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- - - 8< - - - [Bar-room Brawls and Warren Balls] - - - 8< - - -

Returning to the warren, Vasleth and Iris landed outside the medical center.
Corwin and Key jumped off Vasleth and rushed to assist Elly with the
struggling young man whom they'd rescued.

"Let me go!"  He screeched at the two men who were desperately trying to
assist him down from Iris' back.  "Help!  Kidnappers!" The youth's eyes
darted from side to side taking in his new surroundings.

By this time the medical staff were issuing forth from the med center.
Balagon immediately took charge.  Orderlies swiftly relieved Corwin and Key
of their burden and bustled the still shrieking young man inside.

"Now that was what I call fun!"  Corwin grinned, smacking Key on the back.

- - - >8 - - - [Bar-room Brawls and Warren Balls] - - - >8 - - -

Key had enjoyed the fighting too. It was good to get into a bit of action
again after so long. Before joining with Vasleth, while he had worked on the
barges, Key had been taught to fight by an old man. The man was still
working the barges as hard as anyone and had taught him many techniques.

"Yes, it was good. I get so little practise these days."

"Practise!" Corwin exclaimed. "Well, I suppose we've both been in a lot
worse."

"Indeed! You had better get tidied up a bit hadn't you?"

Corwin looked at his costume. He hadn't damaged it, but he was a little
dishevelled.

"You're right, I'd better go and sort myself out. See you at the party?"

"Of course, Ythfaru!" Key bowed low. "Well met, Corwin. Just try to stay out
of trouble!!"

Mc'Key was feeling ashamed and angry. Anger wasn't usually a big part of his
psychological profile, but he was angry at himself for allowing Inagua to be
alone in a city full of inns with money to burn and one thing on her mind -
drinking.

He asked Vas to see if he could meet with Tara.

<You can go up to her office,> Vasleth replied a moment later.

Mc'Key was not looking forward to this one bit. He knocked on her door and
entered, barely able to look her in the eye.

"WarrenLady, ..."

"Mc'Key, I..."

"No please! Allow me to speak. I am been grossly negligent in my duties to
you as a rider of Jasra, and for that I apologise. I should never have left
Inagua in the hands of anyone and I am prepared to submit to any discipline
that you see fit. I do, however, have a plan of my own."

"Key, I think that you made an error of judgement, but I don't think you
have been grossly negligent. I have already heard what happened and I don't
blame you too much. I believe Lady Inagua has been giving you a hard time?"

"That doesn't matter," Key stated. "I was tasked to watch her, and that is
what I intend to do from now on. I would like to request that either Inagua
moves in to my apartment with Ghost or I can move in with her. I want to
help her and I don't want to let her out of my site again.

"Is that not a little excessive?"

"No, my Lady, I don't think it is. She is harming herself and her dragon and
I have lapsed in my duty of care. I will not allow that to happen again."

"And what does Ghost say about all this?"

Key hadn't really considered this too closely, knowing she would hate it
passionately.

"Ghost is very supportive towards me. She will understand, I'm sure."

"I'm not sure she will. I'm not sure I understand myself, but I will
consider your request and let you know my decision. OK?"

"Thank you WarrenLady," Key bowed.

Key made his way home. When he got there, Ghost was waiting inside with
their costumes ready.

"I thought you were never coming back," she beamed. "Look at the wonderful
costumes we have!!"

Key had a pair of black trousers, a black (chest exposing) shirt, a red sash
for his waist, a mask and a matching black hat.

[Tag! Barb - what is Ghost wearing??]

"They are perfect, my love. But we must talk before we go."

"OK, Key. What's the matter? You're not still smarting about that *bitch*
are you?"

"Sort of. You see, I was responsible for her and I let the Warren down..."

"No, Key..."

"Yes I did. But I'm going to make up for it."

Mc'Key explained his plan to Ghost, who seemed to get redder and redder with
his every word.

"You said *WHAT*!!!"

"I said that either she should move in here or I should move in with her."

"How could you even consider bringing that *drunken bitch* into our lives
even more. How could you!!"

"I am responsible for her and I let her down."

"You are not responsible for her. She is. She lets herself down everyday,
every drink."

"She needs help."

"No - she needs locked up! I don't believe this!!" said Ghost, close to
tears.

"I am sorry, my love. But whether I am responsible or not, I feel that I am.
I need to help her and make up for my mistakes. I really need your support
right now."

"Key, I love you. If it were anything else, you know I'd be behind you all
the way. But HER!!"

"My mind is set on this, Ghost. I need to do this. The only question is: are
you with me?"

[Tag! Barb - re-jig whatever you want going in the same general direction.
If Ghost can't live with Key and Iggie, Key will have to move out to stay
with Iggie. Could she stand the two of them apart while he was with HER!?]

"The very least you can do is take me to the party and help me forget all
this for now. I need some time *not* thinking about this."

"Of course, my love. I'll get changed."

Deciding to put their differences on hold, they went to the party. Ythfaru's
feast was set to be a great event.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Shillan
aka
Mc'Key and Vasleth, Jasra Warren.