The door of The Angry Porcupine swung open, admitting raven-locked Twilight, then Mea Culpa, Tabanallis, J'layah, and finally Balefire. The Dark Elf warmage's usually grim features lit up with a rare grin as he spied Elfiran taking his ease at the bar, talking with a small group of weary-looking travellers. "Ho, Elfiran! Well met in the Porcupine!" he bellowed, rushing forward to offer his hand in greeting, " 'Tis glad indeed I am to see you! We have been scouring the wilderness hereabouts, thinning the ranks of the Dark Brotherhood. Two bands we have despatched, a dozen or so of the skulkers, but now it seems we have had another quest thrust upon us. Hark ye, Elfiran, 'tis a damsel in distress, as in some bard's tale, and best of all, another chance to tweak the noses of the Brotherhood!" Raising his staff, he muttered a cantrip, and a fat purse clanked into existence on the bar. "With your permission, Elfiran? A bit of ale before we visit the Mages' Guild to use their teleporter? We have little time, but enough, surely, for a spot of ale and mayhap a bottle or two of wine before we must be gone." Elfiran smiled and waved a hand in permission. Grin widening in thanks, Balefire gestured again, and a dew-beaded cask of ale appeared on the bar, joined a heartbeat later by two bottles of wine. "Join me in a drink, good Elfiran, and bring us up to date on what you have been up to." Gesturing to his companions, he said, "Twilight I believe you already know. Allow me to introduce Mea Culpa and J'layah. Tabanallis here is a puissant warrior; perhaps you already know him, or at least of him. J'layah...ah...dropped in on our camp and needs a bit of help. Well, her sister does, in any case. But first. let us soothe our parched throats, ere we leave for Aldingbury." So saying, the big warmage busied himself with drawing ale and pouring wine. "And who", he asked, "might these friends of yours be? They have the look of hard journeying upon them." He stopped to toss off a tankard of ale and refill it. Taking another long swallow, he looked expectantly at Elfiran as Twilight and the others in his party took their drinks and settled themselves at a nearby table. From: Tom du Barry Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 02:52:50 +0800 Subject: The Porcupine Tales "Phew" I thought that was quite a ride, but I'm glad to say we're finally back again at The Porc. " be right there" I yelled to the retreating figures of my companions, " gotta look after my horse first", I finished lamely. While the rest of the guys & girls went towards the door of the Tav, I decided to stable the horses and check out one of my horde's hoofs since = he had picked up a slight bother of sorts, after removing the tiny stone tha= t was wedged in the horse's hoof, I figured i might just as well brush them down and settle them in properly ( the horses that is) During this time I ended up searching for the stable boy, meaning to ask him where the fodder was kept, but alas no stable boy was to be found. Now, I don't know about you but a stable without a stable boy is like....... well waybread without water. it doesn't sit very well if you get my drift. At this very moment I noticed a shadow in the peripheral of my sight, "Sacre Noir" my trusty blade started to hum, and it only does that when there is evil nearby ( which apropos, convinced me that J'layah was not very evil) and promptly appeared in my hand ( yeah, I know it's like .. magic you know) I twirled around into a knee bend and was just missed by = an crossbow bolt, the infernal thing nearly sang in my ear, so close was tha= t shot, the thing with crossbow's is however, they take a while to load, so= I backtracked the flight path and sure enough I could see the floppy rim of= a black hat, that those Brotherhood fiends are so renown for wearing. Luckily I had a jump spell handy (lets face you can't say: luckily I had = a jump spell footy) and I let go of that spell which put me right behind the critter, I then proceeded to give him= a close shave, shucks I'm sorry I'm a girl and not very good at shaving so = I accidentally nicked him under the chin a bit, okay , okay a lot of bits. Oh well, to make a tall story short, I eventually found the fodder , fed the horses and grabbed the head of the now very dead ( at least I hope so= ) Dark Brother and proceeded back to the Tavern. Throwing open the door, I stood there for a moment, then caught Bale fire= 's eye, and said " Hum sorry to interrupt but I have another item for our collection, found this one in hiding upstairs in the stable" holding the awful bloody thing by the hair, I chucked it in the corner and walked towards my friends, having in mind to get a drink and put my feet up," Honestly" I said," this is to much for a sweet innocent girl like me" and sat down with a glass of wine and a wicked smile on my face, waiting for whatever reaction came from my action.