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> {Above Xylian}  Day 7, late night.
>
>      Banks smiled as the fire finally flashed.  The doors to the coal
> bin shrieked as the explosion ripped them from their hinges.  Banks saw
> the figure that had opened the doors thrown back into the night.
> Perhaps the figure wasn't dead, but every hair on their head was surely
> gone and they'd likely be blind for a few days.

      Sarilyn jumped up with a shriek, and rolled off the bed, hitting the
floor with a pained *thud*.  Even as she was getting to her feet, she was
calling to Lunath.

      *I'm fine, love, but how are Chai, and Billy.....and, Michael?*

      ~Chai is fine, she says that Billy is awake, and his friend is alarmed
but fine.~

       This was just too much; it was true, she was almost healed, and would
soon be flying again, if she had her way about it, anyhow...but she could at
least get some sleep!

        Koda slipped in, and Sarilyn grinned.  "I know..I know, but who can
sleep with that racket?  What happened anyhow?  And can I check on Lunath
before trying to get back to sleep?"

         Koda looked worried.  "The coal bin exploded, and they're trying to
get the fire out..."

          Sarilyn tugged on a loose tunic and pants, hopping around getting
her boots on, and nodded.  "Well, I'm going to help then."

           "You're supposed to be resting young lady."

           "I'm supposed to be a rider, who was sidetracked slightly.  If
Lunath isn't well enough to fly, the least I can do is help on the ground,
Koda.  Please!"

            Koda grinned, this one had guts and spunk.  "All right, but no
more than an hour, and you come back to bed, got it?"

             "Got it, and thanks Koda!"  Sarilyn resisted the urge to hug
the healer as she hurried out the door, and took a place in the bucket
brigade line.  This was just horrible!  What would happen next?!

              Then she felt a wave of relief wash over her as she spotted
Ilara.  " 'Lara!  You're all right!  I'm so glad!"  The fact that Ilara
hadn't visited her didn't even cross her mind, as she knew the one
responsible had to be B'lin.

               Just before her time was up, she ran to check on her beloved
Lunath, and after snuggling for a while, headed back to the infirmary,
peering in on her           Mother, who was sleeping soundly, before going
back to her bed, and nodding off.

> --------------------------
> {Xylian Warren} Day 8, midnight.
>      Danny was out side and up the rope in an instant, gathering the
> hemp up behind him.  He was going fast, realizing that he hadn't thought
> about how much time the new fuse would give him.  Apparently it had been
> a little longer than the old one, Banks was nearly to the top when an
> explosion shook the warren.  Hoisting himself over, he shook his head as
> the dragon riders came to investigate.  Banks was certain that poor
> Hogarth would be lacking any head at all right about now.  The explosive
> was a dose, no matter how crude.  He again filled in the anchor hole and
> slipped away to sleep.

     "Dammit!! What is going on around here!"

      Sarilyn gave up, and got dressed, determined to ask to be released as
soon as possible.  If Lunath could fly, at least to their apartment, then
perhaps she would at least have some peace!

       Koda didn't say a word as Sarilyn headed out the door; riders had to
do what riders had to do.

        She took off at a run towards where a crowd was rapidly gathering,
and was surprised to hear someone, she had no idea who, saying, "Don't look,
Sarilyn, it's not pretty."  But she'd gotten a glimpse, before burying her
head in someone's shoulder, and crying.  A dragon with no head.  Anything
like that just tore her up, and she was so shocked...who would kill innocent
people...and dragons??  For what reason??

         ~It was Hogarth, my love.  What is going on?  Why does someone hate
us so much?~

         *I don't know, love, but I'm sleeping with you tonight.  Mother is
safe in the infirmary.  I just need to be with you.*

          She moved from her unknown comforter, offering a sad smile and a
soft 'thank you', before looking around the green, standing for a few
moments with hands on hips, then looking up, as if she could find the
answers in the sky somewhere.  Finally, she shrugged, and moved to where
Lunath was curled up, watching her, from the dragon infirmary.

           *The warren is going mad, love, or the world is, I don't know
whuch...but I need to be with you right now.  I've missed you, when I
thought you were going to...when I thought you...*

            Lunath twined her long neck around, until her softly glowing
eyes looked into those of her rider.  ~I'm not going to leave you.  Chai saw
to that.  I'm just glad you're all right.  When can we fly again?~

            Placing a kiss on that much loved muzzle, Sarilyn shrugged
softly.  *As soon as Koda says you and I are both totally healed, love.  But
if she will let us go to the apartment, maybe we can rest in peace there.*

             Lunath laid her head near Sarilyn, who used the dragon's
forelegs as  a nest of sorts, curling up in them.  And soon both were trying
to go to sleep, wondering what sort of mess would wake them next.

==

Submitted by:

Jeanette Bloomfield
(yup...married...and back for action!)


>
> -----------------------------------
>
> NRPG:  Well, enter one assassin.  I hope I've made things interesting
> enough for you :)
>
> -Shane Morris
>       AKA:  Banks & Bruce, M/X Warren

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