From: hutch@ibeam.intel.com (Steve Hutchison) Date: 14 Jun 93 07:54:39 GMT Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [MG] White Rabbit Blues [ADMIN] Follows directly after Turning Around, also was written by Li and myself. The hot shower felt wonderful, and with her energies still running high, Kardia found it easy to focus on her spinning. The thread flowed quickly and smoothly until the room said, "Ten minutes until your appointment, Kardia." "Thanks." she said. "You're welcome." Kardia blinked at the ceiling above her and the room around her and grinned again. Then she stood up and groaned and then laughed softly. Her muscles were definitely sore, and the extended sitting hadn't helped. She put her socks and shoes on, and then, remembering what Dasham had done the last time they'd met, Kardia put her shawl on, just below her shoulders. She walked out to the main room and saw 'Raelf talking with 'Raf. "Dude, you've got to stay out of it." "But I'm already in, man. I'll be careful, promise." 'Raf shook his shaggy mane and looked positively pleading. "No. It's too dangerous. You were defeated and we don't know what that might mean, especially if you get back in again. Besides, you have to be able to get the others out of here. You and Kev and Lex and Raye are all we've got for evac detail." "Where's Airhead?" 'Raf blinked, slowly, and 'Raelf took him by the shoulders. "He got away, 'Raf. I can't feel him in the focus, so he's still in the programmed escape mode. Don't worry about him." "I could unblock and tell you what he was attacked in, what he looks like. Maybe where he's gotten to." 'Raelf thought for a second. "No. We better not. Paradox is already too heavy, if we know too early we might lock in defeat. Besides, Raye did a checkup on my linkages and she says he's not draining so we're fine from there." "But, I'm still okay to raise power." "Sure. Get some major music goin', bro." "Band is ready. Even got some audience." 'Raf sighed, frowning and shaking his head. "You sure this is a good idea, taking Kardia?" She started a bit at the mention of her name and listened to what followed. "Yeah. We don't really know for sure where or when it happens, and we've got to meet with Dasham - if it happens on the way, she can get out the alarm if I don't." Kardia coughed and when both of them noted her, she approached. "What alarm?" "Ah. We need to let you in on this. Let's sit down here, it might take a few minutes." They went over to where the couch and chair set were set up, facing the ocean. "You remember how I said I was 'Raf, not 'Raelf?" The satyrlion curled up onto the chair and looked out over the waves. His tail was sticking out and lashing. "Yeah. I was wondering about that." "This is part of the war we were telling you about," 'Raelf said, drawing out his staff and sighting down the length of it. "And 'Raf is right, we do have to ask you before we get you anywhere near the scene of the action. See, it's about .85 probable that I'll be attacked by something grotty on the way to or from the Guild today. We don't know what exactly the something is, except that it was able to attack through any weakness I have. Anyway, when you've got your shawl on, you "read" as absolutely mundane, no magical aura at all. Stealth. So you ought to be safe, it shouldn't recognize you as a threat at all." "Cool." said Kardia somehat reflexively to the last. Then thought about what he said for a minute. "Eight five percent probability... and it can attack through *any* of your weaknesses?" She frowned, "What kind of alarm do you want me to raise and to or for whom?" "Get clear, and yell for ar'Elya, and Dariel. Then get to the guild hall and demand Dasham and Urcohea; call it a `code black' and it should get their attention. If the receptionist gives you any kind of noise then touch the glasses with the shawl, or the desk. That'll bring either Rivy or Urco running, and you can trust both of them." 'Raelf grinned as 'Raf interrupted: "Don't trust Dash though, she be just a little psycho. Reliable, but psycho." Kardia smiled. "Should we go then? We've got a little more than a half hour. Will we be taking the direct gate?" 'Raelf shook his head. "No, I've shut it down so we can turn on the defensive fields. When this place is lit up there's nothing can get in short of a greater god, and the warp folder will move it off to high astral if it seems like it's gonna get cut loose from its moorings. Only safer place in town is maybe the secret archive rooms in the Library. Maybe." "Only safer place is to be elsewhere, dude," 'Raf grinned, "And the Lady is right, you better get going." 'Raelf nodded, and helped Kardia to her feet. On the way out he grabbed his black poncho from the coatrack, and they went out the door. "Hang on, we're taking a shortcut to the bridge," 'Raelf said, offering his staff. "This is a trapeze thru air. <>" They vanished.