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Date Posted: 12:42:18 02/10/02 Sun
Author: Corum & Erlic
Subject: A quick response
In reply to: Isobel 's message, "Yearning to help" on 20:46:30 02/09/02 Sat

Corum looked at Barry try and head off one of the female centaurs only to be avoided…..again. He returned to Corum’s side, and floated next to him complaining about how some women simply didn’t appreciate what he had to offer.

"Hey Chief... Yorik any good at predictin' the future? Cause it'd sure be handy to know when those soddin' assassins and thugs were gonna hit next. Not to mention when I'm gonna get a good rubdown next."

Corum simply laughed at Barry. “If Yorik could predict the future, don’t you think I would have asked him about when I might…….” He let the words trail off. He wished he was more like Barry, and just taking control of things rather than being such an….an idiot at times. How many times had Marz explained to him hat he simply had to take matters into his own hands and deal with them. Corum didn’t feel that was the right way, but then again maybe he was wrong. Barry certainly had no problems, except when it came to being turned down.

He shook his head, and continued. “I wish Yorik could, then we wouldn’t be having any of these problems, now would we?” He seemed to smile a bit knowing that only time would allow him to change, and all he had to do was wait a bit. “Speaking of time,” Corum stated. “It looks like the centaurs are almost ready to go. I’ve got to get my backpack, and my tent as well. I’ll catch you later.”

Corum retrieved his backpack, and went over to the tent. He announced the magic word, and the tent was once again the size of a pebble. He placed it in a safe place making sure he was ready to head off for these ruins. He wondered just how Eremis was managing now that he had been captured. From all the stories he had heard from Marz, one either died quickly, or was taken on a wild ride with the drugs Tegol provided. Not a good sign whatsoever.

***************


Erlic realized the nature of Ravin, and his deep concern for the Rovers. He only hoped that Dalo had understood his message to quickly get to the Rovers camp, and notify them of the possible impending danger.

Ravin’s anguish hurt him deep down, but he never showed an outward appearance of that hurt. Once, and only once, had he ever gotten truly mad, and that spectacle shocked many people. Erlic was usually quiet, reserved, or as Isobel put it, Senior Frio. He had finally learned the true nature of the word, which loosely translated to Mr. Cold, and obviously had to live with that title. Perhaps he seemed that way, cold, uncaring, and never revealing any outward emotion. He had learned how to deal with circumstances in his own inevitable way, always by himself, and never sharing any grief, or happiness for that matter, with anyone else.

He was twelve at the time, and visiting one of the nearby villages with his mentor. Everything would have been fine, except that one of the samurai had taken a little girl, and backhanded her for what appeared to be no reason, other than the girl hadn’t bowed when he passed. By this time he had seven years of training, and could have possibly killed the man. He had seen the action, and before his mentor could do anything, he was screaming, and running, as he lunged at the samurai. Erlic had managed to get in several blows for what he had done to the girl, but his mentor had managed to pull him off, rebuking him for his actions. Erlic was forced to apologize to the samurai, and do one week’s work of service under the man, which made him hate the man even more. He was sixteen when the samurai finally met with a violent death. It was the only time he had lost his temper. His mentor had explained how important it was to hold all emotions, and feelings in at all times, regardless of the circumstances.

Mai Lan was her name, and Erlic saw to it she was never harmed again. She was an orphan, and would be turned over to whoever wished to buy her for a reasonable amount once she turned the age of sixteen. Once he had managed to accumulate enough money, and make a name for himself in the western world, he had taken a trip back to his homeland to pay his respects to his dead mentor. During that visit he stopped to visit Mai Lan who was now about to turn sixteen. She hugged him briefly, letting him know that she had various visitors inquiring about her welfare, and how the owner of the orphan had suggested the various jobs that would be offered to her.

Erlic had merely smiled at Mai Lan, and assured her that he had the perfect job for her. Seeing the confusion on her face, he simply smiled, and returned to the owner of the orphanage. He bought her right then, and there without any questions asked. The owner had owed him several favors for some actions he had performed in the past. He winked at the older woman who simply smiled at him. “You take care of child,” she had stated. Erlic simply nodded knowing he would be back many more times.

He took a surprised Mai Lan with him, and purchased several sets of clothing, and any other items she might need for the future, before boarding the first ship heading back to Bizmar. When they arrived, Erlic showed the young girl his home, which at the time was simply a comfortable building, not the mansion he now owned. She was granted her freedom, and decided to work for Erlic. She became the assassin’s housekeeper, in the old building, and is still residing in his new mansion on the outskirts of Bizmar. Although he never forced anyone to work, Mai Lan was one of the individuals who were provided with free room, and board, as well as payment for her abilities, and insisted that she care for his house. He had asked her if she wished to return to her homeland, and stated that her home was with him.

His thoughts were interrupted by a humming sound coming from his pack. He immediately withdrew his mirror, and waited as Dalo finally appeared.

"The Rovers are safe, and making ready to leave the forest now," he told the guild master. "Minnow sends her love to Ravin. Once I leave here, I'll try to gain some information on Eremis' whereabouts and get back to you with anything I might discover."

Erlic concluded with his conversation with the beast master, thanking him in return for his promptness in the matter. He then headed towards Ravin, who from a distance was huddled with Isobel. Rather than intrude on whatever was happening, Erlic decided to wait until the proper time. He finally moved toward them, and addressed Ravin.

“Dalo got back to me,” he began. “The Rovers are safe, and making ready to leave the forest now. Minnow sends her love to you.”

The guild master could see Ravin breath a sigh of relief at the information. “Dalo will also update me on any further information he might gather.” Erlic turned to leave until another came to mind. “By the way, the centaurs will be moving out shortly. I thought you’d want to know.”

With that Erlic returned to the campsite where he gathered his belongings, and had another cup of java before the centaurs decided it was time to leave.

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