Day 3 - morning







            The second site that Beta Wing visited was Yount's Mining, another

coal mining operation.  The foreman of the area was a man by the name of Jasper

Henry, a short, broad man, with no hair on his head, most of it having migrated

to every other place on his body.  This earned his the nickname "Bear," since

he was built like one and was probably just as hairy.  J'red looked at 'Tonio

as they approached, "How about you take this man while I chat with the workers."







            'Tonio smiled, "Certainly J'red.  I shall speak with him.  Best of

luck!"







            The Knight moved forward, concealing the fact that he was injured

in anyway.  Xanthia had done an excellent job of binding his ribs so that he

had excellent mobility.  So long as he didn't have to do any fighting, the

wound would heal marvelously.  Jasper moved forward, glaring at the rider, "May

I help you."







            'Tonio brushed past the flat tone of Jasper and smiled at the man,

"Yes, you can.  There has been a sickness going around.  As protectors of this

area, we've taken it upon ourselves to find out just how far the illness has

spread and to offer our assistance wherever it is needed."







            "You have a cure for the illness," Jasper inquired, only slightly

swayed by 'Tonio's warm welcome.







            "Yes, which is why we want to know if any of your people is sick. 

The sooner we head off this illness, the sooner you can have your full working

force," answered 'Tonio, making a placating gesture.  There was something amiss

here, that much 'Tonio could tell.







            Jasper shifted his feet, "Well, we don't have anybody sick right

now.  We did a bit ago, but they're fine now."







            "Really?  What symptoms did they have," pressed 'Tonio.







            The Bear shrugged his shoulder, "Well, I don't know exactly.  We

don't keep exacting medical records here.  When they're sick, they're sick

until they get well, and then they're well."







            'Tonio nodded, "Well, might we speak with those people in person. 

Since they were afflicted, they would be able to tell us."







            "Well, they're currently deep in the mines and probably won't be

coming out for a couple days," came the reply.







            "Very well.  We'll be back then.  Thank you for your time," 'Tonio

said with a flourish, walking back to where J'red stood.



            "Get on your dragon and let's leave.  You find anything?"







            J'red shook his head as he mounted, "Nope.  Everyone looked healthy

and nobody talked about any problems.  You?"







            'Tonio nodded his head, "Well, I think there more here than meets

the eye.  Jasper is either involved or has been instructed to plead ignorance."







            "Should we do anything now?" J'red asked.







            "Not yet.  We'll need to come back to get more evidence than just

what I think," 'Tonio said.







            With that comment, the two launched into the air, winking into the

Between.











Day 3 - Early afternoon







            'Tonio came back to his apartment to find people waiting outside

for him, a rather unusual circumstance to be certain.  Two riders, Katla and

Derry, both of whom he had met with and talked to a couple of times, "Greetings

to you both.  Is there something I can do for you?"



 



            The two started to speak at once and 'Tonio held up his hand, "One

at a time.  Katla, I shall speak with you first, then I shall speak with you

Derry."



 



[..]



 



            "So, I think it would be best for you and Kanler to take an

extended leave of absence, perhaps to Tinobel to treat him.  It is fairly

obvious that Kanler and your duties here as a rider are putting an incredible

strain on you, something that isn't necessary.  Talk with Merissa and I'm sure

she will be more than happy to grant your request," 'Tonio concluded, after

hearing Katla's story.



 



            The rider paused for a moment, then nodded.  Standing up she walked

over and hugged the Knight, "Thank you, 'Tonio."



 



            'Tonio returned the embrace, "I did nothing save show you what you

already knew.  Now, if you'd be so kind as to send Derry in, I think he too has

matters of the heart to discuss."



 



            Breaking the hug, Katla smiled and departed, followed shortly by

the entrance of Derry, "I was told that you are an expert in certain matters."



 



            'Tonio nodded, "I suppose you could say that.  What is your

trouble."



 



            "I have suffered the loss of someone that I truly loved," Derry

began.



 



            'Tonio nodded, absorbing the gravity of the situation, "Describe

her to me."



 



            Derry began his description of Trinale and her dragon Cricket. 

There was evident pain in his eyes, but 'Tonio urged him forward, Derry's

description very familiar.  As he finished, 'Tonio looked at him, "And that was

Trinale?"



 



            Derry could only acknowledge him with a mute nod and 'Tonio smiled,

"Then your love is not dead, merely lost.  I was in Falagand for period and I

came across a girl rider of that exact description in the company of a dragon

she called Cricket.  The young lady did not call herself by that name, but she

seemed to be searching for something."



 



            Derry's eyes widened, "She's alive?"



 



            'Tonio nodded, "Yes Derry.  I do not think she is at Falagand any

longer, but I'm sure she told somebody where she was going."



 



            "Then my path is clear.  How may I thank you 'Tonio?"



 



            'Tonio smiled again and shook his head, "Forces greater than I gave

me the memory of your beloved so that I could tell you.  The rest is in your

hands."



 



            Derry rushed out of the apartment, radiating joy as he went to his

own abode to prepare for his own search.  'Tonio nodded his head, glad to be of

service.



 



            **Not a bad day, 'Tonio.  A possible source of the poisoning found

and three riders brought closer to their eternal happiness.**



 



            <Very true my friend, it has been a good day.  It appears that even

though I agreed to stay away from the nobility around the warren, I am still

able to do my job.>



 



            With that, the Knight arose and started to stroll out of his

apartment, to see what he could see.



 



 



Submitted by



'Tonio and DeMarco



AKA Chris Weeda



 



 



NRPG:  Okay, just helping out with a little bit of housekeeping as well as

helping solve our poisoning mystery.  Post on folks!



 







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