Submitted: 24 February 2000

A Brief Negation of Previous Arguments

by S. Selastion

Baresh runs a wet rag up and down the smooth oak surface of the bar, giving it a glossy shine. A sudden gust of wind extinguishes the few candles left alight, and a loud thump is heard as the door slams shut, rattling on its hinges.

Finding his tinderbox by the moonlight, Baresh sets to relighting the candles. Once the room is illuminated again, he looks to the door and sees no one there. Turning, he starts at the sight of darkly cowled figure huddled at the bar, face hidden in shadows. Baresh steps back around behind the bar to face the stranger, who crouches over a glass of wine.

"The wine's six silver, mister," Baresh says, eyeing the stranger suspiciously.

"I did nae come here for drink, nor did your establishment provide it." is the reply.

Baresh wrinkles his brow in thought for a moment, then says, "Well, then sittin' on the stool is six silver."

A mild chuckle and the soft, if not bitter, voice, "Alas, you would not turn a man out on a night like this?"

"If ya were that interested in staying, you mightah at least knocked on the door or somethin'," Baresh grumbles.

"I am not one for showy entrances except the practical sort," replies the stranger as he pulls back his hood, "and I only came here to give my opinion on what I have heard Kieros say."

The light plays off of the Elothean's silver hair and shines in his eyes as he leans forward on the bar, cradling the wine glass in his hands, "Kieros has a good notion, or rather an idealistic one... he wishes to believe that under Sorrow more things would get done, and life would be "happier" in a way. Perhaps I am wrong, I prefer to remain fairly neutral in most of these matters, but it is my "observation" that Sorrow is tampering with dark powers, powers that might very well be greater than his own."

A faint smile plays across the Moon Mages' face for a moment before he continues, "Sorrow's motives are pretty much unknown, anyway. He has said he wishes to reclaim his old empire and such, but how can we take his word for fact? Even if his stated goals are true, and he could bring peace and order to Elanthia, his methods are the other problem. It is foolishness to submit willfully to a man who would force you to serve him anyway, for that is submission to a tyrant. It is because of people like Sorrow that our temples and bridges are in ruins, and submitting to him will bring only further strife."

Sitting back with a ponderous look on his face, the Elothean seems to try to regain his track of thought, and says, "In summation, my main point is that submitting to Sorrow will not bring peace and order to Elanthia, but rather take away what little we have left. Thank you for listening, Baresh, I can trust you will spread my "gossip" like you do everyone else's."

The Moon Mage rises from his stool and shakes a finger at the remaining wine glass. It disappears in a burst of smoke and a *POOF* sound, and before Baresh can utter an oath, twelve large, round silver coins appear on the bar in place of the glass. "I think that may cover your losses," says the Elothean, smiling.

Pulling up the hood of his cloak, the Elothean turns to leave. After a brief struggle with the lock and a mutter about not being good at exits either, the Mage exits. Baresh picks up one of the coins and sees a faint inscription on one side which reads "Lyodin Kron." The barkeep mutters a curse and tosses the coins into the trash.