Greta
***

The bouncing of the wagon jolted her awake, though she'd much rather not
be. Her throat and lips were dry and sore. And with every new jolt of the
wagon she seemed to discover some new muscle which was bruised and achy.
She felt the rag forced in and around her mouth, another binding her hands
and feet and yet another cover her eyes. 

She heard a young laugh, wild and brinking on the edge of sanity. This
couldn't be L'gan could it? Then she remembered the second man .. This must
be him.

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

Dragon!! Another rider? She couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips as
she felt a dread pass over her. She was going to die and she'd never see
her kids again .. or T'grat ..

"Awake, are you?" He  cackled.  "I'm afraid that isn't in the plans."

Suddenly something heavy and hard struck her head and the world thankfully
went black again.

***

She had no idea how long it was before she woke again. But this time she
was thankfully lying in a semi comfortable bed. Her hand and feet were
still bound, but the binding was off her mouth and eyes. 

she opened her eyes, squinting them again the light streaming in the
window. It was daylight .. But what day? 

She turned her head wincing against the stiffness, and saw the young man.
He was tall, with dark black hair and fair skin. But he was young. He
couldn't even be out of his teen years yet. She couldn't be sure if she
recognized him or not.

He turned and saw she was awake, "See, I'm not so bad," he smiled at her.
"Are you a little more comfortable?"

She moved her mouth, "W.. wa.. ter.."  the word came out as a gasp. Her
throat was like sandpaper.

"Of course," the young man brought her a ladle of water and helped her sit
up to drink it. 

She drank desperately, allowing the cool water to run down her parched
throat. But too soon it was gone. She looked up at him, "You .. you work
for Megandra?"

The lad laughed, "Oh gods, no!" He continued to laugh as though her
question were completely ridiculous. "No, no. I work for someone who wants
the Lady Megandra watched closely."

"Why .. why did you kidnap me?"

"I didn't do it. Megandra did. Well, she had it done. The little
prima-donna wouldn't get her hands dirty with such a scheme. Though she
missed your son the first time. I imagine she has him by now."

A thin wail escaped Greta's lips. "Why?"

He looked at her, "Don't you know?"

"Because Lars .. is the heir." She whispered.

"Of course. Megandra wants the Harkon fortune for her child. Though I can
almost guarantee that is not a Harkon heir she carries. I'd wager to say
she doesn't even know who the father is." The lad scoffed, showing his
distaste for Megandra.

"I don't understand who you are?"

"That's easy. I work for the ones whose interests are at stake here."
Greta's eyes widened and the boy laughed. "Did you really think he has
become such a puppy as to fall for that slut! Oh no, Harkon knows what
she's up to. And he intends to stop her. Only you know her father is a very
important man, and he can't risk making an enemy of him." The young man
looked at her with contempt. "Don't worry, Lord Harkon won't let anything
happen to his Grandson. You, on the other hand, he doesn't care about,
except as a way to rattle Megandra."

Greta's head swam .. what was going on! It was impossible to tell who was
the good guy and who was the bad guy and who was just plain stuck in the
middle!! One thing was for certain. She had become a pawn. And that meant
she could easily be thrown away.

Regards,
Greta
***
NRPG: Just throwing out a little more intrigue ;) Hope it makes sense. I am
not a master strategist :}

Kristen
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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Dragonrider
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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