<<NRPG: Well I've decided that this must be a warren of early risers,
considering the hatching was supposed to have been in the wee hours of the
morning :)  Hehe, guess Waylene was more tired then she thought and just
got up later :) James I wrote this first part prior to getting your post..
but I don't think it conflicts so I left it in >>

Waylene
***
<<Morning - hatching>>

Waylene loved hatchings, especially Aura's hatchings. It meant the end to
the testy dragon who couldn't only be predicted to be unpredictable in her
responses. And Aura was in rare form today as she urged her young
hatchlings to make wise choices in the human's they choose. She glowed as
each of her young stumbled in one way or another into their life partners.

"So this is what a hatching is supposed to be like .." She heard a
melancholy voice speak behind her. She turned to see the leather clad Tina
moving toward her.

Waylene looked at her comfortingly. "This is indeed. And it's about time
Marrid had a good one, Tina. She's been a long time in coming."

The young woman nodded, "Perhaps Shella's next .. if there is a next ..
will turn out better."

Waylene nodded, "Well Koda's been keeping a close eye on her, hasn't she?"

Tina nodded, "Yes, and the results are good, though she's still not gotten
a sheen again."

"Well perhaps it won't come back .. maybe it was just a fluke."

"Maybe .. I don't know which to hope for."

Waylene grinned and wrapped an arm around the girl, "Either way, I have
valued your help."

Tina nodded and then grinned, "All right!"

"What?"

"See that dashingly handsome and young man out there .."

"The newly joined blonde, with the purple and blue hatchling?"

Tina nodded, "That's the one. I almost had breakfast with him this morning
.. if he hadn't run out so early."

"Oh?" Waylene asked looking at the young woman.

"I think I'm going to go congratulate him." Tina admired the young man a
big longer, "Ain't he just yummy?"

Waylene stifled a chuckle as she watched Tina walk towards the young man,
her hips swaying seductively in the skin-tight leather. She looked around
for Trak once again. She really thought he'd make it down for the hatching
.. but perhaps it was better that he didn't .. he did after all need the
rest. And it would give her time to  go and see Lakoda and her baby .. and
maybe .. if she got the nerve up .. to have her own test done.

Each day she expected to walk into the bathroom to that familiar crimson
flow that would indicate that she was indeed NOT pregnant and that she had
been worried about this for nothing. But for over 3 weeks she'd waited and
so far nothing... She knew the waiting would have to end soon .. one way or
another before she drove herself nuts!

***
<<Later morning - in Koda's office>>

>"Go!" Waylene told her, figuring out the healers dilemma. "I'll stay here
>and keep watch over her until I can get a nurse in here."

Waylene sighed as Koda left. This was way to much for her to deal with.
First the possibility that she could be pregnant and that it could be
wrought with trouble despite the fact that Amblee was gone. Then to find
out that Trak had to be taken to Tinobel! She should have made him go to
the med center that afternoon after he passed out!

And of course C'tain ..

She groaned, it wasn't something that was ever going to change. C'tain was
far to hard headed and she knew she was right. It had seemed to be a
question as to whether he was willing to still work with her and Trak or
not. Though if he left now, it certainly became a moot point.

She looked down at Koda's newborn and smiled. She was so sweet and
worry-free .. to bad she had to grow up and find out the world wasn't as
pretty as it seemed as a child. Still Waylene found her worry and
frustration begin to vanish as she stared at the peacefully sleeping child.
How could one not think happy thoughts when faced with such beauty and
peace ..

***
<<Afternoon>>

Waylene had only been back in her office for a few moments when Koda and
Sina showed up at her door.

"Is he really gone?"

Koda nodded unhappily, "He is .. but I don't have time to worry about that."

Waylene nodded, "I'm so sorry Koda. I didn't mean for this to happen. I
didn't want to drive him away." She looked at Sina, "Honest?"

"We don't blame you," Koda assured her. It's Tain's own pig-headedness. But
that's not why we're here. We're hear to talk about your own pig-headedness
.."

"Me?" Waylene asked and tensed prepared for a fight to defend her position
yet again.

"Yes, you were supposed to have a test done before you ran out of the med
center. We're here to see that it's done."

Waylene relaxed and sighed, "I'm sorry .. I just figured that I'd wait a
bit longer .."

"No, you won't." Koda insisted. "We brought everything with us, so we can
do the test up in your apartment." Both she and Sina smiled as they held
out heavy leather bags, showing her they were prepared for her.

"Now .." Waylene paled slightly as the thought of actually knowing for sure
both excited and scared her.

"Yep .. so let's go."

***

Waylene had done her part and was waiting patiently when the commotion at
the carnival reached her. Aura trumpeted loudly.

<What's happening?> Waylene asked her.

<Shella says they tried to hurt her rider ..>

<Who?>

<Landbound!> Aura spat.

<Aura,> Waylene sighed, <Which landbound?>

<I don't know. They all look alike! But do not worry, my rider. They will
never hurt anyone again! Shella has seen to that!>

<Oh gods ..> Waylene breathed. She ran to her dragon, <You've got to get me
down there right away.>

Aura nodded, glad for the chance to fly again with her rider, after having
been stuck in the hatching cavern tending to her eggs. Now her children
were all joined with proper riders and she was once again free. She lifted
her front leg and waited patiently as 'Lene jumped up.

Once she was situated in the saddle, Aura launched into the air. Waylene
was concerned about the implications of Shella's deed. Not long ago, she'd
heard tell of a trail in Telnor of a rider whose dragon had killed the son
of a LandBound lord in defense of his rider. In the end the young rider had
been released as it was all found to be in self-defense. Still she could
not help but be concerned.

In her rush to leave she didn't notice Koda and Sina running after her, nor
Ribbon launching after her once the healers had been situated on her back.
And once she'd arrived at the site, her attention was drawn to the
magnificent .. and very angry .. metallic green dragon.

<Aura .. do you see her ..>

<Of course I see her!> Aura said.

<She's clearly a queen ..>

<Of course she is ..> Aura said, as if she'd known it all along. <She's
just a little sick right now. But once she's better .. oh what a queen she
will be! Nearly as magnificent as Fiera and I.>

Waylene groaned, <You were the one who said she wasn't a real queen ..>

<I never said such a thing, 'Lene. You must have misunderstood me.>

***

She was glad to find that the leaders of the troupe were indeed very
apologetic as there was ample proof that Tina had indeed been in danger.
She'd been beaten and raped. Koda and Sina who'd given her an unhappy
glance due to her running out on them, promised they'd see her well taken
care of.

"Then .." Koda told her with a sharp and warning look, "we need to talk to
you about this avoidance behavior."

"I don't know what you're talking about .." Waylene said.

"You are only delaying the inevitable, Waylene. You're going to have to
face this." Koda's voice turned softer, "I know you're scared, but we're
going to make sure everything goes well this time. I promise! But I'm going
to need your help to do it."

Waylene paled as she knew she had been right. She was indeed pregnant and
Koda's test had confirmed it. Suddenly she felt nauseous and just wanted to
hide away. What if something went wrong again? Damn, why had she agreed to
stop using her birth control. She wasn't sure she could deal with this all
over again ..

"Waylene?" Koda called to her, bringing her out of her worries. "First and
most important .. do NOT start to stress out. You've got to relax. Second
come to the medical center .. I want to go over some things with you."

Waylene started to nod, then saw the man named Theos heading toward her.
"Umm, Koda, I need to deal with this first, then .. then I'll come see
you." She could see the doubt in the head healer's eyes, and quickly added,
"I promise."

Koda conceded as she saw there were people waiting to see the Warrenlady,
"I'll hold you to that."

Waylene nodded and turned her attention to the head of the carnival. "I
think we should discuss this in my office gentlemen."

"Of course, m'lady," he nodded. Waylene turned and began the trek back to
her office. Her attention was drawn to Shella and she frowned slightly as
the beautiful green color, which had been glinting in the sunlight ..
looked duller. What was it with this dragon!

***

>As the door closed, David bowed towards Waylene. "Thank ye fer seeing
>me..." David relayed what had happened in the forest outside of Marrid to
>her, and what Minty and his parents had said, and their different stories.
>"Es et just me, or es te'entire world recently turned itself over?" He
>finished, looking at his warrenlady for an answer.

Waylene shrugged, "I wish I knew David. I'm very concerned. Carie had a
similar experience yesterday .. as did several others. Talitha has a theory
.. but it's almost too frightening to consider."

"What?"

"You've heard about the lost Lands, where Talitha's from?"

He nodded.

"They are pocketed with only semi-stable area's of  magic and non-magic. We
here in Marrid .. as well as the other known warrens, Keldarra, Norwall ..
all of us .. We've had one very large very stable pocket. We knew how far
we could go into the wastes before a dragon would begin to get sick."

"Yes, but even we've had changes .. what about Cleft Warren?"

Waylene nodded, "Yes, our area of magic began to expand to include the
Nomadlands. That's why Cleft was formed .. and that's also how we
eventually came to discover the lost warrens. I would venture  that our
stable home is becoming more and more unstable."

***
<<Late Afternoon>>

"Please sit down," Waylene told the tall blonde man when he'd walked
through the door.

He nodded and took a seat, waiting for her to speak, as was his way. For as
long as she'd known him, he'd been a quiet man. Always friendly and
sociable .. but never one to stand out in a crowd.

"I'm sure you've heard by now that Traknor's been taken to Tinobel and
could be there for a while."

He nodded, "I have. I'm so sorry to hear that, Waylene .."

"Thanks. What I need is for you to take his place for a while."

"Me??" the man said in surprise, "I'm not really the wingleader type .. I
don't .."

"You are the only one I have, D'nar .." Waylene began.

"What about David? Or .. or T'rend .."

She shook her head, "I've thought this all out, and I've already spoken to
David. You are the best choice for this warren. You're level headed ..
everyone likes you and respects you .. and I know you know the job. Z'lec
depended on you .. as did Trak. Please .. do this for me."

"Waylene .." she groaned, "I don't like being in charge .. I .."

"Please," she begged, "I need you. I need someone who can balance the needs
of protecting this warren as well as trying to figure out what the hell is
going on right now."

D'nar sighed heavily, "It'll only be temporary .. right?"

She nodded a smile coming to her face, "I promise .. only temporary .."

"All right .. then I'll temporarily do this for you."

"Thank you!" Waylene smiled in relief, "You don't know how much this means
to me."

***
<<Short time later>>

"What can I do for you, Waylene?" Carie asked as she took a seat.

"I'm sure you've heard that Trak's been taken to Tinobel."

Carie nodded, "I did."

"I need to go see him." Waylene said gently, "I know there's a lot going
on, but I really need to go. I won't be gone long, I promise. Just
overnight, then I'll come back. But in the meantime, I need you to take
over for me .. And to promise that if anything happens, you'll send for me
right away. No matter what."

"Of course," Carie nodded, "I .. can do that."

Waylene heard the tremor in the young woman's voice and smiled gently, "I
know you can. You are much stronger then you think. And you have come a
long way, Carie. I've come to depend on you. That's how I know you can do
this."

"Just over night .. right?" Carie said looking at her pleadingly.

Waylene smiled, "Of course, I promise. Don't worry, you'll do fine. And if
you need anything you can always call on D'nar. I've named him Wingleader
for while Trak's out. I know he'll be willing to lend you a hand should you
need it."

D'nar
***
<<Day 3 - Lunchtime .. Yes I am jumping to the next day for informational
purposes only. No need to join me here until the story progresses this far
:) >>

<Fiera says her rider is in a panic.> Porthios informed the tall blonde
*temporary* wingleader as he was about to bite into a large turkey and
cheese sandwich, lathered in a dark brown mustard sauce.

<Why?> he groaned.

<She got a message from Waylene .. I'm still trying to get the gossip out
of Fiera .. but I don't think she's having an easy time getting it out of
her rider ..> Porthios was silent for a moment, before announcing to him
that Carie wanted to see him right away!

D'nar frowned and looked longingly at his sandwich, then with a sigh he sat
it on his plate and stood up.

"D'nar??" A voice called to him. He turned to see the dark-headed Treena
running toward him, "Don't you like your sandwich? That's my special
mustard that you like .. Is something wrong with it?"

He shook his head at her, "No .. I'm sure it's wonderful, but I have to go
see our acting warrenlady."

"Oh?" Treena pouted prettily. "Well .. how about if I wrap it for you in
brown paper. You can put it in the ice box for later?"

"I really need to go .."

"Oh that's okay, I'll do it for you and bring it to you later."

D'nar nodded, "Okay, thanks."

Then he turned and headed out of the dining hall, leaving the woman staring
after him with her own longing in her eyes. She gently picked up his plate
and took it to the kitchen to carefully wrap. She couldn't help but be
pleased with this turn of events. Now she had a reason to see him later!

***

"Oh D'nar!" Carie said, rushing to him as he entered the Warrenlady's
office. "I'm so glad you're here. We have got a huge problem!"

"What?" he asked , his face clouding with concern.

"It's Waylene .. something happened and the healers want her to stay in
Tinobel!"

"What?"

"They're afraid she's going to lose her baby .."

"Baby??" D'nar asked. He hadn't even known she was pregnant.

"Yes, and so she's staying in Tinobel!"

"For how long?"

"She isn't sure .. but maybe until the baby comes!"

Regards,
Waylene & Aura
***
NRPG: Okay guys, I'm taking Waylene out of  Marrid for a while and letting
Carie have her hand at running the place. I will still be around, playing
my NPC's .. making D'nar a temporary PC so to speak.

Kristen
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  |\  /^~~^\  /|
 -qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp------------------------------------------------------
       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Th'rin & Areena, Whiteriver Warren, Head Healer
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                      Saul & Fayloth, Jasra Warren, Searcher
                      Darlea & Makayla
                      Devon & Xanith
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/