Organization: Penn State University
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 14:14:49 EDT
From: <ASG102@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [L] A Meeting with an Assassin

     It was dawn at the Dragons Inn.  The breakfast crowd was growing and
Luthor knew that it was time for him to leave.  He excused himself from his
friends at his table, blew a kiss to Serene, and left.
     Dawn had always been his favorite time.  It was the time when Lathander
rose to bless the world with his life-giving light.  He drove away the
darkness.  Evil creatures hid their faces from his holiness in fear that they
might be shown their true natures.
     Granted, Luthor was more powerful in the dark where shadows were his
allies, but there was something magical about the dawn.  Its red and
orange hues painting the air like no artist could hope to, no matter how
skilled in their art.
     As Luthor walked toward the Arcade of Unforgotten Heroes, he thought
about his date with Serene on the previous day.  They had toured the city
and enjoyed each other's company.  *sigh*  If only everyone lived so simply,
unburdoned by ambition or materialism...

     Luthor entered the arcade and saw a man who seemed to recognise him.
He was wearing leather armor and a longsword hung on his right side with a
dagger hanging on his left.  Luthor wondered what kind of man would dress in
such a manner for a business meeting.  At that point, he felt a little
dizzy, 'You're getting old Luthor,' he thought to himself.

Luthor approached, "Greetings, I assume that you are Draaken Rasp?"

"Aye.  I am he.  I assume that you are Luthor Anside, recently of the Realms?"

"Luthor Anside of the Eveningstar Anside Family; loyal to Cormyr and its
ruler, King Permus Tremor the First; Last of the Children of the Blue Star,"
Luthor said making a formal introduction as was appropriate for business
dealings.

Helen, being used to court life before this mission, took a formal
stance at the tone of Luthor's introduction.  Now it was too late.  She would
have to change Draaken's false history.  This was only a minor setback, but
she made a mental note to be more cautious.

"Draaken Rasp, Champion of Daggerdale, Slayer of the Beasts of Fire, Loyal
to the Brotherhood of Seven Blades.  Well met Luthor, your station is above
mine, honor to your family and your country,"  Helen intoned.

"In matters of buisiness, all men are equal.  Well met Draaken.  Now, let us
talk of how you came to Nexus.  It seems that a few of us have found our way
to Generica, a rather fortunate coincidence, don't you think?" Luthor asked.

'Coincidence? What is he implying?' Helen thought.

"I was running a caravan across the desert when it was lost to a sandstorm.
I wandered for days and then ran across a large pair of doors floating in
the air.  At first I thought I was delerious, but then I realized that these
doors were the mythical link to Nexus.  I went through them and then eventually
found my why here," Helen lied.

Luthor wondered why Draaken had switched accents.  It was a subtle change, but
Luthor noticed such things from years of playing political games. The dizziness
returned.  'Now I'm getting paranoid,' Luthor told himself.

"I myself came to Generica to escape an enemy, but that situation has corrected
itself.  Now I seek to settle down in Generica and perhaps start a business.
This is why I agreed to meet you.  What do you have in mind?"  Luthor asked
watching Draaken closely.  'He's up to something wicked more than likely.'

"I propose that we open a gambling hall.  With your ability to change chance
and mine to deal cards, we could have ourselves a fortune before too long.
I have a friend who is a cleric of Tymora, Goddess of Luck.  She is also
interested in joining the venture." Helen felt nervous.  This meeting wasn't
going as she had hoped and instead of letting his guard down, Luthor seemed
more alert.  'Where are the gangs when you need them?' she thought.

At that point, the gang did arrive.

"Hey Markis, lookie what we gots us here.  Looks like two fat rich folk to me
eh?  What says we lighten deir purse so da jangles don't tire dem out?" said
one samll, but strong looking boy in his mid teens.

"I sees dem Grik.  If dey is smart, dey will give us da jangles now.  If dey
is dumb...which dey is, dey is gonna fight us den give up the jangles anyway."
This from another ruffian in his late teens.  He wore an impressive array of
daggers that Luthor hoped he didn't know how to use.

'Uh Oh' thought Luthor.

'heh heh heh,' thought Helen.

"We got work to do boy," said their leader.  The gang closed its circle on
their two victims.

     Love and Peace and Treachery,
            -The Dreamer-