From: slybz@cc.usu.edu (Tanya Olsen)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [KQ] Azzar/Captain [Sp. Cobra] Mob Control
Date: 28 Jul 92 12:11:44 MDT
Organization: Utah State University

>A small man tore off his cape as fingers of fire danced on the buildings near
>the burning house.  He boldly stepped toward the hot fire and slapped his
>cloak at the encroaching blaze.  "Begone you minions of hell!  Keep your
>burning appendages off my shop!  " [this is MEZLARK talking]

Captain, Rhoan, and Azzar stay until the last burning rafter of the house 
is gone.  Luckily, the surrounding houses were doused in time and only
the house in which the blaze started is gone.  However, the fire has done its
damage.  Several local denizens will have to find someplace else to sleep while
their houses are cleaned up, walls and roofs are repaired, and the smoke 
clears.  

Mezlark stands glaring at any would be looters, filling the place of the missing
wall of his shop.  But, the citizens of the Low City are crafty and many, and as
the imminent danger of the fire goes away, several gangs form, intent on looting
the damaged surroundings especially shops with valuable merchandize.

Azzar looks around.  Not one guardsman has appeared to help with the fire or
retain order.  *That makes it even more obvious that the government of Generica
doesn't rule in the Low City*, she thinks to herself.  Mezlark is having a
tough time, fending off one or two while other gets in behind his back.  Soon
all his possessions will be gone.

She draws her 2-handed sword, "Anybody for mob control?" she says as she steps
toward Mezlark.  Mezlark's eyes widen as she steps closer, his face goes pale,
and he swallows noticeably, yet the determined look grows.  "Keep yer grubby
hands off my stuff!" he bellows as she steps within stiking range of his short
sword.  

Azzar easily parries him.  "Calm down, Sir Merchant, I'm only trying to help."

The looters edge in while Mezlark is distracted.  Azzar notices and fills the
gap with her sword.  "The excitement's over; go home and no one gets hurt."

They stop warily eyeing her.  How could a woman stop all of them, wielding such
an unwieldy blade?  Yet they notice that she swings it effortlessly and seems
to have no problem with the weight.  Then, Captain and Rhoan close by her sides
also with weapons drawn.  They all may look worn, but they all obviously know
how to wield their weapons effectively.

Captain yells in a voice meant to be heard over buffeting storms, "You heard
the Lady!  Go home!"

Mezlark calms down slightly, but he still has the wary look of a cornered
animal.  He knows he has no hope to beat all three, yet if they're going to
save his shop, he'll let them and try to deal with them later, when the mob is
gone.

The looters know they could probably overwhelm even the three of them, but with
many casualities.  And no one wants to risk being a casualty.  After several
minutes, the looters drift away and get back to whatever dark and underhanded
business they were doing before the fire.

"Whew!  Thanks Captain, Rhoan.  I didn't think I'd be able to hold them all off
by myself," says Azzar, relaxing slightly as the bulk of the mob disappears.

"No problem, Azzar," replies Captain with a twinkle in his eye, "What's one mob
after all we've been through the last couple of days?  Piece of cake."

Azzar attempts to sheathe her sword, but its weight off balances her and she
staggers right into Captain's arms.  The sword clatters to the ground.  "It
looks like you need a rest!"  Captain says not mentioning the fact that he
could use one as well.  "I think it's time to head back to the Dragon's Inn and
see if anyone there has heard from Kron and company."

Azzar regains her feet and carefully picking up the sword, she sheathes it. 
"Yeah.  I guess that catatonic juice or whatever you called it took more out of
me that I'd thought."  She looks around and notices Mezlark trying to
re-organize his shop.  "But, as soon as we leave, the looters will be back and
destroy this merchant's shop.  We can't leave yet."  She heads into the shop.

Captain stares after her.  "Misplaced sense of loyalty," he thinks to himself,
"she doesn't know a thing about this guy!"  Sighing he follows her.

He hears her talking to Mezlark, "Anything I can do to help you protect your
shop against your neighbors?"

Mezlark eyes her warily.  "You mean you guys will leave me something to want to
protect?" he replies sarcastically.

"Come on, Azzar, this scum isn't worth trying to help."  Captain grabs her arm
and gently pulls her toward the door.  She shakes off his grip.

"Maybe so, but the least I can do is try," she replies.  She turns to Mezlark,
"If you have any building supplies, we can erect a temporary but stout wall to
replace the burned one."  She heads to a door through which she can see
possible supplies.  Captain shrugs, looks at Rhoan, shakes his head and follows
her.

The three of them make quick work of a temporary wall and Mezlark can not
believe his good fortune.  They turn to leave.

"Wait!" Mezlark yells.  "You have helped me out a great deal today.  I would
have lost everything.  Even here, one good turn deserves another.  If there 
is anything I can do for you, let me know."

"We'll keep that in mind.  What's your name so that we might find you again?"
Captain asks.

"Mezlark.  Everyone around here knows me." the merchant replies.

Rhoan who had kept quiet all this time suddenly asks, "What can you tell us 
of your ex-neighbor there?"

				------------------

Lady Azzar of Bloodstone

---Captain
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn