The three dragons made an effective barrier between David and the object of
his wrath.  Though he sought to reach V'rdeen, each time he moved the way
was closed to him. The arrival of M'ressan, Christalla, Evelle and Wynn
eased Minty's guilt at being the cause of this affair.  Here was authority
and order.  Here were people that David would listen to! 


He listened and he heard and at last a semblance of sanity replaced the
hatred in his eyes.  He lowered his sword and spoke, bitterness still
evident in his voice;


"What I do, I do not for myself, but for Keldarra.  I wish not t'be like 
him, as death es too good a mercy for his likes."  Taking his sword, 
David broke his blade over his knee, tossing the ruined steel to the 
ground at V'rdeens feet.  "A reminder..." David whispered, and walked away, 
pauseing for a moment infront of Wynn.  "By your leave, Wingleader." He 
said, and as Wynn nodded, David bowed to Christalla, and left the 
clearing.  


Minty made to follow him, but was stopped by Darlea's touch on her shoulder,
and her gentle understanding words;


"He needs to be alone, and I think V'rdeen has something to tell us."


"I have to speak to my father about something before I can listen to
V'rdeen."  Minty said, looking V'rdeen full in the face  "There is one thing
I need to be easy in my mind about before I can listen....."


She had the satisfaction of seeing V'rdeen blanch as she turned away to
mount Kirimith.......


******************


The environs of the new Guild were quiet.  Most of the workers either eating
lunch or relaxing in the shade, the sun overhead making the dusty site hot
and uncomfortable.  Minty knew that her father was working here somewhere,
she just had to find him.


*Minty?  What do you intend to do when you find him?  Your mind is closed to
me....I am worried for you*  Kirimith kept trying to pierce the awful calm
that lay over Minty's thoughts.  *Talk to me Minty.  Why will you not wait
until David can be here with you?*


*This is for me to do! *  was all she would say


She looked into all the shadowed caverns, and into the burning forges.  She
caused many raised eyebrows with her presence she knew, and several people
tried to direct her to Ames, David's father, when she would not say what she
sought.  She brushed aside all enquiries politely enough, but the coldness
of her tone and face caused a shiver in most of those she spoke with.


At last she found him.  Hidden away in a small storeroom, a large flagon of
ale on the stone floor beside him.  She looked at him.  This man had made
her childhood a living hell.  This man had robbed her of the affection any
child has a right to expect.  
And through it all she had tried so hard to win his love.  Had defended him
against all accusers.  Had been scapegoat and whipping boy.  Had borne the
blame for each small frustration.  Had accepted each beating as just and
deserved.


"Da?" she said quietly


He looked up at her, eyes unfocused and bleary, face slack.  Raising the mug
he held, he took a long swallow before finally acknowledging her presence.


"What do you want?" he asked flatly  "Come to nag about my drinking again?
Save your breath girl, cos it won't make no difference."


"I've come to ask you about V'rdeen, Da."  she said, her voice barely above
a whisper  "He said you and he had an understanding....."


"V'rdeen?  V'rdeen? That rider you took up with? " Guy was only half aware
of his surroundings, his words slurred


"Not David, Da.  V'rdeen?"  Minty repeated 


"What's the matter?  David get tired and throw you out?  V'rdeen said he
would eventually!"   he drank again, dribbles running down his chin


"What did V'rdeen want Da?  He said he had your blessing..... your blessing
for what Da?"


"Blessing?  What blessing?  What are you talking about girl?"  he seemed to
have a hard time following Minty's question, so she repeated it slowly, but
firmly


"V'rdeen and your blessing, Da.  I want to know what you said to him."


"The morality of this place is different to decent folks ideas.  There's no
decency here at all, no decent man would have you for wife after you'd
disgraced yourself like that.  He said he'd marry you!  You'd not get
another offer, not after everything that's gone on with that lover you took
up with.  I didn't want you trailing round after me nagging and complaining
either...."  his voice was angry, self righteous  "No decent man......"


"And?"  Minty knew, but she needed to hear it from her fathers mouth  "What
did you two work out, Da?  How much was I worth?  Me and my sullied reputation?"


"You've no call talking to me that way!"  belligerence tinged his words
"I've always done my best by you, even though it should have been you that
died.  So what if he offered me a little money to see me through.  It's only
fair after all I've had to put up with and pay out for over the years...."


"What did I do for you to hate me so much, Da?" she whispered  


Her fathers drunken snores were the only answer.  She stood looking at the
man who had wrecked her childhood.... always before she had been terrified
of him, always ready to leap to do his bidding to ward off the beatings.  


All she saw was a pathetic old man.... a man made bitter by self-pity.  A
man who had allowed his rage and pain to blight her existence.   All the
years of terror, all the suffering, the loneliness..... all because of one
broken little man. 


She almost felt sorry for him!  Almost but not quite.  He'd had a part to
play in this near tragedy, a part that had brought David into such peril!
She turned and walked out without a backward glance.......


************************

She was surprised that it had taken such a short time to change her life
forever.


*Where are the others Kiri?  Are they still where we left them?*  she asked


*They are still there Minty.  I sense a change in you.  What did your father
say to cause such pain?*


*I have no father.*  Her tone held steely contempt.  She climbed onto Kiri's
back  *Take me back, and tell me what has been happening with V'rdeen.....*


They took off, Kirimith filling in the details.  *V'rdeen has confessed to
molesting a number of female riders.  He says it was because of craziness
caused by jealousy of Wynn... he seems to have wanted Evelle's love and went
insane when Wynn won her!*


*I wonder how he would explain what he tried to arrange with my ...... that
man?*  Minty said with a faint smile  *What insane jealousy caused that
aberration I wonder?  No-one must know what he told me Kirimith.... I will
not risk David's life and honour for either man.  Do you understand me?
No-one knows now or ever.....*


***************


They landed near the still gathered group.


"Kirimith has told me of V'rdeen's explanation, " she said to the assembled
riders  "And I am prepared to accept what he says."


Darlea and Briana looked surprised, but she ignored them and looked straight
at V'rdeen


"Seems I owe you thanks in  part." she said with a slight bow.  "You have
given me a great gift!  The strength to face any man and know I am his
equal!  Never again will I cower before a man such as you....."


Her heart full of peace she went to find David......



Submitted by


Araminta, Kirimith's rider


NRPG

I had to come up with -some- explanation for V'rdeen's plotting with Guy.  LOL!


If V'rdeen apologises Minty will listen.


-- 
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