"I went back there and looked and walked where he'd walked and hoped that I
might remember something... anything that might help me to help him.  I was
never there in the cavern, and I wish I could say I had been.  So I know you
won't find what you seek in my memories."  Minty finished tiredly  "I'm
ready to try whenever you are though.  I have to invite you in don't I? 


"Well,  please come in."


Arri was taken aback by her tone of defeat and despair


"You realise what this involves?"  she asked again  "This must be your
choice, Araminta."


"I want to help him, and if this will somehow do that then I have to at
least try.  Please?"  she begged  "I'm ready and he needs help now."


She turned her face from the bed, unable to look on his sleeping form and
not touch him though her hands held their own desperate need.  She settled
into the chair that Arri indicated, and composed herself as much as possible
for what was to come.  She was so frightened.....


*I am here for you Minty.  No-one will ever harm you while I am here.  Do
you not remember the promise I made you?*  Kirimith soothed her troubled
thoughts  *I will stay with you.....*


Minty listened to Arri's voice singing... and fell into oblivion.


<NRPG  Bets.... if you have anything to add here?  I'm not sure how Arri's
talent works so I've glossed over it>


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


".... Araminta?  Hear me and return...."  faint and far away a voice called
"Hear me and return...."


She fought the cobwebs that clung to her mind, trying to think, remember.....


*Minty?*  <*that was Kirimith*>  *Kirimith.... what's happening?*


She shook her head to clear the last of the confusion and looked into the
anxious face of the Healer/QueenRider/Arri.


*Are you alright? Minty?*  Kirimith asked anxiously  *I couldn't follow you
all the way down....*


*I'm fine Kiri.  Hush a while.*  Minty reassured mentally, then aloud she
asked   "David?  Did you find anything to help him?"


There was silence for a while, and Minty realised that the attempt had
solved nothing


"You are right, Araminta.  There was nothing in your memory except what you
told."  Arri shook her head in puzzlement  "I do not understand why David's
memories hold your smell and presence.  I was sure that there would be
something.  David's memory says you were there, but your memory says you
were here.  I don't see how you could be in two places at once......"  she
trailed off


Minty buried her face in her hands, despair threatening to overwhelm her.


*We are no worse off Minty.*  Kiri tried to comfort 


*I know sweeting.  But I wanted this to work, to provide some clue.
Anything that would help him.*  she said, defeated and weary  *If only there
was someway.....*


A commotion form the other side of the room brought her back to awareness....


"It's starting again Arri...."  D'ssarian called  


Minty looked towards the bed... and straight into the grinning face of
possession.  His face twisted into a vicious parody of her lovers,  the
monstrous entity giggled and snarled and gibbered..... Minty fought down
nausea... and lost.  Retching violently she staggered from the room, unable
to stay and watch the final destruction of the man she loved.


*I can't watch Kirimith.  I can't....*


*I know.  Kaylin'sha prepares himself for death... he senses how near that
is for David.*


*Take me away, Kirimith.*  Tears unchecked, she stumbled from the Medical
centre and tried to mount her dragon.  The light was slowly fading from the
sky, and chill wind blew around the buildings  *Take me somewhere where
there are no people... I can't face anyone right now.   Take me to the
lake.....*


*********


She sat on the sand, arms clasped around her knees, watching the waves run
across the surface of the lake, the usually placid blue water whipped into
ragged foam by the wind.  Her thoughts whirled with images of the short time
that she and David had had to live and love together.....


She'd change none of it even if she were able.  Only the last few days could
she wish were different.  To be able to change anything about that..... his
finding of the amulet... or his wearing of it... either one.  Just a warning....


Leaning against Kirimith's side she drifted into exhausted sleep.  And
troubled dreams......


<*A warning/change it/To go back/ to be the one to take it from him/*You
*were* there*  Arri said/ *This is where you dreamt of.* Kiri insisted / *A
fissure where you waited in the dark/a spur of rock where you
hid.*/There/not there/to go back/ go back and warn him/go back and take
it/*Your perfume... David's memory holds  your smell.*/You *were* there. / I
was at Marrid... I wasn't there/ You *were* there/*No you're wrong I can't
help him, I was here at Marrid...*/*The entity talks of 'before' when we did
not take the amulet...*/before?/before what?/when we did not take it? /*but
we did take it*/ before we took it/someone took it/who took it?/we took
it/you took it/you *were* there/someone took it/'before' we took it/someone
took it/you*were* there/you but different/an echo/you *were* there....>



Minty started awake, heart pounding frantically at the images whirling in
her head.  Insane thoughts, suppose she had been there to take it....


*Kirimith?  Wake up sweeting.  I need you to answer a question for me.*
Minty nudged Kiri


*What is it?  I am sleepy...*  Kiri grumbled, but came slowly alert  *What
can I answer?*


*Back at the Stronghold... when you spoke about the dream I had, you said it
was me dreaming... only slightly different.  You never said -how- I was
different though... How Kiri?*  


*Just slightly different Minty.*  the dragon said thoughtfully  *The
difference between one day and the next perhaps.  It was as if you had done
more than I had knowledge of... as if you had been far away from me so I
could not know, and done something I had not experienced with you... and
then I read it in your thoughts when you came back.... It is hard to explain.*


*So it was me and yet not me?*  Minty waited for the answer 


*It was you, yes.  It was not you, yes.  It was the difference between you
then and you now..... oh!*  the dragon's thought was a squeak of excitement
*It was more the you of now....*


Stunned, Minty thought hard on what her friend had said, unable to believe
what her mind told her had to be the answer... insanity beckoned that way.
But it solved the paradox... there/not there.


*It could be done Minty.*


*But it's the past!  You can't go back in time!*  Minty protested


*Who says you can't.  Have you ever tried?  You can't say it's impossible
until you try it.*  Kirimith said reasonably


*But how would we test it?.  How do we get to the right time?*


*We go somewhen that we know of course.  To the battle at the Stronghold 2
days ago.*


Minty climbed astride the dragon's neck.


*No time like the present....*  she giggled with fright at what they were
about to attempt.  Holding an image of the Stronghold in her mind, an image
that included Wraiths and Dragons fighting, she gave the order to 'port.  


Blackness closed in and she had to time to wonder if they'd gone astray....
when they emerged high in the air.... over an aerial battle far below.
Minty felt disoriented and sick and wobbled in her seat....  *Take us back
Kirimith....*


And they returned.


*Well?  Was that what happened at the Stronghold that day?  Did we make it?*
Minty demanded


*I saw myself Minty.*  Kirimith's voice was small and terrified  *And Kaylin
and Sarathain....*


*So we did it.  Now this is what we do....*


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


Seated astride Kirimith, the bundle she'd prepared tied firmly to her belt
she gave last minute instructions to her dragon....


*You take me to this place....* she sent a vivid picture to accompany the
command  *and you leave me there.  No... no protests.  I need you to do this
with no arguments sweeting.  Take me and return here to get your bearings.
Then you have to pick me up 12 hours after you drop me...* another image,
this time with a moon high in the sky in place of the rising sun.  *I've
checked and there was a full moon that night.  Once I'm out of the caves you
take me home so I can hide that... that 'thing' somewhere safe.*


*I am unhappy that you haven't told anyone about this Minty.  Suppose
something goes wrong?  Suppose you get hurt?*  


*Suppose we don't try and David dies?  Suppose we just give up and stop
breathing now?  If we're right...and I think we must be... as soon as I cut
that amulet from his neck the bond between him and it will be broken.  The
only reason the bond still holds sway is because we haven't done it yet.*
Kirimith agreed  *Then we have to do it... and now before I lose my courage.*


*OK....*


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

They broke from the blackness high above the Sronghold just as the sun was
beginning to rise and burn the clinging mist of night from the surrounding
mountains.  With lingering dread, Kiri dropped Minty in the agreed place and
watched her make her way into the bowels of the Wraiths Stronghold.  When
she was sure that Minty was not coming back.... she 'ported.


Minty made her way, slowly and carefully through the dark passages of the
caves.  Creeping past many places where Wraiths lurked, finally gaining her
objective more by luck than anything else.  She found the fissure and hid
herself, dropping into a light doze as she waited for the drama to begin.....


***********
<From  'Possession'  and  'Home'>


The Lurker/Minty watched and stayed hidden as Malk was herded into the
cavern by many Wraiths, his scream echoing around the walls as he plunged
into the
unseen pit. *Patience..... not yet the time.*  The Lurker/Minty waited.....


Footsteps in the dark penetrated the fog that surrounded the Lurker/Minty,
closer
and closer, a presence in the darkness


"M'Cos of Telnor, we have brought another one for the fun "  sibilant
whispers running through the silence as another unfortunate found emptiness
beneath their feet.... A scream.... then a scuffle... silence once more.  


The Lurker/Minty stirred.  *Soon.....*


More time flowing by, the waiting nearly done... Echoing footsteps once
more.... Comes the one!  Carefully... patience and stealth... A shadow
against shadows.... feeling the way silently.... Patience rewarded!  A voice
calling softly;


"Diana!  This es David, are ye all right!?"  


YES!  Moving silently the Lurker/Minty stalked the figure, biding time, waiting
for the right moment.... There.... attention distracted.... moving swiftly,
surprise as a weapon.... The Lurker/Minty struck, knife ready.... cut
through the
leather thong and snatched up the talisman as it fell to earth..... a quick
push, a soft thump and he joined the others in the pit....


The Lurker/Minty crawled away....holding the prize safe......wrapping  it
carefully, lest skin touch metal.....back to the hiding place...... curled
around itself... the waiting resumed.....


*********

Pain.... clutching at her vitals... a warm wet slipperiness on her thighs...


The Lurker/Minty waits patiently for the chaos to subside, wrapped in a mental
fog, weak and listless but still determined on the course chosen. Echoing
voices gradually fading.... one by one they leave.  Silence reigns......


A universe of pain, a tearing......


*It must be almost time*  the thought flickers in the Lurkers/Minty's mind,
whirling
amidst the shattered fragments of consciousness..... personality slipping
and sliding away like sand through the fingers....  *Something still to be
done....*


Slowly, painfully, stiff from long hours of concealment.... the Lurker/Minty
crawls from the hiding place.  Clutching the prize tightly... stumbling in
confusion....it/she seeks the outside once more.  Twists and turns add to
memories confusion.... this way?  That way?  Footsteps loud in the singing
silence.......


Cool air on the Lurker's/Minty's face.... .crawling on hands and knees the
last few
painful feet..... darkness surrounds..... damp grass neath searching
fingers..... stars!  *Freedom?* 


Pain, gut-wrenching pain....


A darker shape against the darkness, swift and sure as an arrow.... wind
rushing over outspread wings.... a comforting presence regained.  


The dragon drops to earth, concerned thoughts echoing through the
Lurkers/Minty's mind;


*You are safe now....* Kirimith says gently


Barely aware, actions learnt and repeated from distant memory, the Lurker/Minty
climbs into the waiting saddle, straps defeating fumbling fingers......
Knowing Kirimith will ease her passage, holding on by sheer willpower.....  


Ascent, clear air beneath and all around......A last thought before
blackness....


*Home?  Take me home....*


Darkness and pain and then lesser darkness.  A familiar place....


*Home?*  her thought hazy, blackness beckons  "Must hide it..."  her voice a
croak, she slides from her place and staggers towards the bedroom of the
apartment she shares with David


*David?  Where's David?  Not here, where?....*  her thoughts are jumbled,
but she pulls the drawer from the dresser, lucid enough to know it must be
hidden from prying eyes  <*from David... temptation*>  She pushes the cloth
wrapped wrongness into the space left by the drawer and replaces it, letting
out her breath in a rush as the drawer slides into place without
problems.... nothing there to show the thing that nestles behind it.....


*David?*  Pain's iron grip closes on her once more, warm wetness trickles on
her thighs, a crimson pool spreads across the floor.... weak from loss of
blood she stumbles to the bed, curling around the agony..... As if from a
great distance she hears a dragon calling.... the agony in it's keening
reaching through the fog surrounding her mind.


*Who passes Kirimith?*  her thoughts weak, barely heard beyond her own head


*Stay Araminta... stay with me....*  Kirimith's thought is far away, a mere
flicker but it pulls Minty away from the blackness that beckons her  *Stay
with me Araminta...*  


Grief and fright echo in her head,  <*Who grieves?*> 


Many hands and voices, confusion and noise and the silent blackness pulls
her  <*Silence and a cessation of pain*>


*******


*STAY ARAMINTA*  twinned voices calling her back


*You can't leave me!....*  Kirimith cries in her mind  *You -must- stay with
me.*


Fighting the darkness, responding to the yearning she hears in Kirimith's
voice, Minty struggles to focus.....


*Who's leaving?.... *  Minty asks, the blackness receding further and
further from her grasp with each passing second  *I was just going to sleep.
I'm so very very tired that's all.......*


A well-loved, panic-stricken voice, distant but recognisable
<*David...heart singing*> 


"Do something... don't let her die..."


*Who's dying Kiri?  Why is David so worried?*  puzzlement


*You were dying.  I did not want you to die, so I held you.*  Kirimith said
tenderly


"..... hearbeat's getting stronger."  another familiar voice, D'ssarian.
<*Healer?  Why would I need a healer?*>


She struggled to open her eyes, to look at David, assure him she wasn't
dying, but her strength was exhausted...... 


*Sleep Araminta.  I will watch to see you are safe.  Sleep.*  Kiri soothed
her quietly


*Did it work?  Is David well?  Please Kiri... I need to know!*  


*The bond is gone, and he is whole and well.*  Kiri answered 


*Tell him I love him....*  she sighed and slipped into dreamless, healing sleep


*******


*She will stay with us now.... she said to tell you she loves you*  Kirimith
told David


*Does she know she lost the baby?*  he asked


*I thought it best to wait until she is stronger.*  Kiri replied  *Did I do
wrong?*


*No, you did right.  She needs to hear it from me.*


David kissed Minty's white face, and settled into the chair beside her bed
to wait out the night........


Submitted by


Araminta, Kirimith's rider  


-- 
Les

the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin        T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage         Broken Lands      Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands

Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands