From: I27LG@CUNYVM.BITNET
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp
Subject: Story:Young Lions (Part 3)
Date: 6 Apr 92 15:51:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: CUNYVM.92097.115135I27LG
Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center

Young Lions Part 3
By Kyramus

     The Yound Lions woke up in darkness.  THe stench of the place was
unbearable, but they held on except for Ulara who spilled the contents of
her stomach.  They were chained and unarmed.  After further checking they found
that they were also unclothed.  Though it was dark, modesty took charge as each
person covered their private parts from sight which their companions can't see.
     "Where are we?" asked Aciry.
     "I don't know," replied Omex.
     "The last thing I remember was that mage laughing like crazy," added Gous
Vap.
     "Yes, I remember," said Omex.
     "Ulara, are you ok?" asked the worried Aciry.
     "I'll be fine, must be something I ate," she whispered.
     Silence took over for a few moments, then they heard footsteps.  The door
was opened, letting the light enter the dark cell blinding the occupants.
     Rough hands grabbed the four and pushed them into the lit hallway.  They
were blindfolded and were led through twists and turns that none of them
could remember.
     Ulara and Aciry had to try and slap away hands that were feeling their
backsides.
     Finally, they stopped and their blindfolds were taken off.  They were
greeted with the sight of the mage sitting on a crudely built throne.
     "So, my guests have awaken," he smiled, "I'm very sorry that our
accomodations weren't as comfortable."
     The Young Lions remained silent, not knowing what was happening.
     "I have seen how you act as a group and I am impressed.  I would like to
hire your services for a brief period of time.  I wish you to find a kobold
settlement in Keever Woods.  As to my knowledge, they lair somewhere past
the lake.  They have something of mine, and I want it back," said the red robed
man as he stroked his beard and continued, "In return, I will set you free
from the bonds I have placed on your foreheads."
     The orcs brought several mirrors showing the Young Lions the marks on
their faces.  The mark was a red circle with a white star in its center.
     Two weeks have passed by and the spring sun warms the land.  Most of the
trees are back to their normal selves, posessing canopies of leaves that give
shade to the animals.
     The Young Lions have traveled with drawn cloaks, hiding the mark of the
red mage.
     "We're near the lake," said Aciry.
     "Yes, I could smell the mists that float about," whispered Gous Vap.
     Ulara looked about then tapped the pony-tailed mage to ask, "What does
the mark do?"
      Gous Vap looked at Ulara and answered, " As I said before, it lets the
  mage, who marked us, know where we are at all times.  It also has the ability
  to weaken us if we decide to flee than finish this mission."
     Omex was polishing his sword and said,"Does this mage know what we are
talking about right now?"
     "Maybe, who knows?"shrugged Gous Vap.
     "We'd better get going, the sun id still up. Let's get some more land
underneath us," said Aciry.
     "I agree," said Omex.
     The four walked on into the day.  They reached the lake by night fall and
decided to rest for the night.  Omex stood on watch and patrolled the outskirt
of the camp.
     Half-way through his watch, Omex was about to sit down when he realized th

that the forest was too quiet.  He quickly crouched into a defensive position
and looked into the forest.  Several figures charged into the camp. They were
small and scaly, lookinh more like lizards.
     "Kobolds," thought Omex.
     Omex was quickly surrounded by the kobolds and they began to circle their
prey. Omex shouted out to call the others, but realized his voice didn't make
a sound.
     "Magic," cursed Omex in his thoughts.
     Omex swung his sword and slashed at one.  The kobolds were wielding short
swords and they slashed and thrusted back at his attack.  Omex managed to dodge
most of the blows, but one got through his defenses and created a gash over his
left arm.
     A kobold grabbed a brand from the fire and threw it at Ulara's tent,
causing it to burn.
     Omex lunged at another kobold and gutted the creature.  The kobolds contin
continued to harass Omex with nicks and cuts.  Omex tried to reach Ulara's tent
but something hit the back of his neck and he saw darkness.
     "Omex, Are you all right?" asked a voice.
     Omex opened his eyes to bright sunlight. "Kobolds," he muttered.
     "Yes, we know," came the voice.
     rubbing his eyes, Omex saw his friends. They were wounded, but they were
ok.  He looked around the camp and saw two burned tents, Ulara's and Aciry's.
     "What happened? Asked a dizzy Omex.
     "Well, I woke up with smoke and rushed out of the tent with as much stuff
as I can carry.  There were kobolds all around, so I drew my sword. I shouted
but my voice won't come out, then I saw Aciry run out of her burning tent,"
said Ulara.
     "I held off the kobolds while Ulara called Gous Vap.  Well, woke him
up anyway.  He knew magic was a foot and mentioned us to follow him.  When he
heard birds singing, Gous Vap started to chant and we moved aside," Aciry told
the warrior.
     "And I used a burning hands on the kobolds," continued Gous Vap, "you
should have seen how they ran," the mage smiled.
     "I just don't understand how they can use magic," said Omex.
     "Shaman," replied Gous Vap.
     Aciry nodded and Ulara just stood listening.
     "We better get moving, Aciry see if they left any tracks. It would be much
easier to follow them to their lair," ordered the mage.
     "What does he want from the kobolds anyway?" asked Ulara.
     "I don't know, I guess I'll know when I see it," said Gous Vap.
     "Got it, the tracks head northwest," informed Aciry.
    "Let's go," said Omex.
------
Part four in the making.

                        Kyramus
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp