Lord Harkon
***

The lord of Whitbarrow was readying himself for bed when the roar of a
dragon sounded just outside his bedroom window, startling him into dropping
his cup of warm milk. "What the devil ..?"  He murmured finding his way to
the window

In the bright moonlight he  could see the dark shape of a dragon screeching
to a halt on his Gardens. He watched in horror as the memorial's to his
great grandfather and great-great grandfather were decapitated and toppled
into his well groomed garden .. "NO!" He roared as the dragon spun in a
well executed maneuver shattering his urn!

"Stop! Stop!" he screamed as trees were up rooted and grass shredded and
finally his favorite stone Lions demolished with a simple flick of that
great tail.

He ran back into his room and to the door, "Guards, guards! There is a
monster on the garden!"

Megandra came out of her rooms which were just down the hall, "What is it?"

"A dragon .. a dragon is destroying my garden! He'll surely bring the
castle down next!"

"Calm yourself, Harkon," she snapped, "I'm sure it's not as bad as all that."

She pushed past him, entering his rooms where she could hear the
dragonriders voice screaming.

>"Open up Harkon." he shouted loudly. "Show yourself you miserable bastard,
>and bring that murdering bitch of a wife with you."

>Malachite sat back on his haunches and added an eerie wail to T'grat's
>angry demands. All around them lights began to go on in darkened homes,
>and heads appeared at windows to see where all the noise was coming from.

>"I'll bring you to justice any way I have to Megandra." T'grat yelled at
>the top of his voice. "Greta's murder WILL be avenged."

Megandra almost smiled before she caught herself. Harkon was shaking with
fury, "Coming to my home! Destroying my Garden! And calling my wife a
Murderer!" He moved toward the window, "Well I'll not have it!"

He moved to the balcony and leaned over the rail, "How dare you! I'll have
your head for this!"

Both the dragonrider and his dragon turned to eye the red-faced lord.
Harkon had to drop quickly to the ground as a spit of flame came right at
him. "How DARE you, Harkon! Harboring a murderer! Greta did nothing to you,
or your wife! She didn't want your money. Or your power! She just wanted to
be left in peace!"

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Harkon yelled, peeking
over the  rim of the Balcony stonework.

"Don't lie to me! Megandra murdered Greta! And I will have justice!"

"Grets'a dead?" Harkon was truly surprised. But there was no way Megandra
could have anything to do with it.  He turned to see the woman's  hiding
behind the heavy curtain as she peered out.

"What is he talking about, my husband?" her voice quivered in fright.

"Don't worry, my dear. It's nothing. Just go back to your rooms. Keep a
guard with you. I'll handle this."

Megandra nodded and hurried away from the window.

"Go away dragonrider," Harkon called, "You have come to the wrong house. We
had nothing to do with Greta being murdered."

"You are a liar!"

"Leave my home! Or I will be forced to  call my guard to remove you!"

"Your guard is going to face a dragon!" T'grat laughed.

"I'll call the whole army if I have to! Even a dragon could not stand up to
that!"

The dragonrider hesitated for a moment, then called up, "This is not over
Harkon. I will see that justice is served! I'll be close by .. breathing
down your neck until it is!"

Harkon watched in relief as the dragonrider mounted his dragon and flew
off. Somehow, despite the nearly complete destruction on his landing, the
dragon managed to do more upon taking off!

Megandra
***

The woman chuckled as she closed the door to her room. Greta was dead. Damn
poison took long enough! But at least it worked!

"Megandra .. is it safe?" a voice called from the shadows of her room,
startling her.

"NO!" she hissed, "I told you not to come until I called for you!"

"I do not like being left out in the cold while that pig you married takes
claim to what is mine." The man stepped from the shadows moving to wrap an
arm around the woman's waist.

She pushed him back, showing her irritation. "It's the way it has to be for
now. If you are caught here it will all be over! You want the best for your
son, don't you?" She moved away, "Now get out of here before you ruin
everything!"

"I'll leave, but I want to see the boy. He's my son, and I deserve to see
him!" The man's voice growled in anger.

"You only deserve what I allow you! And don't forget it!"

"I've done everything you asked. Dealing with scum and rogues and I've done
it without question, because you promised we'd be a family."

"Don't be stupid! Now get out of here! I have to see to Harkon tonight. I'm
sure that dragonrider has him on edge and I won't allow him to think he has
anything but my complete devotion! I need him still."

"Poison him .." the man hissed, "Get it over with."

She shook her head, "Not yet. It's not time."

Just then there was a knocking at her door, "Megandra ..?" Harkon's voice
called, "Are you all right my dear .."

"Get .." she hissed shoving the man back into the shadows. The she moved to
the door and opened it slightly.

"Is he gone?" She asked weakly, "I was so frightened. What was he talking
about .."

"It seems Greta was murdered somehow, and he's got it in his head you were
involved."

"Me .. but why?"

"I don't know .." Harkon shrugged, "Are you sure you don't  know anything .."

"Harkon!" She said in a shocked voice, "How could you say that?"

"I'm sorry .. I just .. well I know that despite his flaws, T'grat is a
good man. He's treated my grandson with love and respect and I .. well I
owe him for that."

"I know my darling," She looked toward the shadows then opened the door
wider, "Come in, You're so tense. Let me make it better."

Harkon hesitated for a moment, then saw the glint in her eye. He knew what
that meant .. and it was one area he never had need of complaint. He knew
his wife had her flaws. He had borne her sharp tongue and her manipulations
on many occasions. But in the end, as she shared his bed .. it was worth it.

***

The man cringed from the shadows .. He'd been shocked when she'd led the
fat Lord into the bedroom .. even knowing he was there! Had he really seen
her watching in his direction as she bedded her husband?

What kind of a woman was she! Certainly not the kind he wanted raising his
son! No she'd taken the final step to emasculate him. He couldn't let her
do it anymore.

He fought back a sob that caught in his throat .. gods how had he loved her
so much ..

***

When finally the grunting and groaning had faded into the a steady rhythm
of sleep, he moved from his hidden spot. Contempt caught in his throat as
she lay their entangled in sheets .. the fat lord's arm thrown carelessly
across her body.

For a moment he hated them both. He pulled his dagger and moved toward the
bed. He could see the satisfied smile which even in sleep decorated
Megandra's face. Suddenly he only hated her. The poor slob next to her was
being used.. just as he was!

The dagger seemed to have a mind of it's own as suddenly and in one fluid
movement it slid across her throat. He watched in suddenly shock as her
eyes flew open and her mouth opened to scream ..

All that came out was a sick gurgling as her life drained away ..

He started to shake slightly as a realization of what he'd done came over
him. He moved quickly form the room and into the darkened hallway. He could
see Harkon's guard slumped in a heap snoring just down the hall.

He moved silently past him and made his way to the nursery. This was his
one and only change. If he wanted his son, he had to take him now.

Harkon
***

In his sleep he felt his wife jerk suddenly and he rolled away from her. He
was used to her pushing him away in the night. She liked to have her space
as she slept.

He continued to drift in an out of sleep until his mind began to register a
discomfort in his side. He stretched slightly, thinking perhaps he should
just head back to his own room. As he moved to sit up, his arm came in
contact with a warm sticky wetness .. he looked over and his eyes widened..

Suddenly he was screaming, "Guard! Guard!" He scrambled out of bed running
to the door, "Guard! Guard!"

The guard came running, "Yes sir!'

"Megandra.. my .. wife... She's been murdered!" he suddenly became aware of
his nakedness and grabbed his robe, wrapping it around himself.

He looked back at his wife, laying there , her blonde hair splayed over the
pillow .. her throat neatly cut ..

"How .. How .." He shook unable to think from his mind reeling. She'd been
killed right there.. right next to him as he'd slept!

"Sir?" the guard choked, "What happened?"

"He killed her.. That dragonrider.. He came in while we slept.. and he
killed her!"

Regards,
Whitbarrow NPC's
***
NRPG: This all happens the night of the attack on the Norwall, the night
Lacey and Talison die .. There will be a Part Two. But I need to do some
things this morning, So Hopefully I'll get to part two tomorrow :)

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