The EARTH story - October 16, 1372
On the morning of October 16th, Vardui returns with Kithus. The
ranger asks Leslie to train him, and she agrees.
"Al, what are you going to do while others return to Sandas?" Equinox
asks, "I don't desperately need to return, and if you are going to be
doing anything interesting, I'd rather hang with you."
"Thanks, Brother E," Al says with a smile. "We can hang out here
perhaps with Leslie and Jo, if they are nearby, or we can explore a
little on our own."
"I like the exploring idea, Brother A," says Equinox with a grin of his
own and a high five to Al. "By the way, we have a lot to look forward
to when our time here is over - the beer in Asgard is just out of this
world!!"
"Most excellent, let's go!" Al says and then strums his hands like he
is playing an air guitar. "Anyone else?"
Drinor looks up from admiring his reflection in the blade of his new
sword.
"Exploring? I'd love to go with you. And that one over there..." he
jerks his head in the direction of Ayazin, who is currently moping in
the corner, "...could probably stand to get out and breathe the fresh
air a little too."
"Great, the more the merrier," says Equinox, "but I need a day or so to
pray for different spells before we go anywhere."
"What do you say we go get the Sword while the others are training?"
"Grand idea, Brother E!" Al says with a smile. "After you!"
Op Code chips in, "I might as well go, since I won't be training for
some time."
Aron joins them.
"Let us go and use our new key in the key hole on the stone bridge
abutment that Jo-Owrn showed us on September 21 this year. I was there
once and I think that I can find it again."
"Let's go!!!" Al says with an eager smile.
"I think we should wait on that until the party is united again."
"I don't really want to sit around for two or three weeks, just
twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the others to train," replies
Equinox.
"I agree, but isn't there other areas we can explore?" asks the monk.
"I agree with Brother E," Al says with a smile. "If you want to be a
wuss, stay here," he says, not caring whether he comes or not. "Please
lead the way,brother," he says.
Ayazin sighs gloomily. "Now I'm wishing that I went to Sandas to visit
the library. I'd like to research those slaads we met -- very nasty
creatures. If it's all the same to you, I'll stay here for a few days
and transcribe my notes on the adventure. You go ahead, and if the rest
of the party arrives before you return, I can at least tell them where
you went."
Drinor looks eager to go. "If there were other followers of Asgard in
our group who weren't here, I'd wait for them -- but I, Al, Equinox,
and Aron are all here, so let's go! They won't be too miffed about
missing it, I think, since they'd just be sightseeing if they went with
us."
Laurie shakes her head.
"In light of the difficulties you had dealing with the mere guardians
of the key to the Bridge with a full party, do you think it is wise for
just a few warriors and a druid to take on what lies over the Bridge
itself?" she asks.
"Well, what do you have in mind we do, then?" Equinox asks Laurie.
"You did not complete exploring the entire dungeon where you found the
key," she reminds you. "Or, for that matter, I believe that large areas
of Razamataz's dungeon were left unexplored as well...though that is a
long walk."
"I'm willing to continue exploring the dungeon where we found the key,
but not Razamataz's dungeon - that is going the opposite way of our
objective."
"I agree that we should not go back to Razamataz's dungeon," Equinox
replies to Aron, and then turns to Al, "what about it Al? It would be
more exciting to check out the bridge, but they might be right. You
have any problems with clearing out this little dungeon right in front
of us? I don't like thinking of those guys hanging out in the Gates of
Asgard."
"Here is just as good, I just want to keep active!" Al says, taking
Equinox's lead. "Whatever you choose, our lord still prefers me to
follow your lead."
"Let's head down then!"
Next day
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