The moon was waning as the rafts pulled into the riverbank.  Lyle
slipped into the shallows and waded quickly to shore to secure the raft
against the tugging of the current.  His teeth chattering in the early
morning chill, he looped the rope over the rusty iron peg hammered into
the steep, rocky beach ... then Jonas quickly joined him on dry land,
and together the pair hauled their raft from the water.  


Once they were sure the raft wouldn't slip back they began unpacking
their supplies and weapons, ferrying the stuff a short distance into
the small copse that ran almost down to the water at this point.


"OK... listen up."  D'gerrit called as they began setting up camp. 
"We'll
get a few hours sleep and then move the last few miles up to the
warren.  
Dragons eyes are sharp and they'll spot movements a long way off... so
everyone is to stay under cover at all times.  Once the rafts are
unloaded
you can cut them loose... we don't want anything or anyone to give our
position away."


D'gerrit turned away to greet and dirty and unkempt looking man,
leaving
them to the task of setting up camp.  After a few minutes the two
climbed
up onto Orobos's back and the dragon took to the air,  winking out of
existence when they just clear of the treetops


"As soon as it's quiet I'm leaving."  Jonas told Lyle  "This is a
suicide
mission and I want no part of it.  I'll be long gone by the time that
monster gets back. "


"I wouldn't be too sure of that were I you."   Lyle told him with tight
smile.  "There's more men than just us here.  You don't think he'd go
off
and leave us to our own devices do you?  Try looking beyond the end of
your nose for a change.  I've seen at least 2 dozen men besides the lot
that rafted in with us, and who knows how many more are waiting out of
sight. I did think he was optimistic thinking we could take Norwall
with
just the 20 or so of our party."


Jonas snorted with disdain and turned his back on Lyle.  But
nonetheless
he was careful to search the surrounding woodlands to verify Lyle's
words.


*******

Orobos appeared with the sun at his back, and quickly swooped downwards
towards the mountains above Fairlight.  His haste caused him to land
heavily on the sloping rockface, raising a cloud of dust and debris as
he
backwinged in a frantic attempt to stop himself slipping downwards. 
Grumbling to himself about secrets, he couldn't see why they didn't
just
attack Norwall in the open and be done with it, he flipped his wings
closed and settled on his haunches to wait quietly... 


"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"  D'gerrit asked as he
slipped
from the dragon's back and waited none too patiently for the older man
to
join him on the ground.  "The timing has to be perfect or this won't
work."


"You leave it to me to do my job and you concentrate on yours."  Destry
pulled a soiled handkerchief from his pocket and used it to wipe the
dust
from his face.  "I've been dealing with controlled explosions for most
of
my adult life and you won't find anyone who's had more experience with
'powder than me.... at least not this side of Keelands Gap you won't."


"You just get there monster of yours to let me know when you're in
position and I'll be more than ready to do my part.  Now shove off and
let
me get on with it."


Destry picked up the pack he'd been cradling so carefully during the
flight, and without a backward glance for the dragon or the man began
working his way further up the mountainside.


*He's either very brave or very foolish.*  D'gerrit observed as he
watched
Destry walk away. *Or else he's insane.  But he has two major skills
that
I need right now so needs must.  His knowledge of 'powder and his
ability
to hear you make him indispensable......*


******
<Destry>


With great care he checked the placement of the explosive charges he'd
brought with him.  


"That should do it!" he muttered quietly as he placed the last charge 
"Why anyone would want to bury Fairlight under half a ton of rock is
beyond me, but a job's a job, and his money's as good as anyone
else's."


With a sigh of satisfaction he settled back and waited for the message
that would mean death to many.


submitted by

various nefarious NPCs


NRPG

Hopefully everyone will get this this time! 


-- 
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to
use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks.