180 lines
10 KiB
Plaintext
180 lines
10 KiB
Plaintext
|
||
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO oOOOO OOOO. OOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
|
||
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" .OOOOOO OOOOOo OOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
|
||
OOOO oOOOOOOO OOOOOOO. OOOO oOOOO
|
||
OOOO .OOOO OOOO OOOOOOOOo OOOO OOOO"
|
||
OOOO oOOOO OOOO OOOO "OOOO. OOOO OOOOo .OOOO'
|
||
OOOO .OOOO" OOOO OOOO OOOOoOOOO "OOOO. oOOOO
|
||
OOOO oOOOOOOO..OOOO OOOO "OOOOOOO OOOOoOOOO"
|
||
OOOO .OOOO"""OOOOOOOO OOOO OOOOOO "OOOOOOO'
|
||
OOOO oOOOO ""OOOO OOOO "OOOO OOOOOO
|
||
|
||
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|
||
| |
|
||
| There Ain't No Justice |
|
||
| |
|
||
| #48 |
|
||
| |
|
||
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|
||
-Aristarchus of Shiran: 01 -
|
||
by Tal Meta
|
||
|
||
The traveller paused, there upon the cliff overlooking Tyen-Zur, the
|
||
great earth's wound that stretched north and south to the limits of his
|
||
vision. Beneath him the waters churned a deep and disturbing red, pinkish
|
||
foam beating upon the ochre stained base of the cliffs. His mount, zebra
|
||
strippled and fearful, sought to pull him away, snorting at the scents this
|
||
great and unnatural lake produced. But the traveller held fast, scanning
|
||
the lakes horizon for a glimpse of the Misty Palace, where the one he
|
||
sought must surely be. On the chasms far side, the deep green of the
|
||
Kyrbizmyth forest could be seen, whose twisted growths became animate by
|
||
nightfall, and who sought out the living in their domain to add to their
|
||
number. Some day, perhaps, he would return and slay the primal tree, who
|
||
held the rest in bondage, and thereby free all the wretches there entombed.
|
||
But not today.
|
||
|
||
The reason for his present quest was one Elissa of Eor, who had once
|
||
shown him kindness many years before. An enemy called Kelanor had sought
|
||
her out and imprisoned her here, beyond the walls of sleep, in the palace
|
||
that floated upon the blood red waters of Tyen-Zur. A challenge, that, and
|
||
one Aristarchus could not ignore. He had entered this world aided by the
|
||
immortal known sometimes as Talosis to the people of his own world, but
|
||
known as Talgor in this one. Brought by that one to a palace of carven and
|
||
polished blue stone, Aristarchus had run overland thru desert and swampland
|
||
to the city of Aalabothe in the land of K'kholar. There he spent many days
|
||
provisioning himself and learning the legends of the land before travelling
|
||
to this abyss. Two mighty rivers were said to feed this lake, and both ran
|
||
clear and fresh until the falls, where they became as red as blood itself.
|
||
Caused, so the legends tell, by the blood of the earth, shed when gods
|
||
warred upon this spot, and a misstruck blow wounded the earth.
|
||
|
||
There, far to the north, could that be it? No. But some beast of great
|
||
size does dwell in those fetid waters. And if there is one... He stood
|
||
there pondering the chasm as night fell and this worlds lone moon rose, and
|
||
he was full of awe, never having seen a sattelite so large. He laid down
|
||
and slept, dreaming of his landshard home, that drifted high above the
|
||
surface of the world he called his own.
|
||
|
||
He awoke suddenly, and tried to draw his sword, but could not.
|
||
Something very large held him aloft, and the beating of great wings filled
|
||
his ears. As the stars wheeled overhead, the miles passed below. He saw the
|
||
beginnings of low hills, and soon a sole forbidding mountain spire appeared
|
||
within their midst. Towards this his captor bore him, at last setting him
|
||
upon a high ledge before the mouth of a dark cavern. As he inspected his
|
||
kidnapper, he began to smile, at last to laugh openly, and when it
|
||
beckoned him inside the mountain, he followed it willingly.
|
||
|
||
For miles, it seemed, the tunnel led inwards and down, ending at last
|
||
in a simple wooden door. Beyond the door lay a small but comfortable
|
||
apartment, richly decorated, mostly by books and maps of unknown realms.
|
||
The winged beast moved to a large overstuffed chair and bade Aristarchus to
|
||
sit where he would. The beast then slowly took on the form of a man, and
|
||
one that Aristarchus knew well, having once been called upon to banish him
|
||
from another world and time. he was still young, about twenty or so, even
|
||
though Ari' had slain him in that other world more than a century before.
|
||
They spoke of many things, and when dawn at last found them, it revealed
|
||
the far wall to be a single piece of transparent material, showing the
|
||
hills and beyond, even the gulf of Tyen-Zur.
|
||
|
||
Soon thereafter, he told his old adversary of his quest, and his
|
||
reasons for seeking the Misty Palace. A gleam of a tear came to Edward's
|
||
eye then, for he too had once known a woman much like Elissa. That she had
|
||
been the cause of his downfall he did not mind, but he swore to aid
|
||
Aristarchus in his quest if he could. Edward then spoke of a man he knew
|
||
who dwelled in far Kasrine, and had once entered the Misty Palace and
|
||
returned alive and whole. The palace, it was said, floated on the waters
|
||
unanchored, drifting freely about. The Kasrines story also spoke of the
|
||
great beasts that flourished in the red waters, whose appetites ran in
|
||
directions better not discussed. The palace itself was home to a being of
|
||
great power, demigod or demon at least, who did not welcome visitors.
|
||
|
||
Aristarchus voiced a desire for his companions of old to be there, that
|
||
they might all together storm the place, at which Edward rose and sought a
|
||
binder from among the bookshelves. Chuckling, he paged through it, finally
|
||
bringing forth two pages. Upon these sheets were words and numbers in an
|
||
unknown language, but bearing the images of the two of whom Aris' had
|
||
spoken! Edward regarded these, and seemed to fade, then dividing into three
|
||
parts. Two of these reformed themselves into those pictured on the now
|
||
blank pages, while the third remained distinctly Edward. A sound, as if a
|
||
great bell had chimmed there in the room, and all three became solid once
|
||
more. Grond, eight foot of solid ogrish muscle, and demure Cymoril, her
|
||
dark-elven beauty brightening any setting. Edward fended their amazed
|
||
questions with a grin, plainly amused at a joke only he shared.
|
||
|
||
The four rode out from Lonely Mountain across the hills and back to
|
||
Tyen-Zur, bearing strange contrivances their host had produced from one of
|
||
the many closets that came and went in his home. Upon reaching the cliffs,
|
||
they assembled them, great kites of skin and hollow steel. When the mist
|
||
cleared and their goal came into view, they leapt as one and dropped slowly
|
||
to the Palace's highest tower.
|
||
|
||
The place seemed made of solid mist, of the pinkish tint so common
|
||
against the base of the cliffs. As they proceeded down into the castle,
|
||
they were ever on guard, lest they be taken unawares. But they saw no-one
|
||
until they at last entered the great hall, were their host and quest both
|
||
sat. Thirteen or more feet he must have stood, a lopsided giant with deep
|
||
red skin. On his left side he had two small arms, with steel-toned claws
|
||
six inches long. His right side had but one arm, massively muscled and long
|
||
enough to touch the floor. In that arm it bore a ruby axe. Its head was
|
||
strangest of all, having no real shape, but suggesting a sphere in which
|
||
lightning danced to the sound of their steady tread. Chained to its throne
|
||
by a silver cord lay Elissa, her eyes tightly closed, asleep and tossing in
|
||
her sleep in an obvious nightlmare.
|
||
|
||
The voice of the thing rang in their minds, challenging them to free his
|
||
prize at the price of their lives. At that they bore down on it, drawing
|
||
their weapons to end this abominations life and free its captive. But
|
||
battle as they might, the beast took no wounds, while they did lose much of
|
||
themselves on the floor. Aristarchus turned at last to see Edward pausing
|
||
over Elissa, taking her into his arms. As she awoke, she gazed at Edward
|
||
with something like recognition, and a sign of utter peace came upon her
|
||
face. He smiled at her then, and kissed her, whereupon she began to fade.
|
||
Having thus freed Elissa from her nightmare in the both worlds, Edward
|
||
leapt up and twisted the cord about what should have been the creatures
|
||
neck. Then and only then could they see the true extent of the creatures
|
||
wounds, so they did redouble their efforts and soon slay the thing.
|
||
|
||
Aristarchus moved among them, touching their wounds with his blade and
|
||
healing them fresh. Only Grond forebore his treatment, wishing to retain a
|
||
scar or two as mementoes. An extensive search found a hidden quay where
|
||
small boats were found, and in one of these the four travelled the length
|
||
of Tyen-Zur, finally making landfall at the city of Rhiana. They then
|
||
accompanied Edward back to Lonely Mountain, where they spent some time
|
||
before riding off to Talgor's Azure Castle, thence returning to their own
|
||
lands.
|
||
|
||
Almost a year passed before Aris' once again rode to Eor, there to
|
||
claim the one he hoped would be his bride. He found her, as before, tending
|
||
her parent's farm. They were married there in town, by the Baron of that
|
||
realm. They had many happy years before Aris' was finally lost in an
|
||
assault on a wizard's private realm. But even then, it is said by some that
|
||
he lives yet, trapped in some nightmare world. Or maybe just as a piece of
|
||
paper in a dreamer's notebook?
|
||
|
||
|
||
<20> <20><> <20>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>۲<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20><>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> Phoenix Modernz Systems: 908/830-TANJ
|
||
<EFBFBD>۱<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> Terrapin Biscuit Circuit: 908/506-6892
|
||
<EFBFBD>۱<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> The Matrix BBS: 908/905-6691
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> First United Church Kalisti: 602/753-3784
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> The Cell: 817/870-1060
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20><><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD>۲<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20><>
|
||
<EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD><EFBFBD> <20> <20> <20>
|
||
|