[Katla]

"So that will make it 60!"  Katla smiled as they readied to mount up.

N'lin whistled.  

"Well, what are we waiting for?"  J'red said, grinning, and the four
mounted up, lifted off and winked out.

They circled near Lord Fowler's estate and 

<< Tinka, tell Lev that I think that N'lin and I should go into Marketa... 
I've got some people that I'd like to chat with... and I think that they'll
be a little freaked out if all of us show up at once. >>

< As you wish, my human... Levka says that your hatchmate thinks that it's
a good idea...  He asks if you're visiting your spies? >  Sakinka sounded
confused.

<< I'll explain it later.  Land on the Satinka of Marketa and we'll walk
in. >>

'Tinka huffed but obeyed as she and Trefoil peeled away from the other two.

As the two riders dismounted, N'lin looked over at her curiously.

"What's going on?  'Foil says that 'Tinka's confused."

"Well...  I...  Spend a lot of money getting kids off the streets and out
of... forced... labor of varying sorts.  Marketa is one of the best places
in the area to both spread the news and get information...  If Owlean and
K'leev are doing anything that concerns those kids, some people I know will
be aware of it."

N'lin stared at her in surprise.  It was even more startling when she
greeted the gate guards by name.  Expertly, Katla threaded her way through
the streets to a slightly-lower-class tavern, waving cheerfully to the
barkeeper and taking a seat.

"So, N'lin...  What'll you have?  My treat..."  She grinned at him and
waived one of the waitresses over.

[Tag, Bridget]

<...>

[Later]

Katla suddenly looked up, eyes suddenly veiled and expression impassive. 
N'lin looked up surprised as a man, six-foot-plus and lighter-footed than a
cat sat down at the table.

"Telven."

"Chance."  He gave her a slightly nasty smile.  "I assume you're looking
for my... services."

"Perhaps.  I'm looking for some children."

"So what else is new, my... Lady.  All the world knows of your fondness
for... younglings."

Chance's eyes blazed as she sucked in a hasty breath.  "You..."

"Now, now, my lady, you wouldn't want to end our... association, would
you?"

"...bastard."

He smiled.  "As I have always acknowledged...  After all, I had no avenging
angels, now had I?"

Katla's hands clenched.  N'lin covered one as she forced herself to calm
down.

"A reward is being offered, both for information and for the return of the
children."

"What kind of reward?"

"Sixty thousand... more, perhaps, as we have not yet finished speaking to
everyone who might be willing to contribute."

The man whistled.  "Who were they stolen from?"

Chance smiled thinly.  "Friends of mine, but I wouldn't suggest making a
habit of stealing children.  I'll hunt you down and kill you myself."

He laughed, ignoring the glitter in her eyes.  "I may have... heard of a
transaction..."

"Auction or outright sale?"

"Not without payment..."

"No payment without information.  *I'll* decide how much it's worth...  So,
auction or outright sale?"

"I'm not actually sure... but I think I can find out where it's going
down...  I might even be able to make a better offer..."  He raised an
eyebrow.

Her eyes flashed.  "Offer whatever you need to.  But they aren't to be
harmed... in *any* way..."

"As you wish..."  He reached over and patted her cheek, elegantly manicured
hands brushing against her skin.  Katla controlled a shudder as he walked
away.

"Gods, I hate him."  She pulled out a snowy handkerchief and rubbed at her
cheek.  Smiling wanly at N'lin she shrugged.  "So... want to go wandering
around telling people about the reward?"

[Tag again :)]

----
[Derry]

<~ She want's to do *what*? ~>

<* Go to Marketa.  'Tinka says that she has some people she want's to talk
to... *>

<~ Ah, Katla's spies.  Okay...  Anyway, I'm not sure Lord Fowler want's
Chance to have any influence on his daughter. ~>

<* Why not? *>

Derry laughed, but didn't answer.  The two men landed.

"Where are Chance and N'lin going?"

"Marketa.  Chance want's to talk to someone.  We don't all need to be here
for this, anyway..."

As he spoke, Lord Fowler came out the front door.

[Tag Arlene]

----
NRPG --

Sorry it's so short.  Hugs all :)

Jill

Assistant Director, X-Files                Rhiannon, WarrenLady  *Xylian*
Sterling A. Kincaid, TL, ECHO, X-Files     Elswyth and Aedra   *Keldarra*
Damien Cunningham, UD DELTA, X-Files       Katla and Satinka *Whiteriver*
Xan X. Xavier, T1, X-Files                 Zera and Mazel       *Norwall*

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			      Vasaris, the Fuzzy Dragon
       Jill E. Flansburg	    |		            vasaris@az.com
       CS HMC 1994	          |		jflansbu@muddcs.cs.hmc.edu
       History, WWU 199?          |		vasaris@divcom.umop-ap.com
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