Title: Final Encounter, Episode 1
Authors: Stana and Spiffy, writers at large.
Date: 1/6/01

Ominous music played in the background...

"Heeheehee!Ê ... No, that?s not right..."


"Bwa-hahahahaha!!!ÊÊ Hmm, better..."


"Mwa-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA .... gasp ...
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!!!!!ÊÊ .... yes, much better .... I'll have to work
on my wind, though..."

Stana paused at the archway, realizing others were following suit. She
looked around briefly to her right and left, putting names to the set
faces.

Elainas, The Captain, Kal, Clip, Audion.

As of one accord, the group strode out as words echoed off the stone
walls and pillars that stretched up to touch the ceiling 30 feet in the
air.Ê Leading from the gilded arched doorway was a wide red carpet that
flowed across the floor to pool around a dais in the center.

There stood Argnoth in all his, um, glory.Ê At least the purple tunic
fitted him well.

Clip shimmered briefly at the sight, and snorted, not impressed.Ê Stana
could only concur. After being prepared to meet a beast of unspeakable
cruelty and barabarity ... to come face to face with Argnoth was more
than disconcerting. If she was thinking, or feeling normally, she would
have been ... almost disappointed.

"Greetings Argnoth" Elainas introduced briefly "We have come to put an
end
to your slavemastering ways"

The Captain had drawn his sword and was advancing on the mage even as
she
spoke. Clip noted Stana shake her head uncomfortably next to him, but
said
nothing. 

"I've waited a long time for this, rebel scum!Ê You've attempted to
undermine Madron society for too long!" Argnoth said loudly, puffing
out his chest "You've come to stop me? Here? This is MY home, and no
one invited you!"
The music took an upswing to emphasize each sentence.

"Oh gee." Kal said "and here I thought the gilded invites were late in
the
mail. Now shut yer trap and prepare to die."

"Mwa-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Me? Die? Fools!Ê Do you not realize who I
am?!"

Argnoth began to puff out his chest as the music took on a dramatic
nature.

"Sovereign ruler of the surrounding realms..."

The music began to build in volume.

"The greatest chimera creator in all Madron!"

The music reached a feverish pitch.

"I am ARGNOTH THE GREAT!"

The music became a huge fanfare, then finished off.

"... and this is my orchestra."

The wizard pointed to a group of well dressed people seated over to his
left that were holding a variety of instruments.Ê "Hi ... how are ya
... Greetings..."

The entire party face faulted for a moment, and Argie had a sweat drop
form on the back of his head when he realized he was no longer the
center of attention.

"WELL!Ê Enough of the formalities!" and he thrust out his arms that
were suddenly full of flame.

The Captain and Kal scattered as Clip shimmered into true form,
erecting a slight barrier that he let drop immediately when he realized
that none of the fireballs were remotely threatening.

The majority petered out before reaching them, one or two raged wide of
the target, and he batted the last away wit a contemptuous toss of his
horn.

Argnoth looked nonplussed for a moment, before drawing himself up.

"Consider that a warning!" he blared "Do not seek to anger me more!"

"Pathetic." Kal announced "completely pathetic"

"Restrain him, quickly" Elainas said.Ê "Once we have him, we will be
able to get out easier."

"You think that?!" he blurted "think again! I have a clause in all my
minions contracts that states if I am captured or killed, they get no
pay!Ê So Mwa-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA- your hope achieves little!"

"Then we have no reason to keep you alive at all, do we?" Kal asked,
drawing
his dagger. "Say the word Ambassador"

"Bind him." she repeated "at the least, we will use him to find the
slaves he has."

Kal muttered and strode forward, as the Captain also advanced.

=====