R'ven leant back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He'd
spent the last hour going through papers that he's picked up from
Tair'n's office. The last thing he wanted was for his lover to go
ploughing into piles of reports so soon after his accident.

He let himself drift off into a doze and didn't hear the door close.
The first thing he knew of Tair'n's return was warm soft lips pressed
to his. 

"Hi, lover," he smiled after they broke apart. "I thought you'd be
with Jayleigh."

Tair'n chuckled then winced. R'ven was on his feet as he watched pain
show on his mates face.

"You should have got Amadith bespeak Zen. I would have come for you,"
the older man said as he lead the injured rider to their sofa. "Here
sit down. Can I get you anything?"

"Ven sit down and stop fussing," Tair'n said as he pulled R'ven next
to him. "What I really could do with is a bath and to wash my hair.
Calette said a bath was out of the question for a couple of days.
So I guess that bed baths are in order," the mock disappointment on
his face developing into an enormous grin.

R'ven chcukled, "I see that they left your humour intact," in a more
serious tone he added, "You  had me worried,Tai. I thought that I was
going to lose you too."

Tair'n took hold of R'ven's hand and squeezed it hard, "What and let
you have all the women falling over themselves giving you comfort and
solice?" His bruised face radiating warmth.

"So you decided to be the brave hero and have our lovely, firey
Warrenlady fawning all over you instead?" R'ven teased.

"Ven, I told her she has to accept me as I am. There is no point in me
and her being together if she can't get to grips with that."

The older man stood up, "We'll discuss it later, love. But for now
lets get that mop of rat tails, you call hair, washed."

			**********

R'ven left Tair'n curled up in bed as he went out down to the kitchens
to get something  for their lunch.

He knew that he and Tair'n had some serious talking to do. He  also
knew that Jayleigh wouldn't agree to an open relationship that Velara
had with her two men. He sighed as he bit into an apple. If worse
comes to the worse he would leave Tair'n. He wasn't about to set any
selfish rules to their relationship. If Tai wanted him he would always
be there. 

He took the steps two at a time to the apartment. 

<Troy's rider is here.>

<Thanks love. I need to speak to her.>

<I don't think she is in a talkitive mood right now,> rumbled Zenith.

<Don't tell me they are arguing?> R'ven sighed as  he opened the door
to the apartment.

<I wouldn't call it aruging, exactly. More like a tete a tete.>

<Oh!>

Putting the food into the kitchen he wandered over to the bedroom.
The door was ajar, he peered round the edge. A sad smile crossed his
face as he watched Tai carressing Jayleigh's body. He wanted to stay
and watch, and although he knew Tai wouldn't object, he was sure
Jayleigh wouldn't like her privacy invaded.

Closing the door gently, he sighed deeply.

He lay the food out on the table and left a note for his lover.

Pulling on his cloak, he stepped out onto the ledge.

He grinned as he saw the three dragons huddled together on the warm
sand. He didn't have the heart to disturb Zenith.

<I don't see why I should deprive you of your  comforts, my friend.>
Sadness echoing in his voice.

<Next time I'll win Troy and you can mate with her rider.>

R'ven laughed loudly, <In your dreams, lunk!>

He quickly made his way through the living room and out the door that
lead down to the green. The wind pulled at his cloak and he wrapped it
tightly round his body. The chill air made him shiver, as he hurridly
made his way to the dining hall.

The noise, warmth and bustle greeted him as he closed the door behind
him. This was not the place to be if you wanted to be alone. Even in
the secluded alcoves people  were apt to stop and chat.

Taking a tray, he wandered over to the counter. He didn't feel that
hungry anymore but decided that he'd only regret it later.

"Try the venison stew," a female voice whispered in his ear.

"And you should know, my little puddin'," he teased the young woman.

"How's Tai? And are the rumours true?" she asked as she wriggled
herself under his arm.

God she felt good. The vision of Tai and Jayleigh still fresh in his
mind made his body more responsive to the warm body next to him.

"Tai's fine. Grumpy and sore but he'll recover," he said as Cassie
placed a bowl of savoury smelling stew on his tray along with a wedge
of fresh hot bread. "And what rumour is this?"

They veered towards an empty table and sat down.

Cassie sat opposite R'ven and placing her chin on her hands said
candidly, "Oh come off it 'Ven! You know what rumours they are."

Finishing a mouthful of food he replied, "Cassie as well you know I
don't listen to or spread rumours. Certainly not ones started by our
nosey buddies."

She gave him a whithering look.

"And there is no use you looking at me like that."

She sighed, "I guess you're right. I'm sorry for mentioning it. You
want to go to the lake later?"

Did he? Yea gods did he! 

"Another time, kitten. I have a few things that need attending to.
Maybe tomorrow?"

She rose from the table, bending towards him, she wiped some gravy
from the corner of his mouth and then licked her finger.

"Mmmmmm tastes good," she winked salaciously at him.

"Your a wicked girl, Cassie!"

"I know! And lets face it, you wouldn't have me otherwise."

With that she was gone.

Pushing his empty bowl to oneside, he looked round the room.
Over in a corner sat a hunched up figure. R'ven rose, grabbed two mugs
of hot coffee and headed to the lone figure.

"Can I join you, Gerald?" R'ven said as the young bard looked up.

Nrpg: Allen thought that Gerald might want a friendly shoulder. ;)


			*********
Mid Afternoon.

R'ven got Zenith to land next to Troy on the green.

Jayleigh was standing waiting for her escort.

"R'ven! What are you doing here? And why on earth are you dressed like
that!?" her face creeping into a broad grin.

<I told you, you look ridiculous!>

<And I told you why. No shush!>

Zenith gave a dragon chuckle, <Fop. Dandy!>

"Hideous isn't it?" he said as he strutted in front of her like a
gaudy peacock. His black cloak had been replaced by a fur one, the
lining bright crimson. He wore black leather pants that were a shade
too tight, a white silk shirt with far too many ruffs and folds and a
red leather jerkin covered in silver studs. On his head he wore a
large black felt hat with the most enourmous red feather.

"Where are you going dressed like that?" she giggled.

"Why, ma'am, " he bowed floridly, "I'm your escort to Lord Gossimer."

"Not dressed like that, you're not. Besides Gerald is my escort."

"Jayleigh, Gossimer will eat the pair of you for breakfast. I
decided..."

"You decided? Excuse me R'ven, it is my decision to take who I so
choose  as my escort. Gerald had better get used to the idea that he
can't get someone else to take his place because he's..." she stumbled
over her words.

"Jealous? That is exaclty why I decided that I should escort you. I
know how to play Gossimer's game. You don't. I can try and teach you
how, but you have to be willing to learn. We all, at sometime in our
lives, have to do somethings that we detest.  We need Gossimer's
support. We have to make him believe that we are sucking up to him.
He believes that I'm an overstuffed turkey who has more than a soft
spot for his grooms. I play up to it, because it gets us what we want!
Are you ready to learn how to play?"

			**********

They were shown into Gossimer's private chambers. A large hound looked
up sleepily from the hearth and growled, showing sharp, yellow teeth.

"Quiet!" bellowed Gossimer. Looking up from his paper's the portly
lord eyed up Jayleigh in a way that made her skin crawl.

"M'y Lord Gossimer, " R'ven  bowed low as he removed his hat with a
flourish. Picthing  his voice slighty higher than normal, he
continued, "May I present Jayleigh, Warren Lady of Daere."

Without getting up and looking directly at Jayleigh, judging her, he
said, "I had heard the old crone had died. Was it true that she had
some young runt thrust between her legs at the time?"

Jayleigh flinched and was about to say something but R'ven gripped her
arm in warning. 

"That she did, m'lord. Just as she hoped she would!"

Gossimer roared with laughter, "Aye the old crow  wouldn't have wanted
it any other way!"


R'ven and Zenith.

Nrpg:

Barb, Tag, methinks m'lady.