Minty sat sipping tea, grateful for Darlea's silent support.  She felt so
confused about the right thing to do...


One part of her said "Tell David, he loves you and trusts you." 


Another small voice said,"Don't tell David, he won't understand why you kept
silent before..."


Then there was the business with her father.  What had V'rdeen meant there?
Surely her own father wouldn't be that callous!  But then, Guy had always
been ready to enter into anything shady.....


Finally she decided to confide her dilemma to Darlea;


"It's V'rdeen...." she started again  "I know you've had trouble with him,
as well as some of the other women.  I tried to avoid him for the last few
weeks, and he's been quiet since Wynn spoke with him......."


"He did seem to take some notice of Wynn,"  Darlea nodded  "I haven't seen
or heard much from him recently, not since I found out he'd lied about
apologising to Almiron anyway.  What's the problem?"


"Do you know what happened at the lake?"  when Darlea shook her head Minty
continued, cheeks flushed with shame  "He tried to molest me, and I think if
Kiri hadn't been there to protect me he would have succeeded..... I didn't
encourage him Darlea, really I didn't!!!" Minty was tearful again


"Of course you didn't Minty!"  Darlea exclaimed  "No-one would think that of
you!  What did David say when you told him?"


"That's the trouble!   I didn't tell him.  I was frightened he'd go after
V'rdeen and that he'd be hurt."  she said  "I thought if I just avoided
V'rdeen everything would be alright and that he'd never need to know...... I
know I was silly, but I was so worried for him Darlea....."


Darlea patted Minty's shoulder, trying to comfort the distraught girl;


"You must tell him now Minty!  Whatever happened with V'rdeen this morning
will happen again if you don't!  You do love David don't you?"  Darlea asked 


"Of course I do!" Minty said fiercely  "He's everything to me!"


"Well there you are then.  Tell him!" 



Tell David, don't tell David!? She wavered between the two choices, aware
that eventually she would have to do something..... she couldn't sit here
forever!


*The decision should be very simple Minty.  David is your mate.....*
Kirimith interrupted her whirling thoughts   *I stayed quiet before because
you begged me.... but I warned you I would speak if anything further happened.*


*Please Kiri.... * Minty begged  *I will tell him, but in my own time.*


*Too late Minty.  I have already spoken to Kaylin'sha.  David is on his way
here.....*


Darlea nudged Minty, nodding to the doorway where David stood searching the
room for her..


"Now's your chance Minty.  Here's David now.  I'll leave you two alone."
she stood, nodding to David as he came over  "I have to go.  Talk to him,
Minty!"


"Kay said ye needed me fer something?"  he questioned as he took a seat
beside her  "He said it was urgent....."


White-faced and trembling, with a mental cry of   *Traitor.....* directed
towards her dragon, Minty began to tell him.......


**********************
Submitted by


Araminta, Kirimith's rider


-- 
Les

the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin
T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage          Broken Lands
Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands