Subj : BATH: Move 13f- Another old friend.... To : All From : sstubbs@shout.net Date : Sun May 21 2000 04:07 pm From: Stephen Stubbs Subject: BATH: Move 13f- Another old friend.... [Mel] Mel, who had been getting out his lute while Fiera told her tale, chokes. "Illusion and glamoury," he says milking all the resonance he can out of his light tenor. "What is real, and what is merely the reflection?" He strikes a chord on his lute, and sings: OOC: We'll insert Mel's melody and verse at this point when it becomes available. -------------------------------------------------------------------- [Ballerinara] s> Intently watching Jana's face, Ballerinara finishes. "For two s> years I've been running and living in constant fear of your uncle and s> his desire for vengence. Are you going to pick up where he left off s> and continue this insane Avenger of Blood quest?" [Jana] It is a moment before Jana can speak over his tears. "No, I am not your enemy. I saw his face, heard his voice and I believe you." "Once when my brother lost a prized lamb at a gathering the trail led straight to the camp of a member of another clan. He was ready to challenge when Uncle Chad asked if he could go over the ground first. He found where a wildcat had killed the animal and cached what it had not eaten nearby. The rest of the trail was of a different sheep. That he would trail the killer of his kin to the ends of the earth I would believe. That he would not ask questions first does not fit. He must have been under a spell from that place of accursed magic. Just another victim of it like myself, and like you." He looks at her levelly, through the unheeded tears. "I am sorry. It seems we have a common enemy. This I will tell my clan should I meet them again... I just hope they believe me." "Yes, perhaps your uncle was under some glamour," agrees a quiet, subdued Ballerinara. "I am grateful we are not enemies, and doubly grateful for any words you may speak on my behalf to your clansmen. There has been more than enough anger and bloodshed for anyone's lifetime." "You know," whispers Ballerinara as she listens to Mel's song, "your bard does have a very light, almost feminine touch to his music. Could it really be Mallaoriana? Their styles and musical phrasing are identical." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Fiera] > the two of us have ever shared, if you know what I mean. There was no > doubt in my mind that he was Bas and I was Fiera, old comrades in arms. [Bas] Bas looks gravely at Fiera. ''There is one thing, perhaps, that can determine the difference. What did 'Bas' tell you of the night we last saw each other, in Tilverton?'' Fiera replies immediately: "We were on a mission to Tilverton to deliver a final trade offer to the Mayor. After concluding our business with the Mayor, we went to find an inn. On our way to the Fighting Cock Inn, we were attacked by some 20 thugs. Bas was struck down by a mace blow to the back of his head, and it was all I could do to fight my way clear. I said a prayer for his soul as I ran for our other companions and got them safely out of Tilverton. For I had noticed that one of the Mayor's guardsmen were among our attackers. It was vile treachery, and I had to get back to my King to report, or countless other lives would be lost. I lit a candle for Bas in the chapel at court, and laid his ghost to rest until last night." "For Bas came to me last night and told me his tale. These were his very words, (rather than retyping and paraphrasing) 'I was knocked out, and awoke later to find myself moneyless, but still with my weapon. Fiera was gone, and I could not afford an inn, even for a night. That night was the first of many for me spent in an alley. The next day, I sold my quarterstaff to get money for food. I did not know how to get around the city, but eventually I learned. But while I learned, I needed to pass the time. Twenty years I spent in a beer-soaked hell, a drunkard in Tilverton. It took the entirety of the twenty years to figure out that I should move on. Twenty years of robbery, drinking, and watching helplessly as some street urchin, innocent bystander, or even a baby had their throat slit from ear to ear. I wear grey now Fiera, to indicate the balance achieved in those alleys. Never was there a life not deserving of survival, no matter the severity of their crimes. The weak were destroyed, and the strong were pulled down with them. Anyways, I finally realized that if I really wanted to, I could pull myself out of this hole, and indeed, I could continue my life where I left it. So I did. I decided to go home, with a few detours to visit places I had heard about during my street tenure.' 'As I was making my way to Mulmaster, I stumbled upon the barbarian's camp and overheard their plans to attack you and kidnap Princess Ballerinara. So here I am, thrilled to see you again and to warn you about the barbarians.' That was the story Bas told me last night. How does it match with yours?" inquires Fiera to the Small Folk Bas. OOC: Andrew, the Bas Calinban Fiera met last night was the 'real' Bas. And the Small Folk Bas is also the 'real' Bas. Any further queries you have for Fiera will produce exactly the same information you know to be accurate and 'real'. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Fiera] > involved, who can be certain of anything except mages? But you also > claim that you were Bas at yesterday morning, when I am certain I was > with the real Bas last night, and it wasn't you. How can this be? [Avdivak] At this remark, Avdivak perks right up, "This may be our clue, if there are two of you one surely cannot be the real one, but we, we are strangers, i do not know who my traveling companions are, we met by coincidence or perhaps not but i know if they meant to harm me, they would have. This earns them my respect, in the thought of those i can trust" [Bas] ''As for me, I am convinced I am the real Bas. And since I have never met another making the same claim, I think that is enough proof of my identity,'' Bas shoots back angrily. Bas grits his teeth. He likes Fiera and is overjoyed to see her again, but he remembers that sometimes she could be a bit dense. ''It is because I say it is, it is because you supposedly would stake your life upon trusting me, and it is because any one of my companions will tell you a tale akin to mine. You must believe me Fiera, for I te--'' Bas stops in shock as a person comes around the turn in the road, asleep and riding pony. ''Lyrianth,'' he whispers. OOC: < You can toss turns at me, I think it only fair to do the same, eh? <> GM OOC: Sure, why not. :) BIC: Fiera follows Bas' shocked gaze to see Lyrianth riding along the road. "Lyrianth, wake up and get over here. Why are you not with Bas and the others at the barbarians' camp?" Lyrianth startles awake and pulls her pony up beside Mel and Ballerinara. She dismounts and curtsies to Ballerinara, "My Lady, good news! Bas Calinban has captured the remaining barbarian and holds him prisoner back at our camp. He has sent me ahead with the news and says it is safe for you and Fiera to return." -- |Fidonet: sstubbs@shout.net |Internet: ad&d@conchbbs.com | | Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly his own. | Conch, Net 106's Public Access Internet Gateway --- # Origin: (1:106/357.99) * Origin: ConchGate (1:106/357.0) .