[Day 2.  Etain]

"Excuse me, sir.  There's a dragonrider from Telnor wishing to see you.  
Danielle, rider of Violet.  She's accompanied by Traplin, rider of Diemas."

Traplin he knew.  Etain looked up at Hanoth, trying to place the woman's 
name.  Ah, yes.  One of the women who had been a prisoner in Foustus's 
dungeon.  He still grew angry when he thought of what had been done to 
them.  "Let them in."

He had only a time to wait until the white-blonde walked in, the side of 
her face still an ugly shade of purple, with the rider who had been for the 
last couple of years only The Shadow.

"You wished to see me?" he asked.

Danielle stepped forward.  "Lord Etain, with all due respect, Kalewyn is 
being held on wrongful charges."

"And why do you feel this is so?"

"Sir, I was there... and the man Sabbith flamed was coming at Kay with a
knife.  It was self defense."

"I'm well aware of that claim, Danielle.  I read the statement you gave to 
Ophelia, as well as the one given by Kalewyn."

"Then why is he being held?" she demanded.

Etain sighed in exasperation.  "Because a man was *killed* and we have only 
your word and that of the accused that it was self-defense.  By the time 
*I* was finally informed of it and went to investigate, there was nothing 
to indicate it was self-defense-- no knife, no witnesses, no nothing.  Now, 
maybe if I'd been contacted immediately, this wouldn't have come to this-- 
maybe-- but you dragonriders decided to keep quiet about it until it was 
far too late.  I wouldn't be a good lord if I simply let one of my citizens 
be flamed to death without making sure that justice was done.

"The trial is rapidly approaching, so he will not be held long.  If you 
find it offensive that he is being held at all, you might look to your own 
people and the way they overstepped their bounds and then didn't do me the 
courtesy of immediately informing me of the incident, for a majority of 
that blame."

She started to protest, but he continued on, "I've been more than 
reasonable in this case.  In another demesne, that *illegal* raid would 
have precipitated a withholding of tithe from the lord, a call for the 
arrest and trial of every dragonrider involved and a major conflict that 
would have reached all the way to Christalla and Jaldor.  Consider yourself 
lucky, young lady."

***

[L'sein]

He walked out of his meeting with Kay frustrated and depressed.  He wanted 
to be able to reassure Kay that everything would go well and he'd be found 
innocent.  But with H'nry on the defense team?  Gods, what had Ophelia been 
thinking?

Kattibrie and L'sein were about to leave when the door of the waiting room
opened.  In walked Traplin and Danielle.

He watched as the two exchanged greetings, then Danielle went to visit Kay. 
He decided to wait and see whether Danielle had any luck cheering up the 
imprisoned rider.

He didn't have long to wait.  A few minutes later Danielle came flying out 
of the cell area in tears.  Trap was out of his seat and moving towards her 
at once. 

"Dallie, what's wrong!?!"

Through her tears, she told him what Kay had said-- of his anger and hate 
for her because she had chosen Trap over him.

Well, at least Kay still had some fight in him.  L'sein was glad to see it. 
"Come on, let's go," he said quietly to Kattibrie.

Trap turned to him then.  "Hold her," he ordered.  Kattibrie immediately 
walked over and led Danielle to a bench, sitting beside her and wrapping 
her arms around her shoulders.

He watched helplessly as Trap turned back to the guard.  "I've changed my 
mind.  I do want to see him."

"Look... I don't want any trouble," the guard said.

<Please, don't let him make it worse,> L'sein thought.

"Don't worry.  I won't kill him before you can take him to trial," Trap 
said smoothly.  "He's safer here behind those bars than he would be if he 
was standing here before me!  But that self-pitying little boy needs to 
have a few things told to him, and I've elected myself as the teller.  Now 
are you going to let me in or do I have to go over you?!?"

The guard quickly opened the door and Trap strode in, leaving L'sein to 
comfort a woman who deserved every word Kay had given her.

Not too long afterward, Trap emerged, eyes still flashing angrily.  His 
eyes met those of his love's.  "I didn't kill him if that's what you're 
worried about," he snapped and reached for her hand. "Not that I wasn't 
tempted because of the way he treated you,  but I just didn't want to have 
to listen to both you, Tera and every other female in the Warren yell at me 
if I had. Come on love, let's go home."

L'sein watched the two walk out.  "Gods, he's a bastard," he muttered under 
his breath.  He turned back to the guard.  "Any chance I could go see him 
again, briefly?"

The guard shook his head.  "Sorry."

L'sein sighed.  "Okay, maybe I can come by again tomorrow."

***

[Day 3, Noon-ish, Dining hall.  Retala]

Retala walked in and glanced around, spotting H'nry.  Her body flashed with 
heat remembering waking up with him that morning.  Gods, she wanted him so 
badly.  It wasn't fair!

H'nry was watching the new man from Epion, Gabriel, talk to Danielle and 
Trap.  Retala smiled wryly.  He was a rather handsome man.  Though his face 
lacked the... character... that H'nry's had.  He was almost too perfect.

She walked over to H'nry and placed a hand on his shoulder.  He looked up 
and saw her there, shrugging off her riding jacket.

"Oh, hello, Retala.  Just back from patrol?"

"Surveying the troops is more like it," she answered.  She hadn't gone on 
patrol in forever.  This had simply been a wing exercise on the green.  
"The flightleaders don't need me overseeing their every move.  I'd like to 
go back to Raisa and talk to Morgat again this evening."

"Okay.  I'd like to stop in and see Kay while we're there."  H'nry's face 
got serious.  "Do you promise you won't fall asleep on me?"

Oh, she'd love to fall asleep *on* him...  "I'll take a nap to make sure I 
don't, but first I need lunch.  Would you care to join me?"

"I'd love to, Retala, but I just ate and I have to go on patrol."

"I understand H'nry," Retala said with mock seriousness.  "It's a tough 
job, but someone's got to do it."

She watched him walk out, and sighed.  She got some food and sat by 
herself, picking at it.  She knew most of the people in the warren had 
figured out she was ill, but so far she and Rimanda had avoided revealing 
just how bad it was.  Retala didn't think she could stand the pity or being 
treated like some china doll.

But, her appetite was failing, and the subsequent lack of food was tiring 
her out easily.  It seemed each day she spent more time in bed than the last.

"Hey," a voice sounded beside her.

She looked up to see Sandor standing there.  "Hey, Sand.  I thought you'd 
be checking Beta to make sure they all got out on patrol on schedule."

"I will be.  I just wanted to talk to you a minute."

Pity.  There was pity in his voice.  "Okay.  Talk."

He sat down and studied her.  "Why do you sound so angry, Tala?"

The eyes of the ex-mates met.  "Is there some reason I shouldn't be, Sand?  
Up until you knew I was sick, you wouldn't give me the time of day.  Now 
you're all concern and solicitousness.  I don't need your pity."

He looked down, unable to look at her anymore.  "I'm just trying to make up 
for how horribly I treated you."

"And how long would you have kept treating me like that if I hadn't been sick?"

"I don't know," he answered in almost a whisper.

She pushed her plate aside and stood.  "When you can find some other reason 
to come talk besides how I'm feeling and all the standard wing business, 
then I might consider that you're doing it for some other reason than pity. 
Now, excuse me, Sand, but I'm tired and I'm going to my apartment to rest."

He watched her leave, then turned his eyes to her plate.  It hardly looked 
touched.

***

[Ophelia's office.  Ophelia]

<The new one from Falagand has arrived,> Beryth informed her.  
<Sundellath's rider is showing him around a bit.>

Ophelia nodded and stretched.  She was just about ready to leave for the 
day.  R'chein had insisted that she not overexert herself.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door, which opened quickly at 
her "Come in."

"Warrenlady Ophelia, I'm L'vand, rider of Pol."  She took in the eye patch 
and haunted expression.  The report from B'nair on his reason for wanting to 
transfer had been right.  He did need a place to start over.

"Come in and welcome.  Can you tell me a bit about yourself?"

***

[Dinner, Dining Hall.  Retala]

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

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

"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, leading him 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 lecher."

"But you are?"

"But I am," H'nry agreed.

<Gods, I hope he is,> she thought, then pushed it aside.  She couldn't hurt 
him like that.

<Don't you think maybe Dalanth's rider ought to decide if it is worth the 
hurt?> Rimanda asked.  <Many people don't have that choice, you know.  
Their loved ones die without warning.>

<But, if I were involved, I'm not sure I could do what needed done when the 
time came, dear.>

<You think he would stop you?> the dragon asked.

<I'm just not sure I could do it, knowing how much it would hurt him.>

<And can you do it now, never knowing what might have been?>

Retala studied H'nry's face as he got his food.  Perhaps Rimanda was right.  
But he had Susan.  And what if he rejected her?

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

"I've got to try to show that Sabbith was trying to prevent Kay from being 
killed.  I looked through the statements Ophelia took 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 she didn't write down for Ophelia at the time."

"I should.  Her statement for Ophelia was fairly brief.  I'll try to talk 
to her tomorrow."

"May I join you?" a new voice asked.

Both H'nry and Retala looked up to see the new fellow, Gabriel.  Retala had 
seen him around, but had never actually gotten a chance to meet him.

"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.  Veil 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 partially caused by mating flights, "and not one I've ever 
heard of.  What happened?"

Gabriel told them about Veil winning Dianthus and flying off with her.  He 
described how Veil 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 turned and said, "Hey Nia.  Care to join us?"

"Sure, but I kind of need to talk to..." she paused as if trying to
remember his name.  "I need to talk to Gabriel for a minute."

"No problem, I was just on my way out."  H'nry stood up, followed by 
Retala.  "I'm sure you two have a couple things to talk about."

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

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

"No problem.  I want to go over his version of what happened anyway," she 
said, indicating the saddlebag that contained all the written statements 
Ophelia had taken from people.  "Hopefully with some of the facts in hand 
Morgat and I will be able to start working on the specifics of his 
defense."

[Early Evening, Raisa]

They walked into the cell area and down the hall to Kay's cell.  When the 
door opened, Kay began signing immediately.

"We aren't going to," H'nry replied to whatever Kat had signed, then looked 
at the chalky white dragon on the wall flying regally through a dark gray 
sky.  Retala could easily recognise it as Sabbith.  "That's beautiful."

Kay nodded and began signing, his face taking on a miserable look as he 
finished.

"I'm glad to hear that." H'nry said with a smile.  Then he turned to Retala
to tell her what Kay had said.  "He's using the picture as a focus, to keep 
in mind that he has to work with us, to keep himself from the gallows, and 
Sabbith from death with him."

Retala turned to him, "I'm glad to hear that too, Kalewyn.  We need your
positive attitude as much as Sabbith does."

Kay nodded, and signed and H'nry to translated, "I'll do whatever you need
me to do, to save Sabbith."

She nodded.  "Okay, I want to go over the statement you wrote for Ophelia.  
And I want a precise description of where this happened, because I want to 
go there and look at it.  Maybe there's still something there that will 
help us."

***

They settled tiredly at the tavern.  It had been slow-going.  Morgat 
ordered them each a tankard of ale and they sat.  Tonight, Retala and 
Morgat combed through the statements together, with H'nry interjecting 
comments-- a reversal of the previous night.

"Are we certain that this other dragonrider, Danielle, was the only 
witness?" Morgat asked.

"No one else was there," Retala answered.

"Ah!  That's what you *think*, but do you know?  Sure, you know no other 
*dragonriders* were there, but what about villagers?"

"But wouldn't they have come forward?" H'nry asked.

"Maybe... maybe not.  Foustus was not exactly a man to cross, you know.  
Who cares if a dragonrider hangs, if it means you stay out of trouble?"

H'nry and Retala's eyes met.

"Morgat, what would we need to go interview the villagers?" H'nry asked.

Respectfully submitted,
 Lynette R. F. Cowper
  Warrenlady Ophelia and Beryth
  Lord Etain of Raisa
  L'sein and Renulf
  Retala and Rimanda

NRPG: Alton, changed the convo a bit between H'nry and Retala about the 
statements, because Ophelia didn't take notes-- she had each of the 
participants write a statement of what happened, including one from Kay.

---
|   Lynette R. F. Cowper  *  Official INWO Rules NetRep & Goddess    |
| http://www.io.com/~lcowper  *  lcowper@io.com  *  lcowper@indy.net |
|  "If people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever |
|                   get done."  -- L. Wittgenstein                   |