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*We came upon a rather large seeming hut in the town square.
"Is this an inn?" I asked my companion.
"Finest in the area," he said, winking to me knowingly.
"The purveyor and I go way back. We used to be in the same guild."
We walked through the threshold, which was a small arch with tanned hide hanging from either side forming a curtain. that hung to the ground. The smell of smoked meat and the chorus of drunken laughter enticed us to see what this mysterious establishment held in store.
"What sort of inn is this?" I asked Lazarus.
"The sort of inn operated by a fellow trickster; a mage. My apprentice, in fact- a sort-of jester of spirits, if you will." Lazarus smiled and pointed to the other side of the circus of a room.
There sat a man. Well, he seemed to be floating, really.
He sat about a foot above his seat, sipping a skin of what I could only assume to be wine of otherworldly quality.
"Ah, Lazarus. My old mentor! How are you doing these years?"
"Oh, Ormus, you were never one for subtlety, were you?"
"Subtlety is either a virtue, or a veil, my dear Teacher.
Was that not one of the lessons you taught us:
'He, who hides himself away
is either a coward or a master:
he, who reveals himself wholly
is either a fool or a master.'"
"Very good, Ormus. You study well.
However, it is the virtue of Balance
that you could never quite grasp," chuckled Lazarus.
"Perhaps my balance is simply different from yours, my Teacher," replied Ormus.
"Perhaps you are right...
Have you any rooms for my companion and myself?
We seek a child, foretold to be a Great One.
We require shelter and good company before we set out proper."
"Indeed you do,
and indeed I have!
The restrictions of dimension are no obstacle of a disciple of yours!
Suffice it to say that room can be made.
Who is this lovely one, with whom you travel? Why is she here?"
"My name is Dhorna," I said.
"If you think me weak, you bitterly underestimate me. If you think me cold, you sell me short. Yet, I know I've much to learn, and I find much mystery in Lazarus and in our quest. That is why I am here. Though I know I am easy on the eyes, do not relinquish the idea that I may be hellish to the heart, whether 'tis by steel or emotion. I can fend for myself."
"A pleasure to meet a maiden of such strong spirit." Said Ormus.
"There's much more than meets the eye, Ormus. She is no mere companion; she is a worthy warrior and a skilled scholar. Not just anyone would be called for this quest... she must have.. the gift of the Ancients."
They both looked into my eyes
and I felt a slight shift in reality, itself.
Such power was with these two
and, they seemed to think was with me, as well.
"Before you retire for the night," said Ormus,
"I must insist that we sit and drink and discuss things bygone, and things yet to come!"