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> [Day 14 - afternoon]

> <snip a bit later on>
>
> The 'elite' of the warren stood on the green waiting to greet Haedin and
> Coneta.
> "Couldn't you have chosen any other colour apart from red?" S'dan
whispered
> to Tina.
> "Look, it was short notice, I borrowed the dressed that fitted me best.
> Besides the next person to question what I wear will get a punch in the
> gob."
>
> Tina glanced around there was still no sign of Sarilyn, where was she?

        Sarilyn paced back and forth, her long skirts swishing.  She didn't
want to do this..she really didn't.  But everyone was counting on her, and
just because she was...correction, *had been*, former nobility, she'd gotten
the task of teaching everyone else.  *That* wasn't the problem.  The problem
*was* that because of it, she had to present herself in front of...in front
of...

        *I can't do it, Lu, I just can't.  He'll recognize me, and then I'll
never have any peace.  Why can't I just stay here?!*

        Lunath glanced over from her ledge, and rumbled soothingly.  ~If he
does, I'll just sit on him.  Or use him for a footstool.  If its your duty
though, how can you..~

        *My duty is to fly and fight, not put myself on display, and have
everyone watching me.  They knew this would upset me, and yet they force me
to do it anyhow!  Do they hate me so much??*

         She downed a glass of wine, and immediately threw it up again, her
stomach churning wildly.  The glass sailed across the room and over the
ledge, as she cursed.  "Dammit!  I hate being played for a fool!"

          Trying to stop the shaking of her hands, and knees, Sari checked
her gown.  If nothing else, they couldn't find fault with her attire.  An
undergown of pure white, with long flowing sleeves ending in layer upon
layer of frilly lace...and an overgown of royal blue, with a slit up the
front to show off the undergown.  Long sleeves, very puffed, slit from elbow
to shoulder, again showing off the white undergown, and the lace fell from
under the oversleeves in frothy layers.  The slit skirt, and sleeves were
lined in gold, so that bits of color could be seen.  White slippers
completed the outfit.

           She checked her hair.  Braided loosely, twined with blue ribbons,
and then wrapped around her head like a crown.

            A plain necklace and earrings were her only jewels, other than
her father's ring, which she wore constantly now.

            "Well, may as well get it over with.  When you land, please do
it in such a way that I can dismount and straighten my gown before walking
to greet our...*guests*."  She spat the last word out with hatred.

             Using an offered foreleg, she managed to climb up, and settled
sideways, holding to the riding straps.  *Let's go...the sooner this is
done, the sooner I can disappear.*

             Lunath launched gently, and slowly angled down to land, making
certain that she was seen.  Then Sari slipped from her back, touched the
ground lightly, and straightened her gown before walking around her
dragon..who followed her as she moved to where the others were standing.

             She hid her trembling hands in the folds of her gown, and
stopped next to Tina, trying hard to appear calm and at ease.  But in
reality, she wanted to throw up, and then pass out.

             She hoped that no one expected her to actually *speak* to the
man, as that would be just too much.  She hoped even more that he didn't
remember her.

[Tag:  Everybody!]

==

Submitted by:

Sarilyn/Lunath
aka Jeanette Bloomfield

Return to Xylian Posts for Feb 2001