Day 18 - Evening
Outside the Dining Hall
Kaymann

[Snip]

"Where are you going, Cat?" asked Kaymann, taking a step after her.
 
"Away. Away from you. Anywhere. 'Cause if I stay here a second longer, I might do something I regret!"
 
Kaymann watched as she stomped out, turning to glare at the soldiers as a soft ripple of mocking applause filled the hall.

[End Snip]

Kaymann hung his head as Cat ran off. He ran his hands over the top of his head and rubbed the throbbing muscles in his neck.

"Go after her, stupid!" Some woman in the crowd yelled.

Kaymann cocked an eyebrow at the faceless advisor. She's probably right, he admitted to himself. He started to run after the young woman and the crowd roared with laughter. Kaymann flipped them a rude finger gesture and continued after the young dragonrider.

He followed her down the passageway and made a sharp left, following the rat-catchers shapely form, or so he thought. Kaymann groaned aloud as his eyes adjusted to the darkness in the totally empty passage. Cat got away.

"Man, I hope she doesn't do anything too crazy." He scratched his head. 

***

Day 18
Noon
On the Road Outside of Voldora

[Snip]

The woman's eyes widened a smile spreading across her face. "You are a defender of the warren! How delightful! Thankfully someone that isn't trying to rob us!" A sigh of relief escaped the woman, " But where are our manners, please do join us for lunch! I'm afraid it's not very grand being that we are on the road, but we would consider it an honor, wouldn't we dear!" Looking at her husband pointedly, the man just smiled and nodded.

[End Snip]

"It is an honour to meet you all." K'tarr lifted the young lady's hand from his arm firmly, but gently. "I am not familiar with the lands that you come from. How far have you travelled?"

"Come, young man. The sun is strong in the sky and my daughters will burn their delicate skin. Won't you please come back to the tent with us?" Duke Marquel rang in.

"I'm on patrol. We patrol these lands regularly." K'Tarr replied stoicly.

"Still, won't you take a moment away from your duties, Mr. Wingleader," Dolly slid her arm around K'Tarr's gloved forearm again. "And will you please introduce us all to your magnificent dragon?"

K'Tarr was many things. But right now, the last he wanted to be was a statesman. The whole point of being on these patrols was to be alone. He sighed and lifted his hand to the big red who was proudly puffing his chest out. His raised his horned and webbed head high above the crowd and beamed down at them.

"This is Qualis." The dragon bowed his head slightly at the nobles before him and let a trickle of smoke dramatically trickle out of each nostril.

<Show off.> K'Tarr mumbled in his mind as the nobles lead him back to the tent that they had erected for their comfort. <Send a message to the patrol riders to launch the next flight early so that my absence isn't missed.>

With a smile, he sent the message, then Qualis curled his tail around him and settled down for a rest. All the while the big red filled his partner's mind with draconic laughter.

***

Day 18
Noon
The Forest Outside of Norwall
Selena

It was quite an intricate dance that cautiously made it's way from the shadowy caverns of Norwall Warren's ancient volcanic walls and into the forests beyond. The Information broker went to seek the prize, whatever that was. The bard was following him at a decent distance, and with a skill that quite simply amazed Selena. It would appear that Antwin was more than he appeared to be. At a safe distance, the assassin known as The Angel followed the easily marked trail that Antwin had left for him. She hadn't seen the assassin at first. She almost gave herself away, but the briefest glimpse of his shadowy form made her freeze in her tracks until he had gone a safe distance.

Now they all approached the prize, in a more or less straight line.

When Selena slowly crawled along the dank forest floor to the edge of the clearing, she nearly gasped in surprise at what she saw.

The three men sat on logs arranged neatly before a crackling fire. They were talking in hushed tones, and Selena struggled to make out the words.

"... and this information, then?" The wily old man packed his pipe full as he talked to the two men. "I suppose it, too, was a hoax?" 

"Oh no, the information we have on you is still very much valid." Antwin smiled. Selena remarked on how handsome he was when he smiled. Despite the scraggly beard he now wore. Mentally reprimanding herself, she tuned the conversation back in.

"... want to propose is simple." Sabian stood slowly. "Norwall Warren is now under new management. Your services here are no longer required."

"I see." Marssell drew deeply on the long necked clay pipe and blew the sweet thick smoke in streams from his ancient nostrils.

"As a matter of fact, don't even bother returning now. Just go on to the next town or warren or whatever." Antwin emphasized.

Marssell coolly stared at the two men. The frustration the old swindler was feeling was apparent even at the distance Selena watched from. His right hand gently gripped the pipe, but his left had coiled into a ropy fist around his gnarled cane.

"This is unbeleivable. In all my years, I've never been... been..."

"Outsmarted like this?" Antwin supplied.

"So thourougly embarassed and humiliated?" Sabian also offered.

Marssell gritted his teeth in frustration.

Selena laughed inwardly and leaned a little closer so she could see the look on his face. Beneath her hand, a dried twig snapped cleanly in two.

And all three men instantly shot looks towards her position. Sabian drew a knife and ran towards her with astonishing speed. As she rose, she heard the shrill cry of a big sword being pulled from its sheath and as she turned to run, she saw Antwin holding the massive cutlass against Marssell's bearded throat.

But she didn't have time to further investigate. She bolted through the underbrush with Sabian hot on her heels.

Antwin still stood with his sword against the man's tender flesh. "Give me an excuse to let loose on you old man. I'll show you just how bloodthirsty the Dove truly was." He slowly withdrew the blade, letting each inch of the highly polished steel kiss the man's face.

Then Antwin turned and disappeared into the forest.

***

Day 19
After Midnight
Cat's Apartment
Kaymann

He sat on the chair for about all of ten seconds. Then he got up and walked over to the kitchenette and leaned against the countertop. He stared at the door and shifted his knife belt.

After a few moments of this, he moved to the bed and sat down cross legged on it.

He'd pretty much been doing this since he had arrived and found the apartment empty. Kaymann untied the braid in his hair and ran his fingers through his long hair. He quickly rebraided it and continued to wait. After he lost Cat in the passageways outside the Dining Hall, he immediately called Nightmare and had the big purple fly him up to Cat's apartment. When he didn't find Cat there he asked Nightmare to talk to Anthra.

<Well?> He had asked when Nightmare began to chuckle.

<<Anthra was very upset that I woke her.>> Nightmare laughed some more. <<And she said that her human said that she wasn't talking to you right now and that she shouldn't tell me anything. Then she added something about your validity as a mate and her rider's tastes.>>

Now, he impatiently waited. And finally the door cracked open.

Kaymann quickly retied the end of his braid and ran into the main room and brought up the lamp. The sudden increase in light startled Cat, who also gasped at Kaymann's sudden appearance.

"What the hell are you doing!?" She shouted putting one hand over her thudding heart. "You scared the crap out of me."

"I'm sorry, you didn't give me a chance to explain so I came here to talk to you but you weren't here and - "

"Will you shut up?" Cat threw her satchel down and walked past him into her bedroom and turned up the lamp. Kaymann opened his mouth to defend himself but stopped.

He stood there, one hand in his pocket and his back leaning against the door frame. He said nothing while Cat changed her clothes in the small bathroom. She clunked the drawers open and shut.

"Y'know Cat. You're taking this all the wrong way and if you'd give me a second to explain - "

"You'll tell me that there's nothing going on between you? Do you think I'm that stupid?"

"Damn it Cat! Delilah did that just to make me look foolish and her like a temptress! She even said in front of a whole room of people that I'm way too young for her. And for crying out loud, how many times do I have to tell you that you are the only one for me!" Kaymann crossed his arms across his chest and frowned.

"She is, you know." Cat came out of the bathroom, in her bedrobes and towelling off her hair.

"What?" 

"Too old for you." Cat smiled and walked past him, pausing to plant a kiss on his lips.

Kaymann froze dumbfounded. He looked over at Cat quizically as she crawled across the bed and slid under the covers. She smiled mischieviously at him.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" He unhooked his htumb from his belt and began to unfasten his knife belt.

"Well, almost." Cat put her hands behind her head and sighed. Kaymann tossed his coat on the chair beside the bed and sat down, beginnning to loosen his boots. "I went on a little adventure and I feel much better."

"Oh really. Where did you go?" Kaymann dropped his left boot and began to work on the right. He always took his right boot off last. It was the one with the knife in the toe and he had to be careful.

"To Delilah's apartment." Cat rolled over, facing her back to him.

The blade popped out of the boot's end as Kaymann accidentally squeezed the trigger. "WHAT?! You didn't ...?" Kaymann made a throat slashing motion.

"No, nothing that drastic." She purred over her shoulder. Her bedrobes hung at such an angle that the perfectly round orbs of her breasts peeked at him enticingly. "Just a little... souvenir."

Kaymann stripped off his shirt and leaned across the bed. He put his hand down on the other side of her hip.

"There's always an upside to fighting you know?"

"Oh really?" Cat's eyes twinkled.

Kaymann snuck a kiss. "Really."

[Tag Carina]

***

K'Tarr

The painted hunter sat between the two young women, almost oblivious to their fawning and doe-y eyed looks. Their brother and their father sat either side of the Lady Marquel, across the makeshift table that the servants had erected.

The family had been pinned down at these crossroads for quite a while. They had been making their way to Norwall when their advanced scouts spied the battles and the caravan had waited here until the fighting died down.

"It is quite good to hear that your Warren was victorious against such overwhelming forces, Master Wingleader." The Lord smiled from behind his goblet of wine. "It would seem that our reports have been more than accurate."

Lord Tallon smiled. "I agree, Father. Please K'tarr, tell me more of this Homeguard. I am quite intrigued. This concept of the dragons fighting alongside an armoured ground unit, it's quite revolutinary. Perhaps we could purchase some of your extra dragons to defend our own castles."

K'Tarr smiled. "I'm afraid that our relationship with the dragons is quite different than that of a horse or a cow, mi'lord." He stood up. The blank look came across his face as Qualis made commentary. K'Tarr laughed slightly.

"Qualis says that if you're castle has plenty of venison, he'll gladly come visit. And often." K'Tarr smiled slightly. "I will return to Norwall and bring word of your arrival. I will have some riders come to accompany you to the warren shortly."

"Splendid." The Lady Marquel clasped her hands together contentedly. "We will gladly await their arrival. Till then, Master Wingleader."

Much to the dismay of the two young ladies, K'Tarr left the tent quickly and slid up onto Qualis waiting shoulders. He fastened the restraints quickly as the two moon-eyed girls followed out into the grassy field. They sighed as K'Tarr fastened the last of the restraints and raised a hand to them.

Qualis leapt into the air, beating his wide wings once and sending a whirlwind at the young noblewomen. Their hair and dresses snapped back as the wingleader rose into the air.

Moments later, in a flash of light and smoke, Qualis blinked away. The two ladies gasped in pleasure.

***

Selena

Selena made her way to the roadway and walked along it for a while. What she had seen today was an incredibly important event. Something big had just gone down at that secret meeting in the forest.

Selena rested her hand on her sword hilt as she walked. What were those two up too? The assassin and the bard were unlikely partners, but after the way that she saw Antwin move today, she wondered if maybe...

She would have to investigate his background further, she noted. 

She returned her train of thought to the strange partnership. Why would the two of them be threatening Marssell? What would they be getting out of having the old man out of the way?

Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. They were setting up shop.

She sped her steps up, then broke into a run for the warren.

***

K'Tarr
Inside Norwall Warren

<K'Tarr, Coo has sent me a message. The senior staff, Naomi included, are meeting in the Queenrider's office. They would like you to join them.> Qualis broke into K'tarr's thoughts.

The rider took a moment to collect himself from the shattered fragments of his musings and let the dragon continue.

<Your thoughts are plagued with the fate of Donjanth's rider, brother. Your pain is great.>

<<My pain is nothing compared to hers. I failed her, Qualis. I am forever tainted.>>

<You tried. You did more than most men could.>

<<But it wasn't enough. Now I will die to prevent any more injustice at Norwall. No one else will suffer because I could not protect them brother. When my armour is complete, we will begin to design yours...>> K'tarr rubbed his dragon-brother's scaly neck as the big red walked behind him, with his head beside his rider's.

The dragon sighed, and bumped K'tarr affectionately before he went to join the other dragons. Qualis didn't stay depressed for very long though. Coo, the irridescent dragon, was preening herself in the distance. With a swagger, he made his way over.

[tag Tree]

K'tarr made his way up the stairs and knocked sternly on the door. Without waiting for an answer, he walked in and was startled to see Naomi sitting on one of the plush chairs of Jeneve's waiting room. The edges of his lips played upwards slightly.

"Naomi, it is good to see you again." K'Tarr said, dipping his head in acknowledgment.

"And you K'Tarr. You've done very well defending Norwall. I'm very proud."

Jeneve sat behind her desk and Breezy leaned against the shelves behind her. The door opened and Landon entered.

K'tarr stepped aside for his fellow rider and friend and the meeting began.

***

When Kalena knocked on the door, K'tarr was filled with a sense of panic. He felt like leaving, and a month or so ago, he would have. But now he just clenched his teeth and held on.

Her news, her decision to leave, cut him like a knife. He almost fell over when she said she was going. But it didn't really surprise him. 

The numbness he felt now had been luring at the edge of his perception for days. He had filled himself with patrols and responsibilities and now, the shock of lsong Kalena finally came piling in on him like a tidal wave.

He stumbled out into the hallway and waited for Kalena.

[Snip]

"Is it so easy to leave me?"  he asked startling her.
 
"There is nothing easy about anything that's happened to me lately.  How can you even think such a thing."  tears streamed down her cheeks.  "This is my home, but I don't know how to deal with what has happened to me.  I'll have no life until I can figure it out.  Your brother was here last night...he was with Jasmine in the forest and he was at Brona's camp and he's somehow very involved with everything that's happened here.  He's going to be where ever you are, and right now I can't deal with him being anywhere near me...watch out for Jasmine for me.  She trusts him, but she's only a child.  Please watch out for her."  She fled him not being able to say more.
 
[End Snip]

K'tarr let her go. He would protect Jasmine. He'd do that for her. He owed her that and so much more.

He slammed his fist through his office door. Bits of wood and glass shot across the floor in a rickety tune. A couple of heads popped out of offices to see what happened. 

K'tarr had already stormed out of the hallway and out to the training halls.

Galen was teaching a class. And now, K'Tarr would make sure that they would be ready.

[Tag Ben - K'Tarr's going to want to make sure the training is intense. He's definitely sticking his nose where it doesn't belong so Galen should feel free to be ticked off!]

***

Day 18
Late Afternoon
The Coffee Tent
Antwin

Antwin sipped at his coffee. It was luxurious. Rich and full bodied. Just enough cream. Perfectly sweet.

Sabian stared at the cup of tea cooling before him. He had a wry smile on his face. "This waiting about in public thing has always bothered me."

"Mmm. I guess old habits die hard." Antwin observed. "But we won't have to wait very long. She'll be here soon."

"And you're sure the merchant here knows what to do?" Sabian looked dubiously to where the owner brewed yet another pot of coffee.

"Don't worry. They've been in my employ for about ten years now. They know how to stick to a story, trust me."

Sabian seemed satisfied with the answer and fell to quiet contemplation again as Antwin lounged in his chair and savoured the aroma of his coffee.

"She's quite an impressive specimen, this Selena." Sabian spoke again and ran his finger over his chin. "  A strong soldier, a keen mind -"

"One hell of a body."

"Yes, I had noticed."

"Mmm, drink your tea or it won't look like we've been here for a while."

And as if on cue, Selena walked up to them.

She put her hands on her hips and glared at the two men. "I don't know what just happened out there, but I don't like it. I want the whole story, now."

[Tag Ben - Hi again! The coffee shop owners will say that Sabian and Antwin have been at the tent all day, just having a casual conversation. It'll bug the crap out of Selena cause she knows what the two of them are up to now and she'll be powerless to stop it!]

Submitted by
WiL

for 

Antwin, The Dove,
K'Tarr Morrinn, Alpha Wingleader
Qualis - A Dragon
Kaymann - Dragon rider
Nightmare - a Dragon
Selena - Captain of the Homeguard


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


 

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