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Day 12, afternoon

Gus strode briskly away from Lainie, humming an old sea chanty under her
breath.  Twenty paces onward, she skidded to a halt, catching herself. 
She slid into the shadows along the walls of the warren and squatted on
her haunches trying to think things through.

She should still feel guilty....but the shame of the mating flight and
its aftermaths was largely faded - even the embarrassment was dying. 
Replacing them was a feeling she wasn^ñt entirely sure of.... No, she
corrected herself - she was sure of it, she just wasn^ñt willing to admit
to it.  She was happy.

The attention - the caring, even - that both Lainie and her mother had
shown her this afternoon felt good.  Fight against it though she might,
Gus couldn^ñt help but be touched.  Lainie had plenty of reason to hate
her - as did Evlan, if only she knew - but instead treated her....well,
treated her almost like a...friend.  Gus snorted in disgust.  Lainie was
a silly young fool who didn^ñt know better, but Gus had no excuse for
feeling this way. 

Leaning back against the wall, Gus tried to talk some sense into
herself.  Friends weren^ñt safe.  Caring only got you hurt - or worse. 
Grimly, she forced herself to remember in all too vivid detail what had
happened to Llew...and to her mother.  She had no one - and no one could
be used as a hook against her again. 

<What am I? Chopped liver?>

<No -  just anyone tried anythin^ñ with you, you could fry ^„em.>  Gus
grinned ferally.  There were one or two folks she^ñd sure like Loki to fry....

Loki^ñs mindvoice had effectively stopped the flood of memories - as he
had planned.  As much as Loki liked to feel Gus^ñs emotions, some of the
things he dug out of her mind were disturbing.  Were humans really like
that?  Unaware of her dragon^ñs musings, Gus idly watched the people
walking back and forth across the green.  Watching the new queenrider
walk away from the dining hall, Gus narrowed her eyes suspiciously. 
There was something familiar about the way the woman moved....  Further
speculation was lost as Gus noticed Jerram entering the dining hall. 
Wordlessly she snarled and rose to her feet.  The man didn^ñt seem to
learn - so more payback was needed.

<Where is Seydor?>  

<Snoozing in the sun like the rest of the dragons...at least those whose
riders will let them.>

Gus chuckled.  <So, snooze already.  But if he heads for home, holler.>

Loki assented sleepily and Gus smiled.  This was gonna be fun.  After a
quick look around to ensure that no one was particularly interested in
watching the shadowed section of wall where she was, Gus pulled herself
up and began the climb.  

It took her nearly half an hour to scale the rockface and then move
sideways across to Jerram^ñs apartment.  Standing on the ledge, Gus
interwove her fingers and stretched them out in front of her, grimacing
at the soft popping sounds - even if there was no one near to hear them.
 She tried the door and found it locked.  A slow, feral grin spread
across her face as she dug her lockpicks out of her money pouch. 
Cocking her head to one side, she peered at the lock for a moment before
selecting two of the thin steel rods.  A few moment^ñs manipulation and
the tumblers slipped into their unlocked positions.  Gus slipped quickly
inside, shutting and locking the door before putting the picks away.

She glanced around, startled a bit by how tidy Jerram was.  Of course,
she thought, anyone who spent that much time on that pathetic mustache
was bound to spend time cleaning too.  She strolled slowly through his
living room, subconsciously appraising his belongings.  Now, what could
she do?

<Mess up his nest - so he can^ñt sleep in it?>

<Humans don^ñt sleep in nests, goofball. >  Gus shook her head in
amusement.  Silly dragon....  Suddenly her eyes lit up with mischief.

<Oooh, you have an idea now?>

<It^ñs pretty silly, though. >  Gus chuckled.  Actually it was downright
childish.  It was perfect.  

The bedroom was slightly less tidy than the outer rooms, but the bed was
made.  Gus shrugged off an irrational spurt of guilt that she hadn^ñt
made her own and got down to business. Once the bed was remade, she
carefully adjusted the covers until it looked as it had when she walked
in.  Smirking broadly, she headed back out to leave, but was struck by
another idea as she passed the bathroom.

She had to stand on the sink to reach the hanging lamp, but pouring out
the oil was easy enough.  A nice little puddle.  She grinned.  That
should be enough mayhem for one prank.  After all, she had to save some
tricks for other times.  She surveyed the room and frowned.  What was
missing? Aha!

Pranks were all well and good, but it wasn^ñt as much fun if Jerram
didn^ñt know who^ñd gotten him.  Again.  Elly had taught her to write her
name...sorta.  All Gus had to do was not mess it up.  Gripping the soap
tight in her hand, she closed her eyes and tried to remember how the
first letter felt.  Slowly, she traced first one letter then the next
onto the mirror.  When she was done she looked at it in satisfaction.  
GUZ - Jerram would surely know who did this to him now!

Chortling softly, Gus headed out of the apartment.  Carefully locking
the door behind her, she slipped off the ledge and began the climb over
to her own apartment.

No doubt about it.  Jerram was gonna hafta do something really
impressive to top this.

*****
same day, dinner time

Gus slunk into the dining hall.  If she could just manage to avoid any
scenes, she^ñd be fine.  Just lie low until the party tomorrow - that
couldn^ñt be too hard.  Gus ignored Loki^ñs muffled sniggers.  A nice
quiet dinner - with no chit-chat - that was what she needed.  Filling
her tray, Gus scanned the dining hall.  Aha! There was that strange
ship-wrecked woman, sitting alone.  Since she didn^ñt speak a normal
language, she^ñd be the ideal dinner companion.  Gus made her way over to
the table and pulled out a chair with her foot.

^îHope you don^ñt mind if I sit here,^ï Gus murmured, adding a patently
insincere smile.

Gus sat down and began to eat.  Blissful, blissful silence.

^îHello.  I do not mind.  You are Gus, yes?^ï

Gus nearly choked on her food.

{Tag Bridget!}

****

Gus rubbed her eyes and yawned.  She'd been studying the primer ever
since she'd returned from dinner.  A quick glance out the window showed
her a starlit sky....instead of the twilight it had been when she'd
started.  Groaning, she staggered to her bed.  Guess Jerram never even
noticed the prank, she groused.  What a waste.

******
Day 13, morning

Sandy-eyed and surly from lack of sleep, Gus rolled out of bed in
response to Loki's obnoxiously cheerful greeting.

<Rise and shine, sleepyhead! It's time to get going! Up, up, up!>

<Oh, shut up!>

Loki's giggles eachoed in Gus's head all the way down to breakfast.
_______

Katrina
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 05:54:52 -0500
From: Kristen Gant <kgant@home.com>
To: Kristen Gant <kgant@home.com>, Barb Mathews <carolyn@prismnet.com>,
     John Pepper <Trissana@aol.com>,
     Christine del Castillo <sol@freemail.webquest.com>,
     Arlene Jacobs <wondermom@ij.net>, Louise Koester <sanya42@psicorps.com>,
     Peren Jasra <shiva@totcon.com>, Mia Sherman <shatavari@flashcom.net>,
     Katya Jasra <Ladyramana@aol.com>,
     Archive Address <dlands@dragonlands.dhs.org>,
     Katrina Gischer <kgischer@bayarea.net>,
     Dana Whiteriver <DEBZbabyed@aol.com>, Bridget#2 Olsen <jayo@winternet.com>,
     Les Moore <mint@saqnet.co.uk>, Les#2 Moore <araminta@tesco.net>,
     Peter Jasra <objectwiz@hotmail.com>
Subject: [DL-J] The givings the thing!

Saul
***
<< Day 11: Late afternoon >>

>Saul met her later on as she was leaving her office.

>"Though you might like to get something to eat before the trial starts," he
told her after a brief kiss to let her know how much he had missed her
during the day. 

>"Sounds good to me," she said placing her hand on his arm as he began to lead
her towards the dining hall. "So did you find any likely candidates for the
eggs today while you were out searching?"

He grinned rakishly at her, "Of course I did."

She chuckled, "*Drag* any of them here?"

"*Drag*? Me?" he teased in mock horror. "As if *I* would ever .."

"Stop it!" she laughed and hugged him.

He laughed along with her, "I don't know why you won't let me live that one
time down .. After all the dear girl was better off with her dragon then
without .."

"Can't argue with you there," Shawnee agreed affably.

"Oh!" Saul said, stopping suddenly, "And .." He stuck his hand inside his
jacket, ".. I have .."
He paused briefly and she could see his hand search the inner pocket.
Suddenly his deep blue eyes sparkled and his lips turned up, "*This*! Is for
you." He pulled out a large smallish leather box and held it out to her.

She eyed it, and then him, "You .. got me a present."

Saul's brow lifted in a short nod, as he waited for her to take the box.

Her face brightened into a large smile which lit up her face as she accepted
his gift and quickly worked the strap which held the box together. Inside
laying in a soft cloth was delicate string of gold encrusted aqua jewels,
gently falling in several rows to form a scalloped pattern.

Shawnee gasped. "Saul .. Where on earth .."

He grinned, and took it carefully out of the box, carrying it gently to her
throat. She pulled her hair out of his way as he fastened it behind her. "I
saw it, and I knew it should be yours." And indeed the stones seemed to
shimmer as they tried to match the color and sparkle of her eyes. If ever
there was a necklace made for one woman, it was this one!

"But .. How?" She asked, looking at him in complete shock. Saul was not very
extravagant with his purchases. In fact in all the time she'd known him,
she'd found him to be incredibly stingy with his bag of coins.

"You should never question the gift giver about where he got the gift," he
teased her gently.

"You didn't .. not your bag of coins .."

He shook his head, "No Sweet Shawnee, those coins will be there for us and
our children in the event of some unforeseen emergency. I would never steal
from our family."

"But .. I don't understand."

He grinned and took her arm, "Let's just say, there might be a very unhappy
Lord, should his Lady ever discover his extracurricular addiction to games
of skill .. of which I must add, he seems to have very little of."

Shawnee chuckled lightly fingering the necklace, "I bet it won't be long
before the nobility of Jasra thinks as highly of you as the nobility of
Whiteriver did."

"Perhaps," Saul smirked with little concern as he ushered her into the
dining hall. "But I can promise you, it was fairly won."

***
<< Dinner >>

>"I'm sorry, Shawnee."  It wasn't easy, but Ed'wen managed the apology with
good grace.  "That was uncalled for.  I hope you'll forgive me.  You, too,
Saul."  He looked the other man squarely in the eye.

Saul nodded, "I don't believe in holding grudges, Ed'wen." The other man
nodded. "But should it happen again .."

There was no veiling of the threat in his voice. It was very very clear.
"There won't be," Ed'wen said and silently excused himself, moving to the
other side of the makeshift courtroom to where his family was sitting.

"I do appreciate your rushing to my defense, Saul," Shawnee told him, "But I
must be able to stick up for myself."

"I know you can, love," he told her taking her hand in his, "But there's no
harm in letting him know that I will also stick up for you."

Saul and Shawnee silently turned to watch the trial as Tara stood. Saul
looked around at the space which had filled up quickly. Seemed everyone
wanted a chance to see what punishment these villains would receive.

There was at least one person who did not attend. The dark headed silent
rider continued his work on the hatching grounds. Kalewyn did not like
trials, no matter how necessary .. and besides, those eggs were hardening
quickly .. and Varaenna was getting antsy to have the work completed.

Sabbith
***

As Sabbith headed back to the hatching cave after Selene's first day of
exercise, he wondered what his rider would think of such 'exercise'. He
hadn't liked it much when they had called it a game .. but exercise was
different. Wasn't it?

And it was for Selene's own good. After all, how could she ever fly long
distances with all that extra weight! He had never known a dragon to be as
large .. no, large wasn't the right word, for Varaenna was large .. most
queens were large. Yet none of them were like Selene .. and she was not
'large' in the way they were ..

As his mind fumbled over the various words one could use for Selene's size,
he entered the hatching cavern and moved to settle down next to Varaenna. He
inadvertently stepped on Varaenna's tail, sending her shrieking unhappily.

".. oops .." he said sheepishly, "Sorry about that?'

She glared at him for a moment, looking about ready to spit fire, but then
she softened and sighed, "Just sit down, Sabbith, before you step on one of
our eggs."

"I would never!" Sabbith gasped in shock.

"Not on purpose I'm sure, dear one, but well .. you really need to watch
where you're going."

Sabbith groaned and settled down beside her, "I am sorry, Varaenna .."

"I know you are .. now just cuddle with me, and I'll feel much better."

Sabbith grinned widely, for there was almost nothing he was better at then
cuddling! And he quickly proved it!

***

Kay peered over the side of scaffolding at the two dragons, Varaenna's chest
rumbling shriek having disturbed him form his painting. They looked very
comfortable now that Sabbith had stopped moving around like the giant lummox
he was.

Kay found his mind wandering to Tara, and wondering how she was doing. He
knew the trail must be weighing heavily on her mind, and while he would have
liked to be there for her, he knew that it was probably best that she sort
this out alone.

***

Sabbith opened an eye as black as the coal they used for flaming, and looked
up at his rider who was standing on the edge of the scaffolding deep in
thought ..

<Why is Kalewyn not working?> Varaenna asked lifting her head lazily to see
what had taken Sabbith's attention.

<He is thinking of someone ..>

<Someone?> she asked with a small smirk, <Anyone I know?>

Sabbith grinned back at her and nodded briefly before settling his head back
against her warm neck. Varaenna purred happily ..

***
<< Day 12: Late morning >>

Sabbith stepped carefully around the sands of the hatching cavern, trying
not to wake Varaenna. He'd been called by Loki for Selene's next session of
'exercise'. He was beginning to look forward to it, having convinced himself
that calling it exercise would make it okay with his rider, and he would not
get in any trouble.

<Where are you going?> Varaenna asked sleepily as he bumped her in his
attempt to exit the sands.

Sabbith paused for a moment, not wanting to mention what he was really
doing, because there would be a day soon, when he would once again pull it
on her. For Kay had said it would be alright to play the game with Varaenna
.. then he could actually 'call' it a game .. and not be so sneaky.

<I am hungry ..> he told her, <I am going hunting.>

She nodded and lay her giant head back on the sands satisfied with his
answer. He grinned, well pleased that the small falsehood had succeeded.  He
continued on his way out until Varaenna's voice brought him to a halt yet
again.

<I have an itch ..>

<What?> he asked, pretending not to hear.

<I have an itch,> she moaned, <Please Sabbith .. Please come and help me
scratch it.>

<You want me to help?> he asked.

<Yes you!> She muttered, <Come here and help me!>

<But, I .. > Sabbith stammered, <I .. was going hunting.>

<Sabbith! This is more important then your stomach.> Varaenna pleaded as the
itch she'd developed suddenly became worse. <Hurry, I can't reach it on my
own.>

There was no way out of it. Sabbith dutifully settled down to help the
queen.

{Sabbith?  What's keeping you?}  Loki called to him.

>{Varaenna.  I should be there soon, though.}

>Loki conveyed his understanding.  There were certainly enough difficult females
for one warren.  {Selene will be late this morning, but Iris said she'd like
to do the exercises while you wait for Selene,} he told Sabbith.

>{Wonderful!  Maybe we could make this a warren-wide regimen.}

>{Um, I'd hold off on that proposal, if I were you,} Loki hastily encouraged.
{Let's just concentrate on Selene for now.}

>{Ok, if you're sure.}

>{Oh, I am.  I *am*.}

Sabbith shrugged off the nagging doubt that was starting to develop about
Iris and Loki's plan to help Selene. After all she hadn't been very excited
about it once the tickling had begun. Still it was fun .. and exercise
wasn't a game. He assured himself that everything was fine, even as Varaenna
moaned in pleasure as her itch was relieved.

***

>{Yes, but since she's late, you're having a turn.}

>{But... I don't want... a turn!} she protested.

>{Yes, you did, so that's what I'm doing.}  He tickled her vigorously beneath
her forelegs.

>{No, I don't,} she wheezed, {I'm not even fat... I don't need it.}

{But it was your idea.} Sabbith reminded her.  He was certainly not going to
let her back out now! Not when he was having such fun!

>She bucked frantically again.  {What was?}

>{To do the exercises today.}

>{No, it wasn't!}

>{It wasn't?  But Loki told me you were willing to take her place,} Sabbith
defended himself.

>{Loki?  Loki put you up to this?  Why that...} Just wait till she got her
claws on him.

>Sabbith continued his merciless tickling, despite Iris's furious writhing.

>Then an idea flashed through her mind.  {Hey, Varaenna's calling you!} she
informed Sabbith, snickering as he quickly stood at attention... and then
she was through the door before Sabbith figured out her trick.

Sabbith frowned after her. She hadn't seemed to enjoy the fun at all. And
she seemed upset with Loki. What was going on? He wasn't sure he liked this
one bit. Was Loki up to something??

Sabbith wasn't the smartest dragon, but he eventually caught on when the
pieces did not fit together .. and something did not fit here. Of course
complaining to Kay was out of the question. Varaenna to .. but there were
others who might be more understanding ..

<Iris?> Sabbith called.

<I'm NOT coming back!> she told him.

<Loki is causing trouble, I think.>

<You think?> Iris sputtered, <You're only now just figuring this out!>

<Well, if you don't want my help ..> Sabbith started.

<Help? I've already taken care of the twerp!> Iris chortled, <You should see
him with Stew all over him!>

<Child's play.> Sabbith shook his head. <I had something else in mind.>

<Like what?>

<Perhaps we should find time to speak with Selene as well ..>

Kalewyn
***
<< Midday >>

Kay had been very happy to see Tara when she came to help, not only because
time was running out .. but because he really wanted to see her again. He
found himself thinking about her all the time, and missing her when she was
not around. She was fun to be around, and he found himself smiling a lot
when she was.

She even seemed to be able to take Sabbith's idiosyncrasies with a touch of
good humor .. even the more annoying ones .. like what he was feeling in his
chest right now. The rumblings he felt as his dragons voice lifted loudly
were unmistakable.

He quickly told Sabbith to quiet down, being firm, despite Sabbith's
protestations that it was all Varaenna's fault. Of course Kay had little
doubt Tara's queen was indeed partly behind it. She seemed to spur Sabbith
on, and the two dragons had been quite the difficult pair.

A fact that was once again proven as Kay began to feel the tingle of a
rising female .. or rather felt the charge of growing heat in his dragon as
the female rose in challenge.

Sabbith
***

<It's Selene rising!> Sabbith chortled, <She'll be so slow, I'll have her in
no time!>

His elation was brought to a sudden and abrupt end as he found himself face
down in the sands, staring at a speckled egg. He lifted his head to find the
offending obstacle that had tripped him up, but saw only Varaenna looking up
innocently at the 'sky' over the sands.

<You tripped me!> he roared.

<Me?> she asked indignantly.

<Yes! You!>  Sabbith rumbled irritably, <Doesn't matter, I can still catch
her ..>

Varaenna feigned indifference, <Just don't step on our eggs on your way out
..>

Sabbith looked at the eggs that had suddenly seemed to be so close. He
raised his head and looked around him, swearing that it looked as though
they'd suddenly begun to surround him. <These weren't here, a moment ago.>
he gruffed. 

<Silly Sabbith, eggs do not have legs to move.>

Sabbith had to concede her point .. but still something seemed not quite
right. It wasn't long before the point was mute however, because Selene was
quickly caught and Sabbith had not even made it out of the hatching cavern.

Kalewyn
***

Kay's mind wasn't on his dragon or his dragon's disappoint .. because Tara
had kissed him, and any other thoughts he might have had vanished. *What was
that for?* he asked. Not that he had minded of course, but it had taken him
by surprise.

>"For being such a gentleman the other night," she replied.  "You may not have
realized it, but... that meant a great deal to me."

>*There was nothing else I could have done,* he signed, after thinking  about it
for a minute.  *You were a little drunk, and I wasn't sure that you  really
wanted what you seemed to want.  And I didn't feel that I should be  taking
advantage of that.*

>Tara squeezed his hand. "I think I did want it," she told him. "I wouldn't
normally be as... well, as forward about it... but even drunk, I don't
believe I'd have come on like that to another rider."

>He nodded slowly.

>"Kay... you've shown me that you're trustworthy... but I think I already knew
that."  She smiled at him, then surprised him with a quick hug.  "And I just
want you to know that... you can take advantage of me anytime!"

He sat there, legs dangling, letting her words sink in .. staring into her
eyes. And just when he thought she was going to turn away, he reached up his
hand and placed it against her cheek. Both were mindless of the smudge of
white and blue paint that was left on her cheek as he leaned in and kissed
her again. Tentatively at first, then with greater want.

The inched  away from the edge as the kiss intensified and Kay's hands began
to roam over her body, searching for the burning touch, even through the
smock she had put on to protect her dress.

She pressed her body against his, giving Kay the clear sign that she was not
opposed to his touch. No indeed, at that moment, he knew her longing for it
was as strong as his. He lay her back, searching for and finding the
bindings that kept her clothes covering her.

Gradually, clothes began to fall away, and Kay and Tara thought of nothing
but the touch of the others body ..

Sabbith
***

<We should block the door,> Varaenna suggested.

Sabbith looked over at the entrance of the hatching cavern, <Not even the
two of us together can completely block that door.>

<Well we don't need to *completely* block it .. just enough to keep anyone
from coming in and disturbing our riders.>

<Can't we just lay here and enjoy their activities?> Sabbith asked cuddling
closer. In truth he did not want to move. He just wanted to cuddle.

<Sure if you don't mind having all these good feeling end when someone comes
in search of my rider.> Varaenna told him, <I can tell you from experience
that that happens far to often.>

<It does?> Sabbith frowned.

<She is the warrenlady after all ..>

Sabbith nodded knowing she was right, and quickly got to his feet and moved
toward the entrance, determined to keep people out. <Com'on!> He called to
Varaenna even as he stumbled on the way.

<I thought you wanted to cuddle,> she teased, moving to follow him. She made
a much more graceful trip then he had.

<It's more important that My Kay is not disturbed!>

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
Kalewyn & Sabbith
***
NRPG: Okay, does anyone care to try and breath *THAT* road block <G> hmm, I
didn't think so :)

Kris

*****************************************************************
  |\  /^~~^\  /| 
--qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp-------------------------------------------------
       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Th'rin & Areena,Whiteriver Warren, Head Healer
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                      Saul & Fayloth, Jasra Warren, Searcher
                      Darlea & Makayla, Courier
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Dragonrider
                      Devon & Xanith, Dragonrider
                http://members.home.net/sgant/kristen/kris.htm
 --d----------b---------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/