Afternoon Day 3

Sharees looked down at the bottles that Martyn handed to her.  "Umm... what
do I do with these again?"

While Martyn explained the fingerprinting process again, M'naten gazed
resignedly at the plaster cast.  This was not what he was trained for....

The two reluctant volunteers walked out onto the green with the clanking
bottles and plaster cast.

"Where should we start?" Sharees asked looking doubtful.

"Well, if we've got to get everyone in the warren, we better get a list of
everyone so we can check them off - otherwise we'll miss someone."  M'naten
suggested.

"Vesta'd probably have one!"  Sharees smiled.

"Yup, bet she would," M'naten agreed and they headed over to the find the
courier.

Sharees led the way after consulting with Chamelle to find out where
Callyanth said her rider would be.

M'naten favored Vesta with a bright smile.  "Good afternoon, dear.  Have a
favor I'd like your help with."

"M'naten!"  Vesta gave him a very warm hug, much to Sharees' surprise.

M'naten returned the hug before turning Vesta's attention back to the task
at hand.  "We've been drafted into Martyn's investigation and we'll need a
list of all those living in the warren.  Can you get it for us?"

Vesta's smile faded slightly as she noticed Sharees standing behind M'naten.
"Oh, of course, Warren business...."

M'naten nodded, smiling and waited for Vesta to find the papers he needed.

It didn't take the young blonde long to find the papers, and as she handed
them to M'naten she whispered, "So... when are we going to share another
bottle of wine?"

M'naten smiled warmly.  "Ah, darling, I don't have any more of that wine.
Perhaps you have other suggestions?"

What nerve! Sharees thought, as her eyes shot daggers at them both.  "We
don't have time for this..."  She said tersely, reminding them of her
presence.

M'naten startled slightly, reminded of his other duties.  "Right, thanks for
the list, Vesta.  You know where to find me."  He sauntered out, leaving
Sharees to follow him.

Sharees and Vesta locked eyes, measuring each other up.  Then Sharees
laughed, why did she care anyway if this girl wanted him?  Shaking her head
she followed after him.

M'naten waited for Sharees to catch up to him.  "I think we should probably
check P'nur first - if he fits, we'll be done."

"Good thinking," Sharees nodded, "He could have left the print when
searching for Tair'n."

"Right," M'naten agreed, and checked with Graimor to locate P'nur. It didn't
take long before they were trying to explain what they wanted.

P'nur stared at them as if they were daft.  "And why would I have taken off
my boots to go looking for Tair'n?  You know it is his!  Why waste my time!"
He scowled.

"Look," M'naten began,"it won't take but a second.  Take off your boot and
hold up your foot. The sooner we get this over with, the better."

P'nur wouldn't cave to bullying.  Maybe a bit of female persuasion might
help.  Putting her hand on M'naten's arm she gently pushed him aside.
"P'nur, I know and you know that this isn't worth doing, but to be honest, I
don't have a choice here," She smiled coyly at him, "but really can't you
help me out?"

 M'naten turned to look out the window, hiding his smile.  Thought he'd
react better to her persuasion, did she? Well, why not? He sure would.  He
waited patiently as P'nur scowled again but began to remove his boot.

As they left P'nur's apartment, knowing that his foot and fingerprints
didn't match the ones Martyn had collected, Sharees couldn't help but notice
M'naten's grin.  "What?"  She laughed, "It worked didn't it?"

"It did."  He chuckled.  "Hell, I was ready to take off my boot!"

"Oh?"  She winked at him, "I think I got you to take off more than your
boot..."  She stepped forward a bit faster, letting him take a good long
look at her rear as they headed off to find their next victim.

M'naten smiled in appreciation - both of the wit and the view - before
following her.  Maybe this investigating wouldn't be so bad after all.

****
Dinner Day 3

By dinner time, both M'naten and Sharees were exhausted and disheartened.
The whole afternoon and not a single foot had really come close.

"I think I've had all the feet I can stand for one day.  Dinner before
duty." He stepped back to allow her to precede him into the dining hall.

Heading into the  hall, they couldn't help but notice how many men were
walking in and out.

"I think... we should set up shop right here!"  Sharees grinned.  "Almost
everyone comes into the dining hall at some point of the day."

"Hmm.. now that's a thought.  But no more today!"  He waved a hand towards
the line, "I really couldn't look at another foot!"

They filled up their plates and found an almost empty table.  Someynara was
sitting at one end eating.

M'naten smiled a greeting at the pretty girl with the curly long
golden-brown hair and picked up his fork.

"So, how many more feet do you think we have to try?"  Sharees asked.

M'naten frowned and pulled out the now very crumpled paper.  Sighing loudly
he passed it to her.

"OH"  Her eyes widened as she saw just how daunting their task was. Then she
shook her head and starting marking out names.

"What are you doing?"  He asked her startled.

"I'm Xing out the obvious names that we don't need to check!"  She grinned,
"I know that him, him, him and him"  She said jabbing the paper with her
finger, "just couldn't possibly be involved in anything as sick as Cal'an's
rape!  I've known them all their lives, and they've known Cal'an all his
life....."

At the mention of the rape, Someynara raised her eyes and biting her lip
angrily she muttered under her breath, "Who better to do it then someone he
wouldn't run away from..."

"Sharees, we have to check EVERYONE - that's the whole point!"  M'naten
exclaimed, grabbing back the page.

Sighing, Sharees acquiesced, "I know, I know... I was just trying to save us
some leg work," and she suddenly grinned at her own pun.  "Put the names
back on the page."

M'naten snatched the pencil  from Sharees and began replacing the names she
had removed, muttering to himself the entire time.

Suddenly, he looked up, a sheepish grin on his face.  "I'm sorry, Sharees, I
shouldn't be grumbling at you - its not your fault."

She smiled back and nodded.  He returned to the task, and while he was
working  Sharees noticed Someyn watching him, and she got a sudden
inspiration, "What about the Naiads?  They're here at the warren, but they
aren't on that list."

Someyn ground her teeth.  Did they really believe her family was that
stupid?  You didn't rape your ally's children, not if you wanted them to
watch your back instead of stab it.

"If the Lords were to kick up a fuss, we couldn't insist, y'know."  M'naten
finished repairing the list and sat back. "So, do we have to try more
tonight or leave it for tomorrow?"

Sharees smiled at M'naten, who was looking at her with his startling green
eyes.  "Well, no, I don't suppose we do... I could sure use a backrub
though."

"Is that a hint?" He grinned, his eyes warming.

"Only if you want it to be."  Sharees' sapphire blue eyes sparkled back.

They didn't even take note of the young woman who they left still seated at
the table, lost in her own thoughts.

****
TAG KK and Bridget.
****
Thanks to KK and Bridget for their input into this post.

Respectfully submitted by:
Arlene Jacobs
AKA Sharees and Chamelle of Daere Warren.