Date: Wed, 12 Jun 1996 09:00:40 -0700 Reply-To: kat@pdh.com From: Kathleen Reinholz Subject: INT:A Call To Arms Reserved: Myce Elf, Mat, Mer, Merwin Deog's Ghost (Raini) Tolstoy (Chris V.) Shared: Dug, Ruck, Brin, Dan, Damon A map of the region can be found off of http://web.mit.edu/mbarker/www/writers.html Note: The following Interactive Thread has a plot. If you would like to participate, please contact kat@pdh.com, and I will forward the outline and list of characters to you. As always, critiques and comments are most appreciated. -------------------------------------------------------------- The blue merchant's flag was raised on the DarkWind. It flapped gently in the breeze, a signal to the oncoming trawler that the DarkWind was entering the Dragon's Mouth on business. Myce Elf was below decks when the trawler pulled alongside, and three officious looking men boarded the ship. "Where is the captain of this ship? I demand to see him." one of the men stated abruptly. His bristly red beard glowed in the morning light. The other men stood arms crossed in front of themselves. With their dark brows, bushy beards, and scowling faces they looked liked twins. Ruck nudged Brin, "Go get Myce," he said under his breath. Brin nodded and rushed down to the captain's cabin. He turned, and stared at the three men. "Captain will be up in a minute. Anything I can do for you fellows?" "We'll wait." Brin rushed into the captain's cabin. Myce Elf sat precariously on the top of several books that were placed in Deog's captain's chair. Tolstoy was lying down beside the chair, sleeping. Myce was writing industriously, a feather quill in hand. "Myce, some men are asking to see you." Brin stuck her braid into her mouth, and stood in the middle of the doorway, fidgeting quietly. Myce carefully blotted the paper she was working on, and closed the book. "Brin, could you grab that portfolio over there? Yes, that one on the shelf. Thank you. Tolstoy, could you stay hidden for a few minutes? I'll probably need you for backup if these men are who I think they are." Myce hopped down from the chair. She grabbed her captain's hat adorned with a raven's feather, placed it on her head and followed Brin up to the deck. As soon as the men saw the diminutive elf wearing a captain's hat, they broke out into laughter. All of the children began to frown, and Ruck started forward, his fists tensed at his sides. Myce looked at the boy, "Ruck, it's okay. I'm used to this. Excuse me gentlemen, can I help you?" " We need to see the captain of this ship." The red-haired man could barely restrain his mirth, "Where is your master, elf? You are a cute little toy." He stuck a finger on her head, tapping her to see if she were real. "Be careful, I bite." Myce Elf said sarcastically. "I am the Captain of the DarkWind. What do you need?" "We're here to see your permits for landing. What business do you have in Dragon's Tooth? All of your paperwork must be in order for you to gain entry." The man surveyed the deck, assessing the value of the freight. "Brin, give this man the portfolio." Brin carefully handed the man the leather folder. He opened it, surveyed its contents carefully. "Well, everything appears to be in order. But," he winked at his comrades, "We are commandeering this vessel." He looked up at one of his fellows, "It's being piloted by a doll woman and a bunch of children. No one will know. I think Barberas will pay a hefty fee for this fine. Jaquil is paying a silver apiece for boys, and three silvers for pretty girls." He reached over and touched Mer's chin. "He'll give me five for this one, or I'll keep her myself." Merwin glared at the presumption of this man. He focused real tight, and began to think of his father. Anger flared and Merwin pushed it at the man. The red-haired fiend staggered back three steps, looking confused. He drew his dagger, finely sharpened steel glinting in the sunlight. "Take 'em boys." "I wouldn't do that, if I were you." Myce Elf stated evenly. She drew a little hooked sword, "Children." Razor blades, barbed hooks and short swords appeared as if out of nowhere as the children drew their weapons. The men advanced, and stopped as Tolstoy roared and bounded upon deck. Tolstoy jumped and pinned the red haired man down, ripping the Dragon's head crest off of his uniform as claws tore through the man's chest. The other two men looked alarmed at the quick felling of their patrol leader. Dug took the opportunity to run behind one of the men, and slice his achilles tendons. The man fell in anguish, screaming his pain. Myce Elf looked at the fallen man, and then at the one left standing. He threw down his weapon as all the children started towards him. "Just tie him up." She checked the wind, it was blowing in an easterly direction. "I want to you to put these men back on their boat. Ruck, set the sail to catch the wind, and Dug, rig the wheel to stay stuck. When you're finished, we'll cast her off. But first," Myce Elf rummaged through the pockets of the dead man. She found his stamp, and his seal. "Okay, take them away." She stamped and sealed their paperwork, and directed Mer to take it back to her cabin. "Merwin, I need to speak with you." The children completed their assigned tasks, as Myce and Merwin went down to Myce's cabin. "So, Merwin, how long have you been able to do that?" "Do what? I din't do nuffin." The lanky boy scruffed his shoe on the wooden floor. "I saw you push that man. It was very brave -- but very dangerous. How long have you been able to do that?" "I dunno. 'S ben like foreveh, guess.Useta stop me da from hurtin me and Mer. I know I shouldn't, but I couldna help meself." Merwin tucked his long hair behind his ears. His pale grey eyes stared at the small lady beseechingly, "Won't tell anyone will ye?" "No, but I will try and find you some help, I don't want you to hurt yourself." Myce replied, kindly. She laughed, "Now, go up and help your friends. Tell Mer and Ruck to come see me. We should be landing soon." Myce climbed back up onto the captain's chair, and began to write again. Mer and Ruck came down, and Myce gave them instructions on what to do when they landed. "I know that this is a new city, and that none of you have been out of Hamlin. I want all of you to stay on board, below decks while we are in the Dragon's Tooth. According to what I've been reading, and what that man said, there's a big slave trade in Dragon's Tooth, and I don't want to lose any of you." She smiled as the two nodded their heads. "You guys are awfully easy going for teenager's -- am I doing something wrong? Don't answer that. Tolstoy and I will arrange for the cargo to be sold, and if everything works out alright we'll be leaving tommorrow at the dawn's tide. But I want you to be ready to leave at anytime. Now, go get me a list of what everyone wants, and I'll try to pick them up when I'm in town." Ruck and Mer ran back upstairs to dispense the news. About an hour later, the DarkWind landed at the Dragon's Tooth. A small woman, mounted on a large lion disembarked and headed towards the bargaining hall. A few minutes after she left, a child slipped off the boat, and headed towards the city.