From: scavanag@neumann.une.edu.au (Steven Cavanagh)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [HP] Prophecy revealed to Darvin..
Date: 8 Nov 92 12:14:51 GMT


Posted on behalf of Helios Darkmane.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Helios Darkmane: Beginnings chapter 2

The story so far: 
While journeying with the Rameshanders, Helios was centaur-napped by the lich
Shaman and his perverted Leprechaun companion Schumann. The two evil gits then
proceeded to polymorph Helios into human form as revenge for past indignities.
Helios has surfaced in a city to the north of Generica, And has met up with 
the boy-thief Darvin.The two have now left the city and are travelling in
of aid against Shaman and, as Helios will soon realise, to fulfill a prophecy.


	Helios and Darvin rode hard until noon, in case the owner of the stolen horses had realised what had happened and sent pursuit. Coming across a small
brook, the unlikely pair stopped for a break. Both were perplexed.
	'Why am I here? Who is dis guy ? Why the smeg is I helpin' 'im ? Yeah, 
he helped me, but I don' owe him nuffin' !' The thoughts had been running
through Darviun's mind for the last few hours.
	'Why have I brought him ? Why am I linked to this two-footer child ?
Helios' mind had been likewise occupied. The lad had helped him, but that was
not reason enough. He was a city child, not one of the plains such as Helios.
	"Mista Helios ?"
	The words were tentative, as if darvin was unsure what he was asking.
	"Wot's differen 'bout you ?"
	Helios merely grinned.
	"You are more perceptive than many of the city dwellers I have met,
child. Yet you ask, so I shall answer. I am not, in truth, as I seem at this 
moment. I was not born into this form, that of a human. I am originally a plains being, a centaur. I fell afoul of an evil creature known as a lich, by the name of Shaman. he used his own perverted concoctions and enchantments to change
me from my true form to the shape I know occupy. I now seek aid, and when I am 
once again as I was, I shall hunt down and destroy the wretched creature."
	"So why am I here ? Ya sound pretty determindish, I'd only get in
ya way."
	"I really don't know why I brought you with me, Darvin. I feel linked
to you somehow. I believe your colliding with me in the street was no mere
coincidence. There are forces in action here I do not pretend to understand.
Perhaps the prophecy has the answer."
	"Profissy? You knows a profissy ? Tell me."
	"Prophecy. The term is prophecy. One was foretold several years before
my grandsire's birth. It told of great evil, but great hope. I've always 
wondered why my dam insisted I memorise it. Perhaps it applies to me in some 
way. If so, perhaps you as well."
	"Me ? In a profissy? whoops-prophecy. How's it go?

	"Evil grown, malevolence incarnate
	unholy corpse living while dead
	powers vile flow within
	darkness threatens to engulf.

	Child born low, dark haired waif
	enters to stand 'gainst evils' might
	blind but yet can see the light
	hope lies reborn there

	Sentients five, pentad of strength
	travel to join, move to defend
	The man of nature, inner strength
	The man of night, inner calm
	The man of day, resolution
	The man who isn't, iron will
	The child of shadows, sacrifice

	Six shall fare against the death
	Six shall oppose death incarnate
	Two shall die, Three shall live
	One will never be the same.

	That's the main part anyway. There are other verses describing the six, but I only know one- the man who isn't. I fear my dam may well have realised the portent of the verse. The man who isn't may well refer to me."
	Darvin was thoughtful for a minute, then yawned.
	"Den who am I ?"
	"You ? My guess is that you would be either the child of hope or the child of shadows, life reborn or sacrifice. I really don't know for certain which at this stage, nor do I know the verses for each."
	Helios looked at Darvin, who had since fallen asleep. The ride had tired him, and the lad had finally succumbed to the weariness Helios felt now seeping through his bones.
	This human body has not the stamina of my true form, he thought. He removed a large sack from DarvinUs horse, emptied it into one of his own, and then lay the now empty sack across Darvin as a makeshift blanket. Sleep well, he thought, sleep deeply. For if my fears are true you would be the child of shadows, a street urchin....sacrifice.