Path: usenet.ee.pdx.edu!cs.uoregon.edu!sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!not-for-mail From: guido@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de (guido roessling) Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.archives Subject: STORY: Qelrik part 24 Followup-To: rec.games.frp.misc Date: 14 Apr 1994 07:45:47 -0400 Organization: UUNET Technologies Inc, Falls Church, VA, USA Lines: 112 Sender: smm@uunet.uu.net Approved: smm@uunet.uu.net Message-ID: <2ojadb$rob@rodan.UU.NET> NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net *************************************************************************** This story is a collaboration of seven people: one German, two Canadians and four Americans. Comments about particular characters should be forwarded to their character's "owners": Finn Ambrose - Sheryl Ann Galchutt* - fi48@sol.acs.unt.edu Gernodt - Guido Roessling - guido@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de Dahlarin - Brent Hughes - bhughes@student.business.uwo.ca Kyle - J.E. Mason - jempci@borg.cis.rit.edu Fox - Barbara French - bcfrench@mailbox.syr.edu Will appear in future chapters: Gladrial - Jennifer Immel - bhughes@julian.uwo.ca Sir Percy - Bret Rudnick - rudnick@cfatrw.harvard.edu For missing chapters etc., send a mail to guido@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de *************************************************************************** ***************************************************************************** This series is the result of the cooperation of two American, two Canadian and one German student which started in the alt.pub.cloven-shield. We hope that you enjoy the stories! Questions, comments etc. are welcome -- just send a mail to guido@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de , and you'll get a reply as soon as possible. Credits for the posts go to Sheryl Ann Galchutt, Jennifer Immel, Brent Hughes, John E. Mason, and myself (Guido Roessling). ***************************************************************************** Meanwhile, at a farm nearby =========================== Kyle could not get the events which happened at the Cloven Shield out of his head during breakfast. It did not occur to him until he was half way home that the mysterious woman not only spoke well of him, though she didn't know him, but that she actually *touched* him. He couldn't wait to get back to Cloven Shield. His heart fell to his stomach when his father announced over breakfast that they had to load the wagon with goods to be delivered to a neighboring village. Kyle knew such a trip would take most of the day. Sure enough, they returned home just as the sun was setting. While at the village, his father chose to barter with the purchaser for some tea and other goods which were not grown or made locally. Kyle jested with his father that he was becoming more like a trader than a farmer. His mother had supper waiting for them, and his father said to unload the wagon after they had eaten. Both parents marveled at how fast he ate. Shortly after dark, he was directing his brothers in the unloading of the wagon (he was no dummy). He had them unload the wagon in record time. Just as he was preparing to go to the inn, his mother came out of the house. "Oh, Kyle," she called, "Wes came by today..." For a brief moment, Kyle was filled with dread. Had Wes told her about the mysterious woman at the Cloven Shield? If so, he would never be able to go there. Wes seemed intent on keeping her away from him. He'd have to think of something fast. "...He said that he's running low on tea, and needs more to satisfy his patron's requests. So take one of the cartons you so thoughtfully had your father barter for today, and deliver it to Cloven Shield." Kyle's heart leaped into his throat, he couldn't believe it! Having lost his voice, he simply nodded to his mother that he would do so, and loaded the tea onto the wagon. His mother smiled, turned, and walked back into the house. Kyle thought he saw her eyes sparkle for just a moment. What had Wes told her? It seemed to take forever to get to the Cloven Shield. Kyle had to fend off his brothers from coming--he didn't want their interference tonight. When he finally arrived, he unloaded the tea from the cart and carried it to the inn. Around the side of the tavern, a pair of eyes watched him intensely from the darkness. He carried the tea inside and placed it on the counter directly in front of Wes. "Here's the tea you asked for," Kyle told Wes, failing to read anything from the barkeep's expression. "About time, too," Wes replied with a wink to show he was teasing. "Wait here." Wes disappeared into the kitchen. Kyle looked around the tavern. The local customers were there, of course. He spotted the mysterious woman sitting at a table with the same two men she was with before dawn. He contemplated what type of approach he should make in greeting her again--one which would not make him appear childish or foolish. He began to sweat. He was never this shy around people, but she seemed to have an effect on him. He knew he had to get over this shyness, and was determined to do so. ******************************************************************************* Next Time: Kyle rejoins the others... ****************************************************************************** -- Guido Roessling guido@rbg.informatik.th-darmstadt.de -------------------------------------- Do not follow me, I might not lead. Do not lead me, I might not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.