Subject: RPG A thief in the night...
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998 17:10:41 PST
From: "Stana Herald" <happydoodl@hotmail.com>

     Stana walked slowly back to the hut, mind numbed with the
trepidation she was feeling. She didn't _want_ to do this. She didn't
even want to be here at all.
     But she kept hearing, over and over again in her heart the cry of
the little girl she had thought was lost in the wood.
    But what could she do really? It wasn't like she was made out for
saving the day, she didn't even have a white horse to ride in on. Caring
was all well and good-but this wasn't a dream-and caring could get her
killed.
     She had always liked to believe that when push came to shove she
would do what was right, and not let her fears stand in her way. She was
afraid she had believed wrong. Her heart was careening against her ribs,
and she would have thrown up, but she had already emptied the contents
of her stomach a few minutes ago.
     Her stomach turned and she felt her face go green. There was a
moment when she thought she was going to be sick again, she dry heaved.
By the time she was through her face was hot and sweaty and she was
hyperventilating.
     And all she kept thinking was what an increadible coward she was.


Clip stepped away from their meeting in a haze of confused thoughts and
feelings.
He knew that there was something about that child that deserved his
entire being thrown into rescuing her, but he couldn't help but wonder
_why_ he felt that way.
There had been a moment when Stana had touched his forehead that a touch
of ...of something-a power, a pride, filled him. Then it was gone and
only the thought of the child remained.

Only her.

There was a hush in the glade wherever he walked. The quiet disturbed
him. Alot of things seemed to bother him these days...yet these days
were the only ones he remembered at all...

He halted as he sensed a figure stepping out of the trees.

Teri raised her eyes to meet his, and he didn't look away this time.
"Hello Clip." she said.

   Sullam deftly tied off the last string and stood up. Rashka sat
huddled before the fire in her room.
   Concealing his worry, he leaned over and pecked her forehead.
   "Ready Mitra." He gently said. "I am not sure if the girl will manage
to stay with us. She's frightened."
   "She'll manage it Sullam. She has to, she heard the cry. Clip and you
had as well. All three of you were chosen-so all three of you must go."
   "I know the way of it," he replied "I could hope for better
direction."
   "I told you all I knew. North and West into the mountains, to where
_he_ has her. You will know soon enough the path is the right one. The
Earth itself will call out to you three in despair. I wish I could
protect you..."
    He hugged her "We will manage it. You taught me the best you
could-and I will not fail her-or you."
    "Don't worry about me!" she lasked out with a faint hint of her
waspish nature "don't fail yourself!"
    "Or that either." he agreed with a grin.

    Stacey was still unsure about this whole situation, when she saw
again the path she was taking. She had always been told that God had a
purpose for everything. But that didn't comfort her now. Nor did the
teddy held close to her heart. She left Woodstock next to the sleeping
Teri's pillow, along with her Bible. She felt that where she was going
neither could help her.
    She had been scared before. Would be again. She did what she always
did-turned off her emotions and went forward. She had no choice. And if
she worried that she was staunching herself with more ease and frequency
that was wise, she refused to think about it.

   "Ready?" Sullam asked as she stepped out into the dark.
   Her eyes lifted to meet where she felt his where, and she nodded.
   "Yes."
   "Good girl." he answered approvingly. "Let's get moving then."
   Bidding a farewell to Teri-Stana set her pack, and refused to turn.

_______________________________

OK - second part due out tonight.