Saul
***
<<Afternoon - Day 9>>

Saul climbed down from his dragon's back after he'd landed outside the Pig
'n' Whistle of Killaglen and then turned to help Celia down as well. She
grabbed his shoulders to hop down and then held only them even as he tried
to move away. "Saul I don't know what's going on, but you are being so
unfair to Shawnee."

"Unfair?" he asked. He looked back toward the saddle knowing Gwyna expected
him back .. he didn't want to dally.

"Yes! Unfair. You have to know how much she loves you, and you just walk
out of her life as if nothing had happened! And she's carrying your child
for god's sake!"

"I .. I can't talk about this, I have to get back. Gwyna is waiting."

"And who is Gwyna, by the way. She can't be very important as you certainly
never mentioned her to me." Celia  paused staring at him for a moment.
"I've heard about Titania .. and Lisha .. and Gillette .. Hell, I even
remember you mention Merybelle way back when. But never Gwyna."

"Gwyna is best for me .." he said with a little less enthusiasm. She'd said
to come right back .. and he needed to listen to her.

"Saul .." Celia said, "Please come in and sit with me for a bit. I really
want some time to talk about what's going on."

"I'm supposed to get back .."

"Oh, does Gwyna run your life now?"

"Yes .. umm I mean 'no'." he shook his head, "Celia, you're confusing me ..
Gwyna said to get back and I .."

"Now see I don't understand that. You ALWAYS know what you want. You never
let anyone tell you how to run your life. Not even Shawnee, who I know has
had a greater impact on your life then anyone else. Me included. Now get
your butt in that Inn and up to my room, cause you and I are going to have
a little chat!"

Saul could not refuse her command. And besides, the more Celia said to stay
the more it seemed to him to be a good idea anyway.

***
<<Evening>>

"I've always loved Shawnee .." Saul said softly. That he knew for a fact,
and no matter how confused he got, that he would always know.

"So why are you doing this to her?" Celia asked. She'd been sitting with
him for several hours. They'd eaten and had a drink and she still wasn't
sure what the hell was going on with him. He wasn't himself and it worried
her. She could certainly see why Shawnee had come to her. It was more then
just Saul being unwilling to commit. He just wasn't himself ..

"I .." he started then shook his head, "Gwyna just makes so much sense to
me sometimes. She's always been a friend .. and .."

"She's not Shawnee." Celia told him.

Saul shook his head, "She's not Shawnee." Of that there was no doubt. Even
when he knew Gwyna was only doing what was best for him, he knew that
somehow it would never be the same for that simple reason. Gwyna was NOT
Shawnee ..

"Saul, you need to get up on that dragon of yours and fly back to
Whiteriver Warren and tell your mate that she's the only woman for you and
that you've been a jackass!" Celia said in a voice of authority.

Saul nodded, "I will, Celia .. I will." He hadn't been fair to Shawnee. He
loved her and he wanted to be with her, and why he'd ever let anything
blind him to that fact was beyond him right now. It made so much sense when
Celia said it. He knew she was right.

"And Saul, whatever it is that has gotten into you, please snap out of it!
For your own sake as well as for Shawnee's."

Again Saul nodded, then he stared at the woman, as if waiting for something.

Celia frowned, "What are you waiting for?"

"Umm .." Saul seemed a bit uncertain. He wasn't sure .. but for some reason
he seemed unable to act.

"Saul!" Celia groaned in frustration, "Get back to Whiteriver and go make
up with Shawnee!"

He nodded and jumped up, nearly running toward the door. Gods how he wanted
to see Shawnee. He was so glad Celia had thought it was a good idea. He
knew she was right about this!

***
<<A short time later>>

<Your mate is in the medical center!> Fayloth told him, his elation at
returning to Doshayne was short-lived as he heard from the still angry
female dragon. <Your hatchling is coming!>

<The baby .. but it's not time ..>

<I'll drop you there .. and try to calm down that little teal spitfire over
there!>

Saul nodded, <Take me to Shawnee .. I have to see Shawnee ..>

Fayloth landed as close to the center as he dared and waited patiently as
his rider scrambled from his back before moving to Doshayne's side to try
and make up to her for not being there when she needed him. And to tell her
the good news that Saul had come to his senses .. well at least it seemed
he had. The dragon was still a bit worried about his rider .. something
wasn't quite right. Many of his thoughts were too jumbled and unsure.

Saul dashed into the med center nearly knocking over the red-headed Xanthia
in his rush to find Shawnee. Taking on look at the rider, Xanthia pointed
him in the right direction and said simply, "That way, hurry."

He nodded and sped in the direction she pointed and was ushered into a
surgical gown by a med tech and the nearly shoved into the room where
Shawnee was grunting as she labored to give birth to their second child.

Clarissa looked up and motioned him in, "Don't let her push yet .." He was
instructed by the healer.

He nodded and moved into Tahsa's place as she stepped out to allow him in
to hold Shawnee's hand. He squeezed her hand, feeling the warmth and
softness of it. Gods he was glad he had listened to Celia. Shawnee was the
only woman for him. How could he ever have thought otherwise? And being
with her was all he ever needed .. or wanted.  For the first time in what
seemed far to long, his mind was focused on a purpose and he felt good!

>"Saul..."

He watched her aqua eyes settle on him and he smiled at her, hoping she
would forgive him for his foolishness and still love him.

>"I hope..." she started to say, then paused and looked away.

>"I couldn't have stayed away Sweet Shawnee," his voice was full of the
>love she remembered.

>Anything else he might have said was cut off when their baby choice that
>moment to enter the word and Shawnee was to busy pushing to have heard him
>say anything at all.

>"That's it Shawnee. You're doing so good.. come on.. one more good
>....PUSH!!" the healer called out several minutes later and Shawnee felt
>the build up of pressure leave her body all at once.

>"My baby!!" She cried. "I want to see my baby!"

Saul looked toward the healer and saw her look of concern. His eyes felt on
the tiny and still form of their baby.  Saul frowned at the blue tone to
the infants skin. Something was wrong .. and he could feel the chill
grasping at his heart. He would have run to the healer, demanding to know
what was going on .. had it not been for Tahsa who turned his attention
back to Shawnee ..

>"My baby... Saul... Tell me. What did we have?" her eyes flew from his to
>Tahsa's begging them to hurry up and tell her.

>"A son Shawnee," Tahsa smiled warmly, trying to keep the fear out of her
>expression. "You have a fine baby son."

"A son .." Saul murmured then turned back toward Clarissa who seemed to be
working quickly and silently over the still unmoving form of his .. son ..

>"I want to see him," he heard Shawnee beg.

>"My but you're in a hurry, aren't you sweetheart," Tahsa forced herself to
>chuckle while trying to buy some time for the healer. "Why don't you let
>Clarissa clean him up a bit and count all his fingers and toes to make
>sure he's okay."

Saul could hear the tension in her voice and the cold around his heart only
took stronger hold. Nothing could happen to the baby .. it couldn't. Not to
their son!

>Suddenly a loud scream filled the air and Tahsa felt the concern wrapped
>around her heart ease and Clarissa turned back around with the small
>wrapped body of Shawnee's son in her arms and settled the boy on his
>mothers stomach.

Saul was nearly brought to tears at the beautiful sight and sound of his
son. The cold around his heart began to fade and joy filled it.

>"You are well come my son," Shawnee said quietly as she glanced in
>amazement at the perfection of him. "Well come indeed."

>"Have you a name for him yet Shawnee... Saul?" Tahsa asked, smiling as
>proud as any grandparent had the right to.

>Shawnee looked up and met the eyes of her one true love.

>"Aarin," she said softly and saw Saul's eyes widen in amazement, and then
>understanding. "His name will be Aarin."

>"Thank you Shawnee," his voice was filled with emotion as he leaned down,
>and kissed her softly on the lips. "I know Byrin will be insufferable
>after he learns. I just wish A'got was here to have seen this day."

>"I'm sure he knows."

>They were all allowed to stay long enough for Aarin to partake of his
>first all important feeding then Clarissa decided that mother and son
>should try and get some sleep. Something Shawnee, though happy to have
>Saul by her side again, didn't fight. She could barely keep her eyes open
>as it was.

>"I'll let Ojean and Fawna know about their new nephew," Tahsa grinned as
>she bent over the new mother for a last farewell kiss.

>Saul, who'd been holding his son, reluctantly handed him over to the nurse
>when she'd come for him, then turned back to Shawnee.

>"I'll see you both in the morning," he said and leaned down to kiss her
>again.

"Saul?" Shawnee said softly gripping his hand tightly before he could turn
away.  He looked down at her with his deep blue eyes.

"Yes, Sweet Shawnee?"

"Tomorrow's the wedding. Are you going?"

"Wedding?" he asked with a frown.

"Merybelle and Toral's, Saul. You haven't forgotten have you? Byrin sent
several letters about it over the last week."

"Oh .." Saul said. He hated to admit he had forgotten. There had been so
much else going on .. and he'd been so unfocused lately.

"I can't believe you forgot."

"I .. I've been busy .." he said lamely.

"Oh don't I know that!" she said. "Just go on Saul .. don't worry about the
rest of us. Go back to your little whore .."

Saul looked horrified as tears streamed down the woman's face. "Shawnee .."
What had he done? His mind began to fuzz again and his focus began to fade.

"It's only your son, Saul. You'd think you'd want to be there for him!"

"I do .." Saul said, then repeated stronger, "I do want to be there for him."

"Really?"

He nodded and wiped at her tears. "I do  .."

"Me too. Promise me you'll take me with you."

"But you just had a baby .. and  .."

"And I've got all night to rest and recuperate .. please, take me with you."

He nodded, "I'll take you, Shawnee. I promise."

>Then he too left the room.

***

Saul had barely stepped out of the med center when Gwyna clasped onto him,
"You've been a naughty boy, Saul. You were supposed to come right back .."

"I .. I just had a son." He told her. He didn't want to be with her right
now, knowing that she would only confuse him again.

"That's very nice, Saul. But really it's Shawnee's son .. remember she
doesn't deserve you .. she doesn't respect you .. she doesn't love you ..
not as I do."

"I'm sorry Gwyna but you know how I feel about Shawnee .." he sputtered,
".. and .. and she does love me .."

Gwyna frowned slightly. Obviously the woman had a bigger hold on him that
she thought. "I do know how you feel about her, Saul." The woman told him,
"But I also know that she does not appreciate that. Does she? How could she
truly love you and still treat you as she does?"

"She .." Saul began, "She .."

".. Doesn't appreciate you .. not like I do."

"No .." Saul sighed, he wasn't happy about this, but her words seemed to
make so much sense. "Not like you do .."

"Come home with me Saul and let me show you how much I appreciate you .."

He nodded .. then stopped and shook his head. He didn't want to go with her
.. He wanted to time refocus. Like in the delivery room with Shawnee .. "No
.. I .."

"Saul!" She hissed firmly. "Follow me."

Saul was torn, he knew he should go with her. It seemed the right thing to
do. It was what she wanted him to do. But something grabbed at him ..
telling him not to go .. He didn't want to go ..

"Follow me .." she repeated, and finally not being able to come up with a
reason not to .. he did.

***

Gwyna fumed not long later when even after giving Saul a dose of the
aphrodisiac, he had not been able to sustain his potency and fell asleep in
exhaustion. Damn that Celia and that Shawnee and her baby! They were not
going to get away with this.

She'd been forced to give him the first drug again, just to keep him from
thinking about Shawnee and her baby and then of course it had dampened any
hope of a night of fun.  She found she had much more control over him in
when his lust was the greatest, and she wasn't ready to give that up. Not
yet.

Especially not when she was beginning  to get sick of Saul's wishy washy
presence! Gods .. he could be annoying! She knew it was the drugs and once
she got rid of Shawnee once and for all, then she could stop giving them
and she and Saul would be happy. He would returned to normal and he would
love her for having stuck by him when even Shawnee would not!

She would find a way to drive that woman and her squalling brats away from
Saul forever! One way or another!

***
<<Late Morning - Day 10>>

<Saul!> Fayloth roared in his riders head. <WAKE UP! Saul!>

<.. what ..> the rider murmured trying to wake himself form the fog that
held him down.

<Your MATE is waiting for you! And Doshayne is afraid she'll leave without
us. You know she can't do that!>

< .. huh .. what time ..>

<It's time Saul! Time to leave for Ralengarde and Doshayne says her rider
is furious!>

<But .. she can't be out yet .. I ..>

<She was released over an hour ago! It's well past breakfast  time!! Now
GET UP!>

He rolled over and found himself alone on the bed, <Gwyna ..?>

<She and Bethina left for a patrol, so let's go!>

Saul nodded and pushed himself up stumbling to find some clothes to throw on.

***

Saul slid off Fayloth's back as the dragon landed beside Doshayne on the
green. "I'm sorry .." he struggled as he nearly fell on his face in his
haste to get to Shawnee and apologize.

She turned and looked at him in dismay. "What the hell are you doing!"

"The wedding .." he began trying to figure out what she was talking about.

"Like that! Saul, look at yourself!"

He looked down and noticed not only had he missed a button, he'd miss
matched them and barely got his shirt tucked in. He quickly moved to rework
the buttons.

Shawnee shook her head taking in his usually well groomed beard, now
looking more then a little wild and uncombed. "I'm sorry to make you get up
so early, Saul. But you knew about this wedding. Perhaps if you'd not been
so busy drinking and rutting!" She turned away angrily and climbed up on
Doshayne's saddle where they're to young children were nestled comfortably
in the special saddle obviously carefully hand crafted by Dontey especially
for the arrival of the new baby.

For a moment Saul could not remember the name they'd given their new son
and he tried to clear away the cobwebs in his head, "I'm sorry, Shawnee,
really , I .. I don't know why I couldn't get up .. I .."

"If you're going, Saul, get on your dragon and stop standing there like an
idiot!"

***

By the time they arrived in Ralengarde and had slid off their dragons, Saul
was feeling a bit better. At least he'd woken up a bit and his head was a
little clearer. He still felt worn down and wished he knew why ..

Shawnee looked at him, "I'm going to need you to carry one of the kids, I
can't carry them both myself. Do you think you can handle that?"

He nodded, and caught her hand, "Shawnee .. I'm sorry about this morning..
I don't know what's wrong. I didn't mean to be late, please believe me .."

She sighed, "I do Saul .. but you're a different person with .. with *her*
and I'm not sure I like you that way."

He held her arm tighter, "I don't like me either Shawnee .." It was the
truth. He didn't know why he seemed to believe everything she told him. But
he did know that he wasn't happy with her.

"You don't ?" she asked almost hopefully.

He shook his head, "No .. I mean look at me .." He forced a smile, "I'm a
mess without you .."

She chuckled lightly, "Indeed you are .."

"I talked to Celia for a long time yesterday .. and she made me see that
you are all I've ever wanted .."

"What about Gwyna?"

He shook his head, "I .. I don't know. I wish I knew why .. things change
when she's around .." He looked up at her with pleading deep blue eyes,
"Please just give me a chance to try and figure out what's going on."

She nodded, "I'll consider it. I promise."

He nodded and then took a smiling Lynnie from her mother and hugged the
little girl close while Shawnee took Aarin from his safety harness.
Together the little family hurried along the streets of Ralengarde toward
the Traveler's Rest ..

***

The small family had to sneak in so as not to disturb the wedding already
in progress. They took a seat near the back and listened as the couple in
the front took their vows and proclaimed their love for each other and
declared their union.

It was beautiful and Romantic and Saul found himself looking at the
beautiful blonde woman beside him and remembering how similar his love for
her was.

Once she caught him looking at her, and she smiled at him, and his heart
filled with happiness .. if only they could have that once again ..

Lynnie began to fuss a bit and it was clear she wanted her mommy, so Saul
took the tiny newborn into his arms, freeing Shawnee to cuddle up with her
daughter. Saul looked down at Aarin .. he was so small.  And seemed so
fragile. He was, of course, also beautiful .. just like his mother .. and
his sister ..

Saul looked back up toward the front watching as Mery and Toral kissed ..
the scene in front of him faded into himself and Shawnee and a smile formed
on his face as he looked over at her. She met his eyes and he whispered, "I
love you .."

His own words echoed in his head and seemed distant and the world began to
spin. He thought he saw a look of concern cross Shawnee's face .. maybe
even call his name .. but then it all faded away into blackness ..

***

When he came to he found several worried faces hovering over him. Byrin ..
Shawnee .. even a couple strangers.

"Dad!" he heard Byrin's voice and focused in on the tall lad.

"Saul?" it was Sweet Shawnee, lines of worry covering her face, "Oh you're
awake .. thank the gods! I'm going to get the healer, you just lie still
and don't move .."

He wanted to stop her, but his body seemed impeded and he couldn't move.

"Byrin?" he said his voice hoarse.

"We were worried about you.  You went into convulsions and everything. They
had to tie you down and then they gave you something to make you throw up
.. guess they were afraid you'd been poisoned or something."

"What ..?"

He turned his head at the sound of the door opening again and Shawnee
reappeared followed by a stranger.

"Hello Saul, I'm a healer here in Ralengarde and was on duty when they
brought you in earlier this afternoon."

Saul nodded, "What .. happened?"

"You overdosed, and I need to discuss these drugs you've been taking."

"Drugs?" Saul asked, uncertain as to what the man was talking about.

The man nodded, "From what I can tell there are several, one that is
predominate and is the cause of your seizures. Seems you have developed an
allergy to it. Which normally doesn't happen unless used in large
quantities."

"I don't take any drugs," Saul told him.

The healer nodded, "So you're wife .. er mate's been telling us. Still
somehow you've been getting them." the healer preceded to fill Saul,
Shawnee and Byrin in on the drugs, what they were used for and what they
had been doing to both Saul's body and his mind.

When he finished Saul and Shawnee could only stare at each other in the
horrible knowledge of what had happened. There was no doubt in either of
their minds who had been giving Saul the drugs or why ..

Saul's face hardened as he spoke, "If you'll excuse us, I want to talk with
Shawnee alone."

"Of course," the healer nodded.

Saul looked at his oldest son, "Byrin .. give us a few minutes."

The lad nodded solemnly, "I need to get back to the reception anyway. Mom
made me promise to keep her informed of how you were doing. I'll come back
later, when I can get away."

Saul nodded and watched as the dark-haired boy left. Then he turned to
Shawnee who sat down on the bed next to him and clasped his hand in hers.
"I was so scared Saul. I thought I was losing you .."

"Gwyna will have to be dealt with."

"Saul you can't go back until they get all this stuff she's been giving you
out of your system. The healer said you almost died. And Aarin .."

Saul frowned, "What about Aarin?"

"You were holding him when you fell .. he dropped to the ground .."

"Oh gods .. is he all right."

She nodded, "Yes, but only because of that wonderful woman sitting next to
us. She saw your hands drop and Aarin roll out of them. She grabbed him,
just before he hit the cement."

"I'm going to kill her, Shawnee." Saul's eyes burned red and his face was set.

"Let Trinale deal with her."

"Trinale? Gwyna nearly killed me and our son! I think I have the right to
deal with this myself!"

"Saul .. I don't want to go back."

"What?" he asked in shock.

"To Whiteriver. At this point I don't care if I ever see it again." She
began to cry and he reached for her and pulled her to his chest.

"But Shawnee it's our home."

She shook her head. "No .. it's been ruined."

"Our friends .."

"Saul I don't want to go back!"

"Where would we go?"

She shrugged, "I don't know yet.. just somewhere else.  Some warren so far
that even memories of Gwyna can't hurt us."

"Shawnee I think you're being a bit hasty here .."

"Maybe," she said softly. "I mean I'll miss Clarissa and Merissa .. and
Trinale. And of course Katla and Derry .. But there's too much pain now.
Between losing Aradia and you .."

"But you didn't lose me."

"I almost did. And whose to say if we returned Gwyna might try something else."

"She won't, I'll see to that!"

"I can't go back Saul. I want us to make a fresh start." She looked away
from him, "I know .. I'm asking a lot. But I will not go back Saul. I have
to think of what's best for me and my children."

"You'd go without me?"

"I don't want to .. but .."

"Shawnee, Whiteriver's been my home .."

She nodded, "I know. And I would understand if you wanted to stay .. but I
can't."

He stared at her for a moment then nodded slowly. "I was miserable without
you. I can't be happy if you leave.  So for you .. and for us .. I'll take
you where ever you want to go."

Regards,
Saul & Fayloth
***
NRPG: Well as some of you know, Saul and Shawnee will be leaving WR.
Shawnee will NOT return, but Saul will to collect the rest of Shawnee's
family (Ojean, Fawna, Dontey, Tahsa and Sammy .. my what a horde!) and to
put a little fear into the heart of a certain conniving young woman.

So I guess as of today, Saul is no longer my PC here at WR .. Our own
favorite head healer Th'rin will take that place of honor <G>

As for my other NPC's, they will all be staying in WR as well. Even Elissa
(Saul's sister).

Hugs,
Kristen
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  |\  /^~~^\  /|
 -qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp------------------------------------------------------
       \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
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/