This actually has nothing to do with the book _Dune_.  I just
figured the name suited the fella.

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>From then to now; Dune and the DragonSlayer
Myrriden
--------------------

	Dune was an old, old man.  Just last year he had turned twenty
five, and now he was turning twenty six.  Old, and nearly useless, except
for the ingenious experience he had.  Dune had yet to marry, to produce
offspring like the younger Suits.  Even so, Dune wasn't unhappy.  His
looks and strength had not died with his age, as there were few women who
would protest marrying him, had he asked. 
	And tonight, as we were to attend his massive ball, I couldn't
help but wonder:  What of me?  Where do I fit in?  I am as old as this
fool Dune.  I am twenty four, and not married.  Is that why Dune and I are
such good friends, or is it that I once saved his ass in a battle against
the Meur?
	Ahh...Here he comes now.  Vain as a peacock.  watch how he glides
down the view screen, preening and showing his feathers!  Good show, old
man!  Now if only he could get the girls to fall for that!  Ha!  There he
goes, up under the mantle.  His strange golden suit glimmering and
glittering, and catching the light.  Beautiful how he does that, Hmm?
	Ahh....  He speaks!  Let me listen.  
	"Thankyou for this honor, ladies and gentlemen.  Ever since the
first suit was created to increase our lifespan, and all that came after,
our people have strived to our best to help other poor troubled souls by
giving them places in the societies that suited ' (there are laughs at the
play on words.  Idiotic fools.)  'them and their environment.  We've
formed alliances and ended feuds over many cultures and races.  Though our
lives are short compared to other lifeforms, and the breeding time not
advanced, we are still a democratic help to mostly theocratic and
communist societies.  Through the dimensions and universes we've fought
the Meur and their tolitarian ways.  We have fought the Sacrath and their
anarchist ways. To the future and past, we've been there to help when help
was needed."  He pauses for breath, and effect and continues. 
	"But now my friends, I give thanks to those who have helped me
over the years.  Especially the friend who gave me my callsign and
trademark: Dune.  Please applaud Jephir Nosaic, also known as
DragonSlayer"  I rise, shocked.  Dune was never one to share glory.
After all, I had named him so for a reason.  
	"Does anyone know why Jephir named me Dune, and I him
DragonSlayer? We were on a mission in the dessert world Sharath, when we
were almost attacked by a large sand traveling creature. It moved through
sand like it was water.  An amazing creature.  Among the troop it was
named the Dragon. It nearly attacked four times during our trip, but every
time it held off at the last moment.  Perhaps it was playing; we shall
never know.
	"That day I remember so clearly.  I was even more rocky and
pompous back then than I am now.  DragonSlayer described me as the side of
the dune to the wind.  Hard packed and closed off to the outside world.
He also told me that this was but a shell and show.  He told me that the
hard packed layer was just to protect the softer leeward side.  Once I
took this as an insult, but the name stuck, and I took it.  But now...Why
did we name him DragonSlayer?  Obvious.  He went out into the cold
humidless night with only a kryson, and slew the great creature.  A
creature so vast, and a tale so long it would take hours to tell...And I
only have a few minutes left!  Again...thank you for this honor my
friends. Thank you dearly.  My death shall be a rich reward after all
these years."
	During the speech, I couldn't help but notice the change that came
over Dunes haggard features.  I stood silently as the others came up to
make their speeches, yet watched only him.  His face was pale and lined
with an emotion Id never seen.  Humility?  On Dune?  I eased my own
misgivings.  Some great change was happening before my eyes.
	It was then my turn.  I was to talk of my only friend.  I spoke
loud and in a cheerful voice, masking my troubles and hiding the
misgivings.  "Dune has always been a great man' (ahh he looks prideful)
'and a great fisher.'  (Curiosity!)  'Unfortunately, he was better at
fishing than he was at being a man.'  (laughs from the throng, humor on
Dune)  'I once saved the poor man from a Meur attack.  Had my suit leg
blown off in the process.  As well as the whole novar it cost to replace
the damn thing.
	"Dune is a amazing man.  So old it is amazing, and still he is
lucky that after all these years his pigheadedness has only served to gain
him more friends and surrogate family.  I have saved his life several
times, and he has saved mine.  He'll go to his grave owing me, but hey!
What are friends for, right?  We have been on many missions and worlds
together, and Ive always observed his foolhardy ways of getting things
done.  Foolhardy to me, but not to more adventurous folk.    I never have
enjoyed my wanderings and fights, while Dune loved even his own downfalls.
As did the Meur.
	'As life passes with us, all of us in the middle, we must remember
that every person alive now has the opportunity to stop evil, or die in
the conquest of good.  Those who fight for evil cannot know an honorable
death, nor can they comprehend our love for the deceased.   Our love for
those who sacrificed their souls to the good of other races.  They leave
their dead on the battlefield, we take them and put them in tombs.  Where
is the greater respect and love shown?  So, the older we get the wiser we
become.  No man or beast on this planet has outlived Dune.  Not even I.
He may be foolish by my own standards, but of course I'm an old man as
well.
	"Isn't senility grand?"

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-/\/\- out

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        Lost World of Ryouga