Adeliannae
****
 
[Day 40 - later afternoon]

[snip of Katrina's post]

Eleanora smiled and the two headed off to the warren offices to finish the 
paperwork.  They had made great headway when Leonidas wandered back in to the 
office and collapsed in the nearest chair.  Seeing both Lia and Eleanora with 
their heads bent over the desk, he blinked and rubbed his eyes.  Damndest 
resemblance, he thought, and stretched out to wait until his sister could 
take him someplace he could sleep.

It was several hours before the paperwork was finished, during which time 
Leonidas had managed a brief nap.  Feeling rested enough, he offered to 
escort his sister and her friend to the dining hall.

*Where am I sleeping anyway, Runt?*

Eleanora made a face at him at the nickname.  "If you're nice to me," she 
said, signing with the words,"I'll let you crash on my couch."

"Oh man! I have to be nice to you?"  He grinned outrageously as Eleanora 
laughed.

[end snip]

It was a relief to finally have the paperwork finished.  Lia didn't regret 
offering to help Eleanora, but it had been a formidable task.  

Lia watched the interactions between Eleanora and her brother with a twinge 
of sorrow that she had no siblings of her own.  It would have made her 
father's passing a bit easier with some other family members to share her 
grief with.  She was glad Leonidas had been able to visit Eleanora, who was 
more animated in his presence.
                                
She watched the signs they made with interest.  She thought she might even 
have understood a couple of them.  She unobtrusively imitated the ones she 
could remember.

>From the corner of her eye, Eleanora noticed Lia's awkward attempts at 
signing.  Still, the girl wasn't as far off as many people she knew.

Looking up, Lia caught Eleanora's sideways glance at her and flushed, hoping 
Eleanora wouldn't be upset.  "Do you think," she began hesitantly, "that you 
might teach me a few of your signs?"

"No, I don't mind at all.  It would be nice not to have to talk all the 
time."  Eleanora sighed.   

"It's good for you, Runt," Leonidas teased. 

"Now, this,"  Eleanora moved her hands, " is the sign for 䴝good morning.'  
You try."

Lia did her best to move her hands just the way Eleanora had.  "Like that?"

"Oh, good.  Now, this is 䴝yes' - try it." 

That sign seemed easier, a simple motion, really.  She looked up expectantly 
at Eleanora.  "Yes?" she signed again, raising her eyebrows in an attempt to 
indicate a question.

*Yes,* Eleanora signed back, smiling.  "Now, I will sign slowly as I speak, 
see if you can pick up the signs."  *My...name...is...Eleanora.*  "Did you 
get that?" 

*My...name...is,* Lia signed, then paused, giggling softly.  "But my name 
isn't Eleanora."

*Good,*  Eleanora signed, speaking along so Lia learned.  *No, your name is 
Lia.*

Lia thought the sign for her name was lovely, the motions of her hands fluid 
as she formed the word.

"Ok, enough of the lessons for now, Runt," Leonidas broke in.  "I'm famished."

*Pig,* Eleanora signed affectionately, but refrained from translating.  "Ok, 
let's go eat." 

The three strode leisurely toward the dining hall, Leonidas keeping up a 
running commentary on people and places, some of which were familiar to Lia 
from her travels.  Over the meal, he asked her periodic questions about her 
former life, readily drawing her out of her usual reticence. 

Surprisingly, Lia found she was actually disappointed when they had finished 
eating and Leonidas and Eleanora rose to depart.  In an unusually short time, 
she had grown comfortable with these two virtual strangers.  It made her 
wonder, but she could come up with no reasonable explanation for her 
feelings.  It wasn't as though she felt about Leonidas the way she did about 
Har'son, and she certainly didn't feel that way toward Eleanora.  It was 
something entirely different, completely new....  Mentally shaking off the 
introspection, she said her good-byes.  

She headed back to Analise's to play her music for an hour, then read a new 
book before drifting off to sleep.  Her dreams were a confusing kaleidoscope 
of faces overlapping - Eleanora's, Leonidas's, her father's....

****

[Day 41 - early morning] 

[snip of Arlene's post]

Analise rose early.  What a wonderful day!  She practically skipped around 
the kitchen, much to Lia's amazement.

"You are cheerful this morning," Lia smiled at her mentor.

Analise said, "As I should be.  My daughter finally did something right."

Lia looked surprised.  Merissa was an accomplished Bard ... and Warrenlady!  
What could Analise possibly mean by that?  Wasn't she proud of Merissa?

Analise went on.  "I got a letter yesterday.  From Cyrano."

"Cyrano Mastersinger, Head of the Bard's Guild?"  Lia asked, though she 
didn't really need to ask.  There could only be one Cyrano.

"Yes, that's the one!"  Analise grinned.

"Oh, then it must be good news,"  Lia exclaimed.

"You'll have to wait for dinner!  Which by-the-way we are having here at 
seven o'clock.  And I need for you to fill this list at the bazaar.  It's 
just a few things we'll need for dinner.  I've invited Eleanora, and I expect 
Merissa to come, too "

Lia looked at the list.  It wasn't long, and for all that Analise had done 
for her, how could she refuse this request?  "Of, course, Analise, I'd be 
glad to..."

"Good!  You should be able to do it before you are needed at the school.  Now 
sit down and eat some breakfast!"

[end snip]

After a large breakfast that made Lia feel uncomfortably full, she took 
Analise's list and hurried to the bazaar.  Even at this early hour, it was 
already bustling.  Though she soon had most of the items in her basket, she 
spent several minutes looking for the smoothest, freshest-looking mushrooms.  
They were one of her favorite foods, so she put extra effort into choosing 
the finest ones.  At last she was satisfied with her selections and turned to 
go.

She was nearing the outskirts of the bazaar when she was jostled by a small 
group of soldiers passing by.  

"Excuse me, miss," the closest one apologized with an contrite smile that 
quickly changed to a leer when he got a good look at her.  "Hello, little 
lady, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

His two companions, realizing their fellow had stopped, retraced their steps. 
 

"Hey, look, it's that girl we were talking to yesterday, fellows.  Only this 
time she doesn't have her boyfriend with her.  You going to call in your 
dragon again, girl?"

Lia was puzzled.  "I didn't talk to you yesterday, and I don't have a dragon. 
 Not yet," she added under her breath.

The soldier took a closer look.  "Well, I'll be damned!  As like as two peas 
you are.  Since you don't have a dragon, I'll just be taking that 
heavy-looking basket for you."  He snatched it from her hand.  

Lia eyed the light wicker basket in the man's arms.  "It isn't heavy at all," 
she stammered.  "Please give it back."  She reached out to take it from him.  

"Oh, no you don't."  He held it up out of her reach.  "What will you give me 
in exchange for it?" he smirked.

Alarm bells had begun to go off in Lia's head.  "But it's my basket," she 
protested.  "I don't have to give you anything for it."

"It appears to be my basket at the moment, since I'm holding it," he 
countered, while his companions chortled in agreement.

"What do you want, then?" Lia asked impatiently.

The soldier grinned widely, encompassing the men on either side of him.  "A 
kiss," he demanded.  "Surely that's not too much to ask in exchange for your 
precious basket?"  All three man laughed gleefully.

Lia eyed the men with distaste.  She'd rather kiss Gerry than one of them..  

She was backing away from them when she sensed a presence behind her.  A 
voice she recognized as belonging to Leonidas called out, "Leave her alone!"  
He had overheard the soldiers' mistreatment of his sister's young friend and 
was not about to let it continue any longer.

"So, this one has a boyfriend, too.  All these warrensluts keep busy.  I 
suppose you'll be calling in your scaly beastie, too," he taunted Leonidas.

"I don't need a dragon to take care of the likes of you," Leonidas countered, 
stepping up to Lia and moving her behind him. 

One of the soldiers drew his sword, weaving it menacingly through the air.  

Leonidas drew out the long dagger he wore across his back.  It wasn't safe 
for a bard to travel unarmed.

The other two unsheathed their swords as well, angling out on either side of 
Leonidas, who rigidly stood his ground.

Lia looked around for help, her eyes unexpectedly meeting Gerry's as he 
stepped around a large woman who had stopped to gawk.  䴝Lia?' he mouthed 
silently.

The fear he saw in her eyes gave him a sudden daring he hadn't known he 
possessed.  While the soldiers and Leonidas faced off, Gerry dashed toward 
Lia, grasped her hand, and took off running through the bazaar.

The shouts of protest he heard behind him only served to spur him on.  
Darting between people and around carts, he dragged Lia along until they 
sprinted around a corner and into a small shop.  Gerry slammed the door shut 
behind them, leaning against it as he fought to catch his breath.  Lia was 
nearly bent over double, panting heavily from the unexpected exertion on top 
of her fright.

At the sudden loud crash, an older man, hands covered in flour, popped his 
head out from the back room in alarm.  Seeing the two young people, he 
visibly relaxed.  "Gerry?  What's the matter?" he wondered.

"We're...all...right," Gerry panted out.

The man, who was Gerry's height, with the same brown hair but brown eyes, 
waited patiently until at last they recovered enough for speech.  

"Some soldiers were bothering Lia, Father, but we lost them," Gerry related.    

His father's eyes opened wide with surprise.  "You're sure you're all right?" 
 He glanced from one to the other.

"Yes, I think so."  Gerry looked Lia over carefully, a tender expression in 
his eyes.  "You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm fine, really, Gerry," she reassured him, "but thank you for your 
concern...," Lia gazed earnestly at him, "and for that very timely rescue."

Gerry, already red-faced from racing across the bazaar, flushed even more 
deeply.  "I'm glad I was there.  I wouldn't want to see you hurt."

"I know you wouldn't, Gerry," she told him softly.  "I don't want you to be 
hurt either. We're lucky those men didn't catch us.  I hope Leonidas is all 
right, too."  She looked with concern toward the door.

"I'm sure he is.  It sounded like all of them were chasing us." 

"I still can hardly believe we got away."  She continued to watch the door 
nervously.

"Why don't we go in the back room until we're sure they've given up?  You can 
meet my mother, too."  He smiled shyly at her.

"All right," she agreed, following him through the shop.  They passed a 
number of small tables covered with creamy-white linen tablecloths and 
gleaming silverware - all empty at this early hour.  The air was scented with 
sweet smells of baked goods.

In the crowded back room, an older woman was standing before a large table 
rolling out dough.  She glanced up as they entered but continued her work.  

"Mother, this is my friend, Lia," Gerry made the introductions, his cheeks 
pinkening at the unaccustomed occurrence.  

The woman gave Lia a warm smile.  She was not as tall as Lia, yet a good bit 
more ample, and quite attractive, her black hair only lightly frosted with 
gray and her blue eyes radiating kindness.

"Welcome, Lia!  It's a pleasure to meet you.  We don't often get to meet any 
of Gershom's acquaintances.  Are you from Whiteriver?"

"Only recently," Lia replied.  "I traveled with my father before...he was 
killed...but I've been living here for the last couple of months."

"I'm sorry for your loss, child."  The woman's compassionate tone matched the 
look of concern on her face.  "Why don't you sit down for a bit.  You look 
like you could use a nice treat, too."  She bustled around, pulling out a 
chair for Lia and bringing her a warm apple tart along with one for Gerry.

While Lia and Gerry ate, Gerry's mother asked Lia a few questions about 
herself, then told Lia about their shop.  "Most of our business is done in 
the late afternoon, when folks come in for tea."

"Lia?" Leonidas's voice suddenly rang out from the front of the shop.  "Are 
you in there?"

"Yes, I'm in the back," she called to him.

A moment later he stuck his head through the doorway.  "I'm sorry to 
intrude," he apologized to the small group, "but I've been looking everywhere 
for this young lady.  Are you all right?" he asked Lia.

"I'm fine, thank you, but what about you?  Those soldiers didn't hurt you, 
did they?"  She looked him over for signs of injury.

"No, I'm fine.  Took a bit of talking to get your basket back, though, but 
here it is safe and sound."

Lia was relieved to have the dinner ingredients back in her possession.  
"Thank you very much for recovering it for me."  

"That's all right.  Now we need to get you safe and sound back to your 
apartment.  I'll be glad to escort you," Leonidas offered.

Lia caught the glum expression on Gerry's face and took pity on him.  "I 
appreciate that, Leonidas, but I believe Gerry was going to."  She smiled at 
them both, then turned to Gerry's mother.  "Thank you very much for your 
hospitality.  It was a pleasure to meet you."

Then, linking her arm with Gerry's, she led the way back through the front of 
the shop.  "Good-bye, Leonidas, and thank you again for everything."  With a 
brief wave, she turned away, and she and Gerry made their way carefully to 
Analise's apartment, where she dropped off her basket, and then on to Lia's 
classroom at the school - where she arrived not overly late, despite the 
morning's misadventures.

****

[afternoon]

After spending the remainder of the morning at the school, Lia returned to 
Analise's apartment - with an escort this time - to eat a quick lunch and 
begin making preparations for that evening's dinner party.  She wanted 
everything to be just so for Merissa's special occasion - as she knew Analise 
did, too.  When she had things organized to her satisfaction, she headed back 
to the school.

By the time she got there, she was in a sea of confusion and shock, barely 
able to focus on the children and their lessons.  How could things like that 
just go on here?  And how could everyone simply go about their business 
afterward?  It was unthinkable to her, and yet that was apparently how it was.

The awful scene just kept replaying itself in her mind.  Sweet, quiet 
Eleanora somehow transformed into someone Lia could hardly even recognize.  
Only able to stand there stunned, Lia had watched the incident unfold....

As a raucous cry had rung out over the warren, dragons and men had converged 
- the dragons pursuing the tawny female, the men descending on the woman 
emerging from the dining hall to dance suggestively around them as she began 
to unbutton her shirt.  The crowd of more than a dozen men had reached for 
Eleanora, pawing at her clothing and exposed flesh, but she darted from one 
to another, caressing one here, dropping kisses on another there.  In a low, 
throaty voice she had made bold suggestions to one after another, taunting 
and teasing - at least that's how it seemed to Lia, who was only able to 
follow so much of what was said.

At last one rider remained as the others drifted slowly away.  This one was 
bolder than the rest, beginning to shed their clothing as he lifted Eleanora 
in his arms and carried her away - to the gods only knew where, to do the 
gods only knew what.  Lia didn't think she wanted to know for certain - ever.

****


Submitted by:

Dana Zuhlke

Adeliannae (Lia)
J'rret (Jay) and Hunter

Whiteriver Warren