[Black Dragon]

Hunter awoke the next morning to find the sun already in the sky and the townspeople busy with their everyday activity. Hunter yawned and stretched before padding down the alley and entering the main street. The first thing that hit him was his immense hunger. He was about to go into the forest to hunt, but someone shouted from behind him "Care to join me?" Hunter spun around to see Lanar standing in front of a hut behind him.
"Tch, why should I?" he muttered, raising an eyebrow.
"My dear Magar, why can't we just put our past behind us and start afresh? I don't mean ya any harm, I swear it," Lanar responded, sounding hurt. He hung his head and added, "But if yer don't wanna, I understand." Hunter rolled his eyes.
"Why do I hafta be such a softy?" he muttered and walked up to Lanar, who instantly perked up.
"Yer will love dis place, Magar! Got da best Scrab sausage anywhere!" Lanar said joyfully and opened the flap of the large hut for Hunter. Hunter nodded his head and went inside. A burst of delicious scents filled his nostrils as he entered and his heart lightened a bit.
"The feller may just be right about this joint...maybe his really has changed..." Hunter thought as Lanar led him to a small table in the corner. Neither of them could sit down in a chair, so they just sat on the floor watching the other people, occasionally commenting on what they were eating. By the time they both had finished their breakfast it was as if they were old pals.
"So, tell me, what brings yer ta Pyke?" Lanar asked, leaning an elbow on the small table, causing it to lean.
"Well, a group 'a friends an' I are on a special mission, and I came here to investigate this town. I got kinda side-tracked by sumpin' and I decided to stay a bit longer." Hunter replied, picking a bit of egg out of his teeth.
"Yeah, I came 'ere fer some peace and rest. Not easy beein' a bounty, ya know dat." Lanar said with a chuckle.
Hunter nodded and laughed softly.
"Well, I'd better go patrol the town. Need ta get more info on it and make sure everthing's in order," Hunter said, getting up. Lanar said his goodbyes, but stayed at the table. He scanned the room with his glowing red eyes and they came to rest on a Mud at the counter. He was sitting on a stool and was busily sipping a cup if tea. Lanar noticed his torn eyelids had small stitches in them, keeping them shut. He watched the Mud for awhile. He seemed to be a very happy fellow without a care in the world. A smile crossed Lanar's face and he walked over to him.

[ August 15, 2001: Message edited by: Black Dragon ]