From: cinci@tbird1.larc.nasa.gov (Debbie Taylor)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.cloven-shield
Subject: Re: [C&R&M&J]:The group joins forces
Date: 5 Jan 93 10:18:31
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
	<1993Jan4.185727.28260@netcom.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: tbird1.larc.nasa.gov
In-reply-to: sbeitzel@netcom.com's message of Mon, 4 Jan 1993 18:57:27 GMT
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Chalmers, Jester and Meriden watched as the Shadow bolted out the door and 
down the stairs accompanied by the sound of jingle bells.  The sight and sound
made all three mechuckle.

"Well that's the last you'll see of him, Raven," Meriden turned back to the
woman on the bed.

"But it's probably not the last we'll hear of him," the deep frown on her face
ended the laughter.

"What do you mean?"  Meriden felt the chill of apprehension on his neck.

"Well, you convinced him that HE never wanted to see us again ... but when he 
catches up to another group of Shadows, he'll tell them everything ... 
including your part in this mess and then they'll be hunting you as well.  They
take interferrence very personally." 

She glanced at Chalmers, a question in her eyes.  At Chalmers' answering nod,
she continued, "We were already planning to leave in the morning, actually
we had planned to leave this morning, but things didn't quite work out.  
We are going in search of the City of the Djinn.  You're both welcome to
join us if you'd like.  But either way, I think you'd be better off away
from here by morning."

"The city of the Djinn?  You mean the beings in lamps that can grant wishes?"
Meriden asked.

Raven nodded, "You didn't rally think they all lived in bottles and lamps,
did you?"

Meriden shrugged, "I never thought about it ... I always thought they were
just legend anyway."

"No, they're real and they live in a city built around an oasis in the 
elemental plane of air,"  Raven assured him.

"And you know how to find the city?"  Jester asked.

Raven shrugged, "I have a scroll which gives criptic directions.  I don't
claim to understand them all yet, but I will figure it out!"

"Can we see this scroll?" Jester's eyes were completely focused for once,
his excitement barely contained.

"Sure, close the door and pull up a chair.  Chalmers, hand me my backpack."

Raven opened the pack and drew out a jeweled ivory and gold scroll case.  The
case alone was worth a fortune.  Meriden's eyes widened with surprise ...
maybe she really was a thief!

Opening the case, Raven carefully withdrew the ancient scroll and spread
it out on the bed.  The scroll was a work of art; beautifully illuminated
in vibrant colors and covered in a strange, gracefull script.

"But we can't read it!"  Meriden exclaimed.

"I can translate it, you'll either have to trust me or find a way to read
it yourself,"  Raven shrugged.

Meriden looked at Jester, "What do we have to lose?"

"Nothing since we have to leave anyway,"  Jester smiled back his eyes, once
again glazed over in a faraway look. 

"Well, maybe we'll catch you for dinner," Chalmers opened the door, "I plan
to spend the afternoon procuring supplies for the journey."

"And I have business to attend to as well," Meriden smiled, "Have a good
afternoon, Chalmers.  Raven get some more rest!" 

"Now where were we when all this started?"  Chalmers asked as he closed the
door behind Jester and Meriden.  "Ah, yes ... I remember ..." he joined 
Raven on the bed.

"I thought you had shopping to do," Raven asked as his clothes followed
hers to the floor.

"It'll wait ..." he grinned


Xref: sparky alt.pub.cloven-shield:43 alt.dragons-inn:41