"Jeff Howell - Arlanni" - читать интересную книгу автора (Howdershelt Ed)

The following morning found a town in the grip of a crisis. News of the encounter by the watch had spread like wildfire, and the two versions which circulated were remarkably consistent. The wizard's woman, as she was known, had been killed attempting to break into Tiberius's stronghold by the fearless Snaresbutt. Her body was found, fittingly, in the mortuary, with a set of lockpicks as evidence of her profession. Hagor was rather sad that it had ended thus. He was not sorry that the wizard's funds were now his to invest on property development, and the inn at Hardby later sported an extra wing.

"Can I keep it?" said Oliver to his grandfather. "Grimtooth double zero", said Tiberius approvingly, turning the slim black rod over in his hand. "Good pick, that. Dropped by the thief last night, you say?" Oliver nodded. "What sort of lass was she, now?". Oliver considered this a bit. "She had a podgy tummy" he finally replied, with a definitive air. Tiberius scowled. "No, no, I mean was she acting like a professional thief?" he asked, exasperated. "Sometimes yes, and sometimes no", answered Oliver, with utter honesty. Tiberius lost patience with the boy then, and spoke what was on his mind. "Well, lad, your tale takes some believing. You need at least a number 5 to do that lock of mine. This here", he said, jabbing the little pick towards his youngest apprentice for emphasis, " is only good for jewellery".

Belphanior was asleep when Victoria returned to the castle just before dawn broke. So they did not meet each other until the following evening. He knew her true nature and had a shrewd idea of what she had been up to. It was now over a month since the failed break-in, when she had fed well on the fallen. "How was the hunting?" he asked. He didn't need to ask whether it had been a success; her smug, flushed appearance told of a recent full meal. He was more concerned at the greater distances she needed to fly each time to reach unprotected victims. "More like farming", she replied, with a huge grin.

The End (and I really mean it).

The legal bit (based on Tom's version)

Many of the locations, non-player characters, spells, and other terms used in these stories are the property of TSR, Inc. However, TSR has in no way endorsed or authorised their use, and any such items contained within this story is not representative of TSR in any fashion. The characters of Victoria, Belphanior and Arlanni depicted in this story are copyright 1991-2000 by Thomas A. Miller. Other characters are copyright 2000 by Jeffrey M Howell. Any resemblance to any persons or characters either real or fictional is utterly coincidental. Copying and/or distribution of this story is permissible under the sole condition that no money is made in the process.

Jeff Howell
[email protected]
21 May 2000