Day 1, Lunchtime.

() I'm going to eat, Lad,() Zenith informed his rider as he lifted off from
the green.

*Go ahead Zen, I'll call you if I need you to run any errands,* the tall
dragon rider teased.

()Is that all I'm good for? An errand boy?() came the indignant reply.

R'ven laughed out loud at the thought of Zenith as a boy.

*Oh I'm sure I can think of some...* he didn't finish his thoughts as the
pain of a dragon losing it's rider filled the air.

"NOOOOOOO!" R'ven screamed as he realised who the rider was. He was running
at full pace towards Velara's office.
He knew that Tair'n was there with 'Lara.

()'Ven, Jenna's gone!() The pain and anguish from his dragon filled him with
such a deep pain, he nearly stumbled. 

* I know Zen, I know,* burning tears splashed down his face.

He had to be strong. This was not the time for tears. He knew that his young
lover would need his help and love now. But the hurt and sorrow was almost
overpowering.

He slowed his pace as he made his way through the people who were making
there way to Velara's office.

Opening the door to the all familiar office Jayleigh turned towards him, her
eyes sad. R'ven was thankful that she remained silent. 

He walked towards Tair'n who was craddling 'Lara in his arms. They were both
naked. His body ached for her,but he knew never again would he see those
mischeif filled eyes or that wicked smile on her sensuous lips.

He reached out to to the blond man, gently touching his shoulder.
He spoke softly.

"Tair'n?"

>Tair'n looked up into the older man's handsome face.  "She's dead, R'ven.  
>Lara's dead."

>"I know," R'ven spoke, pulling him to his feet.  "We'll manage."  Tair'n 
>melted into the arms of the man who was lover to both Velara and himself, 
>R'ven kissing him lightly.  "We'll manage.  Come on now, we need to get you 
>dressed, at least."

>Tair'n nodded his acquiescence, but didn't move to comply.  So, R'ven pulled 
>away, gathered his clothes and helped him to get dressed.

R'ven watched the young man crying silently. He knew that Amadith, was
comforting Tair'n, as his dragon was filling his mind with love and
understanding.

He watched the medics placed Velara's body on a stretcher and covered her
slim form with a crisp white sheet. A sad smile showed on his lips as he
thought about the old Warrenlady. She would have had it no other way. This
would have been the way to die, in the arms of a lover. R'ven wished it had
been him.
 
There were tears in his eyes as he turned to Tair'n.  "Let's go home."

>Tair'n hesistated.
>"I can't right now.  I... think I need to go flying."

R'ven looked into Tair'n's amber eyes. The blond lashes dark from  tears. He
nodded and whispered, "I understand."

He watched as the young rider left the office, wishing he could run like
him. But as 'Lara's adviser, he knew his duty lay with the new Warrenlady of
Daere.

He waited in the office for Jayleigh to return. Again a sad smile crossed
his face. He knew every inch of the room. Having spent many late nights
working with 'Lara here. Food being bought in for them as they worked. 
He stood behind the chair that she had favoured when they worked together.
Memories of heated debates and laughter.
They never left the room till problems that they had disagreed upon had been
resolved.
He ran his hand lovingly across the back of the wooden chair.

Gripping it tight,he whispered,
"Why 'Lara? Why did you have to leave me?" 

He could still smell her,feel her, hear her voice. He swallowed the lump in
his throat as Jayleigh returned to the room.

>"Thank you," She said softly "Dispite Velara's sense of humor, I 
>prefer for her to be remembered and honored as a great leader, 
>someone who's hard work helped keep this place together. Not as 
>some over sexed older woman."

He could hear Velara's throaty laugh and knew what she would be thinking.

"I think you know what she would have said to that," he chuckled.

"Tair'n reminded me that she always wanted to die disgracefully and happy.
And, yes, I know what she would have said."

R'ven interupted her, "Let them know I died making love."
He chose his words carefully, not wanting to shock the new Warrenlady with
what Velara really would have said.

Jayleigh sighed,she had the warren and it's reputation to think of now.

"R'ven I don't wish to sound cold hearted, but I'm Warrenlady of Daere now.
What 'Lara would have said isn't important. I have the warren to think about
and yes I agree with you, she wouldn't have given two shakes of a dragons
tail as to what anyone thought of her. But I have to establish my authority
and I do not want Velara remembered as randy old lady who liked to make out
in her office with a boy who was young enough to be her grandson." 

She sat down behind Lara's desk. Her desk now.

She continued, "H'miel is already making snide comments about Tair'n and
'Lara. I don't want to make the warren a laughing stock, so I hope we can
keep the gossip down as much as possible. With the dragon's though it may
prove more difficult. That is why I want Velara remembered for all the hard
work she put into this warren."

[NRPG: Lea, we changed the snide commenter from T'van to H'miel, since T'van 
doesn't even recognise the existence of Tair'n, let alone talk about him.  
So, I changed this in your post.]

R'ven nodded as he sat down in the chair opposite Jayleigh. His eyes studied
the woman in front of him. He'd know her a long time and he knew she would
make a fine Warrenlady.

Sitting back in the chair he rubbed the bridge of his nose as he closed his
eyes. 

Jayleigh recognised the mannerism as one of 'Lara's.

Without opening his eyes, R'ven spoke quietly,
"Did you know that Velara knew about your  help? She'd known for sometime
that you had gone about dealing with problems that she had let slide. It was
her way, I think, of letting you have some responsibility. She would never
have asked you for help, you know that. It was her way of letting the reigns
go slighty."

Jayleigh sat in the chair and smiled,
"The cunning, manipulative old crone!"

R'ven sat up laughing, "Yes she was and she knew it too. I think that's one
of the reasons why I love... loved her," his voice started to break and he
rose to leave.
"If you have no other duties for me, I will take my leave Jayleigh...
Warrenlady rather."

Jayleigh didn't know whether she should ask the grieving man, but taking a
deep breath she spoke slowly, uncertain of his response.

>"R'ven, the Dragonlady at Keldarra will need to be informed of 
>Velara's death. I'd go myself....but with so much to do, I feel 
>it would be better if I stayed here."

>"You would perhaps like for me to go?" he asked raising a 
>questioning eyebrow.

>"I would, since you're known to the Dragonlady already, but if 
>you would prefer it, I could have Maeve and Krith or Rezsia and 
>Jezebel make the trip." 

>Before he could answer the door was thrown open and both of the 
>jr. queen rider's entered. Both looked as if they had been 
>crying.
>
>"I went by the med center to pick up the healer, like Krith 
>asked," the blond headed one of the two started to say. "But 
>when I got there, Calette told me he'd already been picked up."
>
>"Ja'ks went by and got him," Jayleigh told the girl.
>
>"So it's true," Rezsia, the raven haired beauty, asked. "The 
>warrenlady is dead?" it was only then that she noticed the tall 
>figure of R'ven, the former warrenlady's lover. " My condolences 
>R'ven, she'll be missed."

R'ven looked at Reszia and inclined his head slighty in her direction.
Turning to Jayleigh, he said,
"I will inform the Dragonlady on the behalf of Jayleigh, Warrenlady of
Daere, of the death of Velara."

Bowing to Jayleigh, her turned and left the office.

R'ven rider of Zenith.

nrpg:

Hi folks.

I will be palying R'ven for a couple of posts till after the funeral.
And will guest post should the need arrive.

I can't remember if I have done a bio for R'ven and Zenith.
I'll knock one up and send it out later.

Susan R'ven will appear at Keldarra mid afternoon. Let me know where abouts
she is.

Lyn I will include Tair'n and R'ven in the next post, which I hope will be
this eve or tomorrow.

Barb, please forgive me if I have fluffed Jayleigh. I don't have a bio of
her so I fudged. I wanted to get a post out asap. :)

"Lust is pure. 'Tis Love, Lust's little sister, that is tainted."