From: "Aaron Smith" Subject: Time to get out of Dodge. Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 19:50:26 PDT Scene: Finn's room, which is actually just a spare room that would normally be used by a barmaid or a cook or the like. In other words, it's small and utilitarian. Finn sat uneasilly on the bed while the mage gave him a once-over. He wasn't too happy with being this close to a spellcaster, but this same wizard had kept him hidden this long, so there was some degree of trust. Still, he breathed a sigh of relief when the mage sat up to issue his verdict. "Hm. The spell's still intact, so unless Argnoth went out and hired a specialist - which concidering his ego I strongly doubt - he probably found you out through word of mouth." "Figures. Not enough white-haired blind kids out there to make me inconspicuous enough, I guess." Finn offered a half-grin. "Yes, well, I'd better renew the enchantment just to make sure. There's no telling how long it'll be before you can find someone else to do it for you." ----------------- Drake was working at the bar when the mage came out of the back and sat down. "Well?" "The spell's still working. It's my guess that our friend merely used an informant." "Ah, good. At least this way, the boy's got a chance." "Not much of one - you know as well as I that without a companion or two to go with him he'll be dead or captured within a week." "True, but there's not many I can ask to do that kind of favor - not this close to the border, that is. ...Hey, could you-" "I'm sorry, but no. I'm taking too many risks as it is by coming here in the first place. I'm no match for our friend - he'd find out and pay me a visit." "Understood. Well, thanks for what you've done, anyway." "You're welcome. I just hope the boy makes it through in one piece." The mage left the inn, pulling up his hood on the way out the door to keep people from seeing the illusion spell disguizing his features being dispelled. The spell and the padding under his cloak to make him look heavier than he actually was were necessary, since he was actually a member of the Madron Wizards Guild. If a fellow guild member happened to recognize him and discover what he was doing here, the punnishment would be ... rather severe. ----------- Finn was just finishing packing his things up. There wasn't much, really - two changes of clothing, his staff, and a handfull of coins. Enough to get by for a couple of days in some of the smaller towns. He was sure Drake would end up giving him some food for the trip. The innkeeper was probably trying to see if any of the guests were anti-slaver enough for him to tag along with right now. Chances were he'd end up getting stuck with that fool from the mountains. *Better than nothing, I guess...* He leaned back against the wall and tried to think of places he could go without standing out too much. It was a short list - zero. -------------LONG LIVE THE MACINTOSH!------------- Aaron "Spiffy" Smith Job 7:11, GNV // Rev. 2:13a NIV "Tir gan ealain, tir gan anam." A country without art, a country without soul. http://members.tripod.com/~Spiffykun/ --------------------------------------------------