Naomi was carefully considering everything that Lilliana had told her about
the poison Jaquel had been given over at least six months when Lacey came
bouncing in, her face wreathed in smiles, but when Lacey saw how worried
Naomi was she stopped smiling and asked;


"What's up sis?  I would have got here sooner, but M'lent was showing me how
to control the 'seeing' as he calls it."


"There's a lot been going on Lacey... I'm not really sure where to start.  I
went into see Jaquel this morning and she was so vague I wondered if she was
aware of me being there.  It frightened me a little to see her like that..
so I went in to see Lilliana, to see if the tests results were back yet...."


"And?"  Lacey asked concerned  


"It seems someone has been poisoning Jaquel for the last few months."  Naomi
said flatly  "Lilliana ran the test series again, just to be sure there was
no contamination of the test equipment... but the results are the same.  A
slow acting poison..."


"But who would -do- something like that?"  Lacey asked, horrified  "She
hasn't any enemies that we know of...."


"At first I thought of D'gerrit."  Naomi's words were thoughtful  "But I
changed my mind... he'd have no reason to want Jaquel dead, she was very
useful to him, gave him acceptance and that."


"I'll admit that was my first thought."  Lacey said  "But if you don't think
he did it... who did?"


"I don't know Lacey.  And that's what's worrying me."  Naomi sighed "Was
this aimed specifically at Jaquel... or at the Warrenlady?  Jaquel's safe
for the time being at least... I can't see a poisoner getting by Lilliana
and Janna."


"But, if it was aimed at the Warrenlady..."  Lacey started


"...that means me."  Naomi finished for her  "I know. believe me I've
thought of nothing else since Lilliana told me about it.  I'll just have to
be very careful that's all.  I'd like you to make some discreet enquiries
for me Lacey... find out if anyone has a grudge against Jaquel herself...
have there been any rumours about Jaquel's illness.. that kind of thing.
This is something I can't do..."


"Of course I'll do that for you."  Lacey hugged her sister  "And you take
care of yourself.  Have you told S'ran about this yet?"


"Not yet..." she shook her head  "I haven't had time... but I'll talk to him
this afternoon.  Be careful Lacey... I don't want you being hurt either."


"I'll be fine Naomi.  I'll start now..."  she said as she left


<NRPG  Tag Kat.  You can enlist Darrkon's help too while you swim>


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


Naomi listened while A'shair explained his ideas, and wondered where the
young man gained his courage.  To expose himself that way....


"Thank you A'shair."  she said as he finished finally  "I understand how
difficult this must have been for you, and am I very grateful for the offer.
But I can't allow you to do this...."


"But I wish to do it."  he protested  "Those out there... they ridicule and
persecute the different or the weak.  If I can help another gain the peace
and safety that I have known here in the warren then I must. "


But Naomi shook her head  "The plan is a good one, and we can adapt it
slightly and still have a chance to get them out of Whitbarrow... but you
are too easily recognisable!  Harkon and his guards would come here before
going anywhere else. No.. I'm grateful but I can't allow it.  T'grat.. how
could let him even think of such a thing?"


T'grat placed his arm around A'shair shoulders  "See lad?  I told you she
wouldn't buy it didn't I?  I knew she wouldn't let you put yourself in
danger like that."  T'grat chuckled  "You didn't let me down Naomi..."


"I only wished to help."  A'shair said quietly, uncomfortable now that his
idea had been turned down.


"Aw I know that lad.  And I'm grateful to you... and I know that Naomi is
too.  Perhaps you'd help G'raint later for me?"


"Of course."  A'shair said, and left T'grat and Naomi still trying to come
up with some sort of distraction.


"I meant what I said...the idea was good and can be adapted."  Naomi told
T'grat after A'shair had left  "If we use his idea of a mock Wraith alarm to
draw the guards away from the gate it should give us a few precious minutes
to get them out. No?"


"Yes I think it could be made to work."  T'grat replied  "The Landbound have
an almost superstitious fear of Wraiths, and most will run a mile rather
than face one..."


"We're not all fortunate enough to ride a Dragon, love.  They look a little
different from that perspective.  What will you need to put this into
operation... and have you time before you're supposed to meet with Meena and
Greta?"


"I think we've time.  Shouldn't need too much... a few gold coins for the
kids who'll raise the alarm is all.  Malachite and Vonn should eb capable of
ferrying everyone back here..."


"I can always send Amethyst with you...."  Naomi started, but the look
T'grat gave her stopped her dead.  "What?..." she protested


"And if Amethyst comes you'll decide to be there too..'just in case'.  I
know you!  You stay here.. Amethyst stays here.  If necessary I'll take
S'ran or M'lent with me."


"Spoilsport!  There are times when I wish you didn't know me quite so well."
she laughed  "You take all my adventure and fun.  Go on with you now.
You've a lot to do before sunset I think..."


T'grat hugged her gently before moving towards the door.


"T'grat..." she called softly, and he turned to look at her "take care of
yourself....."


*******

<Whitbarrow>


"Now you know what to do?"  T'grat asked the small boy for the tenth time


"Course I do!"  the child exclaimed disgustedly  "I 'ave to scream real loud
like..and make sure them guards 'ear me...."


"Yes... but what do you have to shout?"  T'grat asked, his patience wearing thin


"I 'as to scream about them Wraiths acoming in the other gate.  'S'easy...
mam's always sayin I'd could raise the dead with me crying."


"Right off you go then."  T'grat said, wondering if he was doing the right
thing.  It seemed such a risk to hang the lives of 4 people on this street
urchin.  He watched the boy saunter across the square towards the guards, at
the fountain he turned back with a cheeky wink and then started running.....  


The child pelted towards the guards, screaming and sobbing, tears running
down his face;


"Wraiths... Wraiths... they's coming in the gate there... oh they got me mam
and da...Wraiths mister... there's Wraiths coming..." the child wrapped his
arms around the nearest guards legs and clung on for dear life  "Don't let
'em get me.... they'll eat me and then I'll be dead.  Please mister... "


The guards tried to stop the child's shouting to no avail, and the crowd
began to take up the call.   "Wraiths... we're being attacked.... "  was
heard rom every corner of the square as the crowd became hysterical.  T'grat
slipped quietly away to fetch Meena and company... well pleased with the
child's performance.....


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst

<and whoever?>


NRPG

Kris.. Tag!  It's a fudge but it should work.  Vonn and Malachite are
waiting by the bridge as ordered. :) :) :)   Let's get this show on the
road!!!!!
-- 
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