K'tan
***

>K'tan sat down next to her, and wasn't to surprised when she put some
>space between them. He was going to ask her again what was wrong when
>Elswyth chose that moment to join them.

>They eat and talked for a while about everything except the fight that had
>happen in the dining hall, then Shae couldn't take it any longer.

>"K'tan. Why do they hate us so much just because we're Landbound born?"

>"I don't really know Shae," he told her honestly and reached for her hand.

He was elated when she gave it to him. And his beaming smile showed it.
Still she turned her eyes from him. But she didn't pull her hand away ..
that was at least better then nothing.

Elswyth cleared her throat, "Umm, perhaps I should be going."

"NO!" Shae said a little more sharply then was necessary, drawing a
surprised look from Elswyth and a saddened look from K'tan. She quickly
continued, "No, Elswyth, I .. I think it's best that you stay here for the
night. You were hurt .. and .. and I want to make sure you're okay."

"I'll be fine, Shae."

"Please .. stay." She looked at the girl, "It'll make me feel better ..
about everything."

K'tan spoke up to, though his heart wasn't really into it. "She's right.
It's probably best that you aren't alone."

"I really need to just lie down for a while .. I'll be okay."

"You can stay in my room. That way if you need anything I'll be close by
.." Shae forced a smile, "It'll make me feel better."

<<NRPG: Jill, I'll leave it up to you whether you  have her leave or go
rest in Shae's room.>>

Sheltie
***

The Warren's head cook pushed her way into Darlea's room .. then suddenly
wished she'd knocked. Just seeing Darlea and Almiron together bothered her.
And now he was laying on the bed next to her holding her.

They both looked up at her and Almiron quickly slid off the bed moving out
of the way. Sheltie nodded at him coolly as she moved to Darlea's side.

"How are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm fine, mama."

Sheltie turned to Almiron, "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to talk to my
daughter alone."

".. mama .." Darlea protested.

But Almiron nodded, "It all right. I will be just outside."

He left the two alone, and Sheltie felt her daughters blue eyes looking at
her. She turned back to face the girl, "I just wanted to see you alone. Is
that so horrible."

"He's my mate, mama. I love him. Why can't you understand that?"

"I do understand that .. well .. that's not important. What is important is
that I warned you this would happen. Tensions are far to high around this
landborn/warrenborn issue. It's not safe for you to be with him."

"None of this is Almiron's fault."

"No? He won yet another mating flight. A Queen. You don't think there's
some jealousy there."

"To be with D'neor? No."

"Darlea .. you know what they call him."

"Of course I know. They've done that since he got here. But mama, he isn't
warrenless. He's one of us."

"And look at you know .."

"This isn't Almiron's fault."

"Perhaps he isn't the one who hit you in the head. But he isn't warrenborn.
You are .."

"Mama .. you aren't warrenborn either. And I'm not going to stop being your
daughter because of it." She sighed, "I don't know who's behind this but
it's so completely stupid! We're all Warrenfolk! Who cares who was born
where!"

"They do .. The ones that started that fight. And it's only gonna get
worse. What if they target you for being with him?"

"I'm not leaving him. Mama .. I .." she paused taking a deep breath, "I'm
going to have his baby."

"What?" her eyes widened, and then dropped, her head shaking, "Gods .. I
was afraid of this."

"Mama .." Darlea said tears beginning to form in her eyes, "Please .. I ..
I'm so scared."

Sheltie softened and moved to take the girl in her arms, "I'm sorry, deary.
I'm so sorry. I'll always be here honest. Don't cry .. it'll be all right."

She moved to wipe the tears from her cheeks, "Now we've got to keep you
safe .."

"I want us to all be a family ..  you and me and Almiron. I'm not going to
leave him."

***

When Sheltie came out of her room, Almiron was indeed still there waiting.
She stopped, closing the door, blocking his path. "She's sleeping .. so I
think it'll give you and I a chance to talk."

<<NRPG: Well Lyn .. wanna chat :)>>

K'tan
***

K'tan and Shae were in the living room alone. Shae had been keeping herself
busy cleaning up after dinner and K'tan had been patient. But his patience
was running thin. Finally he stood and grabbed her arm, "Please sit, Shae.
I wanna talk to you."

"I have to clean up .."

"How many times do you have to wipe down a table you've already wiped three
times." His eyes pleaded with her, "Please."

She nodded and moved to sit on the couch. He said beside her. "I want to
know what's wrong. Something's bothering you."

".. nothing .."

"No?" he asked, "They way won't you look at me?"

He pulled her chin toward him, forcing her eyes to look into his. "What
happened? Yesterday, you liked looking at me?"

He moved closer, "You and I are alike, you know. We're both landborn .. We
aren't caught up in this struggle between the landborn and the warrenborn.
We don't have to worry about it."

"Even if they say I'm the cause .."

"We know you're not." His face was only inches from hers, "We used to have
fun, Shae .. You used to enjoy being with me .." His lips moved to cover
hers as one hand held her close, keeping her from pulling away.

She whimpered slightly as her body began to respond to his kiss.

He released her and smiled, "You still do .. don't you ?"

Regards,
Darlea & Makayla
K'tan & Knial

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       \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
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