**Day 3 - Patrol

> "Well, if that's the case, then I might have misjudged the man," H'nry stated. 
> 
> Thinking it was time to change the subject, Nia inquired, "How's Retala
> doing nowadays?"

H'nry shrugged, "Ok.  Why do you ask?"

"I've heard that she's sick."

"She's trying hard to hide it," H'nry sighed, "but she is.  It's some
kind of cancer."

"So she isn't going to get better?"

"Yes.  But she doesn't want people to know, and I'm trusting you not to
tell your wide circle of friends."

"I won't, and neither will Dianthus," Lyonnia said with a stare at her
dragon.

***Day 3 - Post mating flight - Dining Hall

Retala stood by the entrance and watched H'nry approach at a leisurely
pace.  "You're late," she said with mock seriousness.

"There was a little, ah, excitement outside," he replied.

"I saw.  Dalanth just wasn't up to snuff today."

"He let the new guy win," H'nry said with a grin, "Besides he was more
interested in getting to the feeding pens.  Speaking of food."

"Let's go," retala said and she led the way inside.

"So did you take a nap like you said you would?"

"Yes, pa, I did.  I won't fall asleep on you and Morgat tonight.
Probably a good thing with you two lechers."

"I don't think Morgat is a letcher."

"But you are?" Retala asked.

"But I am," H'nry agreed.

They picked up trays and got dinner.  Retala led the way to a table near
the windows.

"So have you decided on a defense strategy yet?" H'nry asked once they
had sat and begun to eat.

"I've got to try to show that Sabbith was trying to prevent Danielle
from being killed.  I looked through some of Ophelia's notes that she
made just after the incident, and it seems that Danielle was the only
witness."

"You should probably talk to her to find out if there are any details
that she might remember that Ophelia didn't write down."

"I should.  Ophelia's notes are fairly brief.  I try to talk to her
tomorrow."

"May I join you?"

Both H'nry and Retala looked up at the sound of the new voice.

"Sure, Gabriel," H'nry said, "This is Retala, Alpha Wingleader.  Retala,
this is Gabriel St. Knight, from Epion Warren."

Retala shook his hand, and Gabriel sat down next to H'nry.

"Gabriel, I'm not sure how to ask this, but what are you doing here?"
H'nry asked.

"That's what I came to talk to you about.  Vail refused to mate with
Dianthus."

"Interesting," H'nry said.  He turned to Retala, "Have you ever heard of
anything like this?"

"It certainly isn't a problem I've ever had," Retala said wryly,
recalling her own problems caused by mating flights, "and not one I've
ever had.  What happened?"

Gabriel told them about Veil winning Dianthus and flying off with her. 
He described how Vail then refused to mate with her, and how Lyonnia
lashed out at him.

"Don't you think you deserved it?" H'nry asked.

"I suppose," Gabriel replied, "I just don't understand why my brother
would win a female and then refuse to mate with her."

"Have you asked him?" Retala asked.

"No, I haven't."

"Then maybe you should," she suggested.

"Gabriel, I'm going to be honest with you," H'nry said, "I find you
quite personable, but many of the dragons find Veil a bit...intense."

"That's putting it mildly," Retala added.

H'nry saw someone out of the corner of his eye.

> "Hey Nia," H'nry greeted her, smiling.  "Care to join us?"
> 
> "Sure, but I kind of need to talk to..." She paused for a moment, trying to
> remember his name. He'd told her before, when they had been....ah yes. "I
> need to talk to Gabriel for a minute."
> 
> "No problem, I was just on my way out." He stood up, followed by Retala.
> "I'm sure you two have a couple things to talk about."
> 
> She darted a quick glance at her partner; did the whole warren know
> already?! Or had Gabriel told H'nry while they'd talked. "I'm sure we do,"
> she said.

H'nry and Retala walked out to the green and Dalantha and Rimanda landed
nearby.

"I'd like to visit Kay before we meet Morgat," H'nry said.

"No problem," Retala replied, "I want to get his version of what
happened anyway.  Hopefully with some of the facts in hand Morgat and I
will be able to start working on the specifics of his defense."

Day 3: Early Evening - Raisa

"I'm sorry, but the prisoner is to only have one visitior at a time,"
the guard said.

"You don't seem to understand.  I'm his counselor and he's the
translator.  Either you let us both go in, or I'll go speak to Lord
Etain who will make it clear to you that we're to be allowed in
together," Retala said threateningly.  She was beginning to loose
patience with the man.

"I don't know..."

"That's entirely correct.  You don't know you idiot."

"Morgat!" H'nry exclaimed, "How'd you know we were here?"

"There are two dragons sitting outside.  The leap of logic was not very
far," Morgat turned on the guard, "You have two choices.  You can either
let them both in, or this can get ugly.  Your choice."

"I will let them both in, your Honor," the guard stammered.

"Good.  I'll be at the tavern waiting for you."

"Save some beer for us," Retala teased.

"It'll be hard to exercise that much self control, but I'll try," Morgat
replied as he walked out the door.

NRPG:

Kris: Visitors for Kay.  This is the day after all the women-folk visit,
so I don't know where Kay's mood is.  Short and sweet is ok.

Lyn: If you don't get there first, I'll pick this up in a couple of
days.

Sarah: Good to have you back.

Kat: H'nry and Retala will show up to talk to Danielle some time on Day
4.

		Respectfully submitted,
		H'nry - Dalanth
		Telnor Warren
		Alton Reich
-- 
			Alton & Elizabeth Reich
			  alton.reich@snet.net
"Ani l'dodi, v'dodi li - I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"
--The Song of Songs