Evening Day 17

*snip*

"That's okay ... I think I understand."

"Really?  Hey, I haven't had dinner yet ... I could use a little company."

It was spontaneous, another admission of heart rather than head.  But this
time, Cyrus smiled at the burst of words, looking forward to a short 
conversation with this woman.  There was something about her that made him 
... well, he wasn't uncomfortable in her company, and that was something 
these days.

*end snip*
 
"I haven't eaten either." she bashfully smiled at the man.  "I'd love to join you."  

Cyrus began to talk about things that was more on the line of what Dargas would say.  He was definately making small talk as they walked to the Dining Hall.  

"Dargas told me the yellow ones are called brown eyed susans, because of the brown centers.  They just look like a form of daisy to me. "  He grinned.

"Cyrus, what's wrong?"  Alexandria asked out of the blue.

"Wrong?  Why do you think anything is wrong?"  he asked.

"Because I've watched you talk to others.  I don't say much, most of the time, but I'm always watching.  Right now you're just filling up the silence and that's really not like what you usually do."

He cleared his throat and said almost as shyly as Alex is, "I'm glad you find me worth watching."

By this time they were in the dining hall.  Nothing was said between the two as they filled their plates at the food table.  As usual,  Uncle had a variety with his normals of Stew and Pot Rost.  But someone had been hunting and venison steak prepared with onions sat on the table.  Alex just looked at it.  

"What's this?"  she asked.

"Looks like venison steak."  he replied

"Venison?"  she questioned.

"Yeah, deer meat."  he stated.

She scrunch up her nose at the thought.

"It's actually very good.  You must try it."

"Oh no, I couldn't." she responded with a gasp.

All she could think about were the beautiful creatures that roamed the forest.  She could never think of killing one even if she was starving to death.

"Well you have to at least take a taste."  he insisted.  

Cyrus put a steak on his plate, along with a helping of pot roast with the vegetables that had been cooked in with it.  Alexandria took a small bowl of stew and a peice of fruit.  The two headed to the table and the first thing Cyrus did was cut a peice of the steak and hold it up to Alex's mouth.

"Oh no...I can't." and as she said this Cyrus slipped the fork into her mouth.

She dutifully chewed the meat and swallowed and and then announce.

:"UNFAIR!"

Cyrus chuckled.  "Yes, maybe, but you have to admit it isn't that bad."

"Well maybe not, but it's the principle of the thing.  They are such beautiful creatures.  How can you just eat one?"

"Easy, cut if up, stick it with the fork and put it in your mouth and chew it."

They both laughed.  Alex felt very comfortable with Cyrus.  It really was nice to have someone to talk to. She really hadn't known.

"I've heard you were given the position of courrier for the Warrenlady.  That must be very excited.  You must get to go to a lot of exciting places." 

"Not right now.  Azhdeen is in the med center.  I'm kind of grounded at the moment."

"Oh, I'm sorry."  she said with feeling.  "No wonder you're feeling down."  

"Did I say I was feeling down?"

"No...but you just didn't seem like yourself earlier."  she replied.  "If you need to get somewhere Prayer and I would be more than happy to take you until Azhdeen is better."

(Ben...anything to add?)



Late Morning Day 18
 
*Doni, where are you?* she called to her dragon. 

<I'm sleeping by the lake my rider.>

*Well get your tail back here. We're leaving. He was responsible for what happened to me, and I can't stay here looking over my shoulder. It's worse than it was at Daere. I have to leave.*

<My rider, you can't continue to run....>

*I need to talk to Mari.  The last I heard from her she was doing well.  I have to know what she did...*

<It's something I believe she just had to work through.  But first of all you're not just leaving, you must let Malani's rider know that's you're going.  We are part of a wing and you must talk to her.>  

*You are right my love.*

<You must also tell the wingleaders.  All of them!>

*I can't tell K'Tarr...*

<You must...>

Kalena knew that Doni was right, but telling K'Tarr she was leaving...the thought of it made her sick.  It would break his heart..or would it.  He'd been there for her, but distant.  Of course she would have screamed if he would have touched her.  She could hardly talk to men,  she shook violently at the thought of being truely alone with one. 
 
*Doni, contact Malani and have her tell her rider I'd like to speak with her.* 

There was silence for a brief time and then Doni again spoke to her rider.

<Malani said her rider can see you later on this afternoon.>
 
*This afternoon?  I want to leave now.*  Kalena sounded more like a scared child than the woman she had become while at Norwall. 
 
<My rider, aren't there things you want to take with you?  Don't you need to pack?>  Doni queried.  <I know you humans take such satisfaction in your belongings.> 
 
*You're right my love.  That will make the time go faster.  Thank you for thinking this through for me.*
 
Kalena went to her apartment and begain to pack her clothes.  She really had nothing special to take with her.  Riding leathers and such that all riders had.  But sitting by the door was the bow that K'Tarr had made her and the quiver of arrows that he'd continued to replace.  She smiled at some of her meager attempts at using the bow and arrow in the beginning, but she caught on quickly.  Remembering K'Tarr's gentle touch as he helped in the beginning.  The tears began to run down her cheeks.  She knew she'd never be worthy of his love now.  How could he ever want her again.
 
She sad down on the floor of the apartment and wept.  When her tears stopped it was the middle of the afternoon.  She'd grabbed her small bag of clothing and the bow and quiver and headed to where Donjanth lay outside of the apartment.  She tied her belongings to the saddle and climbed on Doni's back as the gently drifted to the green below.  Landing near the administrative offices she climbed down from her dragon's back and entered the building.  
 
As she walked by the other offices she noticed they were all empty, which was a relief to her.  She wouldn't have to chance meeting with anyone to explain herself.
 
As she walked into the Warrenlady's office, she soon discovered why the offices were empty.  In the office sat Jeneve, Naomi,  Breezy, K'Tarr and Landon.  She swallowed hard.  
 
"I see that Doni did a little more than I'd asked her to do."  she stated shaking slightly.
 
Naomi spoke first.  Which surprized  Kalena.
 
"I understand why you need to go and be with Marialla.  I'd been checking into sending you to be with her, but she's not at Daere.  She's at Telnor.  Her queen is ill and at the time the healer's from Daere were away and so she went to see a healer at Telnor.  She became to close to laying to return as far as I understand it."
 
"Telnor?"  Kalena queried.  
 
"I'll arrange for someone to escort you.  It would be my courrier but he's somewhat grounded.  I'll see about finding someone else."  Jeneve said softly.
 
K'Tarr sat quietly looking at Kalena.  His stare made her very uncomfortable.  She loved him, but there was no way she could even take being alone with him...not now, maybe never.  He deserved more than that.
 
"We hope that you're someday feeling ready to return to us."  Breezy said to the woman that she didn't alway get along with.  "We'll see about arranging an escort to Telnor.  Say your good-byes and by that time, we'll have something arranged."
 
Kalena didn't want to have time to say good-byes.  She just wanted to vanish, but now she had time and people knew she was leaving.  She'd have to deal with people that she didn't want to have to deal with.  Mainly K'Tarr, Antwin and Jasmine.  Would her 'big little sister' understand why she must leave.  She didn't think so.  
 
The group began to disperse.  Jeneve gave Kalena a hug.  Naomi wished her a good visit with Mari.  Naomi was the only one that knew how she felt about the rape of her friend.  She knew that Kalena would only blame herself more for what happened to Mari.  If Kalena had only had help.  Breezy shook her hand, as did Landon.  K'Tarr had left.  There was no sign of him in the room.
 
Kalena breathed a sign of relief.  She couldn't bring herself to say good-bye to him.  She headed out of the room down the long hallway.  K'Tarr was waiting for her.
 
"Is it so easy to leave me?"  he asked startling her.
 
"There is nothing easy about anything that's happened to me lately.  How can you even think such a thing."  tears streamed down her cheeks.  "This is my home, but I don't know how to deal with what has happened to me.  I'll have no life until I can figure it out.  Your brother was here last night...he was with Jasmine in the forest and he was at Brona's camp and he's somehow very involved with everything that's happened here.  He's going to be where ever you are, and right now I can't deal with him being anywhere near me...watch out for Jasmine for me.  She trusts him, but she's only a child.  Please watch out for her."  she fled him not being able to say more.
 
(Wil is there more to be said?)

She hurried to the med center.  She had to talk to her sister, this was going to be difficult.
 
"Jazz?"  she queried as she entered her sister's room.  "I have to leave you for awhile.  I want you to take care.  Listen to Landon and K'Tarr.  K'Tarr promised me he'd take care of you.  If you need anything, ask him.    Please promise me you'll stay away from K'Laren."

"I told you Kalena, K'Laren is my friend."  she insisted.

"Jasmine, he's no one's friend.  He's using you.  I don't know why.  But believe me, he's using you."  

"Using me?"  Jasmine asked.  "What does that mean?"

"Please Jazz, just promise me."

"I won't Kalena.  He is my friends."  Jazz now shouted  at her sister.

Kalena knew that she wasn't going to get anywhere with her sister.  I was like arguing with a child.  She was frustrated.  "Jazz, at least promise me you'll listen to K'Tarr and Landon.  They are truely your friends.  They care about you."

"I'll listen.." Jasmine agreed.

(Tree what's Jasmine thinking.)

She had one more person she needed to talk to. Galen had involved her into Warren life more than anyone else and she had to explain to him why she would no longer be there to help him.

*************
Late Afternoon

Jeneve call for Cyrus.  He entered her office, more attentive than usual.  "What can I do for you Warrenlady."

Jeneve laughed.  "Will you stop that?  I'm Jeneve."

"Yes Jeneve, what can I do for you?"

"I need a suggestion from you.  I need to send someone with Kalena to Telnor, just as an escort.  Normally I'd send you, but with Azhdeen in the med center, I must find someone else."

Cyrus hung on each of her words.  "You can send me, if you wish.  Alexandria said that anywhere I need to go while Azhdeen is ill."

"Do you feel like leaving him?"  Jen asked with concern.

"He is well taken care of, and I'm happy to do whatever I can to help you."

"Thank you Cyrus, you've been more than helpful."

****************

Kalena knocked lightly on the door to Galen's office.

"Come."  he called out.

Kalena slipped in the door.

"Kalena, how are you?" he asked motioning to a chair.

"Not too good."  she whispered.  "Galen, I'm leaving Norwall.  I don't know how long I'll be gone, I don't know if I'll ever be back."

"I can't say that I can understand what you're going through.  But if you feel the need to be away, I understand.  You talked me out of fleeing once.  I wish I could find a way to talk you out of it, but I don't think I could if I tried."

"You're right my friend." she said standing.  "I'll will let you know how things are going. "


Early Evening

As Kalena finished saying good-byes to Galen, she headed out to the green where Doni and Prayer were waiting.  Alexandria was in front of the dual saddle and Cyrus sat behind her.  Prayer and Donjanth had recieved the picture from Lonnisgrave of Telnor, so the teleport went easily.
 
Kalena dismounted and looked around the warren.  It was totally different than Norwall.  More like  Daere than Norwall, yet still different.  

The three riders headed towards the administrative buildings.  Cyrus took the lead here, introducing himself and the two ladies.  He eloquently explained the situation to the warrenlady.

The acting Warrenlady, Maedralyn was more than happy to direct Kalena to Marialla.  Mari was busy with Regenta.  The queen, hadn't been happy since the laying of her eggs and Mari had spent a lot of time, trying to sooth her dragon.

Kalena in seeing her friend Mari, ran to her friend and as she reached her and fell into her arms and again the tears began to fall.  It took a long time before Kalena could explain what had happened, but Mari knew, whatever it was, she was needed at this time.

****************
Late Evening

Cyrus and Alexandria climbed aboard Prayers back and soon teleport over the skies of Telnor, appearing above Norwall within minutes.  Both tired and feeling the emotions from the woman they'd escorted.

****************

Respectfully Submitted,
Kalena and Donjanth
and 
Alexandria and Prayer


NRPG:  Well all, I'll be out of touch for awhile.  The next time you here from me I'll be writing from Australia.  This move has taken a lot of time from me throughout the past 6 months.  Hopefully I won't be away too long.  People can add anything to conversations, but please don't tag me, because I won't be able to reply.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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