Nefiri sat back in the high-backed chair, having found herself seeking
refuge in the library for the second time in less than a week.  The pace of
the warren had been constant, the flurry of occurrences filling her with a
need to sink off someplace obscure and think.  Her thoughts were clearer
when she didn't actually try to think, but concentrated on other ideas.  In
some fashion it cleared up her subconscious to mull over deeper issues,
tossing them out when things were put together.  She'd fancied it a unique
gift, something to balance her severe lack of talent in other, more crucial
areas. It brought her an innate degree of peace, the feeling of not having
to worry.

	But not of late.

	**Ghods,** she exasperated.  She wondered about R'ven, and how he was
holding up.  First Tair'n, then Cal'an, and now Danika.  She had gone to the
med center
the morning of the boy's attack, had found R'ven leaning wearily against the
wall in the
corridor.  A wave of concern had washed over her for this person she hardly
knew, and
she'd reached out a hand of comfort.

	"You've heard?" he asked.  She nodded.

	"How is the boy?"

	"It's uncertain.  He's a hemophiliac, so the healers are quite concerned
about his wounds."

	"Do you know who did this?"  His face hardened.

	"Some of the other school children, one of them T'or's!  Jayleigh's gone to
summon them for a meeting."  He hesitated, then:  "Can I ask a favor?"

	"Certainly."

	"I left Dyanisa in my apartment asleep.  I don't want her to get any wrong
impressions. Would you find her and, well, see how she is doing?  I'm concerned
that..."

	"She'll think you're an ass?  Not a problem."

	"Which part isn't a problem?  That I'm an ass or the favor?"

	"Neither."  He grinned at her levity, easing for a moment.  She pressed for
more information.

	"Will there be a trial?"

	"For T'or?  I don't know.  But it's been suggested that we have one for
Tair'n." 
Look, kitten, I need to check on him.  Can I find you later?"  She smiled,
surpressing
the need to question him further.

	"Of course.  I'm only a couple of thoughts away."  A finger tapped his temple
lightly.  He'd grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly before releasing it
and turning
away from her.

	She'd never managed to reassure Dyanisa, for the girl had taken a tumble down
the stairs leaving R'ven's apartment.  The piercing wail of the dragon had
sent Nefiri
back to the med center with a ruptured eardrum, and a firm order to find
someplace
quiet.  R'ven had not sought her out since then, though that hardly
surprised her.

	Danavin had kept her firmly appraised of what was happening _out there_.  A
healer had been brought in to deal with Dyanisa; a new rider and dragon had
transferred in, and the pale gray dragon had already complained about this
newcomer's
ostentatious attempt to cuddle up with her (how dare he!).  Then the
messenger sent by
Jayleigh, presumably to recruit an unbiased arbiter.  She didn't know for
whom the plea
was intended, but the watchdragon had been clear - the messenger was bound for
Marrid.

	And that meant Waylene.

	And now this...she glared at the message page peeking out at her from under
one of the books.  It had found it's way to her late last night, coming in
with a small
supply shipment.  The warning pitted her stomach heavily, written in her
brother's own
hurried scrawl:  "Daere's curiosity knows no bounds.  Watch yourself, Little
Red."

	Another sigh.

	<They arrive.>

	Nefiri's head snapped upward, her eyes seeing what her dragon saw as the
metallic gold dragon circled once before landing, her escort a moment behind
her. 
Jayleigh was there then, rushing out to greet the new arrivals.

	<Ah, pleasantries.>  Danavin commented.  The dragon dropped from her perch
and glided to where the Queen and her escorts settled, the gold turning to
regard her.

	<Hello, my mother,> she greeted, her happiness resulting in a draconic purr at
Aura's welcome.

	Nefiri grinned, knowing her friend would be useless for a time while she
caught up with the dragon that had hatched her.

	She plucked Bren's message, folded and tucked it into her pocket.  She stood,
checked her reflection in a polished metal etching on the wall behind her.
She was
dressed all in black, her top sleeveless and form-fitting.  Her red hair was
piled into a
tight twist on her head, her dagger secure on her belt.

	She knew she'd spent the entire day in the library, and that dinner was fast
approaching.  Best enough to pay her respects there, and find out what the
betting odds
were on the upcoming trial.

	A mischievous grin fixed on her face.  It would be fun to throw the odds with
some well-placed gold pieces, and see who's returns she could ruin.

***********************

Alrighty, then.  I'm caught up with a nice bit of ambiguous prose.

WHEW!!!

Any takers for causing trouble in Nef's life?  Sky's the limit.

Kris, your descrip. of Aura was short and amicable.  I figured she'd be
willing to
cuddle with a hatchling, yes?

Barb, for some reason whenever I start to whine it works out.  Guess I
should've done
so last week, eh?!

Off to bed...finally!

hugs to all,
nik



*******************************************
To be happy with a man you must understand him a lot and love him a
little.  To be happy with a woman you must love her a lot and not 
try to understand her at all.