Enter the Chimera
Anyone paying attention to the gossip in roadside taverns would know that Lina Inverse the Bandit Killer was on the move. People hunched low over mugs of ale and glanced furtively about as they spoke of the horrors the enemy of all who live was capable of. Only a perceptive and intelligent listener however, would know by the reports she was moving north to Seyruun.
Zelgadis was amused that once again, he seemed the only person present in the tavern that night that had it figured out. He thought it was quite obvious the path of destruction she was leaving pointed at Seyruun like an arrow. He shook out his map from the fold of his cloak, and consulted it. In fact, if he wanted to wait a week, she and Gourry would come blazing into town. It might be good to see them again--it had been a while. He turned his attention back to the fat, sniveling merchant one table over.
'It's said that she cleaned out the entire Demon's Claws bandit gang--down to the very last copper, and she didn't leave a single masonry stone unturned!"
His companions gaped and one nodded. "Yes, her greed is endless. She left that place as a heap of smoking rubble."
Zelgadis snorted. Che! Their lot has room to talk! Look at them in their expensive fur cloaks, and fine clothing--gold and jewels dripping from them--they look like the guys who invented greed!
The man closest to Zel, whom he decided to dub Redbeard, spoke up. "The most incredible thing is that she's doing this all on her own." He took a pull of his ale, and continued. "Usually she has someone with her, but all the rumors say she travels alone this time."
This statement got Zel's full attention. "Excuse me, did you say she was alone? No tall swordsman at her side?"
The merchants turned to look at the shadowy figure seated behind them. They saw a very mysterious looking individual, still wearing his cloak. Oddly enough, they couldn't see the man's face, as his hood was up over his head, despite being indoors. He was seated with his back to the wall, with a large sword lying across the chair next to him.
Redbeard gave the shadowy stranger an appraising look, and being the smart fellow he was, decided politeness was in his best interest. "No my friend, she had no companion of that description at all."
As Zelgadis finished his tea, one of the men suspiciously asked, "You seem rather familiar with the Dragon Spooker."
Zelgadis stood up and tossed a few coppers on the table. He stepped out of the shadowed alcove and into the lamplight. The men at the next table were finally able to see whom they'd been talking to. There were times he enjoyed having such a monstrous form and this was one of them, though he'd never admit it. He saw the men take in his stone-like skin, with little pebbles dotting it. They saw the glittering hair like silver wire, which hid half his face. He knew they were wondering if he was human or monster. The light clamor of the tavern died away in a ripple effect as more patrons turned to see what their associates were looking at. Zel addressed Redbeard in the hushed murmurs left in its wake.
"Yes…" He dipped his head, allowing hair to conceal his pleased smile as he heard whispers of '…sorcerer-swordsman!' "She is a friend and occasional traveling companion."
As Zelgadis passed the merchants' tables he saw the fat sniveler clutch at his many jeweled medallions. Annoyance and anger sparked in him instantly. He thinks I'll rob him now, simply because I admitted friendship with Lina… fine… I'll let them in on my other secret… heh heh heh.
"I suppose I should stick around town, so we can catch up on things when she gets here."
With that said, he left the tavern, amidst calls of "Check, please!"