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**Late night - Day 2**


'Tonio climbed the steps to his new apartment, tired but happy.  The
events of the day had given him several options to pursue and he was pleased
that he would have work to do outside of his normal rider duties.  Tomorrow,
if time permitted, he would head out into the village and make purchases for
his apartment.  He would also have to make some inquiries as to getting a
residence outside of the warren, for situations that required a certain
modicum of discretion.  Once he began his work, it wouldn't take long for
his affiliation to be known, if it wasn't known already.  Walking through
the open cavern, he walked around DeMarco and another dragon.  <Already at
work I see.>

**Of course.  Unfortunately, I couldn't convince the rider to come
and visit as well.  As such, my companion will be leaving soon. **

<Ah, the fun of getting settled in, eh?  I'm going to inspect the
apartment more thoroughly.  Let me know if anyone comes. >

'Tonio walked into the apartment and lit a few lanterns, suffusing
the room with a warm glow.  He began walking along the walls, getting a
rough measurement of how much room he had.  Looking down at the ground, he
noticed that there were a number of footprints along the back wall.  In
fact, there were a number of old prints all over the cavern.  Moving slowly,
he
followed the prints.  All of them seemed to lead to a particular section of
the wall.  A secret door?  'Tonio began tapping on the rock face, his hand
seeking to find a hidden lever or switch.  After searching for about ten
minutes, 'Tonio found a catch underneath one of the stone ridges.  Sliding
the switch, he found that part of the wall swung out.  "Curious."

**What did you find? **

<I don't know yet.  Some sort of a hidden door leading to a network
of tunnels.  I'm going to do some exploring.  I'll let you know if I need
something. >

Grabbing a lantern, 'Tonio ventured into the tunnels, watching the
ground to see where the footprints went.  The tunnels were fairly old,
judging from the wear on the walls.  Torch sconces were placed periodically
along the walls, but no torches sat in them.  He wandered the tunnels, which
weren't as complex as he initially thought.  There were a number of doors.
Most led outside, but a few led to places inside the warren.  Also, from
what he could tell, the central hub of all the tunnels was his apartment.
This would prove to be most advantageous.  He may not need a home outside
the warren.  These tunnels would provide the necessary discretion some of
his clients would need.

After exploring the layout of the tunnels, he figured that he might
as well find out where some of the other doors opened into, so that he could
tell people where to go.  Walking carefully down and around, he found one of
doors.  Peering closely at the door, he saw that there was a recent marking.
The initials QR were crudely carved into the stone.  Gently sliding the
latch open, he found that this door slid inward.

****
Merissa let the hot water sluice the day's anxiety away.  She turned off the
water and reached for her towel.  Stepping out of the shower, she flung the
towel over her head as she walked into her bedroom.  Twisting her hair up
into the towel, she looked up to see a strange man standing in her room.

Screaming she reached for something to protect herself with, "Who the hell
are you!  What are you doing in *my* bedroom!"

'Tonio was momentarily taken aback.  The tunnel apparently led directly into
the
shower room of the Queenrider.  Ah, that's what the QR meant.

Turning around quickly so as to avoid any discomfort on either parties part,
"Pardon the intrusion, Merissa   It is I, 'Tonio."

"What...'Tonio...What the hell are you doing in here!"  Merissa sputtered in
confusion.

'Tonio took a step back, "I was merely exploring some tunnels.  I found a
secret passageway in my apartment.  There were a number of footsteps in my
apartment.  I followed them and found a secret door.  I've been wandering
through
them and I was curious to see where the other doors led.  Yours was the
first.  I think it will be my last, if that's the kind of greeting I get to
look forward to."

Finding a robe, Merissa draped herself in it.  Shaking her head, in
bewilderment, "A tunnel.... into here?"  A shiver ran down her spine as she
wondered who had made such a tunnel, and for what purpose!

"Apparently so.  They seem to have been here for quite sometime.  Perhaps
they were an escape route at one point.  I noticed a couple of doors leading
to the outside of the warren." 'Tonio replied, sensing her tension.

"Escape routes...,"  she recalled how no one had been able to figure out how
the cult members had been able to move into and out of the warren
unobserved -- even with doubling the watches!  "tunnels... why didn't we
think to look for those!"  She cursed herself for being so foolish.  "All
those lives!  If only we'd known."  Tears came unbidden to her eyes and she
swallowed them back down.

'Tonio moved closer, supporting her with his presence, "Do not cry, milady.
You cannot spend your time thinking on what could have been done.  All you
can do is make for a better now."

Merissa found herself relaxing in his presence.  "Yes... that's what I hope
I'm doing.  Sometimes... sometimes I'm just not so sure.  But you don't need
to hear my worries."  She put on one of her *professional* smiles.

'Tonio looked at her skeptically, "I think you do need someone to hear your
worries.  That smile isn't fooling anyone."

Merissa looked shocked, was she really that fragile that her bard-trained
facade was cracking?  "Yes, perhaps... maybe I do...."

'Tonio turned around, "It sounds as though you have many things to speak
about, milady.  I would be more than happy to listen."

Merissa, smiled, "You would, would you?" She gestured to a chair, "Then have
a seat.  This may take a bit."

'Tonio sat down, "Ah, it sounds as though you have men troubles."

Merissa froze and stared at him, "What makes you say that?"

"Well, when you went out to deal with the death of that noble fellow, I
noticed a couple of glances exchanged between you and another man. It didn't
look to be a happy exchange."

Merissa moved closer to him, her interest piqued, "How would you know that?"

'Tonio smiled, "Milady, I am a master of communication, both verbal and
non-verbal.  The body language was easy enough to interpret, at least for
me."

Merissa sighed deeply, "Was it that obvious?"

'Tonio continued to grin, "Well, perhaps I can ease your confusion."

Merissa smiled coyly, "And just how do you propose to do that?"

"By serving as an advisor, of sorts.  I am well versed on these matters."

"Why do I feel inclined to accept your offer, though I have barely met you."

"It is because you need someone removed from the situation.  That and I
believe you trust me."

"Trust you?  Yes, amazingly, I think I do trust you.  How do you always seem
to know exactly what to say.  Just who are you?"

"I think that it would be best to show you, milady.  Forgive me if my body
offends you," 'Tonio said as he stripped his shirt off, revealing the tattoo
over his heart, "Milady, I am a Knight of Passion.  The only one to date
that has bonded with a dragon.  I would ask that you not tell this to
anyone, as that knowledge may interfere with my job."

Merissa's eyes widened.  "I've heard of the Knights of Passion... but I
thought they were only legends in old songs!  You are real?"

'Tonio chuckled, "I'm not sure if I would call us legends but yes,  we are
definitely real."

Merissa couldn't help herself, as she reached her slender hand forward and
gently traced his tattoo with the tip of her finger, "A real Knight of
Passion...,"  Her eyes sparkled and a slight giggle escaped her as she
recalled *all* of the things that she'd heard and read about the Knights.
"Do you really...  I mean, they teach...," and she blushed as she realized
what it was she was asking this total stranger.

'Tonio smiled down at Merissa, "It's quite alright, milady.  I do not mind
the question.  To answer it, we do teach 'those things.'  It's what we are
best known for.  However, we are also known on a much lesser scale for our
listening skills.  As a Knight, all of my skills are at your disposal." he
said with a flourish.

<TBC...>

Submitted by
'Tonio and Demarco
AKA Chris Weeda

and

Merissa and Chrystal
AKA
Arlene Jacobs

NRPG:  Now here's a nice cliffhanger for you folks!  Where will it go from
here?  Who knows <EG>




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