Sheltie
***

Sheltie held a clothe over the man's forehead as he sat back wiping his
mouth, after having emptied his stomach into a nearby bucket.. "This really
isn't good for my business," she teased him gently.

The older man was pale, but smiled at the head cook. "I've never had this
reaction to your stew before, Sheltie love."

She patted him on the back, "I've got to go hand out more cool towels. Just
try to relax."

She stood and moved to where the healer sat crouched over yet another
dining hall patron whose dinner wasn't sitting well. "Mila .."She said as
the woman stood, "You don't really think there was something wrong with my
dinner to you?"

Mila shook her head, "I don't know for sure, Sheltie. But don't worry, we
know it's not you're fault. We'll find the culprit yet."

"But I make this stew at least once week, everyone loves it .. This has
never happened before." The worry and absolute horror that it could be her
cooking showed in the woman's voice.

Mila shook her head, "We'll figure it out."

Sheltie sighed and continued her rounds. Everything had been going fine
until near the end of dinner. There had been no complaints.. and then all
of a sudden.. Well everything just seemed to fall apart.  There were at
least a half dozen cases in the med center and the handful of those who had
fallen right here in the dining hall. They hadn't even gotten through the
second pot of stew! And normally they nearly finished a third!

The head cook had been beside herself when the med techs can and took a
little of everything she'd served that night to try and find the cause. It
upset her that they could even think it was her cooking!

K'tan
***

The young man wiped the woman's brow of the sweat, ignoring the sweat which
dripped down his own brow. And fighting against the nausea which threatened
to send him running to the bathroom yet again. He had to help her .. she
needed him ..  someone was trying to hurt her .. make her cry ..

He brushed at her blonde hair .. it was getting so long .. "I won't let
them hurt you .." he murmered, as his eyes glazed a bit.

"Don't leave me .." she murmered, still lost in her own feverish dreams.

"Never .." he promised. His arms felt heavy ..  his head ached .. but he
had to be strong .. she needed him .. he had to protect her ..

On the table a bowl of water sat .. Once boiling, mixed with an inhalant
that would help relieve the nausea and fever .. now tepid .. but still
emitting it's fragrant cure. Making both young people sleepy ..

K'tan fought again againt the sleepiness. "It'll be okay .. you'll see
..I'll never let him hurt you .." the words slipped through his lips at
barely a whisper ..

"Papa .." Shae rambled.

K'tan, unable to help himself reclined on the bed next to her, "I'll just
rest a moment .."

"Don't leave  ..  I need you .."

"I won't leave .. " he said again as he lowered his head onto her pillow.
An arm snaked around her, his body snuggling close as he feel quickly
asleep.

Regards,
Sheltie
K'tan & Knial
***
NRPG: Hmm, what will Shae think when she wakes up with this young man
wrapped around her :)

Kris

*********************************************************************
  |\  /^~~^\  /|
 -qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp------------------------------------------------------
       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/