From: aaron@atlantis.uucp
Subject: [R][MI] Ornigan[Docks->Mage Guild] Ornigan of WHERE?
Organization: Atlantis Communications, Edmonton, AB, Canada
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 04:51:17 GMT

Ornigan walked absentmindedly down Dragon's Lane from the Docks.  Away from
his companions, he was drawn back to the thoughts which had plagued him since
the battle with the pirates.

He had been out of touch with his family in Castle Maybold for months now.  He
had planned to send them a message from Rameshan, but events had precluded
that.  He'd have to send one from Generica.  He was anxious to hear how his
sister Rheanna was doing.  She sounded so unhappy in Maybold, and had said so
many times that she wished she could be travelling like him.  He snorted.  She
just wasn't ready for such things.  She was too young.  His face darkened.  And
if anything happened to her...

Ah, that must be the Plaza of Glittering Steel.  Intriguing.  Ornigan stopped
to examine the metal for a few minutes, drawing some curious glances from
passersby.  The traces of the spell that had formed the metal were almost too
faint to detect, but at last Ornigan thought he spotted it.  And yet few
people seemed to pay much attention to it.  He shook his head.  No wonder the
Mage Guild here was held in such renown.

He looked briefly at the Dragon's Inn.  It seemed like a bit of a noisy place,
but not as bad as some he had seen.  As he watched, a group of what were
obviously adventurers came out of the Inn and set off eastward down Dragon's
Lane.  If he was going to spend any time in Generica, he'd have to see if that
place lived up to its reputation.

He turned north along the Arcade of Fountains.  The sound of falling water
relaxed him.  It sent him back to the time he'd found the hidden courtyard with
the fountain in the heart of Castle Maybold.  Only he and Rheanna had ever
known where it was.  And now, here he was in the City of Fountains.

A short way up the Arcade, he saw two very jarring structures.  The one on his
left was bad enough, a hodgepodge of architectural styles that made him
shudder.  A sign proclaimed it to be the Great Library.  He hoped it wasn't as
bad inside as outside, because he planned to spend a fair bit of time there...

And to his right, the Mage Guild.  It had to be--no other buildings ever
defied the laws of nature quite so extravagantly.  He walked up the marble
staircase to the entry, ignoring the staircase above him, with the man
walking upside-down on it...

He smiled at the receptionist, a pretty woman in mage's robes.  "Good
afternoon, my dear.  I require an appointment with Archmage Rivy, regarding
entry into the Guild."

She sighed.  "Well, sir, I'm afraid I can't arrange an appointment with the
Archmage herself.  These things are handled by her underlings.  I can perhaps
get you an appointment with Guild Master Gwaliostrok for tomorrow..."

Ornigan cleared his throat.  "You misunderstand, my dear.  You see, I spoke
with the Supreme Archmage Delalle this morning and he said I was to talk to
Rivy in person."

The receptionist's mouth opened and closed several times.  "Let me check on
this," she said and retreated to a room behind her.

She returned several minutes later, slightly shaken.  "It appears to be in
order, sir.  Archmage Rivy will see you now.  Through the orange portal.  Oh--
may I have your name, sir, for the records?"

For the records?  He sighed.  Full title and all, that meant.  "Viscount
Ornigan of Maybold in the Realm of Kings, third in succession."  Assuming that
one of his brothers hadn't died, bringing him closer to the Countship he
really didn't want.  He >really< needed to get back in touch with his family--
anything at all could have happened since he had been away.

Then he bade the receptionist farewell and stepped through the orange portal.

****

Archmage Rivy was blonde and apparently brainless.  Ornigan had met many such
at the balls of Maybold and its neighbours.  He had even dallied with a few.
Some, he had even taken the time to see past their facade.  Some had little or
nothing behind it, but one or two had concealed cunning and intelligence there.
He suspected Rivy was one of those--else, how could she have gotten to her
current position?

"Hello, Ornigan.  Sit down.  You know, it's quite a surprise, Delalle--that's
the Supreme Archmage--showing up like that.  I mean, it's been simply >years<
since anyone here has seen him, and today he sends me a message telling me that
he was sending me someone whom he thought was a likely prospect.  Waiving all
the normal requirements.  I mean, we don't normally let people in this easily.
And you'll still have to take some tests so we can really gauge you, but that's
just a formality.

"Ornigan.  That's a funny name!  I almost remember something about some other
Ornigan, a big mage or something.  From somewhere on the Great Heath.  Daybold
or somesuch place.  You ever heard of him?  I mean, where are you from?"

"I'm from Maybold, milady," Ornigan replied.  "I remember some vague rumours
that a former count Ornigan of Maybold was a mage, but you know how peasants
exaggerate these things.  No doubt he just brewed beer in his cellar.  Our
father named me and my brothers after former Counts of Maybold, but I never
took the time to look into my 'ancestry'."

"That's a shame.  Well, since Delalle wants this all to be rushed through, I'll
just need a few personal details from you and fill in all the hard stuff
myself.  Some people say that filling out an application form is one of the
ways we screen people from getting into the Guild.  But I think that's silly.
I mean, they're not >that< hard."

Ornigan submitted to another questioning on his personal details.  He gave
neutral and non-committal answers, especially on Rivy's continual digressions
onto the subject of the other Ornigan of Maybold.  He knew what the angle was
now, and was somewhat disappointed.  Delalle recognized his name, obviously,
and knew what it represented.  Well, Ornigan had no more idea where Count
Ornigan IV of Maybold had hidden his laboratories that did anyone else.
Still, it was best to pretend ignorance, in case they didn't believe him.  Why
did they all fear he'd become a psychotic despot like his predecessor?  When
they coveted his power for themselves?

****

Thorn looked up as Dasham entered his office.  "Ah, Dasham.  Good of you to
come on such short notice."

"Save the pleasantries," Dasham said, sitting down uninvited.  "What in the
Nine Hells is it that's so important?  Besides Delalle coming out again, that
is."

"It's tied in with Delalle's return," Thorn said.  "I got a report from the
ground-floor reception office not long ago.  A man came in and said that he
had talked with Delalle himself and was granted an immediate interview with
Rivy for admission to the Guild.

"The man's name was Ornigan of Maybold."

Dasham's fingers, which had been drumming impatiently on the edge of Thorn's
desk, stopped.  "A mage named Ornigan, from Maybold Castle?  On the Great
Heath?"

Thorn smiled.  "Yes.  The very same.  I don't know if Delalle planned this
one or not.  He's very crafty.  But to get access to Count Ornigan's
laboratories, after all these years..."

Dasham nodded, licking her lips unconsciously.  Who knew what kind of spells
Ornigan might not have had in there?  What potions and elixirs?  Perhaps he
had been the one to find a source of immortality before his untimely death...
"So what do we do?" she said, returning to business.

"Well, Delalle has made the first move, in recruiting him.  All we have to do
is turn on the charm, feel him out.  If he favours his predecessor, perhaps he
would like our side better."  He paused.  "Of course, this could just be a
trick to divert our attention from out main target--Amaan.  And this Dariel,
whatever he is."

Dasham shook her head.  "I think that, even for Delalle, this is serendipity.
Perhaps it will be a distraction for >him<.  And who is to say which is the
greater prize?  If Delalle wins over this Ornigan, and gets him to reveal
where the laboratories are, then he may win over some of the others on the
Council."  Myself among them, possibly, she thought but didn't say.

Thorn nodded.  "Still, he bears watching too.  Maybe I'll have a talk with
him myself.  Now, have you heard anything more from Nescie on this black
shard-thing?"

Dasham shook her head.  "I'm going to talk with him today.  I'll tell you all
about it later at Yanigazia Purizshita."

Thorn grinned.  "It's a date.  See you then."

Dasham left, and Thorn contemplated.  Things were getting more complicated.
Well, it was always more fun that way.

-- 
---Alfvaen(Still looking for "October's Baby")
"I tell everyone a different story...that way nothing's ever boring."              ---Jane Siberry
Current Album--Icehouse:Measure For Measure
Current Read--Dave Duncan:The Reaver Road