one would not mind giving Zeph's tormentor a
taste of Gil-Kanen" Eldarion pats his sword.

"Before we discuss this further, I feel I must warn you that there are more
Darkguard out there.  As well as beings even more evil and powerful."  He
reaches into a pouch at his side and brings out two broaches, exactly the
same that clasps his cloak at his neck, a single eight-pointed star between
the branches of two trees. "The Darkguard put much of their power in an
ability to shift into more natural, even trusting shapes.  It allows them
to get close to unsuspecting targets, making them quite vulnerable to the
Darkguard.  These broaches allow the Legentors to see the disguised
Darkguard for the creatures of claw and shadow that they are.  They will of
course aid you not, friend Garrison, but you seemed to sense their disguise
downstairs, regardless."  He hands the broaches to Zeph and 'bush'.

Eldarion pauses, contemplating. "My counsel, for the safety of the scroll and
Zeph, is to head straight for Tynntangial.  What say you?"

_________________________


g>	"Considering that my horse will have to be lead, I don't see why 
g>having 'bush' run would cause to many problems.  Since you, Eldarion, 
g>seem to be the most comfortable on a horse, I think it would be best if 
g>you lead my horse."  Garrison comments.

"Perhaps we should tether your horse to Gilaen, who will be Zeph's mount"
says Eldarion to Garrison.

"Though I will be using Dardt to scout ahead of us, a job he is well
trained for, there will be times I will need to ride ahead of the group.
At those time I would like you near Zeph" He nods towards his cousin,
who is distracted from the conversation by her attentions to the pocket
dragon.

b>"If everyone agrees to scatter should the need arise, we would be fine doing
b>so alone.  We could also probally pull everyone back together later.  You
b>could disguise your path, we've no doubt Old One.  Zeph and Eldarion, you
b>both may want to stick together.  Just an idea, but we are not as
b>experienced with battle as you Eldarion, we're sure.  The decision should
b>rest with you."

"I don't know about us all scattering 'bush'.  I know I will not leave Zeph
in such a situation, and I would not feel right leaving Garrison, either, his
being blind and all.  But that doesn't mean that you can't 'disappear' should
the need arise, and find us later.  Being a soldier, I don't like being 
seperated from my comrades at such times, but I do know that it is a necessity
at times." Eldarion smiles at 'bush' "So no horse for you."

e>The question is,
e>where shall we journey to?  I for one wish to get Zeph and this scroll 
e>to the
e>safety of Tynntangial as soon as possible.  But there is the matter of
e>clearing Zeph's name, and I for one would not mind giving Zeph's 
e>tormentor a taste of Gil-Kanen" Eldarion pats his sword.

z>	Zeph pauses momentarilly from petting the pocket dragon and queries
z>Eldarion, "will we be passing threw Chadwick?" Then with a sly grin and 
z>contempt in her voice, she states, "nothing would give me more pleasure 
z>than 
z>to have a second chance at Soros!" Then, without waiting for an answer, 
z>she begins to softly stroke her tiny friend again. The men gathered around 
z>the table with her cannot help think to themselves that this girl has two 
z>distinct and fascinating sides, like a rare coin.

Eldarion is a bit startled at the hatred he glimpsed in Zeph's eyes.  "She
is in much pain" he thinks to himself.  Speaking aloud, he smiles at Zeph,
saying "I am not from this area, dear Zeph, so I have no idea where this
Chadwick is.  I can tell you that Tynntangial is far off to the east,
across the ocean.  Quite a long journey.  But I have a way of getting us
across the ocean without the long travel by ship." He pauses, then says,
"I'll leave it to you Zeph, we certainly can journey to Chadwick and teach
Soros a lesson.  Or we can travel straight to Tynntangial, and save Soros'
lesson for later."

g>	"If Chadwick is on the way, or close to Tynntangial, I think it 
g>would be worthwhile to pay this Soros a few manners.  However, we should 
g>find out what that all-important scroll has to deal with first."  
g>Garrison says as he suddenly turns towards the door.	

b>Beroth stood in the doorway and cleared his throat politely.
b>   "I hope thou art all right," he said in greeting.  "My name is Beroth 
b>Goldwyn.  I know not what those things were that attacked thee outside, 
b>but something tells me that an extra sword may be appreciated.  I offer 
b>my services to thee... for I feel that thou art on a quest of most 
b>importance.  I know not how... but I also think that helping thee will 
b>help myself..."  Beroth let his words trail off.  He may have said too 
b>much already.  He was so confused, but there was nothing to be done 
b>about it.

g>	"Come here...Beroth." Garrison states has he rises to meet him.
g>"Relax.  I will not harm you."  Garrison reasures Beroth as he puts both 
g>hand on his temples.  "You.. are... confused.  Not sure of who you are.  
g>But I sense a...guiding presence."  
g>	"He bares no ill will towards us." Garrison says to the rest of 
g>the group.  "and an extra sword my be of use.  what say the rest of 
g>you."  Garrison asks.

b>'bush' smiles and waits for the others response.  {This warrior looks rather
b>confused.  Perhaps we should have saved the tea for him}

Eldarion looks at the confused figure Garrison has greeted at the doorway,
noting the elven features, but disturbed by the folded 'dragon like' wings
at the back.  He reaches up and fingers the brooch on his cloak, but nothing
happens.  Even though Garrison states that this newcomer means no harm, 
Eldarion can't help but be wary.  He drapes his cloak over his sword, and 
rests his hand on the pommel.  Eldarion stands, and moves to stand beside
Zeph.  "I am quite well, friend stranger (Eldarion is a wiz at oxymorons),
and another sword would be handy.  You are right, we are on a quest against
a grave evil, and if you wish it, I would welcome you to join us."  Eldarion
smiles, though he is quite tense and ready to spring forth should the need
arise.  "Please, come sit and dine with us" he motions toward a chair accross
from Zeph, between Garrison's empty chair and the smiling 'bush'.

(Author's note:  Eldarion, being a soldier, is quite slow to let his guard
down around strangers.  He has really pushed his trust to the limit this
day.  I welcome our new player, and wish to let him know not to make too
much of Eldarion's wary ways, based on years of such habits.)


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z>Whether it was simply kind words or a mystical spell from
z>Garrison, Zeph had never met such a peaceful sleep. Her dreams were
z>filled with images of Tynntangial and her cousin Ellana. A place
z>and people she had never consciously seen, but knew as if she had
z>lived there all her days. 

Zeph dreamed of a city by a bay, surrounded in every direction by
dense forest.  In the center of the city was a castle, of white
marble with golden spires.  Everywhere she looked she saw the familiar
elven features, just like her own.  She made her way towards the
castle, and walked across a bridge to the main gate.  There, on either
side of the gate, stood two members of the Black Watch, or the royal
guard.  "Now how did I know that", wondered Zeph in her dream.

She passed the guards, and entered the courtyard.  At this point,
she seemed to float up to a window, which she entered.  There, sitting
on a sofa, was a very familiar face.  A face from her dreams of old.

She was very beautiful, with almost blue black hair, but with streaks
of gold running through it.  It was her eyes that caught Zeph's attention
though.  She had seen those amber eyes before, on her cousin Eldarion.
The elf looked up from the book she was reading, seemingly startled,
then smiled and said "Welcome childe!  You are most welcome. I am Ellana,
your cousin.  I see my brother has found you and started you on your
journey to being who you are."  Zeph felt somewhat confused by this, but
overall, for the first time in a long time, she felt totally safe.

Ellana stood from the couch and walked over to Zeph.  "You must go back
now...but come to me again and we will talk longer. Your destiny awaits".
With that, Ellana gave Zeph a hug, and smiling, licked her face?
_________________

Dardt had awakened before dawn.  He looked around, sensing everything
was peaceful at the moment.  His master was sleeping in a chair next to
the bed, and the nice girl who was family of his master, and who had
fed him, was sleeping next to him.  As the first rays of the sun started
to appear, the pocket dragon yawned, stretched out, and proceeded to
lick Zeph's face.

Zeph woke to the dragon's cleaning of her face, and blinked, trying to
remember what was going on.  She suddenly came all the way awake,
z>as all young people do when excitement is
z>in their blood. "Wake up dear cousin!", she whispered lightly in
z>the dark as she shook her room-mate. Eldarion woke with a start,
z>his dreams were perhaps not as warm as Zeph's. "What is it Zeph?"
z>Eldarion asked in an alarmed but low voice. Her stomach answered
z>his question for him. "Let us gather the others for a quick meal
z>and be on are way, whilst most of the village is still asleep."
z>Eldarion suggests. Zeph climbs out of her bed and slips into her
z>soft leather slacks and vest, then heads towards the door. Turning
z>she says, "I'll get Garrison; we'll meet the rest of you
z>downstairs." With those words, she exits the small room and heads
z>next door to wake Garrison.
z><knock, knock>

Eldarion got up from his chair, sheathed his sword, and stretched.
The chair was definately not a good place to sleep, he thought.  The
floor would have been much preferrable.  He looked on the bed, and
there was Dardt, snuggling in the blankets.  Shaking his head, he made
his way to the window, and though it open.  "How fared you the night,
Beroth?" He called out onto the roof.
				
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