From: jgreene@dorm.rutgers.edu (Jeffrey Greene)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Ga] Advertisements and Allies
Date: 8 Oct 92 19:44:52 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

[Previously, in the Garriot thread:
	Garriot entered the Dragon's Inn with massive head trauma, but without
memories.  Kyleen, Khisanth, and Dusk (who brought along Zebron) came to his
aid, retiring to a private room upstair.  Khisanth and Dusk entered the
dreamscape, finding out that the memory loss was at least partly magical in
nature, that a bearded man is somehow behind it, and that "Hawksholme" is a
place of importance, and maybe where answers might be found.  Meanwhile, Kyleen
has recruited Mardan and Kraska to the cause, but Zebron seems to have caught
the attention of the town guardsman named Brent because of previous escapades.
	This post takes place right after Brent returns to the inn, buys
breakfast for the party, brings along two other individuals, and gives a copy
of the Generican Examiner, the local daily paper, to Zebron.  It is revealed
that someone, obviously Brent from his actions and newly accquired jewelry,
used Zebron's alias as "Jaq Spayde," a gentlemanly thief, last night.  Brent
has explained his actions as taking the heat off Zebron, as he was under guard
last night and did not commit any crimes.  Brent has also redeemed his
activities by donating a sizable portion of the stolen wealth to local
charities, most notably that of Eilistraee, the faith of Zebron himself.

(Pant.) The above was a recap/week-in-review/summarized-version/explanation-of-
Brent's-post-that-didn't-have-worldwide-distribution message.]

"Hmmmm...." mumbled Zebron.  He knew Brent would be interested in his reactions
so he tried to be as nonchalante as possible.  He had noted the articles about
the so-called "Jack of Spades" theft and the donation to the temple of 
Eilistraee.  That small act alone had stopped the honorable drow from slaying
the human right then and there for daring to impersonate him.

However, Brent did have a point.  Now that the dark elf was no longer a
suspect, life would be easier on him.  Until the Eel found him again, that is.
And Brent _did_ show some guts and skill in trying to pull the theft off and
going through it.  And he _did_ have the good sense not to leave a Jack of
Spades, or his own Ace of Hearts for that matter, as a signature.

There was only one problem now, and that would soon be taken care of.

He folded the newspaper on to a page that had an interesting advertisement, and
gave it to Garriot to read.

[Aside: The Advertisement

                           S A L E !

   The Cartographer's Guild of Generica is having it's annual "Outdated Sale!"
Due to advances made daily in the studies of cartography and exploration, each
year leaves me, Grumble Blisterthum, with reams of outdated maps that I _must_
get rid of.  They can be yours FOR HALF PRICE!  You only pay 50% for a map 
that's 75%-95% accurate!  We have maps of every known realm, land, plane, and
sphere, with detail from continents to individual rooms.  (All maps subject to
availability).  And our 100% correct (according to current data) maps are
still at our every day low prices.

And now, back to our story.]

Zebron turns to Brent.

"Truly, sir, you have shown yourself to be acting only in the interests of 
myself and the Maiden.  And you have illustrated on many occaisons your skill
and resourcefulness.  I could almost think of you as a brother in arms and
other arts.  However, _I_ would never sacrifice the loyalty of one oath for 
that of another.  I recognized the name of the family who was burgled.  That 
can mean only one thing.

"You have expressed an interest in joining with us, or of gaining my 
friendship.  However, I cannot knowingly pledge my alliegence to someone with
a history of breaking vows and alliances selfishly, always looking to benefit
himself the most at any time.

"I am sure you understand, that by your actions to gain my trust, you have
proven yourself unworthy of it."

-jak
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn