There are 8 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-N] To the Rescue!
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-D] Steaming Confessions!
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. [DL-N] Rankers responce to all that.
From: jim grace <darvituakblackhart@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
4. [DL-W] too great for this world.
From: Keeper <lordkeeper@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
5. [DL-W] Bringing it all together
From: Morgan Allgood <elfwench@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
6. Little boys bring big trouble
From: Bianca Payne <biancaknox@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
7. [DL-D]Delivering A Plan (Jump Post)
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
8. [DL-D] Sleeping beauty awakens!
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2004 01:58:47 -0700
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-N] To the Rescue!
Day 4 Mid Afternoon in Voldorra
<Snip>
She had to save Celeste.
Cherry rode Sampson straight up to the open gate of Voldorra before
she hauled back on Sampson's reins to stop him. The guard took one
look at the panicked girl in the torn blue dress and tangled brown
hair and stepped forward to grab the exhausted cart horse's reins
from her. "What's your business girl?"
"Dragonriders.need. Ravensvale attacked. Took my sister. Help."
<End Snip>
The guard stared at the girl with concern and immediately offered her
a stool. Motioning to one of the others,. "Get S'ran immediately! I
think they are at the market!" Then turning back to the girl he
offered her a drink of water from the flask he was carrying. "You're
lucky Miss, there are riders in the village at this very moment!"
[..] In the marketplace
"She doesn't look very distressed to me!" S'ran chuckled taking an
offered apple from one of the vendors as he and R'tem strolled through
the brightly colored tents. "In fact she looks like she might turn you
into her next meal if you're not careful R'tem!"
R'tem laughed, "Unlike you I am not a sucker for damsels in distress!"
"Ahhh, but they are usually the most grateful kind, my friend!" S'ran
answered his eyes lit with amusement as a young lass preened for them
a fewl tents away.
"Gentlemen!" The guard appeared breaking into the riders light banter.
"There's a problem at the gate!" He said urgently, "If you'll come
with me I'll explain on the way!"
[..] A short while later
The three men hurried to the guard shack and the elder rider gazed
thoughtfully at the young girl pacing impatiently. His breath caught
in his throat for a moment when hearing their footsteps she turned
towards them and he found himself staring into the deepest blue eyes
he had ever seen. Clearing his throat S'ran stepped forward. "Hello
Miss, I'm S'ran, and this is R'tem," he said indicating the other
rider, "the guard told us you've had some trouble over at Ravensdale?
What can you tell us before we go?"
{Tag: Bianca}
Respectfully submitted by,
Tree Deutscher
For S'ran and R'tem
Norwall Warren
***Summary***
S'ran and R'tem stroll through the marketplace and a guard appears
beckoning them to the gate to talk to the frantic young woman
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2004 04:41:44 -0700
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-D] Steaming Confessions!
Day 68 O dark thirty
Pandora held back the tears as they carried Lexi into the Med-Center.
She'd gladly strangle him herself if he wasn't hurt so bad. But now
was not the time to let her personal feelings get in the way. He was
her brother, but now he was also her patient. Crisply issuing commands
the Med-Center, due to the late hour became a quiet hive of activity
as both riders were moved to the treatment rooms and the few injuries
during the rescue were tended too.
[..] an hour later
With both Puss and Lexi treated, bandaged and tucked in for the night
the weary queenrider slowly made her way down the hall towards the
office. Hearing the door open at the other end she looked up to see
Sharees coming towards her. Seeing the look of the determination in
her eyes Pandora held up her hand and sighed, "Don't worry he's going
to be fine, he's going to hurt like crazy for awhile, but right now he
needs plenty of rest to heal. They both do!"
"Why would he go off so foolishly like that! What's he trying to
prove? He could have gotten them both killed? What was he thinking?"
Sharees exclaimed angrily, yet Pandora could her the worry in her
tone.
"Sharees, Lexi wasn't trying to prove anything! He's right, those
creatures are going to pick us apart! I'm not condoning what he did,
and I'm not sure why Puss went along. Poor Olaf is worried sick about
her. But I know my brother and he did what he did, because he cares! I
should have never told him, it only made him more determined!"
"Told him what?" T'rell asked, appearing behind her.
Pandora jumped almost stumbling at the sound of the Wingleaders voice
and she turned fearfully to gaze up at him and the horrible images
that had started forming in her mind melted in the comfort of his
presence Biting her lip somewhat guiltily she answered in a tiny
whisper, "A..A.about what happened that day."
He stared down at her so hard that Pandora wished she could shrink
into the toe of her shoe. "We need to talk!" He said, then looking
over her head at his second, he gave Sharees orders for doubling the
patrols for the rest of the night. The woman nodded and was gone in an
instant.
T'rell looked down at Pandora, "I'm guessing you have everything done
for the night?"
The jr. queenrider nodded dreading the stern inquisition she knew
would come.
"Good, let's go!" He said taking her firmly by the arm
[..]
Pandora felt completely numb as she soaked in the hot tub, the filmy
tendrils of steam curling up around her. T'rell had insisted and
despite the wonderful spicy fragrance of the oils he'd added she could
smell the brewing coffee and had a feeling the night was far from
over.
Despite the fact that her mind was crowed with events of the day the
queenrider's eyelids began to droop.
[..] a short while later
"No sleeping in the tub!" She heard T'rell chuckle from far away.
"C'mon you're going to turn into a prune if you stay in there much
longer!"
"But it's still so warm!" Pandora murmured sleepily as he helped her
dry off. She was barely aware of being wrapped in a fluffy robe and
led to the couch. The smell of coffee tickled her nose and she opened
one eye to find the Wingleader gently waving the steaming mug under
her nose.
With a little smile she nestled in the crook of his arm and couldn't
stifle a yawn as she accepted the cup.
"Panda, I know you're tired but..."
"I know."
[..] a little while later
Tears glistened on her long eyelashes and the darked hair beauty
nestled deeper into the Wingleader's arms. If only she could stop
shaking. Telling T'rell what had happened with all the gory details
had been almost more then Pandora could bear.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked tightening his arms around her.
"Don't ever keep anything like this from me again! You shouldn't have
been alone!" With a deep sigh he added, "I will say it does explain a
few things!"
"Now matter what happens T'rell, I will always blame myself! It was so
horrible and...and..."
He hushed her in a soothing tone, then stretching his long legs out on
the coffee table he pulled the heavy blanket that Pandora kept draped
over the couch down around them. "Relax," he said gently stroking her
hair, lulling her into a fitful oblivion.
{NRPG: More to come was just too tired to go on}
Respectfully submitted by,
Tree Deutscher
AKA
Pandora
Daere Warren
***Summary***
Day 68 O'dark thirty
After getting Puss and Lexi treated and tucked in Pandora talks to
Sharees and T'rell appears demanding a talk. Giving orders to his
second T'rell takes Pandora back to her apt for a hot bath, coffee and
a talk
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2004 09:20:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: jim grace <darvituakblackhart@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-N] Rankers responce to all that.
Day 4 noonish
as Breezy turned to walk away Ranker took her arm gently not to make
any sudden moves so the masses don't attack. He turned her around, and
planted a kiss right on her lipps. Then he whispered in her ear with
all the respect he could muster. " Yes mam. What ever you say I'll do
until the trial is over."
Breezy slaps him in the face as the audiance went aww. "Don't ever
kiss me again!" She said as she turned to walk away.
<Tag tree lets see what Breezy thinks of that lol>
signature
jim grace
ranker & kautivrad
@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
darvituakblackhart@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail - 50x more storage than other providers!
[This message contained attachments]
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 01 Aug 2004 17:52:07 -0500
From: Keeper <lordkeeper@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] too great for this world.
Day 9...evening
<begin snip>
"She's right, you know. You need to rest." Dru'Kar stated firmly.
Merissa nodded as the fatigue and hunger crept over her. "Maybe some
tea..." She said softly as she rose a bit unsteadily from the bed, and
was surprised to feel large, strong arms supporting her.
Her head snapped toward the door as she heard a hiss and Th'rin's
voice
saying her name, "Merissa!?"
<end snip>
Dru'Kar hoisted Merissa up into his arms as she slumped even more and
looked flatly at Th'rin. "MOVE", Dru'Kar said to Th'rin, his voice low
and
demanding, as he began walking towards the doorway into the couple's
apartment. Th'rin sidestepped and let the large man by as Merissa
began to
quietly protest this treatment of her.
"But I need to be with Xanthia." she said trying to turn in the strong
arms
that now carried her.
Dru'Kar looked down into her face as he kept walking "It will do
Yashina no
good if you can't even keep yourself well. She will sleep the rest of
the
night and so should you after eating."
Dru'Kar carried her to her and Th'rin's bed and placed her in it, then
turned to Th'rin. "Stay with her and take care of her."
"B-But Xanthia...." Th'rin replied at the edge of tears, like a man
who's
world was coming apart at the seams.
"Miss Meri and I will take care of her after Oberon and I take care of
something." Dru'Kar replied, his voice low, calm, and undeniable.
"Oberon? What are you going to do with him?" Th'rin asked getting back
some
of his inner strength.
"It is a Bear nomad tradition......I'm certain you'll hear all about
it
later." Dru'Kar said and turned on the balls of his feet and walked
away
not even giving Th'rin a chance to ask or say anything more.
Dru'Kar entered the main sitting room of the queenrider's apartment.
Miss
Meri sat in a chair with Alina in her lap and Oberon on the floor
listening
as the woman read from a book.
"Oberon," Dru'Kar said to the boy, his tone softer but still very
demanding. "There is a bundle of herbs just outside. Take it to the
green
and gather wood for a small fire."
"But..." Oberon began to speak.
"NOT NOW" Dru'Kar snapped slightly. The large man's chest expanded and
then
contracted in a deep sigh "I will explain all when I join you on the
green.
Just please.....go and do as I say."
Oberon stood and slowly moved to the door. He stopped before looking
back
to Dru'Kar with tears rolling down his face. "Is Aunt Yashina going to
die
like my Bear mama?"
In just two steps the Guardian crossed the distance to the door and
picked
the boy up in his arms as tears of his own streamed down his face,
pictures
of both Aradia and Pa'gan running through his mind. "By all the GODS,
no
she will not boy."
Slowly Dru'Kar let the boy back down to his feet and tussled his hair,
"Off
with you now, I'll be with you soon."
Oberon turned and slowly closed the door behind him.
Dru'Kar stared at the door for a long moment then turned to Miss Meri,
who
also had tears streaming down her face. He slowly walked to the woman
and
knelt on the floor in front of her. His hand went to her face and with
a
massive thumb from his large strong hands brushed away the latest tear
to
drop from her welling eyes.
He choked back his own tears as he looked at the toddler on her lap
who had
grown silent from not understanding the situation. As a child does,
she
neither cried nor laughed, just quietly waiting to grasp an
understanding
of the tension.
Dru'Kar smiled as best he could and tickled the child under her chin.
He
smiled as he got a giggle and a pull back from the child. Dru'Kar knew
then
that she was going to be fine.
Turning his attention back to the woman he spoke in low calm tones.
"Miss
Meri", he began, "I know you don't know any of us, and I don't know
you.
But I feel I can trust you...."
Miss Meri blinked and nodded ...the nod of nobility and recognition of
what
is meant by the large man's words.
"Would you please look after Xanthia and little Alina here." he said
as he
once again tickled the girl under the chin.
"Of course" was her only response and she rose and walked towards
Dru'Kar's
apartment, Alina and the book in her arms.
Dru'Kar walked into his apartment and retrieved his sword and a small
bundle, looked at Yashina sleeping on the bed as Miss Meri settled
into a
chair next to the bed and continued to read to Alina. He then turned
and
walked out the door of his apartment.
The cool evening air felt good against his hot skin. As with any time
of
extreme emotion, his blood ran hotter than normal and this even made
his
skin seem warmer. As he walked he looked at the small bundle. The
material
was a very rare thing indeed in the nomad world, silk. Within the
folds was
the fetus that was going to be Yashina's baby.
It did not take long before he was crossing the green to where the
young
Oberon stood next to a small pile of wood and twigs. "Very good", he
said
looking at the pile and then to the young Chieftain in front of him.
Dru'Kar took the bundle that Oberon brought with him and then knelt on
the
ground. Oberon followed and was kneeling next to the large man and the
two
of them together arranged the wood and twigs. Oberon just watched at
first
and then asked "This is starting to look like the wood that was piled
up
for your mate."
"It is", Dru'Kar began, "it's called a pyre. It is a way of helping
the
dead to travel on to the next world."
"The next world?" the boy said with a puzzled look on his face.
"We shall have to talk about that at another time, Little bear"
Dru'Kar said.
"Is this pyre for Aunt Yashina's baby?"
"Yes Oberon it is" Dru'Kar replied fighting back the emotion welling
up in him.
As Dru'Kar began spreading herbs on the pyre, Oberon spoke again. "Why
did
Aunt Yashina's baby die? Was she poisoned like mama was?"
Dru'Kar sighed heavily and then put the last of the herbs on the pyre
then
sat cross legged before the boy. Oberon followed Dru'Kar's example
again
and sat facing the guardian.
"Yashina was not poisoned." Dru'Kar said even though he knew that
Ari's
test of her blood had not been finished. "As far as why the baby died
before it was born. When a soul enters the body of a baby it is when
it is
still inside the mother and growing. During that time the soul knows
what
is going to be through out it's entire life. But that knowledge is
lost
during the birthing of the child. Every now and then a soul learns
that the
world is not yet ready for them and won't be in it's life time. These
souls
are of great warriors and of great people of religion. Or just people
that
are to do great things at another time. They know that this is indeed
not
the time in the world that they are needed. So they go back to where
ever
it is they come from and wait for the right time. Fortunately the baby
inside the mother is never born."
"Fortunately!?" Oberon said surprised.
"Yes Oberon," said Dru'Kar as he moved to a kneeling position once
again.
"A baby born without a soul is a very bad thing!" And with that
Dru'Kar
became very silent and began striking a flint with a piece of steel.
Oberon watched the sparks hit the twigs and wood and dry leaves. He
honestly thought about asking about Dru'Kar's last comment about
babies
without souls. But even at his young age he could feel the coldness
coming
from the large man and thought twice about it.
Very soon the dried herbs and twigs caught and the blaze began.
Dru'Kar
gently placed the silk bundle on the pyre and almost instantly the
silk
caught fire and the bundle and the rest of the wood was fully engulfed
in
the flames. Suddenly the large man began to vibrate as every muscle
and
tendon in his body tightened to what seemed like the breaking point.
The
veins in his neck and arms began to bulge and throb in the strain.
Oberon scooted back slightly unsure what was happening.
Dru'Kar's breathing became very labored and was accompanied by a low
guttural noise. The same noise a bear makes as it breathes. Without
warning
the great man's head lurched back and he let out a howl that echoed
off the
cliffs in all directions.
In the distance came Ursa's own voice in a howl, which was followed by
another dragon's voice. Then another and another.
Oberon too added his voice to the mourning call, though he did not
know why
fully....it seemed the thing to do.
Then as if it had been prearranged all the voices stopped at once,
even
Little Oberon stopped. The only sound to be heard was the sound of the
fire
consuming wood, herbs, and the silk bundle with the unborn great one
inside it.
The two of them sat for long hours watching the fire. As the feeling
of
calm returned Oberon broke the silence, "Why did we howl? I mean I
know
that had to do something to do with the baby."
"We call to the ancient ones and let them know that we wish we were
the
ones the great soul was here for and not another time."
Oberon nodded and didn't speak a word and the two of them continued to
watch the fire until the fire was nothing more than a dying ember of
red.
Dru'Kar looked to his side and the small boy had drifted off to sleep
sometime during the night. Dru'Kar looked to the east and the night
sky was
turning purple fading off to a dull orange as the sun approached the
horizon. Dru'Kar moved slowly and stiffly. Oberon seemed to weigh
nothing
to him as he cradled him in his arms. As softly as he could, he
carried the
boy back to his own room and gently placed the boy in his bed. He
smoothed
his hair and turned and walked away.
He walked through the warren lady's apartment silently. He thought
about
looking in the woman's bedroom to check on her but thought better of
it as
he remembered leaving Th'rin with her.
He entered his own apartment and looked at his bed and saw Xanthia
still
sleeping. Looking closer he watched and saw that she was breathing
steadily
and evenly. Looking to nod off in his chair he saw that Miss Meri was
still
there. She was fast asleep as was little Alina, still in her lap.
Dru'Kar turned and left his apartment proper and found a sleepy eyed
dragon
looking at him. Some how she had managed to climb to the guardian's
apartment and was sleeping in what was to be her area on the ledge.
Slowly
he moved over and laid his sword on the straw upon which the dragon
was
laying. Dru'Kar then stretched out next to Ursa and sighed.
*Good morning Daddy* Ursa sent to Dru'Kar as the rider slipped into
sleep.
The growing dragon smiled to itself and stretched a wing over her
heart's life.
**************************************************************************************
summary: evening day 9 to very early morning of day 10
Dru'Kar and Oberon build a pyre for Xanthia's unborn baby and Dru'Kar
explains the nomad belief why some babies never go full term.
NRPG: Life seems to have settled down enough for me to start writing
again....maybe a post a week.....MAYBE! Sorry there are no REAL tags
in
this. I need to get back into practice again. :)
But if you want, please write your dragon joining in on the mourning
call
and perhaps a conversation between rider and dragon on what it was.
Pretty
much everyone in the warren would have heard it as well. Also this was
done
on the green in plain view of anyone around if they so wish to have
posted
seeing it.
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Message: 5
Date: Sun, 01 Aug 2004 19:17:27 -0500
From: Morgan Allgood <elfwench@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Bringing it all together
Oberon swung his wooden practice sword in the living area of the
apartment
he shared with his parents and his aunt, lost in his own thoughts of
the
night before, the ritual he'd shared with his Guardian, Dru'Kar. Even
at
his young age, Oberon knew that he'd been a part of something
important.
The large boy smiled when his foster father, Th'rin entered the room;
the
head healer hastily sipping on a cup of hot, steaming coffee. The
boy's
father set the cup down on the table and picked up a stack of
paperwork,
looking to be in quite a rush, then looked over at his son.
"Hey! Not in the apartment!" Th'rin cautioned.
"I must practice to be the chieftain" the boy said, holding the wooden
sword aloft. He puffed his chest out proudly, deciding to assert
himself
and voice aloud his fondest desires, "Da, I want to be the chieftain."
"When you grow up you can be anything you want" Th'rin tousled the
boy's
hair affectionately, not fully grasping the immediacy of the young
one's
declaration. "But until then, no playing swords in the house. But I'm
running late. See you tonight," he finished, kissing Oberon on top of
his head.
Oberon slumped and sighed in disappointment. He wondered how he would
make
them understand that what he wanted was right there. He needed to talk
to
someone who would take him seriously, someone besides Aunt Yashina or
Dru'Kar, someone not of the tribe or family.
***
Latnem knocked and then entered the warrenlady's apartment. He looked
at
Merissa askance, sizing up her emotional state silently before
speaking.
This family had been through a lot lately. As mindhealer as well as
friend,
he felt it his duty to try to help out where he could.
"Latnem, I wasn't expecting you," Merissa said.
"I wanted to ask about Xanthia - Yashina," he corrected, watching
Merissa's
reaction to the use of the healer's tribal name.
"She's still refusing to see Th'rin," Merissa responded.
"And this surprises you?" Latnem asked, cocking his eyebrow at the
warrenlady.
"Well I didn't."
"But, Merissa, this is *Xanthia* we are talking about. She handles
things
completely differently than you do, you know that," Latnem reminded
her as
gently as he could. His heart went out to the warrenlady, though, and
he
resisted the urge to take her in his arms. Lately he'd grown as fond
of
Merissa as he was of Xanthia, but even though that was a completely
different circumstance, he wasn't sure how she'd react to knowing how
he
felt about her. He was even less sure how well he would be able to
control
himself if he did take her in his arms.
"She is complicated," Merissa agreed.
Latnem shook his head, "On some levels yes, but on other's she's very
simple. How does Oberon react when he knows he's done something to
disappoint you?"
"He avoids me, becomes sullen, and doesn't want to look me in the eye.
But
Oberon's a child."
Latnem sighed, "And Xanthia's processing of disappointing someone she
loves
is little different than that of a child."
"So what are we supposed to do?" Merissa asked.
"Patience. Let her process this through in her own way. It may happen
quickly, or it may take time. We'll just have to see."
"Speaking of time, I'm late to the office," Merissa sighed, "And I
need to
take Oberon to school."
"I can take him for you," Latnem offered.
<<TAG Arlene? If you wish.>>
***
The boy skipped wordlessly down the steps to the green, his thoughts
still
on the role he'd played the night before, and the role that was just
put
before him just a couple weeks earlier: that of the chieftain of the
Bear
Nomads. He then took Latnem's hand and looked him in the eye. Despite
his
youth, Oberon had the look of an old soul in his violet eyes at this
moment, as he often did. "I'm glad you are taking me today, Latnem."
"Oh, you are?" Latnem responded with a smile.
"Yes. I wanted to talk with you."
"Well, that's good. I was kind of wanting to talk with you too."
"Dru'Kar and I had a pyre for Aunt Yashina's baby last night."
"Oh, you did?" Latnem responded, as calmly as possible. He was well
aware
of the mourning cries of the dragons during the night, and Caradoc had
informed him their keening was for the baby Xanthia had lost. He was
wondering what possessed the Bear Nomad to include such a young child
in
this ritual, but rather than cause a fuss he decided instead to prod a
little further, studying Oberon discern any fluctuations of emotion in
his
aura and general demeanor.
"Yup!" Oberon confirmed, positively radiating with pride
"And how do you feel about that?" Latnem asked, digging a little
deeper
"It was good. I got to say goodbye to Aunt Yashina's baby. Why
couldn't we
have done that with Mamma's?"
Latnem could tell he was speaking the truth. The boy had genuinely
enjoyed
participating in a Bear Nomad ritual, even one as dark as a funeral.
It had
meant a lot to him, and given him some necessary closure.
"You're mamma's not a Bear nomad, her traditions aren't the same as
Dru'Kar's," Latnem explained.
"But I am! Same as my Bear mamma and da, and Dru'Kar and Aunt
Yashina."
"That you are," Latnem confirmed.
The two resumed walking, silence falling over them for several long
moments, each of them deep in thought. It was Oberon who broke the
silence,
and again brought Latnem to a halt.
"Well, I want to be Bear Nomad chieftain. It's what I am," he
announced.
"Have you told this to Merissa and Th'rin?" Latnem asked. After the
preliminary discussion, he was not at all surprised by this
announcement.
Oberon shook his head, "I tried this morning. I told Da I wanted to be
the
chieftain. He told me to practice outside. Said he was running late.
And I
don't want to upset Mamma, she gets upset at Dru'Kar so much."
"Oberon, sometimes it's better to risk upsetting someone a little with
the
truth than to risk a bigger hurt down the road for both of you by
living a
lie."
"Mamma's angry at Dru'Kar a lot. I don't like that."
"I imagine you don't." Latnem replied.
"I don't like seeing her angry. I don't want her to hurt. But I don't
like
seeing Dru'Kar angry and I don't want to see him hurt. And I don't
like to
see Aunt Yashina hurt."
"So what do you want?" the mindhealer asked.
"I want to tell them, and I want them to listen to me. I want to make
them
to understand that this means everything to me."
Latnem stopped and sighed. He looked at the boy, and could tell that
this
was what he wanted more than anything. Latnem scratched his head. "If
you
want, we can call a family meeting, and I can help you tell them."
Latnem
offered.
"And I can tell them everything?" Oberon asked.
"You can tell them whatever's on your mind."
"I'd like that," Oberon smiled. "Can we do it this evening, after my
lesson's with Dru'Kar?"
"I think that's a little soon. I mean, your Aunt Yashina just lost her
baby..." Latnem's voice trailed off as he watched the boy's face fall.
"Well..." Oberon ventured, "You could tell them for me."
"I could but..." Latnem hesitated, not wanting to put himself in the
middle.
"Please..." Oberon pleaded. "Everyone listens to you. And this is
important."
Latnem sighed in resignation, the boy was giving him the same look
that
Xanthia gave him when she wanted her way with something that meant the
world to her, and it was equally effective coming from the large child
walking beside him. If the boy was anything like his aunt, nothing
would
stand in his way of getting what he wanted.
<Better it come from you than from Ursa's rider,> Caradoc chimed in.
<This is true,> Latnem sighed again, rubbing his hand through his hair
as
he wondered what he was getting himself into.
"All right," Latnem conceded. "I'll talk with Th'rin and Merissa."
"Great!" Oberon said, beaming ear to ear in satisfaction.
"Just tell me exactly what you want them to know, so I don't leave
anything
out."
Latnem listened carefully, his face deeply serious, as the boy poured
his
heart out to him as they continued the rest of the walk to school.
***
First, Latnem had other people to see while he mulled over how to best
handle the Oberon situation. Specifically, the newest arrivals. His
first
stop was the searchling barracks.
On entering he saw a girl not much younger than Faylen finishing
making up
her bed.
"Jilly?" He inquired. The girl turned to him, acknowledging her
identity,
"I'm Latnem, and it's part of my job to make sure you're settling in
comfortably here. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine," Jilly responded.
"Good, Latnem said. "Do you have a few minutes that we can talk?"
<<TAG Emma... fill in whatever you want here>>
On talking with the girl, he found out she was raised on a farm. An
idea
formed in his head.
<Doc,> Latnem sent to his dragon, his eyes glazing over during the
communication, <Ask Firefly to ask his rider if he thinks Jael could
use
some help in the stables?>
A few moments later Doc replied, <Gol is supervising Jael, but it's
clear
they still need help at the stables. It's not going well.>
"Jilly," Latnem began, "Everyone here does some kind of job while
living at
WhiteRiver: all unjoined, even the searchlings. Our youngest
queenrider,
Faylen, worked at the stables before she joined recently, leaving the
stables shorthanded. We've got one of our dragonriders working there
temporarily Jael, but he doesn't know much about horses and can use
all the
help he could get. I'm sure the blacksmith, Gol, would appreciate it
since
he's been trying to supervise the young man. What do you think? Are
you
interested in that kind of work?"
<<TAG Emma!>>
***
His next duty was to talk with Grad. He saw the wing come in and told
Caradoc to contact Darude to tell Grad he wanted to talk to him.
He walked over to the young man, standing there after the others
disbursed.
"Any sign of the boy?" he asked, inquiring about the search for Gob.
Grad shook his head side to side.
Latnem held out his hand to Grad, "I'm Latnem. You may have seen me
around.
It's part of my duty to find out how everyone here is settling in. I'd
like
to talk with you a few minutes if that's all right."
<<TAG J'myle>>
***
**Late morning**
The morning was growing short, and Latnem still had his promise to
Oberon
to handle. He decided to first talk with Dru'Kar before speaking with
Merissa.
"Are you here to check on Xanthia?" the large man asked on letting the
mindhealer in.
"That, too," Latnem replied. "How is she doing?"
"She woke up this morning. She's..." Dru'Kar hesitated, whether it was
to
compose himself or to select his words carefully, Latnem could not
tell. "...stronger than I expected, though. A lot more like Aradia
than I
first thought."
"Good. Good," Latnem mused, a bit surprised by the Dru'Kar's last
statement. Perhaps the Bear Nomad was a good influence on Xanthia.
He'd
been worried since the male queenrider and Nomad who had lived there
before
had so crushed her spirit time and again by leaving without notice.
That
one had hurt many here with that unpredictable behavior: Xanthia,
Merissa,
and also Oberon. The male queenrider had promised to teach the boy of
his
heritage, but then had left without a word before the lessons could
even
begin, leaving the boy and Xanthia crushed, though for different
reasons.
Xanthia had been given to strong feelings for the male queenrider, and
the
rejection when he left both times was more than she could handle.
Latnem looked Dru'Kar up and down, assessing his aura and his
demeanor. No,
this one would be different, he decided. He wasn't like the other one
at
all. Dru'Kar carried about him an air of devotion and honor to his
calling:
sworn to guard the Chieftain and bloodline, Latnem was certain that
the
only thing which could make Dru'Kar leave was if it were in the
service of
either Xanthia or Oberon himself.
"I've seen a lot of positive changes in Xanthia lately. I think I have
you
to credit for that," Latnem commented before getting to the matter at
hand.
"Actually, I came to talk to you about Oberon. He talked to me today."
"What about?" Dru'Kar asked. Clearly this was the first he'd heard of
it.
"About his desires for his present and his future. You didn't know he
was
going to talk with me?" Latnem asked, just to be certain.
"No," the boy's Guardian replied. There was not the slightest tinge of
the
telltale purplish black holes in the man's aura, not any hint of
deceit.
"All right. I just needed to make sure his words were his own before
speaking with Merissa and Th'rin, as children can be pretty
susceptible to
expressing the wishes of those who mean the most to them as their own.
I
was pretty sure before, but now I'm certain, his words did not come
from
you but from his own heart. Thank you."
<<TAG if you wish, Keeper. Latnem's a good guy, he's just trying to
get all
his facts straight before seeing Merissa and Th'rin.>>
***
*Noon*
It would have been easier to just go directly down the steps to see
Merissa
first, but instead Latnem had Doc fly him over to the Med Center to
talk to
Th'rin, man to man. Merissa had been carrying a lot of the weight of
everything lately: if there was anything going on in the warren or
even
within the family, Merissa was the one who handled it; or so it seemed
to
the mindhealer. He wanted to change this pattern, by going to Th'rin
first.
Latnem knocked on the door to the healer's office, and entered when
beckoned. He found the head healer poring over papers and medical
texts on
his desk.
"Latnem, is it Xanthia?" Th'rin asked.
The mindhealer took a seat, shaking his head in denial. "She's awake,
but
was resting when I stopped in. Actually, I'm here to talk to you about
Oberon."
"What about Oberon?" Th'rin asked, his eyes narrowing.
"He talked to me this morning about what he wants for his present and
future."
"Does this have to do with the Bear Nomad stuff?"
"Yes, it does. And I assure you, he came to me of his own accord, his
words
were his own. He told me that he tried to tell you he wants to be the
Bear
Nomad Chieftain."
"Yes, I remember something about that. I told him he can be what he
wants
when he grows up."
"He was talking about now." Latnem clarified.
"Latnem, I just lost my second child in less than two weeks. This
could
have waited."
"No... No it couldn't, Oberon was very insistent. You don't know how
much
this means to him." Latnem sighed, and rather than risking losing his
temper he excused himself. "I see you are busy, so we can discuss this
later, if you will."
With that, he left, drawing a deep breath as he pulled the door closed
behind him. He let his breath out slowly, doing everything in his
power to
still himself as he headed out of the med center and had Doc fly him
over
to the warrenlady's office. Th'rin had to have been the luckiest man
in the
world, he fumed silently, two wonderful women and an exception son.
<Would
that I were half as lucky,> he ranted mentally. <Merissa, she deserves
better.>
<Merissa?> Caradoc replied. <My heart, do you have feelings for
Chrysthal's
rider, too?>
<Same song, different verse, my friend. I know I cannot have Xanthia -
she
is my patient - but Merissa, that's complicated in a whole other way.>
***
**Early Afternoon**
Latnem did his best to quell his frustration as he dismounted Caradoc
and
walked the rest of the short distance to the warren offices. He was
surprised to hear a young voice behind him calling his name.
"I thought you had school?"
"Half day," Oberon explained.
"Ah... I was just about to talk with your mamma."
"Can I come?" Oberon asked.
Latnem looked at the boy doubtfully while he thought it over. Who
knew,
maybe it might help?
"Sure," Latnem said with replied with resignation. He knocked on the
door.
***
"Have a seat," Merissa bade.
The two sat down and Merissa looked at them mildly amused. "This looks
official."
"Come sit on the couch and talk with us," Latnem suggested.
"I asked Latnem to talk with you," Oberon began.
Latnem nodded. He stood and let Merissa sit next to her son, and took
a
seat in the chair directly opposite her. At least this way there was
no
desk between them. He took Merissa's hands in his, wondering how to
begin.
Then looked at Oberon.
"Little bear, why don't you go check in with Dru'Kar, let him know
where
you are and come right back. He's up in the apartment with your Aunt
Yashina." Latnem suggested, so he could have a moment alone with
Merissa.
"Okay!" the boy chirped, taking off out the room and up the stairs.
Once alone Latnem turned back to Merissa. "It's important you hear him
out.
He's got a lot on his mind. And I need to warn you that he feels
strongly:
going against his wishes will just push him farther away from you."
"Do you know what this is about?" Merissa asked.
"For the most part, yes I do. And I assure you, *no one* put him up to
this. He came to me of his own accord. What he says are his wishes. So
I
urge you please do not place blame on anyone for his feelings. They
are
truly and genuinely his."
"How can you be so sure?" Merissa asked.
"If he weren't speaking from his own heart, if he was telling me
something
that someone else had told him, it would have read like a lie. There
wasn't
even the slightest hint of any change in his aura that would have
indicated
he wasn't speaking what he truly thought and felt. I also went and
checked
with Dru'Kar and he had no idea that Oberon was going to talk with
me."
***
A few moments later the door burst open and Oberon entered. He
bestowed a
kiss on Merissa's cheek before taking his seat next to her on the
couch.
"Oberon, sweetie, Latnem says you have something you want to tell us?"
Merissa began.
The boy nodded, again the look of a wizened old soul filling his eyes.
"I
have made a decision."
"Oh you have?" Merissa chuckled, but one look from Oberon told her
that
this was no joke to him.
"Oberon wants to learn the ways of the Bear Nomad and assume his
birthright. The tensions between you and Dru'Kar bother him. He loves
you,
but he wants the arguing over him to stop."
The boy nodded solemnly, "Please don't argue about me with Dru'Kar and
Aunt
Yashina. You all want what's best for me, and Dru'Kar would never do
anything to hurt me," he pleaded. "I want to learn what it is to be a
Bear
Nomad, like my parents and Dru'Kar. It's who I am."
"But, we're your parents..." Merissa began.
"You, Da, and Aunt Yashina are the only parents I ever knew, but I
mean my
Bear Nomad parents, Pa'gan and Aradia."
"Aunt Yashina?" Merissa queried.
"I love you and Aunt Yashina both as much. She's like a Mamma to me,
too,"
Oberon explained. To him it was that simple as both women loved him
and
took care of him as long as he could remember.
"So... You want to be a Bear Nomad?" Merissa asked. "Don't you want to
be a
dragonrider or a healer?"
"I can be both. But I want you to let Dru'Kar do his job and be my
Guard. I
don't like the fighting. I just want us to be one big family instead
of
feeling like I have to choose who is my family. What does it matter if
I
sleep at Dru'Kar's some nights or in my bed? It's like one big
apartment
now anyhow with the new doorway."
And uncomfortable silence filled the room.
"I love you," Oberon said to Merissa, breaking the silence. He looked
between Merissa and Latnem for reassurance. "But I am a Bear Nomad,
and
chieftain, and Dru'Kar's my Guard."
"But Dru'Kar hasn't been here but two weeks..." Merissa responded.
"But I wanted this before Dru'Kar got here, but *he* left before he
could
teach me anything."
"He who, little bear?" Merissa asked.
"You know, the male queenrider," Oberon said, not even deigning to
speak
the name of the other one who had lived in the next door apartment
before.
His eyes clouded over with resentment at the memory. "Remember the day
he
left? He was supposed to start teaching me about the Bear Nomad
traditions
that day, but he never showed up."
Merissa looked to Latnem for confirmation and Latnem nodded solemnly
in
response.
"Remember what I said," Latnem gently reminded her, speaking of how he
feared denying this would affect her relationship with the boy.
"Please," Oberon begged, "This is important. Don't take this away from
me."
<<TAG Arlene! Can we all come to a meeting of the minds here, at least
a
detente? :) >>
NRPG: I'll be writing a post for Xanthia later... need to think on
that
one. Also will get out a Faylen post, too. Need to look up in the
World
Guide to see when our Hatchlings should be flying. :) Soon, I think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUMMARY
Day 10
Morning
Oberon expresses his desire to be chieftain of the Bear Nomads to
Th'rin,
who inadvertantly brushes the boy off since he's running late. Since
Merissa is running late and Th'rin is already at the med center,
Latnem
offers to take Oberon to school for her. As they walk, Oberon
confesses his
desire to be chieftain to Latnem, and his dislike of the arguing
between
his parents and Dru'Kar.
Mid-Morning
Before tackling the Oberon situation, Latnem visits the new arrivals -
first Jilly and then Grad - to see how they are settling in. He
suggests
working in the stables to Jilly.
Late Morning
Latnem pays a visit to Dru'Kar first to find out if he instigated the
conversation he had with Oberon earlier that morning. He's satisfied
to
find that Dru'Kar had no clue that the boy was going to talk with him
about
his desires.
Noon-ish
Latnem goes from Dru'Kar's to the med center to talk with Th'rin, who
is
very rushed. Irritated by Th'rin's demeanor, Latnem calls an end to
the
meeting. He confesses his feelings for Merissa to Caradoc as he rides
off
to the warrenlady's office.
Early afternoon.
Latnem is met by Oberon as he is about to enter Merissa's office. He
ends
up taking the boy into the meeting with him. After sending him off to
check
in with Dru'Kar, Latnem warns Merissa of the import of how she reacts
to
what Oberon is about to say, and assures her that Dru'Kar had nothing
to do
with this. Once Oberon arrives again, the boy expresses his feelings
and
desires to Merissa with Latnem's help, stating that he wants to be
chieftain and that he wants Merissa and Dru'Kar to get along and be
one
happy family/tribe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Respectfully Submitted by:
Morgan Allgood
AKA
Latnem and Caradoc, Xanthia and Maxima, Oberon, et al
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Amazon.com Wish List: http://www.amazon.com/o/registry/AT4JWDUFRAML
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 09:01:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bianca Payne <biancaknox@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: Little boys bring big trouble
[Day 7]
[Evening]
[In Market]
The faire shut down at dusk, and those vendors who didn't live in
town tended to gather afterwards for a little food and music and
company. These evenings were when news from around the area passed
from mouth to mouth, and old acquaintances had a bit of time to catch
up on the year's doings. Tonight was no different, and the folks
from her farm were sharing a large tented area with a couple other
groups of vendors. They'd pulled their resources and fixed a good
meal for everyone to share, but now, as the women were washing up the
wooden plates and bowls in the buckets of water, several of the group
brought out instruments.
Jilly wove in and out amongst her kinsmen, her blond hair bright in
the light of the lanterns, and nearly a head above many in the crowd.
She picked up the used plates and utensils and brought them by the
load to Aunt Marthe who was washing them up for tomorrow night.
There was no ale or even cider being passed this night, though
tomorrow night, the last night of the faire, would be a different
story. Still the atmosphere was good. There had be money made today
selling goods, and it brought out a light-hearted mood. She watched
Jimmy pull out his lute, and Rodger had his turtlestrings, Ernie had
his panpipes out, and one of the strangers had a tall wooden drum
with a skin top that he slapped his hands against to create a nice
steady rhythm. It didn't take long for them to pick a tune and the
dancing just seemed to follow naturally.
Jilly was grabbed by the hand and all but dragged onto the center of
the impromptu circle for dancing. Laughing, she joined happily,
partnered with a young buck she didn't know, but who kept blushing
every time he looked at her. She picked the hem of her bright blue
skirts up just a little and jigged to the happy tune the band played.
The young buck took her hand and twirled her around, belling her
skirts out.
When the young lad who joined them on the dance floor managed to trip
over his own bootlaces and fall down, knocking over half the other
dancers in the process, Jilly joined the others in the round of
ensuing laughter. Lewis picked the lad up and set him back on his
feet again, and the band started a fresh tune. Jilly's curiosity was
itching her though, and she knew the boy wasn't part of their group.
She made her excuses to her dance partner and followed the boy as he
sat down on the edge of the dance circle on a barrel turned upside
down for a chair.
"Hey there, who are you?" Jilly asked the boy with the wild hair and
odd leather clothes.
The boy turned to look at her, "Names Gob," he leapt to his feet
hands on his hips.
She felt eyes on her back as she spoke to the cheeky kid. "I'm
Jilly, but why are you here?"
A smiled crossed the young mans face, "Why I'm here for you Jilly,
I'm a searcher and you have the gift to be a dragon rider." Gob had
forgotten why he was in town but seeing the dragon affinity so
clearly it all came back to him.
Jilly blinked at the boy and burst out laughing so hard she had to
grab hold of her ribs for fear she'd bust her bodice seams. She
couldn't see to stop even when she noticed the boy looked utterly
serious. "You must have gotten into your da's cider, saying stuff
like that. Besides, we already paid our tithes to the dragon riders.
We can't afford to give them any more or we won't be able to keep
our farm. Da said so." Jilly grinned at the boy. "How about you
tell me where you found that cider, Gob, and maybe we can share a
glass?"
Gob could see this wasn't going quite as planned. She obviously
didn't believe him. If he could only show her, he was sure she'd
come with him.
When Jilly followed the boy away from the crowd towards a quieter
section of the market square, she expected him to lead her to his
hidden stash of cider. After the long dry day, a bit of cider would
have washed the dust out of her throat rather well. Some part of her
was also a little wary of following this strange boy out into the
maze of stalls and tents. Her hand in her skirt pocket closed around
the handle of her small slingshot, just in case. She did not expect
the large black dragon with the white highlights on the wing tips
that settled down carefully in the middle of the wide market aisle.
Jilly blinked and froze. Slowly she reached for the boy's rough
leather sleeve and tugged it. "Gob, that's a dragon."
"Yeah. It's my dragon, Nightwind." The boy turned to look at the
dragon in an odd way, and though he didn't say anything outloud,
Jilly got the oddest feeling the boy was talking to this big black
dragon.
"It's not a wild one? We lost a good milk cow to a wild dragon a
couple years back."
"Nightwind isn't a wilder. He was born at Whiteriver, same as me."
Gob thumbed his own chest proudly.
"The Warren? You're from the warren? But." The older women at the
farm used to tell stories when they thought the younger set wasn't
around, stories about handsome, leatherclad dragon riders and their
wild ways. Jilly didn't figure that young Gob was near old enough to
be the kind of dragon rider the older women used to talk about.
Nightwind took a step forward and lowered his head a bit, his black
scales shining in the faint light from the moon above and the torches
along the market aisle. He was a beautiful thing, seen up close, not
the horrible firebreathing beast that could ruin whole fields of
crops. Jilly forgot Gob for a moment as she looked at the dragon.
"You wanna go for a ride?" Gob's voice intruded, and drew her
attention back to the boy who was smirking up at her.
Jilly couldn't keep the slow smile from spreading across her face.
"Could I?" It would be too cool to tell the family that she'd
actually gotten to ride on a dragon.even if it was just for a quick
flight over the market town.
"Yeah, sure." Gob grinned with a twinkle in his wild eyes.
The boy climbed up on Nightwind's back and stuck his hand down to
help her up. Jilly glanced down at her skirts and reached down,
grabbing the hem and twisting it up so she could tuck it into her
waistband, baring her legs up to the knees, but who cared. Less
encumbered, she reached for Gob's hand and climbed up behind him.
Nightwind waited until she'd settled herself behind his rider before
flapping his wings and lifting off the ground.
Jilly clinched her legs tighter around the dragon, terrified she
would fall off, and already they were higher than the roof of the
barn back home. If she fell, surely she'd be smashed against the
cobbled street below. They continued to rise into the star-studded
evening sky, and Jilly looked down, watching the building get smaller
and smaller below them.
"Neato, huh?" Gob looked over his shoulder at her, and Jilly could
just nod. "Wait until you see the warren."
She didn't have time to react, everything suddenly went completely
black and icy cold, and her stomach felt like she'd left it someplace
else. Just as suddenly light returned and she was looking down, not
at the market square, but on a smooth expanse of green rimmed with
high rock walls full off holes, and there were dragons lying on
ledges outside the holes. On the ground, moonlight shone on the
surface of water, and she could hear the waterfall, even from this
height. Small orange torches seemed to light the crisscrossed
pathways below.
Looking up, past the rim of the rock walls, she searched frantically
for something recognizable. Where was the market town, where was the
road back to the farm, where was her da and her kin, where was
anything she knew? Jilly clutched at the back of Gob's leather
jerkin, even as she raised a hand and started frantically smacking
him upside the top of his head as tears of fear welled up in her
eyes. "Gob! What did you do? Where are we? Take me home. What is
this place? How did we get here?"
<Tag, Ed, or anyone?>
Respectfully submitted by,
Jilly
Aka Bianca Payne
Summary:
[Day 7-Evening] Jilly meets Gob at the gathering after market day, is
convinced he's pulling her leg about being a dragonrider, but follows
him away from the gathering where she meets Nightwind. Agreeing to a
ride, Nightwind takes them up above the town and teleports her
straight to Whiteriver where Jilly panics and starts whacking Gob
upside the head in fear.
__________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 10:35:01 -0700
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-D]Delivering A Plan (Jump Post)
Day 100
Early Morning
Warrenlady's Office
Thea sat looking over her reports not overly happy with the numbers
she
was reading with the deaths and supplies. With Triylar out of the
picture it was starting to take its toll on the warren. The battle
with
the Wyverns was intense and thankfully there had not been any reports
of
Wraiths. Though, that last part worried her because from her
experience
when the Wraiths were quiet it was only because they were gathering
for
a large attack. Others speculated that perhaps the Wyverns and Wraiths
shared the same hiding places and perhaps the one could not attack
because of the other.
Standing up and moving to the window she watched the colorful dragons
flying and the people of the warren running about their business.
Lord
Gossimor was now out of the warren with his troops. Already they have
had a few scrimmages with the green cloaked clan of Triylar, but the
new
weapons Triylar was using, had forced the lord to retreat to rethink
his
strategies.
Thea picked up the latest report from one of her spies. She now knew
there was a link with the clan and the Wyverns, just not exactly sure
how it all worked. The clan was ruled by a woman named Leara and from
her reports this woman was completely evil. She had a good sized
fighting army now made up of all the able bodies that failed to get
out
of town. What was curious was that in the battles with Lord Gossimor
the
Wyverns were never used. At first she thought this was due to the
battles being in the day light, but then wouldn't the Wyverns just
attack at night when the fighting had ended. For this purpose alone
Thea
always had a patrol watching Gossimor's troops at night.
It was time to rethink a few things and take the battle to the
Wyverns.
Many of the riders were now etching symbols of Wyverns on their
saddles
to proclaim how many they had killed. By the numbers recorded they
have
managed to kill a little over a hundred of these beasts yet their
numbers seemed to be little diminished. None of the caves they found
ever held a clutch of eggs but she had a feeling somewhere in the dark
there must be a number of queens producing at a very fast rate.
Their own numbers were not fairing well and it seemed they held a
funeral every week there for awhile but the riders learned the Wyverns
tricks and the combination of rider and dragon proved very deadly for
the Beasts. T'rell, Jason and Sybil now made sure those of less
experience were positioned near what T'rell coined as the Ace flyers,
those who had brought down five or more Wyverns. Currently the two
with
the most kills were Jason and S'than, though Lexi and Alex were only
behind by one or two wyverns.
She had a plan now, it was risky and if she was wrong it could cause
great trouble in the future. It was time for the Dragons to lunch an
attack on the city of Triylar in hopes to bring out the wyverns. If
her
reports are true then it should cause the Wyverns to attack but if
they
don't she'll be forced to call off the attack and deal with the
consequences of her actions. She dearly wanted to be there but knew
with
Galendriels condition none would allow her and likely even if the
Queen
wasn't about to deliver they were unlikely to allow her to join them.
She heard the door open and a smile crossed her lips as she recognized
the steps. "Good morning Lynn." She then turned to face the courier
that
had become her confident and dearest friend.
"Morning Thea, have you not slept at all?" she asked bring over a cup
of
hot coffee and a sweet roll.
"I napped a little." She answered taking the coffee smelling it then
drinking it slowly so as to not burn her self.
"I thought we had talked about this, staying up all night working on
reports doesn't do you or the warren any good. You must sleep just
like
the rest of us." Lynn argued.
Thea smiled and enjoyed the fuss that the courier had when she felt
the
Warrenlady was being too stubborn to take care of her own self. "Well
there was little I could do anyhow; Galendriel has been out of sorts
all
night. I think she is about to lay the eggs."
Lynn smiled, "That will be exciting it has been a long time since we
have had eggs and new hatchlings."
As if on queue, Thea doubled over spilling her coffee onto the floor,
"Oh damn."
Lynn rushed to her side, "What's wrong," she took the Warrenlady in
her
arms trying to help support the older woman's weight.
Thea got a glazed look as she talked to Galendriel. {*Sister is it
time?*}
*Yes, hurry please I need you with Me.* Galendriel sent back.
"Lynn I need your help, I need to get to the hatching sands but I need
someone to relay to Rayn that Galendriel is laying her eggs. We also
need dragons to help heat the sand. Her clutch is going to be rather
large."
[Tag Rachel and Crystal]
[Open Tag to anyone else that would like to help]
Summary
A month has passed; Thea reflects back over the days and prepares to
attack the City of Triylar. Her spies have informed her that there is
a
connection between the clan and the Wyverns and she is trying to call
them out.
But her plans are put on hold as Galendriel beings to deliver her
eggs.
Edward L Murray
elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
instant Messenger Solthan2003
ICQ 77517647
[This message contained attachments]
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 8
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 14:31:53 -0700
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-D] Sleeping beauty awakens!
Day 69 Evening
Clutching his aching side Lexi peered through the gray haze that
surrounded him. Damn he hurt, but at least he was loose. The rattle of
chain rang in his ears and he stared at his manacled wrists staring
curiously and the several links of chain dangling from them. When had
he broken free and what happened to Puss? Dragons roars and strange
hissing assailed his senses as he moved through the strange fog that
seemed to be everywhere. Stepping wrong he grunted in pain and tucked
his arms close to hug his sides in hopes of stopping the rising tide
of searing pain.
"Jeezus!" He groaned aloud trying to take even breaths.
Two silver orbs glowed faintly through the dense gray nothingness.
There was something about them that filled the big man with
apprehension, it was almost as if they were watching him and he backed
away instinctively, tendrils of fog closing in on him. He needed to
get out of this junk so he could actually see something. But which way
was out and where was Puss? . Dammit, it was her fault they were here
anyway! Darn her hide anyway? A guy gets a little fresh and she turns
into a crazy woman! Awww Man, what was he thinking, if she hadn't hit
him, he certainly would of. That guy was definitely way out of line!
But still..
A muffled voice had him spinning to hone in on it hoping it might be
the little blonde. The rapid motion had the blacksmith grabbing his
head as a thousand tiny needles began jabbing him in the skull.
Vigorously rubbing his throbbing temples the loose chains hit him in
the face. "Son-of-a-bitch!" Lexi exclaimed grabbing his stinging
already sore cheek. This was ridiculous! What the hell was going on?
Where did everything go? And where the heck was Puss?
Opening his mouth to quietly call out her name, his eyes widened in
shock when no sound came out. Grabbing his throat he mouthed more
words and his massive chest constricted in a sudden rise of panic.
What was he going to do now?
Closing his eyes he took a deep breath, well at least as deep as he
could take one, without it hurting like crazy. Stumbling through the
red mists of pain he stopped and stood holding out his hands to steady
himself. The pain was becoming overwhelming and the spinning in his
head made him want to throwup. But he couldn't give into it, not know,
he had to find Puss and get them out!
Slowly Lexi exhaled, using every ounce of strength to stop the
swimming affect in his eyes. The last thing he remembered was they
were in the barn, that woman. Who was she?
Hearing the voice again Lexi turned, only this time a lot slower and
he noticed the two shimmering orbs moving closer. There was something
about them that were so familiar. They beckoned and repelled him at
the same time in a way he could not comprehend. There was something
sinister in those orbs, yet his fascination became so great he
couldn't help but move towards them. But each step brought more pain
and he gasped as his head exploded again with a million stars.
Staggering the blacksmith fell to his knees no longer able to stand.
What was happening to him? It didn't make sense. Clenching his huge
fists he gazed down at the metal bands clamped tightly around his
chaffed wrists. Small cuts lined his flesh where the metal had cut
into him from his efforts to free himself. He blinked in surprise when
droplets of red appeared on the shiny metal. It was blood! Staring in
dismay he opened his hands lifting them to look more closely when
something crossed his vision and a bright red spot appeared in his
palm, and then another, and another until it pooled and spilled over.
Uttering an oath Lexi shook his hands in disgust then looked up to
find the silvery circles right above him.
A silky whisper penetrated the fog touching him like a gentle caress,
"For some reason he finds you and that pathetic queenrider you call a
sister, fascinating."
"Pandora!" Now he remembered, that woman had mentioned Panda. She'd
known way too much that meant there was a traitor in the warren, and
who was this Master she referred too? And what did he want with them?
By some unseen force the blacksmith was struck hard several times in
the face, his head snapping back from the blows bringing a yelp of
pain and surprise. Struggling to his feet he wavered weakly staggering
away as he tried to ward off the continued blows.
"Shit!" he mouthed silently as more of the orbs appeared and the blows
ceased. These were different though. They were a gleaming deep blue
and reminded him of brilliant sapphires. A warmth radiated from their
direction yet something was wrong, he could feel it to the core of his
being. Glancing over his shoulder he noticed more of the orbs had
appeared.
"Lexi.." Came the silky whisper as the glowing orbs grew in number to
finally surround him.
"WHO ARE YOU?" He yelled but no sound came from him and he inhaled
sharply, his mind trying to find an avenue of escape.
"Lexi.." The voice whispered again.
Who ever these people were he wouldn't let them have Panda or Puss and
would find some way to escape this madness.
"Lexi...Lexi.."
The orbs came closer, blue and gray, circling him like vultures
hovering over their next meal. He had to get away. He had to...
"Lexi! Wake up!"
Jerking up his arm to protect himself he grunted from the stabbing
pain in his side and Lexi's eyelids fluttered and he found himself
still surround by the orbs...but they weren't crystalline orbs after
all... eyes... they were eyes. Blinking hard he gazed up to find 4
sets of eyes hovering over him, 3 blue one gray and all filled with
concern with a touch of anger in a couple of them.
"Well sleeping beauty, it's about durn time ya woke up!" Puss
exclaimed with relief. Not injured as badly she had woken first, but
they had grown concerned when Lexi didn't wake on his own and they
couldn't wake up him at all. It had been almost two full days since
they'd been rescued and Pandora was bordering panic when her brother
appeared to be trapped in his mind. Samson had shared some of the
vivid confused images through Almantha and her worst fear was that her
brother would fall into a coma.
The blacksmith stared uncomprehending at the faces then with a sigh
closed his eyes again the tenseness in his body draining away.
"Alexis Kaltos, you open those eyes right now!" Pandora commanded her
voice breaking under the strain.
The first face that came into focus was that of Sharees and he
couldn't help think how beautiful she was. His fingers started to move
as all he wanted to do was reach up and caress her pale cheeks, but he
stopped himself remembering he no longer had the right.
The throbbing in his head subsided somewhat and his gaze moved to
identify the others. Sis, Puss and Rayn were also leaning over him.
"Hi!" He croaked licking his parched lips.
A unified sigh of relief came from the four women and a sudden round
of happy feminine chatter erupted in the hallway. Pandora looked over
her shoulder glaring at the open doorway. Without a word Puss hurried
to close the door. The queenrider had, had a heck of a time keeping
the female aids out, as all been more then willing to tend to her big
brothers needs.
With a pained groan, the big man pushed away the blanket and slowly
pulled himself up onto the edge of the bed. "What happened!"
Puss grinned, "Ya big lug, don't ya remember Jason comin' in and
kickin' some serious butt. He got us out! Awful cocky 'bout it too if
ya ask me!"
The other three woman turned to gaze sternly at the buxom blonde and
Puss sucked in her lips, "Alright I'll shut up!"
'That's a first!" Lexi whispered with a chuckle then a cough bringing
a grimace..
"I can't believe you were so foolish Lexi!" Pandora scolded glancing
at Sharees who stood silently watching the blacksmith.
"Now just a min.." he answered, but was cut off by the Gamma Wing
Second.
"What were you trying to prove Lexi!" Sharees demanded, her voice
edged with emotion.
The big man glanced over at his partner in crime who chose at that
moment to check out the far wall.
"Not a damn thing!" Lexi uttered flatly, his deep voice starting to
return to normal.
"It doesn't matter now!" Rayn interjected, her gentle voice quelling
the rising tension in the room. "You both are ok, that's the important
thing!" Smiling gently at the man, "I'm glad you're okay!" Then in a
sudden rush of emotion the brunette blurted out, "I hate this those
creatures they are so evil and twisted! I just wish there was some way
we could through their venom back at them!"
Lexi gazed at his hands, his wrists were bruised and rubbed raw, but
the cuffs were gone. When had they been removed. Hazy images floated
through his mind as he tried to remember with Rayn's words striking a
chord in his mind. Slowly he lifted his head and a huge grin spread
across the horribly bruised face. "You are beautiful Rayn, and I could
kiss you right now!"
Rayn's eyes widened in surprise as Lexi's good arm reached out and
pulled her too him into a sweet kiss despite the sharp 'ouch' that
erupted from him from his fat lip. Releasing her he slid off the bed
to his feet. Taking a deep breath he checked the bandages surrounding
his tender ribs. "Sis, I think you need to tighten these a bit." He'd
had more then a few cracked ribs over the years and Pandora rolled her
eyes with a sigh seeing the determined look on his face.
"Lexi, you just woke up, you need to rest!"
"Fix it Sis!"
"What do you think you're doing?" Sharees asked.
Lexi's eyes grew cold as they moved to take in the dark-haired woman.
"I need to see T'rell and Jason right now! We've got a serious
problem!"
Day 100
Lexi and Rayn stood over the table. "Dammit it Rayn! It's gotta react
instantly! And the other needs to glow in the dark for longer then two
seconds! What are we missing!"
"I know I know!"
The sound of a key in the lock, then the door opened and closed and
Pandora appeared with a big smile on her face. "Try this!" She said
handing them a bowl of pureed nasty smelling green stuff.
The last few months had been chaotic to say the least. Lexi had been
right, the creatures were picking them apart a little at a time and on
a good day the Med Center was standing room only. Pandora's honey and
aloe balms had helped save countless riders and she, Adams and Rayn
along with the other healers had been working round the clock.
Exhaustion reined supreme.
After waking, the blacksmith had enscounced himself in the offices
with the two Wingleaders for several hours. He'd relayed what he knew
and that he was sure there were spies in the warren and that he felt
that round the clock guards on both Panda and Thea was warranted.
Explaining some ideas, the three man plotted and planned and a cloak
of secrecy fell over the trio. Over the weeks to come random trips
from the warren were made by only the most trusted of riders and they
would return with unmarked crates of supplies that were stored
securely. All done under the guise of the normal workings of the
warren.
Rayn and Pandora were tasked to secretly and spent their few spare
hours creating various experimental concoctions of illuminous pastes,
and deadly poisons.
Training was stepped up with added venues and done in a light-hearted
manner to belay any unscrupulous onlookers, one in particular being
the use of the bow. Weapons production was stepped up including some
rather odd designs being added to the normal lineup.
Only verbal reports were given to the Warrrenlady keeping her apprised
of their progress as it was unknown just how deep the enemies eyes
went. They had to keep things as low key as possible, at least until
they were ready.
Amid half -hearted complaints from lack of sleep, the men pushed the
riders as hard as they could without raising suspicions. The consensus
of the Wingleaders was that they had to be ready for anything and the
riders rose to the challenge in true form.
It had been held working in such close quarters with Sharees as he
non-committedly helped her perfect the cross-bow and other weapons she
chose. But it was either that or let Jason do it, and Lexi didn't
think he could bear that without busting some heads. It was a strange
situation at best, at times he was sure she would be flirting with
him, yet other times she totally ignored him or bit his head off,
which irritated him more then he could imagine and only increased his
dark mood.
Even though he was able to work with Jason, there was still and
underlying current between them and he'd know that his friend had
wanted to talk and clear the air but Lexi wasn't ready for it and
always changed the subject.
It wasn't like he lacked in female companionship, there had been more
then enough willing to tend his bruises and his ego. He was actually
surprised and glad of course that once all the swelling an bruising
went away he looked normal again because he had honestly expected some
scaring. But he didn't feel normal anymore, at least on the inside. He
spent his nights alone when he wasn't on duty and they seemed to
stretch on forever.
That woman from the barn still haunted him, who was she? They knew her
name now, but very little else. But there was something so familiar
about her and it nagged at the back of his mind.
The twins watched hopefully as Rayn mixed several elements together.
'I'll be ready to test it in a minute!"
[Hey, it's time!]
*Time for what?* Lexi answered absently, his eyes never leaving the
dragonhealer's hands.
[Galendriel! We're laying eggs! Hurry up! C'mon! Let's go! We're
getting laid Big Guy!] The red giant chortled gleefully at the
announcement that the golden Queen was ready.
Lexi blinked and sighed with a smile, "Hold on ladies! I do believe
something more pressing has come up!" Seeing the two women's eyes
glaze as they received messages from their own dragons with a sense of
urgency the trio secreted their experiments away. "After you!" the
blacksmith said gallantly holding the door open for Rayn and Pandora.
Tag: Crystal and any others who want to add anything.
Respectfully submitted by,
Tree Deutscher
AKA
Lexi & Samson and Pandora & Puss
Daere Warren
**Summary**
Day 70 Lexi finally wakes up to find Panda, Sharees, Puss and Rayn
leaning over him and suddenly kisses Rayn when she gives him an idea
and wants to talk to T'rell and Jason
Day 100
Lexi, Rayn and Pandora work on an experiment when it's interrupted by
the dragons announcing that Galendreil is laying her eggs.
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