Aside for 08/14/03
"Evil Intentions"
Gaern began ascending the long staircase up to Cromwell's throne room. Normally he wouldn't waste his time with such meaningless physical activity, but the wards Cromwell placed upon the castle made travel by any other means then walking hazardous to say the least, and even then you weren't completely safe. If anyone was, however, it would be this elf. Gaern had yet to meet his equal as a thief, and he has met quite a number of thieves and rogues in his time. That was partially the reason for this visit to Cromwell...he had stolen something that Cromwell very much wanted.
Finally getting to the top of the staircase Gaern came to an ordinary looking wooden door. Knocking three times in quick succession, he then waited a moment. Suddenly he heard, "Who is it?!". "It's the goddamn toothfairy. Who do you think it is?", Gaern replied. Mumbling came from behind the door and then he heard the latches on the other side move, and the door then seemed to open of its own volition. Sitting on an ornate throne inside the dimly lit room on the other side of the doorway was Cromwell the Magnificent, who looked slightly irritated to say the least. "Ah, Gaern. I thought I smell Vaseline and dandruff shampoo. What is it you wish to speak to me about?", Cromwell said. "Well, I just so happen to have something you've wanted very much for a long time...", Gaern tapered off and began rummaging through his backpack, producing a small ring.
"IS THAT WHAT I THINK IT IS?", Cromwell exclaimed. "Yep, it's the genuine article. Just got it on loan from Lord Faethor and the Cult of Orcus", Gaern grinned upon saying the last part. "GAERN, YOU BIG BEAUTIFUL ELF YOU! IF I COULD REACH I'D KISS YOU RIGHT HERE AND NOW!", Cromwell said excitedly. "Sorry, shortie, I don't swing that way, but you can have the ring anyway. Consider it part of the deal", and upon saying that Gaern flipped the ring into the air with his thumb. The ring spun end over end until it sort of stopped in mid-air. Gaern looked down at Cromwell where he sat and he had his hand out as if calling the ring to himself. The ring seemed to obey Cromwell's silent command and flew directly into the palm of his hand.
"Yesss, now we are almost ready. Once I have obtained godhood nothing will stop my armies from pounding the foolish humans into the dirt. Now only one more piece of the puzzle remains to be collected and put into place. You know of what I speak, my friend. Retrieve the item and consider your debt repaid". Gaern was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered from the shock of what he just heard. "Yes, Cromwell. It shall be done", and with that Gaern bowed to the throne and rushed out of the room. "This could be more profitable then I possiby imagined", Gaern thought to himself.
