[NRPG: The original meeting posts were so blinking long ago that I went 
ahead and included them verbatim.  I'm terribly sorry for taking so long 
with this one.  ;-P]

	Christalla awoke to the sensation of being shaken.  She cried 
out, snatching at the hand that held her shoulder.

	"Easy, easy," M'ressan said soothingly, releasing his hold on her. 
"It's just me." 

	"Oh..." Christalla relaxed, falling back on the bed.  "I was 
dreaming."  It had been nightmares again, dark men coming and taking away 
Mista...

	"I let you sleep as long as I could," M'ressan said
sympathetically, sitting down on the bed beside her, "but you're going to
have to get up in time for your meeting with Daere's Warrenlady." 

	"That is this morning," Christalla groaned.  Her head hurt.  She
hadn't slept well in... two nights now, and fatigue was really taking its
toll.  She sat up painfully and blinked in the sunlight drifting through 
the window.  "What time is it?"

	"Midmorning," M'ressan answered, standing up.  "I said I let you
sleep as long as I could.  Daere is a few hours earlier than we are, but
you should be expecting Warrenlady Jayleigh soon.  Why don't you get ready
while I whip you up some breakfast?"  He brandished a spatula, grinning. 

	Christalla smiled in spite of herself.  M'ressan was not a cook 
of bredth, but the few things he could make he made well.  "It's a deal," 
she agreed.  She stood up slowly, fighting back the head rush, and began 
to rummage through her wardrobe for the right outfit to wear.

	Once M'ressan had some food in her, she felt a lot better.

**********

	<Viktroy has arrived,> Kaeryth reported.

	Christalla was sitting in her office, going over Michel's list of 
possible suspects.  It was nearly noon, which meant that the Warrenlady 
and her escorts had left Daere midmorning.  Christalla pushed the paper 
into a desk drawer and stood up, making ready for her meeting.

	<Would you let Alicynth and Shatavari know that I'd like to see 
their Humans soon?  Daere's Warrenlady should have a chance to meet all 
our Queenriders.>

	<I guess so,> Kaeryth sent a shrug.  Diplomacy tended to make no 
sense whatever to Dragons.

	Christalla smiled and stepped out of her office onto the Green. 
The aqua-silver Queen was just making her landing, flanked by a dark green
escort Dragon.  As they landed, Christalla noticed that the Queen Viktroy
carried two passengers, one which she did not recognize.  Daere's
darkly-exotic Warrenlady handed down an older woman from her Dragon's
shoulder, one obviously unused to dragonflight. 

	Though she had been there for a few hours during the funeral and
wake, there had been little interaction between the two women at that
time.  That had been Velara's moment; now was the time to get to know each
other. 

	Christalla stepped forward and extended her hands in greeting. 
Jayleigh answered the smile and took them firmly.  Christalla could tell
immediately that Jayleigh was a woman of dignity and form, just as a
Warrenlady should be.  Appearances could be everything is this work. 
However, she did supress a frown of disapproval when her eyes rested on
the knife Jayleigh wore at her belt.  Queenriders simply shouldn't wear
weapons. 

	"Lady Jayleigh it's good of you to make the time to come see me," 
the Dragonlady said warmly as she led the entorage back to her office. "I
know how busy you've been since Velara's death. I'm still finding it hard
to believe that she's gone."  Velara's Queen Jennaladar had laid the
Empress Syldarin, Kaeryth's own mother.  She had been Warrenlady longer
than Christalla had been alive. 

	They reached the door to the office, and Jayleigh consulted
briefly with her escort.  He refused her invitation to join them, and
withdrew.  Shrugging affectionately, Daere's Warrenlady turned back to the
conversation.  The three women stepped inside the office, and Christalla
closed the door. 

"It's been quite a shock to myself as well," Jayleigh smiled ironically as
she took the seat offered. "I hadn't realized what all she had to do to
keep the Warren going." 

"Well she had three Junior Queen rider's to help." Christalla said
soothingly, while smiling to put the two at ease. 

"Only she wouldn't let them help," Jayleigh's older companion frowned. 

"Mother... " Jayleigh tried to get her to stop, but her mother ignored
her. 

"She excluded them from any and all Warren duties that she could get away
with just so she didn't have to retire. Why do you think it was that you
never saw any of Daere's other Queen rider's at any of the Warren meetings
or special occasions?" 

"I hadn't realized she'd gone to those lengths to keep her leadership,"
Christalla frowned thoughtfully. "If you need any help.." 

"We're fine, but thank you for your generous offer." Jayleigh countered.
"Unlike my mentor... I do frequently call upon the Junior Queen rider's
for assistance. R'ven has also been a tremendous help.  I don't know what
I would have done with out his help." 

She noticed then that the petite woman behind the desk kept glancing
Realee's way, and remembered that she hadn't as yet introduced her mother
to the woman. 

"I beg your pardon m'lady, this is my mother. Realee, our head cook at
Daere." she made the introductions. "We had word recently from a traveling
Bard, that their might be a woman living here in Keldarra who we believe
to be my mother's sister. She hasn't seen her in a number of years and
would like to find her." 

"And what is this woman's name? If she's here in the Warren, I can try to
find out," she offered. 

Realee took a deep breath, "Maralee, my Lady. My sister's name is
Maralee." 

	Christalla frowned.  It was obvious how much this meant to the 
woman, and she hate to be the bearer of bad tidings.  "I'm sorry," she 
said earnestly, "but no one by that name lives at Keldarra.  Are you sure 
that this is the Warren the bard said?"

	Realee paled, and looked ready to cry.  "I'm quite sure, 
DragonLady," she whispered.

	"Bards usually have reasons for saying what they do," Christalla 
suggested encouragingly.  "I'll keep my ears open, and I'll pass along 
the name.  If we hear anything, we'll be sure to let you know."

	Realee nodded, forcing a smile.  "Thank you, DragonLady."

	Jayleigh looked distinctly uncomfortable, and cast about for a way
to change the subject.  Realee was visibly holding herself together by
willpower; this chance at finding her sister had meant a great deal to
her.  Christalla could sympathise in a distant way.  She had no family
other than her mate and daughter, but the thought of having family and
losing it would be horrible. 

	The sound of beautiful harp music wafted through the closed 
door.  Christalla stood up to listen.  "Who is that?" she asked.  "That's 
lovely."

	Jayleigh smiled, her relief at the change showing in her face.  
"I think I know," she said.  "If you don't mind, DragonLady?"  She moved 
to the office door.

	"No, go right ahead."

	Jayleigh opened the door to reveal her escort leaning against the 
doorframe, completely absorbed in his playing.  "This is Gerald, our 
Gamma Wingsecond," she explained affectionately.  "He has a gift for all 
kinds of beauty."

	Gerald was still oblivious.  Jayleigh prodded him gently, "Gerald,
would you come in here for a minute?"  He looked up then, taking in the
scene with the look of a cornered animal.  He stood up guiltily and
stepped into the office. 

        Crossing over to the desk, he lightly grasped the extended hand
and bowed low. "My lady, I'm honored to meet you." Standing up, he moved
back; he could see the amusement in the Dragonlady's eyes. 

        "A charmer, I see. Tell me, was that your playing I just heard?"

        "Y-yes, ma'am," Gerald stammered.

        "I seem to remember you playing at the funeral, also. Tell me,
Jayleigh, are all your riders as talented?"

        "No, Gerald's one of a kind." Gerald turned beet-red at the
praise. 

        Christalla laughed, not unkindly. "Please, have a seat."  She 
gestured to the empty chair beside Jayleigh.  Eager for a way to fade 
into the background, Gerald quickly sat.

	At last, there was a knock at the door.  Christalla called them
in, and the door opened to reveal Evelle and D'neor.  Christalla grinned. 
"Ah!  I've been expecting you!  This is Keldarra's Warrenlady Evelle, and 
our new Junior Queenrider D'neor.  Evelle, D'neor, this is Daere's new 
Warrenlady Jayleigh."

	Evelle's hand rested on D'neor's forearm, and she expertly guided 
him through the formalities of introduction.  Christalla was grateful.  
There was no telling what the male Queenrider would say or do.

	"A male Queenrider," Jayleigh observed in wonder as D'neor
fumblingly took her hand.  "I haven't heard of that happening in my
lifetime.  You're very lucky, young man." 

	"D'neor," Christalla interjected.  "Evelle, Jayleigh, and I have
some matters of importance to discuss.  I would appreciate it if you could
show Realee and Gerald around the Warren while we speak privately." 

	Realee still looked stricken, but Christalla could think of little
to do for her.  She wished she could have recognized the name 'Maralee'.  
D'neor ushered them out and closed the door behind them.  Perhaps a walk 
in the air would clear her mind.

	She inwardly sighed.  <Kaeryth, love, would you please tell 
Shatavari that D'neor needs to be *careful*?  Queenriders need to be 
well-mannered, especially in situations like this.>

	<I'll *try*...> Kaeryth replied.  <Shatavari isn't easy to talk to.>

	<Do try, love.  I appreciate it.>

	Then Christalla drew out paper and a stylus.  "It's wonderful
meeting you, but I did have a few things I wanted to go over regarding the
change of command, and Daere's roll in the changing borders of the
DragonLands.  With the magic fluctuating, there's so much we need to be
prepared for..." 

	The three Queenriders worked well into lunchtime.  At last,
Christalla stood up and put her materials away.  "I think that's quite
enough," she suggested.  "There's not much more to be accomplished, and I
must confess that I'm hungry.  Would you like to join me for lunch in the
Dining Hall?  I must recommend our cook to you." 

	Jayleigh smiled.  "I'm sure she's wonderful.  I hope my mother 
feels the same way."

	"I'll have them sent for through our Junior Queen, so they can 
meet us there."  Christalla walked to the door and opened it.  The noon 
sunlight streamed through the door.  "Shall we, ladies?"

**********
[This space left blank to give D'neor room to weak havock and for general 
reactions from the other characters. <G>]

	"If you don't mind, DragonLady, I thought I'd have a small second
helping," Realee suggested.  They were sitting in a small corner of the
Dining Hall that Keldarra's cook, Sheltie, was industriously keeping clear
of ignorant passersby. 

	"Certainly, I'm sure Sheltie will appreciate an endorsement from 
a fellow cook," Christalla smiled and waved the older woman away.  Realee 
answered the smile.  She was looking less forlorn now, which made 
Christalla feel better.

	Realee stood up and made her way back to the kitchen, where the
staff was ready to serve her the hot foods.  As she was gathering another
bowl of stew, she turned around and nearly collided with an attractive
young man.  "Oh, I'm terribly sorry my dear!" she exclaimed, withdrawing
quickly such that hot stew sloshed on her hand.  "Oh!" 

	The young man was immediately beside her with a handkerchief,
wiping off her hand.  "There, sorry about that," he said.  "I wanted to
welcome you to Keldarra.  I trust you found *everything* that you were
seeking?" 

	Realee smiled sadly.  "I wish I could say I had, but it's 
nobody's fault.  You have a fine Warren here."

	The young man took her gently by the elbow, guiding her out of 
the kitchen.  "You came at the wrong time," he said mysteriously.  
"Otherwise, you would have found everything you're seeking."

	"Excuse me?"

	"Maralee doesn't live at Keldarra," he explained, "but she'll be 
here.  Come back in the Springtime."

	Realee's eyes widened in shock.  "How did you know--"

	"Bards know many things," the young man chuckled.  "Good luck!"  
He waved to her and turned to walk away, whistling to himself.  Realee 
looked after him for a few moments, then drifted back to her seat in a 
daze. 

	Christalla watched the scene from her table, masking her surprise. 
Yet, as they ate, Realee volunteered to information, and Christalla let it
drop. 

	Still, it bothered her... what could Evelle's courier D'glis
possibly have said that would have elicited such a stunned reaction?

**********

	Christalla bade the team from Daere farewell not long after 
lunch.  She turned away as they mounted their Dragons to find M'ressan 
standing behind her, holding Mista by the hand.  "I have a drill in a few 
minutes," he apologised.  "I was hoping you'd have time to take her."

	"Oh certainly," Christalla agreed.  "I won't be doing much more 
than going over data about the investigation and trying to get a report 
on the situation with the wilder hatchling."

	M'ressan nodded.  "How did the meeting go?"

	Christalla smiled.  "Jayleigh has a lot of promise.  I'm sure 
she'll do fine.  I enjoyed her escorts, though some incidents with her 
mother still bother me a bit...."

	M'ressan knit his brows critically.  "And those were?"

	"Well, she came here looking for her sister, who she believed 
would be living here.  But I've never hear of anyone named Maralee--"

	"Who??"

	"The woman's sister Maralee."

	"Maralee *Rochefort*?"

	"The woman was supposed to be Warren born.  I don't think she had 
a surname...."  She looked in surprise as her mate dropped his daughter's 
hand and ran out ot the Green.

	Viktroy and Randow were just vanishing in teleport.  M'ressan 
started at the blank space in the sky where they'd been and whispered to 
himself, "Maralee... Good Lord... Good Lord..."


Respectfully Submitted

Susan Rati
Administrator, DragonLands


NRPG: There we go.  Really sorry on the wait!  The post is intentionally
choppy to allow for more reactions and such.  Judi, Barb, and Allen, feel
free to fill in.  Mia, don't make everyone's lives too much Hell ;>.  

I fixed the misspellings of Christalla's name.  Just so you know, the 
original root of the name (I've been writing Talla since I was a child) 
isn't Crystal.  It's Christopher or Christina.  Hopefully that will help 
:). 

The subplots congeal... ;>

|echo@indy.net : Interactive-Writing Roleplay Masochist, Babylon 5 Fanatic|
| Administrator, DragonLands RPG <http://www.indy.net/~echo/dlands.html>  |
|Asst Director, XFiles RPG <http://www.linux.sfasu.edu/xfiles/xfrpg.html> |
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                must walk."  - Old Egyptian Blessing

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