[DL] Day before Council meeting

Waylene helped Sky pick out a few colors for her newest project. It was
indeed a difficult task... but together they found something that Sky would
be pleased with. Waylene bid her good bye and headed to the Dinning hall for
some thing to eat. Noticing the sun, she hoped it wasn't too late as it was
well past breakfast.

Entering the dining hall, Waylene found it empty, with the exception of some
activity in the kitchen. She walked in and found Sheltie cleaning some pots
and pans. She had never met the woman, but would have recognized her
resemblance to D'nar's daughter any day. 

"Excuse me," she asked softly, "Could you tell me where I could get a bite
to eat. I seem to have missed breakfast."

Sheltie looked up from her pots. She recognized the WarrenLady from her
meeting the day before with Christalla.

"Let me get you something." she said gently.

"I would appreciate it. I'm sorry for disturbing you."

"It's no disturbance at all." said Sheltie with a smile.  She moved over and
began fixing the WarrenLady a plate, "You know, I feel as if I should know
you, with all the talk I've heard from Darlea about you. She loves visiting
Marrid."

Waylene smiled. "Yes, your daughter is quite a gem. We enjoy it when she comes."

Sheltie nodded, "I am sorry about the attack." Sheltie knew that things were
really bad. She'd heard the talk from the diners both yesterday and today.
One couldn't spend most of their time in the dining hall without knowing
just about everything that went on in the Warren. Many things, she wished
she'd not have found out, she thought ruefully.

"It has taken quite a toll on us. But I have hopes that we can rebuild in no
time."

Sheltie nodded a quick smile to the woman and handed her the plate. "Here ya
go. I'm sorry it's not hot, but at least it'll put a little something in
your stomach."

"Thank you," she told the woman as she left to take a seat in the large
empty dining hall.

****
[DL] The morning of the Counsel meeting.

Waylene woke early and put on the brown gown that Z'lec had brought for her.
She really wished he had picked a different one, but at least he had thought
to bring her something to wear besides her everyday riding slacks.  Well,
she thought, if nothing else, at least she looked bereft. Of course her face
was still set with the signs of grieving from the day of the attack. Try as
she might, she couldn't seem to get rid of them.

<I think you are beautiful,> came the warm thoughts of her dragon. 

<Aura, your up!> she though happily.

<Yes, Waylene, it is a big day for us today. I am already on my way to you
right now. Are you almost ready.>

<I am ready, my love,> just then Aura landed on the ledge settling
comfortably. The rustling of wing woke Z'lec and he sat up rubbing his eyes.

"Aura, must you always land so loudly." he asked the dragon in a huff. 

<He's in a bad mood this morning,> said Aura indignitely.

<He's had a hard few days, love, you know that.> Waylene thought with a
little chuckle.

Z'lec looked at his mate and then at her dragon. "Okay, stop talking about
me... I can tell by the guilty look on your face." he said pointing at he
dragon. Aura just turned her head. She liked her mate's rider, but he could
be annoying at times.

Waylene sat down next to him and ran her fingers through his hair, smoothing
it out. "Darling, Aura never says anything bad about you. She only speaks
the truth."

Z'lec smiled at her, "I'm sure," he said slightly sarcastically. 

"I'm sorry, I was asleep when you got here last night." Said Waylene,
changing the subject.

"That's alright. I had a hard time tearing myself away." He said, "'Lene,
there is so much to do." There was a hint of frustration in his voice.

"I know. But we can do it, I know we can."

Z'lec nodded and stood to dress. He was to stand second to Waylene as he had
for the last council meeting. He had thought that with the hatching of
Larith and the joining of Keanne, he would be removed from the
responsibility. But life had a way of changing even the best laid plans. It
still riled him that the murdering Malk Bromitz had gotten away.

"I'll meet you on the ground, darling," called Waylene jumping on Aura. As
soon as the queen was off the ledge, Raynod took her place.  Z'lec dressed
quickly, for he could feel the impatience of his dragon. Raynod wanted to
get back to Marrid.

"As soon as this meeting is over, Raynod, we will go back."

<Yes, yes... I know> muttered the testy dragon.

"I see you woke up grumpy as well," laughed the Marrid rider. He finished
quickly and soon followed Waylene to the ground.

--Waylene & Aura

****
NRPG: I didn't want to finish the meeting until Betty had a chance to get
her post out...

Also I split up my mailing list this morning. The only ones I have on both
lists are Chris C., Susan and myself. If anyone wants this differently let
me know... Other wise it's ago. 

ChrisC. and Susan: Hopefully you guys won't get this twice ...

Kristen
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Kristen and Scott Gant
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/gant.htm
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