>H'nry looked at the man and nodded.  His eye caught movement in the woods as
>he looked, and the glint of filtered sunlight off a small steel object.  His
>arms shot out, one around the man and the other around Lyonnia.  He threw
>himself and them on the ground as a cross bow bolt whizzed by.

Lyonnia gave a little cry of alarm as she was pulled to the ground
unexpectedly, but saw a shape dart past her ear, barely missing her.  She
was cushioned by her partner's body, but she still felt the air rush out of
her lungs.
>
>H'nry heard the distinct sound of movement from the brush nearby and lept up
>to pursue the attacker.

Lyonnia stood up quickly, trying to catch her breath, as H'nry headed out to
the woods. She contemplated for a moment following him, but seeing the man
they had been talking to backing away, she removed her bow and nocked an
arrow.  "I don't think so," she said softly.

The man's eyes rounded slightly, and he stopped his backward movement.  "I
didn't do anything," he pleaded, glancing repeatedly at the arrow and at
Lyonnia face.

Lyonnia, however, felt no compassion whatsoever.  "I can't be too sure of
that," she gritted out.  Forcing herself to calm, she said almost gaily,
"Let's go."  She jerked the arrow one way, indicating the way he was to go.
Still staring wide eyed, he moved in the indicated direction.  Lyonnia
glanced around, hoping noone was there, then turned and followed the man.
*Dianthus, how's H'nry?* she thought desperately.

:Why aren't you with my rider!?: came an unfamiliar voice.

*Dalanth?*  Confused for a moment, she thought *But he can take care of
himself.  I thought that---*

<Stop it Dalanth.  I know you're worried.>  Dianthus' thoughts intruded on
the conversation.  <I agree with Lyonnia; H'nry can take care of himself.
Have faith in your rider.>

Lyonnia could feel Dalanth's hesitance, but Dianthus just ignored it.  <You
have the man you followed?>  When Lyonnia replied positively, she sensed the
satisfaction flowing along the link.  <Good, because he's going to have to
answer to some ques....>  The dragon's voice trailed off, then <Something's
happening here....>

A few moments later, Lyonnia heard a dragon roar nearby.  The man in front
of her jumped, causing her to almost run into him and impale him with the
arrow.  "Move!" she growled, poking him in the back and urging him to go faster.

The camp was in sight by then, and Lyonnia could see something burning.  She
was tempted to run ahead and see what was going on, but decided to continue
with the prisoner.  *Di, WHAT happened!?* she thought.

<From what I can get from Sabbith, someone tried to kill Kay, and Sabbith
flamed him.>

"What!?" she cried audibly, causing the man to jump again.  She poked the
man harder, then, seeing M'rtain, went over to him.  Without thinking about
the consequences, she blurted out, "Take care of this man.  He tried to have
H'nry killed."

She was staring towards the orange dragon and fire, so she didn't see the
hardening of M'rtain's eyes.  All she saw, and felt, was the prisoner taken
off her back, and she practically ran towards the scene.


NRPG:  Alton, please don't think Lyonnia's being callous.  She is doing what
she believes is right, knowing that H'nry can take care of himself.  She
doesn't know half the survival skills H'nry knows, so she decided it was
safer, and better, if she stayed behind. 

Submitted by
Sarah
Lyonnia/Dianthus *Telnor*
Laris *Telnor*