From: kjc@aramis.rutgers.edu (Kelly J. Cooper)
Date: 2 Jun 93 03:49:47 GMT
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [MG] Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do ...

[Admin: 1 of 3 in quick succession]

"What a dull place the world would be if it was merely as good as our
 wildest dreams."  -Unknown

"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house."
                   -George Carlin


     Jameson had drifted away from the Lighthouse and gone walking.
She put down her pack and stood, looking at the ocean in the early
morning light.  With a deep breath, she spontaneously sprung forward
and did a cartwheel that she finished with half a kick.  Then she
scooped up her bag and went swinging down the rocky path toward town,
stretching all the muscles she could move.

     Once in town, she sought out the Corder smithy.  Along the way,
she noted preparations for a celebration.  Decorations being hung
across the streets, food sellers churning out goods that were quickly
snatched up by local merchants.  The crowds were cheerfully frenetic
and even busier than usual.  She worked her way gently through the
thronging townspeople to her destination.  

     Upon arrival, she stood in the dim half-light on the edge of the
forge's open wall.  She noted a few patches where the building had
been repaired.  Probably storm damage.  Otherwise it looked as sturdy
as ever.  Both Corder and Kam were busy and fully absorbed in their
work.  She set her bag down and walked over to Corder, peering around
his massive shoulder at his preparations.  He was organizing by size
several pieces of iron.  He broke when he noticed he was being watched
and turned his head to direct a heart-stopping glower at her.  She
smiled serenely and he looked surprised, then laughed heartily and
turned fully to sweep her up into his arms.

     As he laughed and swung her around, Kam flinched and dropped his
hammer.  Looking at them, his eyes widened and he smiled as well.
Once Corder set her down, he put out his hands and solemnly grasped
both of hers while Corder pounded her on the back and grinned,

     "My friend!  We have not seen you in a few days.  We were rather
worried that looters had caught you at a disadvantage."

     "Not at all, Master Corder.  I was transacting a little business
and recovering from the storm in relative peace."  Jameson returned
his smile. 

     Kam opened his mouth, but Corder gestured at the door to the
shed, so he bounded over to it and flung open the door.  With obvious
pride, he wheeled out Jameson's bicycle and posed it before her.
Jameson laughed and hugged Kam, gently kissing him on the cheek before
bending to inspect the bike.  Kam spluttered, flustered, and stepped
back as Corder knelt on the other side of the bike intently watching
Jameson's expression.

     "I wasn't expecting it so soon."  Jameson was almost breathless,
"And I'm sure it was difficult with all the repair work you must have
been contracted for, considering the storm's damage.  You didn't have
to ... I mean, it wasn't necessary for ... You just ..."

     Corder held up a hand.  "You more than paid for this with the
information you've given us and your help with our survival of the
storm.  Dana has asked me to invite you to dinner whenever you can
make it and the children pester me about you all the time.  Kri and
Chas have expressed their solemn and almost inexpressible thanks and
Mum says you mustn't be a stranger.  And Kam here..." Corder peered up
at his Journeyman's worried expression, wondering how far to tease the
man and deciding to be kind, "Kam here and I have been fairly
concerned.  I was worried I'd not get a chance to thank you for ...
thank you for ..."  He paused, in the rare state of being at a loss
for words himself.  

     Jameson smiled brilliantly at him and said softly, "You're
welcome, Sir."  Then she looked up at the bike before her and said
"Can I try it out?"

     Corder sighed, shook his head and stood.  "Of course.  It IS
yours, after all.  Oh, and there's this ..."  He pulled a chain off
the table, "Put your hand here."  He held out a link and Jameson
touched it lightly.  It tingled briefly and Corder frowned, then
nodded his approval.  He handed it to her.  "You and only you can pull
it apart, by concentrating on a particular link.  I thought this might
be more secure than a pickable lock."

     Looking at the curious weight in her hands, she gave it an
experimental tug, then pulled on a specific link.  It gave in her
hands.  She pushed the ends together and they linked silently.  She
blinked and smiled up at the towering smith.  "You are very kind.  You
didn't have to ..."

     "Now girl.  Before we get into an argument of 'thank yous' and
'you shouldn't haves' accept it.  With my gratitude."  He looked at
her carefully and smiled slowly.  "You have things to do, I think.
Come back to us when you have more time.  You are always welcome in
the Corder household, no matter what the elders may whisper."  He
added emphatically, "We've raised our children better than that."

     Jameson nodded silently and dropped her bag into the basked on
the front of the bike.  Looking at it for a moment, she parted the
chain in her hands and locked the bag to the frame of the bike.  She
swung up on the bike and leaned forward, comfortably, her feet braced
on either side.  Turning to Corder, she opened her mouth to say too
many things.  Finally, she managed, "I may not be back.  There is
something ... there are things happening.  Guard yourselves and your
family.  Against what, I don't know.  I wish I did.  It's just ..."
She trailed off and he nodded in understanding.  

     She looked over at Kam, still in mid-stutter, and rolled the bike
forward a few feet.  She rested her hand on his shoulder and leaned
over to smile up into his bowed face.  He looked up and then quickly
away.  "Take care, Kam, hey?"  He nodded as well, looking at the
floor, glancing into her eyes for an instant, then flicking his gaze
downwards again.  Jameson put her hands on the handle bars and leaned
on the right pedal.  As she rolled out of the shed, he looked after
her, a somewhat pained expression on his face.  Corder smiled to
himself, patted Kam's shoulder, and returned to his place at the
bench.  Kam looked at his hands in frustration for a few moments, then
returned to his own tasks.

     Jameson pedaled down the street, mostly ignoring the shouts of
surprise and the swears she was causing.  These people could get used
to anything, she was sure, and it wouldn't be long before they ignored
her as they did a new adventurer or a strange beastie.  Besides,
riding made her feel good, and it had been nearly thirty years since
she'd last been able to do it.  She'd been fond of these contraptions
since she saw one in Mother's history files.  Throwing her head back,
she stuck her feet out and laughed.  The crowds parted hurriedly
before her and she quickly put her feet back on the pedals and wove
deftly around those who couldn't move with such alacrity.

                *                *               *

      Many travellers and townsfolk alike that day watched a brown
haired woman riding a contraption about as if it were a horse.  Some
made holy symbols over their hearts, some cursed and some laughed.  A
few got some interesting ideas...


Kelly J. Cooper
kjc@cs.rutgers.edu

Feedback appreciated ...