"So, who should we try the tests on first?" Xanthia asked. Both healers 
looked to the young boy, Oberon, who looked much older than his 
kindergarten peers. Both shook their heads dismissing the notion. No, when 
they had something more definitive, then they could test him for specifics.

"Well, medical protocol dictates..." Th'rin began.

"The sickest patients first." Xanthia finished. "I could..." she began 
decisively and then corrected herself by rephrasing, remembering that this 
was a team effort. "Perhaps we should test Corra. She's not doing well at 
all, and being a healer she'd be receptive to being put through a battery 
of tests."

"Good idea." Th'rin nodded.

"If you like, I can go call on her now and do the blood draws>"

"Are you up to it?" Th'rin asked.

"Sure, why wouldn't I be?" She followed Th'rin's gaze down to her now 
immense belly and she suddenly realized the nature of his concern. 
"Besides, I could use a break from this place. I've nearly forgotten what 
the sky looks like," she chuckled. "I *promise* I'll be most careful."

***

Xanthia was about to mount the black and red when she heard the call of the 
familiar voice. <Oh my goodness! Do you hear that, Maxi!?! Wintermoon and 
Oldreth are here!>

<Of course I heard it,> Maxima replied dryly, remembering that it was on 
Oldreth's account that her rider had injured herself and nearly lost her 
leg, and her life.

<Take me to him!> Xanthia ordered gleefully.

<You need to get the tests done,> Maxima reminded.

<It won't take but a few minutes... Please!!!>

<I'm not sure this is such a good idea...> Maxima chastised.

<You are such a mother hen! I'm fine! Just take me to him. It's not like 
it's out of our way.>

Reluctantly the black and red flew in the direction of the people who were 
gathered about the platinum queen, but not before sending word of warning 
to Th'rin's Areena, <My rider may need your rider and her mind healer. 
She's insisting I take her to see Oldreth>

<Who is that he's talking to?> Xanthia asked.

<Appears to be Zara from the kitchen,> Maxima replied as she came to a stop 
on the green along side Wintermoon.

Xanthia couldn't undo the safety straps fast enough. She nearly fell in her 
excitement as she dismounted and hurried toward the nearly 7 foot tall 
barbarian. "Oldreth!" she cried, wrapping her arms about him. "It's so good 
to have you back!"

"Xanthia!" the great man cried with a chuckle, he held her at arms length 
and looked her up and down, his eyes falling on her expanding form. "A lot 
has changed I see!"

"Yes! A lot! Merissa is Warrenlady now!" Xanthia bubbled

"Oh really?"

<We have to get those tests done!> Maxima grumbled.

<All right... all right...> Xanthia sighed, "I need to go run tests on 
Corra... We've got a mystery sickness here... Oberon's sick too. You want 
to walk with me?"

"Gladly" Oldreth replied. He turned to Zara, "Would you be so kind as to 
tell Warrenlady Merissa that Oldreth has returned?"

***

"You're limping" Oldreth noted.

"It's... nothing." Xanthia evaded.

<You should tell him!> Maxima advised.

<What point is there in it? To tell him and cause him needless pain over 
the past?>

<If you don't, I will!> Maxima warned.

"Ah... Here we are! Corra's been so good. She left her practice to come 
take care of me, like a real mum would!"

"When you got pregnant?"

"No, before that, when I.. uh... hurt my leg."

"Ah... I see... How *did* you hurt your leg?"

Xanthia took deep sigh, a weary expression clouding her pretty face, "Can 
we talk about that later?" She looked pleadingly into his eyes. "Please???" 
she asked quietly. Her eyes began to tear up and she averted her attention 
to the door they stood in front of, and grasped the handle.

"Corra, It's Xanthia," she announced once she'd opened the door. There was 
no answer.

"Corra???" Xanthia called out louder. It was quiet. Too quiet. She looked 
up at Oldreth. "Perhaps she's sleeping?"

"You don't have to yell!" Corra grumbled as she came out wearing a bath 
robe, her hair up in a towel. "Didn't I teach you to knock first, girl?"

"I... I apologize. Corra, this is Oldreth, he's a queenrider, just arrived."

"Oldreth?" Corra frowned, the name not ringing a bell. "Well, lad, have a 
seat now!"

"I need to draw some blood, dear, so we can figure out what's making you 
sick." Xanthia said, thanking the gods that Corra didn't remember the name 
of the male queenrider.

"Is that really necessary?" Corra asked.

Xanthia guided Corra to the sofa and helped her sit down, sitting down 
beside her. She held her hands and looked sincerely into the elder healer's 
eyes. "Corra, there are lots of people sick like you. Oberon, too. We need 
to find out what the matter is. Will you help us, please? Let me run some 
tests so we know what specifically to test everyone for?"

"So you want me to play guinea pig, eh?"

"For the good of the warren. For Oberon. Please?"

"Ach! Better me than the boy! Get on with it now!" Corra consented tersely, 
pushing up the sleeve of her robe and holding out her arm.

***
*Later, back at the med center.*

Xanthia was exhausted, but still she helped Th'rin process the tests.

"How are you holding up?" he asked her.

"Tired... but this needs done."

"Maybe you should take a break?" he asked.

"I'm fine! I will sleep once we know what's going on!" she snapped, shaking 
the test tube she held in her hand. She caught the tone herself. "Look, I'm 
sorry. I'm just tired... and frustrated... So far we've not come up with 
anything... Oh!" she put her hand on her belly, her eyes wide.

"What? What is it?!?" Th'rin asked.

"The baby is kicking," she replied with a smile. "Want to feel?"

"Are you sure?"

"It's all right... Put your hand right here." She placed his palm on her 
belly, then turned her attention back to the test tube. "Oh my! That would 
explain it!" Xanthia gasped.

The baby gave another kick.

"Th'rin, look," she held up the vial, "The test is positive for mercury!"

******

NRPG: Welcome back Rob! Tags for Rob, Tamara, and Kris!

******



Respectfully submitted by:

Morgan
morgan-the-elfwench@home.com
morgan_the_dragonwench@yahoo.com
ICQ: 28792949
----------------------------------------------
Want to win $10,000? Click to enter!!
http://irecommend-it.com/sh.e?A761700B64D13
----------------------------------------------
Want to win $5,000? Click to enter!
http://www.ncbuy.com/poorjoe/?id=curthahn&ref=jallgood4%40home.com
----------------------------------------------
Join Care2.com's Race for the Rain Forest!
http://rainforest.care2.com/i?p=773878819
----------------------------------------------
Join Care2.com's Race for the Big Cats!
http://bigcats.care2.com/i?p=429594448
----------------------------------------------

I feel deeply. I care deeply. I desire deeply. I will always tell the 
truth. That is who I am. I expect nothing less of you.



To post: 
mailto:whiteriver@yahoogroups.com
To unsubscribe:
mailto:whiteriver-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
WR Web page:
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Galaxy/7713/whitrvr.html
 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/