From: aaron@space.ualberta.ca (Aaron Humphrey)
Subject: [KQ] Maleiu[Low City->Nesters Inn]: Let's Do Lunch
Reply-To: aaron@space.ualberta.ca
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 01:37:29 GMT

Several things seem to happen at once.

'Raelf talks briefly to Thk and then strolls off through Low City.  Thk, who
seems to be in some way galvanized by 'Raelf's words, slips through a sewer
grate and back down into the Gaps before anyone can respond.  Mainly because
everyone is much more concerned with Kron's sudden collapse.

Maleiu catches Kron before he hits the ground.  This was a man of over forty,
he recalled hearing Kron mutter at one point.  In the Nariawah tribe, those
over forty were prized for their wisdom and pampered.  The priests of Ilmater
had, by their healing magic and their knowledge of other medicines, made it
more likely for a man to reach that age, and perhaps beyond.  But Maleiu was
not surprised that Kron had collapsed, after the previous two days' exertions
and the additional drain from 'Raelf's healing.  Maleiu himself felt somewhat
weak, almost like extreme blood loss or fatigue, but he was still strong
enough to carry Kron if necessary.  "Where were we going?" he asked the party.

"Nesters Inn," Captain said.  "Where we woke up after yesterday's fight.  We
know the way, right, Lady Azzar?"  Azzar nodded, and they led the way.  It
was apparent that the rest of the party was, to a lesser or greater degree,
also drained of energy, excepting perhaps Marcel.  But they were so close to
their objective...and Kron was the only one who knew the full details of their
next destination.  Maleiu didn't relish another match with Thrugg, but surely
the bruiser was in little better shape than they were, after yesterday's melee.

His train of thought turned, inexplicably, to Mistletoe.  Now that the
Joystix had brought her image to his mind, he couldn't seem to stop thinking of
her.  He loved her--he knew that now.  But she was still in Rameshan, living
the life of a slave.  He made a silent vow that, after this adventure, he would
lead an expedition to Rameshan, if necessary, to get Mistletoe back.

They arrived at Nesters Inn, and the proprietor smiled at them with fond
memory of their last visit, and the expenditures they had made then.  "What can
I do for you folks this time?  Ah--I see you two are up and about again, but
looking a little peaked, if I say so myself.  Might I recommend some lunch and
then a short nap?"

Captain smiled wanly.  "I'm afraid you read our minds.  Lunch if you can, and
perhaps some smelling salts to revive our friend here.  On second thought--we
should just let him sleep.  He's probably as exhausted as the rest of us."

They were given a few beds for the afternoon and Maleiu carried Kron up to one
of them, taking off his boots and weapons and tucking him away snugly.  Then he
went back downstairs to join the others, who had already started wolfing down
food.  He soon caught up to them, though.

When they were finished, they all felt better.  "I should go check on Kron,"
Azzar said, after they had sat feeling replete for a few minutes.  She went
upstairs to his room...

--
---Alfvaen(Canadian SF Quasi-Activist)
"Don't fight it--it's over your head."  --King Crimson
Current Album--Joni Mitchell:Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm
Current Read--Robert Heinlein:The Past Through Tomorrow
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn