Gil
***
<<I think this is the evening that Saul hits him>>

>"Durrall." Out of habit, his face assumed the curious mien that he always
>used when dealing with merchants, the one that hid any trace of his real
>feelings. His father had dealt with this man in the past, though Derry
>himself, and Katla, generally worked with other merchants in Ralengarde.
>"What are you doing in Whiteriver?"

Gil's face darkened, "Personal business."

"You don't seem happy about it. I hope it's nothing serious." Derry said
taking note of the redness around the man's right eye and his nose.

"Nothing I can't handle." He forced a smile, "What about you Lord Derric?
What brings you to the warren."

"Me?" Derry asked, surprised word hadn't gotten out. "Haven't you heard? My
sister Katla and I joined at the previous hatching. I'm a dragonrider now."

Gil looked at him in shock, "You?"

"Yes."

"How did your father take it?"

"My father was very pleased."

"Pleased!" Gil snorted, "Well perhaps you are a grown man after all. Quite
a different matter!"

"A different matter?"

Gil raised his eyes to the young man, "No disrespect intended of course,
but this really is not the place for a young girl. And apparently my
daughter has become joined to a dragon. And that child of a warrenlady they
have running things won't be reasonable."

He threw his hands up in the air, "And Elissa thinks it's a big game! But
honestly, she's only 14. She hasn't finished school .. she's not old enough
to leave home yet! She should be home with her Mother and I.. not here!"

He pointed to his face, suddenly on a roll. "There are some dragonrider
here who can't control their fists! I did nothing other then try to protect
my only child! I'm glad to see there are some refined dragonriders, like
you, of course Lord Derric .. because so far my opinion of them has been
very low!"

T'jellan
***
<<breakfast>>

>"I like making the children happy.  They like my songs. I'd promised to
>sing that for him, but have been so busy with Oaklah, and worry over
>Xanthia, I forgot.  I try to keep my word to people."

>She looked at T'jellan curiously.  "Do you sing?"

T'jellan looked horrified, "Me?? Oh no no.. I don't sing."

"Why not?" She grinned, teasing him.

"If I tried .. you'd see!" he laughed. Ashelle smiled and was about to say
something when she noticed the joviality depart from his face as his eyes
feel on something behind her. She turned to see a couple walk in with a
baby. It didn't take her long to recognize Saul, the searcher who had
brought her to Whiteriver.

She grinned and turned back to T'jellan, "It's Saul and the new baby
everyone's been talking about. That must be his mate.. What's her name?"

"Shawnee," T'jellan barely whispered the name.

"Yes, that's right. I remember now. I've never met her." Her mismatched
eyes glimmered, "Should we go over and say 'Hi'? I love babies."

"No!" he said a little too strongly. He shook his head, "I'd rather not ..
Let's let them be .."

He could see Ashelle's disappointment and he shrugged, trying to placate
her, "Besides you'll have to be at training soon. I'm sure Cali has
something worked up for you."

Ashelle nodded brightening at the thought of training with her dragon.
"Okay, another time then."

Rebessa
***
<<Just after breakfast>>

Gil was being impossible this morning. Still rambling on about taking
Elissa home with them. Rebessa knew they wouldn't. And she knew Gill knew
they wouldn't, which she was sure was why he was being so impossible now!
Elissa was gone from them forever now. They both knew it. And it was all
Saul's fault. Gods how she wished she'd not seen him again .. All the
memories .. the fighting .. the tears ..

She'd loved Hutch so much. What woman wouldn't. He was beautiful. And so
charming .. And the attention he'd paid to her made her feel special. When
he'd asked her to be his wife she thought she was on the highest cloud and
could never come down. And for several years things had been wonderful. But
after Saul was born, things changed. He was a horribly fussy baby whose
crying often times drove Hutch from their small house.

She'd been hurt the first time he'd come home with lip color on his shirt.
He'd tried to explain it away, but she knew the truth. Still she loved him.
She forgave him .. She even went so far as to start to ignore it. That is
until she went to the healer only to discover she'd picked up one of those
dirty little bugs no one would talk about.

She knew where it had come from. It was from Hutch's whoring! And he'd
passed it on to her! The healers assured her it was easily cleared up, but
she knew she couldn't continue on they way she was. She threw him out.
Telling him never to come back.

Saul was only eight and was heartbroken when his father left, he'd clung to
her and begged for her to ask him back. But even his tears wouldn't allow
her to forgive his father.

Of course, Hutch did come back. Still as handsome and charming as ever,
despite the drink he'd begun to take on a regular basis. A couple times she
hid him from ugly men looking for money he owed due to his gambling. He'd
stay for a short time .. sometimes a month .. sometimes only a couple of
days, or even hours.

Each time he left, Saul would take a turn for the worse, becoming sad,
angry and oppositional to everything. Then came that horrible night when he
was 15 ..

Hutch had come to her door, his face bruised and beaten. It angered her
that he only came anymore, when he had no where else to go! She'd told him
she wouldn't help him this time. She sent him to find someone else to care
for him. Saul had heard her .. she'd never seen the boy so angry .. so
hurt. Before she's always been able to keep it from him .. or so she'd
thought. But this time he heard every word she'd said. It was that night he
left. That night he sought out his father .. the last night she'd seen him
until now!

She thrust the thoughts from her head as she walked toward the dining hall.
Those memories were not constructive.

As she walked she spotted a couple in an intimate position .. just behind
some shadows. Hidden enough so she couldn't see their faces, but not enough
for what they were doing, in her opinion.

Then she heard the soft feminine whisper, filled with the heat of passion,
"Oh Saul .."

She frowned and walked directly to where the couple stood and parodied the
woman's groan, "Oh Saul.."

They broke apart at the sound of her voice.

"What do you want Rebessa?" Saul asked, not even bothering to turn and face
her.

Rebessa seethed as she saw the slight smile and blush on the woman's cheek.
So this was Saul's mate .. didn't she think any better of herself then
hiding in bushes!

"So sweet and tender you looked just now with your ...mate...I could almost
believe you really cared about her," she sneered slightly, as she watched
Saul's face pale. "Just like your father used to be. Careful he's not after
something from you young lady... his kind will only break your heart before
he leaves you."

"Shut up mother!" Saul snapped. Finally turning to face her as he pushed
Gwyna behind him as if to protect her.

"I know how free things are here in the Warren," Rebessa continued not
about to listen to her son's words. He was to much like his father!
Handsome, charming .. he would only hurt her. "But really Saul.. don't you
have some place a little more private to make out with your mate? Or is my
daughter too suppose to carry on like this now that she's been trapped
here?"

"Rebessa..." his voice was a warning...

"You disgust me!" She looked at the woman in his arms, "And I pity you,
dear. I know what his kind is like!" Then she spun and left, not wanting
him to see the tears that were forming in her own eyes.

Saul
***

Saul groaned, and sat down on a nearby bench. Gwyna moved to sit next to
him. "I take it that was your mother?"

He nodded, "She's come back to ruin my life."

"Oh Saul," she said, putting her arms around him in a gentle, comforting
hug. He accepted for a moment, then set her aside.

"I've gotta go. I'm not feeling very well right now."

"Can I help?" she asked.

He shook his head, "Not right now, please .. We'll talk about this later.
Right now I ..I just have to be alone."

She nodded, disappointment showing in her face.

Saul ran a hand over her face, and smiled at the woman who he knew was only
trying to help him, "I promise, we'll talk more soon."

She nodded and pressed her lips gently against his, "Later then." She stood
and headed away.

Saul watched the sway of her hips as she went and clasped his eyes shut
tightly. It was no wonder he was taking advantage of her with the way he
kept ogling her!

Rebessa
***
<<lunchtime.>>

"Bolen will load our bags on the carriage." Gil said, "Let's go see Elissa
once more. Maybe even talk some sense into her .."

Rebessa raised an eyebrow at her husband and he relented, "All right, I
know we can't take her home. But don't think I'm ready to give up this
easily."

"And what are you going do, Gil? Most parents would be thrilled .."

"I'm not!" he glared at her, "And it's all the fault of that son of yours!
If you'd told me about him sooner .."

She sighed heavily, "I wish he'd never shown up as much as you do. He's
sent my life .. our lives .. into a complete tailspin."

"Bess .." he said a little more gently, "Why didn't you tell me?"

She shook her head, "Because .. I wanted to forget. I thought once I met
you I'd never have to worry about anything again. But I should have known
better. He's just like Hutch .. and Hutch never let me alone to live my
life .. not until he was dead."

Tears slipped down her cheeks and Gil took her in his arms, "Don't cry. We
still have each other."

"You don't hate me?" she asked.

"Of course not. I wish you'd done things differently .. but I don't hate you."

***

Her eyes narrowed as she spotted her daughter with Saul .. and another
woman! Gods! She knew it. He was just like his father. And didn't seem to
be bothered at hiding the affectionate touches he gave the woman. While his
mate was probably stuck in a cave somewhere in the mass of stone caring for
a newborn.

She wanted to go over there and pull Elissa away.. warn her .. but Elissa
was on her way out. She saw her husband head to follow the girl. But she
had a few things to say to that slimy son of hers!

>Gods she couldn't believe how quickly he could go from making out with one
>woman and then hitting on a second woman as soon as his mates back was
>turned. What a fool the girl was for loving him... and with a baby at home
>too!!!

It was too similar .. to familiar. But this time she wasn't going to let
his charms hurt that woman.

>"I wonder what your mate would think if she knew you were in here acting
>like a sex starved puppy with another woman?" Rebessa said when she had
>finally made it to their table.

She'd seen the kiss that had passed between them and couldn't help but feel
sorry for the poor dear who'd mothered his child. She wondered briefly
about the woman who'd mothered the boy in Ralengarde. Had Saul even
bothered to make an honest woman of her? She doubted it!

>"Or does she know that you can't keep your hands off other women?" the
>woman said scornfully. "And you young lady... acting like a hussy with a
>man who has a mate at home with a new born baby!! You should be ashamed of
>yourself for carrying on in such a ...a... like a whore out here in the
>open where anyone can see you!!"

"Rebessa!!" Saul's voice rose as he tried to get the woman to shut up. Fear
filled him as he looked at Shawnee and saw how white her face had become.
As well as the hurt she couldn't hide. His mother didn't understand and he
wasn't about to let her ruin everything for him! "I will thank you Rebessa,
not to talk to my mate in such ugly terms and to apologize to her this
instant!!"

>"You're *mate* ?" Rebessa laughed. "Just how many mates do you have Saul?
>I knew the warren was a den of sex.. but to have more than one mate?
>That's indecent. And you allow this young lady... Where's your pride!"

>"SHUT UP MOTHER!!" he had to get her to stop before things got out of
>hand. Before she could do any more damage.

>"I will *NOT* shut up!" Rebessa raised her voice, drawing others
>attentions towards them. "I wonder what your mate would do or think if she
>knew what you were doing here right now kissing up to this hussy the way
>you have been since you walked in. And right after you and she were
>putting on a show outside this place not over an hour ago.... Does she
>know about you not being able to keep your pants zipped up? Maybe someone
>should tell her!!"

>"What's she talking Saul?" Shawnee asked looking at him.

>"Nothing you should worry about love," he said quickly.

>"Love!!" Rebessa laughed. "Is that what you tell these hussy's of yours...
>that you love them? Do you tell that dark headed mate of yours the same
>thing when you're in bed with her at night?

>"Is what she saying true Saul??" she had to know.

"Shawnee..." he looked frantic. It wasn't like that! His mind was whirling
as he wondered how he was going to explain this now!

>"Oh gods..." she cried and got up from the table to leave, but he caught
>her arm.

>"It wasn't like that Love..."

>Her eye's moved back to see the woman across the hall grinning, and she
>felt her heart breaking... "Then how was it?"

>She turned and walked away from him and it was only then that Rebessa
>noticed the baby carrier strapped to her back.

"Oh Gods..." Rebessa murmured as the reality of what she had just did hit
her... She'd accused the wrong woman. "I didn't know Saul.. I didn't know."

He spun on her, "Who gave you the right to come here and ruin my life! AGAIN!"

"Me? You're the one who did that to yourself! I didn't tell you to have
more then one lover."

"You don't even know what you're talking about," he spat at her. "Gods, now
what Shawnee must think!" He turned to follow his mate out, but was stopped
by Gwyna who looked at him, her face full of concern.

"Saul .. I'm so sorry about this. Is there anything I can do?" She gripped
his arm tightly, bringing her body close to him.

"Gwyna .. Look I've gotta go."

"Maybe it would be best if you waited .. give her some time to think .."

"NO!" He said pulling away from her. "That's the last thing I want her to
do. Please Gwyna, I promise I'll see you later .. but I've gotta go now."

He pulled away and headed out the door.

Rebessa clucked her tongue at the frown on the dark headed woman's face.
"What did I tell you."

Gwyna turned her eyes on the woman, and smiled, "Oh, things are going quite
well."

"Are they?" she said eyeing the woman.

Gwyna looked at her in irritation. "Yes. Shawnee will throw him out. I'm
counting on it."

Rebessa shook here head, "Gods, I did produce another Hutch!" She left the
woman standing watching her. As she headed out to find her husband and her
daughter.

Saul
***

He didn't catch up to her before she hoped on Doshayne's back and launched
into the air. He groaned, and raced for Fayloth's back. <I take it she
found out about Binette's rider?>

<Not yet! She only has suspicions. I'll fix it.. I have to.>

Fayloth shrugged, <Well, you know I didn't say anything. And neither did
Binette.>

<I know Fayloth! Just go home. I have to talk to her.>

<Kiss her. She'll forgive you.>

<I don't need your input, thankyouverymuch!>

<Well Doshy forgives me for cuddling with others ..>

When Fayloth landed, he slid off and headed into the apartment listening to
Shawnee's sobs. He saw he laying on the bed, crying.

"Shawnee .."

"Don't talk to me! I don't want to hear it!"

"You can't listen to my mother! What does she know?"

Shawnee looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "Was she lying, Saul? She
said she saw you .. Was she lying?!" her voice rose shrilly and the infant
in the bassinet began to cry. Shawnee pushed past him to get to the baby,
picking her up and cooing gently.

"She didn't see what she thought she saw .."

"What did she see then?"

"Gwyna and I were just .. talking."

"Just talking?" she asked in disbelief. "You know I could have Doshy as
Fayloth .."

"Gods, Shawnee! Listen to me. Nothing happened this morning. Rebessa just
made assumptions over a friendly hug!"

"So you were in her arms?"

Saul groaned, "Shawnee .."

"Tell me the truth Saul. Did you sleep with her."

Saul couldn't meet her eyes, "Shawnee, you know what I was like before you.
I slept with a lot of women."

"That's not what I'm talking about! And you know it. Don't try and change
the subject!" Shawnee kept her voice even and her touch on the fussing
infant gentle, "Have you slept with her since me."

Saul looked at the floor, he couldn't lie to her .. not directly, "It
wasn't like that .."

"Did you?" she said sharply.

"Shawnee.." his voice begged.

"God! You're pathetic! You can't even answer me! How many time times, Saul!
Since our sex life was restricted.. before that!"

"No! It only happened once!" He broke down, "And it wasn't like you think .."

T'jellan
***

The large red-head walked into the dining hall for a late lunch. He'd spent
all afternoon in his office working on the wing schedule .. dealing with a
couple disagreements. He planned on spending the after noon watching the
hatchlings at training. It was something he always did at least a couple of
times to get a feel for the hatchlings and their abilities.

Normally he would wait until they were closer to flying, but he wanted to
see how Ashelle and Oaklah were doing. He enjoyed the time he spent with
the girl. She was quite refreshing. He could see the dining hall was more
active then normal with whispering and gossip. He wondered what had
happened.

However, he was in no mood for gossip right now. As long as it didn't
effect the wing, he would worry about it later. He and Grunth always shared
gossip at the end of the day. They had worked out a satisfactory system
where they spent the evening going over little things Grunth had picked up.

When younger the dragon had been a major gossip, interrupting his rider
several times throughout the day to report on insignificant things. Now
they were older and things worked better when he wasn't bothered while
working.

T'jellan hurriedly ate his lunch, knowing the training would already have
begun. And sure enough when he reached the green the hatchlings were
already working on being oiled. He spotted Ashelle and watched her from a
distance. It never occurred to him that he was paying much more attention
to her then he would to any other new dragonrider ..

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
T'jellan & Grunth
***
NRPG: Barb, have fun.. he's gonna crawl now...

Jeanette, I wasn't sure what to do with T'jellan, but I think he's finding
himself drawn to Ashelle, so have fun with him too. When he finally hears
about Saul's infidelity tho, he's gonna wanna kill him. He still fancies
himself in love with Shawnee :)

Rebessa and Gil will leave right after lunch ..

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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