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Day 42, morning

Leonidas stole a glance over his shoulder as he walked away from
Eleanora and Cara.  No doubt about it, his baby sister was suffering. 
He shook his head.  Well, it wasn^ñt like he hadn^ñt been through it
himself....  

He slipped quietly into the Dining Hall and found a nice, dark corner in
which to sit.  He wasn^ñt quite sure what his status was here.  Cyrano
hadn^ñt *officially* sent him, but he couldn^ñt imagine the man being
surprised that Leonidas had chosen to stay and watch the proceedings. 
Still, it was far better he keep as low a profile as possible.  He was
here only to watch and learn.

The first lord called up was Lord Fowler.  Leonidas smiled at Merissa^ñs
thinking.  Start things off nice and easy.  Fowler^ñs loyalty to the
warren was well-known.  Leonidas glanced at the copy of the agenda he^ñd
managed to get a hold of and smiled, recognizing Eleanora^ñs neat
handwriting.  She might not always recognize the bardic skills she had -
without music - but they were there, all right.  So, Fowler, then Kanen
and finally Vaddon late this afternoon.  Neither Fowler nor Kanen were
likely to arouse too strong a response, but Vaddon might.  Despite his
having two of his children become riders, his  eldest son^ñs strong
involvement with this cult thing was bound to be a problem.  And
tomorrow^ñs agenda was certain to be interesting, with only  Lord
Wollstone to offset  Gingle and Calarais - and their blatant disloyalty.
   Yes, indeed, this was going to be an interesting place over the next
few days.

*******
same day, early afternoon

Leo rose to his feet and stretched.  The morning session had gone
roughly as he^ñd expected.  Slight tensions, but no major blow-ups.  He
had noticed that the warrenlady looked as though she^ñd enjoyed the
previous night^ñs party as much as his sister had.  He chuckled softly. 
Trying to get important work done while still hungover was a common
bardic complaint - apparently, even when one was no longer strictly a bard.

He managed to snag a cup of coffee from the urns set out in one corner
and settled himself back into his seat.  The next session would be
starting soon.  Indeed, here came Lord Kanen already.  Leonidas was a
little startled that it wasn^ñt Eleanora escorting him.  Not that his son
was an inappropriate choice, he^ñd just thought that escort duty was what
she^ñd had to do today.  He shrugged.  Surely it was unimportant.  What
trouble could she get into?

******
same day, evening

Leonidas rubbed his face tiredly and moved out of the way of the kitchen
staff who were now frantically trying to turn the Dining Hall back into
just that, instead of a meeting hall.  The sessions with Lords Kanen and
Vaddon had proceeded...well, they had proceeded.  There had been rather
more resentment over Lord Vaddon than the previous two lords. 
Resentment, as Leo had expected, that concerned the actions of his son. 
Though to suggest the whole family were dragon-haters - as one had - was
patently absurd.  With two other of his children riders, and his tithes
nearly up-to-date, Vaddon had surely proven his own loyalty.  

Though, Leo thought idly, perhaps the true test would come when it was
time to decide on punishment for that errant son.....  Now THAT would be
an....interesting affair.  More so than these important - but somewhat
dry - reports on tithes met or not met.

He stood for some time in the Dining Hall doorway, awaiting his sister. 
And waiting.  Odd, he^ñd been sure their plans had involved dinner. 
Perhaps she got caught up in some office work and lost track of time. 
Wouldn^ñt hurt to start without her.  His stomach rumbled in agreement. 
Grinning at this positive vote, Leo went to stand in line.

He was just starting to search for a table when he noticed a stocky form
head toward the dessert tables and then dart for the door.  Leo frowned.
 That had looked remarkably like Telaran, Terau^ñs son.  But surely,
Cyrano hadn^ñt sent Terau to watch the Lords^ñ meetings?  Terau was an
excellent bard, but not so much in the political thread.  Leo shook his
head - he must have imagined it.  

Looking around to find a table, Leo noticed one occupied by a lone man,
who sat glowering into his plate.  Well, with Runt here, he^ñd likely
visit some, might as well get to know people.  He strode over to the table.

<snip of Mia^ñs post>
 "Excuse me," someone said by the errant boy's vacated seat.  "Is
someone sitting here?"
        Horatio shook his head absently, and waved his potato-smeared fork.
"Not anymore, go ahead.  You know which kid."
        <<Relax, don't worry,>> Horn replied lazily.  <<What could happen
to him in the Warren?>>
        It's not what the Warren might do to Telaran that I'm worried
about, Horatio told himself.  It's what Telaran might do to the Warren.
<end snip>

^îThanks.^ï Leonidas sat down next to the man. ^îWhat kid?^ï

 Horatio shook his head exasperatedly.  "I told you already.  Stop being
a woolhead."

Leo blinked in surprise.  ^îExcuse me? A woolhead?^ï

"What?"

 "You just said you'd told me already - I presume you refer to whichever
kid you mentioned - and then you called me a woolhead."
 "No I didn't.  Did I?"

 "Well, yes, you did.  Talking to yourself?"

"Oh.  Well, no, now I'm talking to you.  I was talking to my dragon --
he's the woolhead.  Not you.  Sorry."

 Horatio blushed slightly and poked his potatoes with his fork.  "I must
have been talking out loud."
 
 Leo chuckled softly. "That's all right.  It happens.  So, what kid?"

 Horatio rolled his eyes.  "Telaran, the one that was just sitting right
there.  I'm supposed to be watching him and his father, but Terau
dissappeared and then the kid ran off.  So I'm doing a great job, really."

 "Then it *was* him.  I'm sorry, but he took off out the door.  And my
guess is Terau will turn up here eventually.  Faster if there's any good
wine."  He smiled.  "Surely, you don't need to keep guard on them once
they're here, anyway."

Horatio shrugged.  "I was told to look after them, and keep them out of
trouble.  Should have assigned a whole wing to the job, instead of just me."

 Leo frowned in thought.  He couldn't imagine there was any trouble for
them to get into here, but simpy saying that wouldn't make this man feel
any better.  "Look, I don't imagine they'll find any trouble, but as
soon as we finish our meal, I'll help you look for them, ok?"

Horatio smiled. ^îThanks, that sounds great.  Telaran was excited about
the bazaar so I imagine that^ñs where we^ñll find him.  I have no idea
where to find Terau though - probably somewhere flirting.  Oh, I^ñm Horatio.^ï

Leonidas chuckled.  ^îProbably - it does sound like Terau.  My name^ñs
Leonidas, by the way.  Pleased to meet you.^ï  He stuck out his hand for
Horatio to shake.

In companionable silence they finished their meal and headed out into
the bazaar to track down the missing boy.

________
Submitted by:

Katrina aka Leonidas

With MANY MANY thanks to Mia for writing Horatio^ñs bit....Tag, Mia!