< Ashelle and B'rin >

> Trinale turned to Ashelle. "After you get something for that headache from
> Xanthia, would you meet B'rin back here and keep him entertained for a
> bit? Might keep your mind off of T'jellan and also help me out, since I
> have Katla's dinner party to go to this evening and can't properly
> entertain our guest."
> 
> Ashelle nodded, even though the headaches was still there, she thought it
> might ease if she got something for it. "Be back in about half an hour."
> she said.
> 
> B'rin nodded, pleased to have someone to at least have some dinner with.
> Its always a bit overwhelming to walk into a dining hall and not know
> anyone.
> 
> "See you then" he said.

  Ashelle grinned through the ache in her head, and nodded.  "You will.  I
think you'll like it here at Whiteriver during your visit."  She then
hurried off to see Xanthia, and get rid of her headache.

  She stopped back by where Oaklah was curled up, and offered hugs,
leaning against the warm hide.  << I don't understand it, love.  I'm still
stressed, I think.  Maybe spending time with B'rin will help. >>

  Oaklah crooned softly, and nuzzled close against Ashelle.  << Maybe that
is what you need...a break.  Go have fun. >>

  Chuckling softly, Ashelle scritched Oak's head, and wandered in the
direction of the dining hall.  She spotted B'rin coming from the other
direction, and waved.  "Hey!  You made it."

  B'rin approached with a smile.  "When I am offered the company of a nice
and attractive rider, I think I can be persuaded to stop and eat."  He
came to a stop within a few feet though, as Ashelle's face went into a
grimace, and she shook her head quickly.  "Ouch!  Maybe what she gave me
wasn't quite strong enough..."

  His face took on a look of concern, and he looked closely at her.  "Your
head again?  I thought the Warrenlady told you to get something for it?"

  Ashelle sighed and turned for the entrance to the dining area.  "She
did, and I did.  But I guess it wasn't strong enough.  I'll be fine,
honestly.  Let's eat."

  The young man fell into step next to her, and they made their way
inside, stopping to fill plates with a variety of foods, Ashelle chatting
away the whole time, trying to ignore the throbbing in her head.
Something was nagging at the back of her mind, but she couldn't place it
just then.

  The meal went well enough, and then Ashelle had an idea...maybe one of
her favorite pastimes..other than singing?  She glanced over at B'rin, and
winked.  "Do you swim?  We have a lovely lake, and the water is fine.
It's very relaxing.  We still have some good light left.."

  B'rin finished his drink and nodded.  "I like that idea.  Maybe we can
take our dragons?"

  'Shel nodded, and stood, heading for the door, followed by B'rin.  They
decided to fly to the lake, and after playing a short game of 'tag' in the
air, headed there..landing near the water's edge.  Ashelle only barely
noticed that when she was on Oaklah's back, her headache dimmed
considerably.  But that nagging feeling was there again, and so was an
increasing fear.

  She stripped and dove into the water, followed by B'rin..and they had a
rather nice time, for what time they were lucky enough to have. For as
they floated there..they heard a challenging roar, and both dragons sent
the message.  << Mating flight! >>

  Ashelle sighed softly.  Well it was a relief anyhow.  Her head was
acting up yet again.  This was totally bizarre.

  B'rin hurried to dress, Ashelle struggling into her clothes as well.
She headed for Oaklah, and called out as she mounted,  "Good luck!  Maybe
I can see you later on after the flight is over?"

  As he and his dragon launched, he nodded.  "Maybe..unless I end up
winning!"  Both chuckled at that one, and he took off, heading for the
Warren green...dismounting and heading for the rider of the mating dragon.
Ashelle and Oaklah landed farther away, and Ashelle leaned against her
dragon..confused.

  << Oaklah, I think I'm going mad.  Something is horribly wrong, love. >>

  A soft crooning nuzzle met that remark, and soft thoughts entered her
head.  << What is wrong?  Why do you think that?  You feel fine to me,
dear. >>

  Turning to look at Oak, Ashelle sighed worriedly.  << Because, the only
time I get these sort of headaches....is when there are wraiths near.  Or
remnants of them or their...what is the word, trails?  Oh love, I'm
scared!  This is the first time since the attack that I've had these
pains!  But there are no wraiths around! >>

  She looked scared and upset.  << Can you please find out if Trinale is
free, love?  I'm going to talk to her.  I'm scared, and worried. >>

  Oak answered almost immediately.  << She is free, and Derry is there
too.  But you aren't mad...just tired and stressed. >>

  Ashelle headed for Trinale's apartment, beginning to cry.  She wondered
if that was indeed the case, or if that wraith attack, and the mess with
T'jellan and Tevel had indeed, unhinged her mind.

  < At Trinale's apartment > 

  Ashelle knocked at the door to the Warrenlady's apartment, and was
making a swipe at her face as Derry answered the door.  "Ashelle?  Hello,
what's wrong?"  He turned and called to Trinale.  "Trin, we have company!"

  Trinale walked in, looking very nice in her party clothes, and Ashelle
immediately went pink.  "I'm sorry! I didn't know you were busy.  Oaklah
didn't mention it..."  And she rubbed at her temples again, tears slipping
from her eyes.

  Derry's brows arched, and he guided the young rider to a chair, sitting
her down.  "What's the matter?,"  both Trinale and Derry asked at the same
time.

  Ashelle sobbed, trying to regain her composure.  "I think I'm going mad!
It's not right! It doesn't make sense!  Damn and bast it!"

  Trinale sat next to Ashelle and wrapped her arm around the girl's
shoulder.  "Slow down, what's the matter?  What makes you think you're
going mad?"

  She looked at Derry and gestured for him to bring Ashelle a drink.
Then both of them listened to the clearly distraught girl as she tried to 
explain things.

  "Well..like I said, it doesn't make any sense!  I get, *sigh* I get
these really bad headaches, when there are wraiths around.  I can sense
them nearby, or it's like I can tell when they are coming."

  She looked at both riders, and grimaced at the look she was getting, as
if they *sort* of didn't buy this one.  But she went ahead anyhow.

  "I haven't had a headache since the attack.  Somehow, Oaklah was able to
take the pain down to a mild ache instead of a roaring throbbing.  I was
hardly able to see at one point."

  Derry and Trinale looked at each other, incredulous over what they were
hearing.  Was it possible that Ashelle really could sense wraiths?  And if
that was the case, why was she here now?

  Trinale looked closely at Ashelle.  "And you're here now because...?"

  "I'm here because I'm having headaches again and there aren't any
wraiths around!  I've had three since...since...oh God, that can't be!"
Her eyes went wide, and she burst into tears... "I'm going mad, I tell
you!  I'm not any good to the Warren like this!"

  "Now hold it, what are you thinking, Ashelle?  Why are you so convinved
you're going mad?"  Derry's face was filled with worry.

  Ashelle all but screamed out her reply.  "Because there aren't any more
wraiths here!  I told you that!"

  Trinale grabbed her shoulders and gave her a somewhat firm shake.  "When
did you have the headaches, then?  Give me times, places...let's figure
this out."

  Ashelle gulped down the drink she'd been holding, and immediately
replied.  "I got the first when I went to greet B'rin.  I got the second
when we were eating, and the third when we went swimming before the mating
flight happened.  He left for that, and I came here."

  Her eyes overflowed again, and she looked at Trinale and Derry
fearfully. "I don't understand it.  Like I said...I'm going mad!
I'm grounding myself until I can get a complete physical..."
  
[Tag: Kat!]

-----------

Jeanette
Ashelle/Oaklah