From: conner@qucis.queensu.ca (Mike Conner)
Subject: [Chalmers/Raven/Meriden/Jester]: Raven awakens
Organization: Computing & Information Science, Queen's University at Kingston
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 17:03:16 GMT

ASIDE: to keep the post titles shorter Chalmers/Raven will now
       be reffered to as C&R!
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Chalmers kicked in the door with his foot and walked into thier room.
(Guess they can add the door to our bill too!) Chalmers carried Raven over to
the bed and carefully laid her down making sure her leg did not bend.
She did not move, not a muscle, although Meriden assurred him that it would
take 24 hours to completely heal he did not mention how long it would take
for Raven to regain consiousness.

Chalmers began to remove the knives that Raven kept hidden in her clothing,
"Wouldn't want her to stab herself if she rolled over.", Chalmers thought to
himself. After a double check, only by memory, Chalmers sat back down by
Raven's side, having placed her weapons within reach on the night table.

He stroked her hair away from her forehead making sure each piece laid one 
beside the other.  His feelings for her where growing stronger enough to place
his own life infront of hers.  Although he might have done it for a stranger it
would not have been so willingly. 

Chalmers sat on the bed for a few minutes, re-living their time together last
night.  How soft her skin felt against his hands, her hair, like the finest
silk.  No one had made him feel this way in a long time.  He could not, would
not, let it end.  His thoughts returned to the present ...

"I should remove your damp clothes least you catch a death of chill."  Chalmers
carefully, and skillfully, removed her trousers, being cautious not to
upset Meriden's dressing.  After unbuttoning her shirt and sliding it from
her body Chalmers reluctantly placed the sheets back over her. "There will
be plently of time for that later" he thought to himself, a light smile on
his face.  He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips and one on her
head.  Rest easy my lady.  I will be back to check on you soon.

Chalmers managed to close the door quitely enough although the poor bolt had
seen better days.  He noticed that someone had tried to remove Raven's
message with some steel wool but had only made it look worse. "I must remember
to give the InnKeeper a little something extra for his troubles."

On his way down the stairs he spotted Meriden seated with his friend he had
mentioned.  "Barkeep, bring me a round of ale for each of us at this table."
"A thousand thanks for your goodwill Meriden although as of yet Raven has not
regained consiousness."  Chalmers spoke to Meriden, taking a seat at the table,
one which gave him a clear view of the Inn's door.  "I would like you to meet
Jester, a friend" Meriden said looking in Jester's direction. "Jester, this is
Chalmers the one I mentioned earlier." Jester, knodding to Chalmers, said "I
hope all is well with your lady upstairs, arrows can be quite nasty?" 

"She is resting thanks, I will check on her again soon."  Chalmers replied,
a faint tremble in his voice. "Not to worry Chalmers, she will regain
consiousness very soon." Meriden assurred.  "Ah, ale, thank you barman, and
cheers to you Chalmers, I believe you earned it after the mess I saw by the
stables!"

They all drank and talked of tall tales and fortunes of great, although
Chalmers mind was on one thing, and one thing only, RAVEN. "You must excuss
me gentlemen, I must check on Raven, I will be but a minute.  Please, have
another round on me.  Barkeep (flipping the barkeep a gold coin) another
round for me fiends and a new door for your room upstairs."  The barkeep
grabbed the coin from the air and looked at Chalmers, puzzled.

Chalmers leap up the stairs touching the floor only twice. He slowed as he
approached their room and quietly reached for the handle.  Chalmers looked up
when he heard a strange sound and slowly openned the door.  A huge grin lit
up his face as he realized the strange voice was that of Raven's. "She's
regained consiousness, but is talking in her sleep, in her native tongue I
assume." Chalmers thought to himself.  "Thrice damned, hellspawned, Shadows!"
Wait, he could make out some of her words, he moved closer trying not to
awaken her.  He sat down beside her again and listened intently.

"Run Ahzri, run.  Run like the wind!" Raven muttered, turning her head
slightly from side to side.  Most of her words where unintelligable to Chalmers
so he sat listening with a careful ear. Raven's eyes shot open and she began to
claw at the sheets "Chalmers, look out!" Chalmers carefully grabbed her arms and
placed them beside her "There, there, Raven, I'm right here, it's over now,
there gone." Chalmers spoke to her reassurringly. Raven looked up at him
an attempted smile on her face. "Glad to have you back Raven" brushing his
hand on her cheek. "You gave me quite a fright."

:)
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