Date: Sun, 6 Jul 1997 13:02:16 -0400 From: Christopher Vaughan Subject: INT: Return to the Keep Raini leaned back on the bench of the coach and enjoyed the smell of the forest at sunrise. The road was smooth, and the ride much less bumpy now as they were drawing closer to the Keep. From the sound of the birds in the trees and the soft whisper of the breeze through the tree tops she found it hard to believe anyone had ever referred to this place as Dysmal. It was certainly not a description she would allow any longer. She opened her eyes and looked over at Christian as he drove the horses. His blue eyes seemed to glow in the early morning sun. Ever since he had reverted from his bestial alter ego, they had enjoyed an endless honeymoon. Indeed, the entire Keep had seemed to benefit from its master's transmogrification. She smiled. "Master". What a fitting word to describe Christian. He had united the warring species which inhabitted the lands surrounding the Keep. Even the Yce warriors had sworn allegience to him, and had even sent a contingent of their elite to help form the pallace guard. Of course, that made her the Mistress of the Keep, not a title she was fond of. In face, if one more creature called her... "Mistress!" Norgoth's shrill voice called to her from inside the coach. The gnoll stuck his withered head out from the back and looked up at Raini. He reminded her of Yoda, only a little taller, a little bluer, and with beadier eyes and a longer snout. He wore tight tights and a short cape which added to his comical grotesquerie. "Mistress," he continued, "You haven't eaten yet. Would you like me to prepare a broth for you?" Raini sighed. "I don't think so. Are you hungry?" She looked at Christian. He shrugged. "I'm fine." "No, thank you, Norgoth. You go ahead and eat, we want to get home." "But Mistress," Norgoth shouted in protest. "You must eat! Otherwise you will grow too frail and die!" "Oh, Norgoth, calm down or your head will explode. No one wants to spend time cleaning up gnoll brains." Norgoth furrowed his brow into a knotty fist. "As you wish, Mistress." He disappeared back inside the coach. "We're almost there," Christian said. He pointed ahead past a turn in the road and beyond the trees. A moment later the Keep emerged from the fold. Its ramparts and towers were new and crisp in the bright sun. "It's beautiful," Raini said. "I'm so glad to be home." A moment later Christian reigned in the horses near the moat and looked around, puzzled. "Where are the guards?" Raini felt her stomach sink. "I don't like it," she said. Christian slid down to the ground and walked to the edge of the moat. The draw bridge was up and it would be difficult to get accross. "Hello," he called. No answer. Raini asked Norgoth for Christian's sword. "You'll need this," she said as she climbed down. Christian took the sword and then unhitched one of the charges from the team. It was his largest, most powerful steed. Then, he dug some rope and a grapnel out of the coach. "Stand back," he said. Raini took a step back and watched as Christian tied the rope to the grapnel and swung it out over the end of the drawbridge. The, mounting his steed he tied the rope to the sadle and had the horse pull back. The drawbridge's machinery strained and creaked, then there was a snap and it opened, landing with a cascending thud. As soon as it was down Christian charged accross, his sword drawn. Raini grabbed a second sword from the coach and ran after him, Norgoth waddling behind her. "Wait m'lady!" -- _____________________________ Chris Vaughan space.cowboy@worldnet.att.net