Michel still searched for Lori.  He passed by Roland's prison/shed when 
he saw her bolt out of it.  He pulled up just a little to have a better 
watch on the area, when Roland flew out of it, and hopped on his Dragon.  
Before Michel could react, or Paranth could cloud the area in smoke, he 
had already mounted, and flown down to take a hostage.

A few seconds later, MIchel was made aware that it had been Evelle who 
had been kidnapped.

Michel shook his head, aware that it was now his fault that Roland had 
been allowed to take a hostage.  He landed, and followed the direction 
Lori had gone on foot.  Catching up to her, he noticed her whirl around 
quickly.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Roland escaped a few minutes ago.  He took Evelle as hostage, and I was 
searching for you, knowing you had disappeared.  But, fortunately, you 
are ok.  Would you like a ride back to your apartment?"

"Actually, I was more hoping to stay in your tonite."

"Ah, I'm sorry.  WOuld that we could spend the night together," Michel 
started, forcing one of his roguish smiles, "I know that they are going 
to ask me to help in the search for Evelle."

"Oh," Lori replied.  "Ok, that owuld be fine."

Michel carried on small talk on the way to Lori's apartment, and dropped 
her off.  THe two kissed for several moments before he left.

"Be careful," Lori said to him.

"I will.  See you soon."

Michel left, still dumbfounded by everything that was going on around 
him.  Shortly, he fell into his searching pattern.

"Paranth, take me to Roland's shed."

*Michel...something is not right with your mate.*

"Please, let's not discuss this yet.."

*For now...but soon, we won't have a choice.*

Michel nodded.  Paranth landed at the shed, and Michel vaulted off, and 
went inside.  Three other people, D'van, a young rider Michel barely 
knew, a women he didn't know at all, and S'lanna, a female Michel had 
trained briefly with, were there, examining the "cell".  Michel noted the 
two bodies, the one by the door having had his throat slashed, and the 
other having the knife been driven into the back of his neck.  
Apparently, the knife had gotten stuck, as it had been left in the poor man.
 
D'van turned to Michel quickly.

"Michel, you should not be here."

"What are  you talking about?  I'm not supposed to help with an 
investigation?"

"Listen, we have two dead men here, and the junior queenrider kidnapped.  
The two men died  by a blade.  Now, it's rather well known around the 
warren how good you are with a knife, esp. after Darlea's rescue.  
Therefore, I'm flat saying, it is not a good idea for you to be here."

Michel noticed S'lanna take a cloth and dislodge the knife.

He nodded mutely, thanking D'van for his honesty as he left the building.

But, apparently they were going with the same conlucsion he had.  Roland 
had an accomplice.  Chances were, it was the same assassin they had been 
worrying about, the one who had tried to kill Christalla.

"It can't be Lori..."

*You're saying that because you are in love with her.  You aren't looking 
at the facts*

Michel nodded dumbly.  As he was walking towards his Dragon, not paying 
attention to where he was going, he bumped into Wynn.

"Oh, Hello Wynn.  What can I do to help?"


Submitted by
 Michel Dragonrider
  AKA
   Chris Canary

NRPG:  Lori is not to be caught, or found out, yet...Kat and I still have 
some plans for her.  HOwever, the thoughts of Michel being suspected came 
out rather well (and surprisingly.)

It ain't often the writer can surprise himself.  Oh well, have fun with 
it all..I can't wait to see what Kat does with this when she gets back.