From: cinci@tbird1.larc.nasa.gov (Debbie Taylor)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.cloven-shield,alt.dragons-inn
Subject: [C&R&M&J] On the road at last
Date: 10 Jan 93 21:23:06
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
NNTP-Posting-Host: tbird1.larc.nasa.gov
In-reply-to: conner@qucis.queensu.ca's message of Sat, 9 Jan 1993 01:55:31 GMT
X-Md4-Signature: 4eac7abaf436822bff693d685a12500b

Chalmers and Raven left their room, heading downstairs.  Reaching the common 
room, Raven told Chalmers that she wanted to talk to the innkeeper and for him
to get the horses and find Jester and Meriden.  Chalmers agreed, took her pack
and headed for the stables.

The innkeeper smiled at her as she approached him. "I see you are feeling much
better this morning, my lady and it appears that you'll be leaving us as well?"

"Yes, I think that might be best for all concerned.  I wanted to apologize for
any inconvience we may have caused you and pay for any damages ..."

"That's not necessary, Chalmers has already generously paid for all the 
trouble."

"Fine, then in that case I like to purchase some of your delicious bread, 
cheese and meats so that we can take them with us ... say about 4 loaves of
bread, a half a round of cheese and several slices of the ham and beef?"  The
innkeeper nodded as she spoke, "Oh yes and a bag of potatoes and 
carrots if that's possible,"  she added thinking that soup or stew would be
nice on the cold nights ahead.

The innkeeper's smile widened when she pulled out the two gold coins, "Let me
get them for you right away!"  A few minutes later he was back with two large
bundles and a small cloth wrapped package.  "Here's what you wanted," he handed
her the bundles.  The smell of fresh baked bread made her mouth water as she
remembered that she hadn't eaten yet.  "And this is for you," he smiled as
he handed her the cloth wrapped package, "Some toasted bread, a slice of cheese
and some ham ... breakfast!"  Raven smiled her thanks and left the inn.

Outside the others were checking to make sure their supplies were secure. Raven
handed Chalmers the bundles, "At least for a day or two we'll eat fairly well,"
she laughed.  As the others added the new supplies to the horse's packs, Raven
ate her breakfast.  Finally satisfied that everything was ready, they mounted 
rode out of the city.

It was a perfect day for traveling; the weather was still cool, but not 
unconfortably so.  The sun hung high in a cloudless blue sky.  They rode
west at an easy pace for the rest of the afternoon, sharing tales of places
and things they had seen in their earlier journeys.  As the sun began to set,
the temperature dropped.  It was time to find a suitable place to camp.  When
they stopped they split up the chores needed to set up camp.  Meriden had
told them he was an excellent cook, so he gathered firewood, started the fire 
and began preparing dinner.  Chalmers took care of the horses while Jester and
Raven put up the tents.  As darkness fell, they gathered around the campfire
eating toasted bread and cheese and warming bowls of Meriden's delicious stew.
 
When they'd finished their meal and cleaned up, Meriden brought out a small
lantern.  Setting it on a more or less level rock, he asked Raven if he and
Jester could continue studying the scroll.  Raven retrieved the scroll and 
gave it to Meriden.  Soon the two mages were talking quietly, totally emersed
in studying the scroll.  Raven and Chalmers sat by the fire quietly talking.

After an hour or, Raven moved closer to the fire, shivering in the cold.  "I'll
never get used to this cold ..." she mumbled.

Chalmers moved closer and put his arm around her.  Smiling she leaned into the
warmth he offered.  "Maybe we should turn in for the night, so you can get 
warm ..." he whispered in her ear, sending shivers of a different kind down
her back.

"Well ... those furs did look awfully warm ..." she smiled up at him. 

They stood up, " Goodnight, Meriden, Jester," Chalmers called as Raven crawled
into the tent, "We'll see you in the morning."

Meriden looked up, "Aren't we going to set up watches?"

"Why?"  Chalmers asked, "If something comes, the horses will let us know.  I'm
sure we'll be fine."

"Well, I think I'll put up a few wards just in case."  

Chalmers shrugged, "Do whatever you think is necessary. Goodnight!" he followed
Raven into the tent.

Inside he found her under the blankets still shivering.  Removing his clothes
he joined her. "Sharing body heat will warm you,"  he said pulling her close.
Finding she was still wearing most of her clothes he added, "Of course it would
work better if you took off the rest of your clothes ..."

"B...b...better?" she chattered.

"Shh ... let me," he rmoved her clothing and again pulled her close.  "Better
now?"  he asked.

"Mmm ... better," she snuggled closer, "I think that maybe I could get to like
this ..."  she teased, kissing him lightly.

"Only maybe? I guess I'll have to do something about that ..." he said.

She shivered again, this time from delight as as he kissed her deeply, 
carressing her now warm, naked body. 

:)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.cloven-shield,alt.dragons-inn