From: bdavis@pepper.cray.com (Brent Davis  {67000 CF/DEV})
Subject: Denner/Dramic/E'Karam/Kevin/Quicksilver [Plaza]: The Quarry
Date: 26 Jan 93 15:16:09 CST

> "Hmm." Meran murred. "I think it's time for you to take responsibility for
> your actions."
>
> "Right.  Let's go look for Kalendraf, then, and see what we can do."
> Denner took a few steps, then stopped and looked around at the falling snow.

As Denner paused, Dramic hastily fastened his cloak, and pulled its hood up
over his head.  "Chilly night," he grumbled after noticing that E'Karam was
looking up at him.

> "You know, if anybody's got a horse, we could all ride in my wagon...."

'If there was a horse around, I'd be on it!,' Dramic thought to himself.

A faint marching sound emanated from the north end of the Plaza.  Slowly,
it grew in loudness indicating that soldiers were headed this way.  Dramic
quickly assumed the worst.

Nervously, he glanced from side to side and surveyed his surroundings.  The
Plaza of Glittering Steel was for the most part, void of activity.  Denner's
wagon, filled with those odd barrels, rested outside the Inn collecting fresh
snow.  Meanwhile, Denner, E'Karam and Quicksilver were discussing Kalendraf's
disappearance, while that fellow in the thin white coat, Kevin, stood silently
watching them.  He caught some movement in the shadows, but then realized that
it was just a beggar dusting snow off of his shoulders.

Dramic knew he couldn't stay here, not with those guards coming.  By now the
other seaguards would have noticed his deserted post and have started to look
for him and his charge.  If only his plan hadn't gone awry, he could be well on
his way out of this wretched city forever.  He looked back towards Denner,
and grunted to himself.  Without Denner's interference, the contest would
have...er...might have been a success.  But now it was too late for
"What If's".  Dramic needed another plan, and fast.

"I suggest we split up to find Kalendraf.  That way we can cover more area.
I'll take the east end of town."  Dramic immediately headed off down Dragon's
Lane, pretending to scan the ground for clues.  As he got out of the others'
sight, he dodged around a corner and started to run...right into an awaiting
troop of the city watch.  It was an old trick, one that Dramic kicked himself
for forgetting - flushing the quarry into the trap.

"So Dramic, we hear you took a little vacation today.  I hope you had some fun,
because the Wyeriun wants to see YOU, and I doubt that will be any fun at all."
The guard's evil grin scared Dramic almost as much as his words.

Dramic took a few moments to shake off his shock.  'The Wyeriun wants to see
ME!?!', he thought.  'Why not just the Kraken supervisor?  What have I done?!?'

"By the way, have you seen Kalendraf lately?"

"I...uh...we...went for a sight seeing trip in the city.  He...uh...got
thirsty and so we went to the Dragon's Inn.  I haven't seen him since then...
HONEST!," Dramic spoke in between his rapid breaths.

"Then I guess we'll have to pay a little visit to the Inn to verify your
story.  Bring him along!"  The guards bound and then marched Dramic back
toward the Inn, where Denner, E'Karam, Quicksilver and Kevin were still
waiting.  The group had managed to light a torch and appeared to be ready to
set out in in their search.

The sergeant stepped towards the quartet standing near the wagon.  "Have any
of you people seen this man in the Dragon's Inn this evening?"

"Why, yes!"

"And was there another man with him?," the guard continued.

"Somebody named Kala Dra or something like that."  The white lie went
unnoticed.

"Thank You."  The sergeant turned around to face Dramic.  "I guess your story
checks out.  Maybe the Wyeriun will go easy on you if you keep telling the
truth."  Then the sergeant turned and gave orders to his men.  "You two
search the Inn, you five come with me and search the nearby streets.  The
rest of you will take Dramic back to Kraken Tower."

"But...I...they...," stammered Dramic.

"SILENCE!  If I want you to talk, I'll ask you to."  He turned to one of his
guards and ordered, "If his tongue continues, GAG HIM."

He considered telling the guards of the group's plan to find Kalendraf, but
then thought better of it.  *If this jerk sergeant is so interested in finding
mista Kal, then I'll do anything I can to stop him!*
  
As he was being led away, Dramic managed to turn his head and watch as the
sergeant and his troops marched down the street.  After spotting a number of
beggars, the sergeant yelled, "CLEAR OUT, YOU FILTHY RATS!", and proceeded to
kick one of the slower moving targets square in the ribs.  Eventually, the
guards moved away continuing their sweep.

There was something familiar about that beggar's cloak.  Then it dawned
on him.  'Kalendraf', he thought to himself.  'Good luck to ya, mista Kal!'
--
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