Rebessa
***
<< in Ralengarde>>

"A night out?" the dark haired woman asked in surprise as she turned to
look at her husband. Gilliad Durrall wasn't known for throwing his money
around. Certainly not before the attack by Feldric, and definitely not
since. His wife, Rebessa, wondered what in the Lands had gotten into him!

"Sure, why not? Do you know how long it's been."

"A very long time," she said still in a bit of shock. "I'd love to have a
night out. But why? and Where?"

"The Traveler's Rest."

She raised an eyebrow. "Gil .. that's a pub!"

"Oh I know, but they do have the best food in  Ralengarde. Don't worry,
Bess, we won't stay long. Besides I understand that's where that Rysad
gentlemen is staying. Maybe we can even chat with him a bit."

She frowned, "He's just in town to stir up trouble that's all." She wasn't
fond of people speaking out against the dragonriders. It was far to
dangerous. What if the Keldarran dragon hadn't come to help Ralengarde when
they did! Feldrick would surely have control of the city now, rather then
rotting away in the dungeons under Jaldor's castle.

"He's all right .." the man said brushing off her concerns. He moved to the
staircase of their large home, "Elissa! Come down, dear, we're going out to
eat!"

Rebessa's frown deepened, she wasn't sure she wanted their daughter exposed
to such a man. She could understand Gilliad wanting to be rid of the
Warren's and their 'hefty' tax, as he called the tithing Ralengarde had to
do. He'd rather enjoyed the relif they'd had when Jaldor refused to support
the warrens anylonger.

The Kings anger at the joining of his son to one of the Keldarran dragons
had given Gilliad a taste of life without that particular tax. Though since
Feldric's attack the tithing had been back on, and her husband wasn't
pleased.

A pretty dark-haired girl of 14, came bounding down the stairs of the large
two story house, two at a time. "Out? Really, Papa."

"Really,  my love. Go get your wrap."

"I'm not so sure about this .." Rebessa began, but her statement was cut
off by a glare from her husband. She quickly swallowed the words, not
wanting to raise her husbands wrath.

"I'm doing this for you. So you don't have to cook tonight!" he snapped.

"Of course .." she said cowering, "I'm sorry .. I .. just .."

The man calmed quickly, his mind back on meeting the man with the rousing
words against the dragonriders, "It's alright. Just get your wrap."

He turned and moved to get his own jacket. Rebessa sighed. It was best not
to anger him. Sometimes when he got something stuck in his head it was
better to just go along with it. Besides getting out was well worth it.
Gilliad didn't let her waste money on going out very often. It certainly
wasn't because they were poor .. he just tended to be a miser. She didn't
mind so much considering how long she'd spent on the streets with barely
anything to eat. Gil had been a savior to her then.

She'd started a new life the day she'd met him. And sincethen, she'd barely
thought of her old life. It was a past best laid to rest. She had a husband
who treated her well most of the time and a beautiful daughter. She was
happy now. She hadn't been happy before. Not for a long time ..

***
"I'm leaving!" his words stunned her. They'd argued non-stop for the last
week it seemed. But he'd never threatened to leave.

"What? You .. you can't just leave? Where will you go? What will you do?"
She couldn't let him go. He was all she had left ..

"Anywhere to get away from you! You drove my father away! Now you've driven
me away!"

"Son .. you can't go..."

"Don't call me that! I don't want to be your son, anymore! I'm going with
my father .."

"He's a gambler! A Ner'do'well! What kind of life is that for a boy?"

"Better then what I have here!"

The young boy, barely 15, slammed the door as he stormed out into the
night, and it echoed through her ears ...
***

"Rebessa! Get your wrap woman, we're waiting!" Gil bellowed jerking her
from the memory. She quickly wiped her handkerchief over her moist eyes. It
was the most common memory from her past that invaded her thoughts. Her
rememberances of her brash first child. Gil didn't even know he exsisted.
He knew she's been married before, for she'd known him when word of Hutch's
death had finally reached her .. In fact that had been the night he asked
her to marry him.

But what became of her son .. she could only guess. If he'd followed in his
father's footsteps, gambling and womanizing, he was most likely dead as
well. Best to just forget ..

She hurried to grab her coat, and met her husband and her daughter at the door.

***

Dinner was going well. There was no sign of that trouble maker who hated
dragonriders so much, and the food was delicious! Elissa was full of
beautiful smiles as was Gil. He seemed to have forgotten all about wanting
to meet the rabble-rouser. It made Rebessa happy.

That is until her world vanished and she was blown back into her past as a
slender, bearded man walked into the rest .. she froze for a moment caught
up in the vision..

Saul
***

Saul and Byrin walked into the Rest. Byrin ran through the main room as
though he owned the place, and on into the back in search of his mother.
Saul stepped up to the bar and settled on to one of the stools, "Issic?"

The thin bartender nodded, "Yes, Hello Saul. What can I get for you."

"A mug of whatever you have on tap there behind the bar will be fine," the
dragonrider told him.

Issic grabbed a mug and filled it with the foamy amber liquid, and handed
it to the dragonrider, "We're glad to have our Byrin back again."

Saul grinned, "I'd have loved to have him stay longer. But I know Mery most
likely wants him back. She hasn't been too lonely has she."

Issic grinned, "Oh no, she's kept herself .. occupied." Saul raised an
eyebrow, and the bartender laughed, "Oh she's missed the boy, however."

Saul nodded, "I also have some news for you all. We managed to catch the
rider who slashed up that girls face."

"What! You did?" Issic couldn't hide his surprise, "Toral will be
interested to hear that, I'm sure. How did you do it?"

Saul shrugged, "Actually he came to us." He shook his head and the barkeeps
questioning eyes, "It's a long story, but suffice it to say, our Warrenlady
has sent both him and his accomplice to the Ralengarde prison. Both his
crimes were against the landbound, and should be tried here."

Issic nodded, "I'm glad to hear the Warren feels that way. We've had some
.. pretty negative talk concerning the Warrens the last week or so."

"Oh really." Saul asked cocking his head, "What sort?"

"Well, folks are still upset about the attack by Feldric. Some say if the
Warren had been doing it's job, he'd have never caused as much damage as he
did."

"Well, not being from Keldarra I don't know much about it. However, isn't
it true that Jaldor had ordered everyone in the lands to stop supporting
the warrens. I remember having some trouble with the Lords in Whiteriver's
domain on that subject for a while."

Issic nodded, "That he did. However, people are more inclined to feel
repressed rather then grateful .."

Saul shook his head, "I think you're right."

Byrin came running out from the back of the Rest, "Saul!" he called across
the room, a huge grin plastered on his face, "Mama's out with Toral Smith!"

Rebessa
***

She'd watched him at the bar in amazement. It was almost as though her
first husband had walked into the room. The turn of a smile on his lip. The
sparkle in his deep blue eyes. Oh gods, he was alive. Her son was alive ..
and he was sitting at the bar not more then ten feet from her.

As her daughter chattered on, holding Gil's attention she stared at the
handsome man dressed in riding leathers. He was a dragonrider..  From
runaway to Dragonrider. Course Gil would probably say that was a step down,
but she couldn't help but be impressed.

As the boy ran into the room yelling his name, it all became way to real
for her. It was Saul .. It was her son. She had to get out of there now.
She could barely breath.

"Ah, that young smith has his hands on a prize now!" Gil guffawed at the
boy's comment. He'd heard the rumors about the amount of time the young man
was spending with the widow. In his business it payed to know the comings
and goings of those he choose to do business with. Adn the young man's
family Smithy was by far the one with the best reputation within the walls
of Ralengarde. He turned to speak to Rebessa, "Can you imagine .. surely
he's out for her money." He frowned at his wife's pale face, "Bess, are you
listening to me?"

She stood up and headed for the door of the Pub. Her husband and her
daugher watched her retreating form in surprise.

"Stay here, Elissa, I'll get your mother," Gil told his daughter gruffly as
he got up and followed his wife out.

He found her standing outside on the porch, leaning over the railing,
taking deep breaths. "Bess, are you all right," he asked.

Saul
***

Saul grinned at the boy, obviously excited about this new turn of events.
"I can't believe he got my mother out!" Byrin continued.

"Perhaps it's the company," Saul said with a smile, not noticing the older
woman who hurried out of the Rest behind him.

"Indeed," said Issic. "Toral has been spending a lot of time in the Rest
lately. And most of the time has been in visiting your mother."

"Really," the boys eyes widened. "Does Mama like him?"

"I think that's something you would have to discuss with your mother," the
barkeep scoulded, with a smile.

Byrin's grin widened, "She does!" He turned to Saul, "My mother's been
alone since my father died. I mean, since her husband .."

Saul chuckled, "It's all right, son. I know what you mean."

"Well, anyway, when Irina .." the boy blushed slightly at the name, "..
told me that she was out with Toral .. Can we go find, Saul? Please?"

The dragon rider nodded, "Sure. Where did they go."

"To the fountain."

"Then let's go." The dragonrider said.  He dug in his pocket and pulled out
a couple coins throwing them on the counter, "Thanks for the drink, Issic."

Then he followed the boy out the door. Catching up to him he stopped him,
"So who's Irina?"

Byrin groaned, blushing bright red, and Saul chuckled, as they headed down
the steps.

Rebessa
***

Rebessa had gathered herself together and was ready to face her husband
with a simple lie about being too hot, when Saul stepped out of the Rest
with the young boy and headed down the stairs to the street. She froze
agian, the lie unable to slip from her lips.

Gil watched her eyes, "Who's that dragonrider? Why's he got you all upset?"

"I .. I .." she mumbled and looked faint.

"Rebessa!" Gil barked, "What is the matter?"

It was then the tears began to slip from her eyes and she began to babble
unintelligibly. Gil wasn't dense and when words and phrases like, 'son' and
'thought he was dead' came out he began to put things together.

 He grabbed her arms and shook her, "Rebessa! Answer me.. What is going on?
What is this about a son .."

The shaking seemed to bring her around and her eyes widened, "I .. swear,
Gil. I thought he was dead."

Gil shook his head in rage, "You had another child! And you didn't tell me!"

"I didn't figure it mattered. He wanted nothing more to do with me .. and
Hutch was dead. I thought .. I thought Saul was too .. It .. it was too
painful .. I didn't want to have to relive it."

"You should have told me," he hissed.

"Told you what, Papa?" A soft voice asked behind them.

They both looked up to see their daughter watching them.  Rebessa quickly
wiped the tears form her face and fought to put on a nothing is wrong face.
Gil was the first to speak, "Nothing, Elissa. Could you go get our coats,
we're going home."

"But I haven't had desert yet .."

"Well have something at home. Go get our coats."

"Yes, Papa," the girl pouted slightly and headed back into the inn.

Gil turned back to Rebessa. "She is not to know anything about this!"

Rebessa nodded, "I won't say anything."

"But you and I will talk about this when we get home!"

She nodded again. Gods, why couldn't she control herself. It had been 17
years since she'd seen him. She'd thought she'd put it behind her. But
seeing him .. knowing he was alive .. it had been too much for her to
handle. She only hoped Gil could see that she was only trying to make
things easier..

He  turned and walked to the door of the Rest where Elissa was coming out
with their coats. "I'm going to go pay. Wait here."

Elissa looked up at her mother, "Mama?"

But Rebessa just shook her head, "Don't worry, dear. I'm just not feeling
very good right now."

Mery
***

Daylight had not yet surrendered to night as Mery and Toral sat looking at
the fountain. Fallen leaves cluttered the water, and a slightly nippy
breeze blew them enough to make them dance. Mery leaned against the tall
Smith, enjoying the warmth of his body next to hers. It'd only been a few
days since their first kiss, and she still felt a bit self-conscious when
he would take her hand or hugged her in public. But he had a smooth style
which helped to soothe her unease.

She couldn't think of anywhere she'd rather be at that moment .. and she
didn't care who else knew it ..

"Mama!" a familiar cry rang in her ears and she spun around to see her son
coming toward them, Saul beside him.

She grinned, "Byrin! You're home."

She scrambled to her feet and hugged him to her. "Oh, I've missed you!"

Toral stood up also, "Hi Byrin, Welcome home."

"Hey Toral," Byrin grinned "Saul caught K'leev and brought Ojean home. So
everyone safe. And K'leev is locked up in the prison here in town!"

Mery turned her eyes to the bearded rider, "You brought him in?"

Saul shook his head, "Not exactly. But he is locked away here for trial,
both for what he did to that girl in your Inn and for what he tried to do
to the two kids from the warren."

"I'm glad he's been caught," Toral said.

Mery nodded, "Me too. Though I have to admit, I never thought it would happen."

Saul looked her in the eyes, his deep blue eyes sparkling, "I gave my
word." He looked around the small park in the middle of Ralengarde, "So
where exactly is the prison. I'd like to double check on him getting there."

Toral was glad to give the man directions. Saul nodded apprciatively and
turned to Byrin, "I'm going to head back to Shawnee when I'm done."

The boy nodded, "I know."

Saul moved to give the boy a hug. "You can come back anytime you want."

"You'll come get me?"

"Absolutely. You'll be the first one outside of Whiteriver to know when the
baby arrives." He chuckled, "Not much I can do to stop the dragons from
spreading the news around the warren, I'm sure."

"That's okay, I understand."

Saul clapped the boy lightly on the shoulder and turned toward the prison
that Toral had given him directions to, leaving the boy with his mother and
the young Smith.

Byrin turned to look at his mother and Toral. "You two were looking cozy."

Mery's eyes widened and a blush crossed her cheek, "I .. umm.. What do you
mean?"

She was suddenly very aware of Toral's closeness. She heard him chuckle,
and felt his hand run over her back. "Does that bother you?" he asked the
boy.

"Oh no!" Byrin said quickly, "I think it's great."

"So do I," Toral agreed.

Mery found herself grinning at the two of them. Toral liked Byrin, Byrin
liked Toral .. that helped things a lot. Now if they could just survive the
rumors. She'd heard a few already. Old women clucking about taking
advantage of the young man, or laughing about how he was after her money ..
not that she had much left after the reconstruction costs. She'd even heard
the absurd rumors that it was her way of paying for that reconstruction.

It still bothered her, but seemed to run right past Toral without bothering
him at all. That helped to ease her own worries.  It also helped that she
was so comfortable with him, when it was just the two of them.  She was
happy then. And now Byrin was back.

Since the attack by Feldric, and the almost complete destruction of the
Traveler's Rest,  and then finding Saul .. she'd had her doubts that
anything would ever be good again.  She put an arm aroung Byrin, and an arm
around Toral, "Shall we head back to the Rest then."

Elissa
***

The girl crept down the hall toward her parents room.  She'd heard more of
her mother and fathers conversation at the rest then she'd let on .. and it
bothered her.

*You had another child ..*

She was sure that was what her father had said. But did it mean her mother
had another child.. Did she have a brother or a sister somewhere that she'd
never known about? And her mother had been crying. She had to find out what
it all meant.

She could hear their muffled voices through the door. She put her ear to
the door carefully and listened.

"So tell me about him," she heard her father say.

"He was reckless, like his father, whom he idolized," she could hear the
distress in her mother's voice. "We fought a lot.  Finally after a really
bad fight.. he left. He was only 15. He probably never would have left had
Hutch not come back to beg money off me. I refused and so Saul and I argued
about it .."

"He joined his father?"

There was silence for a moment and then a soft sigh, "I never heard
anything about him agian. Even when the brought word that Hutch had been
killed there was nothing about a boy. I just figured he'd been killed to. I
just wanted to forget."

"I wish you'd told me about this before."

"I'm sorry, Gil, really. I never expected to see him again. But when I saw
him.. all the.. gods it was my son .."

"You didn't know he was a dragonrider?"

A dragonrider?? Elissa ears perked.  She had a brother who was a dragonrider?

"No!" her mother's voice rang out irritably. "I told you! I hadn't seen or
heard anything of him since the day he left!"

"Keep your voice down! I don't want Elissa to hear any of this!" her father
hissed. "You are to forget you ever saw him. He's been gone all these
years, we will not bring him up again!"

"What if he comes back?"

"He wasn't wearing Keldarran leathers.. so he's from somewhere else.
Probably Whiteriver, since that the area Hutch was in when he was killed.
He probably had the boy with him.. Some dragonrider must saved him and
taken him to the Warren." Her father huffed a big more, "And to be on the
safe side, we'll avoid the Traveler's Rest. Now you clean yourself up and
get ready for bed, I'm going to check on Elissa."

The girl moved quickly running back to her room and jumping under her
covers before her father could catch her listening at the door.  She barely
made it, when her father knocked at her door. He pushed it open slightly,
"Elissa?"

She breathed heavily as though she were asleep, and in a few moments, he
shut the door. She lay there awake for a long time .. thinking about her
brother, the dragonrider.

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
***
NRPG: Okay here's Saul's trip to Ralengarde and yet another missing family
member! Hey that's what he get's for being a rogue :)

Whiteriver, Just planting seeds in young minds.. We'll have to wait and see
what developes over time.

Ralengarde, I moved Mery and Toral up a few more days. Of which I'm
assuming they've spent a lot of time together :) I plan on doing more with
them, but wanted to get Byrin home first, and I've gotta go make lunch in a
few minutes.

K'leev is in prison, and we can play with him or not as the fancy strikes us :)

Kris

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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
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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