From: sbeitzel@netcom.com (Stephen Beitzel)
Subject: Re: [Meriden]:Shopping Part 2
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 23:44:13 GMT

"Well," said Harald, gesturing toward the pile of tubes on the table,
"this is most of your list.  I'm all out of Bursthelas,	Edram, and
Gursamel, so you'll just have to avoid getting crushed.  All that's
left is the Rewk.  You're asking for an awful lot of the stuff.  Are
you going off to fight a war?"

Meriden shook his head.  "No, but you never can tell.  I'd rather be
safe than dead.  What about the Rewk?"

It turned out that Harald grew his own Rewk in vast quantities, since
it was one of the most asked-for medicines and it is fairly easy to
grow.  The two walked back to the shed, which housed not only various
gardening implements, but also several drying racks, and some barrels.
Harald opened one of the barrels and took out several bulbs that looked
vaguely like garlic, but that smelled spicy, like faint cinnamon or
clove.

Harald said, "So, now, what have you to offer me in exchange for all this?"

Meriden began rummaging in his pouches, and began pulling out spools of
thread and small needlework samplers.  He placed them on a barrel lid
and began describing them.  "This," he said, pointing to a spool
of orange-red thread, "is flamethread.  There are 3 lengths of 10' each.
When a thread is broken, a 10' x 10' x 1' wall of flame manifests along
the thread.  This other," and this time it was a spool of light blue
thread, "is chillthread.  There are 5 lengths of 10' each.  When a thread
is broken a wall of extreme cold manifests along the thread.  I find these
useful in setting wards."  He smiled, and continued, pointing at the
samplers.  "Now these are patterns which have captured the essence of
a spell within them.  When released, the spell becomes active, and the
pattern disappears.  This rose, for instance, is a charm spell - useful
in convincing people to be friendly.  This black sphere is a vacuum,
which can severely injure an attacker."

He pointed to another piece of fabric, one which had no discernible
pattern, but thousands of tiny stitches of many colors, interspersed all
over the cloth.  "This, though, is different.  Once a day, you may use
it to create an illusion, with full sound, taste, smell, and sight.
Merely run your finger across the fabric in this pattern," and he waved
his finger in front of the cloth in a complicated zigzag, "and describe
what you wish to experience.  It will be produced as well as you can
imagine it."

The thread had interested Harald slightly, but not overly so, for he
wasn't very concerned about thieves.  The samplers seemed similarly
geared toward someone living with much more danger.  But the last,
the illusion canvas, that held his attention.  It would be a wonderful
thing to have, and certainly it was a fair exchange.  Therefore he said,
"I'm not very worried about thieves or other unsavory sorts, at least
not here.  How would they know what to take?  Still, that last canvas
would be an interesting thing to have.  It might brighten up the place
a bit.  I'll take that in exchange for the herbs, and call it even."

Meriden nodded, and said, "Done.  If you could put the whole lot into
a large parcel, I'll be on my way."  He began gathering up the spools
and the samplers.

The two walked back to the house, and Harald bound the bulbs and the
tubes together into a bulky package.  Meriden took the package and
turned to go, thanking Harald.  He began his trek back to the inn.

It was getting near sundown by the time he returned to the inn.  He
went inside, expecting to see a large crowd of the native people gathered
at the inn for an evening's gossip, but instead it was nearly empty.
Odd habits these people had, he thought.  He gestured to the barman.
"So, now, is there a room ready for me?"

"Yes, indeed, sir.  I'll have Will take your things up...if it's alright?"
He hesitated, remembering what had happened the last time Will had 
dashed off to move Meriden's horse.

Meriden said, "That will be fine.  Have him take this package up, and
then meet me at the stable to carry up my packs."  He placed the package
on the bar, and went back outside to the stable.

He had just removed the last of his warding threads when Will showed up.
He said to the boy, "All right, it's safe.  Go on, take these up."  Will
gingerly picked up the packs, and then hastily walked back to the inn,
the sooner to be rid of these packs the better.

Meriden walked back to the inn and sighed to himself.  He had everything
he needed, except supper, and that would be waiting for him now.  Eagerly,
he went into the inn.
-- 
"Faster, faster, faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."
	- Daniel Keyes Moran
"Disclaimers are for sucks; these opinions belong to EVERYONE!" - Me
Stephen Beitzel - sbeitzel@netcom.com - sbeitzel@wet.com
Newsgroups: alt.pub.cloven-shield