Ch. 4, Page 3

Ehlissa had met many charming men in the City of Greyhawk and figured, to a man, they had all been scoundrels and rogues. She generally identified them by thinking they needed something from her -- either information, better service, or other things they might request.

As this particular conversation continued -- and a charming storyteller this man was -- Ehlissa noticed that he wasn't asking anything of her, other than to listen. So she allowed herself to stop being protective of herself and just enjoy a good, long conversation.

Ch. 4, Page 2

The work was day after day of drudgery, and there was no magic in her life.

Oh, Ehlissa did memorize a spell or two on occasion. She told herself she might need them if a fight broke out in the tavern, but there were bouncers who dealt with that sort of thing.

The worst part was when other magic-users used the inn. Ehlissa always had the feeling, as irrational as it may be, that they were judging her. Ehlissa the failure. But she didn't care two gold orbs for them and what they might have thought of her.

Ch. 4, Page 1

Ehlissa had been cleaning puke off a table. It had been just over nine months since Tenser had last talked her into going adventuring to the castle. She had helped kill some hobgoblins, but nearly got her arm sliced off in the fight. Clerical magic had healed the injury, but it had hurt so bad…

Although Tenser would come back from Castle Greyhawk with stories of fabulous riches unearthed, the take always seemed leaner anytime Ehlissa went along. And she did need money. The Wizard’s Guild of Greyhawk was not an inexpensive institution, and Ehlissa had debts to pay. Tenser had helped her on occasion, when she was falling behind on payments, but she hated to be so beholden to him. She still liked him very much, but it had long since become clear that her affection for him was as invisible as if it was cloaked by magic.

Cleaning puke off of tables was far from ideal work for a young lady with her arcane knowledge and magical skill. She wanted to work as a governess for a rich family. Many hired governesses who knew how to watch for magical talent and foster it. No such opportunity had presented itself yet, so Ehlissa busied herself here, at the Inn of the Green Dragon. Robilar, that roguish friend of Tenser’s, had an interest in this place and had helped her land the job. He had seemed at first to expect something in return, and Ehlissa was surprised and relieved when he still helped her even when she said no. Yes, there were indeed worse things than cleaning puke off of tables.

The Green Dragon was becoming a popular gathering place for the rising class of adventurers in the city. It seemed everyone who could swing a sword or cast a spell was heading out into the surrounding wilderness and coming home with stories of new dungeons being discovered, or some new rooms previously un-looted under Castle Greyhawk. Even those who came back empty-handed seemed to have bragging rights. And did they ever brag.

Ch. 3, Page 37

Terik was devoted to his grizzly task; the others all stepped away. The dragon was no longer a threat.

Tenser looked up at Murlynd, impressed with the elder sorcerer's showmanship. Murlynd winked down at him.

Ch. 3, Page 36

The dragon was down. It lay there, on the cavern floor, like a tipped over statue.

The adventurers slowly relaxed their guard. The dragon clearly was not faking this to trick them. It slowly leaked blood and gore from multiple wounds, but there still seemed to be life in its eyes. It was just completely paralyzed.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief, which filled the icy cold air around them with hot clouds of breath. There were even chuckles of nervous laughter now that the danger had passed. The battle which, until a moment ago, seemed like it could go either way...was now won.

Ch. 3 Page 35

Tenser was exposed. Everyone could see it. Overconfident because of his new wand, or maybe just exhausted from this gauntlet of a dungeon, Tenser stepped out from cover for a clearer shot with his wand.  The command word for the wand was on the tip of his tongue -- but the dragon was one lunge away from biting him in half. 

Fortunately, a lot of things then happened all at once.

Ch. 3 Page 34

The "web" spell entangled the dragon and bought them all a moment of precious time.

Terik had rolled out from under the dragon's claws, his armor gouged and his body sore, but whole and ready to give back with his magic sword as soon as he could draw close enough.

Yrag had freed himself and was on his feet again. He moved to the same flank as Terik.

Serten took the opposite flank and tried to draw the dragon's attention. Tenser seemed vulnerably exposed to him and he knew the magic-user would never survive a blast of the dragon's hoary breath. If only Tenser's new wand had not given him such confidence...

It was only one moment.