Shawnee

"Doshayne asleep?" He asked taking Fawna from her and settling her on his
hip before they walked over to where the boys were standing next to Mery.

Shawnee turned and smiled at them. "So Byrin, how did you like oiling a
dragon for the first time?"

"It was fun," the boy grinned. "I can't wait until I tell my friends about
it when I get home."

As if the word 'home' reminded him that he would be leaving soon, the boys
grin wavered a bit, until he saw his mother watching him.

"They'll go bonkers with it when they learn," he went on trying to hide his
sadness, but Shawnee wasn't fooled and suspected neither was his mother.

"So!!! Who's hungry?" she asked and heard Saul and the boys groan. "What?
What did I say?" she looked from one face to the other. All three of the
males turned and looked at each other as if sharing a joke.

Then Ojean turned his blue eyes up to look to her. "Saul told us that you
would say that."

"He did huh?" She asked and raised her eyes to meet the deep blue eyes of
her love. "And why did he say that?"

"Because that was all you were going to be hearing from Doshy for the next
week and it would be the first thing on your mind morning, noon, and
night." the boy repeated as if by rote.

When asked if Mery and Byrin were going to join them for lunch, Mery spoke
up before her son could agree and told them that they still had a few
things to pack before they were scheduled to leave the Warren on the
afternoon coach.

So they said their good-byes their on the green and Shawnee took Fawna back
from Saul so the Dragonrider could have a moment alone with the boy. She
had seen Saul look over at Mery as if asking if it was all right and then
stood there as he placed his hand on the boys shoulder and moved him a few
feet away.

Merybelle

Mery quickly declined a lunch invitation from Saul's pretty young lover,
before Byrin could accept the offer. She really wanted to get away from
Whiteriver as quickly as she could. She knew Byrin would have liked to stay
longer, and she was sorry to do this to him, but it was for the best. She
watched as Shawnee took her siblings by the hand leaving Saul to say his
good-byes to his son.

His son ? Yipes! As she stood looking at the two of them the resemblance
was impossible to ignore. "You can come back and visit any time," she heard
Saul offer.

Byrin's face lit up, "Really?"

Saul nodded, "As long as it's okay with your mother." He looked to Mery,
and once again she found her heart pounding as he deep blue eyes stared
into hers.

"We'll see. Sometime maybe."

Saul smiled happily at the boy, "See." He then put a hand on the lads
shoulder and pulled him a short distance away. Mery watched them, then
turned to see Shawnee sending her siblings into the dining hall. She took a
deep breath and headed over to the woman.

Shawnee

Setting Fawna down, Shawnee turned to her brother and asked if he would
take his sister and run on ahead of them to the dining hall and save them a
table for lunch. For a moment she watched after them, Ojean slowing his
pace so that Fawna could keep up with him..

"You're in love with him. Aren't you?" she hear the woman beside her ask
and nodded her head, before turning to face her.

"With all my heart," Shawnee told her, meeting the woman's eyes. She could
read concern there, but none of the malice she had felt from the woman the
first time their eyes had met across the dining hall.

Merybelle looked away first, but didn't say anything as her eyes went back
to watch her son. A sad smile crossed the woman's lips as she watched the
man and boy shake hands and then after a moments hesitation, Saul reached
out and hugged the boy to him. 

"I hope he treats you well," she said and walked toward her son. "Let's go
get packed, Byrin."

Byrin reluctantly said good-bye to Saul and Shawnee as he turned to follow
his mother.

Merybelle

"What do you mean we're not going anywhere!" Mery stormed. "We paid for a
ride back to Farway!"

"I'm sorry ma'am. But until those children are found no one leaves the
warren." Mery had heard about the three missing girls .. though she
couldn't fathom why it would keep her from leaving the warren. Obviously
they were not on this carriage.

The driver turned away leaving Mery fuming. She turned to see Byrin trying
to hide his excitement. She sighed, "Well, you've got your way tonight."

"I'm really sorry mom .. honest," Byrin said.

She smiled at him, "I know, dear. I suppose one more night for you to visit
your father isn't such a bad idea."

***

Mery and her son were just entering the dinning hall when a large angry man
grabbed at Saul. Byrin gasped and Mery grabbed his arm, afraid he might do
something foolish. She watched as Shawnee moved to beat on the man's arm

Suddenly a boisterous trumpeting startled her. She watched as sparkling
silver dragon  shot into the air, a multitude of colored dragon hot on her
tail. Her eyes flashed back to Saul being released as both men suddenly
turned and headed out the door, brushing past her without a second glance
in her direction.

"Saul?" she asked, but was ignored. She turned to see the horrified look on
Shawnee's face and headed over to the girl, "What is it?"

Shawnee looked at her for a moment, then turned away, "The queen is rising
to mate."

Mery followed the girl's eyes, her own eyes widening in shock at the
display in front of her!  A young red-head was dancing on top of a table.
He hips swaying as she seductively teased a horde of drooling men. Her hand
moved to cover Byrin's eyes.

"Mom!" he said shaking her hand away.

"Byrin, go inside."

"But, mom .. it's only a mating flight .." Byrin protested.

"Inside!" Mery repeated. She looked up at Shawnee as Byrin frowned and
headed into the dining hall.

A look of relief crossed Shawnee's face as someone shouted, "Bruteth has
the lead! He's going to catch her!"

"Not again! He won the last queen," someone complained.

Mery couldn't believe the spectacle of the young girl as she swayed in
front of the crowd of men. Then there was a gasp from the crowd, "Did you
see that!"

"Fayloth stole her out from under Bruteth!"

She looked up in the sky to see the brilliant blue of Saul's dragon
entangling the large silver queen. Then she heard a sob from Shawnee and
looked to see her looking at the young red head who'd been dancing on the
table, entangled in Saul's arms. The two locked in a passionate kiss.

"Can't keep him satisfied, eh love," she heard a woman say. She turned to
see an older version of Shawnee looking satisfied toward where Saul was
carrying the girl away.

"What is this?" Mery asked still in shock "That girl's barely out of
diapers! What is he thinking!"

Regards,
Merybelle
Shawnee & Doshayne (played by Barb Mathews)

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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
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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