Michel watched as Shae tried to tell him something.  He suppressed a smile
as she rolled her eyes, remembering he couldn't hear her.

"It's all right, Shae.  Thank you."

She started to say something again, and he waited.

*She is asking how long you've been a dragonrider*

"Oh," Michel started, his voice louder than normal, "Not too long.  About
3 years?  Has it been that long?  I was initially with the trainees, until
we graduated, and have been helping Almiron ever since.  Sometimes I
wonder that I still have a position here.  I haven't patrolled in a while,
tho with all the chaos going on around here, that seems understandeable.
So, where are you from?  I'm assuming you came to the warren, much as
myself."

[Back Atcha Barb]

***************************************************************************

The man walked slowly back into Keldarra's Domain.  He'd been gone well
over a year, and had hoped to be back sooner, but his tasks had not
allowed him.  Once he had heard of the chaos back here, he knew he'd have
to come.

*You didn't have to.  We could just as well have sent a message.  The
Guild said that the message needed delivered, not that you had to deliver
it*

"I know," he thought to his partner, "But, Christalla has to hear what her
Warren can do.  I have to deliver this in person.  Especially if TAG is
involved."

He heard the Draconic sigh in his head, knowing that his Dragon knew he
was right, but didn't like it.

"Besides, you'll see friends we haven't seen ina  long time..since we left
Keldarra."

D'glis continued walking.  He was probably 10 minutes from the warren now.

**************************************************************************

Michel had answered Christalla's questions, relaying his statements
through Paranth, and through Kaeryth.  Christalla nodded, said something
else,

*She hopes your hearing comes back soon*  Paranth translated.

"Thank You, I'm sure I'll be fine.  Remember?  I lost an eye a long time
ago," Michel said, Grinning.

Christalla and M'ressan nodded, and left the room, leaving the door open
as they left.

"I swear, Paranth, I've seen these Medical Center rooms too much."

Michel was once again checked out by one of the Healers.  The man, D'jer 
had examined him, and concluded that he should have his hearing back in a
few days, a week at the most.  He hadn't liked it, but assumed since no
one was with him now, it was safe to leave.

He stood up, wishing the ringing in his ears would just go away.  Grabbing
his jacket, he walked out of the Door.

As he reached the hallway, he noticed a figure walk by him, his eyes
following briefly.  Something bothered him...

  Lori walked toward Michel, his eyes not leaving her form.  He noticed
  that she walked on the toes of her foot.  He had barely heard her moving   
  toward him.

"Oh shit,"  He thought, pulling slightly against the wall, slowly
following the figure.

"Paranth, get Christalla, get the Guild of Swords, and get anyone  in
here who has a Dragon moving toward me.  She's Here!"

Michel pulled closer, almost behind her, when he saw one of the Healers
turn toward him and the figure.  The Healers eyes went wide.

Michel had no time, he dove, barely missing the figure, as the cloak she
was in opened.  He saw a knife glisten into her hand quickly.  He reached
for his Whip, realizing he'd left it on the floor at his apartment.  He
ducked, hearing the blade whistle by, clattering off the wall behind him.

His foot swept out, tripping her.  She quickly regained her footing, and
grabbed Michel from behind.  He felt another blade at his throat.

"Not a MOVE, Dragonrider, or this warren mourns two more"

Michel, not hearing her, brought his right elbow back, knocking the wind
out of her, as he rolled out of her grasp.

"Are you stupid, Rider?  Or do you just WANT  to die?"

Michel smiled at her, which just seemed to infuriate her more, however, as
she came forward at him, she barely felt the needle enter.  She reversed
the blade immediately and drove it backward.

"Bastard!" She screamed, taking a step forward.  She attempted to his him
with her fist, but he parried the blow.  Then she passed out.

Michel rushed over to the Healer who had injected her, the blade sticking
out of his chest, as his blood ran over the floor.  Michel checked the
pulse, noting it getting weaker.  D'jer looked up at Michel
as he died.

****************************************************************************
Christalla came out of her office, walking back toward the Med Center.

"Greetings, Dragonlady."

Christalla turned, surprised by the colorfully garbed, Brown eyed, Brown
haired man in front of her.

"D'Glis!  It's good to see you, but you need to work on your timing.  How
is Evelle?  And what message do your bring?"

"I bring no message from Evelle,"  He smiled again, "In fact, I haven't
seen her for 6 months.  I wish I could say this is just a friendly visit,
but I'm here on more serious business."

"You have an assassin at Keldarra, and whatever you do, you can't kill
her."

Christalla looked surprised at the  statement, then nodded, continuing on
her way to the Medical Center.  Several of the Guild of Swords members
were showing up at the same time.

"D'glis, catch me in a few minutes, it appears we have a bit to talk of."

Christalla reached the doors, only to be blocked by M'ressan as she
started to enter.

"Sorry, you're not going in there.  Not until we know it's safe."

***************************************************************************

Christalla sat in her office, rubbing her eyes.  The assassin was being
held by the Guild of Swords,  But they had said they would only hold her
til she woke up.

D'glis sat in a chair.  With a swift movement, he pulled a Peach Rose out
of his tunic.

"This is for you, by the way."

Christalla looked surprised, and then sat back down.

"D'glis," Christalla said, a troubled look to her eyes, "you said we
cannot kill her"

"Oh, you can, but it has to be a Trial by Combat.  If you kill her, the
entire Assassin's guild comes down on you."

D'glis smiled an honest smile,

"I would sincerely hate to see that happen here.  You have to pick a
Champion to represent the Warren.  You have to set an area out.
Generally, only 1 weapon is picked by each combatant.  IF other weapons
are seeded in the arena, either person may use them, which means you'll
want to be sure to check the arena beforehand.  If your champion wins, he
kills the member of TAG.  If TAG wins, her contract here is considered
finished, and she may not work for TAG here for a year.  BUT, it has to be
formally spoke to her as a Challenge."

Christalla rubbed her temple.

"So, you're saying that no matter who I send in there, 1 person is liable
to die, if not both, and if she wins she's only gone from here for a
year?"

D'glis nodded.

Respectfully Submitted,
  Michel and Paranth
   (And, for now, D'glis and Jubalth)
  AKA Chris Canary

NRPG:  Actually, guys..this post was done at approx 5:00am Saturday
morning.  *G*  Have fun with it.