Merybelle
***

Merybelle looked at her son. His face pleading with her. He'd been pleading
with her all morning!  "It wouldn't be for long, Mom. Just a few days .. a
week tops."

"Where will you stay? You can't stay alone." Mery said, "And I don't think
you should stay with your father .."

"Maybe with Shawnee and Ojean?"

Mery frowned, "Byrin .. I don't know .."

"Please mom .."

She sighed, finding it difficult to say no. After all he and Saul did seem
to be getting along .. and he did deserve to get to know his father. Though
after Saul's behavior with that young child last night! Someone had tried
to explain the mating flight to her, but it just made no sense.

"I don't think it's a good idea, Byrin."

"Dad would," the boy said simply, and Mery knew he wasn't talking about
Saul of Whiteriver. He was speaking of the man who had raised him from a
young child .. Gorge Barmen. And she knew he was right. Gorge would insist
that she allow the boy time to get to know Saul ..

She dropped her head in frustration. If there were an afterlife as some
believed then she knew Gorge would never stop haunting her if she didn't.
She sighed. "Okay. We'll ask Shawnee."

***

"There she is," Byrin said excitedly as he spotted the blonde woman walked
across the green. "Shawnee!" He called to her.

The woman stopped and waited and Byrin ran up to her, "I have a favor I
want to ask you."

Mery looked at the young woman's face and saw clear evidence that the girl
had been crying. She wondered if it had anything to do with the mating
flight Saul had won the night before

"What can I do for you, Byrin."

"Mom's agreed to let me stay in the warren for a few days if I can stay
with you. That way I can spend more time with Saul .. get to know him as my
father."

Mery spoke quickly. "Don't feel you have to say yes, Shawnee." She debated
over just changing her mind based on the stricken look on the young woman's
face.

"But please say yes," Byrin begged. "I'd like to stay with you and Ojean.
Just for a couple of days. A week at the tops."

Regards,
Merybelle & Byrin

*********************************************************************
  |\  /^~~^\  /|
 -qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp------------------------------------------------------
       \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
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/