VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, [5], 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 20:57:55 02/04/02 Mon
Author: Erlic Eastlore
Subject: There is someone
In reply to: Laurel 's message, "Precarious?" on 11:16:18 02/04/02 Mon

“You have often displeased me, ma’cheri. But I have never found you distasteful.”

Erlic wasn’t sure how he had ever displeased Laurel, but he took it on good faith that she was probably right. At least she hadn’t found him distasteful, and perhaps that was an encouraging beginning for the two of them. How he would manage in the future he had no idea, but would basically take any hints, that is if he could even read them, from Laurel, and hoped he did his best.

From her demeanor, he must have done something correctly for she smiled at him as she sat back, and patted his arm absently. She looked to be deep in thought, and the guild master could only wonder, and that was about as far as he could take it, considering he didn’t know how to read the emotions of the feline gender, just exactly what she might have been thinking.

While it was true he could read the emotions of those with whom he fought with, with those fellow assassins he had traveled with, and with others that he had adventured with, he could never, probably because he never had the time to contemplate it, read the sentiments of women. As far as his relationships in the past were concerned, they had always revolved around the abilities, such as fighting, picking locks, killing, etc., of his fellow travelers, and never ventured past that point. Although rare, he did find rare occasions when he did find a woman with whom he knew relatively well, and that was only because of his extensive traveling with the person, and usually wound up bedding her. But that was as far as the relationship went. No more, and no less. But now he was faced with a more difficult dilemma, and that was to try and understand how Laurel thought, and acted, and what those actions could possibly be interpreted as.

“I think, whenever you next get the chance, that you should go and have a little chat with your good friend Ravin. Ask him what it was he was doing with me by the pond’s edge earlier, and then perhaps you can learn from his example.”

Laurel’s comment was masked with diverse innuendos, and he looked at her rather questioningly, but briefly before his regular demeanor took over. This form of insight took the guild master totally by surprise, but the reaction didn’t quite show on his face, except possibly in a questioningly manner. What it did do was trigger the registering of a thought process. He remembered, when he was trying to hunt down the assassin, running into both Laurel, and Ravin who had been huddled on the ground. His eyes had never looked at them for he was too intent on making sure of their safety, while keeping his eyes glued to the area for any signs of assassins. After he had announced his warning, he had simply gone forward in search of the assassin, never having any idea of what was transpiring, if anything, between Ravin, and Laurel.

Could that have been the answer then? Was Laurel intrigued by Ravin, and not actually with him? If that were the case, perhaps she was simply being kind toward him, instead of outwardly telling him she wasn’t interested. As Erlic thought back over the past nights, he did recall Laurel, and Ravin getting together, with the druid instructing his friend on the arts of writing, and reading. Perhaps Ravin had already made an impression on Laurel, and she was happy with that. Obviously, it was another sign that Erlic had failed to notice, but at least she had explained to him, albeit not fully, of her obvious interest in the thief. Perhaps it was best that Erlic simply remain friendly with the druid since her interests lay elsewhere. Of course, he wouldn’t bother Ravin with the question that Laurel posed, for the man had too much on his mind at the moment. It was best that Ravin learned to live with his hardship his own way.

So then why the charade? Was this game necessary in life? Couldn’t one simply speak what was on their mind, rather than lead someone into a false sense of thinking? He really didn’t think that Laurel would be that way, but then he had to remind himself that he didn’t know her very well. He resigned himself to the thought of letting the woman decide for herself what it was in life she wanted.

Both conversations were interrupted by a very loud MRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOW!

Erlic looked down to see Mikoshi totally drenched from head to toe, and wondered how on earth the cat had managed to get itself wet considering cats were not aquatic creatures. From Laurel’s conversation with the cat, it seemed that Rowan had played a big part in getting the cat wet. “Oh, be a dear, Erlic, and fetch a dry cloth, would you?”

The guild master got up, and found a cloth for the druid to use. After handing it to Laurel, he decided to sit down next to the druid, rather than leave the area. As he watched Laurel dry off the cat, a faint buzzing emitted from an area in his backpack. Erlic realized immediately it was the two-way communication mirror he carried, and rather than find cover so that Laurel couldn’t hear what was transpiring, he decided that since she was a member of the guild, as well as a friend, to let her into his circle of confidence.

He pulled out the mirror, pressed the button on its backside, and was instantly rewarded with a very badly bruised Dalo. It was then that Erlic became aware of Laurel glancing at the mirror as the guild master listened intently at the beast master’s story, already starting to shut out the sounds, and world around him. Every detail that Dalo had mentioned became engraved in his mind, especially that concerning Tegol, and what he had done to one of his men, and friends.

The subject of Eremis missing, but still alive, was one he hadn’t counted upon. This led to a new array of unforeseen problems. Eremis knew most of those that were currently traveling within the group, but of special concern were Ravin, Marz, and himself, and that posed a serious problem for them here in Neromba.

It wouldn’t be difficult for Tegol to hire, and find any mage that had traveled to Neromba, teleport his group there, and be on the lookout for them. Tegol had already tried to kidnap Marz, but his attempt had been thwarted, which only made the crime lord hate the supposed new crime lord that resided at the Medieval Tavern, and that person had been himself. How Tegol had even thought that he could possibly be a crime lord was lost to the guild master. But Tegol had an obviously strange way of thinking, and there was nothing Erlic could at the moment regarding the man.

There was also the situation between Tegol, and Ravin Rue. His fellow thief had been a thorn in Tegol’s side for many, many years, and he was sure that Ravin’s name was high up on Tegol’s list of those that should be found dead, including his own. Ravin had done a splendid job of keeping a low profile without anyone knowing his true identity. Now all of that would be lost.

“Be careful Dalo,” Erlic cautioned, both as friend, and as guild master. “Keep yourself alive, and watch your back. Keep me posted if you find out anything else.” Dalo nodded before ending the communication.

Erlic returned the mirror to his backpack, took a long swig of wine, before staring at the distance. His mind a whirlwind of activity as he slowly went though every detail the beast master had explained to him. Forgotten at the moment were Laurel, and her close proximity to him. Now, more than ever, Erlic wanted Tegol dead, but for the moment, could do nothing, until factual facts became known to them.

He realized immediately that everyone that traveled within the group, with the exception of the Jann, would have to be notified of this danger. He felt the burden of everyone’s safety on his shoulders, for if Tegol tried anything simply because they were associated with Marz, Ravin, or himself, he would not forgive himself. There was still time before, and this was a presumption, Tegol and his men arrived, if that was their intention, at Kazabet’s castle, for it would have to be there they would go since it was the last place Eremis had visited.

He thought of the young healer, and how Eremis had shown an interest in learning. But unfortunately, bad luck ran with the youth as he found himself drowning himself in alcohol, and never facing up to his fears. He could see how someone of Tegol’s nature could possibly torture, or perhaps drug Eremis, into getting all the necessary information, since that was the crime lord’s modus operand, keep everyone strung along on drugs so they would have to rely upon his aid.

The whereabouts of the guild was still a secret, and that was something Erlic was especially thankful for. There were too many good people there who didn’t need to be involved in some idiot’s plan for total supremacy. There was enough business in Bizmar for Tegol to worry about, but no, the fool had to believe that because one of his men, namely Marz, had left his organization, that it only meant that another crime lord had risen in power, when the actual truth of the matter was that Erlic had agreed with Marz to teach him, and nothing more.

For this purpose Erlic had done absolutely nothing to Tegol in thwarting any of the man’s business. But it was Tegol who had hired a doppelganger to take the place of Marz, and steal the real Marz off. It was Tegol who had the youth kidnapped to an island to be tortured. Since Marz had been his student, the guild master owed allegiance to the youth, and did his best to re-capture his own student. Had Tegol simply left their lives alone, none of this would be happening. Even Donal, the wise, and probably smartest of the crime lords, knew better than to interfere in anything, especially if someone wasn’t interfering in their business.

He found himself turning, and facing Laurel’s eyes staring at him. He forced a smile, which never came, as concern creased his features. He turned away gazing at the distance once again. He would have called a meeting immediately but considering the events of the past hour, decided against it. Marz was injured. He had seen Ravin staggering into a tent, and from the looks of the thief, he needed sometime to himself. For now everyone would have to rest, and gather his or her strength. Once that was done, Erlic would call a meeting of the adventurers, and lay out exactly what had transpired.

The guild master realized that he was slowly starting to get angered, and quickly closed his eyes, and concentrated on his breathing, willing himself to become calm, and collected. It was pointless to become enraged for that led to absolutely nothing. Somehow, or someway, he would see Tegol dead, and not because of an act of vengeance, rather, an act of necessity.

He finally opened his eyes, feeling somewhat calmer. Now came the thought process of what was to come. He would need Ravin’s help above all. The man had a very unique mind, and was capable of using strategy to his good fortune. Actually, everyone’s help would be needed, however Ravin was the best Erlic had ever come across. The man was quick, and constantly thinking, and always had some form of back-up plan constantly available to him.

But there was time for that later. Erlic took another long swig of wine, slowly resorting to his old, and comfortable self, one that he knew all too well.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Forum timezone: GMT-6
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.