[Somewhere just on the DL borders]

Grusc's head broke the water and he glanced about.  The stunted scrub of
the Wastes, where the magics of the outside world had collided with the
magics that made the DragonLands what they were, had grown and changed, a
sure sign of the changing of the borders.

Grusc and his siblings were another sign of that change and now they were
coming.

Swimming to the great freshwater lake called the Telnor Sea.

He slipped back under the water and continued his long swim.

******

[Day 23]

> Sandor awakes in the Med Center, blind, and panics.

[Tag left intentionally for now in case someone, like Trap or Libby,
perhaps, wants to pick it up.]

> Ga'brin's body arrives back at Telnor, where a crowd gathers to honour 
> him.  H'nry notices L'sein with B'rin.  L'sein plays up the relationship
> to see how H'nry will react. 

[Tag left intentionally for Alton.]

> Beryth begins having pains so bad they affect Ophelia.  Kattibrie has
> Abby called and takes Ophelia on Calishandra to the hatching cavern
> where Beryth is.  Abby arrives about the same time.  After sedating
> Beryth, she determines that the eggs have hardened within Beryth's body,
> a rare condition, and will have to be surgically removed.  She also
> tells Ophelia that the condition is chronic and recommends 
> sterilisation. Ophelia tearfully agrees.

[Tag left intentionally for Kattibrie or Abby or anyone else, for that
matter...]

******

[R'chis]

<My rider,> Repechin said quietly, <Wyndamenth and Sunburst and Eclipse
are back.>

He froze.  <With their riders?>

<Yes.>

<Where?>

<Just outside the warren,> Repechin answered.  <They tried to contact
Beryth and when they couldn't contact her...>

<Right.  Come get me.>

Moments later, they were setting down in a secluded area just outside view
of the warren, where a two-headed dragon and a sky blue dragon waited.
R'chis slid off and approached the pair of humans standing there.  The man
looked emaciated and half-dead.

"Tahlaya?  Ash'chenon?" he asked.

"Is it safe?" she asked.

He hesitated.  "I don't know.  Emotions are running pretty high because of
Ga'brin..."

"Maybe we should just go somewhere," Tahlaya suggested.

"No!" R'chis said.  "No.  Ash obviously needs help.  And it's not going to
help to let the hatred and misunderstanding build."

"Can you take us to Ophelia?" Ash asked.

"She's... busy.  Beryth is having some major medical problems and
Ophelia's with her."

Ash's face reflected his concern.  "Is she going to be okay?"

"Abby's doing what she can, I'm sure."  R'chis paused and considered them.
"Come with me.  I'll take you to Laria."

******

[Laria]

She stood and paced her apartment, waiting for word from Abby, when she
heard the rustle of wings.  She stepped out into the dragon chamber to see
her mate slide from the saddle and help Tahlaya and Ash'chenon down as
well.

Ash'chenon.

She looked at his face and saw how haunted his eyes were.

She swallowed.  "Come in, please."

"I didn't know what else to do," R'chis explained.

"You did the right thing."

She lead them into her living room and sat them down.  "Let me get you
something to drink.  Tea?"

"That would be fine," Tahlaya said.

<Vithraena, can you ask Lofflossit to tell his rider to come see me in my
apartment right away.  And bring his medical bag.>

<Of course.>

<And no talking about who's here.>

<Of course.>

******

[R'chein]

"L'sein?" he yelled as Lofflossit set down on the ledge of his younger
son's apartment.

L'sein padded out from the apartment, looking rumpled.  "What is it?" he
asked.

R'chein handed over the squirmy bundle.  "I've got to go over to Laria's.
I don't know what's wrong, but I can't be watching a baby."

"Couldn't you find someone else?"

"Gods dammit, she is *your* daughter.  Take some responsibility for once!"

"We'll take care of her," a quiet voice said.

He looked up to see B'rin standing there, obviously having hastily
dressed.  He shoved the baby into L'sein's arms and turned away before he
gave into the anger. 

******

He arrived at Laria's and quickly made his way into the apartment, where
he skidded to a stop as he took in the man sitting on her couch drinking
tea.

"Ash?"

Respectfully submitted,
 Lynette R. F. Cowper
  R'chis and Repechin,
  Laria and Vithraena,
  R'chis and Lofflossit

---

 Lynette R. F. Cowper <lcowper@indy.net>, INWO Line Editor