>** Futhark **
>
>Futhark was alarmed at the hysterical state of his new human as she came
>running into the hatchling barracks, crying and disheveled. He noticed that
>a bruise was rising on Aradia's cheek. Aradia hugged Futhark tightly while
>continuing to sob.
>
><What's wrong, my heart? This should be a happy day.>
>
><Trinale slapped me! We kissed and she slapped me!> Aradia replied tearfully.
>
><Kisses are nice, why would she do that?>
>
><I don't know! I don't understand, but she hates me and thinks I'm a
>freak!> Aradia cried, <I wish Pa'gan were here! He's the only one who
>understands!>
>
>He saw Aradia tremble and snuggled up closer to her.
>
><Reekor, Cricket's rider hit my Aradia. Her face is bruised. Your rider
>needs to know!> the worried hatchling sent to the black opalescent dragon,
><I'm trying to keep her warm and safe, but I don't know what else to do!>
>

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


	<Pa'gan,> Reekor thought to him, <Your women are fighting.>

	Pa'gan's mind was clouded from the drink and the merriment. *Women?*
Pa'gan asked confused and fighting to clear his mind and yet continue to
play his flute and not interrupt the music.

	<Yes.....your heart is divided for two women......doesn't that make them
both yours?>

	A sour note escaped Pa'gan's flute as he fought to think. *Will you quite
talking in circles and just tell me what is going on?*

	<Cricket's rider hit Aradia and bruised her face.>

	Pa'gan crushed his oak flute in his hands. A flute that had been hand
carved by someone several generations ago in his tribe, back when wood was
more readily available near the waste lands. From a forest that no longer
existed and it was now so much splinters and small pieces of wood. But
Pa'gan did not see this or any of the reactions of those at the party.

	Pa'gan stood to his full height and a low growl escaped his lips as the
adrenaline rushed through his body and quickly began to sober him. He began
moving towards the door of the dining facility. His strides were long quick
and determined and by the time he reached the door he had already found out
through Reekor from Cricket that Trinale was in her garden.

	It did not take long for Pa'gan to cover the distance from the dining hall
to the edge of Trinale's garden. Although he could not hear anything being
said, he could see Trinale's small form being held by a man and Aradia was
no where in sight.

	Within seconds Pa'gan was standing there next to the couple.

	"I need to speak with you Trinale." Pa'gan fought to keep his anger down
as he needed to know the entire story before he lost his temper and yelled
or got physical with any one. But Pa'gan's voice came out in a slightly
lower tone than he had hoped.

	Trinale broke away from Derry and moved behind him. Derry turned to face
Pa'gan and swallowed hard. This was the first time the two men had met face
to face and although Derry had seen him from a distance and knew he was
tall......he didn't know how tall and muscular till this moment.

	Derry swallowed again and spoke, "I don't think she wants to talk to
anyone right now."

	"Trinale," Pa'gan said ignoring that Derry was even there let alone he had
actually said something, "we need to talk."

	The adrenaline flowing through his veins caused the effect of the alcohol
to start coming back again and Pa'gan's head swam for a moment as the head
ache started coming on as well.

	Derry got a determined look on his face as he began speaking again. "I
said she doesn't want to talk right now. Haven't your kind don..."

	In a flash of movement that surprised Derry, Pa'gan reached out and
snagged him by the front of his shirt and lifted him in on hand to be able
to look into Derry's eyes. Pa'gan pulled him so close that the two men were
nearly touching nose to nose.

	"Look.......", Pa'gan growled in Derry's face all the while fighting to
keep his temper under control, "This is between me and the women I love.
First I need to talk to Trinale' and then Aradia........AND I AM NOT
LEAVING TILL I TALK TO HER."



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

NRPG: Tag Kat and Jill. But be informed that Pa'gan will not leave until he
gets to talk to Trinale for a few minutes alone. He will accept Derry
moving off a short distance (out of ear range) and talk to Trinale. He will
not become violent with Trinale but will do what he has to to convince
Derry of his need to talk to Trinale.

Respectfully submitted by Keeper Journeyman,

the life breath and soul of Pa'gan and Reekor!