From: z_falkrg@ccsvax.sfasu.edu
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [R]  Dreaming, dream,dream, dreaming...
Date: 17 Nov 92 11:45:12 CST
Organization: Stephen F. Austin State University

Still collapsed on the deck, Killian dreamed...

	Back in his homeand, far to the north and east, he was once again a
young cub, barely 14 years of age.  He remembered his father, head of the clan
and a great warrior.  He looked around and saw once again the faces of his
friends that were either long gone or long dead.  A peculiar mixture of regret
and joy crossed his mind as he saw all these familiar faces.  He was home
again.
	Killian and his friends were playing a game of chase.  Shifting freely
between human and animal shapes, the young cubs played with the energy all
kittens seem to have.  The day was getting late and the sun was starting to
set when Killian's mother appeared on the hillside calling him.
	"Killian, supper's on!  Get Tiris and meet us at the house.  He should
be in his workroom!"
	"Yes mother!" Killian replied.  He felt sad as he had to leave his
friends to find his elder brother.  "I'll be back tomorrow guys.  See ya then!"
Killian shouted as he raced down a trail towards his brother's workroom.
	Tiris was an apprentice mage, well, he wanted to be.  So far no wizard
had taken him under his paw, but still he practiced.  He already was quite good
at the mystic arts, and he had an insatiable curiosity.  That trait should do
him well in his studies.
	He came upon his brother's hut that he used for a workroom and study
hall.  There was a strange glow that was coming out of one of the windows.  An
eerie yellow light that had nothing natural about it.  A look of joy came
across Killian's face as he thought he could watch his brother cast a spell. 
He had always been facinated with majik, but Killian lacked the discipline to
be a true wielder of the power arcane.  
	He crept up to the window and peered inside.  At the sight inside, his 
joy quickly soured to terror.  A small altar was set up inside the hut and a 
six pointed star inscribed in a circle was drawn in a reddish brown liquid on 
the floor surrounding the altar.  A normal kitten layed upon the altar, a thick
red liquid bubbling out from a newly formed gash in its throat.  A large book
layed open to the side and he saw his brother mumbling in the arcane language
of majik.
	"Powers of darkness, plague, and despair heed my call..."
	Even Killian's limited knowledge of majik told him that what Tiris was
doing was wrong.  He watched with growing terror at what his elder brother was
doing.  Killian could stand to watch no more and he knew he must get help.  He
quickly switched to tiger form and raced home to fetch his father.
	He burst into his home and swtiched back to humanoid shape.  His mother
looked at him admonishingly.  "You silly cub, where is your brother?  And how
many times have I told you, no running in the house?"
	"Where is father, Tiris is doing something wrong!?" Killian cried.
	Killians father, a huge being strode into the room, "What is the matter
son?"
	"Come quickly, Tiris is using the forbidden majik!"
	"What!?  Are you sure?"
	"As sure as I am standing here."
	"Where is he?"
	"In his workroom."
	With that, Killian's father strode to the Horn of Calling.  A huge horn
that was used to signal danger.  The entire council came to the house and
Killian repeated his story.  With looks of shock and anger, the entire council
shifted and ran to the workroom.
	Killian lagged behind the pack that raced to his brothers workroom.  He
arrived just in time to see his father throw Trirs out of his workroom and onto
the ground.
	"Tiris.  You know the practicing of this majik is forbidden to all of
our clan.  Do you admit to doing this fell deed?"
	"Yessss father", Tiris hissed from the ground. "You are weak and I am
strong, you have no power over me!"  Tiris regained his feet and stood
defiantly before his father.
	"For your crime, I forsake you.  You are no longer my son.  Your
birthright to lead the council is gone and goes to Killian who warned us of
your treachery.  Leave this land and neve return.  From here forward you are
Rogue."
	Tiris leveled his gaze to Killian and the ice blue eyes locked with his
blazing emerald eyes.  "You will regret this brother, I promise you!" he
shrieked.  He then shifted and raced off into the woods.
	The council quickly struck up torches and set fire to the hut that had
once been the workroom of Tiris.  The smell of burning wood purified the evil
that was here....

	...smell of burning wood.
	Killian slowly opened his eyes and looked around.  He was lying alone
on the deck of a ship.  The smell of fire was heavy in the air.  He tried to
sit up, but the heavy fist of pain quickly smacked him back down.  All he could
do was lay there and groan.

Killian - King of Bards and Bard of Kings
z_falkrg@ccsvax.sfasu.edu