NRPG: ATTENTION Susan/Mia - This post contains a letter that
Tarv'renon delivers to Keldarra, reporting Trinale's death and asking
for help. Also written is that Har'son will be sent as the new
searcher for WhiteRiver.
***

-=Tarv'renon=- 
*Late Evening, Day 16*

>He held her still, as she slowly drew herself together, the sobs slowing to
>hiccups, the flood of tears to nose blowing.  Finally she was able to look
>up, with a cloak of rationality drawn about herself.  It was then that she
>realized who it was that held her in his arms; who it was that had comforted
>her.
>
>"Tarv?"  She looked at him in amazement then gratitude, "Thanks."  She
>swallowed; another hiccup shaking her.  "I'll be okay, now, Tarv..."  her
>voice breaking, belying her bravado.

He was reluctant to let go of her, but knew he must, though he'd
enjoyed holding her, comforting her, stroking her soft hair. The scent
of her hair teased his senses.  He shook his head, bringing himself
back. This was Merissa, the Warrenlady, Th'rin's mate. What was it
about her that pulled him so? Guilt flooded him as he remembered his
place. Perhaps he'd been too forward?

>He nodded, releasing her and backing off.  "Do you need me to do anything?
>Anything at all?"

The offer was genuine, but he hoped he didn't sound too eager. He
didn't want to overstep his bounds. Once more he silently reminded
himeslf of his place. He shouldn't even be here. This was Th'rin's
place. He frowned, wondering where the healer was if not with his
mate.

<He's in the med center, with Xanthia> Murkash reported back.

<Ah...> Tarv'renon replied, then turned his attention back to Merissa.

>Merissa's dark eyes looked haunted.  She tried to think of what she needed
>to do next, but nothing came to her.  They had just been talking, Trinale
>and her, and now... now she was gone!  Sniffing, her mind went to their last
>discussion -- they needed replacements, they needed help ... and now they
>desperately needed a searcher! ... and they would have to inform the other
>warrens and the Dragonlady, about Trinale's... accident.
>
>"I need you to inform the other warrens about... about what has happened,"
>Merissa spoke softly to Tarv.  "Could you?  Would you carry a letter from
>... Whiteriver?"

"Me?" Tarv'renon's voice was tinged with surprise, flattered at the
unexpected trust in so delicate a matter. "Why, I'd be delighted to
help in whatever way I could."

Merissa smiled softly, "Thank you, Tarv." She picked up the pen and
began to write, her hand trembling.

Noticing this, Tarv'renon gently placed his hand on hers to still it.
"Why don't you dictate it to me," he suggested.

Tarv'renon sat at the desk, pen in hand, and carefully wrote as
Merissa dictated,

"My Dear Dragonlady,

The cult of the blindfolded lady continues to affect us still. We have
had many losses, both in deaths and injuries as well as those who have
left because they felt they had no other choice. Regrettably, one of
those who chose to leave was our Searcher Saul, who elected to go to
Jasra with his mate Shawnee and her family, leaving us without a
searcher. 

As a result of this devastation caused by the cult, there has been a
terrible accident involving Warrenlady Trinale and her queen Cricket.
She tried to intercede in the suicide of her father L'rian, his mount
Dandy, and her mother Caitlin as they teleported into the beyond.
Trinale and Cricket teleported after them, and did not teleport back.

Any and all help you and the warrens could offer would be greatly
appreciated.

Sincerely,"

Tarv'renon slid the document across the desk for Merissa to sign, his
heart going out to her. 

"You have nice handwriting," Merissa commented on examining the
finished product.

"Thank you," he replied awkwardly, the color rising in his cheeks at
the unexpected compliment which seemed so out of place in light of the
circumstances. He noted how her hand trembled again as she signed her
name and wished he could take all the pain away.

She sealed it and handed it over to him. As he took it from her hand,
he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it in a gently. "I'll be
back as soon as possible," he promised.

He turned and left, wishing there was more he could do to help,
feeling helpless in the knowledge that he was doing all he could.

***

<Ready my friend?> Tarv'renon stroked Murkash's brown hide as he sat
astride him, prepared for take off.

<Ready as ever,> Murkash replied.

With that the two took off to the sky and at the opportune moment
blinked out of sight.

***

<Keldarra...> Tarv'renon looked at the great warren in awe as they
appeared in the sky above it. 

<That it is,> Murkash replied, totally unimpressed.

They landed near the DragonLady's office, and Tarv'renon strode to the
door. He knocked and entered when beckoned. His eyes betrayed the sad
news he had to report. 

"I'm Tarv'renon... of WhiteRiver... I'm sorry for the lateness of the
hour, but I'm here to deliver an urgent message from the Warrenlady."

***

As soon as his business was done he left, politely refusing the
invitation to stay the night. Merissa might need him, he thought. And
Th'rin... his mind went back to his friend, wondering how he handled
the tragedy.

<Keep you mind on the teleport!> Murkash reminded, circling one more
time to give Tarv'renon a chance to get his thoughts on track.

<Right you are,> Tarv'renon nodded. Thinking only of the teleport, off
they went, appearing instantaneously over WhiteRiver.

It was dark, but Tarv'renon saw a light in Merissa's office still. He
had Murkash land and he went straight in, taking her the response from
Keldarra.

***

"They are sending a searcher named Har'son," Merissa reported after
reading the post he delivered.

"Good," he nodded. He stood there for an awkward moment that seemed an
eternity, unsure whether to stay or leave. He wanted only to stay, to
serve in any way he could... any way. He shook his head to bring his
mind from it's lustful wanderings, ashamed at the direction his
thoughts had gone. "Is there anything else you need? Anything I can do
for you?"

***

NRPG: Tag Arlene! Just a short one here for Tarv. I'll work on the
rest later. May work tomorrow on a post for Corra. Arlene, I hope this
post is okay. Am writing through the fog of antihistamines. UGH!

                \=/,         _-===-_-===-_-===-_-=======-_-===-_
                |  @___oo   (    Submitted by:                  )
      /\  /\   / (___,,,}_--=    Jacqueline "Morgan" Allgood    )
     ) /^\) ^\/ _)        =__    morgie@iquest.net               )
     )   /^\/   _)          (_                                   )
     )   _ /  / _)            (   The heart and soul of:          )
 /\  )/\/ ||  | )_)            (_  Xanthia/Maxima of Whiteriver   )
<  >      |(,,) )__)             ( Kattibrie/Calishandra of Telnor )
 ||      /    \)___)\             (_                              )
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Morgan's World http://members.xoom.com/Morgie/

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