Day 11
Late Evening

Ka'Laren

Very few men can move silently through a thick forest, fewer could do it 
with the number of weapons and bits of armour that Ka'Laren wore. He 
seemingly appeared at the edge of the fire pit, startling some of the 
younger riders. He grimaced and raised his arms to command silence from the 
few remaining Dark Riders who laughed and cajoled in the background.

For a moment, only the sound of the fire breathing and crackling permeated 
the dense copse of trees where the Dark Riders had made camp. Ka'Laren, 
leader and founder of the Dark Riders, paced in the shadows, slowly sizing 
up the rabble before him.

"Norwall Warren stands before you. The source of our pain, our anger. It is 
at their hands that we lost so many of our own... and we will have our 
revenge. Our plans are coming to fruition and soon, K'tarr and all the rest 
will be crushed like the insolent bugs they are."

Murmurs of ascent drifted from the crowd. Ka'Laren pulled out his favourite 
battle knife and gripped the blade with his left hand. He drew his hand 
across the painstakingly sharp knife sending rivulets of blood running down 
his tattooed hand and forearm. "By my blood, I swear to you my Dark Riders, 
that in three days, we shall have our Queen!"

Day 10

Kaymann

He had it all figured out. A few minor details still needed ironing out, 
but in his experience, expeditions never started out perfect anyway. Of 
course, Cat would be livid that he left without her, but she'd get over it. 
Besides she still had to find her scruffy mongrel, Mr. Purr. What she saw 
in that ragged looking cat he'd probably never know. He'd never had a pet.

He was in front of Mentorn's door and he casually glanced around to make 
sure no one was watching. He knocked once. He waited patiently for a count 
of ten and then began pounding on his partner in crime's chamber door.

Finally a rather perturbed looking Mentorn opened the door.

"Good, you're here." Kaymann pushed his way into the room. "I hope you're 
alone."

"I am, thank you for asking." Mentorn smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"You can help me get rich." Kaymann said flopping down into a chair.

"Keep talking."

"Well, here's my plan. We get in touch with this Marssell character again 
and get some more information about this treasure of his."

"Oh, S'ron will be pleased with that. I can just see the look on his face 
when you tell him that."

"Oh please," Kaymann smirked. "Like I'd really ask permission. We're going 
to have to find an excuse."

"Mm-hm." Mentorn crossed his arms and grinned.

"... and that's where the plan falls apart. So what do you think?"

"It's not much of a plan, is it?" Mentorn pulled up a chair.

"That... is why I'm here. We need to think of a way to get out of Norwall 
without raising suspicion."

[Tag Peter]

Day 12
Early Morning

<Snip>
Breezy's eyes widened as she took in the man from head to toe. Rising from 
the chair she said pleasantly, "Hi I'm Breezy I don't believe we've met." 
Turning back towards Jeneve she grinned brightly and mumbled softly, "Whoa! 
Ask and you shall receive," at which Jeneve choked on her coffee.
<End Snip>

Antwin smoothed his new overcoat and arched an eyebrow as Jeneve sputtered 
and Breezy beamed at him. He took her hand and kissed it lightly.

"You're reputation precedes you, Madame Senior Wingleader. And the reports 
of your fairness have not been exaggerated." He flashed a smile at her. "I 
am Antwin Rockefeller, Bard and bodyguard to the fair warrenlady, Jeneve."

"Mmm. Careful there, smoothie. You don't want to bite more off than you can 
chew." She tapped him on the nose lightly and swept by the lanky man.

<Snip>

After introductions were made Breezy excused herself. Turning in the 
doorway she said seriously, "Oh Jeneve, about the courier don't worry, I 
think Galen may have solved the problem."

<End Snip>

Antwin watched the door close.

"Hmm. Interesting." He said finally and turned around to Jeneve, who 
clutched her coffee cup. "Now what to do about you?"

"What do you mean?" Jeneve said smiling and placing her cup down on the desk.

"What I mean is that you still haven't left your desk and the warren seems 
to be running itself well enough. Let's go for a little trip."

"But Antwin, I simply can't - " Jeneve began to protest, but Antwin sat 
down on the edge the desk, leaned across and gently put his finger on her lips.

"No arguments. I'll carry you out if I need to, but the day is so lovely 
and I really don't want to have to muss your lovely hair."

Jeneve giggled, and ran a finger absently through her hair. "Well, since 
you put it that way, how can I refuse!"

"Good," Antwin took her hand and led her from behind the desk. "Now let's 
get out of here before S'ron or K'tar or Galen or someone else comes in and 
ruins our plans!"

[Tag Carina]

Day 11
Late Evening

Ka'Laren's men shuffled away to their tents and bedrolls. Ka'Laren kicked 
dirt into the fire and as the last embers turned black and crumbled to 
bits, he disappeared into the shadows. A few moments later, the silhouette 
of dragons could be seen against the night sky.

The forest was silent. The leaves gently moving in time to the light breeze 
that was blowing. Except in one tree. The trunk seemed unnaturally 
misshapen, and the leaves were slightly miscoloured and the wrong type of 
leaf for the rest of the tree.

The camouflage rippled once and Marsell turned his ratty old cape inside 
out. He refastened the clasp around his neck and replaced the large brimmed 
hat on his head. Smiling to himself, he nimbly swung from branch to branch 
until he landed with a light thud on the mossy forest floor.

Chuckling to himself, he packed his pipe and headed back to Norwall.



Submitted by WiL

for

Marssell
Ka'Laren
Kaymann
Antwin


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