Kalewyn (morning that H'nry and Retala are tried)
***

Kay had been too despondent when they led him to the jail cells to be
scared about what was going to happen to him. He tried fruitlessly to
contact Sabbith, only to be disappointed. He missed his dragon terribly and
the strain of his worry for the great beast was showing on his face.

He was led into a large cell with several other men already seated inside.
Kay looked away from his cellmates. He wasn't in the mood for company.

He found a seat alone in the corner and leaned heavily against the wall. He
wondered how long it would take before he would have visitors.. and how
long before this whole mess would be over. Ophelia had promised nothing
would happen to Sabbith .. but Telnor seemed so far away right now. What if
Ophelia couldn't help him? It would serve him right for disobeying her
directives. 

But what about Kattibrie.. and Danielle. They shouldn't have had to pay for
his foolishness.

Suddenly he felt himself grabbed by the shirt collar, pushing him against
the stone wall. He looked up to see an large bald man holding him, his feet
dangling a few inches off the floor.  Kay recognized him as one of Foustus'
men he had seen being loaded into the second wagon.

"I want you do know, dragonrider, Derrik was my best friend. And I look
forward to seeing you die for what that monster of yours did to him." He
spoke through clenched teeth. "You and your kind live it up and do want you
want. Now you're going to get a little of your own medicine. And even Etain
can't stop it."

Kay just looked into the man's face, knowing that trying to sign to him was
pointless. And even if the man could understand his signs what would he
say. *I'm sorry*? Gods! He was so sorry! But he could see no way out of
what had happened. How could he possibly have stopped Sabbith?

"What's the matter? Nothing to say for yourself!" The man pushed him harder
against the wall forcing the air out of his lungs. Kay gasped for air.
"You're not so tough without your dragon are you?" The man laughed and
dropped Kay. He turned his back and walked back to his friends who were all
laughing.

Kay simply sat once again. What more could he do? He couldn't communicate
with them, and they out numbered him. <Sabbith .. Sabbith ..>

Kay endured many pokes and slaps and kicks as he sat in the holding cell.
This was really nothing new. He'd gotten it when he lived on the ranch
pretty regularly .. at least when he couldn't get away alone. And he
certainly couldn't get away now ..

Sabbith (evening of that day)
***

The voices were getting louder .. they were familiar .. but still not the
one he wanted to hear. <Kay ..>

His own voice echoed weakly in his head. Even as the healers came up yet
again to poke at him, he couldn't respond .. couldn't fight them off as
they came at him with yet another large needle. He was just so tired .. all
he wanted to was to curl up with his Kay.

He felt a stinging in his forearm as though it were on fire. He tried to
raise his head to keen at the pain, but it took too much effort, and he
quickly gave up, laying his head back and closing his eyes. 

***

<Sabbith ..>

<Sabbie ..>

The voices were getting stronger, and he opened his eyes to see the lovely
faces of all his girls gathered around him. <Eclipse .. Sunburst ..
Calishandra ..> A soft moan escaped past his razor sharp teeth, and a keen
floated through the air.. <Where is my Kay ..>

<He's okay, Sabbith,> the voice of Renulf sounded in his head. He turned
his head to look at the dragon standing not to far from the others.

<Where, Renulf .. where? I can't hear him.>

<The unjoined humans have him. But he will not be harmed.> Renulf assured
him. <How are you feeling?>

<Yes, Sweet Sabbith ..>

<.. tell us how you feel?> The girls begged.

<We've been so worried about you ..> the little queen cried softly.

<I miss my Kay ..> The crimson dragon moaned once again. He dropped his
head once again and spotted the human healers who had been poking and
prodding him, now standing back to allow the dragons closer to him.

He keened softly again, <Kay ..>

Then his head shot up as he thought he heard something .. <Kay! ..>

<.. sabbith ..>

It was Kay! He tried to roar enthusiastically, but it came out horse and
winded ..

<I heard him! I heard him!>

Kalewyn
***

When H'nry and Retala arrived, Kay was moved to a private room to talk with
them .. but he knew he wasn't very good company. And when they left, he
remained despondent. All H'nry could tell him was that Danielle and
Kattibrie were fine and that they were doing all they could for Sabbith.

None of that did any good at soothing his fears. Not until later .. nearly
an hour after H'nry and Retala had left. He had been left in his private
cell. From what he could understand it was under orders from Etain.

He was relieved and began to relax a little. That was when he heard it. The
sweet voice of his soulmate, <.. kay .. kay ..>

<Sabbith!>

A tear slipped down his cheek as a smiled touched on his lips. His dragon
was alive .. Sabbith was alive ..

Regards,
Kalewyn & Sabbith

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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Dragonrider
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
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