Saul
***

Fayloth landed just outside the front porch of the Pig & Whistle Inn. It
was silent .. very unusual for the establishment. However he knew it was
early. While they served breakfast to weary travelers and over night
guests, it never got very crowded until after supper time.

<Are you going to go hunting, my friend?> he asked the brilliant blue dragon.

<Of course, you know my favorite hunting ground is just over that rise.> He
hungrily licked his jaws, <And after that feisty Cricket last night .. I
need something to rejuvenate me.>

Saul sighed heavily. He'd almost been able to put that out of his mind. Now
thoughts of Trinale's very womanly form plagued his mind. Gods! Not
Trinale! His image of the tiny child running through the pansies was now
very tainted by a much older version of the girl .. obviously not so
girlish anymore. 

She had shocked him afterwards. Wanting him to kiss her .. and .. who know
what else! He shook his head as thoughts of what she wanted flooded through
him.  How could she ask him that? He blanched as he remembered they way his
body had been quickly and easily ready to respond to her tempting. How
could he?

And what about L'rian, his friend and partner?  How could he look him in
the eye after what he'd done. 

<Sometimes, my Saul, you're thoughts are far too human!> Fayloth chuckled.

Saul sighed irritably and stepped onto the porch heading into the Inn.

His eyes adjusted quickly to the dimmer light of the main room and he saw
Rathma the bartender look up at him in surprise, "Saul! What in the lands
are you doing here?"

"I need some of Celia's baked barley muffins, this morning."

Rathma nodded and motioned to a seat at the bar, "Well, then sit yourself
down, my friend and I'll get you some. Need a drink?"

Saul nodded, "Some coffee would be great, thanks."

Rathma nodded and headed toward the kitchen. Saul took the opportunity to
look around the empty room. There was one band of three men sitting at a
table deeply engrossed in conversation. Other then that the place was empty. 

When Rathma returned he had a tray of steaming muffins. Saul took one
gingerly tossing it from hand to hand until he landed gently on a plate in
front of him. "Mmmm, I just love these," he said as he took a bite. "Where
is Celia, anyway?"

"She's in the kitchen. You can go on in." the bartender told him. 

Saul nodded taking his muffin with him. As he passed the tray he grabbed a
second. "I'm hungry," he explained.

Rathma laughed as the bearded dragon rider headed into the back to where
the Inn's kitchen was.

Saul spotted her as she wiped down the counters. Her light brown,
shoulder-length hair was tied up in a think black netting. "Good morning,
Sweet Celia."

She grinned, "If it isn't Saul of Whiteriver. Come here and give ol' Celia
a kiss."

Saul moved toward her, taking her in his arms and planting a passionate
kiss on her lips.

"Saul?" she asked, "You've not kissed me like that in quite a while." She
pushed him back straightening herself, "Now tell me, what happened to your
fair lady?"

"You know me, Celia," he smiled, pulling her back into his arms, "I never
settle down."

"I really thought this one had ya, love." She said, "You actually seemed
content."

"When are you going to be done here," Saul asked his voice getting husky as
he began to nibble on her lips.

Celia, began to laugh, "Oh I see .. You had a spat and you're trying to
punish her."

"No, Sweet Celia .. I've just missed you." His lips were persistent.

"Give me half an hour, love. I've got to finish cleaning up here." 

He smiled, "I'll wait in our room?"

She nodded and watched him head up the back stairs. Once he was out of
sight she sighed. He was so handsome! And the things he could do to her
with a simple kiss .. She could tell there was something going on. She knew
she should refuse, but she didn't have the strength.

***

"I'm sorry," he said miserably, sitting naked on the edge of the bed. "I
didn't mean  .."

"Shh," she said, "It's all right. I know I've never held your heart."

He looked down at her, laying wrapped in the beige muslin sheet, "You are
far too understanding, Sweet Celia."

She chuckled, "I've had to be with you, love."

He shook his head, "No, I've never done anything like this before .." 

She sat up, moving to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders. "No, that's
true, I've never been called 'Shawnee' in the heat of passion."

He groaned, "Don't tease me."

"I'm not, Saul," she insisted, "It was still wonderful."  His head dropped
to his chest. She began to knead his shoulders, "You know Saul of
Whiteriver, I think you are in love with that girl and you just won't admit
it."

"No!" He said hastily, turning to look at her, "I've simply spent too much
time with her. That's the problem." 

Celia shook her head, sometimes the dragonrider was completely dense.

"Don't worry, Sweet Celia, I promise it will not happen again."

The woman took a deep breath, "Maybe what you ought to do is to talk to
your fair lady. She's obviously still on your mind, even while your in my
bed. I think my first assessment was correct. You are trying to punish her
for a spat you two had."

"No, that's not it." He declared firmly. "Besides," he said deflating a
bit, "She's not speaking to me."

Celia chuckled, "I knew it. Go home, Saul."

He shook his head, "Not yet." He looked at her, "Do you suppose anyone has
stopped in for lunch?"

She brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead, "Why don't we go see."

He nodded as she stood gathering her clothes.

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
***
NRPG: Well, I don't know if Saul can forget Shawnee or not, but he's sure
trying :}

Kris

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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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