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Medieval Tavern
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Subject: New Year Test


Author:
Ravin
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Date Posted: 14:35:54 01/01/03 Wed
Happy New Year.

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Subject: Decisions, decisions


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 16:40:01 09/05/02 Thu
Eremis took a final drag from his cigarette then tossed it out the window. He leaned into Cas' embrace while listening to him state their demands to Erlic. At first he was a little worried that his friend might be pissing off their guest with his bold manner, but then he remembered Marz. Apparently, Erlic was used to his student's tough guy attitude therefore dealing with someone like Cas should be a piece of cake for him.

The healer's cheeks reddened when Cas said that Belald could get himself a new pretty face to fuck. Being a whore and talking about the things he did while whoring were two different things as far as Eremis was concerned. Hearing Cas speak so nonchalantly about his fucking Belald to his old friend, embarrassed the shit out of him. His body stiffened a little before he pulled away from Cas, wanting to put a bit of distance between them at the moment.

He glanced from his friend to Erlic, studying his face as he sipped his java. Since he had known Erlic for nearly a year, he really wanted to trust him. Of course he had rarely spoken to the man in that year's time, but he never saw him do anything to warrant his fear or suspicion. Dalo and Ravin seemed to get along with him really well, and he was the only one able to calm Marz down until Tristan came along.

Eremis had a feeling that the ex-gang leader and the dragon didn't know about this meeting with Erlic because just last night they were both trying to convince him to move into their new home, while Erlic was telling him that he wouldn't have to change a thing about his lifestyle unless he really wanted to. Maybe they weren't even aware of the secret Specialist's Guild that they had just learned about. After all, Erlic did mention that Ravin and Dalo were members yet he said nothing about Marz and Tristan. Knowing that he was asked to join an elite organization boosted Eremis' ego a little. For once in his life he felt pretty important, even if that importance came about because of his whoring. Hell, Marz used to sell his body and nobody seemed bothered by that at all. Being an ex-prostitute certainly hadn't ruined his chances with Tristan!

The healer shook his head slightly, pushing away any further thoughts of the dragon and the secret love he harbored for him. Eremis slid down off the windowsill and poured a glass of brandy from the bottle Erlic brought them. He sipped at it while slowly pacing the room and listening to what the bearded man had to say to Cas' demands. Eremis was always impressed by Erlic's ability to remain calm in any situation. The man must have been born with nerves of steel!

Eremis wasn't surprised to learn that Sir Redric was a greedy man since most nobles seemed to possess that same trait. He was a bit shocked by the revelation that Redric had been attempting to blackmail some people, but at least that made more sense than him abusing youngsters. At least Cas had finally managed to gain the truth from Erlic about why they were truly hired to infiltrate the nobleman's estate last night.

His brow furrowed in thought after Erlic mentioned that Belald was the new owner of the Silk Palace. He made a valid point by more or less saying that their ties with the mercenary wouldn't be completely severed until Eremis stopped working there. The healer wasn't about to do that yet because he needed the extra money to support his drug habit. Of course he could probably get hired on at a different whorehouse, but he'd never be able to work out the deal he recently made with Belald, and that would mean less money coming in.

Suddenly, Eremis realized how stupid it was to write Belald a letter saying he didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore AFTER he had promised to service him for free in order to get 40% of what the customers paid for his time at the Silk Palace. I should have thought things out a little more before we delivered that letter to his house!

After a deep sigh, the healer gulped down some brandy then lit a Lotus cigarette. The drugged smoke relieved some of the tension he felt building up when Erlic stated that it was virtually impossible to stay hidden for long in a place like Bizmar. He supposed that was true since it hadn't taken very long for Belald and his old friends to discover where he lived. Eremis knew that running away and hiding from people or problems didn't solve anything anyway because he had been doing that for nearly a year, and he was now worse off than he was when he first came to Bizmar. He needed to find the courage to tackle things head on, like Cas and Marz did. If he had faced up to his strange desires a few months ago and told Tristan how he felt, they might be together today in a loving relationship. Whoops! He wasn't suppose to be thinking about the dragon, or things that could have been.

“Since I’ve covered a lot of details, I’m sure the two of you will want to discuss it in detail in the privacy of your own home," Erlic said. "Therefore, I’ll simply leave, and possibly return tomorrow, or the day after, by which I’m hoping that you’ll have come to a decision.”

Eremis was glad that the man was willing to give them a little time to discuss the matter before giving him their final decision. After Erlic stepped out into the hall and closed the door behind him the healer glanced at Cas, unable to judge how he was feeling by the expression on his face. "At least we both agree that the money is good," he quipped, before taking another drag from the cigarette.

He sat down in the chair recently vacated by Erlic then shrugged. "I know we wouldn't even NEED to make so much money if it wasn't for my drug addiction, Cas." He sipped more brandy and lit a candle before turning to face his friend. "This is gonna sound kinda delusional, but whoring don't seem like such a bad thing when you know you're only using it to spy for some secret organization that you’re a part of. Of course I have to do it for the drug money too, but it's just nicer to think it's for a totally different, more worthwhile reason, I guess."

He laughed then sucked more smoke into his lungs. "In case I didn't mention it before, I've known Erlic for almost a year now, and although he's never talked much about himself, he's always been there when me or any of the others at the tavern needed help. You heard him say that the famous thief, Ravin Rue is a member of this specialty guild, didn't you? Since I really got to know Ravin better over the past year, I can honestly say that I don't believe he'd join a guild that did nothing but hurt people. The guy's a great thief, but he's got a heart as big as the city of Bizmar itself."

Eremis jumped to his feet and retrieved a sheet of parchment, and writing utensils before sitting down again. "Let's make a list of what we like about this offer and what we don't like. That might help us with our final decision." He took a hit off the cigarette then laid it in an ashtray and dipped his quill into the ink jar. Good points….Bad Points, he scribbled across the top of the page, separating the headings by a line drawn down the center.

He listed money, protection, and free training under the good points and dangerous under the bad, speaking aloud as he wrote since he wasn't sure how well Cas could read. Eremis twirled the quill in his hand then met the vivid green eyes of his friend. "Okay, it's your turn to add something, or comment on all the stuff Erlic had to say."

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Subject: Erlic's proposition


Author:
Erlic
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Date Posted: 11:59:37 09/03/02 Tue
ooc: reposted by Ravin, in case network 54 goes down again.

Just how much did everyone know about Eremis? It was a good question, but not one that had to be answered readily, at least not at the moment. If those that knew Eremis believed him to be soft, weak, then so be it, but Erlic did realize, deep down, that the youth was capable of unimaginable acts, and not those associated with sex. It was very true that the youth was forced into a life of drugs, and by that life, forced to enter the world of prostitutes, where he could service those with needs, for a good amount of money. Erlic realized that the youth probably didn’t enjoy the acts at first, but soon realized that without money, there would be no source for drugs, and therefore was forced to do the unthinkable. But Eremis possessed other attributes that not many of his friends realized the youth was capable. He had a way of thinking, and yet never expressed his own sentiments outwardly. With the proper training, he would have been the perfect candidate for any one of numerous positions within the Specialist’s Guild. His shy mannerisms, and the ability to keep his mouth shut when necessary was in itself quite invaluable.

Perhaps there was still hope for Eremis, and Erlic would have to decide on how to make the youth understand the proposal he would offer the young healer come morning. For now, though, it was simply a matter of relaxing, and spending some time with Aspen.

Being in the line of work as assassin, and as guild master of the Specialist’s Guild, Erlic had found it very difficult to enter into any relationship. Yes he had had a few one night stands but those were merely with friends he had known for a long time, or simply with whores, usually the more expensive ones to occupy his time. On rare occasions, people in his own line of work, and this was extremely rare, would be able to get together with him for a night of fun. Unfortunately, this only allowed a brief repose from the everyday grind, and, was conducted with someone who understood his own line of work, and therefore could appreciate the necessity for companionship, even if for one night.

Aspen had just offered him to spend the night, be it on the sofa or in her own bed, and once she had let her robe slip to the floor, Erlic was inclined to join her in bed. It wasn’t often he could relate with someone from his own line of work, and therefore took the opportunity when it afforded itself. He followed the woman into her room, undressed, and slipped into the bed next to her, making sure he had some weapons within easy access, although he didn’t think it would be necessary. Neither one knew each other, but Erlic figured that if he was usually alone at nights, then so was Aspen. He gently pulled her into his embrace, willing to release her if she so desired. When she smiled at him, they embarked on an evening of lovemaking before falling asleep in each other’s arms.

When morning came Erlic was the first to awaken. He kissed the woman next to him before getting up, washing, dressing, and donning his weapons. It was quite obvious that Aspen was a light sleeper for she greeted him immediately once he had left the bed. The guild master suggested that they have breakfast together, and left the room so that Aspen could have her privacy. Once she was ready, they traveled to one of the better inns, and had breakfast. When finished, the woman stated she had work to do, as did Erlic. They parted company after acknowledging one another. Erlic’s first stop was at a liquor store where he bought an expensive bottle of brandy, as well as a bottle of wine. He, and Althena had used the bottle at Eremis’ house, and he felt it necessary to replace it.

He had arrived at the apartment, and when he knocked, heard no reply. Rather than entering the room, Erlic decided to wait for them outside, across the street from where they lived. Eventually both Eremis, and Cas showed up, and the guild master gave them some time before climbing the stairs to their apartment. He knocked on the door, and waited briefly. Eremis eventually opened the door, and allowed him to enter. He placed the bottles of brandy, and wine on the table, and took a seat.

Eremis offered him a cup of java, and he readily accepted. The guild master could note the wariness in the eyes of Cas who watched him with scrutiny. Eremis was the victim, and Cas was his protector, that much was evident from the brief history he had witnessed of the two. Once Eremis was seated Erlic decided to begin.

“I brought you a bottle of wine, and brandy,” Erlic began, “since we had taken the liberty of using yours.” He then placed a pouch of gold on the table in front of Eremis. “Inside you’ll find five hundred gold pieces for your help with Sir Redric.” The guild master did note the hint of surprise from not only Eremis, but from Cas as well.

“As I stated yesterday, I wanted to speak to you about a proposition, primarily to you, and Cas if he’s so interested.” That definitely brought about a wary look from Cas, and a questioning look from Eremis. Obviously the entrance of Erlic, and Althena the previous evening, coupled with the killing of Lonta, along with asking him to help in the incident of Sir Redric did nothing to help matters as far as the relationship between Erlic, and Eremis were concerned. The guild master was sure that if he could convey his wishes to Eremis properly, the young healer would accept, and if that were the case, so would Cas.

“I guess I should tell you a little bit about what I do for a living,” Erlic stated after he took a sip of his java. “I am the guild master of a small group known as the Specialist’s Guild. The people in my organization are from all walks of life, and the one thing they have in common is a specialty of some form. For example, I have an ex-drunk who excels in working with magic, and alchemy. I have a common thief who excels in espionage. There is nothing unique about these individuals with the exception of the specialized trait. You already know three of the members, Dalo, Ravin, and Laurel.”

The expression on Eremis’ face was one of confusion. It was quite evident that the youth was wondering how he could possibly fit in when he had no specialty of his own. “You’re probably wondering what this has to do with you, and with Cas,” Erlic continued, taking another sip of java. “You have recently fallen in with a group of people, not everyday ordinary people, but people in power. Take Belald for example. It has come to my attention that you, and the mercenary who used to work for Tegol, have become….friends. Not only Belald, but Sir Redric as well. I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but there is currently a power struggle in Bizmar for possession of Tegol’s old territory, and Belald is currently vying for that power. Unlike Tegol, who acted foolishly, and without thinking, Belald is quite different. Here we have a man that can be quite ruthless when he has to be, and thinks logically, and that can make him even more dangerous.”

Erlic decided to let that sink in since he had been informed of Eremis’ dealings with the mercenary. More important, he realized that safety had to be the number one priority as far as Eremis was concerned. “I don’t want you to do anything differently than what you’re doing now,” the guild master continued. “Continue your day to day life, and simply pass on any information you find out about people such as Belald, and Sir Redric to me, or to one of my associates who will usually be close by when you have dealings with these people. If something should go amiss, you’ll have a mirror on you at all times, and will have contact with my associate, who will be able to tactfully, and without incident, get you out of whatever mess you might get involved in.” Safety had to be an important issue here for Eremis, and Erlic was well aware of the young healer’s past incidents. “I want to assure you that there will always be someone watching, whenever you get involved with people of high importance, so that your safety will always take high precedence.”

Erlic let the information sink in for both Eremis, and Cas. He was well aware that whatever Eremis had thought of him in the past had changed, especially after his unusual entrance with Althena the other night. The guild master had to convey to the youth, that killing wouldn’t be part of the picture, at least on Eremis’ end, and that safety was a major contributor.

“The other day I asked you to give me a layout of Sir Redric’s estate, and that you did, with amazing clarity. Even under the extreme circumstances, you managed to provide us with valuable information, and, succeeded in carrying out your task. I understand that you’re currently under the influence of drugs, and, that it’s not something of your own choosing. All I can say is that if you ever want help in trying to kick the habit, let me know, and I’ll see to it that you get all of the proper assistance needed to overcome the habit. But I also know that this is a decision that has to come directly from you, and from you alone. No one can force you to stop.”

The guild master had come into contact with many that had been hooked on opium, and various other narcotics in the past. He had seen from his homeland in Kor Toi, just how difficult, and painful it was to overcome the harsh addiction of any drug, and he realized that it would take some time before Eremis actually agreed to try, and kick his addiction. It would by no means be simple, especially with the drug that had been induced into the youth. But the willingness to stop, totally stop, had to come from the young healer. Force was totally out of the question.

“I’m willing to pay you, and Cas one hundred and fifty gold pieces each a week,” Erlic stated once again gaining the attention of both Cas, and Eremis. “That doesn’t include any bonuses for specialized information that you may stumble upon. You’ll have my help should you need it, as well as those within the guild. I’ll see to it that both you, and Cas are trained in whatever fields are necessary. For Cas, I deem it necessary for sword fighting, and perhaps a little training in the breaking, and entering department.” Erlic turned his gaze to the youth sitting on the windowsill. He had seen how he had held his weapon the other night, and that alone was enough to inform him that he needed more training in the art. “I know the gentleman he’s taking sword lessons from, and believe me, Cas could do much better, and, in a shorter amount of time with the proper training. As for you Eremis, possibly some training with a dagger, if that would make you feel comfortable. My guild could also provide you with certain items that might make you feel safer in any given situation. A needle ring coated with sleeping venom would knock out anyone attempting to hurt you in seconds. If you take my offer you will both be trained in the art of spying, and how to take care of yourselves should a plan go awry, and become dangerous. I’m offering you a decent opportunity that could become quite profitable as well.”

When Erlic noticed the bloodstain from Lonta on the floor he decided he better try to eliminate more of Eremis’ fear. “Neither of you will have to associate with Althena.”

The guild master took another sip of java then glanced from one youth to the other. “I don’t want to press you guys, but I’d like an answer as soon as possible about my job offer. If you have any questions, now’s the time to ask them.”

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[> Subject: Sounds like a good deal


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 11:59:37 09/03/02 Tue
A contended smile crossed Eremis' face as he rested his head on Cas' shoulder. He was still panting slightly from their lovemaking, and found it a bit hard to concentrate on anything but the euphoria he felt. Being seduced by Cas was unlike anything he ever experienced before. His friend drove him to the brink of delirium several times until he found himself begging for a release from the torrid passion that had consumed him. When that glorious release came, he cried out Cas' name as shock waves rippled though his body, making him jerk uncontrollably until his passion was finally spent.

"I guess it would've been kind of embarrassing," Cas said, "if Erlic walked in on us while we were screaming each other's names like that."

Eremis laughed, and was about to tell his friend how much he enjoyed their lovemaking but was silenced by a passionate kiss. The healer moaned low in his throat while digging his fingers into Cas' back, pulling him closer. There weren't any words to describe how incredibly wonderful Eremis was feeling at the moment. He frowned in disappointment when Cas pulled away to tease him about the tangles in his hair.

Since he didn't want to move, he was literally dragged out of bed by his friend. Rather reluctantly, he tugged on the clean clothes he was handed then nodded in agreement when Cas said it was about time they did some laundry. Maybe they could string a clothesline up on the roof across from them in order to hang their garments out to dry later. Eremis ran his fingertips up and down Cas arms while he stood before him, tying the laces of his pants. He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath when his friend's hand moved down to tease him. The next thing he knew, Cas was pulling him forward, forcing him into a chair a moment later.

Eremis stared off into the distance; a silly grin playing on his mouth while Cas combed his hair. He loved it when the demon boy made a fuss over him, or came to his defense when he was feeling threatened by someone. Cas seemed to take a real interest in his well being, and always managed to pull him out of his rather sad moods. Although he still felt a bit depressed whenever he thought about his love for Tristan, the demon boy succeeded in keeping his mind off the dragon for much of the day so far. There wasn't any sense in dwelling over something that could never be anyway. Plenty of people probably fell in love with someone who didn't return their love and somehow they learned to live with it and move on. And so will I.

Once Cas finished with his hair and moved to fill up a couple of mugs with java, Eremis decided it was time to start working on his first oil painting. He opened his sketchpad to the picture he drew yesterday then set it on the counter next to the easel since he would be referring to it often. After taking a sip of java, he smiled at Cas, who took a seat on the windowsill. Eremis set his mug down then mixed some paint on his pallet and got to work.

He had just finished painting in the window frame and filling in some rays of sunlight when a knock sounded upon the door. Since he was closer, he took a couple steps forward and turned the doorknob, not surprised to see Erlic standing in the hall. After nodding for their guest to take a seat at the table, Eremis put his brush and pallet down then offered the guildmaster a mug of java.

Eremis mumbled a thanks to Erlic for bringing them bottles of wine and brandy. His eyes widened in shock when he was handed a sack with 500 gold pieces for their aid with Sir Redric last night. That should definitely soften the blow with Cas later when Eremis finally got around to telling him that he gave up their wages to keep him from getting arrested. He lit up a cigarette then moved to sit on the windowsill beside his friend while Erlic went on to talk about a proposition he had for them. The healer glanced at Cas a few times, wondering if he was as confused as he was when Erlic starting telling them about a Specialist's Guild.

Eremis took a drag from the cigarette then nodded his head slowly once he realized that Marz's teacher wanted to employ them to spy for his guild. Basically, Erlic seemed willing to pay them a decent weekly wage simply to gather as much information as possible about certain predominant people in Bizmar. His face reddened slightly when the guildmaster mentioned that he would get him proper assistance if he ever decided to try to kick his drug habit. It still bothered him that his old friends knew of his addiction and probably considered him a weakling since he had no desire to face the pain of withdrawal just yet.

The healer blew a couple of smoke rings into the air then took a sip of java while his mind went over everything Erlic had said. A hundred and fifty gold a week for each of them sounded pretty tempting at the moment. Erlic also promised to have someone train Cas in sword fighting as well as breaking and entering for free. Thankfully, the person doing the training wouldn't be Althena because if it were, Eremis would have said no to the guildmaster's offer immediately. He didn't want to be anywhere near that cold-blooded murderer!

As he sucked more smoke into his lungs, Eremis did a few mental calculations. Since Erlic claimed they didn't have to change anything about their present lifestyle, they could work at the Copper Stein three days a week while spying for the man; with Erlic's money that would give them a total of 360 gold per week at least. One six-hour day at the Silk Palace gave Eremis about 380 gold after paying for liquor and any aphrodisiacs he used. He leaned in closer to Cas and lowered his voice. "If we work for him along with doing three days at the Copper Stein, and I do one day at the Silk Palace, we'll have about 740 gold coming in each week. That doesn't sound bad Cas, especially since Erlic is offering us protection and free training too. Should we take his offer? Personally, I think it'll benefit both of us." Eremis knew that he spent at least 75 gold each day for drugs, and that's where most of their money would be going until he eliminated that problem.

The healer also knew that he wouldn't have to worry about money if he moved in with Marz and Tristan, but he couldn't bring himself to do that. He really wanted to stand on his own two feet for a change rather than running to his old friends for help. At least if he failed to kick his habit he only had himself to answer to and wouldn't have to deal with someone like Marz breathing down his neck at all time. Plus, he thought it wise not to be around Tristan on a constant basis because that would only hurt too much and perhaps dampen his resolve to stay off the drugs when he finally made up his mind to do so.

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Subject: Calling it a night sounds good


Author:
Marz
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Date Posted: 00:50:56 09/02/02 Mon
Marz sipped his apple juice while listening to Tristan stumble over what he wanted to say. The dragon was never very good at chitchat therefore Marz thought it quite interesting that he wanted them to start talking more. He was well aware of the fact that he often rambled on like an idiot at times while Tristan remained basically mute. Although he got the feeling that his lover wanted HIM to be the one to start some long, deep conversation he vehemently refused to do so. If Tristan really wanted them to talk more, HE would have to make the first move this time around!

He sensed the inner turmoil his soulmate was feeling as he watched him walk to the window and twirl a stand of hair between his fingers. Of course he blamed Tristan's present emotional state on Eremis. He knew how damned hard it was to see a good friend let drugs take over his life. When some of the members of his old gang got addicted, Marz tried to convince them to stop using drugs, but his words always fell on deaf ears. Short of tying them up and locking them away somewhere until they kicked the habit, there was nothing he could do to help them. Since he was used to handling any problems that plagued his gang with fists or a sword, he felt rather helpless with it came to their addictions, and Marz hated feeling helpless. Eventually he had turned away from them in disgust, knowing that they were content to have drugs as their new leader.

A hint of a smile came to Marz's lips when Tristan said he loved it when he made love to him. That softened the sting of his earlier words that continued to haunt him. Hearing the term rutting like animals in conjunction with their lovemaking had disturbed him greatly. Sure, they had done a few quickies here and there, but there were also many nights where they took their time, bringing one another to new heights of erotic bliss that Marz knew he'd never experience with any one else.

Marz nodded when Tristan told him of all the things he liked and disliked because he already knew about most of that stuff. The only surprise was the rain, because he wasn't aware of his lover's distain for getting wet. Maybe that was the reason he never truly seemed to enjoy the hot springs and sunken tubs they came across in Neromba. He had always assumed that it was only Tristan's shyness about having to strip down to his underclothes in front of others before entering the water that kept him from having a good time. Marz could never understand such shyness either because his lover had a damn beautiful body that he should be proud to show off.

"I'd rather have gone on not knowing whether Eremis was okay or not than to find out…"

Marz stared at his soulmate, feeling the anguish he was going through. Seeing Eremis in a highly drugged state and learning that he had taken up prostitution to support his habit was obviously too painful for Tristan to handle. It would have been better for his lover NOT to have seen his best friend like that because then he wouldn't be suffering so badly now. Knowing there wasn't much he could do to change Eremis' fate only made things worse, no doubt. The healer had to admit he had a problem and take the steps needed to kick his habit; no one else could do that for him.

Silently, he watched Tristan pull off his clothing, crawling under the blankets a moment later and pressing his face into the pillow. Marz took another sip of juice then set the glass down on the table. He removed his weapons and tugged off his boots before taking a seat on the bed beside Tristan. "I know you're in pain because of Eremis," he said, gently running his fingers though his lover's hair. "I wish I could turn back time for you and make it where Eremis never left us in Neromba, but I can't do that, Tris."

Still fully clothed, Marz worked his body under the blanket then pulled Tristan into his arms. He wiped away the tears from his lover's eyes then hugged him close, kneading the muscles of his back while speaking to him in a soothing voice. "Everything's going to be okay for Eremis. I could tell that the demon-boy, Cas has feelings for him. He came on pretty strong with his desire to protect the healer, and I'm positive the kid will be able to do that because he's got a hell of a lot of spunk."

Marz kissed the top of Tristan's head, which was lying on his shoulder. He could feel his shirt getting wet from the dragon's tears but he didn't mind all. Hopefully, Tristan would feel better after a damn good cry. Marz proceeded to finger comb his soulmate's hair again while staring off into the distance. "I know he's your best friend, and that you want to help him Tris, but that's impossible until he accepts your help. We've done all we can by making it known to him that we're available should he need us for anything. I think we should leave the rest up to Cas. Judging by some sketches I saw that Eremis did of Cas, there's a lot more than friendship going on between those two anyway."

He slipped his hand under Tristan's chin and raised his head a little so that he could place a tender kiss on his lips. "I love you, babe and I'll try my best to spend more time alone with you if that's what will make you happy. We'll be busy moving into our new house tomorrow, but how about I take you out to fancy inn on the north side for dinner tomorrow night? Afterwards, we can take a walk on the beach and maybe even build a small sand castle to knock down later. I know it's not snow but I'm pretty sure it'll make a good substitute."

Marz gazed into his lover's eyes then nipped lightly at his nose, hoping to bring a tiny smile to his face. He hated seeing him so forlorn and depressed, and would do anything in his power to make him happy again.

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[> Subject: Morning it is, then


Author:
Tristan
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Date Posted: 00:50:56 09/02/02 Mon
Tristan closed his eyes again and sighed quietly when he felt Marz settle down on the mattress beside him, his lover’s knee brushing against his bare shoulder. The fingers gently combing through his hair brought a little smile to his face, even though he was supposed to be feeling depressed. Damn it, he realized, desperately trying to smother another tear with his pillow, I AM depressed! What the hell’s the matter with me?

He rarely got depressed these days, not since he’d met Marz. He never had to face his loneliness anymore, and being in love—really, truly in love this time—tended to give him a more carefree attitude about the world. After all, why should he care what anybody else thought about him anymore? Marz loved him, and would always love him, no matter what.

But he guessed being in love didn’t make life as peachy as he thought it had. Or maybe you just never GOT over being depressed. Please, he thought, biting his lip while still hiding his face, Go away! Marz is my drug now. I don’t need to run away from these feelings anymore!

Amazingly, it seemed to work. Marz’s voice was so soothing, and his touch so sweet, that Tristan began to get himself under control again. This had all been a big misunderstanding, anyway. He didn’t have to worry about their relationship at all. They were fine. Maybe they didn’t communicate as often as they should (especially about matters of intimacy, since Tristan was usually too shy to broach such topics), but hell, they were still pretty young. And they had plenty of years to learn and grow on one another, too. So the list, the argument, the lack of romance…it was no big deal as far as the big picture was concerned. It was something they could always work on later, together, if he had the guts enough to actually pursue it, anyway.

No, Eremis was the problem. He kept hearing his friend, over and over again, in his head, saying he couldn’t stand to see him and Marz together because it hurt too much. Therefore, he was pretty shocked when he heard his lover assure him that the healer was in good hands; namely, Cas’s. Cas? But what did he have to do with anything?

For a minute, he stopped paying attention to what was being said, his mind once again returning to the evening’s previous revelation. Tears flooded his eyes again when he remembered how his heart lurched the first time he’d laid eyes on Eremis tonight. He felt Marz’s hand obligingly start to kneed the sudden tension in his back, his mind agonizing over the truth once again. Why couldn’t the healer have fallen for someone who could actually help him? Even if Tristan had been free to return his love, he’d have spent half his time just trying to avoid his own recovering addiction. Eremis needed someone stronger than that, somebody who hated drugs the way Marz did.

He lifted his head slightly and blinked, thinking he’d heard something wrong. “…there’s a lot more than friendship going on between those two…” Marz’s voice replayed itself a couple times in his head before the actual meaning finally sunk in. What? Who? Eremis and Cas? More than friends? Was he out of his mind? How could the healer profess to having feelings for Tristan if he were drawing what sounded like racy sketches of his roommate?

Hello! he almost shouted aloud, bobbing himself mentally in the forehead. Remember? Love and lust! NOT the same thing, according to Marz. And while his lover did like to pretend he knew everything there was to know about sex, Tristan was often inclined to simply give in to his supposed vast knowledge on the subject. After all, only one of them had been a virgin coming into this relationship, and it sure as hell hadn’t been Marz.

Huh. So sweet little Eremis had a thing going with the horny-headed kid. Tristan didn’t have time to frown over the idea, since Marz surprised him next by suggesting they spend tomorrow night together—that is, completely alone. He froze, his mind already entertaining half-formed images of he and his lover walking hand in hand down a deserted beach, the sun just beginning to set. Before that, they’d have dinner, and, although he was now positive he absolutely SUCKED at this whole conversation thing, they could still have a good time.

“Really?” he asked, almost breathlessly, his eyes dry now as he stared down at his lover. Marz nodded and nipped playfully at his nose again, causing a real smile to finally bloom its way onto Tristan’s face. He surprised the ex-gang leader by throwing his arms around his neck and planting a deep kiss on his lips, his excitement momentarily blacking out his depression over Eremis.

“You’re my favorite person in the whole world,” he purred, pausing just enough to speak before pressing their mouths together again. His sudden burst of passion probably took Marz a touch off guard, but the ex-gang leader didn’t let his shock stop him for long. Besides, Tristan had slowly been growing aware of how incredibly erotic it felt to lie naked on top of his still fully-clothed lover. Once Marz sense how turned on he’d become, he turned into the world’s worst tease, refusing to remove an inch of clothing while taunting his lover by bringing him to the brink of fulfillment over and over again. But their love and urgency for one another eventually caught up with both of them, and they began to make love, their passion for one another lasting long into the night.

Marz was still lying half on top of him when he opened his eyes again the next morning. His lover’s breathing was soft and even, the air puffing quietly out of his nose and half-parted lips tickling against the skin of Tristan’s neck.

“Morning,” Tristan murmured, brushing his fingers against his cheek to wake him. The ex-gang leader’s eyes fluttered open, and he smiled lazily, their lips coming together in a soft kiss. They held one another and whispered silly things into each other’s ear for a while, the slowly creeping sun outside their window for once not enough to urge them immediately out of bed.

After a few more minutes had passed, Tristan finally began to go over last night again, though his mood fortunately remained light. “I have to tell you something,” he eventually began, holding Marz’s eyes steadily with his own as they lay side by side.

“Hmm?” his lover asked, his heart obviously not set on conversation at the moment as his hands moved slowly over Tristan’s body, sending delicate little shivers up his spine.

“About last night,” he continued, catching Marz’s wayward fingers in his own. “I just wanted to…”

But something inside him balked. I can’t keep secrets from him, though, he argued with himself, his hands unconsciously clenching his lover’s. He knew he should tell Marz about Eremis. He even wanted to. Only Eremis told me all that, knowing I couldn’t return his feelings, he realized suddenly. If I can keep his pain just between us then I’ll do it, for as long as possible. Besides, if Marz ever did find out, he’d probably forbid him from ever visiting his friend again, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to disobey his lover’s direct order.

In the end, he guessed there were some things even soulmates didn’t share.

“…to thank you,” he amended, bringing each of Marz’s hands to his lips. “For not running out on me, I guess. I really do cherish every second of each minute we’re together, no matter what we happen to be doing at the time. I’m sorry if I upset you and made you think otherwise.”

He smiled, softening his apology. “I suppose we should get dressed and go see about moving into our new house, huh?” he added, his eyes glittering mischievously. He sealed the suggestion with yet another kiss, his mouth still hungry against his lover’s, as if they hadn’t spent the night lying passion-spent in one another’s arms.

“I love making up,” he whispered against Marz's lips, a grin tugging at his own mouth. “Don’t you?”

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Subject: Aw, come on. Please?


Author:
Tristan
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Date Posted: 09:20:09 08/29/02 Thu
Tristan knew Marz would probably follow him, although spite still made him lock the door anyway. A pleasant tingling feeling on his skin alerted him to his lover’s approach, as did the advancing footsteps in the hallway, so he had time to prepare himself. He was harboring satisfying visions of Marz testing the door and being forced to ask him to unlock it when a loud thump from without caused the whole structure to burst open, shattering the lock.

Marz tumbled into the room with the heavy grace of a wolf, his boots digging into the carpet to stop his momentum. Somebody’s going to have to pay for that, Tristan mused, his eyes falling on the broken lock, but he didn’t have time to follow the thought much farther. Marz slammed the door shut again and rounded on him, predator-like, his eyes gleaming with fury. Most people had every right to be afraid of him when he looked like that, but Tristan merely folded his arms over his chest and stood his ground, his eyes glaring right back at him.

WHAT? So Marz thought he suffered from MOOD swings? Tristan’s eyes narrowed even more, his lips curling ever so slowly in suppressed indignation. He wanted to tell him that his feelings had not come from nowhere; he’d only just become aware of them after spending time with Eremis. But of course he couldn’t say that, so instead he just continued to fume silently, little flashes of light sparking in his usually dark eyes like tiny red lightning bolts.

He gave an involuntary start when Marz smashed the vase in his anger, then flinched again at the outraged remark that followed. Oh…shit. Had he really accused them of rutting like animals? His face burned with shame, but he managed to bite back the apology hovering on the tip of his tongue. He had to admit, Marz had good reason for wanting to make love at every available opportunity: the experience was simply out of this world. Normal people did not have sex like he and Marz had sex, he was pretty positive about that. It was like his whole self, body and soul, was exploding with happiness and pleasure, and then he’d lose himself in Marz, as if he could no longer tell where he began and his lover ended. It was the power of their magics merging with the power of their love, and no feeling in the world could ever equal that singular emotion in time.

That has nothing to do with this, and you know it! he growled at himself, his teeth clenching automatically as Marz hotly declared he would sleep with Nikki tonight. Fine! he thought, unconsciously stomping his foot when the door finally opened and slammed shut once more, We’ll see who suffers the most tonight. Go ahead and sleep alone for all I care. Abstinence won’t kill ME for just one night!

But he paled when he considered what would happen if both of them refused to back down by tomorrow night. No, he assured himself, Marz wouldn’t be able to last that long. Ha! Maybe the secret to getting him to talk once in awhile was to cut off all their bedroom antics! He’d come crawling back, all right. But it’d be cruel to make him suffer, especially for so long. He didn’t bother to contemplate how much such prolonged abstinence would make HIM suffer, too, but it was just as well. He still believed himself to be the same, morally incorruptible young dragon he’d been before he’d met Marz. His friends called him a prude, but Tristan just considered himself culturally superior.

Well, it was obvious that there was only one way to solve this dilemma. Neither he nor Marz had ever been capable of handling their tempers while engaged in a yelling match, so no amount of arguing would solve anything. Somehow, though, he had to get his point across, and since there was one tried and true way to do so, he’d turn to that method once again: he’d write it down.

The love letter he’d once written Marz had brought about a huge jump in the intimacy of their relationship. After reading it, the ex-gang leader had verbally professed his love for the first time ever, and they had actually kissed in a public place, too. That was solid grounds for a repeat performance, at least in Tristan’s mind. Except that this time, he wouldn’t be writing a love letter. He’d be making a list.

He rummaged around the drawers in the room for a couple minutes before coming to the realization that paper probably had to be purchased beforehand. When he opened the busted door, he saw Marz moving down the hallway toward their room. Even from here, the tense muscle lines in his back showed how upset he still was. Tristan rushed to his side and grabbed his arm, forcing him to pause and glare up at him.

Instead of saying anything, Tristan put his finger to his lips and tugged on the arm he was holding, indicating that they should return to the room he’d rented. A brief look of curiosity passed over Marz’s face before the cloud of anger returned, but he allowed himself to be led stiffly back through the broken door. Once inside, Tristan released him and made a gesture asking him to wait here, an impish little smile curving onto his mouth despite his best effort.

Hoping his lover would obey the silent command, he hurried back downstairs and ran to the bar, asking one of the waitresses there for a piece of parchment, ink, and a quill. She tossed him a wink and a reassuring pat on the cheek before handing over the requested items. Tristan shot her one last annoyed look before whirling around and flying back up the stairs again.

When he got back into the room, Marz was still standing there, looking pissed as ever. Tristan put his finger to his lips again and then jumped onto the bed, lying flat on his stomach with the parchment spread out before him.

This is the list of things you already do for me, he began, dipping the quill in the ink before furiously writing some more. They all make me very happy, so you can go ahead and keep doing them.

Here Marz inched a little closer, cocking his head a little so he could see what the dragon was writing. Tristan shot him a glare and shifted his hand over the paper, shielding his words.

1. Buying me anything I want.

2. Putting up with my “moods.”

3. Making love to me whenever I feel like it.

4. Loving me unconditionally.

He studied the list for a couple seconds, his tongue between his teeth while a couple drops of ink blotted the unwritten portion of the parchment. Then he raised the quill once again.

This is the list of things you do NOT do for me. It is very important that you learn to do all these things. I cannot stress their importance enough.

1. Spending time with me when there is no one else around. Sex does not count.

2. Going places with me and not asking Nikki, Corum, etc. to tag along. Think “romantic.” Dinner would be nice.

3. Discussing things with me that have nothing to do with our current adventurous undertaking. A conversation about our personal likes and dislikes might be nice. How to arrange a private meeting with Ginza is an example of what NOT to talk about.

Deciding that was enough, he started to sign his name at the bottom, but an afterthought made him add a postscript at the bottom:

P.S. I’m sorry about that “rutting like animals” comment. I didn’t mean it. Honest.

Marz had gravitated toward him again, especially since his hand had slipped a little to reveal part of the list. Wordlessly, Tristan blew on the ink to dry it before laying the quill aside and handing his lover the piece of parchment. Then he rolled onto his back, propping his head up behind his hands, and waited for him to read it.

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[> Subject: A list to follow?


Author:
Marz
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Date Posted: 09:20:09 08/29/02 Thu
While Marz walked down the hall to Nikki's room, he once again found himself regretting that he had fallen in love. Wasn't he a lot happier before meeting his soulmate? He decided that he might have been a bit crazier, but felt rather unfulfilled in the happiness department until Tristan entered his life. The raking dragon had the ability to manipulate his emotions like no one else could. Tristan could invoke passion in him with a simple smile, and enrage him with a single, stupid comment. His soulmate even managed to bring tears to his eyes a few times, which was a major accomplishment since it was almost impossible for Marz to let go and cry, no matter how much he was hurting.

He actually craved Tristan's presence, feeling rather lost and incomplete when he wasn't at his side where he belonged. Strong ties that no one, or nothing could ever pull apart bound them together. They were soulmates in the truest sense of the word. Although they had different bodies, their hearts, minds, and soul were one; nothing seemed to work properly when they were separated. When Tristan wasn't around, Marz had trouble thinking clearly. He had tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep while the dragon was away visiting his sick father in Elendor. And now he was angry and depressed over some of the things his lover said in the common room because the words had hurt him deeply.

Finding out that Tristan thought of their lovemaking as rutting like animals was a shock, and a little hard to bear. Although he knew he was destined to spend the rest of his live with the dragon, he silently vowed that he'd never make love to him again unless Tristan begged him to do so. If he needed to satisfy lustful urges Marz would simply pay a raking hooker to take care of his needs from now on. Of course it would never come close to the erotic euphoria he felt with Tristan, but he'd learn to deal with it.

Marz was startled from his thoughts by a hand grabbing his arm. His gaze softened when he saw Tristan, but as soon as he remembered the things he said earlier, anger filled his eyes again. He blinked when the dragon put a finger to his lips, wondering what the hell kind of game he was playing. When curiosity got the better of him, he allowed Tristan to pull him back into the room he just left.

A look of aggravation covered his face after Tristan motioned for him to wait. His eyes narrowed as he watched the dragon exit the room. He stood near the dresser, every muscle in his body tense. Why the hell did he follow Tristan back to the room? Wasn't he trying to prove some kind of point by keeping his distance from his lover for a while? It irked him to think that Tristan believed they didn't spend enough time together since Marz KNEW they were rarely apart. Because of his lover's crazy beliefs, Marz was determined to show him what real separation felt like, even though distancing himself from his soulmate would be agonizing. So then why the rake am I back in this room, waiting for his return?

Angry with himself now, he took a step toward the door, stopping abruptly when Tristan rushed in, his hands filled with writing utensils. Once again, curiosity got the better of the ex-gang leader. He moved closer to the bed hoping to see what his lover was writing, not at all pleased when Tristan covered the parchment with his hand.

Marz crossed his arms over his chest, impatience beginning to rear its ugly head. Just when he was about to stomp out of the room, Tristan held the parchment out to him. His brow furrowed in thought as his eyes scanned the writing. At least the list of things he did to please Tristan was a tad longer than the list of things he was supposed to do to make him happy. Marz thought about making his own list to shove into the dragon's face, but decided that would only aggravate the present situation. "I'll be right back," he said, tossing the parchment on Tristan's stomach before leaving the room.

The ex-gang leader returned a short time later, carrying goblets of wine and apple juice in his hands. It looked like it might be a long night of talking and possibly arguing, so he thought it wise to have some liquid on hand to moisten their throats.

After setting the glasses down on the small table next to the bed, Marz dragged a chair over and sat down. Since Tristan was apparently only interested in talking, he decided to keep a reasonable distance between them. According to the list, sex didn't count when it came to their spending time together therefore it was best to avoid temptation that might lead to that.

He picked up the parchment and read over the first item on the list of things he needed to learn how to do. "Okay, Tris, I'm here with you, nobody else is around, and we're not rutting like animals. According to number 3, we're supposed to discuss things. Since I'm the one that usually does MOST of the talking while you clam up, I'm gonna let YOU start things off this time, seeing as how this is your idea. You have my undivided attention, so tell me all about your likes and dislikes and whatever else you want us to discuss."

Marz laid the parchment on the bed, crossed his legs, and leaned back in the chair. He rested his hands in his lap while staring at his lover, patiently waiting for him to begin the conversation.

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Subject: More private talk


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 08:59:01 08/23/02 Fri
Eremis shrugged when Tristan told him he'd never be ready to kick his drug habit. He believed otherwise, but had a feeling he'd only be wasting his breath if he continued to try and convince the dragon of that. Right now he simply lacked the courage to deal with the awful pain of withdrawal, that's all. Living in Bizmar was toughening him up more and more, and that's what led him to believe he would soon possess enough guts to tackle ANY problem, no matter how much pain was involved!

"I love you in my own way, Remy," Tristan said, leaning forward to look into his eyes. "I always have."

The healer almost laughed; the long night and massive amount of drugs in his system making him a little giddy all of a sudden. Everyone loves me in one way or another, but it's never the RIGHT way. Maybe it was time he accepted the fact that he wasn't the type of person someone could fall in love with. Obviously, no one wanted to lose their heart to a sensitive guy whose main attribute was cowardliness!

"I had no idea about your feelings for me," Tristan said, while reaching up to brush a strand of hair from his face.

Eremis swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat then frowned. "I didn't know the extent of my feelings for you until we kissed, Tristan," he admitted. "I always felt a special bond with you but thought it was just a part of the close friendship that had developed between us. I started to think there was something very wrong with me when I began to wonder what it would be like to hold you in my arms and kiss you, so I buried those feelings as deep as I could possibly bury them."

A wistful smile crossed his face before he inhaled more of the drugged smoke into his lungs. "I was so raking naive back then. Well…I'm not much better now, but I HAVE learned a few things. These past few weeks have given me a eye-opening education."

He rested a hand on Tristan's thigh and squeezed it lightly, no longer shy about sharing such an intimate touch with the friend he now knew he loved with all his heart. "When I saw you and Marz together later, I thought that could have been US, especially after I found out you once had a crush on me. If only I knew earlier that it was okay to love another man! I guess that WE just weren't meant to be, Tristan. Marz is your true soulmate and I'm glad you found one another."

A chuckle escaped him when the dragon grabbed the cigarette from his hand. His tired eyes stared at his friend while he took a drag, and suddenly he had to fight off the urge to kiss him again. Deep down in the dark recesses of his drug-infested mind, Eremis knew that Marz might kill him if he realized just how much he truly desired his soulmate. The ex-gang leader didn't have a damn thing to worry about though, because it was obvious that Tristan's heart belonged to him alone. If Marz couldn't see that then he was a real idiot! Eremis wasn’t the type to try to come between the happy pair anyway. His love for Tristan would remain forever hidden from the rest of the world. Only the dragon knew how he truly felt and that was all that mattered. After a while they would forget about the brief intimacy they shared tonight, and would return to being only close friends because no matter how much it hurt, Eremis accepted the fact that that was all they could ever be.

After Tristan passed him the cigarette back he took hold of the dragon's hand, raised it to his mouth, and kissed it in lieu of the lips he desperately wanted pressed again his own again. "Cas has become a very good friend," he said, holding the dragon's hand to his cheek as he spoke. The physical contact intensified the painful longing he felt. Soon you'll be gone, and we'll never get to share another special moment like this again.

He blinked away the tears that flooded in his eyes without warning then tried to remember what he was talking about before he was overcome with emotion. Cas "I met Cas at Sebastian's Brothel right after I started working there." Knowing that Tristan knew he sold his body nowadays was still a little embarrassing. "We didn't hit it off too well at first, but we've grown a lot closer since then. We're as different as night and day though, so that makes for a VERY stormy relationship at times."

Eremis grinned then kissed Tristan's hand again. "YOU know how those stormy relationships are," he laughed, remembering all the times he saw Marz and Tristan arguing about something. He took another hit off the cigarette then grew serious again. "One of Tegol's mercenaries brutally raped me then another one promised to protect me from getting abused again if I gave myself to him."

The awful memories were a little easier to talk about when he was high. "I thought that everyone at the tavern had been murdered, and knew that Tegol's men were on their way to ambush you in Neromba. That was really a bad time for me. I had no one to turn to that I could really trust until Cas came along. His friendship is what stopped me from killing myself. Suicide crossed my mind at least once an hour a few weeks ago."

He held the cigarette to Tristan's mouth. After his friend took a drag, Eremis flicked the butt off the roof. Without thinking, he wrapped an arm around the dragon's waist and drew him closer before laying his head down on his shoulder. "Cas renewed my love of drawing, and convinced me that I could become an artist. I'm gonna start working on an oil painting of him soon. He wants me to stop the drugs and whoring, and go off adventuring with him as soon as he finishes his sword lessons and we have enough money saved to make a new start. Cas is going to help put me back together Tris, so you can stop worrying about that."

Eremis lifted his head then ran a fingertip along Tristan's cheek while gazing into his eyes. "Will you pose for me someday? Since I can't have the real you, I'd like to have a painting of you at least."

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Subject: Looking for Eremis


Author:
Tristan
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Date Posted: 21:52:17 08/20/02 Tue
“One quarter?”

Tristan nodded solemnly at the elven healer who stood before him, a perplexed look on the man’s handsome face. “That was Valhorek’s suggestion,” he added helpfully. “I’m not human, you know. I’m not even mortal! Your silly mortal medicines don’t mesh well with my superior constitution.”

Foran finally gave a tight nod before indicating that the dragon should take a seat on one of the hospice beds. After awhile, he came forward with a salve that didn’t smell quite as strongly as the stuff Val usually used. When the healer coated the wound on his shoulder with it, it only prickled against his skin, soothing the tight, damaged muscle while deadening the area at the same time. Tristan warily accepted a mug of herbal tea once the injury was bandaged properly, but after a few careful sips, he grew more relaxed. When he didn’t feel like giggling hysterically or throwing up his dinner immediately afterward, he decided that the tavern’s senior healer had finally discovered the trick to treating a dragon properly.

It was Marz’s turn next, since the stubborn ex-gang leader had insisted his lover be taken care of first. The gash in his arm was carefully and skillfully stitched up, even as it was already beginning to heal on its own. Marz now bore a bandage of his own, stretching from the top of his thumb up to the tip of his elbow, but the injury didn’t seem to bother him as he slipped his shirt back on. Tristan did the same, suppressing a wince as he flexed his shoulder muscle a little too roughly. They should both feel better in the morning, but hopefully they wouldn’t meet up with anymore threatening circumstances before the night was over.

Because of course now that Tristan knew where Eremis lived, nothing short of a worldwide cataclysm could stop him from hunting down his friend. As they made their way back to the table they’d left Corum and Tia at, he curled his arm around Marz’s to pull him closer so he could whisper into his ear.

“That woman thinks we’re going out for whores now, thanks to you!” he hissed, ignoring Marz’s cocky answering grin. “Maybe next time you could be a little more discreet about blurting out our personal plans in front of complete strangers?”

He made the statement a question, since he wasn’t the type of guy to directly order somebody to do something, not even the person he loved. But hopefully Marz would get the picture; it was much too fruitless to ever hope the ex-gang leader would acquire the gift of prudence, but Tristan would never give up trying to teach him to think before opening his mouth. Unless, of course, he intended to use it in a way that had nothing to do with forming words. In which case, Tristan encouraged him to use his mouth as often and as quickly as possible, so long as they were in the privacy of their own room, that is.

Corum jumped up from his seat to join them when they arrived, although Tia remained where she was. Tristan flushed when the copper-haired woman gave them a disgusted look, and hastened to make an excuse for his lover’s blithely stated proposal to visit a whorehouse.

“We’re going to visit my friend,” he explained, “He’s a whore, or at least we think he might be.”

His blush only deepened when she continued to look at them as if they were lust-driven animals unable to handle the rigors of abstinence—which he supposed he really was, but only with Marz, naturally. The other two bid their friends good-bye while he tried to silently recover from his embarrassment. Of course it was absolutely absurd for anyone who knew him to even THINK he’d visit a brothel. But he’d never met this woman before in his life, so she had no idea what a proper, modestly behaved young dragon he really was. (Not counting all the hot sex he and Marz engaged in together, but that was beside the point. He was in a steady, meaningful relationship now, so having hot sex with the one he loved was perfectly respectable.)

They were only halfway to the door when he startled Marz by suddenly looping his arm around his waist and pulling him close for a gentle kiss. The ex-gang leader looked a little surprised by such a public display of affection, and Tristan did his best not to seem as shy as he felt when he smiled back at him.

“I said I’d forgive you later,” he prompted, “For breaking your promise. Remember?” He kissed him again, nipping playfully at his lip. “Well? It's later now, and that was me forgiving you.”

He smiled again and lowered his eyes, pulling his lover along by the hand to meet up with Corum, who was waiting for them by the door. From there, they made their way to the stables to “borrow” three riding horses to take into town. The fact that they’d be riding instead of walking made Tristan feel privately better about the whole thing; Marz didn’t resemble his old persona half as much sitting tall in the saddle as he did when skulking about the streets on foot. In any case, they’d be less likely to be noticed by the ruffians that Heinz guy had hired.

Once he convinced his skittish mount that he had no intentions of devouring it at the moment, Tristan and the others made their way back into the city of Bizmar. He was so nervous about meeting Eremis again that he found himself lighting another cigarette before he could stop himself. Was his friend really still living as a prostitute? What if they walked in on him while he was with a client? And did he really rely so heavily on drugs and alcohol?

That brought a thousand more questions springing up into his head. How was he, a recovering drug addict himself, supposed to deal with a doped up friend? What if Eremis were too fried to even recognize them? What if…what if he’d actually overindulged on something and had in reality been dead for days?

And how am I going to act, seeing him on drugs? he wondered, unconsciously worrying the cigarette between his teeth while pushing that other, much too disturbing thought aside. What would I do if he offered me some? I mean, of course I’d say no, especially if Marz were there… Marz HAD given him that warning, after all. But his lover probably didn’t remember that Tristan had once messed himself up with drugs so badly at one point that he could barely stand up again. He didn’t know how much the withdrawal process had hurt, or how it had created an even bigger rift between father and son. And he definitely didn’t know how much his lover sometimes craved that old feeling the way most men craved sleep after a hard day’s work.

He was too wrapped up his thoughts to really pay attention to where they were going; thus he didn’t immediately realize that for all intensive purposes, Marz appeared to be leading them on a wild goose chase. After awhile, though, he started to recognize the surrounding buildings, as well as the same group of whores calling out to them for the third time (all offering to “give the three lovely gents a real ride if they’s lookin’ fer a good time”). Tristan was about to say something when Marz abruptly pulled his horse up, however, and indicated that this was it.

It didn’t look all that impressive. Tristan frowned for a moment before dismounting, tying his horse to a post with the others. He supposed he’d never really seen a real brothel, though, so how should he know what the things were supposed to look like? He started to wonder why the building seemed so quiet, but then he remembered the whore saying that the place had been shut down after Tegol’s death.

I put her out of a job, he thought, smiling slightly at the irony of how his killing Tegol Denair could affect one prostitute’s current state of employment. Once the horses were tied, Marz led the way to the front of the brothel, Corum and Tristan flanking his sides. A heavy knock soon brought the shuffling sound of feet as someone hurried to see who could be calling at an empty whorehouse so late at night.

The door opened to reveal the face of a middle-aged man, his expression set in an irritated frown. “Yes?” he asked, cracking the door open so that only half his body was visible.

“We’re looking for Eremis,” Tristan said, startling himself by speaking up. “Do you know anyone by that name?”

Now that his eyes had adjusted to the light coming from within the building, he could see that the man’s face was slightly puckered and swollen with old bruises, as if he’d gotten into a bad fight. He also wheezed a little when he spoke, indicating that it hurt to use his lungs, probably on account of a broken rib or ribs.

The older man nodded slowly after eyeing the weapons his three late-night visitors carried. “Yes, I knew him. He used to work here, but I’ve not seen him in days. Sorry.”

When he would have closed the door again, Marz stuck his hand out, preventing it from shutting completely. Tristan stepped forward and narrowed his eyes at the man, making him take a step back.

“Are you called Hans?” he asked quietly, his voice half growl and half spoken words.

Sebastian’s oldest servant swallowed, suddenly looking more than a little nervous. “I am. Young sirs, if you have business here, perhaps you’d best come back in the morn—

He yelped when Tristan’s hand shot out to grab him by the collar, yanking him outside and away from the safety of the building. “You will tell us where he lives,” the dragon said, his teeth beginning to show in the beginnings of a snarl.

Hans spluttered and gasped until Tristan’s grip around his neck loosened. “Yes…”, he wheezed, “Hafta…get the address. In…Sebastian’s…office. Please…excuse me.”

Marz, Tristan, and Corum all exchanged a look; then Tristan shook his head. “No good. We follow.” He gave the shorter man a rough push in the chest with his hand. “Well? Hurry up. We haven’t got all night.”

They followed Hans into a small room branching off from the main hall—Sebastian’s office, apparently. The man muttered to himself the whole time about the worst deal they’d ever made, and how it hadn’t been worth it, no matter how good the boy had been with those sweet lips of his. Tristan felt his hand tighten around his sword as they watched him mess around in the desk before pulling out a strip of paper on which the supposed address was printed in hastily scrawled ink.

“Here, this is the one, I think,” he said, handing it to Marz. Tristan continued to stare at him, so hard and so silently that Hans began to look nervous again.

“You work here while Eremis did?” he finally asked, earning a nod from Hans. “You knew him well, then.”

Another nod.

“How well?”

Hans looked momentarily stumped, but then he turned clever, or at least thought he was turning clever. “Not very. He was a new worker; we’d barely managed to share a conversation or two with one another before the crime war broke out.”

“That’s funny,” Tristan said, his quiet voice not matching the growing color flickering in his dark eyes. “I’d heard that you’d shared more than a conversation.”

Hans took a step back, probably without realizing it. “Perhaps,” he agreed, speaking carefully. “Perhaps we did. What business of it is yours?”

“You fucked him.”

Something about the certainty in his voice made the other man opt to simply nod stiffly instead of reply aloud.

“Not just once, either. Many times.”

Hans nodded again.

Very slowly, Tristan gripped his fingers around his collar once more, pulling him closer. “And did he want it? Did he ask you to do it? Or did you force yourself on him?”

The servant’s face had gone deathly pale. “I…promised him…more customers if he’d…let me…”

Tristan sighed, dropping his hand to his side again. “I see,” he said, lowering his eyes momentarily. Then, without warning, his hand shot up again, balling into a fist and slamming into Hans’ face, sending him sprawling on his back, completely unconscious.

He left the brothel at a stiff walk, untying his horse and mounting it in complete silence. His mouth was drawn into a thin frown, but he couldn’t think of anything to say at the moment. He wanted to kill that man in there, but something had stopped him. Both his teacher and his lover would probably have agreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment, but he knew his father at least would have been proud to see him stay his hand. He shook his head and kicked the horse into a brisk walk, not knowing what to think.

Eremis’ apartment proved to only be a few blocks away, in an even shabbier part of town, if that were possible. The landlord actually leered at them as they passed, the fat old man’s eyes lingering on Tristan’s finer features and slightly slimmer build the longest. Hastily, he grabbed Marz’s hand and dragged him up the stairs, away from that prying look. Murders, he could handle; crimelords, gang members, Nerombian zombies—but not that look, apparently.

The place was located on the fourth floor of the dilapidated structure. When they knocked, no one answered, so they entered anyway. The room was empty, though the unmade bed and smoking embers in the fireplace indicated it was a home to someone. They moved further inside, shutting the door behind them, noticing the curtain flapping over the open window—

Then immediately, Eremis’s wonderfully familiar scent began to fill his senses. This WAS his room. Tristan smiled happily and took a seat on the end of the bed, his hands rubbing absently over the sheets.

“He’s definitely been here,” he said, still smiling while looking from Marz to Corum and back to his lover. “I can smell him. I can feel him. I guess we just wait here for him to return, however long that might be.”

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Subject: Meeting Ginza


Author:
Marz
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Date Posted: 09:53:56 08/17/02 Sat
Marz leaned back in his chair and gobbled down a few grapes while his friends bickered about using the nickname of Deadeye for the petite thief. He thought the name was decent until Tristan said that it made Tia sound like she had a lazy eye. That made him laugh so hard he almost spit out a grape. He gave the dragon an incredulous look when he suggested the nicknames of Rowanheart and Elf-lover because he was a bit too dense to make the connection between those names and Rowan Silvertree.

"Those nicknames suck," he said. "We need something descriptive, that fits her personality. Let's just call her Throatslitter and be done with it."

Tia's eyes went wide. "I've never slit anyone's throat in my life! I'm a thief, not an assassin, Marz!"

The ex-gang leader rolled his eyes then ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, fine. In that case we're calling you Sneak. End of story."

The pretty blonde rubbed her jaw as she gave the name some thought. A moment later a slow smile spread across her mouth and she nodded eagerly. "I like it! It fits me perfectly!"

Bubbly blabbermouth, would be even more perfect, Marz was about to say when his attention was averted by a tall, coppery haired woman standing in the doorway of the tavern. He looked her up and down, noting her lithe figure and the hazel eyes that combed across the common room a couple of times. Apparently she was looking for someone, and judging by the disappointment written all over her pretty face, her search proved futile.

"She smells like fear," Tristan whispered in his ear.

If she was afraid of something, Marz was all for the idea of trying to put her mind at ease since he was big on helping out beautiful women in distress. As he was thinking about casually swaggering up to her to offer his assistance, Tristan reminded him that they needed to say goodnight to Nicholaus. Immediately, his thoughts turned to his son, the woman temporarily forgotten for the moment.

He followed his lover into the kitchen then through the door that led down to the huge cellar where the tavern urchins spent most of their time. A lopsided grin formed on his mouth when he caught sight of Nicholaus fast asleep on the cot once used by Rooster. He felt his anger rise a little when he thought about the boy's senseless murder at the hands of Tegol Denair's men. But, at least he found some comfort in knowing that Tristan had made Tegol suffer a little by using his dragon breath to slowly roast the skin, muscle, and bone off the crimelord's face before ending his miserable life!

When his lover suggested they put Nikki in their bed, Marz nodded. He scooped his son into his arms then led the way back up the stairs, reaching their room a few minutes later. "We'll have Noyko keep an eye on him until we get back," he whispered, after placing a kiss on Nikki's forehead. Marz shoved a white towel into a sack, tying it closed with a long length of thin robe before making a loop at the other end and pulling it over his shoulder. With the sack hanging down at his side he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

He was pleasantly surprised when Tristan pulled him into an embrace out in the hall, meeting his lips for an alluring kiss. The feel of his lover's body pressed up against his made him forget all about the meeting with Ginza. He moaned low in his throat as his hands slid under Tristan's shirt to caress the muscles in his back. Just when he was about to suggest that they duck into a room for a while, Tristan pulled away, putting some distance between them. Marz was able to think a bit more rationally then, his thoughts quickly returning to the ugly ogre-giant. We'll definitely have to continue where we left off later! he mused.

They hurried back down to the common room, where Tia and Corum awaited them. After more or less ordering Noyko to take care of Nicholaus, Marz tossed an arm around Tristan's shoulders then beckoned his friends to follow them. Since the ex-gang leader wasn't accustomed to riding horses that much, he never considered borrowing a few from the tavern's stables to take them to the city. And, driving a cart through the city center was just too wimpy to even think about! Carts and larger wagons were good for hauling crap, but as far as Marz was concerned, only OLD people used them as a means of transportation.

He pulled the cigarette from Tristan's hand as they walked along the dirt road that led to the southern gates of the city. After taking a couple deep drags, he slipped it between his lover's lips while promising that he'd try to avoid any fighting tonight. Of course such a promise might be a bit difficult to keep since they'd be passing through areas of the city that many gangs considered their private turf. Because of his past reputation, Marz didn't foresee too many problems though. Most of the young thugs would give him a wide berth except for maybe Kanet and his Black Death Knights. No matter how many times Kanet got his ass kicked by Marz, he never backed down from a fight, which only proved that he was a complete idiot!

The ex-gang leader grinned when he saw Tia and Corum holding hands and laughing together about something. Maybe there was hope for his friend yet! Now that Rowan wasn't around that much, Corum had a much better chance of winning Tia over. He frowned when he caught sight of the staff his friend always carried around. That raking thin piece of skull-topped wood always seemed to get in the middle of any relationship Corum embarked upon! Marz had half a mind to bury the staff for a while just to see if its absence improved the non-existent love life his friend had at the moment. When the gems that made up Yorik's eyes began to glow an angry red, Marz got the feeling that the damn stick read his mind! He stuck his tongue out at the skull then focused his attention on the path before them.

Once they made it through the gates, Marz drew in a long, slow breath. It felt damn good to be able to walk the city streets without having to worry about the men on Tegol's payroll assaulting him. For nearly a year, he stayed out of Bizmar simply to ease Erlic's mind after he had to rescue him from the crimelord's clutches a couple of times. He pulled his arm off Tristan's shoulder, letting his hand fall to the hilt of his sword. It was always a good idea to look fierce, and appear ready to kill at the blink of an eye.

A few thugs, wielding chains and clubs stared at them as they passed yet none were foolish enough to approach or threaten. Marz grinned when he heard his name whispered numerous times because that meant he wasn't forgotten among those that thought they controlled the city center. It felt kind of nice to be able to strike fear in the hearts of the punks that considered themselves tough!

After about a good half hour of walking, Marz pointed out a small tavern across the street from where they stood. A battered sign displaying the name, Splattered Brains Inn, hung just above the door by two rusty chains secured to the stone wall. Two scantily clad hookers stood near one of the small, mud-covered windows of the rather dilapidated building, trying to coax more money from a pair of ugly brutes that eyed them with interest.

Marz watched the scene for a moment then retrieved the towel from the sack he carried and began ripping it into thin strips. "We need to wear these across our foreheads to show that we're here for a friendly visit," he explained. Ignoring any questions or comments that were tossed his way, Marz tied a white strip around Tristan's head before securing one around his own. When Corum proceeded to tie a cloth around Yorik's bony skull, Marz rolled his eyes and bit back the nasty words that threatened to spill from his mouth since they were all synonyms for STUPID anyway.

Once the skull staff wielder finished, the ex-gang leader led the little group across the street, pausing only to wink at the whores before continuing through the door of the tavern. The thick cloud of tobacco smoke that filled the place made Marz's eyes tear. He tried to ignore the awful stench of urine, feces, and blood that assaulted his nose as he glanced around the room.

"Well, if it ain't the lacklustrious Marz Nightcrawler and his band of twerps," a booming voice sounded from a far corner.

"That's our maniac," Marz whispered. He motioned his companions to follow him to a table holding three, somewhat normal looking youths, and one who resembled a hairless ape with warts running across a bulbous nose. As he stepped over a small hill of cockroaches feasting on the dead carcass of a rat, Marz heard Tia gasp. A moment later the petite thief gasped again when she obviously caught sight of the mutilated body tattooed on Ginza's bald head.

"Didn't I tell you morons that he didn't croak?" the ogre-giant remarked to his companions while swatting at the numerous flies that buzzed around the food on the table. Ginza's right eye ran up and down the length of Marz while his left seemed to remain focused on Tristan. "Whose the goons ya got witcha, Creepy crawler?"

Marz introduced Flamestrike, Stickman, and Sneak then waited for Ginza to nod before he took a seat and nodded for his friends to sit down as well. "I came to talk to you about the merc-jerks cleaning up the streets," Marz said. "Any idea who's behind that shit?"

"Ya didn't give me the name of the skinny bitch," Ginza said, staring at the staff in Corum's hand.

Marz felt a migraine coming on and rubbed his eyes. "That's Corum's pal, Yorik."

"I thought they was brudders cause they looks a lot like twins," Ginza quipped, before snatching a couple of flies in his hand and tossing them into his mouth. "Them merc-turds is being ordered around by a slimeball that goes byda name of Heinz. From what I hears, the merchants is paying him and his fools to arrest anybody that ain't a law abiding citizen, whatever the hell that means."

Ginza smacked the youth sitting beside him, nearly knocking him out of his seat. "Fleabrain here done saw a few of them mercs hauling some members of the Infidel Gang onto a small boat in the harbor but the asshole didn't stick around to see where the boat was going."

The ogre-giant gulped down a mug of ale then let out a hearty belch that added to the horrid stench in the air. "Flamestrike huh?" he asked, staring at Tristan. "You muss be the dragon I heard about that fried Tegol. This here plate a cow's tongue got cold so hows about you heat it up for me by spitting out some fire from that purty mouth of yours?"

Marz threw his arm around Tristan's shoulder and glared at Ginza. "The only thing he heats up with that pretty mouth of his is ME."

Ginza scratched his armpit and laughed. "Didn't know he was yur bitch, Marz."

The ex-gang leader was about to utter a nasty retort when his attention was averted by someone kicking the door to the tavern open. Ten heavily armed mercenaries walked in dragging an auburn-haired youth by his hair. "Point out all the gang members and their leaders to us NOW," one of the mercs ordered.

Ginza met Marz's eyes then smiled, displaying yellow teeth that looked more like fangs. "Dumbasses shoulda never come in MY place to start some shit." He reached below the table, pulled out a huge club and lined it at the group of mercenaries. Since the ogre-giant's throw was way off, the club crashed through the muddy window, knocking out one of the men outside that had been propositioning the whore.

When Ginza overturned the table next, Marz jumped to his feet and swore at the ale that was now covering the front of his pants. "The peaceful meeting is over," he hissed, once he caught sight of the mercenaries withdrawing their swords. He pulled the strip of cloth off his head, then pulled out his blade and prepared to do battle.

"You done entered the tomb of death!" the six and a half foot tall ogre-giant bellowed as he raced toward the mercenaries, waving the massive spiked club the bartender handed him.

Pandemonium broke out in the tavern then. The customers started tossing bottles and drinks and soon minor fistfights were taking place. Trying to be true to her new nickname, Tia made her way through the crowd of combatants then attempted to sneak up behind one of the mercenaries since she knew they were the real threat.

"Sorry about breaking that promise," Marz quipped, winking at Tristan before rushing off to fight one of the mercs.

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Subject: Gabriel's plight


Author:
Darius
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Date Posted: 18:43:45 07/30/02 Tue
Darius listened intently to Gabriel’s story, and it seemed that someone, somehow had managed to follow the man with all the intentions of taking away the precious gem. The merc was equally impressed with the size of the gem, and realized immediately that, whoever had it, was trying valiantly to pawn it off for a large sum of money. Considering Gabriel’s comment about being a light sleeper only confirmed what the man had already stated, that someone must have drugged his food to insure the gem keeper a good night’s sleep, with no interruptions whatsoever, and the thief did just that. Darius was sure that by now the thief was long gone, or hiding in some unknown area waiting to be rid of the stone. The merc was also positive that if word got out that such a gem had been stolen, everyone, especially in Bizmar, would be after the gem, and the thief as well to get their fair share of any profits it would bring in.

Darius took a sip of his ale while he listened to the man’s story. He questioned Gabriel if he had noticed anything out of the ordinary, or if anyone had possibly been following him. When Gabriel shook his head, the merc realized that the thief in question was good at his trade, or Gabriel simply hadn’t bothered to pay attention to such detail. In any event, the gem was now missing, and Darius decided that he would help the man find the missing stone.

“Jo, and I will do what we can,” Darius stated. “However, not knowing who to look for can pose a very serious problem. The man could be anywhere by now. If not in Bizmar, he might be in any of the adjoining cities situated within the proximity of Bizmar. We need to get word out on the streets of Bizmar for starters to see what we can find. However, we need to know if anyone here spotted any shady looking characters. I’ll be right back.”

Darius stood up, and approached one of the urchins who was cleaning off one of the tables. He explained to the boy that the gentleman he was sitting with had lost something very valuable, and if possibly he had spotted someone watching the man, or possibly one of the other urchins. Whip simply shrugged his shoulders but stated he would ask the others. Darius smiled, and handed him a gold piece for his efforts. Judging by the smile on the youth’s face, he figured he would get something back on the deal.

He returned to his table, and suggested to Gabriel that they merely wait for a while, and to possibly have dinner. Gabriel ordered, and before the barmaid returned with his food, one of the urchin girls named Marla came running up to the table.

“There was this guy, and he sat at the corner table over there,” Marla stated while pointing to the corner of the room. “I remember this guy when he walked in, but about an hour later this skinny, creepy guy came in and sat down. He didn’t eat much but liked staring in this guys direction.”

Darius continued to ask questions, and finally had a vague description of the so-called thief. Based on the young girl’s description the man was probably about 5’7” tall, dark long stringy hair, and had a tattoo of an eagle emblazoned on his right arm. Darius thanked Marla, and handed her a gold piece for her troubles. She smiled, and went off quite content.

“We need to find someone who’s capable of getting information without drawing any attention,” Darius stated. He thought a bit as he looked a round the room. His first thoughts were of asking Ravin, or Erlic, but both men were occupied at the moment. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Dash. He had witnessed Dash’s performance, especially when coupled with that of Scat. The two boys, and their contingency of youths who were out to tell Bizmar that they were the PTOB, Punks taking over Bizmar, had worked their magic in the past by obtaining valuable information about Tegol, and his informants. He managed to get the youth’s attention.

“Yeah, whattya want?” Dash replied as he shuffled his feet. “I got’s things I gotta take care of, can’t be waistin my time on little stuff, ya know?”

Darius had to smile at the youth’s incorrigible attitude. Based on experiences he had witnessed in the past, he realized that money talked, and that bulshit did absolutely nothing. “Here’s ten gold pieces,” Darius told the youth whose eyes immediately went wide.

“All right, so ya’s got my attention,” Dash replied. “Like whatta ya need?”

“Here’s the deal,” Darius began. “We need to find out who in Bizmar knows anything about a precious gem that was stolen, and is trying to sell it, or find a seller for it. You get me that information, and there’ll be another then gold pieces in it for you.” The merc went on to explain further the details of the stone. “I’d venture to say that this guy is probably hiding out somewhere, and we need to….pay him a visit if you get my drift.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Dash answered. “I got it. Now ya gonna talk some more, or can I be about me business? Time is money ya know.”

Darius merely nodded, and within the blink of an eye the youth was gone, probably gathering up his friends and heading out toward Bizmar.

“You’re gonna trust a punk kid like that to get information?” Gabriel questions. “Seems to me I might just as well get it over with, and tell my boss what happened.”

“Don’t let the boy’s age fool you,” Darius answered. “He, and his cohorts have managed to dig up information in the past that others simply couldn’t attain. He’ll come back with something. All we have to do now is wait.”

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Subject: To the bathhouse


Author:
Cas
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Date Posted: 14:58:19 07/29/02 Mon
Cas felt renewed anger grip him when the strangers seated themselves at his recently repaired table. His blood pounded hotly inside him as the man proceeded to pour himself and his companion some wine, using the bottle and glasses Cas had meant to share with Eremis. Get your filthy, blood-stained hands off them glasses! he almost screamed, his fingers clenching even more tightly around his sword hilt.

He couldn’t believe how furious he was at the moment, even despite his fear. But he knew how proud he was by nature, too, and these two murdering bastards were stomping all over that pride right now, breaking into his home, killing Lonta, and now sampling the wine HE had bought as if doing so was their own special privilege. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it, either, except watch them like a hawk and threaten to slash their throats open if they should even hint at harming him or his friend.

Eventually, his hesitation, coupled with the growing fear nipping at his insides, made him consent to take a seat on the floor beside Eremis. He laid his naked blade across his knees, his green eyes still flashing furiously. The healer’s hand slipping quietly into his own had banked the fires of his anger momentarily, though he was certain to seat himself between his friend and the two people across the room. He kept his hand in Eremis’s even while sitting, if only because the contact forced him to remain momentarily calm. He no longer considered escape, yet he still wanted to jump to his feet and challenge the intruders—but Eremis’s warm presence beside him, along with the image of the dead Lonta in his mind, reminded him that such foolhardiness, however brave, could have very, very bad repercussions.

He HAD heard the first time that Eremis claimed this Erlic to be his friend Marz’s teacher. He just hadn’t cared. When Erlic confirmed this and introduced his companion, Cas only continued to glare at him. The excuse the other man brought forth in explanation for Lonta’s murder only served to feed the fires of his hatred and distrust.

Cas had no respect for cold-blooded killers. Should Lonta’s plan have been allowed to go through, he would have fought for his own life to save himself. If some of the wannabe thieves ended up dying in the process, so be it—he had come out on top more than once in a back alley brawl, only to realize he’d done his opponent in completely. He was no stranger to killing, but self-defense and outright murder were two different things. Besides, he’d known too many friends who’d gone out for their last walk in the streets only to turn up dead the next day, a knife sticking out of their back or gut. Those who stalked their prey and killed in the dark were no friends of his, particularly since he and HIS friends were the usual targets.

He was more than a little shocked to learn about Redric. Not that he cared one way or the other what the bastard did in his spare time, but it was pretty unnerving to wonder how these two had learned about Eremis’s job offer. He didn’t buy the idea that these people gave a shit about the street children being drugged and molested, not one bit. How could anyone who murdered a girl in cold blood attempt to claim that the thought of a poor little boy or girl being raped and forcefully addicted to drugs truly stirred their hearts? Cas would readily agree, the situation sucked big time, but it was no worse than what the children living in the brothels had to live with—and there was little enough he could do about that, too. He’d learned a long time ago that the only person worth trying to save was himself. And then, of course, he’d met Eremis.

He froze his ambling thoughts long enough to listen to what the man wanted the healer to do. His eyes narrowed, and his grip on Eremis’s hand tightened, when he realized they wanted his friend to work undercover for them. If Redric or anyone else in his household caught Eremis trying to poison them (even if it was just sleeping powder), he’d be a goner. Someone who raped children for pleasure probably wouldn’t think twice about killing a whore who’d tried to betray him—even if his nephew WAS pretty damn smitten with him. When Eremis spoke up to raise his frightened concerns, the woman Althena responded with a fairly crude and callous comment of her own. He felt the healer cringe beside him when she smiled and fingered the dagger at her side, and it was all he could do not to jump up and slam his fist into her pretty white teeth.

Once Eremis officially agreed to the plan, the two intruders left, leaving them in relative peace. Cas remained on the floor, watching him pace about the room with his cigarette while muttering about the window needing to be fixed. He remained quiet while his friend went on to defend his reasons for saying yes to Marz’s teacher and the woman, the thought of Lonta’s limp dead body still fresh in both their minds. He only got up when Eremis turned his pleading eyes on him and asked about finding a bathhouse before the night was over.

Wordlessly, he nodded and sheathed his sword. There were lots of pricey bathing halls throughout the city, but a few could be entered for a small handful of gold or so. For once, he didn’t bitch about the unnecessary spending; Eremis clearly needed to be indulged at the moment, no matter what he asked for. At this point, Cas was willing to buy him the whole damn city if it would just stop him from looking so depressed.

“I think I know a place,” was all he said as they began walking down the stairs together. The night was silent as they passed the place where the bodies lay strewn about on the road. He thought he recognized Lonta’s slighter form, but couldn’t be sure. Hastily, they moved on together.

A half hour’s quiet walk took them to a middle-class bathhouse, its claim to fame being that it was open all night and offered free massages to regular customers. Cas was definitely not a regular customer; in fact, this was really the first time he’d ever been in a place like this. He paid the lady at the front desk while Eremis piped up to request a private room so that they wouldn’t be bothered. Naturally, that meant he had to shell out a few extra coins, but the healer was adamant—and again, Cas was simply willing to please him, at least for tonight.

When they were shown into the small enclosed chamber with the sunken pool in the center, Cas almost sighed aloud. The heat rising up from the water caused sweat to prickle against his skin, relaxing him a little automatically. He saw some of the tension leave Eremis’s face, too, as the woman closed the door behind them, after informing them that they had one hour, and one hour only, or else she was coming to fetch them out of the water herself. This was no mean threat, as she weighed something close to two hundred pounds and had fists like chops of ham. If Eremis wanted another hour, he’d make damn sure she got paid well before their time was up.

As he shed his clothing and stepped into the warm water, he finally did sigh. “I can’t believe I never done this before,” he muttered, easing his back against the side of the pool and closing his eyes. He heard Eremis toss his things aside and enter the pool as well, the water splashing slightly as his friend came to sit beside him on the little bench the ran the circumference of the round pool.

There was silence between them awhile, then Cas spoke up again, his sudden relaxation making his tongue lax again. “I didn’t know you was sposed to spend the night at Redric’s,” he muttered, just loud enough for Eremis to hear. The healer was probably as confused by the slightly jealous tone in his voice as he was. Cas sighed again and opened his eyes, studying his fingers under the water.

He was starting to get mad at himself. It was stupid for him to be bothered by how Eremis pleased his customers, especially when they were paying him so excessively. He found himself thinking of Althena’s snide comment, and he almost smiled.

“I wouldn’t fuck you on a kitchen counter, you know,” he blurted out, his eyes moving to rest on his friend’s face. “I’d find a bed and do it nice and proper like.” A grin came to his face then, and he lost some of that strange nervous feeling that had come to creep up on him for some reason or other.

But just as quickly, the grin faded, and he felt himself growing serious again. “I wish you wouldn’t go to Redric’s tomorrow,” he continued, his voice unusually quiet. “Something really bad could happen, even if you are careful.” He reached out to touch the healer’s cheek, his fingers gently caressing his face before he realized it. “I don’t want you gettin’ hurt. I can’t STAND the thought a you gettin’ hurt. Promise me you’ll be real careful, okay?”

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Subject: NEW IN TOWN


Author:
saint_chapel
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Date Posted: 13:03:48 07/27/02 Sat
I'm new in town, an outcast from my original place of birth. Despite my human appearance, I have been shunned by the townsfolk for my unusual characteristics. Disowned by my family, except my parents, I stumbled upon Bimar on my journey to, not only, to try and be accepted as a person, rather than a freak, but also try to build a life of my own as well. I am not sure where to go or whom to turn to, so I came to this tavern to start out and see what this city has to offer.

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Subject: Puzzling events


Author:
Jo
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Date Posted: 11:03:18 07/26/02 Fri
Jo could see that Darius had taken it the wrong way when she had called him an "old fart". She grinned and leaned over, kissing his earlobe as she whispered, "I was just kidding about the old fart thing."

Darius grinned and whispered back, "“Did I tell you about what a wonderful time I had with you at the Rover’s Camp?” He gave her a gentle kiss. “I especially enjoyed what we did in the tent, even though you took complete control. You were simply fantastic.”

Jo grinned at him and returned the kiss, biting his bottom lip softly. "I had wonderful inspiration... and I don't mean the moonshine."

Jo had watched along with Darius as the strange little tableau unfolded with the arrival of the old man, Erlic's meeting with him, and the arrival of the beautiful woman who Erlic eventually left with. Jo looked dumbfounded at Darius as poor Jade simply got up and went to her room, doubtless to avoid facing the stares of curious people.

“I don’t get it,” Darius whispered. “What could have caused Erlic to act that way, and simply leave us, and Jade especially, without so much as a goodbye?”

Jo shrugged and held Darius tightly. "I don't know. Do you suppose he's... you know... maybe with that woman or something?" Jo really didn't know Erlic all that well so she had no idea that it would be unusual for him to run off and have a torrid affair, and she certainly didn't know he was an assassin, so his behavior was baffling to her unless, of course, he was meeting the woman for some sort of secret tryst (which wasn't too secret now, come to think of it). It was obvious that Jade had no idea what was going on. The stricken look that flashed across her face briefly before she composed herself and went up to her room said it all.

“Remind me that if I ever do something like that, you’ll smack me across the face, all right?” Darius said with a grin.

"It's a deal!" Jo chuckled. "But I'm sure that you would never do anything like that... right?" She gave him a mock serious look before grinning again.

Then she winced and took another sip of java. "Maybe I should eat some crackers or something. I don't think Valhorek's hangover medicine is working. In fact... I think he gave me something nasty on purpose just to increase my suffering and teach me the evils of excessive drink. Not that he was any teetoataler."

Suddenly there was a commotion as a large man dressed in black came crashing down the stairs. He was red in the face and his fists were clenched.

"All right! Who took it? Who stole the Cat's Paw?" The man roared as he glared around the room at everyone.

Jo stared at the man with her mouth open. His face was now turning the most amazing shade of purple. She turned to Darius, puzzled. "What is the Cat's Paw??"

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Subject: All better for now


Author:
Eremis, and Lonta
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Date Posted: 09:48:32 07/23/02 Tue
After Cas disappeared out the window, Lonta searched the place until she found a broom. The damned thing was in terrible shape but at least it got the job of sweeping up all the glass done. Once she deposited all the shards in a tall copper container that stood near the door, she tried to right the table. A frown crossed her face when she noticed that one of the legs was broken. Now they'd have to hold dishes of food in their laps because of Cas and his silly temper!

The thought of food made her hungry again. She helped herself to a couple more pieces of ham and cheese from the counter then grabbed the bottle of wine before plopping down on the couch. As she bit into the ham she thought about the two youths that now sat out on the roof. In her opinion, Cas was the cutest of the pair but she preferred Eremis' temperament. The healer was refreshing because he was kinder than anyone she had met since having to learn to survive on her own at the age of eight. She was used to bigmouths like Cas because she had to deal with them on a daily basis. When she was younger people like that used to frighten her but nowadays she could trash talk with the best of them and knew how to fight her way out of a jam.

Lonta washed down the rest of her food with a gulp of wine then set the bottle on the floor before stretching out on the couch. She liked it here and had every intention of staying for as long as possible. Cas probably wouldn't like the idea but she was pretty sure she could wrap Eremis around her finger in no time. The young healer looked like he needed someone to take care of him and Lonta knew she could do a better job of it than Cas did. She wouldn't have any qualms about his going off to whore himself with that hotspot Belald or anyone else as long as he brought home the money! It was pretty lucky that she found these youths now when their relationship seemed to be on awfully shaky ground. If she played her cards right, it shouldn't take long for Eremis to get rid of Cas and start sharing his money with her instead!

*^*^*^*


Eremis tried to swallow his fear when Cas sat down beside him. After seeing how violent the demon boy could get he doubted that he'd ever feel truly comfortable around him again. He flinched slightly when Cas tossed an arm around his shoulder then finally managed to relax a little once the youth began to rub his back in a comforting manner.

He kept his head bent forward, his long blonde hair hiding his face while Cas spoke to him in a gentle voice. When the youth apologized for his outburst, Eremis shrugged but kept silent. He really didn't want to think about the fit of rage that had overtaken Cas. In fact he wished he could wipe the memory from his mind because it continued to haunt him. Suddenly, the thought of living with someone that could snap at any second wasn't very appealing. He felt like he'd have to walk on eggshells around Cas from now out for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing that would set him off again. But, he didn't have any place else to live and had no friends in Bizmar that he could contact other than Kisa, so he supposed he'd have to make the best of his living arrangements for now.

Eremis forced a smile to his face when Cas brushed hair from his tear-filled eyes. How could the demon boy be so gentle one minute yet so sarcastic and violent the next? "I really don't mind working for Belald," he finally said, hoping that Cas wasn't going to get pissed over what he was about to say next. "When he first comes near me, I feel all panicky with fear but then he kisses me and everything's all right. Then I can't wait to get closer to him. He's very gentle with me all the time, and I enjoy making love to him more than any of the other customers I had at Seb's place."

The healer stared at the tall chimney jutting up from the roof across from them. "Belald pays good plus he gives me expensive gifts. What more could I possibly want? You once said that he'll get tired of me sooner of later so I might as well try to get as much money as possible from him before he dumps me in favor of someone else."

He rubbed his eyes, which were itching like crazy now because of his intense weeping then turned to face his friend. "I wish I didn't have to whore either, but it’s the only way I'm able to make a decent amount of money right now. I won't know how much I'll be able to make as a painter until I complete a picture and sell it. For some reason I don't think it'll be a lot cause there's plenty of starving artists around, but who knows."

His eyes dropped to the ground, a large O forming on his lips when he noticed the cuts on Cas' bare feet. "Let's go inside so I can bandage those up for you." He pulled away from the demon boy, got to his feet and gingerly made his way back across the plank. He was surprised to see that all the broken glass had been cleaned up but disappointed to find that the table leg was cracked in half.

Without saying a word, he retrieved an old shirt from the trunk along with his aloe plant before nodding for Cas to sit down on a chair. One of the gashes could have used a couple of stitches but since they didn't have any needles or thread in the apartment, he simply packed the wound with sticky aloe then wrapped it tightly with a strip torn from the shirt. "Maybe you should think about wearing shoes a little more often, Cas."

"Eremis sweetie, my head hurts," Lonta called from the couch.

The healer finished bandaging the rest of the cuts on Cas' feet then moved to sit beside their temporary roommate. He felt her head, relieved to find no fever present. His healer instincts couldn't find anything really wrong with her at the moment except for the malnutrition. "You're probably just tired," he told her. "I'll make you some Valerian tea. That will help you sleep." A grin played at the corners of Eremis' mouth when she slid her hands around his neck and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for bein' so nice to me," she whispered, after letting her hands drop to her sides.

"And thank you for cleaning up the glass." He gave her a wink then hurried off to fill the pot with water from the barrel outside the door. While out in the hall he took a small dose of Opium after noticing that his hands were beginning to shake. When he realized how much easier it was to not have to ask Cas for the drugs, he decided he'd stop giving them to the demon boy to hold. The Opium relieved more of the tension that had build up within him because of the earlier argument with Cas, and he found himself whistling a tune as he made his way back inside. He set the pot on the stove then sat down on the bed to count the remaining money they had saved.

"We've got about 1100 gold right now, Cas," he told his friend a short time later. Ignoring the gasp of surprise that came from Lonta, he kept his eyes trained on Cas. "I think we should take 200 out to pay next week's rent and 50 more to pay for another week of your sword lessons. Then we can hide the rest in a safe place and add to it when we can. Since things cost so damned much I think we should have at least 5000 gold saved up before we leave Bizmar. Hopefully, that will be enough to hold us until we can both find real jobs. By then you should be a fairly decent swordsman too. We'll use the money I get from Belald tonight to buy another table and more food and other necessities."

He placed 250 gold in a smaller sack and set it on the small table beside the bed before scooping the rest of the coins into the larger sack. Whatever drugs he had stored in the safe at Seb's Place went into his pocket. He intended to hide them someplace in the apartment later, perhaps when Cas and Lonta were asleep. After hefting the heavier sack, he slid off the bed and handed it to this friend a moment later. "You can put it in the bank if they have one in the city, and if not bury it someplace safe I guess."

The healer moved on to the stove and prepared the Valerian tea for Lonta. "Do you want me to go with you to your lessons Cas, or would you prefer to go alone tonight? Remember I have to be ready by eight for Belald."

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[> Subject: Another plan


Author:
Cas
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Date Posted: 22:37:46 07/01/02 Mon
“I really don’t mind working for Belald.”

Eremis’s comment took Cas a little off guard for some reason. He almost turned and asked his friend if he was crazy or something, but he held his tongue. (He was doing that a lot lately, he realized. Wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, either.) After all, this was the guy who’d somehow managed to find the guts to ask him about sex between people of the same gender. But hadn’t he only been anxious about it because of his supposed feelings for Belald? Maybe. On the other hand, Cas could clearly remember warning him, not just about Belald himself, but about all clients—they felt nothing for their whores, no matter how much it might seem otherwise.

He had to actually bite his tongue when Eremis bluntly referred to his encounters with Belald as “making love.” Whores don’t make love! he wanted to retort, but he was scared he’d get real mad again and scare his friend even more. Eremis was so obviously uncomfortable with having his arm around him, even though he was just too shy and polite to do anything about it. Cas stubbornly refused to move; he liked holding his friend, and it hurt too much to physically acknowledge that his presence wasn’t wanted right now.

If ever. He and the healer didn’t seem to agree on much of anything, lately, and he bet he wasn’t the only one to notice, either. Although his financial situation was a dream come true, he sometimes felt so emotionally drained it wasn’t worth it. He and Eremis didn’t exactly fight all the time, but the healer’s naivete and rather sweet simplicity made Cas worry about him almost constantly.

Take Lonta, for instance. Suppose the healer decided to make a habit out of bringing the rubble in from the streets to doctor them up in his home? All it took was one nasty-minded little thief or beggar to fake an injury or illness for things to go horribly wrong. Alone, Eremis would be utterly defenseless should one of his “patients” try to turn against him. Rape, greed, the desire to kill those weaker than oneself—any myriad of motives could apply. And if he even so much as mentioned that to Eremis, the healer would simply refuse to believe that such a thing could ever happen.

Cas sighed. Which was why he HAD to stay, whether he was wanted or not. Maybe Eremis found his presence stifling, but he needed Cas around to protect him. By no means did the demon boy consider himself a hard-hearted person, but under normal circumstances, he’d turn the other cheek and mind his own business. He helped those he was capable of helping, but he didn’t exactly go out of his way, changing his entire lifestyle, just to lend a helping hand. It just wasn’t practical. Only nothing he did or felt about Eremis was practical, but he did it anyway. That bothered him, maybe even depressed him a little.

Cas wasn’t used to feeling depressed. Usually, he could bounce back from hardship, no matter how tough, but lately it just seemed like he kept coming up against a brick wall—and falling flat on his face once again.

“Belald pays good,” Eremis was saying, “plus he gives me expensive gifts. What more could I possibly want?”

Cas stared at him in disbelief, the healer’s remaining words fading into the background for a while. What more could you possibly want? he thought in amazement. How about your life back? What was happening to Eremis? Had he really accepted this new life he’d once professed to hating so easily? Here was Cas, moaning and groaning about how much his life had sucked up to this point, and there was Eremis, actually looking forward to meeting up with Belald!

It’s just the money, he convinced himself, shifting his wounded feet uncomfortably. But he knew that wasn’t entirely true. He’d seen the look on the healer’s face after Belald had kissed him. There was fear, then slight desire…but there was real feeling there, too. Cas almost felt like crying, he was so frustrated. Stupid, stupid, STUPID Eremis! Was he actually falling for the arrogant mercenary?

That’s when Cas began to get one of the ugliest Ideas he’d ever thought up. It made him flush from shame just to think about it, but it was there nonetheless. If he could get Eremis to sleep with him…then the healer would turn his affections away from Belald toward him. Once he had his friend fawning all over him, for however long the effect would last, he could get him to do whatever he wanted. No more Belald, no more drugs, no more…

He frowned, annoyed with himself for even thinking about doing something like that. Not only was it wrong to trick Eremis like that, but it also wouldn’t solve any problems. They’d still need money (or so the healer said), and they’d STILL have the drugs to worry about. Just because Cas made him stop taking the things wouldn’t make his body crave them any less. Next thing you know, he’d be going through withdrawal, and then something awful would occur; he’d get sick, really, really sick, maybe even pass out and never wake up.

Eremis pulled him back to the reality of the present when he finally noticed his torn up feet. “Let’s go inside so I can bandage those up for you,” the healer suggested, and Cas noticed he wasted no time shrugging away from his arm and standing up. Once back in the room, he wondered if their tentative friendship would ever be the same—whatever the case, it didn’t bode well for the fact that he was determined to stick around, no matter what.

“Maybe you should think about wearing shoes a little more often, Cas,” Eremis muttered while bandaging the wounded soles of his feet.

“Too damn noisy,” Cas returned under his breath, although inwardly he was cringing a little. Eremis might as well have suggested he learn to control his temper, too, since that was the obvious cause of his injuries, and not his distaste for shoes. Neither one of them seemed to want to talk about what had happened any more, though, so again, he kept his mouth shut.

He made a face when Lonta spoke up to complain about a headache. His dutiful healer friend finished his feet up quickly to rush to the little charlatan’s bedside again. He wanted Lonta to scram almost as much as he wanted Eremis to not visit Belald—but the healer didn’t seem to value his opinion at all, so there didn’t seem to be any reason to voice it any longer. Cas wasn’t sure how long he could take watching the fruits of their hard-earned labor feed money-hungry lowlifes like Lonta, but he didn’t think it’d be for long.

When Eremis began to talk about money, he snapped to attention. His heart actually leapt in his throat when the healer said something about leaving when they reached 5000 gold. Finally! He had an actual goal to reach for! 5000 gold, he thought frantically, his eyes glazing as the figure ran through his mind. It was so impossibly high—but it was something! Immediately, he began to hatch a plan. Waiting around to make that kind of figure could take months. So all he had to do, really, was be willing to take a few necessary risks, mainly, to learn a new trade: thieving.

Cas was a pretty good pickpocket, but he was no thief. But THAT was where all the money was; he knew it. He’d never been desperate enough to risk life and limb burglarizing some rich noble’s property, but if it would keep Eremis safe and at home…

Wordlessly, he accepted the large sack of money his friend eventually handed him. He didn’t trust in any old bank, that was for sure—but he did know a safe place. A place he’d kept most of his stash for years, a place NO ONE knew about. There they could store their gold, and come to collect it when the time was finally right.

When Eremis went on to ask him about his sword lessons, he frowned, mostly because the healer followed it up with a reminder concerning his appointment with Belald.

“You make it sound like a rakin’ date,” he muttered, somewhat pleased at the flush of both shame and anger that crept into Eremis’ face. “Anyway, I don’t care if you come with me or not,” he added, trying to appear nonchalant, when he felt anything but. “I LIKE having your company, but if you don’t wanna come, there ain’t nuthin’ I can do about it.”

He wriggled his toes experimentally in the bandages swathing his feet. He wondered if he’d even be able to walk to the sword smith’s place, let alone practice for an entire hour. “But you can bet I’ll be back by eight,” he continued, still staring at his feet. Abruptly, his eyes moved back up to stare at his friend. “Because I’m goin’ with you.”

Eremis was too stunned to say anything at first, so Cas barreled on stubbornly. “I’ll follow along so nobody can see me. I can do it; ain’t nobody can follow as quiet as I can.” He shrugged. “I don’t think it’s safe for you to wander off at night by yourself—and I don’t count that jerk Belald as someone you can trust, neither!” He scowled, rather absently. “Though I gotta feelin’ I’d better get used to seeing him around. He’d have to be stupid…” He paused, surprised by what he was about to say, but decided to say it anyway, shrugging again as he met his friend’s somewhat glazed blue eyes. “He’d have to be stupid to get tired of seeing someone like you.”

He glanced at the table next, his gaze lingering guiltily on the broken leg. “We don’t gotta buy a new table, neither,” he added more quietly. “I’ll fix it.” Eremis looked like he was about to protest, but Cas decided to put his foot down on just this one thing. “I’ll fix it,” he repeated steadily, even though he had no real idea how. Still, the more money they saved, the faster they could reach their goal—and the faster Cas could attempt to be happy about his life again.

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[> [> Subject: How about this idea?


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 13:34:16 07/02/02 Tue
"You make it sound like a rakin' date," Cas muttered.

When Eremis felt a blush rise to his cheeks, he turned away from his friend and tried to force down the anger that rose within him again. He really didn't think he could deal with Cas' nasty attitude problem much longer. The youth made it sound like he enjoyed whoring himself when the only reason he did it was for the money that Cas craved so damned badly!

Cas wanted him to paint yet gave him dirty looks all morning long while he spent money on art supplies. The demon boy also wanted him to practice his healing craft by offering his services to the poor for a cheap price, but they had no decent medical supplies for Eremis to use and he wasn't about to suggest they buy any since more spending of the money they BOTH earned would only piss Cas off again! His friend wanted them to make gobs of money as fast as possible yet now he was all bent out of shape about his going off to fuck Belald tonight even though the merc would pay him a small fortune for a short amount of his time! Eremis was at his wit's end when it came to knowing just what the hell Cas expected of him.

Hoping to calm himself down a bit, he drew in a couple of deep breaths then lit up a Lotus cigarette. He stared at Cas for a moment, silently daring him to say something about his drug use. Maybe if the youth would stop harping at him about every little damn thing, he wouldn't be seeking an escape from reality so often! He took a few drags from the cigarette then brought the mug of tea to Lonta before walking over to the painting supplies that sat on the counter.

"Since you really don't give a shit whether I go with you or not to your lessons, I'll stay here and start working on a painting," he said, unable to keep the hostile tone from his voice. "And don't worry about rushing back by eight because Belald said he was going to pick me up so I won't be wandering off at night by myself!" Cas' concern for his well-being might have touched him if he believed that the youth really cared about him, but he now knew that the only thing his friend cared about was money, pure and simple. But even that part was difficult to understand. If Cas only wanted him around because of the money he could bring in then WHY was he so raking upset about Belald?

He also likes having me around to kiss but refuses to go any father because he says I'll fall in love with him or some shit! Meanwhile, it suddenly seems like he don't want me going too far with anyone else either lately! Eremis shook his head. Cas was a living, breathing contradiction and he was driving him crazy because of it! Were ALL incubuses like that? He thought about Kisa then decided that anyone with an ounce of demon blood flowing through their veins got off on causing havoc with people's emotions!

After a deep sigh he pulled up a chair and straddled it, resting his chin on the high back as he gazed at Cas. "I don't think it's going to work out between us," he said somewhat reluctantly. "I really like you a lot, Cas, but I'm tired of pissing you off all the time. Why don't you just take that sack with the 900 gold and go off and start your new life now, without me? I'll keep the 200 gold to pay for another week's rent here since it's close to Seb's brothel. Hopefully, it'll reopen next week then maybe I can find myself another roommate from one of the whore's there since I really don't want to live by myself."

"I'll stay with you Eremis," Lonta called out from the couch. "I know the streets just as well as Cas does and I ain't prone to hissy fits like some people. I'll keep the joint clean and even learn how to cook iffen you want. And I can be the exclusive model for all them paintings you're gonna become famous for one day."

Eremis shrugged although he really wasn't paying much attention to Lonta. All he could think about was Cas, and how much he would miss waking up to those vibrate green eyes of his each day. He took another drag from the cigarette and tried to ignore the strange fluttering is in stomach as he stared at his friend, waiting for his reaction to the possibility of them going their separate ways.

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[> Subject: First day on the new job


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 08:13:07 07/10/02 Wed
Eremis thought he'd faint from the mind boggling dizzy sensation he felt when Cas kissed him. A tiny pinprick of fire seemed to ignite somewhere in his legs making him moan softly as it slowly spread throughout his entire body. He shivered when he felt Cas' tongue flick across the roof of his mouth before the demon boy pulled away from him. No, don’t stop! he wanted to say, but the look in his friend's eyes kept him from voicing the words.

Mutely he watched Cas slip off the mattress and strap on his sword then forced himself to move once the ache in his groin subsided. How the hell did Cas always manage to turn him on so damn much with a simple kiss? He shook his head then dressed in clean clothing in hopes of making a good first impression on the proprietor of the Silk Palace. Since he'd be the newest worker at the place, he'd need to figure out how to go about making the customers notice him when there'd be so many whores to chose from. If madam Ninta liked him, she might convince some of the regulars to give him a try at least. As much as he hated his new profession he'd hate it even more if he sat around the brothel for seven hours twiddling his thumbs because that wouldn't help pay for their expenses!

He glanced at Lonta, who sat on the couch eating the burnt food. It made him happy to see her stuffing her face because that meant she would regain her strength faster. Once that happened he'd give her a little money to tide her over for a couple of days then send her on her way. Surprisingly, he wasn't too concerned with how Lonta would survive after that since she managed to do pretty well for herself before he and Cas came along. Without saying a word to her, he scooped up their money sack and followed Cas from the apartment. "You forgot this," he said, handing the sack to his friend. "You might need money to buy whatever's needed to repair the table, and we could use more food for dinner tonight as well as another bottle of wine."

A crooked grin formed on his lips when Cas put an arm around him. He knew his friend only did it to ward off the ruffians that tossed him lewd looks, but Eremis liked to think he did it because he enjoyed holding him close as much as he enjoyed being held close. After they boarded the rickety wagon, Eremis sat down beside his friend rather than across from him. He let his hand rest on Cas' thigh while staring at all the buildings they passed. Maybe someday he'd actually be able to find his way around the huge city of Bizmar. As soon as I know where I'm going it'll probably be time for us to move! His heart really wasn't into adventuring, but he'd follow along after Cas if that was what he wanted to do once he mastered the sword.

When they got off the wagon, Eremis decided to take the initiative this time, tossing his arm around Cas' shoulders before they made their way inside the small inn. Once again he took a seat next to his friend at the table then ordered a hearty breakfast so that Cas wouldn't have to worry about his recent lackluster appetite. While listening to the demon boy talk about the pills Belald gave him he sipped the ale a boy brought to the table.

"I don't know why I took the Black Lotus, Cas," he admitted. "My body wasn't craving anything because I downed some Opium before Belald picked me up at the apartment. I just remember wanting to make Belald happy at the time so I stuffed the damn capsule in my mouth. Later, I regretted it of course." He stared intently at his friend for a moment before lowering his eyes. "I just feel really strange when I'm with Belald sometimes. It's like I suddenly exist only to please him. Maybe subconsciously I'm terrified of him and that makes me do whatever he wants me to do to keep him from getting mad." He shrugged before continuing. "I promise that I'll try really hard not to take anything else he offers me. And if he gives me something other than Tazreen or Opium as a present I'll hand it over to you to sell again."

He smiled pleasantly at the serving girl who set plates of food before them. As usual, Eremis wasn't hungry but forced himself to eat more for Cas' sake than his own. His eyes widened in surprise when his friend asked if he wanted him to stop working for Belald; he didn’t think he any influence over what Cas did or didn't do. Having his friend ask for his opinion made him feel oddly special.

"I know how unsafe the streets of Bizmar are, and I worry about you getting hurt." He set down his fork and took his friend's hand in his before meeting his eyes. "Where would I be without you Cas? Don't you realize I need you? Course I'd rather you find a safer job if you want to work, but I can't stop you from working for Belald, if that's what you really want to do. I don't think the merc would hurt ME if you quit, but he might get pissed at you. Right now I might be able to convince him not to hurt you if he gets angry. Once he looses interest in me, I won't have any influence over him at all, so it might be best for you to get out now. It's your decision, Cas."

Eremis gave his friend a tight smile then pulled his hand away and continued eating. As he chewed his bacon, he recited a mental prayer to the gods, asking them to keep Cas from getting deeply involved with Belald's organization. He didn't want the merc's minions trying to assassinate Cas one day like Tegol's men had tried to do to Marz.

Once they finished eating and paid the server, they headed back to the wagon. Eremis slid his arm around Cas' waist and rested his head on his shoulder. Thinking about moments like this would help get him through the rest of the day. When the cart came to a halt, the healer sighed deeply. The ride had been much too short. Regrettably, he pulled away from his friend, jumped to the ground, and stared at the tall building that loomed up before him.

Together they mounted the steps that led to a bronze door. A tall, shapely brunette let them in shortly after Eremis knocked. The healer glanced around the brightly lit foyer before his eyes followed the girl to a large oaken desk that sat before a single door. "I'm sure that each of you will find the man or woman of your fantasies in the lounge that lies beyond those doors," she said, nodding at the set of double doors at the east end of the foyer. "The rate is 80 gold for 30 minutes."

Eremis stepped closer to the desk and cleared his throat. "My name is Eremis. I was hired by Belald last night."

The woman raised a brow then looked him up and down. "So, you're his new infatuation eh? I'm Leta. Welcome to the Silk Palace." She pulled a key from a one of the drawers and handed it to the healer. "The door behind me opens to a hall that leads to the kitchen and a staircase that will take you to the upper levels of the Palace. You can use room number 8 tonight. You'll find quite an assortment of clothes in the closet. If you look hard enough I'm sure you'll find something that will fit. There is another staircase on the east end of the upper floors. When you're ready, take that one down to the lounge where you can make yourself comfortable while waiting for a customer to chose you."

"This is my friend Cas," Eremis told her. "Is it all right if he hangs around for a while?"

After turning to face the demon boy, Leta grinned before speaking to him. "I've seen you running around the city. Only workers and paying customers are allowed upstairs, but you can go buy yourself a drink in the lounge and wait for Eremis. Just don't bother anyone or our bouncer Chem will toss you out on your ass. It might not be a good idea to stay by your pretty blonde friend too long because he might miss out on customers if they see you with him."

The healer muttered a thanks to Leta for the information then glanced at Cas. "I'll meet you in the lounge as soon as I get settled in then we can have a drink together before you take off." He made his way to the single door and was running up the stairs a moment later.

The room they gave him to use was similar to the one he had at Seb's place. Besides the walk-in closet it held a huge bed, sunken tub, and a long plush couch that sat before a fireplace. Instead of a makeup table, a small desk with a mirror hanging on the wall behind it was situated near the door. The only thing that seemed to be missing was a liquor cart, and if there was a wall safe Eremis wasn't sure where it might be hidden. He supposed that he could keep his tips and personal items in one of the desk drawers.

Because he was in a bit of a hurry he didn't spend too much time searching through all the clothing that hung in the closet. He settled on a pair of black pants that were a little too tight since he figured that might help him attract a customer more readily. He pulled on a black silk shirt and left the laces untied, thinking that it looked a bit sexier that way. After brushing out his long hair and letting it hang freely, he took a little more Opium to help eliminate his nervousness, then left the room and went in search of the east staircase.

A few minutes later he entered the dimly lit, smoke filled lounge and took a good look around. Although it was early afternoon and quite warm outside a fire blazed in a fireplace on the south wall. A number of scantily clan whores lounged on pillows spewed about the huge room or sat on one of the many couches present. When he spotted Cas sitting at a bar positioned at the north end of the room he hurried to join his friend, slipping onto the stool next to him.

"I'm Gus," the burly, bearded man behind the bar said. "I'll be tending bar today. Gimme your name and I'll keep a running tab open for you that you can pay before you leave at the end of the day."

After Eremis supplied the man with his name he ordered a glass of brandy then turned to Cas. "Well, wish me luck for my first day," he said with a half grin. "You'll come pick me up at nine, right?"

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[> [> Subject: Can you keep a secret?


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 13:40:41 07/15/02 Mon
Inwardly, Eremis grinned when he sensed how much Rowan was enjoying what he was doing to him. Slowly but surely, the healer was learning that in some situations, sex could be used as a weapon. It was rather fascinating to see how easily many people could be manipulated because of a simple thing like lust. A week ago, the thought of pleasuring another to get what he wanted would never have entered Eremis' mind, but now he found nothing wrong with using his new skills to gain the upper hand over someone. Of course the drugs he consumed made Eremis' job much easier but he wasn't thinking about that at the moment. The only thing on his mind at present was that Rowan would probably give up on the idea of killing him if he promised to be available to take him to a state of erotic bliss free of charge from now on. He could work a deal with the elf similar to the one he had with Belald. It would be easy to sneak off and meet him at a nearby inn so he wouldn't have to pay the proprietor of the Silk Palace for his time.

Eremis sat back on his heels, cocking his head to the side while smiling at the look of utter contentment he saw on Rowan's face after his intense climax. He returned his hands to the elf's thighs with the intention of sliding them up to ease Rowan's pants off but stopped when he saw the man tying his laces. Surely the elf wanted more than one quick round of fulfillment! Why else would he have paid Leta for an hour of time with whatever whore he chose? He grew worried, thinking that Rowan might be considering killing him again now that he was no longer consumed by lust.

"No one's going to KILL you, you little ninny!" the elf said, as if reading his mind.

A look of disbelief crossed the healer's face as he listened to the rest of what Rowan had to say. There wasn't a massacre at the tavern? Anger welled up inside him when he realized that Belald had been feeding him lies! All this time he had been living with unwarranted guilt that had him contemplating suicide quite often before meeting Cas. Although his new friend gave him a reason to live, he still found himself consuming more and more drugs to dull the memory of Tomad and the mass murders he thought he was responsible for.

Eremis had also been under the assumption that Marz and Tristan hated him for telling Tegol about the secret entrance to the tavern, and giving the man the location of their whereabouts in Neromba as well as telling him where the Rovers could be found. He was relieved when he learned that the crimelord's men couldn't find the Rovers and had failed in their attempt to kill his friends that were still adventuring in the desert lands at the time, but continued to believe they despised him for what they would see as his betrayal. And raking Belald always managed to strengthen that believe in him whenever he talked about his old friends! The merc constantly told him that it was better to forget his past and learn to make the best of his new life.

His eyes widened in astonishment when Rowan suggested he quit his job. He frowned after hearing him say that he was going to take him shopping for a new outfit before taking him back to the tavern. How the hell was he supposed to answer Tristan and the others when they asked him how he was and what he had been doing in order to survive after he escaped from Tegol? He was too damned ashamed to admit to being a drug addict and having to take up prostitution in order to support his addiction!

After gazing into Rowan's blue eyes for a few moments longer, he moved to sit beside him on the couch. He crossed his long legs and fiddled with the laces of one boot while staring off into the distance. "There are a few things you need to know Rowan. I'm not the same person you knew a few weeks ago. A lot has happened to change me since you last saw me in Neromba."

He shook hair away from his face then shifted slightly in order to face the elf. "Right after Tegol kidnapped me, he had a woman I once loved get me addicted to drugs so that I'd be easier to deal with. While I was his prisoner, one of his mercenaries brutally raped me. His name was Tomad." Eremis shuddered involuntarily then lowered his eyes before continuing. "After he submitted me to things that I can't even talk about, he promised that he would rape me again and again because he liked…the sound of my screams. His violent attack left me scarred both physically AND mentally."

The healer glanced at Rowan, wondering if the man had any idea how difficult it was for him to talk about his recent past. "Another mercenary named Belald took me under his wing and vowed to protect me from Tomad as long as I gave myself to him without any complaint. Of course I agreed because I really didn't have any other choice did I? Well, Belald fucked me several times a day, but at least he proved to be a more gentle lover and I came to trust him since there wasn't anyone else around to trust. During that time I was continuously given high doses of an expensive, drug called Tazreen, and now I can't get along without it. Belald once told me that it's impossible to kick the Tazreen habit because the withdrawal symptoms are more severe than those experienced from any other drug. I tend to believe him since I tried to stay away from the drug once, and found the initial pain unbearable. I can't make it past an hour when the craving for Tazreen kicks in so there's no way in hell I can survive the three days it normally takes to eliminate the body's need for a drug it has become accustomed to having!"

Remembering that Rowan never seemed to like being around Jeremy when he smoked, Eremis got to his feet and crossed the room before lighting up a Lotus cigarette. "I'm too ashamed to admit to Tristan and Marz that I've become a prostitute to support my drug habit, Rowan. Of course the money I make is enough to help me pay the rent, and buy food, clothing, and other necessities as well. I'm only doing it part time so that I can devote myself to painting and continuing my healer studies." He took a few drags from the cigarette then filled a glass with water from a pitcher on the desk. Right about now he really missed the liquor cart that was available in all the rooms at Seb's place. Later on, he'd have to remember to buy a bottle of brandy from the bar in the lounge downstairs, and keep it hidden nearby for moments like these.

After a final drag from the cigarette he tossed it in the fireplace then gulped down the water before moving to take a seat next to Rowan again. "I know you're probably thinking that I should give up the drugs, but I'm not ready to deal with that pain right now, especially so soon after the shit I had to go through while I was Tegol's prisoner. I'll give you the address to an apartment I share with a friend and you can pass it on to Tristan, but only if you promise me you won't tell him about the drugs and my present job as a prostitute. "

He tossed one arm around the elf's shoulder while his other hand found its way under the man's shirt, his palm running over the smooth skin that seemed to grow warmer from his touch. Perhaps it was time to try using sex as a weapon again to get what he wanted. "What would it take to convince you to keep my secret, Rowan?" Eremis leaned in closer then let his tongue slowly slide along the elf's bottom lip while he stared deeply into his eyes.

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[> Subject: A day in the life......


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 09:48:32 07/23/02 Tue
Eremis warded off the advances of another potential customer before glancing at the double doors again. Where the hell was Cas? He was growing impatient waiting for his friend, and began thinking about heading home on his own. The drugs gave him courage, blinding him with an, I don’t give a shit what happens to me, attitude. He drained the rest of this drink and was about to order another when Cas slipped onto the stool beside him.

Although Eremis was very happy to see his friend, his face remained expressionless. Bitterness continued to eat away at him, making it impossible to smile. He nodded when Cas told him it was time to leave then snuffed out his cigarette before rushing toward the door. Cas was beside him instantly, offering support when he stumbled. After his encounter with Rowan, Eremis convinced himself that he was a worthless piece of garbage that didn't deserve any friends, and such thinking made him want to push Cas away. He couldn't bring himself to do it though because he enjoyed having the youth's arm around him too much.

While Cas talked, Eremis kept his head down, the scene with Rowan constantly replaying itself over in his mind. Hearing the elf accuse him of liking his present lifestyle hurt deeply, but maybe he was right. For the first time in his life, Eremis felt important! Strangers were willing to pay a lot of money to have sex with him, and he even managed to capture the attention of influential people like Belald and Manny. He smirked when he remembered the surprised look he saw on Manny's uncle's face when they spotted one another in the lounge of the Silk Palace a couple of hours ago. Redric Crillnor went on to pay for a full hour of his time, and seemed to enjoy having Eremis as a bed partner.

"My nephew, Manny certainly has excellent taste," he said afterwards. "I almost hate the thought of having to share you with him. He had a fit when we learned that Seb's Place closed down because he really wanted to share an entire day with you."

When Redric asked if he would be willing to spend some time at his estate serving both him AND his nephew, Eremis declined the offer. But, once the nobleman said that he'd pay him triple the amount he would normally make at the Silk Palace in one day, the healer changed his mind. After all, he was in this business for the money wasn’t he? Rowan had given him an out, but he really wanted to get Belald off his case before he took that out. Making a ton of money while waiting for the merc to get over his present infatuation with him seemed like a great idea at the moment.

The cool night air managed to clear some of the cobwebs in his brain caused by his recent overindulgence of drugs. By the time the wagon pulled up in front of their apartment, Eremis was feeling a little better. He wondered if he'd ever get used to the drastic mood swings he experienced lately. It didn't take much to piss him off, or plunge him into an abyss of depression any more. Rarely, did he find anything to be truly happy about. Cas tended to lift his spirits for a time, but then something always seemed to go wrong, leaving him to sink in emotional quicksand again.

Eremis was rather numb from the drugs in his system yet he was able to feel a sense of shock when his glazed eyes saw the improvements Cas made to their apartment. "The place looks really…cozy now," he said, a smile finally working its way across his mouth.

He drew in a deep breath, the aromatic incense relaxing him immediately. His stomach actually rumbled when he saw Cas stirring a pot that sat on the stove. "I haven't eaten anything since breakfast," he admitted. His eyes fell upon the flickering candles and new dishes that graced the top of the newly repaired table. "I see you were able to fix it." Now, I'm the only thing around here that's still broken.

Eremis brushed off the thought and slipped into a chair by the table. He was so stunned by how nice the place looked, he didn't even realize that Lonta was absent. "You did a great job, Cas," he said, while filling two glasses with wine from the bottle. He stared at his friend, wishing he had the ability to make him feel as happy as he felt at the moment. But I'm only good at upsetting those I'm close to nowadays.

A sigh escaped him when Cas asked how his first day at the Silk Palace went as he set a bowl of stew before him. "I met an old friend and got some enlightening information." Thinking about Rowan's low opinion of him made his appetite vanish. After some coaxing by Cas, he shoved a few spoonfuls of stew into his mouth, impressed with the taste. Who knew that the demon boy was such a good cook?

When Cas pressed him for more details on his friend and what he had learned, Eremis' foul mood returned. "Well, my old friend Rowan thinks I enjoy being a whore, especially since I sucked him off with no problem," he said, heatedly.

His shoulders slumped as depression mixed with anger overwhelmed him again. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment then opened them wide to stare off into the distance. "I found out that Belald's been lying to me all this time. There wasn't any massacre at the tavern, and nobody hates me for passing along that information to Tegol. In fact, Tristan and Marz are supposedly anxious to see me again. Of course they don't know about my whoring and drug addiction but I'm pretty sure Rowan will tell them about it since our meeting ended on a sour note."

The healer gulped down some wine then met Cas' eyes. "I'm gonna confront that bastard Belald about all the bullshit he's been handing me! I want him to hate me and get infatuated with someone else instead. Once that happens, I'm going to turn my life around, I swear. Getting off the drugs won't be easy but knowing that I don't have to worry about running into Belald and having him possibly stuffing them down my throat again will help."

Since he really didn't want to get into another argument, he decided not to mention his plan to leave Cas and return to Moltare once he was free of Belald. He was too damned emotionally unstable to deal with more than one problem at the moment anyway. Cas once told him that he wanted to get married one day and settle down to raise some kids. He'll have a much better chance of meeting a girl without me tagging along beside him all the time.

"Other than being made to feel like shit by Rowan, and my inability to make him understand why I didn't want to involve anyone with Belald, I had a fairly profitable day." He untied the sack from his waist belt and set it on the table. "After expenses, I made 350 gold today. Oh, plus I got that new dagger from Belald which should bring in lots of money once we pawn it."

Eremis hated the merc now and didn't care if he got angry with him for selling the item. "We can pawn the stupid chain he gave me too," he added, pulling the thing off his neck and setting it next to the sack and the fancy dagger. After refilling his wineglass he got to his feet and moved to sit on the couch. "I fucked Manny's uncle today, Cas."

He smirked as he stared into the roaring flames in the fireplace. "The man made me a deal I couldn't refuse. Lucky me gets to spent an entire day on his estate playing the merry prostitute for him and his nephew!" Sighing, he closed his eyes and leaned back against the cushion. "Did I ever tell you how much I love coming to this apartment at the end of each day and sharing the rest of the evening with you, Cas? Sometimes I wish the night would never end, you know."

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Subject: Cheetos and dancing


Author:
Carloz, Jeremy, and Dalo
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Date Posted: 18:13:55 07/01/02 Mon
A wide smile lit up Carloz's face after he took a sip from the jug Tallon passed him. Finally, he had found something in this nation that had some bite to it! At least the moonshine made up for the bland food and rather standoffish women he had encountered so far!

He took a much longer drink from the jug before handing in back to Tallon. "Yes!" he cried in answer to the marshal's question. "I am thinking that it is a good idea to be finding more fire water and then to be having a good time!" Carloz's eyes widened when he saw the youth with the multi-colored hair and rounded ring pierced through his nose, approaching them.

"I got you dudes another full jug of moonshine," Jeremy quipped, shoving the liquor into Tallon's free hand. "Did you two get a load of all the beautiful chicks in this camp? I feel like I died and went to heaven."

Carloz frowned as his eyes darted around the area looking for the little baby chicks the boy spoke of. He also wondered about the place called heaven that Jeremy mentioned. Perhaps it was a nearby city. "Carloz is thinking he needs to be getting more help with the common tongue that you people be speaking here," he said to no one in particular.

"No problemo, dude!" Jeremy said, patting the Nerombian on his shoulder. "If you need help with something just gimme a ring." The otherworldly youth lit a couple of cigarettes with his Bic lighter then passed them to the men along with bags of Cheetos before he rushed off after a pretty girl.

Since Carloz was used to smoking pipes back in Neromba, he didn't have any difficulty with the cigarette. He inhaled the smoke into his lungs as he stared at the bag of Cheetos, trying to figure out what it was for. The strange picture on the bag depicted some kind of orange things that almost matched the colorful tips of Jeremy's hair.

"I am thinking that boy is being very strange," he said, glancing at Tallon. "Are we to be making our hair orange by using the things that are being in these bags? And where, my friend, are being the beautiful chicks? Maybe we are to be hunting them for our dinner, like the nomads hunt for scorpions in the desert."

Carloz swiped one of the jugs from Tallon's hand and gulped the potent liquor down while waiting for his response.

*******


Dalo loved the little erotic rides he shared with Annie on the back of the griffin. Someday they would have to take a much longer flight so they wouldn't be interrupted by having to land so soon!

He tried to stop Annie before she drank the moonshine but she tilted her head back, guzzling from the jug before he could open his mouth. Although he was well aware of the fire that must have erupted in her stomach, he couldn't stop himself from laughing. He remembered how badly his eyes started tearing after his first encounter with the potent whiskey!

Dalo accepted the jug from her, but only took a tiny sip before passing it to one of the Rovers. He grinned while following Annie to the dance area, his body responding immediately when she grinded her hips against his. A group of Rover men began to whoop and holler, urging her on further with wolf whistles and a clapping of hands.

"Get one of the tents ready for those two!" someone called out, before laughter erupted around them.

Beads of sweat popped out on Dalo's forehead as his eyes took in the sensuous movements of his lovely companion. When the song ended, he pulled her close for a passionate kiss that drew a round of applause from the onlookers. "I think we should get some food to absorb that moonshine," he whispered when their lips parted. "Hopefully, we'll be able to find some juice or java as well." Arm in arm they headed for one of the cook fires, leaving their captive audience staring after them.

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Subject: Surrounded by women


Author:
Marz
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Date Posted: 13:42:16 07/02/02 Tue
Marz knew that Tristan was upset about his father even though he refused to admit it at the moment. For some strange reason the dragon started talking about dancing instead! That was surprising since Tristan never seemed to be interested in anything that had to do with fun before. Marz fully expected him to find a dark corner where he could sit and sulk all night long.

He smiled softly when Tristan trailed his fingers along his cheek while reminding him that he couldn't handle alcohol very well. The few sips of the wine he had was enough to leave him feeling a bit light-headed already. He purposely stayed away from the Rover whiskey because he feared that one small taste of the potent liquor would knock him right on his ass.

"Promise me you'll ask me to dance," Tristan whispered, "just one before you get too drunk to even stand."

Marz leaned in to kiss his soulmate, but backed away quickly when he heard at least a dozen feminine voices calling his name since Tristan didn't like sharing intimate moments in public. While sipping a little more wine, Marz let his eyes take in the wondrous site of all the beautiful Rover girls that stood before him. The blonde was especially appealing since he always felt an instant attraction to golden-haired beauties. He shook his head when he found himself mentally undressing her, his body immediately responding to the erotic mental image.

"You remember me, Marz."

His gaze flew to the tall, auburn haired vixen who gave him a coy smile. He held her sky blue eyes while trying to recall her name, but the only thing he remembered about her was that she was really aggressive. She had pulled him behind a tree once while Khally was in a nearby tent with Kyri, discussing wedding plans with Minnow and her daughters. Marz and the auburn haired girl had spent several minutes kissing and pawing at one another. Things would had probably gone a lot farther if the ex-gang leader hadn't heard Khally and the other women emerge from the tent.

Thinking that Tristan would get pissed if he went off to dance with the woman, he was about to refuse her request, but changed his mind when his lover moved to the dance area with Lycra. He gulped a bit more wine, setting the glass down near the tree before he got to his feet and took the blue-eyed girl's hand. They took about three steps toward the minstrels then the girl turned and dragged him into a nearby tent. Marz knew he should have put up some resistance, but he wasn't used to fighting off the advances of beautiful women.

Once inside the tent, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply while rubbing her body against his. Warning bells went off in Marz's head as his hands slid under her blouse to caress the soft skin of her back. He tried to ignore the sense of alarm that nagged at him while his body reacted to the woman's hand slipping down to the front of his pants, but it refused to be ignored. When an image of Tristan burst into his mind, he pulled away from the girl rather abruptly.

"I can't do this," he said, panting heavily. The ring he wore seemed to be burning a hole in his finger. "It's not that I don't want to have sex with you because shit, I really DO want to at this moment, but I love my soulmate and made a vow that I'd remain faithful to him."

"Him?" the girl asked, raising a brow.

Marz sucked in a deep breath then nodded. "Yeah him; as in Tristan. The guy who went off to dance with Lycra." He frowned. "Just what the hell is your name, anyway?"

"I am called, Breeze," she said, taking a step closer to him. "I thought you should know that I fell in love with you the first time I saw you all those months ago, Marz. I've been saving myself for you while praying that you would leave Khallryn and return to me one day soon, and here you are."

Once again she wrapped her arms around his neck then gazed deeply into his eyes. "I wouldn't mind sharing you with Tristan. You might think that you love him now but it's very obvious that you have no problem desiring me as well. Tristan does not have to know about us if you're worried about that. I'd never tell him."

Marz moaned softly when she met his lips in another heated kiss while loosening the laces of his pants. Somehow he finally managed to push the curvaceous body away then turned and bolted out of the tent. He tied his laces as he hurried to the tree then snatched up his wine, draining the glass while trying to get his raging hormones under control. Just as he got his body to relax he was surrounded by another group of beautiful girls, all pleading with him to dance with them.

*******


After helping herself to a glass of wine, Tia stepped outside the liquor tent and glanced around the area. She giggled when she saw Marz tying up the laces of his pants while rushing away from a tent. She fully expected to see Tristan emerge behind him and was shocked to see an auburn-haired girl come out instead. Since Tia considered the dragon a close friend she felt it was her duty to tell him about his lover's little liaison.

The petite thief sipped her wine as she slowly walked around, searching for Tristan. When she spotted him dancing with a pretty rover girl, she made her way toward them and tapped him on the shoulder. "I just saw Marz coming out of a tent with a auburn haired woman, and he was in the process of lacing up his pants. I don't think you should let the cad get away with cheating on you Tristan!"

Her eyes widened when she noticed Marz dancing with a blonde a few yards away. "Now he's making the moves on someone else!" she said in disgust while pointing out the couple to the dragon.

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[> Subject: Surrounded by men?


Author:
Tristan
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Date Posted: 20:12:15 07/01/02 Mon
While Tristan danced with Lycra, his mind began to wander a bit, since she seemed disinclined to talk to him much. Dancing, he decided, was incredibly boring, especially when you kept thinking about somebody else besides your partner. Although he found the feel of her body rubbing against his in time to the music to be kind of nice, he really wished she would just cool it and back off for a minute. But she seemed to enjoy slow dancing for some reason or other. And he guessed he did, too, just not with her.

He closed his eyes and tried to imagine Marz’s arms around him, instead of his around her, but that didn’t work out too well. He felt suddenly flushed just thinking about his lover, especially in his present state, and he tried his best to immediately banish the thought before…but Lycra noticed, and she smiled, pressing her body even closer, if that were possible. He suppressed a groan and tried to imagine something really gross, like what that fat woman who had been talking to Ravin in the distance would look like without any clothes on.

His feelings cooled after a moment, and he reopened his eyes to stare out at the rest of the crowded camp. The Rover women, he realized, were all quite pretty. Each one in fact seemed prettier than the next, and he found his eyes lingering on a pair of full lips, then moving to glance at a slender leg behind a gauzy skirt, the curve of one girl’s hips, and the low cut country bodice of another’s.

It was fairly disgusting and lewd of him, so he (rather reluctantly) forced himself to stop looking at the women and focus on the men instead. That was a pretty dumb move, considering he’d always been a thousand times more attracted to men than women—and the Rover men were HOT! They all had longish hair and dashing expressions, quirky mouths, dancing eyes, slender waists and narrow hips, but strong legs beneath their faded, patched pants…Tristan swallowed and screwed his eyes shut.

“Pervert,” he whispered, unconsciously hugging Lycra closer as if for protection.

“What?” she asked, her head snapping up to stare angrily at him. He blinked, unaware that his habit of thinking out loud had gotten him into trouble once more.

“N-nothing,” he stammered, pausing for a second while their gazes locked. He was much taller, but somehow managed to feel like she was glaring down at him.

Her lips pursed, and suddenly the lock of jet-black hair falling over one eye seemed less seductive. “Did you just call me a—

She paused in mid-sentence to stare at something just over his shoulder. Tristan turned and felt immense relief when he saw Tia standing there. She seemed kind of mad about something, though, and he almost heaved a sigh at the difficulties he was learning about women. The silly things always seemed pissed off about something or other, and always for the dumbest reasons, too.

This reason he could understand, though. “I just saw Marz coming out of a tent,” she began, her violet eyes flashing, “with an auburn haired woman, and he was in the process of lacing up his pants. I don't think you should let the cad get away with cheating on you Tristan!”

“Look!” said Lycra, grinning broadly while pointing at something in the distance, but Tia was still talking.

“Now he's making the moves on someone else!” she added, gesturing in the same direction his smug dancing partner was looking.

Marz was dancing with a pretty blonde girl—big surprise there. However, he believed Tia when she said she’d seen him emerge from a tent with someone else. But…lacing up his pants? Tristan’s expression fell, and he continued to stare at the distant couple without saying a word.

Tia noticed the hurt look in his face and opened her mouth, probably to say something kind for his sake. But Tristan glanced back at her and shook his head, his mouth thinning into a stubborn frown.

“No way,” he said at last, “It’s not possible. Marz wouldn’t cheat on me.” The words sounded stupid and naïve, but when he said them, he said them with a confidence he really did feel for once.

“How do you know?” Lycra asked, rather petulantly. Then she smiled. “Everyone knows he cheated on his last girlfriend. Breeze wouldn’t stop bragging about it for weeks!”

“Well,” Tristan said haughtily, “I’m not his last girlfriend.”

“Yes,” she agreed, smirking. “You’re his new boyfriend. And that’s supposed to make a difference?”

He was so upset he couldn’t think of anything to say back. Privately, he thought “lover” sounded a lot cooler than “boyfriend,” but he wasn’t going to correct her. He threw her one last scathing look before returning his glance to Tia.

“I know him,” he said, pleading her to believe him. “He didn’t cheat. Trust me!”

With that, he left both of them, pushing through the crowd of other dancers, his eyes set on the handsome couple in the distance. Marz put his pretty partner to shame, he thought dreamily—the way his whole body moved sensuously against hers to the music made Tristan’s heart leap from here.

By the time he got to them, he was all for dragging his lover into the nearest tent, but he had to remind himself that there were more important things at the moment.

“Excuse me,” he said, tapping the blonde on the shoulder.

She extricated herself from Marz’s arms and turned to stare quizzically over at him, a smile curving its way onto her lips. “Hello,” she said, reaching up with one long-fingered hand to brush a strand of golden hair out of her blue eyes.

“Yeah, hi,” Tristan replied. “I’m cutting in.”

Her seductively innocent guise dropped almost immediately. “What? With HIM?”

“Yes.” He smiled, but it was one of his more predatory grins. “You see, he belongs to me, and I’m tired of loaning him out at the moment.” She stared at him like he was crazy, her mouth half-hanging open. He made a shooing motion with both hands at her. “Go on then. Run along.”

She marched off in a proper huff, but he didn’t spare her a glance. “As for you,” he continued, turning to Marz, but his lover wasn’t listening to him, at least not now, anyway. The ex-gang leader’s black eyes were slightly glazed, and his breath smelled like wine as he curled his arms around Tristan, pulling him close so he could kiss him.

“Mmm,” Tristan said, his eyes closing automatically while he tried very hard to remember what he’d wanted to talk about. When Marz made no immediate move to end the kiss, he brought his hands up without thinking and wrapped them around his lover’s neck; Marz actually started to sway his body back and forth in time to the music again, urging him to dance. For one teensy weensy little second, Tristan really did forget where they were and what they were doing, except that Marz was kissing him at the moment.

“No!” he finally blurted out, pulling his head back. “No, no, no!” He leveled a glare at Marz, then realized his arms were still around his neck which rather ruined his attempt to look stern. Hastily, he dropped his hands back to his sides and stepped out of Marz’s embrace, taking his hand instead.

“No more wine,” he muttered under his breath while dragging the bemused ex-gang leader beside him to the nearest food tent. “I guess I have to hang all over you the whole night so you don’t run off and start giving out samples of yourself behind my back.”

Once they were under the shade of the garish patterned Rover tent, he plucked an empty glass from one of the tables and filled it with fruit juice. “Drink this,” he ordered, giving it to Marz. He watched him silently for just a few more minutes, but then he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Tia says she saw you come out of a tent with some girl,” he began, his arms folding over his chest as he leaned against one of the tables. “AND she saw you fiddling with your pants on the way out, too.” He sighed, and brushed a wayward strand of hair out of his eyes. “Not that I’m trying to accuse you of anything, but you want to tell me what that was all about?”

Before Marz could even open his mouth to answer, a couple of women came up from behind and tapped him on the shoulder. One of them smiled shyly and managed to be the first to ask him to dance, much to the disgust of her friends. Shy my ass, Tristan thought, narrowing his eyes at her and all the rest. Nasty little harlots, that’s what they were. Every one of them.

“All right, that’s it,” he finally said, gaining all their attentions. Several more had entered to join the group pestering Marz, and though a few had turned their wide, falsely innocent eyes toward him as well, he was having none of that. “Everybody outside. Now.”

He grabbed Marz’s hand again and dragged him outside back under the sun, his jaw set rather stubbornly. The gaggle of women formed an eager, crowded little semi-circle around them, their numbers growing by the second as more and more single young Rovers spotted the handsome pair of young men standing side by side.

“I have an announcement to make,” Tristan continued, trying to meet every one of their eyes. “This,” he said, laying his palm very gently against the flat of Marz’s chest, “Is mine. I’ve worked very hard to get him, and I’m not about to lose him to some brainless forest chit with more curves than sense.”

There were several offended gasps of feminine alarm, but he forged on regardless. “If anyone of you should even THINK of stealing him away when I’m not looking, think again.” His eyes narrowed. “There ARE no secrets where he and I are concerned. I WILL find out. And you will not like the consequences that will soon follow. Got it?”

“Are you threatening us?” asked one of the women, her proud eyes narrowed to match his expression. Several of the others glanced warily at his sword.

“Damn right I’m threatening you,” he hissed back. She stared at him in disbelief, and when he took a quick step forward, they all shrieked and took off running.

Tristan actually bounced in place a bit a couple times, he was so pleased with their reaction. He rolled his eyes when he saw Marz looking at him like he was nuts. “I’m not really gonna hurt them,” he pointed out, though he figured his lover already knew that. Marz’s look probably had to do with his sudden realization that his soulmate was an absolute psychopath.

Everything was cool for a while, and not one woman glanced in their direction. But after only a few minutes had passed, Tristan looked up and noticed a large group of Rover men headed in their direction. A couple of them carried hunting knives, but the rest looked mad enough to not need any weapon whatsoever to cause the maximum amount of damage.

Tristan blinked. “Oh, shit,” he said, but really, that was all he could think to say at the moment.

“All right,” one of the men said, his eyes boring a hole into the two youths before him. “Which one of you jerks threatened our sisters?”

“Um,” Tristan said, and he sidled closer to Marz, his eyes never leaving the group of men. “Why can’t you just say no?” he hissed at his lover. “All you have to do is learn to tell a girl no, and none of this would have to happen!”

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[> [> Subject: Sunbathing?


Author:
Marz
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Date Posted: 13:42:16 07/02/02 Tue
Marz snickered when the blonde girl introduced herself as Daisy. Suddenly, he realized that most Rover names were taken from nature, and Daisy certainly fit his dance partner because of her very yellow hair. Of course he didn't have to tell her his name since all the young girls in the camp seemed to know him.

He felt dozens of eyes watching his every move as his lithe body swayed to the music. Marz really enjoyed being the center of attention. He seriously thought about doing a slow strip tease that would give the girls something special to remember for a long time. The idea fled his mind when Daisy's hands slid to the small of his back, pulling his body against hers. Automatically his arms wrapped around her, a soft moan escaping him when her hips began to move provocatively.

"You like?" she asked, as her hands moved to rest on his ass.

The ex-gang leader chuckled. Why the hell was she asking such a stupid question? Obviously, she could feel how extremely aroused he was at the moment. "Sure, I like it," he murmured, although he wished that Tristan were in his arms instead. Both Daisy and Breeze had managed to turn him on, but he didn't experience the same sensual intensity that his soulmate invoked in him.

He frowned when Daisy pulled away from him suddenly then grinned when he spotted Tristan talking to her. His mind was too dulled from wine to pay much attention to what was being said. As soon as the blonde stomped off, Marz forgot about her completely and focused his attention on his soulmate. Nearly overcome with desire, he pulled the dragon close, their bodies swaying to the music while they shared a sensuous kiss.

A disappointed pout came to Marz's face when Tristan broke away from him, blurting out the word no. A silly grin replaced the pout after the dragon dragged him into a tent and handed him a glass of juice. He began drinking it as ordered, nearly choking when Tristan told him what Tia saw before asking him for his side of the story.

Raking, little snitch! Marz thought. He opened his mouth then slammed it shut once he realized they were surrounded by a group of pretty girls again. Juice splashed from his glass when Tristan grabbed his hand and dragged him back outside, with the girls following along after them. Marz drained the rest of his juice then turned his eyes to Tristan after he said he had an announcement to make.

The dragon placed a hand on Marz's chest before addressing the bevy of beauties that stared at them. "This is mine," he told the girls matter-of-factly.

Marz nodded, fully agreeing with what his soulmate had to say. "I definitely belong to him," he muttered, while slipping an arm around the dragon. The ex-gang leader gave his lover an incredulous look when he went on to threaten the girls because he didn't see the need for such a threat. He watched the pretty rovers run off then turned to lock eyes with his soulmate. Thankfully, the effects of the single glass of wine he consumed were already wearing off, and he was able to think a bit clearer. He leaned in to kiss the dragon but backed away quickly when he saw him tense up.

"All right. Which one of you threatened our sisters?"

Marz turned at the sound of the gruff voice, his eyes narrowing at the site of the small group of angry looking men. He ignored the words that Tristan hissed at him, and lowered his hand to his sword hilt. "Rake off assholes before I slice you all into little pieces!" he shouted at the men.

Apparently, Marz's words didn't sit too well with them because the angry scowls on their faces deepened as they advanced a step. Things came to a standstill when everyone's attention was diverted by a masculine voice shouting out the word STOP! Marz turned to stare at a man slightly taller than himself, who appeared to be in his late-twenties. Long, platinum blonde hair fell past his muscular shoulders, and pale blue eyes seemed to hold a hint of amusement as he glanced at all the faces before him. His face had the delicate bone structure of an elf, yet he was dressed in the forest green color that most of the Rover men wore.

"I saw the whole thing," the stranger told the angry mob. "It was simply a misunderstanding due to too much liquor and innocent flirtations. You all know how desperate your sisters are to land a man, and they inadvertently tried to come between these two handsome youths who are obviously enthralled with one another. Mother Minnow will not be pleased if a fight breaks out and ruins this celebration so I suggest you all go back to drinking and carousing and simply forget about this minor incident."

Obviously, the image of an angry Minnow was not very pleasant because at the mention of her name the men's demeanor changed immediately. The tenseness left their bodies and they smiled at the man before turning their eyes back to Marz and Tristan. "Perhaps we did act in haste," one of the men said. "No harm was done so let's leave it at that and go back to celebrating."

Marz nodded then watched the men walk away before he turned to face the blonde. Before he could say anything the man cut him off.

"My name is Yarrow, cousin to Ravin Rue. My mother tells me that I get the platinum hair from my father, an elf who stayed with the Rovers for a while." A grin played upon his lips as his eyes went from one youth to the other. "You're Marz," he said, giving the ex-gang leader a nod. "And you must be Tristan." His eyes locked with the dragon's for a moment before he turned away. "I'm on my way to the nearby beach where a few Rovers have gathered for a little swimming, sunbathing, and apple bobbing. Join me if you like. The water's a refreshing relief from this hot afternoon sun."

Marz turned to Tristan when the man walked away from them. "Do you feel like getting wet?"

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Subject: Kidnapping Isobel


Author:
Minnow
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Date Posted: 18:10:32 07/01/02 Mon
Starfire had some difficulty stifling his laugher when Isobel nearly choked on the moonshine. Most people had a hard time getting used to the strong liquor that packed a whale of a kick. "This whiskey even affects Ravin," he told the woman. "It's probably the only thing that can get him drunk in fact since he's worked up a definite immunity to that ale he drinks all the time."

He swiped the jug from Isobel's hand then set it on the ground before pulling her into his arms and taking her for a spin around the dance area. "My brother looks much happier now than he did the last time I saw him and I have the feeling that you are the reason for that," he told her as they dodged the numerous couples that danced around them. "He had fallen into a deep depression after his breakup with Kyri, and our mother was deeply worried."

A grin spread across his lips when he spotted his younger brother Longbow staring at him with a raised brow. "I think it's time for you to meet more of the family." Quickly, he spun Isobel away from him and she ended up in Longbow's arms.

The good-looking young rover held her close while gazing into her eyes. "My brother Ravin has exquisite taste in women!" he said with a smile.

"Speaking of your brother…"

At the sound of Ravin's voice, Longbow released Isobel and turned to face the thief, who stood nearby with Minnow. Before either could say another word, the very rotund woman made her way to Isobel and gave her a bone-crushing hug. "Ravin has told me about you," Minnow said, once she released Isobel.

She tossed a glance at her three sons who were grinning from ear to ear then took Isobel by the arm and led her away from the men to a nearby tent. Inside sat two young girls who looked up and smiled. "I'm Butterfly and that's Cricket," one said. "You must be Ravin's new girlfriend."

"Hush, and bring Isobel some tea," Minnow told her daughters before beckoning the raven haired beauty to sit upon one of the huge pillows that lined the tent floor. Once Isobel was seated, the matriarch of the Rover tribe eased her huge body down onto a pillow across from her. A moment later, Cricket handed out mugs of Peppermint tea, then both girls plopped down on either side of Isobel.

"Tell us all about yourself, Isobel," Minnow said, after taking a sip from her mug. The three rover women smiled as they stared at her, anxiously waiting for her to speak.

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Subject: Bending straight wood


Author:
Corum & Yorik
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Date Posted: 18:10:11 07/01/02 Mon
Corum remembered the last time he had visited the Rover’s camp. He, and Marz had a really good time, especially with all the good-looking women who roamed the place simply looking to have fun. There were of course those that were looking for a lot more, but for now Corum was quite content simply to mingle with the rest of the crowd.

He had caused quite a stir by introducing Yorik, Brat, and Eyes to anyone he met, and was first given some strange glances, which usually turned to those of acceptance. Of course he was re-introduced to the infamous jug, which naturally he almost downed, and naturally nearly coughed his fool head off. Yorik’s eyes seem to sparkle with a sort of laughter at the sight of the idiot fool who should have known better than to down pure moonshine, especially when one had not had it in such a long time.

Corum made his way to some of the male rovers who were showing off their archery skills. Corum decided to join in on their conversation, only after handing them the jug of moonshine. Of course this made his acceptance into the group that much better, and within no time, Corum was drunk. The Rovers, who were quite used to the stuff, simply laughed at the youth. Somewhere during the line of conversation, which we should add Corum failed to follow in his quite drunken, or nearly drunken stupor, of using Yorik as a bow. For some reason, Corum couldn’t quite grasp the logic of Yorik being bent in such a way that would allow him to use it as a bow. The Rovers tried to explain to the youth exactly how it could be done. They strapped one of their bows to Yorik, and made sure the bow was not strung. They fastened it in two places merely for support. In fact one of the men, after attaching the bow to the staff, showed Corum exactly how it worked. The bow was attached to the left side of the staff at two joints that bent the least. Anything above, and below would bend, and thus allow an arrow to be shot, and that’s exactly what one of the Rovers did.

“Amashing!” Corum slurred.

BRANDY, n. A cordial composed of one part thunder-and-lightning, one part remorse, two parts bloody murder, one part death-hell-and-the- grave and four parts clarified Satan. Dose, a headful all the time. Brandy is said by Dr. Johnson to be the drink of heroes. Only a hero will venture to drink it.

The Rover handed his staff to him, and Corum attempted to notch the arrow. First in Yorik’s eyes, which obviously didn’t work. The Rover tried to guide him, and Corum burped, which only made him drop the arrow to the ground. He held on to Yorik, and tried to bend down, but was finding it quite hard to touch the arrow, especially when his other hand was holding onto the staff. He tried, and tried valiantly with no attempt. Of course he didn’t hear the laughter surrounding him as the male Rovers were laughing so hysterically that all of them fell to the ground in uncontrollable fits of laughter as they continued to watch Corum try to pick up an arrow.

Somewhere along this line, and no one knows for sure when this happened, but Brat made his way down, picked up the arrow, and handed it to Corum, who immediately notched it backwards, with the arrow pointing at him. The Rovers, still trying to contain their laughter ducked as somehow Corum actually managed to notch the damn thing, and sneezed. His head went down, and the arrow went flying past his ear until it stuck into a nearby tree. Well this was more than the Rovers could bare, as they once again started into fits of laughter.

“I dishit!” Corum exclaimed as he teetered back and forth just a little bit.

A woman drove me to drink and I didn't even have the decency to thank her.

That’s when the ground started to move on Corum as he simply stared down. He suddenly spotted a face forming in the ground, and tried to stab at it with Yorik, quite unsuccessfully I might add, but did manage to almost hit one of the Rovers who quickly got out of the way.

“It’sh Ginsha that creepsh,” Corum slurred. And that’s when he took the one, the only one step, which quickly had him kissing the ground amid roars of laughter. The Rovers, once they had regained some sort of composure, hoisted the lad, and took him into one of the tents so that he could sleep the moonshine off.

The Rovers started to relate the story, which naturally got more embellished from each telling to the various guests. Many of them warned those that dared enter the tent to refrain from lighting anything for fear of a massive explosion.

A small female figure with gossamer wings quietly made her way into the tent unseen. She sat on the ground, and lay Corum’s head on her lap. She studied the youth with a smile, and started to work her enchantment on Marz’s friend. When she was done with the enchantment, the female figure leaned over, placed a necklace made up of a cord, and a tiny piece of wood around his neck, kissed him on the lips, and as he stirred to awaken, quickly made her way out of the tent.

Corum’s eyes opened, and he wondered how the hell he had gotten in here in the first place. He was at the Rovers to have fun, and he definitely wouldn’t get that lying around doing nothing. So, he got up, and stepped outside, not even realizing that he had been drunk.

“I’m starving,” the youth stated as he picked up Brat. “Let’s go get something to eat.” He made his way to the food line, and one of the Rovers that was with him, seemed to be somewhat stunned.

“Are you not feeling ill?” the man asked.

“Uh, no, why?” Corum asked. “Am I supposed to be? And anyway, I’m hungry, actually I’m starving.”

The Rover, and some of his friends looked at each other in disbelief, and simply tried to figure out how someone like Corum, who had consumed over a jug of the liquid, could possibly be standing.

Corum was immediately approached by a younger girl, with auburn hair who grabbed his plate, and his hand, and escorted him to a log to sit. “Now you will eat, you idiot!” she commanded.

And for some reason, Corum complied not even wondering who this was, and why she was doing what she was. And suddenly it came to Corum. He was here to have fun, and to have fun. How else was he going to have fun if he didn’t dance with a young girl?

“Gotcha!” Corum stated as he started to eat. “Then we can dance.”

The dark haired girl merely raised her eyebrows at he youth. “We shall see, little one, we shall see.”

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Subject: Flipping out


Author:
Cas
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Date Posted: 23:07:49 06/27/02 Thu
The second he saw Belald and his cronies enter the room, Cas felt his whole body tense up. He clinched his teeth together, making the little muscle in his jaw jump like crazy, when the mercenary made him a none too subtle threat about losing his cool. His anger turned to pure hatred when Belald sauntered elegantly over to their small table and glanced rather haphazardly at the drawings Eremis had done. Get your filthy claws of them, asshole! he almost screamed, but the two giants hovering ominously by the door made him keep his mouth tightly shut.

Seeing Belald’s eyes rake carelessly over the drawings of him made Cas feel angry in a way he wasn’t used to feeling. It boiled up inside him, white-hot, and it only got worse when the mercenary reached out to grab a hold of Eremis. It almost hurt to watch his friend cringe before the rich asshole, and when he groped him just before kissing him roughly, Cas very nearly lost it, right then and right there. It took every form of self-control he had to sit calmly on the windowsill and continue to do and say absolutely nothing.

He wasn’t too happy about the little rendezvous Belald was setting up with Eremis either, but he guessed there wasn’t much he could do about it. Eremis was a whore, after all, and even though they didn’t need the money right now, if that’s what he truly wanted to do… Shit! That stupid dumbass country healer! What the hell was the matter with him? How could anybody WANT to service a rich creep like Belald? Damn, was the sex really THAT great?

Abruptly, Cas had a sudden, fervent, but hopeless wish to show Eremis what it would feel like to have sex with someone who really cared about him. He sighed, knowing that was impossible, and wished instead that the raking crazy healer would get back on his rocker and show a little common sense, not to mention a little backbone!

Belald’s proposition to HIM sounded a little bit more reasonable. He sucked in a breath when he thought about the mess he might be getting himself into, for it didn’t take a raking scholar to figure out that Belald was becoming a very, very important person in Bizmar. But really…if the guy kept paying him like that, and Eremis was able to sell some of his paintings AND work up a street clientele for his healing…hell, neither one of them would have to dabble much in the whoring business ever again! Well, maybe not never again, since nothing was for certain, specially around here, but at least in the near future.

As soon as Belald left, Cas let out a huge breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, releasing all his pent up anger and tension as he did so. He leaned his head back against the wall where the glass should have been for the window, his head bumping the plaster with a light thump!, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

Immediately, Lonta shot up outta bed and said something about their being in real tight with a new crimelord—and THAT set Cas’s blood to blazing again. Before he could snap at the girl, Eremis spoke up instead. The healer actually had the nerve to suggest that HE be the one to back down from Belald’s offer!!

“Are you outta your raking mind?” he shouted, his voice seeming to come from nowhere in the somewhat quiet little room. He hopped off the windowsill and walked towards Eremis, who was staring up at him from his chair with wide, blue eyes. “What the fuck is the matter with you?” he snapped, still yelling. “You want ME to turn him down? You think I’d be making the greater sacrifice by telling him no? Huh? Is that what you think, Eremis? Cause if that’s what you think, then FINE!!”

His anger turned physical, and with that one word he grabbed the rickety little table and hurled it sidewise, sending the wine bottle, glasses, and plates smashing to the floor. Eremis flinched a bit, and the girl in the bed was staring at him as if he’d gone nuts, but he didn’t care. It took a helluva lot to get him this mad, and it would take an equal amount to calm him down again.

“What the fuck do I care what you think anyway?" he continue with a snarl. "What do I care what anybody thinks, huh? Fine, I’ll tell the asshole no, and you can go screw his raking brains out if that’s what you want! Fuck him till the rich son of a bitch has to beg you to stop for all I care. Because Cassius Incubus don’t work for NOBODY, no matter how much he pays me. I’m NO man’s servant, no man’s stepping stone, no man’s cock-licking twice-fucked little SLAVE, you hear me? I follow my rules, and my rules only!”

He paced the floor a couple times, reaching out to violently kick at a shard of glass with his bare foot a couple times. He didn’t even notice the blood on his toes and heels, he was so damned angry.

“So what is it, Eremis?” he finally asked, pausing before his friend. “Go on, you can tell me, just what the hell is it about him? It’s not like we need the money. If we did, you wouldn’t think it was so gods damned dangerous for me to make an easy two hundred gold by stealing a lousy ring from some fat rich kid’s finger.” He took a step closer, his arms crossed now as he stared hard into the eyes of his friend. “The only thing I can figure out is maybe you WANT to go to him. Maybe you LIKE it or something. Why else, Eremis, huh? Tell me, cause I wanna know. What makes you cower and simper and fall all over you fucking self before that piss-blooded asshole when you act like you’d rather stab yourself with own dagger instead of paint a raking picture or heal a little whoring street bitch like Lonta over there?”

“Hey!” Lonta piped up, but he ignored her, the blood slowly seeping through his toes as he stood on the broken glass on the floor. He could almost feel his anger pumping through his blood, and, to tell the truth, it actually scared him a bit. He’d never really been quite this angry in a long time, and now that he was, he honestly didn’t know what to do with himself.

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Subject: You're right! I am crazy!


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 14:02:16 06/26/02 Wed
(Network 54 was acting up so I posted here as well)
******************************

Eremis tried to ignore Cas' angry ranting as they led the girl to their apartment. After all, he wasn't about to toss Lonta aside simply because she didn't have any money. Hopefully, someday Cas would learn that money wasn't everything. Helping others in desperate need and forming close friendships were much more rewarding than anything that money could ever buy! At least that's the way Eremis saw it. Anyway, they were pretty well off at the moment so it wouldn't hurt to spend a little of it on someone less fortunate. He seriously thought about telling Cas to shove a sock in his mouth when he wouldn't shut up, but thankfully the demon boy finally quieted down once they reached their apartment.

While Cas went off to prepare lunch, Eremis nodded for Lonta to sit down upon the couch. He knelt down before her then pulled out some of the things he purchased at the herb shop from the sack before Cas rushed up to snatch it away from him in an angry huff. When he saw the youth setting a pot on the stove a moment later he realized he grabbed the sack because he needed the herbal tea. "I'll be right back, Lonta. I need to get a wet rag so I can wash your arm before I apply salve and a bandage."

"I'll be waitin' right here, sweetie," she said, tossing him a wink while twirling his dagger in her hand.

Eremis gave her a tight smile then got to his feet and grabbed an old towel and the bucket before heading out into the hall where the water barrel was located. As he filled the bucket he found himself wishing that they had an apartment with indoor plumbing AND a bathtub at least! Later he'd count out their money and if they had enough of it, maybe he could talk Cas into looking for a better place to live. Hell, they were paying 200 gold a week for this hovel; maybe if they tried really hard they could find something decent for a little more money. He knew that Cas wanted to save their money so they could go adventuring but why couldn't they live in a nicer place until they finally had enough saved to move on? All he had to do was convince Cas!

He nodded to himself as he carried the full bucket back inside, setting it on the floor then kneeling in front of Lonta again. "Could you stop pointing that dagger at me?" he asked while ripping the towel in half. When she giggled and leaned forward to slip the blade into the sheath at his waist he mumbled his thanks. After washing the blood from her arm, he broke off a piece from the aloe plant, applying some of the sticky liquid to the cut before wrapping the other half of the towel around it. "Go get some food now," he told her as he moved to put his things away.

Eremis rolled his eyes a number of times while listening to Cas and Lonta bicker back and forth. When he realized that Lonta thought that he and Cas were lovers, he smirked then blushed after he found himself wishing it was true. He looked up and met the vivid green eyes of his friend, grateful that Cas wasn't a mind reader because if he were, Eremis would feel like a real idiot right now.

As soon as he sat down at the table, a loud knock sounded from the door. He gave Cas a wide smile while watching him drag his artist supplies into the room. "I ain't got practice until dark," his friend said, "so maybe you can start drawing some more pictures or something, if you want."

Before Eremis could reply, Lonta piped up then let out a squeal of delight when she learned he was an artist. He watched her rush out into the hall to wash up then shifted his gaze to Cas who asked if he could keep the sketch Eremis had made of him. "Damn it!" the healer hissed. "I forgot to buy a frame for that picture so we could hang it up." Of course he was talking about the nude sketch he did rather than the one that had Cas clothed in a Tristan-like coat. He scarfed down several bites of ham and cheese while trying to figure out how he was going to go about painting on canvas when he never did it before.

"I'm ready for posing!" Lonta announced. Her face was covered with red blotches from scrubbing so hard. "Ya want me to get naked then lay across the bed looking all seductive?"

Eremis nearly choked on the piece of bread he was swallowing. He shot Cas a look when he sensed that he was about to say something awfully rude then gulped down some tea before facing Lonta. "I think I'll work with fully clothed models until I get the hang of working with paint. Maybe I'd do simple sketches first then try to reproduce them on canvas."

"Sure, whatever you say, master painter!" Lonta quipped. "Hey! Isallright if I crack open that bottle a wine I see sitting on the counter?"

Before Cas could open his mouth, Eremis nodded since he wouldn't mind a bit of wine right now. Lonta returned to the table with three glasses, filling each one to the rim before she sat down. Her eyes went as wide as saucers when Eremis pulled a pack of Lotus cigarettes from his pocket and set them on the table. Before either of her male companions could blink she had one in her mouth, leaning over to light it from the candle. "I ain't had me one a these in a while," she said, blowing the sweet smelling smoke in Cas' face.

When the demon-boy gave her a dirty look, she focused on Eremis instead since he seemed a lot nicer. And nicer people were always more gullible! "I'm feeling real weak from all that blood I lost, Eremis. Wouldya let me stay here til I regain my strength? I wouldn't be no bother. I promise ta be as quiet as a mouse and keep outta the way." She spun her head around when she heard Cas snarl then turned back to the healer with a pretty smile on her face.

"We can't just toss her back out on the street yet!" Eremis said, locking eyes with Cas for a moment. "My healer instincts told me she was undernourished, so she's not lying when she says she's feeling weak. As soon as she's stronger she can be on her way, okay Cas?"

Lonta bolted from her chair and wrapped her arms around Eremis giving him a fierce hug. "Thank you, thank you," she cried before planting a kiss on his lips.

The healer had to actually push her away when her tongue forced its way into his mouth and whipped around his inner cheeks. "Why don't you go take a nap," he suggested, snatching the cigarette from her hand.

She patted his cheek then tweaked his nose before running toward the bed and diving onto the mattress. Eremis didn't have to look at Cas to know that he was glaring at him. He could feel those green eyes boring a hole in flesh! After clearing his throat he took a drag from the cigarette then set it into a dish before glancing at the artist supplies. "Think I'll ready some canvas at least," he said.

He got to his feet but instead of heading toward the supplies he moved to kneel before Cas. His hands came to rest on his friend's thighs while his glazed eyes stared up at him. "Don't be mad at me, Cas," he whispered. "She can pay us back by cooking and cleaning up the place when we're off at your lessons or working. I promise we'll get rid of her as soon as she's stronger."

"Hey, can one a you sweeties bring me my glass of wine and that cigarette so I can finish it before I fall asleep?" Lonta suddenly called out from the bed.

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Subject: Meet the parent (correct version)


Author:
Tristan
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Date Posted: 12:19:06 06/24/02 Mon
Nicholaus had made several attempts to wiggle out of Tristan’s lap, but he held him absently there, a lost look planted on his face. By the time the food came, he’d told his father the little boy’s background as briefly as he could, stressing the entire time that his sudden appearance into their lives did NOT mean that he and Marz were settling down and starting a family together. Unfortunately, he did let slip that they were currently building a house, although he immediately followed up that little mistake by insisting that it was mostly for Nicholaus’ benefit.

“Marz says he can’t grow up in a tavern,” he concluded, shrugging innocently.

“Oh, no,” Adonis answered amiably enough. “A tavern is no place for a child.” His plate was halfway empty, while Tristan’s hadn’t yet been touched. The little bit of eggs and glass of orange juice they’d ordered for Nicholaus sat beside Tristan’s food, getting cold as well. Marz’s son struggled some more, but his captor’s arms tightened around him again without even realizing it.

Tristan spotted Dalo entering the common room from the stairs above, but before he could smile at the beastmaster, he’d already turned away. His smile turned to a scowl, especially when he noticed the girl tagging along beside him. The bitch had growled at him earlier, if he recalled correctly. That made him think of Naiomi, and he smirked. Looked like Dalo was still getting off on the same thing.

Of course, he himself was hardly human, but he didn’t pause to consider that part. He and Marz were naturally perfect together, so the thought didn’t even cross his mind that Dalo and Marz, two diehard enemies, had seemingly chosen the same sort of bedmate at one point in time.

“Good morning!” Tia said, her sudden appearance startling him a bit. Nicholaus immediately piped up and introduced her to Adonis, who smiled a charming smile before nodding his head politely at her.

“I'm hungry.” Nicholaus twisted in his lap to stare up at him, melting him on the spot as planned. “Can I eat my food now or do I gotta wait for my dad to get here?”

“Here,” Tristan muttered, pulling the eggs and orange juice closer so the boy could eat. I’m such a pansy now, he thought irritably. He could handle being stupid in love with someone, but doting on that same someone’s adorable little kid was a bit too much.

“It's nice to meet you," Tia was saying to his father. "My name is Tia and I consider myself a good friend of Tristan's.”

Tristan didn’t blush, but he came close. He cleared his throat awkwardly and shifted a little so that Nicholaus could sit beside him. The boy had decided it would be fun to mix his eggs with some of the biscuit sauce in Adonis’s plate. The wizard seemed amused by his attempts, but Tristan wasn’t too thrilled about having biscuit sauce smeared all over the front of his shirt at the moment.

“Yes, I know,” Adonis said to Tia, drawing a puzzled look from her. Tristan sighed and tried to look away while rolling his eyes. “You’ve been very kind to him. So happy to finally meet you in person, my dear.”

His father reached over and took her hand in his, bringing it to his lips to kiss her knuckles in the fashion of a kindly older gentleman. Tristan knew Tia had a bit of a chip on her shoulders when it came to being noticed, so he couldn’t help smiling slightly at the appreciative gleam in her violet eyes.

“Father, have you been spying on me again?” he asked, trying to force the smile away. Adonis’ answering expression was typically blank. He was currently now preoccupied with entertaining Nicholaus by bringing little illusions to life on the tabletop. Two tiny knights were jousting at the moment, their tiny voices throwing medieval insults at one another as their swords clashed.

“Spying?” he said mildly, returning to his food. The knights were still fighting. One of them poked the other in his tiny steal bottom, causing Nicholaus to giggle and clap his hands. “Tristan, I’m shocked. I thought we had a healthier relationship than that. Must we now accuse one another of such devious thinking?”

Tristan snorted and chose not to answer, his frown returning. Just how often DID his father spy on him while he was away? He’d thought those times in his dreams had been the ONLY times. But he obviously had known about Marz, and seemed to know who Tia was, too. But he hadn’t expected Nicholaus—or had he?

Damn it, where was Marz? The sooner his lover made his appearance, the sooner his father would be gone. And maybe he COULD spy on him as much as he liked, but at least Tristan wouldn’t have to deal with his actual physical presence any longer!

Then he felt it. He was pulled out of his surroundings for a second, the voices of the people beside him fading into buzzing background noises, their faces a hazy blur of expressions. The next moment, Marz was slipping into the chair next to his, leaning close to find his mouth and give him a deep kiss.

Right about then was when the most awful thing he could possibly think about suddenly popped into his head. He thought about the kiss he’d shared with Odarin, nearly a week ago. Marz was younger, more passionate, his whole self, mind and body, thrown into the kiss he was giving his lover. But Odarin had been more commanding, more self-assured, more…experienced?

Stop it, he warned himself, and just as quickly as the comparison came, he forgot it and began to think only of Marz.

Who promptly turned around and embarrassed the shit out of him. Tristan wanted to say something really kind of cool but romantic at the same time, but before he could think of anything appropriate, Marz looked to his father and blurted out, “Who the hell are you?” so loud the entire table must have heard.

Adonis didn’t even blink an eye, though he did raise one thin eyebrow while continuing to smile his quirky sort of smile. “Please,” Tristan said, whispering into Marz’s ear, “Don’t make him mad! He’s my—

“I’m Tristan’s father,” the wizard said, his calm amber eyes still fastened steadily on Marz. “You must be Marz.” He paused (rather dramatically, he must have thought), and Tristan reached one hand up to nervously wipe the bit of biscuit sauce that had smooshed itself onto Marz’s shirt when they had kissed. A piece of tousled hair had fallen over one of his dark eyes, too, but it made him look way too sexy for Tristan to consider pushing it out of his face.

He realized his father was staring at his lover a little bit too long, and automatically sniffed suspiciously at the air. Magic! DAMN him to the twelfth hell! Was he using magic on him?

But Marz had magic, too, as well his father probably knew it. The ex-gang leader shook his head curiously, and snapped the spell off, causing his father to grunt and smile a satisfied smile. Oh gods. Was he testing him? What the hell for?

“Father…” Tristan began, his voice a warning.

“I’m very excited to finally get to meet you,” Adonis continued smoothly, ignoring Tristan completely. He folded his hands together neatly on the table and leaned forward a bit. “My son speaks very highly of you. Once I learned you two had come to an understanding, I took the liberty of having a little chat with your father. You’ll be happy to hear that he approves of the match very much, by the way.”

“His father?” Tristan cut in, aghast. Adonis had gone to Sistino?

“Now. I’d like to ask you a few simple questions, if that’s all right with you.”

“Shoot,” Marz said, that old cocky look springing to his face. Tristan tossed him a warning look and laid one hand on his arm, but it was obvious that a battle of wills of sorts had begun. Marz had a strange, glazed look in his normally sharp eyes, though. Tristan sniffed the air again and stared across at his father, growling quietly.

“Do you love my son?”

“Yes,” Marz said, rather quickly.

“Are you happy with him?”

“Yes.”

“Have you remained faithful to him?”

There was a pause. Marz’s expression struggled, and then he answered, “Yeah.”

Adonis raised one eyebrow thoughtfully again. “Do YOU feel you have been faithful?”

“Yes,” Marz said, more confidently this time.

“Might he disagree with you?”

Marz’s eyebrows furrowed together.

Adonis narrowed his eyes. “If he knew what you know, that is.”

“Yes,” Marz answered, relaxing.

Tristan’s jaw dropped. He stared from his father to Marz, then back at his father, his eyes narrowing as well to deliver one of his more lethal glares. “Stop it!” he said, gritting his teeth together. “Father, stop it!”

“And this boy,” Adonis continued, jerking his head toward Nicholaus. “Is he yours?”

“Yes.”

“Do you love him as well?”

“Yes.”

“You are confident that you can provide for him?”

“Yes.”

“And my son?”

Another pause. Then, “Yeah.”

“I don’t need providing,” Tristan growled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Well!” Adonis smiled broadly then and reached forward to clap Marz familiarly on the shoulder. The ex-gang leader blinked and glanced at Tristan, who only sniffed hotly and stared at the table.

“So, Marz,” his father continued. “Tell me about this house you are building. I hear you have hired dwarves. Dependable little creatures, at least that’s been my experience.”

Tristan glanced up. He couldn’t remember telling his father about the dwarves. Or hadn’t he? Damn it, damn it, damn it! When was this going to end?

“Oh hell, while you’re at it, why don’t you tell me everything about yourself?” His father was on a roll now. “We’re like family now, Marz. I want to know all about you. Tristan has told me many things, but it would so please me to hear you speak of yourself instead.”

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Subject: Making plans


Author:
Marz (and Cheril)
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Date Posted: 08:54:26 05/23/02 Thu
Nicholaus' tutor did not like the look he saw on Lady Cheril's face when she stormed into the study. "Leave us," she spat, her eyes flashing with anger. Once the man stepped out of the room, Cheril slammed the door before hurrying to sit at her son's side. "You will say nothing to your grandmother about those men that visited today, do you understand?"

Although Nicholaus really didn't understand why he couldn't talk about the visitors, he nodded slowly. "I told you he'd come. I dream about Marz all the time, mama. He's gonna take me for a ride onna dragon and buy me a real sword too!"

Cheril grabbed her son by the shoulders and shook him. "Don't ever talk about him again, Nicholaus! Marz is a very evil man, who wants only to hurt us!"

The boy's lower lip quivered a little as he stared into his mother's angry eyes. "But, he was nice to me, mommy."

"Stop it Nicholaus!" Cheril hissed. "You don’t know him as well as I do. He was only pretending to be nice! Marz is vicious, and can be quite cruel. He enjoys making little boys and their mothers suffer. When we were alone in the stable, he slapped me and nearly broke my arm!" She released her hold on Nicholaus' shoulders then showed him the bruise on her forearm where Marz had grabbed her. "Do you want him to keep hurting me, Nicholaus?"

Sapphire blues eyes filled with tears as they stared at the ugly bruise. Nicholaus shook his head quickly from side to side. "No mommy, I don't want him to hurt us!"

A hint of a smile crossed Cheril's mouth before she gave her son a hug. "I'm going to get someone to take care of Marz after we finish having lunch with your grandmother. Then we'll never have to worry about him trying to cause trouble ever again."

*^*^*^*^*


"He's YOUR child Marz, and that makes him mine, too," Tristan said. "He belongs with us!"

Marz smiled in relief as his arm tightened around his soulmate's shoulders. He knew that Tristan didn't get along very well with children, and was worried that he might hate Nicholaus. The happiness he felt in his heart was reflected on his face when the dragon went on to tell him that his son probably loved him for a long time and viewed him as a hero. It still amazed him how Nicholas had seen him in his dreams. And somehow he knew that Tris and I were looking at him last night when we used the crystal ball!

His thoughts were distracted by Tristan's mouth crushing against his for a deep, passionate kiss. The dragon's open display of affection in public only intensified his happiness. Not having to wait until they were alone to share a hug or kiss was wonderful! When he sensed weariness wash over his lover once their lips parted, Marz shifted slightly, allowing Tristan to rest against him more comfortably.

Shortly after his soulmate fell asleep, Marz dozed off as well. He was in the middle of a dream about sharing cotton candy with Tristan and Nikki at a festival when he was awakened by the wagon coming to an abrupt stop. Now that he was no longer propelled by rage, Marz had some difficulty getting his legs to work properly again. He allowed Corum to help him down from the wagon while Noyko assisted Tristan.

Once they were seated at a table with food and beverages set out before them, Marz gulped down some java. He still felt rather tired and hoped the strong beverage would give him some much needed energy. When Corum mentioned teaching one of the urchins how to use a staff for the purpose of becoming a future protector to Nicholaus, Marz grinned. He met Corum's eyes and nodded his approval. He wanted his son to have a loyal friend like he had found in the skull-staff wielder.

"I don’t think Nicholaus is going to be starting any gangs," Tristan interjected. "Not with HER for a mother."

A frown crossed Marz's face as he thought about how prim and proper his little boy was. Obviously, the need for good manners at all times was drilled into his head constantly. "It does seem like Nikki is lacking in the fun department," he said, softly.

Tristan really snagged his attention when he went on to say that Cheril was probably hiring some guards to track them down. "And you told her where we live, too!"

The ex-gang leader shrugged. "If she sends someone after us, we'll handle it Tris. Then once we beat the crap outta the creeps we'll pay a visit to Cheril's mother-in-law and tell her who Nikki's real father is. After that, Cheril can go find herself another rich noble to marry and my son can come live with us permanently."

He popped a piece of cheese into his mouth and glanced around the common room before tossing an arm over Tristan's shoulders. "A small room in this tavern is not really a good place for the three of us to live, you know? We're gonna have to buy a house." After washing the cheese down with more java, he glanced at Corum and Noyko before his eyes came to rest on his lover. "Maybe we can get our friends together and build a raking house nearby here. I mean, how hard can that be?" The ex-gang leader's eyes lit up with excitement as his gaze shifted back to the food on his plate. "What do you guys think?" he asked. "Sounds easy enough to me. I wonder how long it would take us to build a decent sized house."

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Subject: Chatting around the table


Author:
Tia
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Date Posted: 08:37:53 05/23/02 Thu
Tia greeted Rowan with a frown when he approached the table with the pretty blonde woman, who he was probably going to try to entice into his bed. The only thing the handsome elf ever seemed to think about was his next conquest, and that made Tia angry for some reason. Hopefully, one day Rowan would grow up and realize that there was a lot more to life than just sex!

She smiled at Gwen when she was introduced, grateful to have another woman present at the table. When Tia noticed the irritated look that crossed Gwen's face when Rowan suddenly focused his attention on her, she sighed. Obviously, the woman didn't realize yet that the elf couldn't stay focused on one person for long. If another pretty face walked into the room right now, Rowan would rush off to flirt again.

“I noticed the tense looks on your faces," Rowan whispered in her ear. "Is there something going on here I should know about?”

Tia shrugged since she wasn't sure what kind of game Tallon might be playing yet. Her brow lifted slightly when he mentioned Kyri. Although she knew that was the name of Ravin's ex-wife, she really didn't know too much about the woman since the others rarely spoke about her. Apparently their marriage ended after Kyri tried to backstab one of Ravin's friends when she cast a minor spell on Scat to keep the unruly boy from terrorizing the ship they were traveling on to Kor Toi. When Tia first met Ravin, he was hurting deeply over the loss of the love he once felt for Kyri. But the thief seemed to be in much better spirits now that he had gotten together with Isobel.

The petite thief turned her attention to Gwen when she started talking about Bizmar, since like Rowan; she had never set foot into the city. Of course she heard a bit about the place from snippets of conversation between Erlic and the others while they adventured together in Neromba, but she had no idea what the city was really like.

"Sweet goddess!" Tia said once Gwen fell silent. "Bizmar certainly does sound like a very dangerous place! I lived in the city of Languss for a while, and although it had its fair share of scoundrels, you could walk around on your own without worrying about being attacked by gangs. Have you lived in Bizmar all your life, Gwen?" Her violet eyes shifted to the gray haired man then. "And what about you Tallon? Obviously you're not from Bizmar since you asked about the city. Where do you originally hail from?"

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Subject: Having fun on our day off


Author:
Cas
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Date Posted: 16:53:42 05/20/02 Mon
Cas was overwhelmed by the news of Tegol’s death. The crimelord dipped his hands into nearly all aspects of business in this part of town. His murder would effect just about everybody. Gang members would rise up against their leaders when they couldn’t supply them with drugs anymore. The remaining lieutenants were probably all backstabbing their way to the top at this very moment. Cas shook his head and buried his hands in his pockets as he walked alongside Eremis. Stuff like this was exactly why he never got himself involved in that sorta thing.

He managed to forget all about stupid crimelords and the consequences their deaths brought about when they entered the faire grounds. The onetime market square and connecting streets was in a moderately middle-class section of the city, though most of the beggars and such had been pushed into hiding for a couple days. Cas’s eyes widened with excitement; faires were always great pickings for a practiced pickpocket like himself. Maybe he was no seasoned professional thief, but like most kids who’d grown up on the streets, he could move from one end of the faire to the other like a ghost, and come out with his pockets brimming with gold.

He lifted a light purse or two while Eremis was busy getting them some food and ale. When they made their way to a wooden table to eat, he dumped the little cloth purses out, counting out twelve coppers and two silver pieces altogether. “Aw, don’t gimme that look,” he said to Eremis with a grin, when the healer eyed the stolen money. The healer shrugged and got out his paints and brushes, instructing Cas to lean forward and hold still so he could paint his face.

The cold feel of the paint on his skin felt creepy, although he did like the warmth of his friend’s fingers as he held his chin steady. Cas kept smiling and laughing, and trying to talk, since it was hard for him to be so absolutely still and silent for so long. Eremis did his best to shush him and finish his artwork. When the healer pronounced himself finished, Cas turned his head so he could work on the other side, but his green eyes widened considerably when he saw the line of people before them.

“I want a big flower painted on my face,” announced a blonde-haired little girl, as she tugged on Eremis sleeve. The healer looked momentarily stumped as another woman spoke up, asking him how much he charged.

“You have to talk to my manager,” he said, nodding at Cas.

“Oh, nice save, Master Painter,” Cas retorted, rolling his eyes. Eremis only smiled and turned to wash his brush silently while awaiting his “manager’s” response to their customers.

Cas turned to stare up at the woman with the four children. “A silver piece each,” he announced, grinning as she turned to dig through her purse. She handed each child a coin before moving to stand off to the side. The first little girl did the same, her little hand-embroidered purse looped tentatively over her shoulder. Now THAT would be an easy steal, he thought with a grin, but there was no way in hell he’d steal from a little kid.

Thus began Eremis’ first attempt at making money without whoring himself since Cas had met him. The demon boy took his new role as manager with gusto, leaping onto the top of the table and yelling out to all the little boys and girls who passed through. He even lifted one of the laughing children onto his shoulders, her pink cheeks showing off Eremis’ handiwork on both sides as he paraded around the area in front of their table, advertising to the passers by.

“How about a break?” he asked Eremis, setting down a little boy this time and grinning at him as he ran off to find his mother. He rubbed the bases of his horns with two fingers, feeling a headache coming on. The kids had all thought it great fun to hold on to him like that, their little feet kicking against his chest as if he were a horse or a bull. Normally, he didn’t like people touching his horns, but for some reason he hadn’t really minded this time.

After Eremis agreed and packed up his painting supplies, Cas grabbed him by the hand and led him through the crowd. He couldn’t wipe the idiotic smile off his face as they wandered through the faire, buying cotton candy to munch on and playing a few stupid games on the way. He’d never had this much fun at a faire before!

Their pockets were full of wooden toys and useless trinkets as Cas won yet another prize, this time knocking over a stack of cans with a little ball—which wasn’t too hard for him, since he was quite capable of knocking an enemy out cold with a carefully thrown fist-sized rock between the eyes. He accepted the ugly beaded necklace and tossed it around Eremis’ head with a laugh.

“You’re the pretty one, anyway,” he said, nudging him playfully with his elbow. On impulse, he reached up and snatched the healer’s fake black wig away before tossing it unceremoniously to the ground.

“What?” he continued, shrugging nonchalantly. “You ain’t gotta hide no more. And if anybody tries to take you, well, they’ll just have to get through ME and my new sword, first!”

He unsheathed the shortsword, its black and gold hilt gleaming in the early afternoon sun. “Take that, you mangy Tegol-loving bastard!” he muttered, stabbing at an imaginary foe, a proud grin on his face. He turned to see how impressed Eremis was, but two familiar faces just over the healer’s shoulder caught his attention.

“Hey, look,” he said, pointing in that direction, “It’s ole Seb, and your backstabbing ex, Kisa, too.” A wicked grin crossed his face. “What say we run up and take ‘em by surprise? You take her and I’ll jump him. We’ll see who scares the easiest of the two of ‘em!”

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[> Subject: Meeting up with Kisa and Seb


Author:
Eremis
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Date Posted: 16:53:42 05/20/02 Mon
Eremis thought of Tristan while painting a black dragon on the cheek of a little boy. He hoped his friend would someday be able to stop hating him for giving Tegol the information that had led to the deaths of those that dwelled within the Medieval Tavern. The healer was positive that Marz and Tristan were still alive at least, and could now live their lives without having to worry about Tegol Denair anymore. Hopefully, he'd be able to convince Cas to stop by Eric's house when they were ready to leave the faire so that he could inform Kisa of the crimelord's demise. Knowing that he no longer had to worry about being kidnapped by Tegol's men was a great weight lifted off his shoulders.

He laughed when he saw Cas parading around with one of the children while calling attention to his face painting. The demon boy certainly knew how to attract attention when he wanted it! After drawing a smiling bumblebee on the forehead of a little boy, his friend finally suggested they take a break. While nodding eagerly, Eremis packed up his supplies and pocketed the money he had made before following Cas through the group.

Once he got his first taste of cotton candy the healer's eyes lit up in delight! "I've never eaten anything so incredibly delicious before!" he chirped, drawing laugher from Cas. As he munched on the sweet confection, he watched his friend try his hand at a number of games. He laughed when Cas tossed an ugly beaded necklace over his head then blushed when his friend said that he was the pretty one. Although Eremis was a bit nervous about Cas pulling off his wig, he tried not to show it because he didn't want to be teased about being a coward again.

“You ain’t gotta hide no more," the demon boy said. "And if anybody tries to take you, well, they’ll just have to get through ME and my new sword, first!”

Hearing Cas vow to protect him made him feel all warm inside. Eremis met his friend's eyes and smiled. Sometimes Cas managed to make him feel awfully special, and at such times Eremis wanted to hug him fiercely and thank him for caring so damned much. Before he had a chance to say anything though, Cas was swinging his new sword through the air, attacking invisible foes with a vengeance. The healer roared with laugher again then spun his head around for a look when his friend pointed out Kisa and Seb sitting at a distant table.

After Cas sheathed his sword, the youths broke into a run plopping down on a bench across from the beautiful red head and the brothel owner. "Did you hear that Tegol Denair is dead?" Eremis asked. "We don't have to wear disguises any longer cause there's nothing to worry about anymore!" When the healer noticed that his hand was beginning to shake a little he poked Cas in the ribs. "How about letting me have one Lotus cigarette now, okay?" While hoping that his friend would dig one out for him, he showed his pallet of paint to Kisa and Seb. "Do either of you want me to paint your faces? Free of change of course." When Cas kicked him under the table, he gave the youth a puzzled look then turned his attention back to their companions.

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Subject: Trying to explain


Author:
Marz
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Date Posted: 17:44:10 05/16/02 Thu
Marz gazed into his lover's eyes while tracing little circles over his cheek with a fingertip. He was glad Tristan wasn’t upset with him for being overly aggressive in their lovemaking. Actually, Marz was always pretty aggressive, but this time there was a bit of roughness tossed in. Maybe he needed to feel tough after wimping out in front of Sistino, and the dragon allowed him to do so without complaint.

His hand moved down to roam across his lover's smooth chest before he placed a tender kiss on his lips. Although he really didn't want to ruin the moment by talking about his stepfather, he knew Tristan was waiting for some answers as to why he acted the way he did in front of the man. Instead of immediately focusing on Sistino, Marz rolled on top of Tristan and gently moved his body against his while nibbling at his neck. "I feel things coming from you too," he whispered. "Like right now I can sense how much I'm turning you on."

After their lips met in a heated kiss, Marz rolled onto his back, his eyes staring up at the ceiling. He knew he could get Tristan's mind off Sistino by making love to him again, but he'd only be postponing the inevitable. His soulmate would bring up the subject of his stepfather again when they were done, forcing him to deal with things he'd rather not face. Sighing, he turned his head to face Tristan with an unreadable expression on his face. "Sistino made me believe that I could never be loved by anyone but him. When I looked into his eyes downstairs, I was suddenly overwhelmed with doubts about your love for me. I guess I needed reassurance, and that's why I dragged you up here."

When Tristan snuggled up closer to him and laid his head down upon his shoulder, a hint of a smile formed on Marz's mouth. He kissed the top of the dragon's head then ran his fingers through his hair, enjoying the silky-soft feel of it. "I'm not sure why I freeze up whenever I see Sistino. Something just comes over me and I find myself unable to do anything because I know that he'll get pissed off, no matter what I do."

Marz frowned slightly as he met his lover's eyes. "I have this uncontrollable need to make him happy because those rare times he was happy, he'd hug me and tell me he loved me over and over again. You wouldn't believe how badly I craved that closeness when I was a kid. Most times, I was locked in the closet for days instead because I did something to enrage him. I guess I just have a knack for upsetting people."

He shifted slightly, pulling Tristan tightly against him as if he feared he'd disappear if he loosened his hold. "I swear to all the gods that I tried my best to do exactly what he told me to do, but yet I always managed to get it wrong. I was just too damned stupid to get things right. When I realized that I was in love with you, I figured that I'd constantly do everything wrong again, and you'd end up pushing me away instead of holding me close. Maybe that's why I was so disturbed by your desire to remain distant from me in public. A part of me kept thinking that I did something to make you too ashamed to be near me when other people were around."

Marz drew in a deep breath then shared another kiss with his lover while his hand ran up and down his hip and thigh. "I know I make a lot of mistakes that piss you off, but you've never pushed me away completely yet. We bitch at one another then talk things out and end up merging our hearts and minds together while we make love. You do know that I really love making love to you, right?" They shared a laugh before Marz's expression turned serious again. "I'm slowly starting to understand that Sistino messed up my mind, but I don't know how to fix the damage he did. I'm open for suggestions if you have any."

Before Tristan could reply, Marz pushed him onto his back and slid on top of him again. He held his arms down at his sides and placed a number of erotic kisses along his neck and chest. "We never really did get to eat dinner because of that incident with you and Scat followed by Sistino showing up. Should be go back down to finish our meal or do you want to stay here and feast on one another instead?"

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[> Subject: Relaxing and more info


Author:
Ravin, Dalo, and co.
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Date Posted: 08:24:04 05/13/02 Mon
As soon as they were back in the tavern, Ravin retrieved quill, ink, and parchment from behind the bar. He drew a small map of the additional tunnels they had found while the information was still fresh in his mind. While blowing on the ink for it to dry faster, he nodded at Arcanum who sat nearby with a stranger then frowned when he saw a rat sitting upon a table nibbling at a plate of food. Nicklar better get to work on rodent control around here, he thought.

Once the ink was dry, he folded the parchment and stuck it into a pocket before joining his friends at a table near the door. After slipping into a chair next to Isobel he filled a mug with ale and took a long drink. It felt good not to have to worry about any more battles tonight. Hopefully, they would find Tegol at his mistress' home tomorrow and put an end to the crimelord's reign of terror once and for all. He had a feeling that the woman named Issy that the butcher mentioned, was really Izeri, the proprietor of The Luscious Dreams Bordello located near the west gates of the city. From past information he had gathered on Tegol, he knew the crimelord was a frequent visitor to that particular house of prostitution.

Ravin wrapped an arm around Isobel's shoulders then took another sip of ale before reaching for a piece of cheese from the tray Carmenta had delivered. He wondered at the serious expressions on the faces of Jake, Tia, Noy, and, Jeremy as they approached and took seats at the table.

"You guys missed a bit of action here," Jake said. "Marz's stepfather came in a short time ago, and Tristan ended up holding a sword to his neck while shouting out something to Marz about the man not having any power over him. After the dragon tossed the old guy out we tried to question Marz about him, but he got all pissed off and dragged Tristan upstairs."

Dalo turned to Erlic and cocked his head. He had no idea that Marz had a stepfather and wondered if the guildmaster knew anything about him. "Why would Tristan think that Marz's stepfather held some kind of power over him?" he asked. "And why would he assault the guy instead of Marz, who enjoys attacking just about anyone?"

"Marz ordered us not to speak of his stepfather or the friends that accompanied him, and I think we should abide by his wishes," Noy interjected.

Dalo rolled his eyes then took a sip of mead before grabbing a hold of Annie's hand beneath the table. "No one has to take orders from Marz, cause he's a nobody."

Tia reached out and touched Erlic's arm. "I saw Marz turn as pale as a ghost when he saw that old man, and I know this might sound silly, but he looked scared to death until the guy left the inn." Both Jeremy and Jake nodded in agreement.

Dalo laughed aloud. "I would have loved to have seen tough guy Marz cower before somebody for a change." He fell silent and focused his attention on the cheese tray when Erlic tossed him a warning look. Sometimes it was damned hard to hide the resentment he felt toward Marz. Life was a lot simpler before Erlic got involved with the obnoxious thug! He closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment unless he was able to sense Tristan. When he felt lust coming from him, he shielded himself off from the dragon. Although he had promised to stop interfering in Tristan's life, it was hard not getting involved since he was positive that Marz would end up hurting the dragon by tossing him aside once he grew tired of him.

"It this stepfather going to be a problem?" Ravin asked. "Could he be working for Tegol?"

At the moment, Scat and his PTOB gang burst in through the door and ran up to the table. "Eremis and this guy named Cas were at Zelda's Herb Shop a couple days ago," he announced. "They were both badly beaten and Zelda helped heal them up. Later they left the place with a mercenary type, who appeared to be on friendly terms with them. Maybe you guys can stop worrying about Eremis so much now, cause if he's with Cas then I'm sure he's doin' okay. From what I know, Cas is one tough cookie. The guy knows how to take care of himself. If anyone can keep your healer safe, it's him!"

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[> [> Subject: Sidetracked


Author:
Torbin
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Date Posted: 17:40:46 05/13/02 Mon
(pasted in from main board just in case)

Torbin slid into a chair at the tavern and waved for some ale, leaning over the table to listen to the others speak. The movement and shift of her arm made her wince, reminded that the other healer had given her only a touchy repair job that was rushed by the pressure of the next battle. She'd need to see to it herself as soon as she could. Just now, however, the talk was too interesting to just up and abandon the table. She would go presently, but just for the moment.ah, there was her ale. She sipped the heavenly stuff reverently. Everything was okay for the time being.

Torbin didn't know Marz or Tristan, but she could identify them in her mind as two men she'd been briefly introduced to the day before. She was also aware of Dalo's resentment of this Marz as soon as he spoke. While she didn't really know Dalo either, at least she had a little experience being around him, they had, after all, just battled men and beast more or less side by side. No matter how brief the battle, she always felt closer to people she'd fought alongside, and this situation was no exception.

She had characteristically drained her glass, and gestured for another. The bar maid who was serving her, rather pretty but a little lined around the eyes, gave a haughty sigh at the demanding nature of her customer, but re-filled the glass wordlessly, though she did set it on the table with considerably more force than strictly necessary. Giving the older woman a charming smile, Torbin batted long dark lashes at her over the rim of the glass and grinned when the woman turned to stalk heatedly away. Amused by her private joke, she reclined comfortably in the chair, her natural athletic grace impeded only slightly by her burdensome arm.

Conversation died down a bit at the table. Every one seemed to have some sort of significant other to converse with, and feeling a little awkward, Torbin excused herself to tend her arm - and her horse. A chance to talk to her friend Ravin didn't seem likely. Battles were followed by evenings' rest, training, or.erm.other activities with a special companion amongst this group. Torbin didn't mind; Dusty doubtless needed exercise, but she was sorry that an opportunity to catch up with old acquaintances was probably not forthcoming.

(i have, characteristically, been sidestracked into an entire subplot, which follows these parenthesis. i thought, however, that i would mention that none of it is really relative to the basic storyline, and could easily be skipped by readers. 8^) )

Dusty did, in fact, need exercise, and let her know in irritable tones as soon as she entered the stable. She cupped his face and kissed his nose, crooning her apologies, and then haltered him and led him into the yard, his coat liberally gray streaked in tribute to his name. He danced sideways with an energy that belied his stocky, pot-bellied frame, and Torbin spoke soothingly for him to hold still as she gripped a handful of ropy mane and swung onto his back in one smooth motion. The moment her legs were settled comfortably over his ribs, he shot forward at a reckless pace toward the trees.

Yelping inaudibly and getting a tighter grip on the chuck of mane she had initially seized, Torbin struggled to regain her balance as his miserably bouncy trot sped into something that was partially a canter.perhaps a distant cousin. He seemed to be bounding with his forelegs and persisting in a fast trot with the hind, which made his hindquarters bounce in conjunction with the leaping of his shoulders, resulting in Torbin being tossed haphazardly backward with every stride, only to be bounced back forward in two quick stomps of his hind feet.

Gritting her teeth, which were chattering as the movement rattled them in her head, Torbin steadied herself with both hands on his mane (which gave her shoulder an uncomfortable wrench), then in one haphazard declaration of faith, let go his hair to clutch the reins, draw firmly backward, and state with as much authority as she could muster: woah.

Dusty, surprisingly, stopped, snorted, and cocked a hind leg, saying in unmistakable horse: Oh, well, is that all?

Breathing through her delicately flared nostrils, Torbin regarded the twitching ears of her mount with something akin to venom in her flashing silver eyes. Eventually the flames abated to the point of considerable good will, and she patted his neck wryly. Poor thing had been shut up all day, and probably wasn't the most thoroughly trained of horses in the first place. Drawing a deep, renewing breath, Torbin forgave him at once and timidly asked him to walk forward once more.

"Ho, there, having a little trouble?"

Torbin looked over her shoulder at the call to see a tall, gangly gentleman approaching on an equally tall, gangly speckled horse. As the pair drew nearer, she noted with a smile that his face was as red-dappled with freckles as was the hide of his horse, further cementing the appearance of two creatures merely extentions of one another. This was owing, she also observed, not only to the physical similarities between man and horse, but to an easy, graceful element to their partnership that she had seen before on only the rarest of occasions - most recently in her brother.

Immediately warmed to the stranger based on these comparisons, she smiled her bright, wide, congenial smile, which he returned with the same sort of charmed surprise of all who met that grin initially.

"A little," she admitted. Dusty had paused when she'd turned to look over her shoulder, making a commendable ploy at what she would have previously called his nonexistent obedience, but as she turned to settle herself better on his back, he began to walk forward once more. "Maybe a lot," she allowed reluctantly, cranking backward on the rope. The halter, hitched upward on his nose, made itself known in the motion, and he stopped short, ears twitching back toward his passenger questioningly.

Chuckling, the stranger cued his horse up alongside the much height inferior Dusty, looking down with understanding sympathy. "Oh, I see. Well by the look of him, it's that he doesn't know, rather than he' s just being disagreeable, am I right?"

"I hope so. It would make me like him a good bit more," Torbin replied, still too wrapped up in frustration at her lack of control (compiled, naturally, though she didn't know it, with anxiety from the earlier battles, and, naturally, and she did know it, with pain from her aching shoulder) to be truly amiable.

He must have caught sight of her mangled appendage, for she heard his sharp intake of breath. "That probably isn't helping matters!"

She followed his gaze and plucked at the bandage. Dusty, in turn, at being momentarily ignored, began to set forward once more in a determined fashion. "No, I suppose it isn't. Nor is the fact that I have no saddle, which was simply a bad judgement on my part." Sighing again, she ran a hand through her dark tresses, loose, as usual, from their thong, and attempted to bring Dusty to a standstill again. "So, I suppose it isn't because of lack of knowledge on his part, rather than mine. I should have put on his bridle and saddle before bringing him out. This is all rather embarrassing, actually, and I'm sorry to bother you, but I'd best be getting back. My arm really is a little sore, to say the least."

She was turning Dusty forcibly when the stranger interrupted once more. "Well, selfish of me it may be, but I would detain you just a moment. I've some spare time on my hands, actually, and would really love to spend it polishing up the skills of your lovely little horse."

Torbin perked at the idea. She had no intention of exchanging Dusty for another mount, but this lack of cooperation was terribly inconvenient. She turned again, hesitantly interested.

"I haven't much money."

"Oh, well. That isn't necessary. Perhaps there is some skill you could trade me for.knitting, perhaps."

Torbin stifled a laugh, but couldn't hide the rueful grin. The stranger nodded pensively, but she saw the flash of humored understanding in his cool blue eyes, highlighted by the cap of red-gold that was his hair.

"Oh, well.cooking?"

Torbin shook her head, captured by the urge to giggle. His eyes wandered to her belt, rested there in momentary surprise, and then returned to her face, one brow cocked questioningly.

"Something with knives?"

Torbin nodded, her smile slipping from one of barely contained hilarity to one of agreement. "That would work. I can teach you to throw them, I think."

"Splendid," he said, and apparently it really was, to him. Torbin smiled back, nearly as pleased, and finding nothing at all unusual about the situation. (She was unconsciously accustomed to the fascination of men, after all.) "When and where shall I come to collect your horse for his lessons?"

"The tavern," she pointed the way, and he nodded, indicating that he was familiar with the place. "How long will you need?"

The stranger eyed Dusty and replied presently. "I'm not sure, but I'll work as efficiently I can with however much time you have. How much would that be?"

Torbin shrugged. "I couldn't tell you. But so long as you're working efficiently, I'm sure any amount of time will be worthwhile. Shall I meet you here regularly, then?"

He looked blank.

"For your lessons," she prodded, amused.

"Oh! My lessons, yes. Of course, here is perfectly fine. Or is it? I am not the knife-throwing expert - is this, or is it not a suitable class room?"

"I should think it would be," Torbin said, drawing up on Dusty's rope to turn him with a parting smile for the stranger. "I'll see you here tomorrow then," she said, not considering to tell him a specific time, somehow content that by marvelous coincidence the exact same hour would find itself convenient for both of them.

"Splendid," he said, as if he could not summon any other word to describe so well this vague occasion, and with every intention to wait all day should that prove necessary.

Torbin urged Dusty into a trot, hoping to exercise him as well as she could before he had to be locked in his stall once more, but minding the few tips she remembered from her brother's teachings, slowed him to a walk and circled him until he cooled before putting him away. She told a stable boy briefly about the stranger, and that he would be collecting Dusty for training, and that no one should be alarmed. The boy nodded absently, and she wondered just how close attention was paid to the livestock stabled here. Disregarding this, she trekked up to her room and set to work on her shoulder.

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[> [> [> Subject: More unusual information


Author:
Erlic & Corum
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Date Posted: 18:14:41 05/13/02 Mon
The guild master watched as Ravin carefully pulled out parchment, quill, and ink, and quickly retraced the steps he had taken in the newest portion of tunnels he hadn’t explored yet. Ravin had told Erlic how he had managed to explore as much of the tunnels as possible, and had committed them to both memory, and parchment. Although Ravin could not read, he could definitely trace passageways.

It seemed everyone was enjoying the rest being afforded to them when Jake suddenly explained about the action that the group had missed. Erlic was quite surprised to hear Sistino’s name pop up in the conversation, let alone the fact he had actually visited the tavern. Although he had never met Marz’s stepfather, he had heard enough nightmarish stories about the man to last a lifetime. It was for that simple reason that Marz was the way he was. The brainwashing his stepfather had provided had done enough damage to the youth, even though Marz was unaware of it.

It was quite obvious that many perception of Marz, and his stepfather, suddenly came into play, and although many of the group try to figure out why Marz might fear the old man, only Erlic, and possibly Tristan knew the complete truth, and the guild master wasn’t about to reveal the details to anyone, at least not at the moment.

“Sistino doesn’t work for Tegol,” was all that Erlic would say on the subject as he looked toward Dalo. The beast master didn’t like Marz because in his mind the youth was taking Tristan down the road of perversion. Dalo, like some of the others, fit into the natural scheme of Marz, and what he was like. Just as Marz knew nothing about the various shades of gray existing between black and white, only that you had the two extremes, so did the others’ feeling of Marz, you either liked him, or you hated him, and that was the usual consensus shared.

Even now Tia was filled with concern as she explained Marz’s reaction to seeing Sistino, and was confirmed by both Jeremy, and Jake. “There’s nothing to worry about at the moment,” Erlic stated quietly to the young elven woman. “Everything will work out in the end.”

Corum finally approached the table to join the others, but most importantly to join Tia. He had shared some information about Bizmar to the young elven woman, and had somehow gotten sidetracked once the young woman left the bar.

“Nothing to be worried about,” Corum stated. “Yorik and I kept a keen eye on the old geezer, and were ready to bash some heads in case anything went wrong. As usual, nothing did go wrong so everything remained calm, except when Marz bashed that one guy to the ground.”

I must insist on being a pessimist. I’m a loner in a catastrophic mind. Ejected the rejected, I perfected the science of the idiot. No meaning…no healing. Self-loathing freak, and introverted deviot.

“Knock it off Yorik,” Corum stated as he turned to his staff. The guy was a creep, and he deserved to get hit by Marz, it’s that simple.”

Corum simply shook his head, and took a seat at the table. He quickly pulled out a banana, and started to feed Brat, and then found some nuts for Eyes who immediately started to chow down. Corum had ordered dinner as well, and after he had started to eat, got the distinct impression that he was being watched. He slowly stopped the movement of fork coming to his mouth, looked quickly around with his eyes, and when no one said anything, continued to eat as if nothing happened.

That’s when Scat and the PTOB entered the tavern letting everyone know that Eremis had been seen with a youth by the name of Cas, and that Eremis would be all right. “There you go,” Corum stated with his mouth full of food. “Things are already looking up for us. Now all we gotta do is find Tegol, and bash his brains in. End of story.”

Of course, only Corum would believe that he had said nothing of importance, but then again, that’s Corum, and we all realize what a flake he can be at times, even if he truly believes he’s actually speaking to that piece of wood he calls Yorik.

Life is just a party, and parties weren’t meant to last. War is all around us; my mind says prepare to fight. So if I gotta die I’m gonna listen to my body tonight.

“Now you’re talking,” Corum stated. “We bash Tegol’s head in, and then celebrate. I’m with you dude.”

Erlic from the other end of the table watched this unusual exchange, and he had to wonder if Corum was always that way, or if he was simply hiding behind some elaborate scheme fooling everyone in sight. He turned his head to Jade, and simply raised his eyebrows regarding the skull-staffed wielding youth. “Possibly you understand him,” he commented to Jade as he picked up a glass of wine to drink, smiling, and slowly shaking his head.

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[> [> [> [> Subject: We need to find Tegol


Author:
Marz
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Date Posted: 11:30:20 05/14/02 Tue
Marz readily complied when Tristan wanted to cuddle for a while after they made love. Although he displayed a vicious bad-assed attitude for others, the ex-gang leader's softer side came out when he was alone with his soulmate. Tristan was the only one that knew just about every facet of his complex personality. There were times Marz thought that the dragon understood him better than he understood himself. It was nice having Tristan around to give him the comfort he would never admit to needing. Being in love and being loved in return was great when Marz wasn't busy worrying about how he might mess things up. Because of Sistino's brainwashing, he often feared Tristan would leave him one day, but that fear was slowly being eliminated.

He smiled when Tristan began planting little kisses all over his face. "That sure feels nice." Regrettably, his lover sat up then, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Silently, Marz willed him to come close again and like magic, Tristan leaned down to kiss him. "More," he pleaded when their lips parted, much too quickly for his liking. His arms snaked around Tristan, refusing to let him go.

"Mmm…..no….." his lover said, bopping him lightly on the forehead. "Let's go eat."

Marz gave him a lopsided grin while admiring his naked body as he rushed off to retrieve a new shirt from the closet. Staring at his gorgeous lover aroused him again. After a deep sigh, he crawled out of the bed, consoling himself with the knowledge that he would have Tristan's hard body pressed against him again later tonight.

As usual, Marz tossed a possessive arm around the dragon's shoulders as they left the room. Feeling Tristan's arm slip around his waist brought another smile to his face. It was a great relief not having to worry about keeping their distance from one another in public anymore. He smirked when he noticed the disgusted look on Dalo's face as they took seats at the table. While staring the beastmaster in the eye, he pulled Tristan closer, drawing a soft murmur from him when he nibbled at his neck. He nearly burst out laughing when Dalo's face turned beat red from anger he tried to suppress because of Erlic's presence.

Marz's head snapped up to face Scat when the boy started talking about Eremis. He gave Tristan's shoulder a squeeze when he sensed his relief at learning that the healer was safe at the moment. His lover's happiness was almost instantly replaced by a hint of anger, and Marz was surprised to hear him ask what everyone was staring at. Since the ex-gang leader was accustomed to being the center of attention quite often, he wasn't really aware of the puzzled looks his friends tossed his way at the moment. What the hell's going on? he wondered, when Tristan suddenly dragged Noy off to speak in private.

Understanding came to Marz once the dragon returned to the table and ordered everyone not to speak about what happened earlier. Obviously, those that were present when Sistino arrived were confused by his wimpish reaction to the man. That disturbed Marz immensely, but he tried to keep a blank expression on his face since he didn’t want to give them anything further to gossip about. Thankfully, Ravin lightened the mood by rushing on to talk about Tegol. Marz wrapped a piece of ham around some cheese and bit into it while listening to the thief complain about the impossible task of finding the crimelord.

"Killing off his men really isn't accomplishing much because he'll simply hire replacements," Ravin said over the rim of his ale mug. "This war will go on until we eliminate Tegol. We NEED to find a way to draw the bastard out into the open before our luck runs out. So far, we've been doing well against his army, but eventually they'll wear us down. We're all looking at certain death if we keep battling seasoned mercenaries day in and day out with no end in sight!"

Marz stared at the thief while washing his food down with java. Ravin was absolutely right! Pussy footing around with the crimelord's men each day wasn't doing a damned bit of good. They had to go directly to the source of the problem and eliminate it before they were eliminated. Tegol wants ME, he thought. And, he'd probably insist on being present while his men tortured me. He popped another piece of cheese in his mouth, lost in thought as he slowly chewed the food.

From past experience, Marz knew that Erlic could locate him by somehow following the link they shared while he mentally communicated with him. He would be able to lead his sensai and the rest of the group directly to Tegol! Then they could put an end to this fiasco once and for all. Of course he wasn’t about to share his idea with anyone since they would think it too dangerous and talk him out of doing it. Tristan would say he was stupid for wanting to take such a risk, and probably force him to remain within the safety of the tavern while the others continued to combat Tegol's forces. Since Marz never gave anything much thought, he failed to remember that Erlic could only follow him via their link as long as he lit up that link by a constant flow of mental communication. If he couldn't speak to his sensai he'd never be found.

He drained the rest of his java then turned to Tristan. "I left the crystal ball buried in my backpack, which I haphazardly tossed in the room somewhere. I'll go upstairs and try to find it then we'll check on Eremis when I get back." After giving the dragon a quick kiss on his cheek, he left the table and hurried up the stairs. He burst into the room then immediately crawled out the window and quickly climbed down to the ground. A short run took him to the stables where he mounted a horse and took off towards the city, his path lit by the nearly full moon.

Within minutes of entering the south gate, he was besieged by a group of thugs, who managed to drag him from his horse. To make things look good, he put up a decent fight, killing a couple of his attackers before he was bashed across the head by a club. Before he lost consciousness he heard someone say that they needed to drag him into Dancer's Tavern where one of Tegol's mages was having a drink so that he could be teleported instantly to one of the crimelord's huge estates, located outside of the city.

*******


Marz jerked his head away from the awful smell of something being held under his nose and opened his eyes. At first his vision swam but once it cleared he saw Tegol and the sadistic mercenary Tomad standing before him along with a three more mercs and two men dressed in robes typically worn by mages. He appeared to be in a large cellar. He glanced up to find his arms raised over his head, the shackles on his wrists attached to a chain that rose up to the ceiling beams. In order to relieve some of the pressure on his wrists he had to stand on his toes since he was raised slightly above the floor.

"So, we finally meet again," Tegol sneered.

While the crimelord went on about how he was going to let Tomad break every bone in his body as an example to others who thought to leave his organization, Marz sent out a mental call to Erlic. "I got captured and now have Tegol in my sights. All you have to do is follow the link, sensai. I think I'm at another of his estates which will probably be heavily guarded so…….." The communication was cut off when Tomad rammed a huge club into his stomach. Marz sputtered and coughed then was hit again, gritting his teeth when he felt a rib break.

"I'll let Tomad end your life quickly, IF you tell me who this rising crimelord is and where I might find him and Ravin Rue," Tegol said.

"Rot in hell, you raking bastard," Marz hissed. "Marz, you have to keep talking," he heard Erlic say into his mind. "Bring plenty of men, sensai," he replied. "Looks like I have two mages in the room with me along with Tegol, and four mercs. As if to verify the fact that there were mages present, one of the robed men touched him, sending an electrifying charge through his body that nearly robbed him of consciousness.

Beads of sweat popped out on Marz's forehead as he struggled against the chains that held him. "Where can we find the crimelord?" Tomad asked softly, as he placed a straight razor against the ex-gang leader's neck. Marz head butted the merc sending him into an immediate fit of rage. Tomad's fist connected with his jaw, snapping his head back.

"Is that the best you can do, you weak assed moron?" Marz asked around the blood that had pooled in his mouth. The mercenary answered by slicing across his chest with the razor. He was about to repeat the action when Tegol grabbed his hand. "I don't want him killed yet! I want to see him suffer first."

Tomad sneered then dropped the razor and picked up the club again. "I'll start by breaking his legs," he said, before slamming the club across the ex-gang leader's knees. Marz bit his lip to keep from crying out then tried to make contact with Erlic again, but that thought left his mind when the mage send another shockwave through his body.

His consciousness swam then he glared at the blurry figures before him. "I'm gonna laugh when I watch every one of you bastards go up in flames," he quipped.

Tomad pulled him by the hair, nearly breaking his neck when he pulled his head back. "That precious little dragon of yours that we heard so much about ain't gonna be able to save your ass. We got three dozen archers outside the estate ready to launch arrows at anything that happens to fly by." The merc kissed him then, drawing blood as he bit deeply into his lip.

When he released his grip on his hair, Marz spat at him then sent out a rushed mental message to his lover. "Tris, stay away. They have archers waiting for you. Don’t take any ch……" Everything went black when Tomad's fist came flying into his face again.

"Toss a bucket of water on him," Tegol said. "As soon as he regains consciousness start again, Tomad. But this time I want to at least hear him scream a few times."

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[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Well, I think you found him


Author:
Tristan
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Date Posted: 13:50:22 05/14/02 Tue
Tristan was silently grateful to Ravin for changing the subject so quickly. Although his lightly veiled command to not discuss Sistino has gone as yet unchallenged, an uncomfortable hush had descended around the table. Marz was either too feared, respected, or even loved by many of those present for anyone to attempt to humiliate him further. Still, nobody could seem to think of anything appropriate to say, that is, until Ravin brought the conversation back to Tegol, of course.

Like Marz, Tristan definitely agreed with the clever thief. He really didn't like the idea of having to slink about the city for months on end while their friends slowly whittled away at the crimelord's defenses. The thought of Marz being captured and tortured worried him so much it made him feel sick to his stomach, and besides, how was he supposed to look for Eremis if neither of them dared show their faces in public?

"I left the crystal ball buried in my backpack," Marz murmured into his ear, shaking him from his thoughts, "which I haphazardly tossed in the room somewhere. I'll go upstairs and try to find it then we'll check on Eremis when I get back."

Tristan smiled without realizing it when he kissed his cheek, turning to watch him go until he ascended the stairs and disappeared completely from view. He was momentarily made lonely by the empty seat beside his own, but he rolled his eyes and ordered himself to stop being silly. The talk around the table continued to hover around what to do about Tegol, with half agreeing to strike at the heart, and the others remaining uncertain about the idea. Everybody knew, after all, that it would be no easy task, going directly for Tegol himself. If lives had been lost the first way, this way would certainly be no different.

Tristan nibbled quietly on the ham piled onto Marz's plate while sipping occasionally on his glass of wine. He didn't want to look like a pig in front of all his friends, so he lit up a cigarette to curb his remaining appetite. He'd only taken a couple drags before a strange pounding sensation began to throb in the back of his head, making his eyes tear up in slight surprise. He blinked rapidly and shook his head a couple times, and the feeling soon passed quickly, although he still felt slightly disoriented. But when he looked up and met Erlic's knowing glance, his eyes widened. He had felt it, too.

"I'll go check on him," he said, standing up and nodding at the other man. Erlic looked more worried than he felt, probably because his link with Marz was stronger than the strange bond the two lovers shared. But the lingering headache both of them were still feeling wasn't strong enough to alert them too much-mainly because Marz was miles away by now, although neither of them knew that, of course.

When his lover didn't answer his mental inquiries, Tristan did start to worry a bit more. Sometimes Marz just couldn't focus enough to communicate with his mind, though, so it was probably no big deal. Still, there was a slight possibility that he'd stumbled for some odd reason and bumped his head hard enough to knock him unconscious. That wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't already been knocked out twice already today. A third time could have very serious consequences. Tristan didn't have to be a healer to know that much.

When he got to their room, there was no sign of its owner. He stared quizzically about before noticing the open window and hurrying to its side. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding when he peaked out and didn't see the limp body of his lover on the ground. Well, so where the hell is he? he wondered, starting to get a touch annoyed. Once again, he called to him with his mind, but Marz didn't respond.

Sighing, he made his way to the bathing room and checked there, but it was empty. Maybe he'd decided to use the crystal ball for a personal matter and had chosen an empty room for privacy. Although it was tedious, Tristan went around and checked all the unoccupied rooms, at least the ones that weren't locked, anyway. When he still couldn't find any sign of him, he just paused in the hallway and put his hands on his hips, a frown slowly working its way onto his face. Why did he have such a bad feeling about this?

He sighed again and headed back to their room, just for another quick look. His eyebrows rose when he actually found the crystal ball, still tucked into a backpack lying on the floor. Something had happened-something was definitely wrong! Without thinking much, Tristan hurried to their other things which had been taken from the camels and deposited here by their friends. He grabbed a few more weapons, slipping daggers in his boots and belt, before shrugging into his old leather coat. Marz was missing and possibly unconscious-he was going out to find him.

He descended the stairs two at time, swinging by the table first to inform Erlic of his decision. But Marz's teacher had a stricken look on his face, and his eyes were slightly glazed over as if he were mentally communicating. Tristan clenched his teeth together and closed his eyes on instinct, concentrating hard-yes! He felt it! Pain.horrible pain! It was a dull, throbbing feeling, as if it were him but not really him. And it was so far away. Shit-oh shit, it was Marz!

When Erlic suddenly met their eyes again and informed them that Marz was speaking to him, telling him he'd been captured, Tristan almost choked. His anger flared up, momentarily replacing his concern when he also said that the idiot had actually allowed himself to be caught!

"Damn it!" Tristan growled softly, clenching his fists together. "Why does he always have to be a gods damned hero?"

His anger was effectively snuffed out cold when a dim voice echoed suddenly into his head: "Tris, stay away. They have archers waiting for you. Don't take any ch.."

Then his mind went blank. He was dizzy for a couple seconds, and he realized Marz had gone unconscious again. He looked up and met Erlic's firm gaze, cold logic trying to battle against passionate emotion. Tristan broke away first and turned swiftly, his coat whipping around his legs as his booted feet took him rapidly toward the door. Dalo shouted his name, but he ignored him, heading straight for outside. The cool night air had only a moment or two to hiss against his face before he changed to form, his heavy wing beats lifting him off the ground and into the sky in a matter of seconds.

Once airborne, he turned his senses to Marz, tracing the magical trail his lover had left with his keen sense of smell. He flew mostly unnoticed, although he flew low, his dark body blotting out the stars momentarily from the night sky the only real sign of his passing above the city. Occasionally, someone below would stop and shout and point, but whatever sort of night demon they thought they'd sighted was gone before anyone else had noticed.

After a while, he lost the trail, but he continued to head in the same direction, determined to find its source. His instincts had taken over the second he'd taken his dragon form; the only desire he had right now was to find his mate and hunt down those who had taken him. He had no strategy, no plan, no clever course of action; he didn't even know what the hell he'd do when he got there. No, that was wrong; he knew exactly what he would do: search and destroy every enemy he encountered, until Marz was safe in his arms once again.

He passed over the city after a while, and was about to turn back when he noticed a rather large manor peaking out above the treetops of the forest that surrounded it. His sharp eyes picked out the figures patrolling the rooftop, but cleverness was not a key dragonic trait, especially while battling with the strong hunting urge as he was now. He furled his wings and dove toward the house with a roar, his talons stretched wide and his teeth bared, because this was where his senses were leading him. Although the trail was lost, and he could no longer really "feel" his lover, he KNEW he was here, or down there, in that house, surrounded by those men.

He caught them off guard, igniting five men on his first dive, their flaming, screaming bodies falling to the ground several stories below. One man he grabbed with his claws, carrying him a short distance before releasing him to fall to his own rapid death. On his second flyby, though, they were waiting and ready. Arrows whizzed past him, and he twisted and turned in the air, roaring his anger at being shot at as if HE were the one being hunted, and not the other way around.

Inevitably, one arrow found its mark, and then another, both burrowing themselves to the hilt into skin and muscle before scraping against bone. Tristan's roar became a painful shriek, and he veered off sideways, crashing into the nearby trees to land on only three legs, since his right arm and shoulder had been punctured by arrows.

Rapidly, he slipped back into his human form, hissing through his teeth as his entire right arm continued to throb. Now that his dragon instincts could be pushed to the back of his head, he was finally overcome with fear for Marz, trapped in that manner, probably beaten into unconsciousness. He gasped, forcing himself to take breaths while trying to regain his original composure. With two, rapid motions, he yanked the arrows out of his arm and shoulder, biting his tongue so hard to keep from crying out that he tasted blood in his mouth.

He heard movement then-to the right, and to the left.and just in front, too. Silently, he unsheathed his sword and slipped away, his boots making scarcely any sound at all as he circled around the sentry closing in on his immediate right. He slunk up behind the man and slit his throat, doing the same to the one on his left minutes later. But the third one found his dead companion and became more cautious, making it almost impossible to sneak up on him.

Tristan pressed himself against a thick oak tree, waiting until the other man was almost upon him before lunging forward and swinging his sword at his head. The trained mercenary blocked his initial strike with some difficulty, the clashing of their swords ringing out loudly into the night air. Tristan growled and cursed, his eyes glowing red; he didn't have time for this. He parried once, twice, feinted right and struck. The mercenary stopped abruptly, his sword still clutched tightly in his hand as his head rolled neatly off his shoulders.

Now that he'd stopped moving, the pain of his injuries washed over him. He growled again and shook his head, the cries of those still burning on the rooftops distracting him momentarily. Reluctantly, he closed his eyes and seized a hold of Erlic's mind, speaking directly into his mind.

"I found him," he said, his mental voice tinged with rage, pain, and a burning sort of frustration, "In a manor, just outside the city. Probably an hour or so away, on a fast horse, driven directly through the city."

He paused briefly to collect himself and dampen his pain and anger long enough to send Marz's teacher a clear mental image of the place. He showed him the route he'd taken, too, although of course it was seen through the eyes of a dragon flying overhead.

"It's heavily guarded," he continued. He started to feel anxious and stubborn at the same time, but he KNEW he couldn't continue to attack this place on his own. "There were.archers on the roof. I cannot change to form. I will.try to wait for you."

There. He cut the link off, satisfied that he'd said enough. Next, he tried to contact Marz, but his lover was still unconscious, much to his growing sense of fear and frustration. "Marz!" he called, over and over again, trying to rouse him, "Hold on! I'm here! I'm coming for you, just hold on!"

His eyes flew open again at the snap of a nearby branch. His sword came up automatically to block yet another charging guard, though this time he pulled one of the daggers he stuffed into his boot and jabbed it into the man's neck. Silently, he eased the dead body down and slipped away, where he continued to prowl the forest like a waiting predator, circling the manor and taking out any unlucky sentries one by one.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: We're going to get real bloody on this one


Author:
Erlic & company
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Date Posted: 18:45:04 05/14/02 Tue
Discussions continued on what to do about Tegol, and how to proceed with the endeavor of killing the crime lord. Erlic realized that without a direct attack on the crime lord, any, and all of their efforts would indeed be futile, not to mention extremely dangerous on them. Already they had engaged in several battles this day, and it had already taken its toll on the group.

While Erlic contemplated his thoughts, Marz, and Tristan came down, and sat at the table. Dalo’s displeasure of seeing the two together didn’t help matters. He realized he would have to talk to both Dalo, and Marz so that they could call a truce while they attempted to go about destroying Tegol’s domain.

It seemed that several of the people were wondering about Marz, and his association with Sistino. Obviously the youth’s fear of the man made the others wonder just what he could possibly be afraid of. Fortunately it was immediately brushed over, and talks resumed once again about ridding Bizmar of Tegol. Ravin was right. They needed to find a way to draw the bastard out into the open before their luck ran out. The question was “how”.

Marz had left the table for a crystal ball that he, and Tristan had mentioned in regards to finding out about Eremis. The guild master thought nothing about his student’s disappearance until some time later, when he felt pain to his head coming through the link. Erlic grasped Jade’s hand a bit too hard as the force of the blow echoed in his own head as well. He quickly tried to focus through Marz’s eyes but the youth had lost consciousness. If that were the case that could only mean that his student was no longer in the Medieval Tavern.

He slowly looked up, and met Tristan’s gaze. Without having anything to say, Tristan quickly explained he would check up on the youth. The dragon quickly left the table amid curious gazes from the rest of the party. Most of the group simply stared at each other trying to fathom out just what had transpired between the guild master, and Tristan.

Suddenly Marz’s telepathic message came into Erlic’s mind, and Erlic feared the worst at the moment. Why did the youth simply have to take matters into his own hands? By focusing on the link, Erlic could now see through his student’s eyes, and witnessed the people in the room. He knew quite well who Tegol was, as well as Tomad. He memorized the faces of the others, and hoped beyond hope that he, and the others could find his student.

Tristan’s sudden appearance next to him made him realize that he had been focusing so directly he hadn’t even seen the dragon come down. He explained to Tristan what had happened. The dragon simply stared at the guild master before yelling out something about “gods damned hero” before he left the tavern. Erlic simply shook his head. One being captured was bad enough, but another to be added wouldn’t do.

He quickly turned to the rest of the group. “We have another battle to fight this evening,” he began, as the others looked at him quite surprised. Everyone was tired, and in need of rest. This newest bit of information didn’t sit well with them. “We now know that Marz has been captured by Tegol, and is currently being held hostage. What I know for sure is that he is to the North of here. I suggest we gather our things and head out. I’ll be able to pinpoint his location better the closer I get to the area.” It didn’t make too much sense, especially since many in the group weren’t aware of the bond between Erlic, and Marz. As an afterthought he added, “This is going to be extremely dangerous. Marz is in a room with Tegol, a merc by the name of Tomad, two mages, and three other mercs. I’m sure he’ll have a lot of his men on the perimeter of his estate. Let’s get ready to leave.”

Just as Erlic rose from the table, he nearly lost his balance as more pain flowed through the link. He realized that shielding the link would prevent him from finding Marz. Only when he was very close, and knew the exact location of Tegol’s estate, could he then bring up the shield to protect him from further pain. Jade helped him to his feet, and once stating he was fine, approached everyone in the tavern, including Nicklar. They would need an army to defeat Tegol, and one way or another they would accomplish their feat.

Most of the tavern personnel that Erlic knew decided to give him aid, including Max. The guild master wasn’t sure about taking the senile alchemist, but if he could be of any assistance, his help would be appreciated.

The guild master gathered everyone from the tavern that was willing to travel, and soon everyone had gathered around the stables bringing out horses, and wagons for their trip. Erlic suggested to Noy that he come along since his martial arts would prove beneficial in fighting some of the thugs. Noy smiled, and bowed in the traditional eastern manner as he followed everyone out. Once Erlic had saddled his horse, he helped Jade on up behind him.

The group was soon on their way, and by now Erlic had lost the trace of the link. He could only hope that Marz would contact him soon so that he could better get a bearing on his location. The group was three quarters of the way there when Erlic received a mind message from Tristan stating he had found Marz, and that they were in a manor just outside the city, and that there were archers everywhere. Erlic already knew that information from hearing the men through Marz’s ears. Erlic stopped the group as he reigned in his bearings. He concentrated on the image Tristan had sent him, and carefully looked around. Although it was vague, and from a different viewpoint, Erlic soon realized the direction they had to travel. They would circumvent the city in its entirety by staying close to its walls. “Let’s go!” Erlic cried as the group headed out.

Fortunately the cover of night would give those adventurers accustomed to working in the dark an advantage over Tegol’s people. After a short moment, Erlic stopped the group, and looked around. “Leave the horses, and wagons here,” he whispered as he dismounted, telling everyone to wait. He moved silently through the trees focusing on the sound of a battle not too far away. Suddenly he spotted Tristan engaged in battle with a thug. The dragon plunged his sword through the man’s stomach ending his life, but Tristan failed to notice the silent figure slowly creeping up behind him. Within a heartbeat, Erlic was in motion running with a silence only the Ninja were accustomed to. Just as the thug was about to strike at Tristan, the dragon turned at the sound, and was ready to defend himself when suddenly the figure before him went limp, and fell to the ground with a dagger in his back. Tristan’s eyes looked up to see Erlic staring at him. The guild master grabbed his weapon, and cleaned it. He moved out into a clearing, and motioned the others to join him.

Val was first to reach the area, and noticed the injuries to Tristan. Erlic continued to look around as Darius moved off searching for any other opponents. He was quickly rewarded as a man appeared before him with his sword drawn. Darius quickly grabbed the man’s wrist, and held it as his other hand moved to his opponent’s neck, slamming him into a tree several times before he went unconscious.

Tristan more or less told Valhorek he didn’t need his help. “Good!” Val stated. “That way when we go to rescue Marz, you’ll collapse from blood loss. Is that what you really want?” Before Tristan even had a chance to answer, the healer started tending to his injuries. Valhorek had learned not to use herbs on the dragon for they acted differently as they did with humans. For now Tristan would have to live with the pain. At least he wouldn’t pass out.

Slowly, as a unit, Tristan led them to the area of Tegol’s manor where everyone huddled behind trees in total silence. Erlic scoured the area, and tried to devise some sort of plan. “Everyone wait here until you see the gate open,” he stated before donning a strange black mask, and heading out with deadly silence. During their trip he had donned his special Ninja weapons that would come to play during the battle. Under cover of darkness he made his way to the wall, and after a short deliberation, moved a bit farther away, and started to climb the walls effortlessly with the use of the Nekode. This was a dual-purpose ninja tool that consisted of a pair of straps or gloves fitted with spikes in the palm. Its primary purpose was to assist in climbing by jamming the spikes into cracks to give a better grip. Alternatively, the nekode could also be used to claw an opponent for considerable damage.

Just as the assassin reached the top of the wall, he carefully inched his head until he could get a better glimpse of the complex. Because he was dressed from head to foot in total black, it would be extremely difficult for anyone to notice his presence. The rooftops had several archers positions at various locations, and there were many men patrolling the grounds. He waited until no one was watching as he slipped over the wall, and made his way down, till he hit the ground in silence. He slammed his back against the wall as if invisible. Three men were in the vicinity of the gate, and he had to take them out quietly. He moved silently against the wall, blending in with its dark colors. He pulled out his shurikens, took careful aim, and suddenly had three men down on the ground. Erlic had taken the precaution of coating the blades of the shurikens with a special blend of scorpion venom, which would kill the men in short time. He continued to watch, and quickly pulled the bodies out of the way of anyone that might notice them. So far the men on the rooftops were content to continue to look towards the sky for signs of attacks. This gave Erlic the time needed to move toward the gate. Carefully, and as quietly as possible, he unlocked the gate, and slowly pushed it open.

“There!” Darius whispered out as the gate of the manor suddenly opened. Darius stayed behind as the rest of the group moved towards the wall, each getting their cue from Erlic upon when to enter. Darius kept lookout for any thugs that might be in the area before joining the rest of the group. Once inside the walls, he gave Jo a quick peck on the cheek. “Stay out of harm’s way,” he stated, keeping his eyes open for any signs of activity.

Once everyone was inside, Erlic motioned that there were several archers on the rooftops that he would try to take out. Tarlon quickly came to his aid, and asked if he could help. Erlic looked to Darius who merely nodded affirmation. The two quickly made their way around the buildings. Arcanum had also brought his elven bow, and was soon in another area of the complex. From his vantage point he spotted to archers, and quickly unleashed his arrows as they toppled to their deaths. From the other areas, Erlic let loose more shurikens killing two, while Tarlon did considerable damage with his arrows nearly taking out the rest.

Tarlon moved away and found a position behind a building where he could start firing more arrows at the enemy on the ground. Erlic moved away toward the others, and spotted Ravin. He quickly gave the man a “thumbs up” signal stating they were save from the archers. Ravin passed the word, and soon the group plowed into battle surprising the guards on patrol.

Matrix found himself fighting three thugs. He swung his massive broadsword as he quickly killed off his opponents. He quickly turned to find more men coming his way, and prepared for further onslaught.

Max, curiously enough, had remained quite silent during this whole altercation. One never knew what to actually expect from the crazy old alchemist, but this night, Max was very quite aware of his surroundings. He pulled out two small pebbles, and quickly hurled them into the middle of the compound. As soon as they hit the ground he uttered some arcane words, and when the smoke cleared, a ten-foot Cyclops could be seen standing, brandishing a huge club. Although it was only an illusion, the ferocity of the creature was enough to scare some of Tegol’s men into running away. It wasn’t until the mercenaries, a breed that was quite accustomed to such creatures, had engaged in battle, finding out it was only an illusion when their swords went right trough the mirage. The Cyclops finally evaporated, but it was enough of a scare to send the thugs running into the opposite direction, right into the adventurers awaiting swords.

Corum, during this interlude, decided to go looking for Marz. “You gotta keep your eyes open,” he stated to Yorik, whose gem like eyes started to glow a mysterious blue. The youth came face to face with two thugs who immediately proceeded to attack him. “It’s clobberin time!” he whispered to Yorik as he readied his staff. As soon as the men were close enough, he swung hard, and quick, knocking them on their ass. “You guys know where Marz is at?” he asked. Well, he never got an answer as they both got up, and rushed to attack him with an intense vigor. This time he defended himself as best as possible, and suffered minor cuts before he finally killed both of them.

Erlic had been moving silently throughout the complex gaining an advantage on as many of the enemy he could. He snapped the head of one, fought with another, and finally came up with a merc, who proved quite a seasoned fighter. After suffering a few cuts on his leg, and shoulder, Erlic managed to deliver a quick spin kick as he stunned the merc, just in time to throw a dagger at his neck ending his life forever.

He moved out for more prey.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Yup, real bloody


Author:
Marz and co.
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Date Posted: 16:45:32 05/15/02 Wed
Marz regained consciousness when a bucket of water was tossed in his face. At first he was too consumed with pain to say anything, but once he managed to push it to the back of his mind, he called Tomad a number of colorful names. The merc merely grinned then grabbed hold of his torn shirt, ripping it in half. Marz gritted his teeth as the man ran a calloused hand along the deep razor cut on his chest before it slid down to the front of his pants. "I'm gonna cut you into little pieces," Marz hissed when Tomad's hand tightened on his groin and squeezed unmercifully.

The ex-gang leader breathed a sigh of relief once Tomad released him and turned to face Tegol, who tapped his shoulder. "Let's stuff him with Tazreen," the crimelord said, rather gleefully. "It'll be great seeing him addicted since he's always been against drug use."

Tomad shook his head after glancing at the packet of Tazreen that Tegol waved before him. "If we feed him that shit now, it'll dull his pain. He won't suffer as much as you wanted him to."

A frown crossed the crimelord's face. "Well, that certainly won't do! We'll give him the drugs later IF I decide to let him live. He'd make a fine play thing for you and your men, and the other lonely mercs who like good-looking youths, don't you agree?" Tegol laughed when he saw a lewd smile creep across Tomad's face. "Now, get that information I want from him, before I lose patience."

While the merc and Tegol conversed, Marz sent a rather weak mind message to Erlic. A grin crossed his mouth when he learned that his sensai was on his way to rescue him. As he was about to tell Erlic to prevent Tristan from flying near the area because of the archers, Tomad bashed the club across his back. Renewed pain coursed through his body, and he winced softly but refused to cry out. "You shit eating bastard!" he shouted instead. That comment earned him another intense shock from one of the mages. The shackles bit deeply into his wrists as he pulled against them, and he felt blood trickling down his arms.

Marz slammed his eyes closed and tried to bury the pain that consumed him after Tomad grabbed his waist and kneed him in the groin a couple of times. "Tell me where we can find the new crimelord and Ravin Rue," he said, before leaning in close to nibble on his ear.

Marz shuddered involuntarily while trying to pull away from the merc, whose grip only tightened around his waist. He swallowed the bile that rose in this throat then glanced past Tomad to see someone rush up to speak with Tegol. A moment later the crimelord clapped his hands and giggled like a two year old. "My men have just shot down a dragon. I do hope they didn't kill him because I'd love to have a dragon as a pet!"

An immediate, blinding rage swept over Marz. His eyes flashed red just before a nearby table suddenly flew across the room, smashing into one of the mercs before he could get out of its way. The chain attached to the overhead beam snapped, making Marz fall against Tomad. Quickly, he wrapped the chain that ran between his wrist shackles around the merc's neck, but before he could choke the man to death the other mercs rushed forward. They pulled him away from Tomad, let him fall to the floor then proceeded to kick him until he lost consciousness again.

One of Tegol's mages cast a spell that would reveal any invisible assailants, but found no uninvited guests in the cellar. "How?" Tegol asked, glancing from the smashed table to the broken chain hanging from the ceiling beam. Both mages shrugged; they had no answer for the strange phenomenon that occurred.

The mercenaries replaced the broken chain with a new one then lifted Marz's bloodied and battered body from the floor none too gently. Once the ex-gang leader was secured again, Tomad tossed more water into his face. As soon as Marz opened his eyes, the sadistic mercenary slashed across his chest again with the razor, making the ex-gang leader jerk against his bonds. "You're going to pay dearly for trying to strangle me," the merc whispered. A nasty retort died on Marz's lips when Tomad's hand flew up to plunge a small knife into his arm. "Doesn't that feel good?" the merc asked, pulling Marz tightly against him while twisting the knife savagely.

"Rake you," Marz managed to whisper, his eyes gazed from the agony that enveloped him. Tomad laughed aloud then kissed him fiercely before pulling out the knife and reaching for the club. Marz coughed then heaved up blood after the merc slammed the weapon across his stomach a couple of times.

"DO NOT KILL HIM!" Tegol shouted when Tomad swung the club at Marz yet again.

*******


Ravin brought down four men with his throwing knives before drawing his sword. Dalo rushed up beside the thief, and together they fought off a number of thugs that came at them with chains and daggers. Dozens of rats and other small creatures came to their aid, summoned by the beastmaster. Ravin managed to plunge his blade into one man when he was taken off-guard by a squirrel biting his ankle.

Nicklar launched a fireball, setting ablaze a group of thugs that stood near the stable. The youths screamed in terror as they ran around in a panic trying to extinguish the flames that engulfed them. Flann stayed close to Nicklar, clearing a path with his axe while the mage continued to cast his spells. Magic missiles flew into the eyes of one merc, killing him instantly. The dwarf roared with anger when a thug managed to hit his shoulder with a chain. After yelling out a battle cry to the god Thor, Flann's mighty axe cut the ugly thug in half.

Carloz and Jake fought back-to-back, killing one foe after another. Although Jake's left arm bled profusely from a deep wound, he bravely fought on. He grinned when his newest assailant was knocked out by a rock that flew from Scat's sling. The PTOB gang sat upon the wall surrounding the grounds of the estate, using slings and darts to assist their friends.

After running out of throwing knives Tia pulled out her sword and moved to fight alongside of Justin. She fell to her knees when a dagger pierced the back of her thigh. Thankfully, Justin saved her life by blocking the sword that swept toward her neck at that moment. Tia turned in time to see another dagger come flying at her from a thug who hid near a tree several yards away. She flattened her body against the ground and grinned when the dagger flew over her and embedded itself into the leg of the mercenary that Justin was fighting.

Tia's grin widened when she saw Noy sneak up behind the thug by the tree and snap his neck as he was reaching for another dagger to throw. Her eyes followed Noy as he crept along like a shadow behind Tristan, who seemed intent on reaching the mansion in the distance. The petite thief cried out as she pulled the dagger out of her leg then launched the weapon at another merc, who came rushing toward her. When the man fell to his death, Tia got to her feet and jumped into the fray again.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Sometimes the dragon wins


Author:
Tristan
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Date Posted: 16:46:08 05/15/02 Wed
Tristan brought his sword up to block the initial thrust of the mercenary rushing toward him. The blade twisted in his clenched fist as he shoved it into the chest of the surprised man, directly through his heart, where it slid out through his back, piercing a lung as well. He didn’t pause to see the light die out of the merc’s eyes as he pulled his weapon free, bracing his hand against the man’s head before pushing the dead body out of his way.

They kept coming at him like that, and he kept killing them. They were far past stupid if they thought they could beat him by the sword, but then, they were only human, of course. One man thought to toss a dagger at his throat; he snapped it out of the air and sent it back where it came from, the look on his face not even registering the gurgled cry of the dying man.

He was too focused on reaching his destination to watch his back too carefully, though. Fortunately, he had Noyko dogging his footsteps. The little easterner was more skilled with his bare hands than a seasoned merc with two swords. So Tristan never had to worry about the occasional sword rising up from behind, ready to slice through his neck, because his little shadow always slipped out to snap the swordsman’s neck or collapse his windpipe before he even knew what had happened.

He moved through the compound with a feral gleam in his eyes, killing anything that thought to rise against him and impede his way. But his head snapped up a little and he blinked when he felt something stir within him, as if part of his soul were reawakening. Then he felt incredible pain in his legs, and in his chest, stomach, arms, even his head. He crouched down and growled, his eyes turning wild again. Marz had regained consciousness.

The pain washed away quickly after its initial presence, but he now felt a slight tug in one direction. He killed a few more enemies before he entered the manor, passing through a large room before descending a staircase. He was aware of Noyko still following him, so he whirled around quickly and hissed at the other youth.

“You mustn’t follow me here,” he ordered, though it sounded almost like a plea, he thought.

Noy shook his head. “I…”

“DO NOT KILL HIM!”

They both jumped at the slightly muffled voice screaming from the other side of the door at the bottom of the staircase. Tristan only growled at Noyko before turning and continuing downward, the former slave keeping pace several feet behind. A burning rage seared through Tristan’s entire body as he heard a weak string of curses flooding out in an all too familiar voice. The sounds of beating continued, but apparently Marz had either passed out again or become too weak to resist—though he had yet to actually give in and cry out from pain.

Tristan put his free hand on the door and opened it, the fire in his cold black eyes almost eerily out of place on his otherwise calm expression. Eight heads turned simultaneously to stare at him, two of which bore looks of actual recognition. The first came from Marz himself, his dazed eyes locking with Tristan’s piercing gaze as he fought to remain conscious. The other came from one of the mercenaries, who actually backed up a step and pointed at him in amazement.

“But…that’s the dragon!” He had been one of those who’d attacked Marz and Tristan on the outskirts of the city, but had turned and fled when his companions had become engulfed in dragonfire.

“Yes,” Tristan replied calmly, a downright nasty smile stretching over his thin lips. “I am the dragon.”

One of the men stepped forward, his eyes lighting up with an oddly displaced glee. “Take it alive!” he ordered. “And I shall have a dragon for a pet!”

Three of the mercenaries rushed at him immediately, the fourth remaining beside Marz while the two mages raised their arms above their heads, readying a spell each. The seventh man took several steps back behind the remaining mercenary, whom Tristan recognized from Marz’s earlier mental images as Tomad.

His feelings of rage and hatred lent him strength. He changed, ducking his head and furling his wings tightly against his back, almost twice as fast as he was usually capable of doing. As usual, the advancing fighters paused momentarily in either fear or simple awe before running forward again and fanning out, two to his left, the remaining one to his right.

Tristan ignored them, slinking forward like a lizard since the low ceiling prevented him from hopping or pouncing the way he usually did. He kicked at one of the mercs who took a swipe at his belly, the long talons of his hind claw goring into the man’s chest as he rolled away. He snapped at another when the man plunged his sword into his shoulder, his razor-sharp teeth closing around the unlucky mercenary’s elbow and ripping it off with one vicious twist of his snout.

He ignored the cries of the wounded man, as well as the pitter-patter feel of Noyko’s feet as the youth vaulted onto his back and hopped back down to do battle with the now wounded merc. The other two continued taking swipes at him, and one of the mages brought her arms down to send a lightning bolt stabbing into his chest. He roared deafeningly, making the walls and ceiling vibrate with sound, as pieces of wood and mortar rained down around them.

By now he was right before Marz, but his blazing red eyes weren’t focused on the battered body of his lover. He whipped his head around to glare down at the mercenary named Tomad, his lips curling back in a savage snarl to reveal his teeth once again. There was no fear whatsoever in the man’s face as he yelled loudly and raced toward the dragon, his sword held high in his hands. The blade cut into the side of Tristan’s striking head, making him shriek from pain. But at the same time his right claw came out to rake across the merc’s body, flinging him hard against the wall and knocking him out momentarily.

By now, two of the other mercs were dead by Noyko’s hands, though the one remaining besides Tomad was the only one Tristan hadn’t injured. The mages as well still lived, and Tristan growled again in pain as he felt another shock strike him full in the face, blinding him for several seconds. His ears pricked up when he heard a shuffling to his immediate left, and he whirled around and reached out with his claws, his talons ripping and snagging onto something, bringing it down to the ground. Finally, his vision started to clear, and he stared down at the writhing body of Tegol Denair, who was lying pinned beneath his talons like a moth on a scholar’s desk.

“We dragons do not make good pets,” he said, speaking directly into the mind of his frantically wriggling prey. He removed one claw to slowly rake his talons across the man’s body, making him convulse with screams of sheer pain. Tristan brought his head down closer to Tegol’s, until his hot breath burned the skin of the man beneath him. “But you will not live to regret your stupidity, I don't think.”

He opened his jaws to pin Tegol’s head between them, his teeth impaling the man’s temples. Very gently, he breathed out, his breath not intense enough to ignite flame, but just burning hot enough to roast the skin, muscle, and bone from the crimelord’s screaming face until there was nothing above his neck but a crumbled pile of black, sooty ash.

Tristan was torn away from his torment of the now dead Tegol Denair when he felt another shock strike him from behind. “Kill the mages!” he roared to Noyko, his body whipping around to pin down the remaining mercenary currently hacking at his left hind leg.

He was in the process of snapping the man in half with his jaws when he felt something deep inside him start to twist. His eyes actually widened in surprise when he saw the second mage finally bring his hands down, a brilliant white light shooting from his fingertips to strike Tristan and envelope his entire body.

Within seconds, the change came over him. Tristan’s roar of anger became a human scream as he fell back into his now bleeding human body. At that point, Noyko finally struck, diverting the attention of the second mage as he turned to see the easterner breaking the neck of the first.

Tristan shook his head, an intense vertigo washing over him as he tried to remain standing. The usual disorientation he felt when returning to human form was magnified ten times, both by the injuries he’d sustained and the fact that the change had been literally forced upon him by outside means.

He had only a second to raise his sword in defense against his last remaining foe. Tomad charged forward, having finally regained consciousness, and struck at the dragon, the two clashing blades sending sparks flying into the air. Tristan was weak and confused, but his body responded to the years of training it had undertaken, and he met the merc’s attack strike for strike. Tomad’s sword snuck once through his defense, slicing deeply across his stomach, though he managed to jump back before it could puncture any vital organs.

Tristan hissed like a snake, his eyes still blazing an unnatural red as he backed up a couple steps, his sword held ready and waiting behind his back as he slowly circled the larger man. He didn’t have to wait long. Tomad lunged forward again, unable to contain his rage for long to try to fight rationally. Tristan no longer fought like a dragon, snapping and tearing at anything that moved; he fought like a human, Odarin’s patient words trickling into his head, reminding him to remain calm, to forgo his emotions, to not let his passionate nature rule him.

He did just that, each block and parry becoming easier and easier, despite the fact that his body felt weaker with each step he took. And soon he was pushing against Tomad’s defenses, forcing the mercenary backwards and backwards, instead of the other way around. The man’s eyes opened wide in surprise when he felt his back bump against the wall. Tristan used the momentary pause to strike, his sword snapping forward with the speed of a viper as he plunged the blade into the man’s groin, making him howl in pure agony.

“For Eremis,” Tristan growled, a smile coming to his face when he saw the recognition the name brought light up the man’s tearing eyes. Tristan removed his sword and plunged it again into his belly this time, after first hacking off both his hands so that his own blade fell limply to the ground.

“For Marz,” he said. He withdrew his sword a third time and, grabbing a hold of the mercenary’s thick shoulder, stabbed it into his chest, burying the blade to the hilt as it grated against ribs and tore through the man’s heart and lungs, ending his life.

“That’s for me,” Tristan whispered, as he pulled his sword back and watched the dead man collapse to the ground. He stared at the body for several dull seconds before finally whirling around and staring at Marz. The next moment, he was racing towards him, his sword coming up to slice right through the metal chains binding the wrists of his badly beaten lover. He then actually dropped his beloved blade on the ground as if it were a scrap of metal, his arms reaching out to catch Marz’s broken body as he crumbled to the ground, now barely conscious.

“Marz!” he said, a sob catching in his throat as he cradled his lover in his arms, smearing even more blood on his already soaked clothing. He caressed the ex-gang leader’s face with one hand, his fingers stroking his sweaty hair lovingly. Tears started running down his cheeks as their gazes locked, Marz still fighting to remain conscious.

“Noyko, get the healer!” Tristan managed to say, his voice catching on another wracking sob. “You idiot,” he whispered, smiling somehow around his tears as he kissed him gently, mindful of the bruises dotting the ex-gang leader’s entire face, even his lips. “I love you. Don’t ever do anything like this again!”

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: The dynasty's end


Author:
Erlic & company
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Date Posted: 19:04:42 05/15/02 Wed
Horror has a face, and you must make a friend of horror. Horror, and moral terror are your friends. If they are not then they are enemies to be feared. They are truly enemies.

“You got that right Yorik!” Corum exclaimed as he bashed in the head of one of the mercs. They had captured Marz, and Marz was his friend, therefore, they were the enemy, and therefore he would show no mercy whatsoever.

Another of the thugs came running along, and he simply stabbed the man with the blunt end of the staff. As the thug bent over, Corum swung upward with Yorik, nearly taking the head off of his opponent. Damn, but this was fun.

On the opposite end of the court, Darius was playing with several mercs and thugs, diverting one, while killing another. He would move into buildings closing the door behind him, and then just as quickly opening the door only to bash it into the face of the oncoming thugs. “Idiots!” he exclaimed as he plunged his sword through their stomachs.

Arcanum was moving from one foe to another, easily manipulating their moves with his elven, and dwarven crafted swords. There was no time to think about later for they were in Tegol’s camp, and the sooner they eliminated Tegol’s men, the better off everyone would be.

Matrix had exploded into a berserker rage as he took on several thugs, and mercs at once, crying out to his god as he bashed heads, and severed limbs. Although he had numerous cuts, and gashes, the blood thirst was still within him as he continued to ravage any of the enemy that came before him.

From the distance, Tarlon continued to drop men to the ground anytime they got too close to his friends. Fortunately he managed to escape any direct injuries. He thought about his father during the entire battle, and how his father had taught him the art of the bow. Because of his dad’s persistence, Tarlon had become quite proficient with the weapon, preferring it to the sword he carried for emergencies only.

After a while, Erlic sheathed his sword, and started to fight with his Eastern martial arts, delivering kicks, hand attacks, and using his shurikens to disable the enemy. A voice from behind alerted him as he heard Noy yell. “Tristan and Marz need a healer quickly!” Val was engaged with an opponent, and Erlic made his way toward the healer. “GO!” Erlic yelled as he took the healer’s place in the battle. Val followed Noy as the youth yelled out, “everyone down there is dead except for Tristan and Marz!” Erlic was quite pleased to hear this bit of news. Tristan had managed to find Marz on his own, and probably ended the life of those holding the ex-gang leader. The young easterner’s exclamation made many of the men simply stop fighting, throwing down their weapons. If what the youth had stated was true, Tegol must be dead, and if that were the case, there would be no pay coming to them. The man facing Erlic thought about giving up, and as a last resort decided to try and take one more life. Erlic spotted the move as he quickly spun around, snapping the man’s neck with his leg.

The guild master quickly looked around, and noticed that the others were now gathering those unwilling to fight into one area. He quickly moved off in the direction Noy had gone to see if they might need his assistance. He spotted Noy, and the healer turn a corner, only to be followed by a merc that they hadn’t spotted. Erlic rushed forward turning the corner sharply, and grappled the man to the floor, delivering a sharp hand strike to his larynx. Another sword nearly swiped his head off as he caught the man’s wrist in his own hands, pulling hard, and using his feet as leverage to throw the man over him. The guild master was quickly on top of the opponent, grabbing his neck, and snapping it viciously. He quickly started to look around for any other opponents seeing Val, and Noy enter a room, and realizing they would now be safe.

******************


As soon as the healer entered the room he couldn’t believe the amount of damage that not only Marz had suffered, but Tristan as well. Between the amounts of blood that coated their bodies, it was extremely difficult to tell just who was the worse. As soon as he helped place Marz onto the ground, he could tell immediately that it would be a while before Marz even thought of leaving the hospice. A quick mental scan of the youth’s body noted some severe bone breaks, internal bleeding, as well as internal organ damage, and several concussions to the youth’s head. As he looked at Tristan, the dragon merely instructed the healer to care for Marz first.

Val didn’t need any further instructions as he drew on his mental psychic healing powers, stopping the internal bleeding before it ravaged the youth of his life. The healer worked quickly, but with deadly accuracy. Although he had mastered several professions, healing was the one he was most concerned, and devoted with. He had acquired knowledge from every corner of the world, and used that knowledge on all of his patients. Even now, he realized that the youth’s internal damage was quite severe, and he quickly started mending the damaged organs with his mental powers. He ignored Tristan’s queries as he continued to work on the youth. “Noy!” he called out. “Have someone bring a wagon to the door. They’re going to need to be transported back to the tavern where I can work on them safely.” With that Valhorek continued his labors for a goodly amount of time before he felt secure enough in the knowledge that Marz would make the journey back safely. Although Tristan grumbled something under his breath, Val tended to him somewhat, stopping any of the internal bleeding he had suffered from.

*******************


When Noy came running out, Erlic spotted him, and after being told the news followed the youth back to the campgrounds. The battling had ceased altogether, and for that, Erlic was thankful that no more blood would be shed this evening, at least by his friends. He spotted Ravin, and motioned him over. The two re-entered the main building, and started to explore the walls for any safes. If this was one of Tegol’s estates, then there was a good probability that there would be some important documents, as well as money lying around. The two thieves worked conscientiously, both finding a different wall safe at the same time. The traps were disengaged, with Erlic finding some documents, which he stuffed into his sack, and Ravin finding money, and gems. After further exploration they decided that there was nothing more to be found. They quickly moved to the area where Marz had been held hostage, and looked at the damage. The guild master recognized the one known as Tomad, as well as the disfigured body of Tegol. “All this because Tegol believed a crime lord was on the rise,” Erlic mentioned. “He couldn’t leave well enough alone.” The two searched through the bodies, taking whatever they deemed necessary. When they were finished, they joined their friends outside just as Valhorek was carrying an unconscious Marz to the wagon, while Noy helped Tristan, despite the dragon’s refusal.

As everyone prepared to leave, Erlic turned to those that had given up the battle. “Tell whomever you want that there never was a crime lord,” Erlic began. “It was just the whim of a madman named Tegol. Now get out before I change my mind, and leave your weapons behind.”

With that the small remaining group fled the estate. Erlic joined his friends, and helped Jade up onto the horse. Now he was tired but although he didn’t think there would be any further attacks, he had to remain vigilant until they returned to the tavern.

The journey met with no resistance, and the group filed into the tavern, with Valhorek carrying Marz, and Darius helping Tristan. Both of them were placed on separate cots next to each other. Val started his arduous work of healing Marz of his wounds. He continued his processes on the internal organs, then on to the concussions in the youth’s head, followed by the broken kneecaps, and then the various gashes, and cuts the youth had suffered. The healer still could not figure out how in the world someone such as Marz, could possibly take so much of a beating. Yes, he had worked on the youth before, and in some instances the damages were nearly devastating, but nothing like he witnessed now. Fortunately, he was left alone with the exception of Foran who aided him in the restoration of Marz.

Tristan’s damages weren’t as severe but still needed tending. Valhorek didn’t even bother to listen to the protestations of the dragon but merely continued his work along with that of Foran. When the elf started to place an herbal remedy on the dragon’s neck wound, Valhorek immediately stopped him, and explained that Tristan had a severe reaction to herbs, to simply disinfect the wound, and to bandage it properly. Foran was a bit shocked at the news but followed Val’s instructions.

The two healers were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief once all the major injuries had been tended to. Valhorek managed to slip an herbal concoction down Marz’s throat so that the youth’s body could start healing itself properly. Foran suggested that he treat the others that needed healing. The elf went to the common room, and started to tend to the wounds the others had sustained, taking careful aims to insure a good job. He knew that Val was the head healer, and that he was merely an assistant, but he also realized that he had found a place worthy of his services here at the tavern. It was a most unusual group, but he enjoyed the work nonetheless.

Val realized that Marz healed quickly, but after the series of injuries he had sustained, Val doubted the youth would be walking soon. Tristan on the other hand might be laid up a day or two at the most, while he figured that Marz would be staying here for quite sometime.

“I stay hear to watch, and protect,” Noy stated as he pulled up a chair to sit next to Tristan’s cot. Val simply smiled at the easterner. “You simply let me know if there’s any change, all right?” Noy simply nodded; content to remain with the dragon, of which he had considered himself a slave to.

When the Val approached the table, he informed everyone that Marz, and Tristan would be fine. Foran had just finished up with the last patient as Val sat down, and ordered a whiskey. The rest of the group where engaged in their meals, and it seemed they were quite happy knowing that the threat of Tegol had finally come to an end.

Erlic had pulled out the papers he had gathered from Tegol’s estate, and started to read what they contained. He noted an address of a certain location, and questioned Ravin about it. The younger thief thought a moment, and simply stated that that particular location was situated near the docks, a bunch of buildings simply used for storage. When Erlic explained the contents of the building, a vast assortment of drugs, Ravin’s eyes lit up. “Perhaps we should pay the place a visit,” Erlic stated, mirroring Ravin’s own smile.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Last minute situation


Author:
Erlic & Darius
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Date Posted: 17:44:10 05/16/02 Thu
Darius was enjoying his stay at the table along with Jo. It had been a long arduous day, and he looked forward to spending some quality time with his beautiful young lady, and student. Before Jo had left, however, he was asked if he wanted to engage in one final activity by Ravin, and Erlic. The merc simply smiled, and nodded his agreement. He turned to Jo, who was about ready to leave. “I’ll try not to be late,” he stated. “But I’ve got to do this, and from what Ravin and Erlic tell me, it shouldn’t be too dangerous. If I walk in, and you’re asleep, I’ll simply let you be. If, however, you’re still awake………” He let the thought hang as Jo smiled with appreciation, giving him a kiss before heading toward her room. He would definitely look forward to a good night’s rest, well maybe not a good rest, but a very pleasant, and stimulating evening, or morning for that matter.

To Erlic, it appeared that although Ravin was tired, he still had some energy left, especially when it concerned burning down a warehouse full of drugs. One of the many problems plaguing Bizmar was the use of drugs, especially by the now deceased Tegol, who primarily used them to keep several of his members allied to him by getting them hooked, and thus having to work for him for their daily fix.

The guild master was sure that it had been a very lucrative business, and that Tegol had made a good some of money on the trade. But for now, it was best that they rid the city of at least one location, or in this case, one source of the addicting drugs. Too many people that had been caught in the onslaught of daily pressures, wound up turning to these alternate forms of medicine simply to rid themselves of life as they knew it, only to be caught up in a whirlwind of another, and more costly problem. Perhaps some of the people didn’t know how to cope with life in general, and turned to the alternate substances as a way out. Perhaps it was a poor excuse, but maybe for a moment, they found a bit of reprieve. Unfortunately, once addicted, there was no turning back, and the extra work needed to come up with the money for these drugs usually took its toll on the common person especially.

Erlic, Ravin, and Darius sat around making quick plans. They agreed to take the wagon from the stables, some oil, and simply sneak into the place, set fire to it, and then leave. It sounded plausible enough even if there were some men there, which could easily be disposed of. The group nodded towards each other, and started to head out. Erlic stopped by Jade, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I have some unfinished business to attend to, but I will return, in time I hope, for my payment.” He was rewarded with a smile from the exotic mage, as she kissed him.

The three men walked out to the stables, prepared the wagon, loaded it with oil, and headed out for the location Erlic had read about. Ravin seemed to know where it was situated, and they followed his lead. Within no time they arrived at their destination. The three fighters/thieves watched from their vantage point taking in their surroundings. A few men could be seen walking around, but considering these warehouses were situated near the dock, it was quite understandable to have some amount of activity. Erlic told everyone to wait while he had a look around. He moved quickly about the shadows making sure no one saw him. He came to a side door, and quickly searched for traps. He spotted not one, but three, and quickly disabled them. Obviously they had come to the correct warehouse considering how well it had been trapped. He picked the lock, and carefully opened the door a crack. Some voices could be heard in the distance, and he slowly made his way toward them. Moving with stealth, he finally came upon two men sitting at table playing cards. Obviously they were either waiting for someone, or simply guarding the place. Erlic rushed toward the table, and before they could do anything, snapped the neck of the first man, and then raised his leg, and kicked at the other unsuspecting individual. Knowing of Ravin’s empathy, he moved the bodies out of the way, and when he felt the place was secured, returned to the doorway, and signaled for the others.

They quickly poured the oil over the contents inside the warehouse. They let the oil settle a bit as they explored the area to see what items of value they could find. Ravin chanced upon another moneybox, this one filled with coins, and gems, and worth a lot of money. “Drug money,” the younger thief exclaimed. “Maybe we can put it to better uses.” The others had to agree with him. Erlic came across some items he hadn’t expected to find, an assortment of various poisons. Possibly the poisons were to be re-located at another time, but that didn’t matter to him now. He swiped what he could take, and carefully placed them in his sack. Being an assassin, and knowing the value of poisons, he could easily use the confiscated goods for a better purpose. Darius happened to find some papers. “These papers indicate some of Tegol’s other establishments, how much payment is due, and what days to collect.” He stuffed the papers in his tunic. When they decided there was nothing left to search, they made their way to the door, and checked to see if there were any people around. Ravin gave Erlic a thumb's up, and the assassin quickly lit the fire. Once he was sure it had started, the group made their way back to the wagon, and rode off, stopping once they were far enough away.

They sat, and watched as the building caught fire, flames spreading through the wood, and the now oil soaked items inside the building. By this time there would be no feasible way to put out the fire. Each of the men took a swig of the flasks, before heading back toward the tavern. The trip back was without incident, and once they arrived, stabled the horses, and returned to have another drink. They were quite happy with their achievements. Darius handed over the papers to Erlic, deciding it was best for him to make any further plans. They toasted each other on a job well done.

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