>They soon reappeared above Lord Daltem's estates and as Trinale looked
>down she saw the children pointing up at the beautiful dragon. They were
>surrounded as soon as they landed. A tall man strode through the crowd   
of
>admiring children.

>"Lady, Trinale, what a pleasant surprise!" Lord Daltem exclaimed. "To   
what
>do I owe the honour?

>Trinale quickly explained about the missing children and the reward   
money
>being posted. "So, you see how anxious we are about getting the children
>back. Could you please pass this onto as many as possible?"
   

"Of course I'll pass the news on, I'll send messengers to the far reaches   
of my estate. If they are here or have passed through I'll send word   
Trinale. If there is anything else I can do to help you only have to   
ask."

Trinale smiled in thanks.

"So who is this then, it's certainly not Cricket." said Daltem, awed by   
the midnight blue dragon standing before him.

"No, the eggs have not hatched yet, I'm just 'borrowing' this one while   
Crickets looking after the eggs."

"Of course how stupid of me, I should have known the hatching hadn't   
taken place yet." Smile Daltem. "Can I tempt you with a light lunch while   
you're here?" He could see Trinale starting to object. "I won't take no   
for an answer."

Trinale opened her mouth to object. Daltem took her arm in his and led   
her towards the house "The sooner you finally give in and accept the   
sooner you can get away." said Daltem. Trinale saw that this was a battle   
she couldn't win and laughed.

"I heard about the death of a dragon rider from the warren, you have my   
sympathies. It's hard when you loose those who you command," Daltem saw   
Trinale almost wince "especially when you are close to them. If you need   
to talk, then I am a very good listener."

"Thank you, but I wouldn't want to burden you. I am sure you have your   
own concerns and problems at the moment."

Daltem led Trinale around the house and into his well tended garden at   
the back of the house. The lawns was well looked after and there was a   
rainbow assortment of flowers set to a backdrop of huge hedges, clipped   
into arch ways leading to other parts of the estate. A fountain was set   
in the centre of the lawn, a statue of a Dragon standing on its hind   
legs, the water gushing forth out of its mouth in imitation of a dragons   
fiery breath.

Daltem pulled a chair out for Trinale at the stone table overlooking the   
garden. A page appeared with a tray of drinks for Daltem and Trinale.

"Not long until the hatching I suppose?" Said Daltem leaning back in his   
chair.
"No thank goodness, it will be nice to have something to celebrate."   
answered Trinale

Daltem and Trinale were joined by an elderly man dressed in dark yellow   
robes.
"Ahh Nai'lim, glad you could join us!" said Daltem. Nai'lim bowed to   
Trinale and took her hand to kiss.
"Nice to see you again Trinale, how are things at White River?" He asked   
as he sat down at the table.

Trinale told him of the bad news.

"That's bad, I hope the little ones aren't suffering. It's a cruel thing   
to happen to ones so young." Said Nai'lim, he turned to Daltem "I'll   
speak to Lileth. If they have managed to escape they might have ended up   
at the orphanage." He turned back to Trinale. "Lileth runs the orphanage   
for Daltem, it's only a small hope but you never know."

"The Tithe caravan is almost ready, another day should do it Daltem. Do   
you plan on personally accompanying it to the warren again?" said Nai'lim   
in a weary voice, already knowing the answer. Daltem was always willing   
to visit the warren, and any opportunity no matter how vague or little   
was usually taken.

"Probably. The estates are in good hands when entrusted to you   
Nai'lim..." said Daltem
"But they are in better hands when you are running them Daltem." Nai'lim   
cut in.
"I'll only be gone a week or so. As long as a neighbour doesn't declare   
war on us then there won't be any important matters that can't be dealt   
with by you, or wait until I return."

The discussion was interrupted as servant brought trays of food for the   
three at the table. There was a selection of cold meats and light salads,   
all looking very tempting.

[Tag - Kat]


James
xxx