>"Perhaps there's a way we can make Greta respectable," said Naomi almost to
>herself.
>
>Meena looked questioningly at Naomi, "How? She's far to old to become a
>dragonrider now. And her children are too young. Not to mention if that were
>to happen we'd have the same problem we do with me."
>
>"No, not join any of them..." Meena could see the WarrenLady was concentrating.
>
>"I'm not sure Harkon would accept her at any rate."
>
>"He would if we not only 'made her respectable', but we also did it
>publicly, while naming her the mother of Harkon's heir."
>
>Meena nodded, "That might work," she said, her hopes raising. "But how do we
>raise her status in the eyes of Harkon and the people of Whitbarrow?"
>
>"Let me think on this bit Meena." said Naomi.
>
>"But Harkon expects me to bring Demee today," she said sadly.
>
>"Perhaps we should bring Harkon here. I could send someone to get him, once
>we've finalized our plans. We could tell him that we need to have him here
>to make everything official."


Naomi looked at Meena's sad face and laid a comforting arm across her shoulders.


"Please don't worry Meena."  she told the other girl  "I know you gave your
word that you'd give Demee to your father today.... but I gave my word also.
Although I don't think he quite realised what I promised him...."


Confusion warred with hope on Meena's face as she said  "I don't understand."


"I promised to keep Demee within the Warren..."


"Yes I know... until I took him to my father."  the hope died


"No Meena..." Naomi said gently  "I guaranteed that Demee wouldn't leave the
Warren, but I said nothing about handing him over to your father.  We'll
find a way through this.  Have you spoken to Greta about any of this?
Perhaps she'll know just how your brother intended to make her respectable."


"I hadn't thought about asking Greta, I was worried about losing Demee more
than anything else..."


"I suggest you go and see her and see if she knows what Stont had in mind."
Naomi said  "And I know it's easy for me to say.... but try not to worry too
much."


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

<Medical buildings>


"Is she improving at all Lilliana?"  Naomi asked, as she looked at the
sleeping Jaquel "She looks more peaceful today than when I last saw her."


"Hmmmm!  I'm not sure what you'd call improving.  If you mean is she less
confused and vague then it's hard to tell.  But the physical side effects
are disappearing as the poison works out of her system."  Lilliana finished
her checks on Jaquel and replaced the chart at the end of the bed.  


"Did you discover how the poison was being administered?  If we know that
then we might have a chance of discovering who had the opportunity to poison
her...."


"Most likely to be in her food or drink.  And it wasn't at every meal or
even every day."  Lilliana shrugged  "Whoever it was had the long term in
mind, the poison they used is very slow acting."


"I've discussed this with Lacey and we're wondering if this was aimed
specifically at Jaquel...."


"Or whether you need to worry too?"  Lilliana asked astutely  "I'd wondered
that too, but didn't want to worry you.   Any unusual symptoms?  Headaches,
unexplained pains in your limbs etc?"   Naomi shook her head  "Well we'll be
on the safe side and do some tests on you anyway.  Then we'll know for sure...."


*********

<Naomi's office, early evening>


"Thanks for coming Lacey... and I'm sorry to drag you away from Darrkon
again today.  But I really would like some help on this problem with Greta
and her children." Naomi frowned in concentration  "We need to find a way of
making Greta's son acceptable as Harkon's heir without putting the child in
danger.  The only thing I've been able to come up with is to marry the girl
to some influential personage in Whitbarrow...."


"Hmm!  That might work...."  Lacey said thoughtfully


"Whatever we come up with we'll have to be quick.  Harkon's already on his
way back here!  He'll be shouting for Demee sometime tomorrow...."


<NRPG Tag Kat!>


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
-- 
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