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Oops...messed up the count!
But ya got it!!!
[Message Edited]
          
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Looks like some interesting developments may be occurring over in the Pony, following on what we were discussing yesterday about empire activity.
Could make things a little more interesting in the metaverse if Matthew and co pull off whatever it is they're planning 
   
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Best guess, I'd say it involves the ANZACS.
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Interesting times ahead, indeed... 
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#5307
by Citizen Nastavnik - 3/25/2004 11:05:16 AM
Just dropping by to say hello to fellow warriors.
I was immobilized under a huge mountain of work, and could not play, read, eat, sleep, or nothing else but work for some time.
| Indeed. I saw that....wonder what they're up to? |
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Hmmm, me too. I've been away to long to know what this is about. I didcatch up with the posts in the Pony, but I had to skip about 2000 (ni kidding!) of them in here in order to post... (had I tried to read them all I'd be crawling under another mountain of work again by the time I finished...).
But tomorrow is my last day, then a 10 day break. Not a real break since I have about 10 books to read for my doctorate, but at least I'll be at home. And from time to time I can always drop a little combat transport in some alien planet without disrupting my work or chain of thought  .
Still one hour of work, then go home (and another 4 hours of work -- but tomorrow by this time it will be over  )
See you later everyone
     
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Can't wait!!
| I responded there. I did send an email to work out more for this idea |
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Excellent!!
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| It's nice to have a purpose. |
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Indeed!
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Guys...can't ignore my stomach any longer...it's
LUNCHTIME!
Be back later!
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He's sworn to secrecy... Not that he knows anything.
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| He's sworn to secrecy... Not that he knows anything. |
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Yeah...dang it...not even a hint.
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Hey everyone. I'm home. Sister in law is having a baby, so I have to watch the kids. It's her second kid and still no husband... 
Enough of that. I might try to get a few in today as well.
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#5321
by Veteran Terl - 3/25/2004 12:28:18 PM
So here is a story....the first part...let me know if you want it to keep going. If so the rest will go in our private forums.
Destiny's Avenger
The Great Forest hung in a deep shroud of blackness with the evening mists creeping among the trees in what seemed an attempt to blot their very existence from the land. A small rabbit moved tentatively from his hiding place onto a seldom used path in search of food for his evening meal. The rabbit's head lifted suddenly as he heard the sounds of thundering hooves in the distance. No stranger to the evils that lurked in the Great Forest after night fell, the rabbit quickly scurried back under the large leaf he had been hiding under and shook with fear. He watched as three dark clothed men raced past on their huge horses. The hard galloping strides of the horses shook the ground as they passed the trembling rabbit. The forest suddenly became a cacaphony of sounds as once sleeping birds awoke with a start at the noise of the galloping horses and took a hurried flight from their perches screaming their complaints to the riders below. Within mere minutes of their passing the forest seemed quiet enough once again for the rabbit to venture out in search of food once again; the many birds landing once again and resuming their night's sleep.
The three men bore down the muddy path running their horses hard through the blackened night and heavy, low hanging mist. The men leaned forward against the necks of their steeds, their right arms striking the horses' haunches with riding crops to spur them faster down the trail. The trio pulled hard on the reins as they suddenly entered a small clearing. On such a dark foogy night the clearing could have been easily missed yet the alert senses of the men gave them a fair chance to spot the subtle differences in the dark forest. The men dismounted quickly and tied off their horses silently to nearby trees. They spread out in a short line and walked stealthily through the clearing.
"Over here," one of the men whispered. "I found it, I think," he continued pointing with his gloved hand to the eastern edge of the small alcove in the trees.
A small wooden cabin stood nestled in a small alcove off the clearing. The small structure lay in complete disrepair. So bad did it look, it seemed a miracle from the gods themselves that it still stood. Despite the ramshackle appearance, a dull light could be seen flickering in the windows from a small oil lamp. The men could see what looked like a person moving about as a humanlike silhouette passed by the window.
The taller of the three men called the others to him. "You two stay out here and watch carefully. I doubt we were followed but one can never be to sure in these times," he ordered curtly. The two nodded and moved to concealed positions at the points where the trail passed through the clearing. The taller man adjusted the scabbard holding the long sword he always had with him and strode confidently toward the small cabin. He stopped as he reached the door. He cocked his head toward the door listening for telltale noises from within the small building. Seeming satisfied with his brief surveillance, he too hold of the latch, swung the door open and stepped inside, shutting the door quietly as he entered.
The cabin was but one room. The walls bore the marks of time with the corners covered in cobwebs. The floor of the cabin was covered in dust, dirt, and the grime of many years. In the center of the tiny room was a wooden table, also dust covered. An old woman sat at the table. She lifted her head and laughed softly. "I knew it would be you Eodric. The Lady said you'd seek me out and lo' you have found me. Now, what needs you ask of me, little one?"
Eodric fancied himself as a future king and his ego fumed at the words "little one". "How dare you, old crone!" He reached for his sword which flashed quickly even in the dull light of the cabin. "Who in the name of Darkness is this Lady, old woman? And my name, how did you know it? And moreso, why did you know I would be here." He waved his sword as if to emphasize his questions and to threaten should she attempt to decline an answer.
"Tsk, tsk, Eodric. The Lady of the Night, she told me you'd come. Know you not of her? Are you so blind? Ask your foul priests that shelter themselves within the walls of your castle about her, for they know of her. Your path has drawn you here but where it goes from this night is known but to the Lady. Destiny herself has drawn the ends yet it is for you to color them with the fabric of your choices."
"Bah old witch! You speak nonsense of paths and ends, fabrics and colors. I shall change it all with but a flick of my wrist." Eodric's sword flashed quickly as he pounced upon the old woman. She let out a piercing shriek as his sword pierced her abdomen. So loud was the wailing shriek that it seemed to shake the very cabin itself. Eodric dropped his sword and covered his ears and closed his eyes tightly. When the noise stopped he uncovered his ears and opened his eyes. He looked down for his sword to retrieve it. It lay on the floor covered in the tattered robes the old women had been wearing. There was no body, no sign of the women save her clothing laying in a small heap on the floor. Frightened, Eodric replaced his sword in its scabbard and ran quickly from the cabin slamming the door as he left.
The other men met him near the horses also alarmed at the piercing scream they too had heard. "What in Darkness' name was that horrible sound?" the shorter of the two asked.
"I know not for certain," Eodric responded. "I fear it was a trap, a trap set by the old witch that was inside. I have slain her. Let us ride back home, my brothers, quickly." Eodric feared to relate the events in the cabin to his brothers as they would surely think him mad. The three mounted their horses and rode quickly back in the direction they had come.
In a tall tree near the cabin, an old woman sat upon a branch. She watched as the men rode out of the clearing and said thoughtfully, "Tsk, tsk poor Eodric. You should not have tried to slay me. You should fear for yourself, dear Eodric, for now have you opened a new path, a path for Destiny's Avenger." She laughed to herself quietly. She started to rise and as she did her body changed quickly into that of a raven. The large bird pushed off from the branch and, flapping its wings, soared into the black skies.
[Message Edited]
  
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Great stuff, Terl! I would love to read more of it.
[Message Edited]
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Hi all,
Just stopped in for lunch.
Fine story Terl. Goes well with fries
[Message Edited]
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