Trinale felt Oldreth's lips gently touch her, comfortingly, and then as
she heard a noise, her eyes looked up, and there was Derry at the door.
She stepped back from Oldreth, her face warm as she new what Derry must be
thinking of her.

> "Trinale..."  Images flashed through his mind... Aradia, Pa'gan... 
> Daimon.  That his lady had chosen *him,* a LandBound lord's second
> son, dimmed in the rush of pain... and anger.  He'd gotten screamed
> at for trying to comfort a woman who had lost her family, had done
> nothing more than stand there as her rage pushed her into his
> personal space...  He swallowed hard.  Damned if he was going to
> repeat *her* behavior.  "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted.  I
> suppose I haven't gotten used to Warren culture yet.  Next time, I'll
> knock harder."
> 
> "Derry..."  Trinale's voice was soft, her blue eyes pleading.
How could she have hurt him like this? She hadn't meant to be in this
position. Oldreth had just been so....comforting.

> "No."  The basket dropped from his fingers.  "I can't do this right
> now.  I can't stay here.  Nice to meet you, whoever you are."  He
> managed to keep his face calm.  "Do you still want to go to Chance's
> for dinner tonight?"
> 
> "Yes, of course."  Her voice broke and he looked away, refusing to
> acknowledge the young man any further than he had already.  It was
> killing him not to react with violence.  He wanted to scream.  He
> wanted to beat on the guy.  He didn't do any of those things.
> 
> "Mother is sending a copy of her perfume recipes and gardening
> secrets.  She...  she wanted you to have it."  Civilized.  He could
> do civilized.  He looked at her, his princess in silver.  "I'll... 
> see you this evening.  I've got to go."

He turned and walked out the door. 

(My rider says to tell you he loves you, but he needs to be alone right
now)

Trinale's shoulders slumped and she almost started to cry again. Oldreth
took a step towards her, but she backed away.

"I know you're just trying to help, but I need to be alone right now"
Trinale said softly, turning her back on him.

Oldreth said "I understand."

Trinale heard a door close softly and she sunk down into her chair. Then
her eyes fell on the basket sitting near the door. She slowly got up and
walked over to it, sinking down on the floor next to it and reaching for
it.

Her eyes opened in wonder, filling with tears as she pulled out all her
favorite foods, a bottle of wine, and a bouquet of flowers. He had planned
on them spending some time together...and he had gone to such trouble.

Trinale sat there on the floor of her office for a long time, just looking
at the things around her.

(Wintermoon says Moira, one of the new searchlings is crying. Her rider is
with her.)

Oldreth....

(Can you see if Merissa can go?)

(She is already on the way)

Trinale roused herself from the fllor. She had to find Derry.

(Levka, where is Derry?)

(He took off riding)

Riding? (On a horse?)

She felt Levka answering in the affirmative.
 
(Levka, would you come get me and take me to him?)

(He wanted time to be alone) Levka answered.

(But, we need to talk, Levka. We need to straighten this out.)

She felt Levka pause for a few moments then say (Meet me outside your
offices)

Trinale picked up the bouquet, leaving the rest of the stuff strewn around
her office and headed for where Levka waited.

Levka flew straight and soon landed in a clearing where Trinale saw Derry
sitting on a log.

Trinale dismounted and went over to where Derry was. he didn't even look
up. She sunk down to her knees in front of him, still clutching the
flowers.

"Derry, it didn't mean anything." Trinale pleaded. "I was crying and he
was comforting me....honestly....." her voice broke as she tried to
explain.

He looked at her, not saying anything as she continued. "I was crying
about not being able to do anything fun, and always having to be
responsible, and I just lost it and next thing I know he was holding me
and gently kissed me...almost like I think a big brother would.....please
Derry....I love you...." Trinale's voice ended in a choked up sob.

Suddenly she was gathered into Derry's arms and his lips found hers
hungrily, passionately. She responded, her whole body arching towards his.
A few moments later they broke breathless.

"That wasn't a brotherly kiss" Trinale giggled, still with tears in her
eyes.

"It wasn't meant to be" Derry said seriously, but with a hint of mischief
in his eyes. "It was meant to remind you of who your mate is and who loves
you very much."

"I know, Derry...." Trinale said "And I didn't forget earlier, either. I
was just trying to get Oldreth to take on some responsibilities and leave
Merissa and I more time for ourselves and our families. And I realized how
little fun I have had recently."

"Thats something I wanted to talk with you about as well" Derry said
seriously "You take on too much yourself....you need to take some time for
yourself and those who love you."

Trinale nodded "I know that now, and maybe having Oldreth around will
help."

Derry looked at her "Even if it doesn't you have to promise me you will
find some time another way."

Trinale started to protest but Derry covered her mouth with his again,
kissing her again "promise....."

Trinale looked at him, her body flushed from his attentions. "I
promise...I don't know how, but I promise....."

Trinale looked at him then. "Much as I'd like to stay here and spend time
together, I do have to do some work today, so we can go to Katla's
tonight." 

Derry looked at her, a frown on his face. 

"I have to, Derry....I have to go see Ojeans new dragon for one thing, I
haven't had a chance to do that yet. Please understand....."Trinale
pleaded with him.

Derry nodded. "Ok, but promise me you'll forget being Warrenlady at
Chance's tonight...just enjoy yourself."

Trinale paused and then nodded. "deal"

Derry kissed her softly and then let her go. "Ok, I'll see you back at our
place before Chance's party."

Trinale nodded, heading back towards Levka, knowing Derry had to bring the
horse back. "I love you."

Derry smiled. "I love you, too." he said.

(Thank you Levka) Trinale said, smiling as she climbed aboard.

(I am glad. You make my rider happy.)

(I hope so, Levka....I certainly hope so)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trinale had Levka land near Barry's house. She had certainly been amiss in
not meeting Teewith before this. She saw the tiny little dragon ouside
with Ojean oiling him.

"Hi there Ojean!" Trinale said, smiling "He's certainly beautiful."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: There ya go Barb!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Trinale enjoyed the short time she talked with Ojean and helping him with
Teewith, but now it was time to get back to her office.

(There is a rider from Telnor here to see you, Trinale) Cricket said.

Trinale sighed and headed for the area where Cricket had told her the
rider was at. As she approached she saw Ashelle standing talking with him.

"Hi Ashelle" she said then added without pause to the rider in front of
her "I am Trinale, the warrenlady here" holding out her hand in greeting.
She then noticed the frown and look of pain on Ashelle's face. "whats
wrong, Ashelle?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: There ya go, Jeanette

If Ashelle's feeling alright, Trinale will ask her to spend time with
B'rin
after Trinale and B'rin meet, take him swimming, go to dinner, etc,
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Trinale and B'rin went inside Trinale's office and Trinale opened the note
from Ophelia. Just as she did a knock sounded on her door.

"Come in" she called out and Oldreth entered the room.

"I am sorry to disturb you, but I need to talk with you about something."
Oldreth said.

Trinale started to protest, thinking it was about the situation that had
happened earlier but Oldreth interrupted. "Its important...its about the
warren."

"Well, please sit for a moment then." Trinale said "This is B'rin from
Telnor, he brought a message from Ophelia, the Warrenlady there. I was
just about to read it. B'rin, this is Oldreth, a new Queenrider who has
just joined us."

B'rin shook the large mans hand and nodded.

Trinale then turned her attention back to the letter and her face visably
paled as she read what it contained. She handed the letter to Oldreth so
he could also read it, and then turned towards B'rin. "So, tell me what
you know about the hellspawn, the symptoms to watch for, if they know what
cause them, or anything."

B'rin looked at her. "I don't know much, other than they get inside the
people and eat them from the inside. I know they usually have heartburn
and its only relieved by eating large amounts of food. And that most of
the riders who have had them go mad very quickly." B'rin then added. "And
the Tejas root sedates the wraith so that it can be removed...if someone
discovers it early enough."

Trinale nodded. "Ophelia tells me most of that in the note." She noticed
that Oldreth had set the note back down on her desk. She then got up
"Thank you, B'rin. We will keep a look out for any of this here at
Whiteriver. You can check with Th'rin at the med center...or it might be
Xanthia at this time of day to see if we have any Tejas root to spare
also. I can't imagine that B'nair was too generous. " Trinale smiled
wryly.

B'rin got up and nodded. "Enjoy your time here and I'd like to meet with
you in the morning before you leave, okay?" Trinale said.

As B'rin left Trinale looked at Oldreth and sighed. "So much horror at
Telnor, I hope the hellspawn aren't that widespread." She then realized
Oldreth had come to see her for something else. "And what else was it you
wanted to talk with me about?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: Tag Rob!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

*After the talk with Oldreth, while hes still there*

Merissa knocked on the door to Trinale's office,Chrysthal having informed
her that Trinale needed to see her. She entered, and saw Oldreth and
Trinale sitting there.

"Whats up?" Merissa asked.

Trinale handed Merissa the letter from Ophelia "We may have a problem."

---------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: Tag, Arlene!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

*A few hours after B'rin arrives at the warren, just as Trinale is leaving
her office to get ready for the dinner party*

Trinale was walking out of the office just as she heard a challenge
trumpted and saw a red streak head across the sky.

(Juniper flys!)

Trinale watched as the males strung out behind the brillant red dragon and
then looked as Clarissa danced out of the dining hall, followed by a
string of males.

Suddenly, a white dragon dove from nowwhere and as Trinale saw the two
dragons flying off together, she noticed the young youth from Telnor,
gather Clarissa into his arms and pull her towards an empty building.

She smiled, and wondered if this was the youths first experience. He was
very young and hadn't been joined for long. She would have to send a note
back to Ophelia letting her know so she could talk with her son if
necessary.

She then headed again for her apartment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NRPG: Dinner Party time! :)

Jeanette: Have Ashelle either approach Trinale now or later, up to you.

Have fun, all!


                         ("`-/")_.-'"``-._
                          . . `; -._    )-;-,_`)
                         (v_,)'  _  )`-.\  ``-'
                        _.- _..-_/ / ((.'    
                      ((,.-'   ((,/
                     
                  Kat Robertson (katmandu@iquest.net)

                    http://www.iquest.net/~katmandu