"You're the one afraid of it, David!  Not me......"  Minty's bitterness
goaded her into striking out.


As she watched, all the colour drained from his face.  She shrank back
against Kirimith expecting a violent response, confused when he only nodded
and agreed.  Where were the blows? The angry words?  The violence she had
expected?


 Instead there was quiet acceptance, an acceptance foreign to Minty's
experience.


"Ye be right." He said softly.  "I am afraid of et.  More afraid of et then
probably any en te' warren."  


Minty floundered, trying to make sense of the conflicting emotions raging in
her mind.  "I'm right?"  Her tone questioned.  This had to be a trick!  Her
father would -never- think her right!


*He is not your father Minty.*  Kirimith sent.  *The violence I sense from
your father is not present in David.  I believe him to be a good man.
Kaylin'sha says you have done him much injustice to compare them.  You have
hurt him Minty.  He sees himself as a coward, dishonorable.  I do not think
that was your intention.*  


*Kirimith, what have I done?  He is not my father.  In that you are right.
I'm so confused.  What can I do?  How to explain?  Help me Kirimith!*  Minty
cried to her dragon in anguish  *I am drowning......*


*Listen to his words, Minty.  Talk to him.  Trust him.*


Minty looked to David, confusion and pain and fear written in her eyes.  She
tried to speak.  But David spoke first, his words piercing her heart:


" I grieve fer hurting ye, and I offer anything that may be done to make up
fer te' pain I have caused.  I've been a coward and a fool, and I be truly
sorry fer it all."  He bowed his head.  "All I have said es te' truth.  I
just hope ye can forgive me en time, but I do not blame ye if ye don't."


Tears of guilt and sadness trickled down her cheeks. She had caused such
pain, and he had tried only to help her.  Slowly, tentatively she reached
out to him, extending her hand to him, baring her soul to his gaze,  fearing
rejection, she whispered:


"David?....."


Respectfully submitted

Araminta, Kirimith's rider


NRPG  If Minty's torturing David, what's she doing to herself? <vbg>

I was going to finish with the courtyard erupting because of the mating
flight.  But even I'm not that cruel!

-- 
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