From: conner@qucis.queensu.ca (Mike Conner)
Subject: [Chalmers]:The Clown and Anchors ...
Organization: Computing & Information Science, Queen's University at Kingston
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 17:52:05 GMT

Chalmers made his way down the stairs towards the main floor of the
Cloven Shield.  "Nice name, better than the Dragon's Inn, smelly
creatures!" Chalmers thought to himself.  A quick glance around the
bar made it apparent that most patrons had left for the day, "Probably
home resting, getting ready for a wild night tonight, they better not
wake me up or there'll be hell to pay." Chalmers thought with a sneer,
"although Raven will certainly keep my attention" a smile now forming
on Chalmers' face.  He made his way out the door a slight knod of his
head to acknowledge the barkeep, who was busy cleaning some ale mugs.

Chalmers walked to the stables which where postioned right next to the
Cloven Shield's main left wall.  He could here a horse's ney and
recognized it as Stealth, his trusty mare, who in turn had recognized
Chalmers' sent.  "Hello girl, where you getting lonely out here?" Chalmers
spoke softly to Stealth.  Removing the reins from the hitch-post, Chalmers
walked Stealth over to where Ahzri was standing.  "Stealth, I would like
to introduce you to Ahzri, she is Ravens beauty."  Chalmers stated, rubbing
Stealths nose with his palm.  Re-fastening the reins, Chalmers gave an
inquisitive look as both horses neyed at the same time, as if responding
to Chalmers introduction.

"Ahzri, smell this" placing Ravens shirt up to Ahzri's nose.  Ahzri
immediatly responded by nervously moving around. "Yes, it is Raven's"
Chalmers said, comfortingly "she is doing just fine, resting upstairs in
the Inn."  Ahzri began to settle down, again as if acknowledging Chalmers
spoken words.  "Here are a few treats for both of you and some extra hey,
the blankets you have over your backs will keep you warm during the night."

Chalmers moved closer to Stealth "Keep a watchful eye girl, there is trouble
afoot, and keep the other eye on Ahzri!" Stealth's ney was all Chalmers
needed as a response.  Patting Stealth's nose Chalmers made his way out of the
stables and down the side alley to the Clown and Anchors.

Several brocken bottles and bits of garbage littered the alley between the
Cloven Shield and the Clown and Anchors, Chalmers was careful to walk around
them so as not to disturb any of the local drunks curled-up beside them.
"Must keep a watchful eye and a good head about this place, bunch of
nasties around here.  I like it already!" Chalmers thought to himself.
Making his way to the front entrance of the Clown and Anchors, Chalmers pushed
open the door and walked through, a sense of purpose in his stride.

If it were the Cloven Shield most patrons would have glanced over at the
newcomer but it wasn't, and the patrons here minded their own business.
Chalmers walked over to the bar, keeping a fixed eye on the barkeep but always
aware of the actions of those around him.  With a bend of his index finger
Chalmers motioned the barkeep over.  "What's your pleasure, sir?" the barkeep
asked, flicking a bug off the bar-top with his wet wash cloth.  "I was
wondering if you knew where I could find a halfling called Corbin?" Chalmers
asked.  Raising his right eyebrow "Corbin eh?" the barkeep muttered "who
be askin'?" looking at Chalmers, "Tell him the 'Ice Master' is looking for
him!"

The barkeep looked up and scanned the bar, "there he is, that no good ...",
"Stuzzy!" motioning the bus boy over to the bar with his waving hand.  The
barkeep whispered something into Stuzzy's ear and the boys face lit up.
"Right away dad" the bus boy said running into the back room and out of sight.
"Corbin'll send someone to get you when he's ready, care for something while
you wait?" asked the barkeep.  "Give me an ale" Chalmers replied, tossing down
several coppers, "this is not the place to be flashing your gold about"
thinking to himself.

It wasn't long before Chalmers was approached at the bar.  Having had one of
his hands brocken by tapping a ranger on the shoulder he was not about to
make the same mistake.  "You are looking for Corbin are you not?" questioned
the small halfelf, standing to the right of Chalmers, "come with me, he is
interested in seeing you!"  The halfelf turned and walked across the bar floor
to a door leading to stairs to the cellar.  Cautioning, Chalmers said to the
halfling "If this is a trap it will be your last!" a shiver running down
the halfelf's spine, "follow me sir."  Walking down the steps to the cellar
Chalmers noted that several modifications have been made to the original
foundation of this Inn.  Coming upon a stone wall the halfling turned the top 
of an ale keg closest to the wall and a large opening appeared.  "Impressive"
exclaimed Chalmers, "Necessary" replied the halfling.

Stepping through the opening Chalmers saw before him a rather small
creature, another halfelf, and two rather ominous looking ... things.
Chalmers could not identify these animals but they seemed to get rather nervous
when Chalmers approached Corbin.  "My name is Chalmers, I was told you might
be able to exchange a certain ITEM for gold coins!"  Corbin looked at
Chalmers approvingly, calming his PETS down with a strange whisper.  "You
have come to the right place, what do you offer?"  replied Corbin.

Chalmers reached into his cloak pocket, Corbin's pets moving nervously at
Chalmers' movement, and pulled out a brilliantly coloured star pendent.  The
gems gleamed a marvalous red and green from the torch light.  Corbin's eyes
widened and slowly reached out his hand.  "May I examine this fine piece, I
have not seen it's likeness for many a year?"  Studying Corbin's face, keeping
an eye on his pets, Chalmers placed the pendent in the halflings hand.  "I can
take this guy with both hands tied but those smelly things might pose a 
problem in this small space." Chalmers thought to himself.

"I will offer you 400 gold coins for this, I'm sure Zartan would offer you
less!" replied Corbin.  "I see word spreads fast around here, 600 gold coins!"
Chalmers' eyes closing slightly in a slyish look. "You are a man of courage
coming into MY domain and bartering with me, 450!"  Chalmers looked at
Corbin with a slight grin "500, no less, I could always take my business
elsewhere" Laughing, Corbin replied, "You are truely a brave one, deal, 500
gold coins"  Corbin again whispered to the creature at his left.  It moved
itself back a few feet to reveal a hole in the floor and a large chest inside
it.  The other creature moved forward off a small platform which caused the
chest to raise up.  Corbin passed his hand over the chest and it magically
opened.  "One can't be too carefull around here" Corbin remarked to Chalmers.
Reaching inside Corbin took two bags out and handed them to Chalmers, "250
in each, I will not be offended if you open them to check"  Chalmers did just
that having delt with halflings before, "Gold indeed, and about the right
weight, I trust you on the count."

"If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to call on me."
Corbin remarked as Chalmers turned to leave. "My thanks to you Corbin" Chalmers
replied, and walked into the Inn's cellar, the opening closing behind him.
"Beware of Zartan, he has many eyes!" Chalmers heard Corbin say just as the
panel closed. The messanger pointed the way to the stairs but Chalmers just
glared, "I'll find my own way out thank-you."  Chalmers walked up the stairs
and closed the door behind him locking the latch.  "Hey, *Boom* *Boom* *Boom*,
let me out, let me out of here" screamed the halfling just loud enough to be
heard by Chalmers.  "Strange place to put a lock, but I don't want to attract
any attention leaving this place with this much gold."  Chalmers thought to
himself.

"I think I will pay a little visit to the town bank before I do my shopping,
would be nice to have a little something waiting for me in this town if
I choose to return."  Chalmers made his way quickly and quietly out the door
and down the alley between the Clown and Anchors and the Cloven Shield, both
eyes scanning ...

:)

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