<Naomi>


>Meena frowned. If S'ran didn't kill L'gan, and she did believe him for he
>was not a violent man, then who did. Obviously it had been someone who had
>been tipped off about Timone .. She froze for a moment. H'tor? She'd seen
>him be quite violent with Timone ..
>
>"S'ran, you don't think that H'tor .." she began.
>
>"Of course not!" Naomi spit out.
>
>S'ran just shrugged, "I can't say for sure. Maybe Haroc warned Sparks
>sending his rider to a place where he could kill him."


Naomi frowned at her brother, "He didn't do it!  I'm surprised at you
S'ran... you don't usually judge people without hearing all sides.  And you
Meena.... he saved your son's life by putting his own at risk!"


"That's not fair Naomi!"  Meena said quietly  "And you didn't see him when
we found De......"  She stopped abruptly her eyes wide as she realised what
she'd almost given away.


*Amethyst where's H'tor and Haroc?*  Naomi used the hiatus in the
conversation to ask her Queen


*We wait for Haroc's rider outside the training hall.*  Amethyst returned,
her mental voice still full of grief for the passing of Sparks.


*Are you sure that H'tor is in the hall, love?*   Her guilt at checking on
H'tor's movements made her tone sharper than she intended, and Amethyst was
puzzled by her rider's confused feelings....


*Is there something wrong Naomi?*  the dragon sent back  *You seem upset
about something... almost afraid....*


*We can talk about this later love.... * Naomi pressed gently  *Please
answer me....*


*Of course I'm sure!*  Amethyst said indignantly  *Ask Haroc if you don't
believe me!*  


Amethyst was hurt by Naomi's questioning, but Naomi breathed a sigh of
relief that the faith she'd put in H'tor was justified.  


*I'll explain everything when I have a little more time.*  Naomi promised
gratefully  *I need you to be alert for anything unusual around the Warren
for now love.  I don't have anything specific to tell you to watch for but
there's more going on here than we first thought.  Sparks rider was killed
to keep him from revealing secrets ... and we need to find out who's
responsible for his death.  If you hear any gossip.....*


*I'll let you know at once.*  Amethyst told her  


*Oh one more thing love.  Don't tell anyone that Lars is still in the
Warren.  I don't want Megandra to know that he escaped from her hired
thugs... at least not yet.  And warn the other dragons to warn their riders
to keep it to themselves.*


There was a few moments of silence, then Amethyst reported that all the
others had been warned.   Naomi sent a warm mental hug, and refocused on
the room..... just in time to hear Meena say;


>"He *is* dying!" She turned to Naomi and
>S'ran, "I .. I think it's time my father faced his attacker."


"No, Meena...."  Naomi was appalled at the sacrifice that Meena was making.
 "You can't....."


>But Meena nodded, "It's only fair that he know. For in the end he brought
>it on himself." She looked back at her father wiping away an offending tear
>that trickled down her cheek. "The man who attacked you had nothing to do
>with Greta's disappearance. Of that I can assure you."
>
>Harkon looked ready to bluster some more, but Naomi spoke first, "And I can
>assure you Lord Harkon, that we will find the people who did this," she
>threw a quick glance at Megandra as she turned to look at her brother, "And
>we will prove that H'tor had nothing to do with this."
>
>"You'd better find my Grandson, young lady! I don't care what happens to
>his mother .. but the boy had best be safe and unharmed!" Turning to Meena,
>he said, "I'll fetch my guards and then we'll go get this attacker."


Naomi held S'ran back as Meena led her father from the room.  She was
determined to find out why S'ran was unwilling to relinquish his hostility
towards H'tor, but S'ran shook his head before Naomi could even open her
mouth.


"It's no use Sis."  he told her, face set.  "You're deluding yourself if
you think that man had nothing to do with this.  He's caused trouble at
every Warren he's ever been at, and you have to admit it's suspicious that
he asks to transfer here at the exact moment that trouble rears it's head."


"But... "  


"If I'm wrong then I'll apologise to you both.  *IF*..... but I don't
believe I am.  Stay away from him Naomi or I'll make sure he can't come
anywhere near you even if he wants to....."


"You've no right!....."  Naomi started, glaring angrily at her brother


"I've every right."  S'ran cut in   "You're my little sister and I promised
Da I'd always look out for you and Lacey."


"You forget I'm also WarrenLady here."  Naomi said icily.  Her eyes were
bleak as she watched her brother flinch at her harshness.  "You *will* do
as I command or....."


"Or?"  S'ran asked tautly 


Naomi merely stared at her brother, anger at his stubborn refusal to accept
that she might be right about H'tor seething just below the surface.


"Think with your head, Lady Naomi.  Not your heart...."  he bowed formally
and left the room, leaving her staring after him with tears of angry
frustration and grief in her eyes....


**********
<T'grat>


Naomi left quietly, and he sat on the bed he'd shared with Greta, holding
the children close, comforting them as best he could.  His mind raced in
endless circles as he reviewed everything that Naomi had just told him...... 


Poor L'gan had paid Megandra's price with his life.... but who had killed
him, and why?  There were so many unanswered questions that he felt lost
and powerless to ever find the right path to truth.  Why had L'gan been
willing to help Megandra?  The lad had always been so withdrawn and quiet
in his dealings around the Warren.  It didn't make sense that L'gan should
be involved with someone like Megandra!


"When's mummy coming home?"  


Alyne turned her small, tearstained face to T'grat and his heart turned
over.  She looked so fragile and lost, so heartbreakingly like her mother.....


"It won't be long Alyne."  Lars hugged his sister tightly, trying hard to
hold back the tears so that she wouldn't start crying in fear again.
"T'grat will find her.  Won't you T'grat?"  He looked to T'grat trustingly,
and he gulped hard as he nodded.


"Of course I will."  he whispered brokenly   "I promise I won't rest until
she's back with us.  But you have to do your part too.  If I'm going to
look for her then you'll have to be good and stay with Ayla.  Do you think
you can do that for me?"


Both children nodded solemnly, and he hugged them hard before getting
awkwardly to his feet.  He turned to the small, dark-haired girl waiting to
take charge of the two with a strained smile.


"Don't let them out of your sight for a second."  he warned her  "Don't let
anyone but Naomi, Lacey or Meena  in and don't let the children out under
any circumstances.  If you even suspect that they could be in danger then
have  Tamara scream for Amethyst or Garnet."


"We'll be fine?"  she scooped the children up and hugged them to her  "I'm
sure we'll get along real well....."


"Story?"  Alyne asked shyly  "Dragon story?"


"Of course pet."  Ayla settled onto the bed next to the sleepy children.
She smiled as she tucked the blankets firmly under Alyne's small chin.  "I
know lots of dragon stories......"


Satisfied that the children would be cared for, T'grat hobbled from the
room intent on searching for his lover....

*******
<Naomi>


She slipped softly through the door of the training hall, careful to keep
to the shadows so she wouldn't be seen.   The hall was in darkness except
for one small pool of light at the far end of the room.  


Treading softly, she drew closer to the tall man.  She watched as H'tor put
himself through a vigorous program of exercises oblivious to her watching
presence.  She yearned to push the hair from his sweat-sheened face,  ached
to caress the muscles rippling in his chest and arms, to feel his strong
arms close around her....


*Naomi....*  Amethyst was apologetic, but her tone was urgent.  *You wanted
to know immediately if anything unusual happened.*


With a sigh of regret she withdrew from the hall, casting one last longing
glance towards H'tor. 


*What's happened love?*  She asked as she closed the door gently behind her  


*Sirus is worried.*  Amethyst told her  *He can't find his rider.*


*What do you mean he can't find his rider?*  Naomi asked  *Maybe he went
down to Traveller's Rest with M'lent.....*


<*No that's not it.  We already thought of that, but Ebony says he hasn't
seen A'shair since early evening.*>  Sirus was worried and Naomi sent
calming thoughts towards the dragon as she walked.  <*We were on early
patrol again today and I was sleeping.....*>  


<*Maybe he went out into the forest.*>  Naomi suggested  <*You know how
fond of silence and solitude he's always been.*>


<*Ebony says he was following someone.*>  Sirus told her  <*I've searched
and searched but I can't reach his mind...*> 


Hysteria mounted in the dragon's voice and Naomi hurried to where the beast
was pacing in agitation.  She soothed him as best she could, but he was
distraught at not being able to reach the mind of his rider.


<*He'll turn up!*>  Naomi reached up to wrap her arms as far round Sirus'
neck as possible.  <*Come on Sirus... I'm sure there's a good explanation
for him not answering you at the moment.  If he hasn't answered you by
morning I'll send a search party out to try and locate him......*>


Sirus wasn't totally convinced but he allowed himself to be soothed by her
gentle words.  Amethyst, too, did her part, lumbering across the Green to
curl her body around Sirus, sharing his anxiety and worry.


*He'll be alright with me.*  she told Naomi as she twined her neck around
the to her dragon's.  *You need to sleep.....*


*Not possible love... at least not yet.  I've still got to organise a
search for Greta as soon as it gets light.  There's Lord Harkon to deal
with, and I have to set a watch on Lady Megandra.  And I still have to
check in and make sure that Devon is doing as well as possible, and that
Piper hasn't suffered too much from her ordeal.*  She sighed softly at the
thought of a long night.


*The Healer allowed Bishvilea's rider to go home while we were absent....*


*One less chore to do then.  But there's no peace for the wicked, love.,
and there always seems to be so much to do whenever I come back from taking
any time off.  Though Lacey handled things very well....*  Naomi smiled
with pride as she thought of everything had sister had done that day


*You seemed happy today when you were up on the mountain!  Your mind was
relaxed for the first time in too long.....*  Amethyst said softly
*Regrets?* 


*Oh no love!  No regrets.... except that it couldn't last longer.*  she
smiled with remembered pleasure  *But they'll be other times... if I can
stop S'ran from interfering so much.*


She started towards the bright lights of the med centre, and more work,
leaving Amethyst crooning softly to Sirus.......


*********
<T'grat>


He searched the tunnels and corridors of the Warren, working steadily
further and further from the inhabited parts.  Wearily he pushed the hair
from his reddened eyes, as he checked in yet another deserted room,
grimacing with mixed relief and disappointment.  Relief that Greta's dead
body wasn't sprawled across the floor, disappointment that he seemed no
nearer to finding her.  Rubbing his injured leg, he limped deeper into the
bowels of the mountain, the thump of his cast on the cold stone the only
sound......  He *had* to find her!


*********
<The kidnappers>


Greta's unconscious form was dumped unceremoniously into a cart, and
covered with burlap sacks.  The men swiftly erased all signs of their
presence, and made ready to move out as soon as their leader gave the word.


"Careful with her."  L'gan's killer called to  his guards  "She's a
valuable commodity at present... but only if she's alive."


The guards quickly apologised, flinching away from the glare he sent them.
One checked her position and made sure she was able to breathe, and that
her bonds were secure.  Then they waited patiently as the tall young man
searched the two bodies lying just within the long hidden entrance to
Norwall Warren.


"You shouldn't have got in the way."  he murmured as he rolled the taller
of the two over and checked for anything useful.  "It was bad enough having
to kill him......" He kicked petulantly at the body of L'gan, then
satisfied that neither still figure had anything else to offer him, he
straightened up and left the cave.


"OK... let's get moving shall we!?"  he called as he seated himself beside
Greta.  "I want to put as much distance between us and this place as
possible before they discover that there was someone else involved in this.
 And before Megandra has time to organise the rest of her people.  She'll
have a small surprise when she realises that she's no longer in control
here."  


The young man chuckled wildly, and his guards shivered as they started the
cart forward.  He was becoming more unstable with each day that passed, and
they wondered how much longer it would  be before he attempted to fulfill
his threat to feed them to his dragon......


"Come on... faster there!"  he called   "I'm sure my dragon will be
hungry......."


***********
<S'ran>


Jasper's insistent thought woke S'ran from a sound sleep. 


*What is it?*  He asked irritatibly as he rolled out of bed  *Can't a man
get some well deserved rest?*


*You told me to keep an eye on Haroc and his rider!*  Jasper said sullenly
*You said to wake you if they looked as if they were leaving the Warren.
Well they're up and about and they don't have patrol today..... so maybe
they're leaving maybe they're not.  But you told me to tell you!*


Soothing his dragon's hurt feeling, S'ran dressed rapidly, buckling his
sword around his waist.  This was his chance to prove beyond doubt that
H'tor was involved in this business somehow... if he could catch him in the
act then Naomi would have to change her opinion.  


Grabbing a piece of fruit from the kitchen, he went out to saddle Jasper,
and they were ready and waiting on their ledge when Haroc launched himself
into the just lightening sky and flew over the rim of the crater that
housed Norwall.  S'ran gave them a few minutes before urging Jasper to
follow the two....


*How do you know they won't 'port to wherever they're going?*  Jasper asked
as he stroked the air with his strong wings  *We'll never catch them if......*


Far ahead a glint of dawn light on metal gave away the position of the
other pair.  Their course told S'ran everything he needed to know.


*They're aiming for Whitbarrow!  Stay well back just in case Jasper... but
I think we've found the missing link in all this.*  A satisfied smile
curved his mouth as he settled back in his saddle.  *Now Naomi will *have*
to listen....*


<..>

<Whitbarrow>


S'ran mingled with the crowd round the gate, trying to look as
inconspicuous as possible while he waited for H'tor to make his appearance.
 When the man finally did show up, he almost missed him.....



*He's changed clothes!*  he sent to the dragon he'd told to stay hidden
outside the walls of the city.  Cursing softly to himself he followed the
other man through the crowd, careful to stay well back, he didn't want to
be seen after all.  A number of times he lost H'tor in the dense crowd,
picking him up again by sheer blind luck.  The man was good!  Always
careful to dodge into an alley or doorway whenever H'tor looked back, and
being extra careful whenever he lost sight of his quarry, S'ran continued
to follow.....



>H'tor had been wandering the streets for almost an hour in a seemingly
>random fashion. He'd started his tour in some of the wealthiest
>neighborhoods he could find and gain access. From there he'd slowly
>descended down the ladder of wealth and power to where he now walked
>through filth-strewn alleyways.



S'ran silently applauded the man's caution.  Once or twice he'd almost
seemed to have spotted S'ran following him, but years of dealing with
wilders and wraiths had given S'ran a deceptively soft step, and an uncanny
ability to blend into the background and he managed to avoid being seen......


>Ignoring the beggars who grasped at his clothing but never managed to
>grab hold he started back towards the mercantile district.
>
>After ten more minutes of walking he stepped through the door of the
>little shop backed up by the enormous warehouse.


S'ran settled back to wait for H'tor to reappear.  Then he'd have some
difficult questions to answer.......


********
NRPG... I've no clue as to what you have in mind Abe.... but you are not
alone!  Tag! :) :P
********

<Naomi>


<*Lacey would like to talk to you.*>  Garnet said in Naomi's mind  <*She's
in her office....*>


<*Tell her ten minutes, Garnet.*>  Naomi said as she finished her tea
<*Did she say what it's about?*>


<*She didn't say.  I'll tell her you are on your way.*>


The Queen's thoughts faded.  Naomi pushed back her chair and stood quickly,
stretching gently to ease the kinks in her back.  Falling asleep at one of
the tables in the dining hall wasn't something she could recommend!  She
started towards the doors of the hall......


"Your breakfast!"  Jeryn called behind her  


"Sorry Uncle.  Work calls!"  she smiled regretfully at the small man
"Maybe lunch?"


"At least take this!"  he pushed a hot filled roll into her hand with a
sigh  "Eat it!  You'll waste away if you're not careful.  And I'll hold you
to that promise of lunch...."


She grinned as Jeryn hurried back to the kitchen.  She pushed the doors to
the dining hall open, surprised to find the sun shining so high in the sky.
 Munching on the delicious savoury roll, Naomi hurried across the Green......


<..>


>"Hello sis, what did you need?" Naomi said cheerfully, especially for 
>someone who had been up most of the night herself.
>
>Lacey was not going to hem and haw around this "Haroc and H'tor are gone 
>from the warren."
>
>Naomi's face was unreadable.
>
>"It doesn't look good, Naomi" Lacey said quietly.


"Not you too Lacey?"  Naomi asked her softly  "I had S'ran on my back about
him last night.  The least you could both do is credit me with some sense!
Why won't either of you give him the benefit of an open mind?"  Naomi sank
into a chair wearily.  "I can't figure out what he's done to set everyone
against him......"


"He wasn't very subtle in his methods with Timone last night."  Lacey
offered  "And the rumours...."


"Rumour again!  I really don't want to fall out with you about this
Lacey... so please keep any rumours to yourself.  He's given me no reason
to suspect he could be involved in the kidnapping of Greta... for the gods
sake I spent all yesterday afternoon with him... he was with me when Greta
went missing...."


"Doesn't mean he wasn't involved with it."  Lacey shook her head sadly  "I
know you like him Naomi... but don't let that blind you to the possibility
that he could be stringing you along all this time.  It lends him
respectability to be seen with you...."


"So I'm just useful to him?"  Naomi asked tightly  "It couldn't be that he
*likes* me?  Maybe he wants to be with me?  At least he doesn't go chasing
after other women the way Darr....."  


Naomi bit her tongue on the words, but it was already too late.  Lacey's
blue eyes filled with tears and she stared miserably at her sister.
Feeling guilty Naomi tried to hug Lacey and apologise, but Lacey just
pushed her away.  The call from Calindeth, when it came, was a welcome
interruption to the pair.....


<..>


>Naomi waved Darrkon into the room.  He sat in the same seat he had when he
first arrived, just over a year ago.  He noticed the looks on their faces, a
mix of confusion, amazement and something that he couldn't quite define.
Bitterness?  Anger?  He noticed the two seemed to be trying to avoid
looking at each other.  What had been happening while he was gone?

>"So Darrkon," Naomi began, still staring at him, "Tell us what you've
>been up to the last few days."


She listened quietly to the explanations he gave, making notes as he
mentioned landmarks and identified previously unknown areas.  T'grat would
need to know everything if they were to launch any sort of counter
attack.....  She sat in thought for awhile after he'd finished speaking,
her mind whirling with this latest threat to the Warren.  Was there never
to be any peace for them?


"You say this Ardomok seeks revenge?"  she asked eventually.  Darrkon
nodded, and she continued  "I think the first thing you need to explain is
why."


Darrkon began to speak then, but her attention was called away by Amethyst.


*You're needed at the Med centre Naomi.*  she said urgently  *T'grat just
brought A'shair in.*


*What happened, love?*  Naomi asked, concentrating all her thoughts on her
dragon  *Is A'shair seriously hurt?*


*I'm not sure, but Sirus is beside himself with worry and I think you're
needed here.*  she could feel the effort the Queen was expending to calm
Sirus  *Please!*


She refocused on the room, and apologised abruptly as she stood up.


"I'll have to leave you to sort this out Lacey."  she said carefully  "I'm
sorry......"


"I'll manage."  Lacey told her, avoiding looking at her  


Naomi hurried out.....

*****
NRPG.  Tag Kat and Ismail!  Thought it would be better to leave the two
alone to get the business with Marina sorted out!  :P
******


<Med centre>


"How serious is it Lilliana?  He looks awful!"  Naomi gazed at the pale
figure lying on the bed.  The livid bruise on his forehead was stark
against his pale skin, and his ragged breathing was loud in the quiet room.


"It's not good, not good at all."  Lilliana shook her head  "The delay in
getting here won't have helped either.  All we can do is wait and see....."


There was a  commotion in the corridor and a voice called urgently for
Lilliana.  With a helpless shrug she left Naomi and went to see what the
noise was about.  Naomi looked at T'grat's still figure sitting beside the
bed and put her hand on his shoulder trying to offer what little comfort
she could.


"I thought he was dead at first."  T'grat told softly  "He was lying so
still, and he felt so cold.  I thought he'd suffered the same fate as
L'gan.  When I realised he was still breathing, I got him here as fast as I
could...."


"You did the best you could under the circumstances T'grat."  she hugged
him briefly  "If you hadn't found him he'd probably have died out there.  I
didn't even know that entrance to the Warren existed!"


"I've had M'lent put a guard on it now that we know."  T'grat told her  "I
tried S'ran first... but Mal said Jasper isn't in the Warren.  Someone
should bring L'gan's body back too...."


"I'll see to it as soon as I leave here.  Was there any sign of Greta?  Do
you have any idea of who killed L'gan?"


T'grat shook his head miserably  "There were wagon tracks leading into the
forest but I couldn't take the time to follow them with A'shair needing
help.  Suppose they kill her too, before I can find her."  He looked at
her, anguish and fear shining in his eyes.  "I have to do something...."


"It's alright love.  I'll get the patrols to watch out for them, and I'll
organise a search party to go after them on foot.  You need to get some
rest or you'll fall asleep on your feet.  You'll be no use to her in this
condition."


He could see the sense of her words, though he wasn't happy with them.
Finally he nodded;


"I'll stay here with A'shair."  he gestured to the second bed in the small
room  "I can sleep there, and if A'shair regains consciousness I'll be here
to find out who it was that attacked him."  He gave her a strained smile
"I'll be fine... and I promise I'll get some rest."


She kissed him on the cheek and hugged him to her.  "Just make sure you do
rest."  she warned him severely.  "I need you T'grat!"  


<..>


<*You're needed....*>  Vonn caught her just as she was leaving the med
centre.  


With a sigh she turned and re-entered the building, making her way to the
room where the new arrival had been taken....


<..>


The young man groaned, tossing restlessly as he regained his senses.  The
hawk, still perched on the head of the bed where Jahn had finally deposited
it, flapped wildly and screeched as the young man opened his eyes.


"Rel?"  the lad tried to sit up, but collapsed back against the pillows
groaning with pain.


"It's OK... your hawk is fine."  Naomi leant over him, pushing him gently
back as he struggled to sit    "But you're not!  Stay still while I get
Lilliana... then I think we should talk!"

*******
NRPG.  Tag Pat!
*******


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
T'grat & Malachite
S'ran & Jasper
and various kidnappers


NRPG  Sorry for the length of this epic... but I needed to tie together all
the loose ends!  Have fun everyone!  :) :) :P








-- 
Mint,  the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  FO   USS Javelin       T'Beth  CMO/Coun  USS Magellan
Lillith the Mage     Broken Lands     Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands 
                          Caliban, Lute's human       Dragon Lands  
Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands

http://www.netkonect.co.uk/l/lovers/mint/norwall.html
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/5902/
http://www.dragonfire.net/~Mint/