Day ? - several days ago

Cybele, having just finished an acrobatic show for a local Lord, decided
to stop at a Tavern in town for the night, to rest up and relax.  She
walked in, to a modestly lit building that had an atmosphere to go
along. Though it was early that night, a singer walked up on stage, and
started a beautiful tune.

Liandra let the song flow through her and out of her, as always -
totally lost in the music itself.  She wasn't entirely sure why she'd
let  the barkeep talk her into this performance.  She had other business
to deal with, but the music helped ease the ache in her heart.  There
was little love lost between her and Leander, but still.... he had been
her brother and his death hurt.  She finished the song and moved quickly
into another - one designed to get the audience more involved.

As the second song came on, Cy was starting to bounce back to her
energetic self.  She enjoyed the upbeatness of it, and was now ready to
dance, she wondered if the bard would mind sharing the spotlight for a
song.   Once the bard was through playing and had a few minutes break,
Cy walked up to her.  "Hi, your music is very beautiful, would it be too
much to ask, to dance while you play your next song?"

Liandra smiled at the young woman.  "Thank you.  Please, go on and
dance.  Is there a particular song you'd like?"

"Would you happen to know  'Derango'?"

"Certainly."  Liandra immediately stepped back to center stage and began
the first notes of the old classic.

Cybele, smiled, and first started to twirl, then took off her scarf and
danced with it, then finally switched to her swords, for the end.   It
felt great to dance like this and absorb the wonderful music.

After the song had ended, she walked back up onto the stage. "Thank you,
that was wonderful."

"It was a pleasure.  You're quite skilled yourself."  Liandra curtsied
to the girl, and to the audience in general.  "Would you care to join me
for a drink?"

"Thank you, and a drink does sound good."  They walked to the bar and ordered.

"So, my dear, what is your name and what brings you around?"

"I'm Cybele, I've been in town entraining as an Acrobat, now that my job
is done.  I'm planning on heading out to look for something new. What
about yourself?"

"I am MasterBard Liandra.  I'm heading toward Whiteriver Warren."

"A warren, really?  I've heard so much about them but I've never
entertained in one.  Have you entertained in a warren before?"

"I've not entertained in one, but my daughter is a rider at Whiteriver.
You could travel with me.  I'm sure they'd enjoy some entertainment."

"I'd love to, if you don't mind.  This should be a lot of fun."

"It would be a pleasure, Cybele.  Shall we say we'll leave first thing
in the morning, then?"

"That would be fine with me, and thank you for inviting me."


*******
Day 45, morning


Liandra swallowed hard to still the flutters rising in her stomach. She
could see the tips of the mountains ringing Whiteriver warren now -
they'd arrive today.  She could only hope the girls were still safe in
the warren and hadn't moved on in the meantime.

Cybele, excitement  starting to bubble over,  had been traveling for
quite a few days to get here, and now they'd be in a warren with dragons
  by the end of today.  She had had to keep reminding herself that she'd
be there by the end of today and not to skip, the whole way there.

Liandra smiled quietly, amused by Cybele's obvious excitement.  In the
time traveling, she'd gotten to know the girl and grow fond of her.  It
reminded her how much she missed having her daughters around.  That was
one bright spot on this trip, she'd get yet  another visit with Eleanora
out of it.

  "Wow, we are almost there, I can't believe we've nearly made it,"
Cybele chattered, not  able to hold her excitement any longer.  They
slowly climbed the ridge, Cybele wished it wasn't such a long ridge; she
wanted to look over the top of it.  But they still had a ways to go to
do that.

"Yes, just over the ridge.  I suppose we should find the warrenlady
first.... or perhaps my daughter and she can show us around."

"Ok, that sounds like a good idea.  It must be neat having a DragonRider
in the family."  They were finally at the top and could look over the
ridge into the warren below.  Cybele's eyes grew wide as she beheld the
site of Whiteriver Warren for the first time.

"Indeed.  We're proud of her.  It's so nice to know she's settled.  We
weren't sure what she'd do."  Liandra took a good look down into the
Warren.  Time to get on with this.


*****


As they walked into the warren, they looked around for Liandra's
daughter or the warrenlady; Cybele spotted a huge gray dragon sunning
itself on the grass. "Wow, they are a lot bigger then I ever imagine
them to be," she managed to squeak out.


"Yes, that one looks to be even larger than Cara.  That's my daughter's
dragon."  Liandra peered about, but the grey dragon's rider did not
appear to be in the immediate vicinity.  "My guess is the offices are
more or less over there," Liandra gestured toward the far side of the green.

"Do you mean they don't all get that big?  Neat!" babbled not giving
Liandra a chance.  Well if the offices are somewhere over there I guess
that's the direction we should go."  Cybele replied giving the grey
dragon one last look before she finally she followed after Liandra.

"Well, Cara isn't very old...she could get bigger, but I think there are
a range of sizes."  Liandra smiled.  Cybele's enthusiasm was infectious
and she felt her own spirits lift - despite the errand she was on.  She
walked across the green and began looking, in hopes there was a sign
reading "Warrenlady's office".

They walked acrossed the green, to where some buildings were.  A young
girl came out the door as they walked up.  "Is this the Warrenlady's
office?"  Cybele asked excitedly.

The girl smiled amiably.  "No, sorry.  Her office is down there," she
pointed and then turned back to them.  "Follow me and I'll show you."

Cybele and Liandra followed the girl to a different door, where she
knocked and then stuck her head around the frame.  "Merissa? You have
some visitors."  The girl gestured them forward.  "Go on in."

Cybele and Liandra walked into Merissa's office. Cybele looked around
taking in everything her eyes come across in the office including the
young women sitting behind the desk. She managed to control her
excitement this time and let Liandra speak first and introduce herself.

"Hello, Warrenlady.  My name is Liandra - I'm Eleanora's mother.  I've
come to discuss some family matters - with you, first, but also with
Eleanora.  It can wait, though and perhaps you'd best speak with this
young lady first."  Liandra smiled and stepped back to let Cybele have
the floor.

Cybele smiled, "Hello.  I'm Cybele, I'm an acrobatic dancer, traveling
with Liandra who was nice enough to invite me on this journey.  I'd be
very honored if you let me stay and entertain for awhile."

{Tag, Arle - one new rider and one new plotthread.  Enjoy.}


________
A joint post brought to you by:


Cozette (aka Cybele)

and

Katrina (aka Liandra)