From: Wil Turrin <wilt@webcomlink.com>

Day 7 - Early Morning

Antwin and Isabella ran through the hallways of the Warren and into the open
training grounds where K'Tarr and Kalena were firing arrows into a distant
target.

"K'Tarr!" Antwin shouted as he ran up to his painted companion.

The hunter looked over at the bard and the gypsy with a look of frustration.
"Hello, Isabella." He said flatly then turned to the blond haired man. "What
is it now, Antwin? You haven't gotten us into trouble again, have you?"

Antwin smiled briefly. "I'm afraid not. Ka'Laren has been seen heading
here."

"What?" K'Tarr quickly returned his bow and arrow to the quiver at his hip.
"When was he seen last?"

"Our caravan was approached by a band of travellers three days ago, North of
Ravensvale. Ka'Laren was their leader. He asked for you by name, K'Tarr."

K'Tarr looked to his feet for a moment, trying to decide what to do next.

"Pardon me, but who is this Ka'Laren?" Kalena interrupted the hunter's
thoughts.

"He is dangerous." He finally replied. "He is a killer of the most deadliest
sort."

"And why is he coming here?" Kalena tried to get more information from the
hunter. K'Tarr looked her deep in the eyes. The calm liquid pools of his
blue eyes which normally held a quiet peace and a deep understanding, were
wide with an emotion Kalena had yet to see in the hunter. It looked almost
as if he were afraid.

"He has sworn to kill me." K'Tarr said finally. "Antwin, I must prepare."

With that, the hunter left the three standing in the clearing and headed for
his apartment.

"K'Tarr! Wait!" Kalena took a few steps after him, but Antwin grabbed her
hand and kept her from following. "Let me go, Antwin!"

"No, Little one. This is K'Tarr's fight. He has to do this alone."

"Why? If this Ka'Laren is out to kill him, then it's my business too!"
Kalena yanked her hand free from the bard's grasp.

"I'm afraid this is something more than a simple threat, Kalena. You see,
Ka'Laren is K'Tarr's brother."


Day 7 - Naomi's Office - mid morning

K'Tarr had already returned to his apartment and gathered a few items
together. His pack was fuller than normal, and around his neck he wore a
pendant. The jewelled head of a wolf stared coldly from the chest of the
hunter, it's ruby eyes sparkling in the daylight.

Again, he found himself standing in front of Naomi's office door,
contemplating whether or not to go in.

This was clearly an issue that Naomi should be told. Others would be in
danger as long as Ka'Laren was looking for him. He raised a tattooed fist
and rapped loudly on the door.

After a moment, P'ril exited the office and K'Tarr entered. Naomi looked
small and tired behind her large desk. For a moment, K'Tarr thought about
leaving without saying anything.

>"What can I do for you, K'tarr?"  she asked quietly
>"A very dangerous man is headed this way."  K'tarr told her seriously.
>"I've already been informed of Lord Harkon's imminent arrival."  Naomi
assured him.  "And we're well prepared for any trouble he might have in
mind."
>"Harkon?"  K'tarr asked puzzled.  "I know of no one of that name.
>Ka'Larken is the one I'm concerned with."
>"Who is this Ka'Larken?"  Naomi asked him with a frown.  "And why would his
arrival give cause for concern?"

K'Tarr let his breath out slowly from between clenched teeth. "Ka'Laren is
an assassin. He has sworn to destroy me."

Naomi blinked once. "Sit down. Tell me the whole story."

K'Tarr pulled a chair close and sat.

"Years ago, when I was living at Jasra, before I became a rider, I was
apprenticed to the master hunter, Aguya. There was another young man
apprenticed to Aguya, but he was Aguya's second. I was the first."

"What do you mean, K'Tarr?"

"By the code of the hunter, each master must take two apprentices. The first
is his strongest apprentice. The faster runner, the swiftest shot, the
strongest fighter. The second answers to the first."

"I see."

"Aguya was charged by a creature from the mists during a hunt. My arrows
could not pierce it's hide. My swords were not fast enough and·" K'Tarr's
voice grew thick with emotion. He paused for a moment. "Aguya was killed
that day, but he died with honor."

"Ka'Laren was the second, wasn't he?" Naomi asked softly.

"Yes. Ka'Laren was knocked out during the fight. He didn't know what had
happened to Aguya, but when he saw the older man's broken body, he accused
me." K'Tarr shifted the two silver swords on his hips. Naomi looked at them,
and the silver wolves head with apprehension. The hunter looked as if he
were prepared for battle.

"Ka'Laren challenged me to a duel. Amongst the hunter, a duel is rarely
fought between first and second. It is mostly unheard of. However, Ka'Laren
challenged my right as first; he swore it was because of my ineptitude that
Aguya was killed."

"And so you fought him?" Naomi pressed the hunter.

"I did. He gave me this as a reminder of the fight." K'Tarr opened his vest
to show a long scar running along the side of his rib cage. "Ka'Laren lost
two fingers on his left hand before the duel ended. The way of the hunter
demands that a first must take the life of a second if he should challenge
him, but I could not do it. I spared his life that day, and he swore
revenge."

"What happened to him after the duel?"

"I'm not very sure. After the wounds on his hand had healed, he ran away. He
has appeared from time to time, but has yet to be successful with his
threats to me. This time though, he has people with him."

Naomi steepled her fingers together and leaned back in her chair. "What do
you think we should do?"

"I want to leave the warren for a while. I'll draw Ka'Laren and his men
away. Qualis and I are more than a match for him."

"No, K'Tarr. As I said, Lord Harkon is approaching the warren. You know of
the Deathcult threat and I need experienced riders like you nearby, in case
something happens. We'll deal with this Ka'Laren together, K'Tarr. Norwall
isn't the type of place where we let one of our own face dangers by
themselves."

"Thank-you, Naomi. It is good to know that I have your support, but I don't
think that this is a wise decision." K'Tarr folded his arms across his chest
and scowled.

"I'm sorry K'Tarr, but my mind is made up. I need you here. I need you to
watch for anything unusual." Naomi stood slowly. "And if I need to place you
under house arrest to make sure you don't leave, I have no problem doing
so."

"That won't be necessary."

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare for Lord Harkon."

K'Tarr turned and silently walked from the office.

"K'Tarr!" Kalena shouted from the hallway as he emerged from the
Warrenlady's office.

[Tag Dianne]

[NRPG - I didn't want to get too far into the story without Kalena/Dianne's
input into what's happening between K'Tarr and Kalena. Also, I haven't
touched on the meeting of Galen and K'Tarr. I want to still, but I'm going
to wait until I see what every one else adds to day 7. Sorry Ben, we'll just
have to wait a little longer!]

Submitted by

K'Tarr Morrinn & Qualis
Antwin Rockefeller

--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------

    GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU!
Tired of filling out forms and remembering passwords? Gator fills in
forms and passwords with just one click! Comes with $50 in free coupons!
  <a href=" http://clickme.onelist.com/ad/gator4 ">Click Here</a>

------------------------------------------------------------------------