From: conner@qucis.queensu.ca (Mike Conner)
Subject: [C&R]: Shopping, Inventory List, Gold, and other things
Organization: Computing & Information Science, Queen's University at Kingston
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 03:00:00 GMT

Chalmers walked through the deserted streets remembering the first time he
had entered the village.  He had come upon many interesting characters, most
of whom have seemingly vacated the village.  There was the old woman with
the basket of twigs, boy was she something.  He remembers offering her help
with her load but she insistantly refused.  "If I can't even carry my days
work then my life ain't worth two of these twigs!" the old woman shouted at
Chalmers.  Then there was the elf with his stuck cart.  If I hadn't come
along when I did I think that elf would still be stuck by Ramsen's place. 
It was him, Rackor, that had told me about "Ice Master" and where to ask
about him.  Seems he had been down on his luck and needed to sell off some
of his possessions, got a good price too, he told Chalmers.

Chalmers walked out of the alley and past the front of the Cloven Shield.  He
could see several patrons inside having a grand time and waving their ale to
some sort of chant.  He began to think of Raven.  "What have I got myself
into?" Nothing new though, Chalmers thought, I always seem to come out on top.
Raven certainly hides a mysterious past, very appealing.  He started to
fantasize about making love to her, almost knocking a halfling across the room
as he stepped through the door of the village bank.  "Why don't you watch
where your going, runt!" Chalmers shouted.  The poor halfling, scrabbling to
his feet, "I ... I'm very sorry sir, my humble appoligies, I don't know ..."
"Never mind, just be careful next time" Chalmers inturupted him, feeling a bit
guilty for blaming the little man, but he couldn't say sorry to someone
smaller than him, maybe next time.  Chalmers had a slight grin on his face
when he approached the teller but quickly dismissed it when it came time
to speak.

"I'd like to open an account, a joint account, accessable by myself and one
other person" Chalmers stated.  The teller looked up at Chalmers and gave
him the once over.  "And how many coppers will you be depositing today, sir"
snapped the teller, in a very unfriendly voice.  "400 gold coins, and I
suggest you wipe that smerk off your face or you will be out of a job,
permanently!" said Chalmers in a very calm but meaningful voice.

"Ah, very good sir, right away sir" replied the teller fumbling for a piece of
partchment and a metal strong-box.  "Your gold is quite safe with us sir!"
assured the teller, "What is your name and the name of your second?"

"My name is Chalmers, no last name" the teller looked up with puzzlement,
"and the second is one Raven DeMorney" Chalmers continued, ignoring the
teller's raised eye.  "I will give you this pendant which is in three sections"
pulling the pendant from his cloak and placing each part beside one another.
"You will keep one section and the other two will stay with me." Chalmers
explained "The gold can only be withdrawn if all pieces are present."

Chalmers thought to himself, "If one of us is killed or looses their section
then the gold is lost, this way Raven we fight together and die together."
"Very well sir, as you wish." replied the teller.  Chalmers placed the bags
of gold on the counter and watched the teller place them in the strong-box
along with the piece of pendant.  A note was placed on the outside of the
box that told of the withdraw instructions.  He watched as the teller placed
the strong-box in a giant rock vault and witnessed him draw a rune over the
rock.  The opening vanished without a trace.  "How do those mages do that"
Chalmers thought to himself as he walked out of the bank and into the street.

Going over some of the items that would be need for the journey, Chalmers
made his way south then east towards the general store.  "Let's see now,
if we don't make it to a town or village by nightfall we will require
some sort of tent, the nights are beginning to get mighty cold"

Chalmers pushed open the door to the general store, *Ring* *Ring* went a
small bell, used to tell the owner when someone has arrived.  "I can see why
one would need the bell, these shelves are stacked so high even I can't
see over them" Chalmers thought, looking at the rows of shelves in the large
store.

"Good Afternoon!" said the store owner, "My name is Smitty, just yell if you
need any help.", "Thanks" replied Chalmers already heading for the rows
of sleeping equipment at the back of the store.

Gathering up all that he thought would be necessary and placing it at the
front counter, Chalmers listened as Smitty read a compiled inventory of
Chalmers' things:

 +------------------------------------------------------------------+
 |                                                                  |
 | Things the big guy wants:                                        |
 |                                                                  |
 | 2 - 2 man tents, with ground sheet and rain cover                |
 | 1 - 100ft length of silk rope, tested at 500lbs                  |
 | 4 - fur blankets                                                 |
 | 1 - large white piece of cloth, suitable for desert traveling    |
 | 4 - canteens, with locking tops                                  |
 | 2 - large packs, one containing the rope, the other the blankets | 
 | 2 - small packs, suitable for shoulder use                       |
 |                                                                  |
 | Note: Looks like I can close up early today                      | 
 |                                                                  |
 +------------------------------------------------------------------+

"Are you sure that's everything sir?" questioned Smitty with a smile on his
face.  "I think that will due for know, if I need anything else I will
be back in the morning." Chalmers replied, handing the store owner 15 gold
pieces.  "I take your word that this equipment is your best, I believe this
will cover my purchases!", "Oh thank you sir, your most kind." replied Smitty,
flipping the gold coins through his fingers.

"I will have my son help you carry your things, Kendal, come to the front
please!" shouted Smitty to his son, who was busy sweeping the back store
room.

Chalmers and Kendal chatted along the way back to the Cloven Shield.  Chalmers
told stories of great battles and magical treasures.  Kendal just listened
intently, dreaming of the day he too could go traveling.  As they neared
the room Chalmers and Raven shared Chalmers told Kendal to place the packs
just outside the door.  "For your troubles Kendal" flipping a gold coin in the
boys direction. Catching the coin with a brilliant smile Kendal thanked
Chalmers and ran downstairs and out the door yelling to his father "Look dad,
look dad, my first piece of gol ..." stopping in mid sentence, Kendal 
thought better and placed the coin deep in his pocket and slowly walked
the rest of the way to his father's store, keeping a watchful eye out for
robbers and thieves.

Getting out his hex key Chalmers unlocked the door and opened it wide.  He 
carried all his equipment into the room and shut the door behind him.  "So,
you have returned to me." Chalmers, with his back to the door replied "I
see your leg has fully healed" as Ravens hands molded around his waist.
Turning in her arms, Chalmers was greeted by a lovely sight, Raven, standing
infront of him, wearing only a bed sheet.  "Locking that door would be a
wise idea." Raven replied.  Chalmers turned again and locked the door from
the inside as he felt Raven's sheet slide to the floor.  "I seem to be
a little over dressed" Chalmers said jokingly, "let me help that situation"
Raven stated, undoing the buckle on Chalmers pants.

:)