[Back post]

The Truth About Zert

[[this takes places after Jayleigh and C'nis return from seeing Mater Yarbo.]]

"Is he awake?" Jayleigh asked Heron after entering the med center. 

"You mean the school teacher Zert?" the head healer asked and saw her nod
her head. "He was the last time I checked in on him and was asking to see
you. I was just about to send a message over to your office."

"How bad was he hurt?" she was worried abut him.

"Not so bad that he'll be up and around in a few days," Heron told her then
waved her down the hall. "He was insistent about talking to you."

"I'll go see him now."

He was sitting up in the bed and turned to look up when he saw her walk in
the door.

"Heron told me you wanted to see me?" she told him as she took the seat
beside his bed. "I was coming by to talk to you today to see how you were."

"M'lady... I don't see any reason for me to put off telling you why I wanted
to see you," the man on the bed started right in. "I should have told you a
long time ago.. but I had reasons for not doing so at the time."

Jayleigh wasn't sure she liked the desperation in his tone. Surely it
couldn't be anything that bad. This man had been a real asset around the
Warren dealing with the children and their teachings. She knew that several
of the kids had already come by to see him. 

Jadain and Cal'an being two of them. 

So what could be so urgent that he had to tell her now.

"What ever it is Zert I'm sure it can wait until you're better and out of
the med center. You need to rest now."

"No M'lady Jayleigh. It can't wait any longer," he was insistent. "I have to
tell you now. So you'll understand why I have to leave here as soon as I can."

"All right Zert. If it's that important to you then I'll listen."

"Thank you M'lady," he signed and seem to settle down a bit. "It all started
back in my home land.....

<....>

And that's why I have to leave here. I didn't start that fire that day. I
was only trying to put it out when your rider's found me and made me come
here. I'm afraid of what might happen if anyone discovers my secret."

Jayleigh sat there trying to absorb the things she had just heard. Zert and
dragon.. who could change into a person...???

It explain a few things. Like how the wilder had disappeared back then.. and
Fee'Rhae's dreams and ranting's... but ...could it really be possible?

She asked him.

"It's common where I come from. There are quiet a few like me in my homeland."

"And where is that?" she asked.

"Far, far away from here in a place I may never be able to get back too," he
told her and she heard the sadness in his voice." But I have to keep on
trying, or more men like those who showed up here may come looking for me...
and I can't be the cause of anymore deaths. I have to go don't you see that?"

She did see that, but still didn't think it bad enough that he'd have to
leave here because of it.

"Zert.. you don't have to go. No one has to know your secret and if it does
get out... we'll deal with it then," Jayleigh told him, her hand reaching
out to touch his arm.

"I have to... it can't be helped and there's no other way.

"But what will you do? Where will you go?"

"I'll be fine," he told her seeing that she was finally realizing he meant
what he said about going. "I'll keep looking for a way home and maybe one
day I'll find the gate that will lead me there."

"I still don't want you to go," she sighed. "But I do understand that you
feel you must. We'll miss you around here. I know I will and so will all the
kids who's lives you touched."

"Thank you for understanding."

"I don't... not really but if you feel this is what you must do... I do want
you to know that if you ever need a place to stay, you will be welcomed back
here at anytime."

Zert nodded his head in thanks. 

"Umm.. I'm kind of tired M'lady... I think I'll try to rest for a while now."

Jayleigh got up from the chair she'd been sitting in. 

"Remember.. you're always welcome back in Daere."

.............................

It was later the next day right after breakfast that she learned Zert was
gone from his room in the med center. Noni had gone in to check on him and
found his bed made and Zert no where to be found. 

Jayleigh knew it would do no good to search the Warren for him. He was gone,
just like he said he would be.

She wished him all the luck in the world in finding what he was looking for.

****Submitted by: *******

Jayleigh & Viktroy 
Daere Warrenlady and her Queen

aka
Barbara



===========================================  

This is Mike's new Character in Daere.... Bio follows... 

Name: Difner (He doesn't know his last name at the moment.)

He's a  banished Landborn of a noble descent and ties. He snuck away when he
was about 16 to secretly join. He's been join 10 years now. His parents and
friends and such all believe him to be dead. He has be living in the
waste's for the last ten years with his dragon.

Age: 26
Sex: Male
Weight: 220# 						
Skin: Tanned
Hair: Long & Blond            
Height: 6'
Build: Lean and Muscular	
Eyes: Gray

He is a cold person at the moment. He hasn't really be around an quality
people for the 10 years. He is an excellent fighter and in great condition.
He carries a finally crafted long sword, wears some studded leather armor
for protection and hard soled leather boots. He be wearing this most of the
time until he gets comfortable within the warren.

Dragon: Nemesis coal black in color with golden eyes

An older dragon who is short with his thoughts and can be moody at times. He
really cares for Dif and will do anything for him. He'll stay away from the
other dragons even possibly ignoring them, simply because he may have
battled with one in the past(He didn't though).