From: jgreene@dorm.rutgers.edu (Jeffrey Greene)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Ga] Zebron's Endless Dream
Date: 3 Oct 92 18:28:05 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

Zebron's Endless Dream
 
The bed was warm, the cloak wrapped around him cozy, a safe haven in a
dangerous world.  He had almost forgotten how real beds feel, a common
occurance for those who spend weeks or months travelling unpopulated place.
Three months of sleeping on cold earth, maybe a bed of soft leaves if he was
lucky, had taken their toll on the dark elf, and he soon slipped into a deep
sleep.
 
His eyes opened and he was in a forest.  Dusk was on his shoulder, but aside
from that, there was no sign of his companions.
 
"Okay," he said aloud, to his friend the raven, "I guess this means it's my
turn to dream.  Which raises the question: are you a figment of my dream, a
character created from my dream, or have you chosen to accompany me into my
dream, as you did Khisanth?
 
"Of course, how can you answer that?  If you accompanied me, you would tell me
so, and if you are a figment, I would probably imagine you telling me you
weren't, so I would no longer be jealous of the rapport you found with the
Melbournian.
 
"Well, let's see.  No hedge of thorns like you described in Garriot's mind, so
I'd say it's safe to bet that this is my dream and not some trap set by the
bearded man.  I guess I'd better get a move on, though."
 
And with that, the two started walking though the woods, eventually coming to
a glade.  The glade was not far from a path, and they took the path, for
taking a path when in an unkown woods is often the easiest way to travel,
especially when you don't know where you are supposed to be going.
 
Eventually, they noticed a figure at the side of  the road.  This was the
first person they had seen, although they had earlier heard the sounds of the
wild animals and beasts that make every forest their home.  The figure was
very tall, thin, and gaunt.  It was dressed as a butler, and was obviously
going bald.  On his hwakish nose were perched thick glasses, which were
sliding down as the elf and bird approached.
 
The figure pushed his glasses up, and addressed them, "Hello.  My master
wishes to speak to you."
 
"I do not know your master."
 
"Yes you do.  Everyone does."
 
"Why does he wish to speak to me then? Am I tresspassing on his lands?"
 
"Well, in a sense, no.  No one can tresspass on His lands.  But you are
tresspassing in His domain..."
 
"Very well, then.  I shall speak to him."
 
The two followed the tall man for a while, through the forest, through a
field, on a road, and into a castle.  They were asked to remain in a sitting
room while the master of the realm was called.  The tall man closed the door
and went to look for him.
 
However, as the drow was quick to notice, the master was already waiting for
him.
 
He was another tall, gaunt man.  But this one had skin as white as linen, and
a dark mane of black hair that surrounded his face.  His eyes were black
shadows, except for pinpoints of red light where pupils should have been. 
He was dressed in black, with a black cloak wrapped loosely around him. 
 
"You know, if you like sulking in corners, then have I got the place for
you..." Zebron said, nervously trying to break the tension.
 
_Yes_the_Dragon's_Inn.__One_of_my_more_inspiried_works._ said the master, in a 
voice that could have frozen a dragon's belly.
 
"Hold on a sec!  The inn is Littlefair's!  And it was Nightstalker's idea to
build it!" exclaimed the dark elf, with Dusk noisily agreeing.
 
_Who_do_you_think_gave_Nightstalker_the_idea?__Or_the_power?_
 
"Well, he said it came to him in a dre-" shock registered across the elf's
face as he realized who he was talking to.
 
"This doesn't mean I'm going to die, does it?"
 
_Do_you_see_my_sister_here?__Although_she_is_a_little_annoyed_that_you_
escaped_her_twice_already._
 
"Well, someone has to make her job more than a cakewalk.  Anyway, why did you
need to see me?"
 
_Your_song._
 
"Oh great.  I try to relieve some stress and have a little fun, but all I get
are music critics.  First Kyleen and now you.  What, the melody a little too
much like 'Gilligan's Island' for you as well?"
 
_No.__I_wasn't_mentioned_in_the_lyrics._
 
"Excuse me?"
 
_After_all,_if_it_wasn't_for_me,_there_wouldn't_be_a_dreamscape_for_Khisanth_
and_Dusk_to_find_clues_in._
 
"Uh...ok.  So you just want to be mentioned.  That's all?  That's why you
invited me here?"
 
_Yes._
 
"Alright.  I can live with that.  It's been nice meeting you, sir, as well as
an honor."
 
_I_know._
 
At this point in the conversation, the tall man opened the door.  "I'm sorry,
Mr. Twilight, but I can't-"
 
_Don't_worry.__I_found_him_myself.__Oh,_and_Lucien,_set_another_plate_for_
dinner._
 
At this, the drow's face beamed.  Dinner was served shortly, and much small
talk was made over a gormet meal of every delicacy known to man, and a few
others man's never heard of.  The master seemed fond of the raven, and talked
to the bird as much as he talked to the elf, which didn't surprise the elf at
all.
 
When dinner was over, Zebron turned around to thank his host, but he wasn't
there.  Or maybe he was, but Zebron no longer was.  Instead, the dark elf was
again wrapped in his cloak, soundly sleeping in his warm bed, where he had
never really left.
 
[ADMIN: If anyone has a problem with the way the characters are presented
here, I'm sorry.  I only started reading the series a little while ago, but
felt it would be neat to include them here.  Oh, and I'm purposely being vague
about who they are and where they come from, to add to their mystery.]

-jak