Organization: University of Maine System
Date: Tuesday, 18 Aug 1992 16:44:15 EDT
From: <BANNON@MAINE.MAINE.EDU>
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [R] Hazy's perspective

Meanwhile back at the ranch...
After a few minutes of leaning over the rail and watching
Killian and Jenever frollick in the water, Hazy's attention
had been suddenly diverted by the sound of Radan stumbling
up the gangplank with Karl slung over his shoulder.  Beyond
them, on land, fires were burning all around the town and
people could be seen dashing about with children, sacks of
belongings and sometimes weapons, too.  The captain, being
the cautious sort when it came to his ship, had ordered the
gangplank removed and the lines cast off as soon as the
pair staggered aboard.

A crowd of folks had immediately gathered around Karl and
Radan to offer assistance.  Radan, in his quiet, intense
way had put them all quickly to work.  He had one grinding
ingredients, another fetching bags from below, another
raising Karl's feet, another seeing about getting some
boiling water from the galley,-- everyone had leapt to
carry out their tasks.  Killian and Jenever had climbed
aboard at the first signs of departure, on deck they
immediately offered their assistance to Radan.

The Moorglade had pulled away from the dock very slowly.
The sails popped and flapped in the weak breeze.  The sun
was below the horizon and the wind had nearly died out.
Hazy had stood for a moment transfixed by the sudden turn
of events.  It was difficult to know how to be of help.
She wasn't a healer.  She wasn't a sailor.  She didn't
where they were headed yet, or why....still, she had
pledged to help those in need and it suddenly occured to
her then how she might help.  Apparently, the group was
in need of a speedy departure.  She had then shifted from
gray, to white, to a thin,fine mist and finally faded from
view.  In her transparent form she took to the air and
set about stirring up some wind currents, rushing and
swirling through the layers of air behind the ship at
tremendous speeds.  The sails had billowed out with
the wind that she induced and the ship began to make
headway.

They had been underway for nearly a full day since the
return of Radan and Karl.  Karl was just coming around.
Radan's ministrations had succeded in restoring him.
While they sailed Hazy had learned something from her
fellow passengers about the reason for the journey.
Eventually, she had also realized the centaur was missing.
Killian questioned Radan after Karl regained consciousness
and was out of danger.  Radan explained that a riot had
broken out and Karl was felled by a poison dart.  Helios,
the centaur, had disappeared in the confusion.  The people's
relief at Karl's recovery was tempered by their concern
for the wellfare of the centaur.  There was no sense in
turning back at the moment, though.  For better or for
worse, they were well on their way South again.

Hazy hadn't had a chance to meet Radan.  She moved toward
his side and touched his arm gently.  Surprised, he flinched
a bit,-- and no wonder.  Hazy had a touch like a cold, damp
bit of seaweed or some, who were less than kind, had even
compared her grasp to shaking hands with a clammy corpse.
She dropped her hand quickly and said, "You have no small
skill in the healing arts.  Your friend is fortunate to
know you.  I would be honored to know you as well.  My
name is Hazy Drifter.  Might I know yours, please?"

Hazy
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn