<html><head></head><body><div class="ydpa453da8dyahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:arial;font-size:16px;"><div></div> <div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Here is my addition.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> Gwayn pondered for a moment. "I think that's a fair bargain," he said finally.. "We both make the best of a bad situation."</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> "GREAT!" The fox said cheerfully and extended his hand.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> The two shook hands.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> "GREAT," Reed said "Now we can leave here before the curse takes hold."</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> "It has occurred to me we might be able to catch your thieves," Misha said. "We can send a message thru the signal system to the southern mouth of the valley. Troops there could stop them easily enough."</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> "You can do that?" Gwayn said., surprised."</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> The fox nodded his head in reply. "I'll need a written description of what the thieves look like and what they stole. Also what did the stolen horses look like."</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div> </div><div id="ydp723c7b7cyahoo_quoted_2803147484" class="ydp723c7b7cyahoo_quoted"> <div style="font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;"> <div> On Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 04:16:55 PM EDT, Kamau <jc2blion@taconic.net> wrote: </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div><div id="ydp723c7b7cyiv3086731055"> <div> Finally got this up. I had to recovered some parts that accidentally got deleted moving them from the tablet I had on vacation to the PC. I also placed parts of mine that I didn't see that had been sent earlier. Kamau ================== Kamau’s part-21JUL23 (Resubmitted) Kate finally reached the gate to Metamor proper where the usual watch for the night was setting up. “Taklowectis go dungeon?” the red reptilian asked. “No, I think once we get someone who speaks your language, we can straighten this out.” The red-scaled prisoner shrugged as they stopped before the first guard. “What ya got there Kate? I ain’t seen the likes of that before.” “It would seem a newcomer to the valley that doesn’t speak common very well and is rather defensive on first meeting. You wouldn’t know of anyone here that speaks draconic, would you?” “Nope. Not of this group at least. Ya might keep an eye out for one of the dragons.” She gave a shake of her head “We don’t have the time for that I’m afraid. I don’t want to toss the little guy in a cell if I can help it. At least not without hearing his side of what happen.” “Well, ya gonna have to find yourself someone who be a language master or has often had some dealin’ with dragons.” Just beyond where the three were talking a figure clothed in a long heavy robe, certainly far too warm for most in the heat of this day, halted. “Excuse me,” the robed keeper said. “I didn’t hear all of your conversation, but I might be able to help with matters pertaining to dragons.” The pair turned just as the speaker slid his hood back revealing a scaled head with a multitude of small horns. “Master Myrtice,” Kate said with a smile. “It’s so good to see you about. The weather must be very pleasant for you.” “It allows me to come to the Keep and the mage hall but to be comfortable, well it would have to be much warmer than this. So, what might you need the services of a dragon for?” “I need to be able to speak to this…” she stopped as she looked down at the little reptilian who was kneeling, face to the ground. The bearded lizard and guard also looked in puzzlement at the posture. “Is he afraid of dragons?” the mage asked. “I don’t know. From my first encounter with him I wouldn’t think so.” The little creature, without looking upward, spoke something in draconic, head low enough for his nose to touch the ground. Myrtice replied to this in draconic, but the kneeling prisoner gave only a short response. “What did he say?” Kate asked Myrtice. “That he is not worthy to stand in the presence of a dragon.” For a short time, the two spoke, the kneeling figure’s reply to the horned mage always being short and the posture remaining the same. “Is there a place where we can be out of the public?” the dragon mage asked. “I think this is going to take some time and privacy to resolve. “Ya can use the chamber in the tower,” the gate guard said, pointing to a door. “Kate, will you help this fellow to the chamber.” Master Myrtice asked. “We can continue to unravel this mystery better in private. The female scout nodded and placed her hand under his arm, surprised to find that he was trembling. The trio made their way to the tower leaving the guard scratching his head at the entire encounter. End Kamau’s Part ================== Kamau’s part-29JUL23 (Resubmitted) As Master Myrtice entered the chamber Kate looked down at the creature she had seen as a capable warrior only hours ago, now a trembling mess. “It’s all right. Master Myrtice is a kind person,” she said in a soothing voice. “You don’t need to be afraid of him.” “He dragon,” managed to get out in a faint voice “All Kobold honor dragons.” The dragon mage cast a wick light to brighten the gloomy room as he sat, “Please, everyone, take a seat while we wade through the levels of this mystery and our little friends fear.” Kate took the chair nearest to her, but the red creature still stood, head bowed, eyes on the ground. “I said, have a seat,” the dragon ordered in a rumbling voice, his eyes fixed on the still standing member of the trio. To which the Kobold immediately obeyed, landing so fast and hard that the chair nearly tipped over. End Kamau’s Part =============== MK Round Robin 09AUG23 – Kamau’s Part The dragon looked intently at the trembling scaled creature "Now that we have that settled, let us begin. Firstly, what is your name?" "Oh most honored dragon, I am known as Taklowectis G’Rormugan." "And, as we do not have any such as you in these lands, what is your race?" "Mighty dragon, your humble servant is a Kobold from the western lands of Pensicon." Master Myrtice shook his head "Taklowectis, if you feel you must use a title Master Myrtice will suffice. " Once again the Kobold's face turned into one of confusion as he replied, "I obey your command Master Myrtice." "Very good," the dragon said "but where is this Pensicon you speak of?" "In the northwest part Oreforton." The mage turned to Kate, quickly translating what was being said before sitting back in his chair and closed his eyes for a time, one hand occasionally twitching. When he opened them, he stared intently at the Kobold, who shrank back in his seat, beginning to tremble again. "Taklowectis, I am not going to hurt you. What I want you to do however is to tell me if you know or have heard of the following places." The Kobold looked intently at the mage as he spoke. “The Dragon Mountains.” “I have not heard of them Master Myrtice.” “Giantdowns?” “I have not heard of them Master Myrtice.” “The Barrier Mountains?” “I have not heard of them Master Myrtice.” The bearded dragon sighed “Taklowectis, no, that name ties the tongue, it just will not do. Hmm, a shorter name, but what?” “Taklowec, Taklow, Talo?” Kate offered. “The shorter the better in this case I think,” the Master mage said with a nod “So Talo it shall be.” “Talo?” the red scaled creature replied looking puzzled. “From now on, in common speech, your name is Talo. “As you command Master Myrtice,” he replied bowing his head. “So have you heard of the Flat Lands, The Desert of Dreams, Kitchlander, Sonngefilde?” Talo shook his head repeatedly to each name. The dragon stopped nodding slowly. "Let us set this aside for a moment. Talo, how did you come to Metamor?" " Master Myrtice, a mage was to transport the party I was a part of back to our homelands but when the portal opened, I found only myself not home but in your lands with none of my company." Once again, the dragon nodded. "Talo, do not be afraid. What I am about to do will cause you no harm.” The mage stood and moved to the Kobold. He placed his hands near its head and slowly moved them down the length of his body before returning to his seat. “The remnant magic leaves only one possible explanation. It would seem then that you come from a different plane or worldly realm similar but not the same as ours." Talo's mouth dropped open in shock, only partially understanding all that was said. Master Myrtice turned to Kate and asked,"Our you still on duty?" "No, I am free until Thursday," she replied. "Then if you would be so kind as to bring our new guest to the library and introduce him to the head librarian. I know there are members of the staff that know draconic and will be able to assist him in looking for a possible reference to his home. While there is little chance of success we must try. I will send an apprentice to find him lodging and come to fetch him when he has done so." "Of course, Master Myrtice," Kate replied turning to Talo. "If you will follow me we will see if we can find some possible connection to the place you come from." Talo nodded as he climbed from the chair and turned to the dragon mage once again bowing to the ground before he scurried off, following the woman scout. End Kamau’s Part </div> </div>_______________________________________________ MKGuild mailing list <a href="mailto:MKGuild@lists.integral.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MKGuild@lists.integral.org</a> <a href="http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild</a> </div> </div> </div></body></html>