[ The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set. ]

    [ Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set.  ]

    [ Some characters may be displayed incorrectly. ]

Rockfall just outside Keldarra
Twilight, Day 3
<snip from Dave's post>

Ada practically vaulted from her seat as Warton landed, throwing
herself at the cloaked figure.  "Fabrice!   Fabrice, it's me, Ada!
It's so good to see you..."

<end snip>

In the space of a couple of moments, Fabrice's face registered shock,
then horror, then a flicker of fear before her expression closed over
completely.

"Ada!" she whispered.

"What are you doing out here all on your own? You'll catch your death
of cold!" said Ada, enfolding her friend in an embrace.

Fabrice glanced up nervously to where Lazara stood, all but concealed
in a rocky cleft, keeping watch.

"I ... I wanted to be alone," said Fabrice, biting her lip.

"Why?" asked Ada, releasing Fabrice.

"I think it's just that my job in the medical centre's proving a bit
too much for me," Fabrice mumbled. "It turns out that I have to be
very careful about how I use my healing ability - otherwise I could
end up sicker than the people I'm trying to heal!"  Fabrice attempted
a grin, but it ended up rather feeble and washed out.

"That's dreadful!" said Ada. "You look like death! I'm sorry, but it's
the truth!"

Ada led Fabrice over to a rock and sat her down on it. Fabrice glanced
up at Lazara again.

*Zara* she said, urgently. *Keep watch for Verthrad. And if you see
him, tell him to tell his rider what's happened. That I'm not alone.*

**Very well** replied the dragon. **But only because I have no wish to
see him harm you or your friend.**

*And ...* Fabrice began, tentatively yet urgently. *Ask him to wait.
Don't let him go away. I need to see him.*

Lazara sniffed indignantly. As if *she* would be able to compel
L'talin and his dragon to do anything.

"So - what are you doing here?" Fabrice asked Ada, trying to keep her
voice bright.

"We're looking for K'drik," the other girl replied.

K'drik! Fabrice had completely forgotten about her friend, with
everything else that had been happening. Feeling intensely ashamed,
Fabrice asked. "Is there ... is there any news of him?"

"None as such," said Ada, pulling a face. "But we're not giving up.

"You know, Fabrice, it's no good just coming out here if things have
got so bad at Keldarra," Ada continued, genuine concern in her eyes.

"No," said Fabrice, "it's not like that. I've actually been given the
day off, so that I can rest. But back at the warren everyone kept
asking after me and wanting to know how I was feeling. I just wanted
to get away from everyone."

"Everyone including me, huh?" said Ada.

"No, I didn't mean it like that," said Fabrice, hanging her head. "I
just wanted some time alone. To clear my head."

"You're certain there's nothing more to it? No one's hurt you,
Fabrice?"

"No!" the pale girl insisted. "Please understand, Ada. It's wonderful
to see you again. And hopefully I'll see you again, back at the
warren.

"But if you are going back, promise me you won't tell anyone you saw
me here," Fabrice added, urgently.

"Why on earth..."

"Please," said Fabrice. "It's just that no one knows about this place.
I need somewhere to be able to get away from everyone."

Ada looked long and hard at Fabrice. Because of the white haired
girl's dark glasses, it was hard to judge her expression.

She looked back towards Eth'n, who was standing a short distance away,
leaning against Warton's flank.

"Okay then," Ada said, reluctantly.

"Thank you," said Fabrice, softly, as Ada turned to join Eth'n and
Warton, and climbed back onto Xye's back. "Thank you for
understanding,"

Pulling her cloak more tightly around her, Fabrice watched as Warton
and Xye soared skyward, then settled down again. To wait.

<tag Dave - hope I didn't mangle Ada! And is L'talin anywhere around>

Respectfully submitted
Carina Norris
carina@norris25.freeserve.co.uk

Fabrice <& Lazara>