Day 3

Evening

Xanthia's Apartment



The mother and baby were resting well, and Merissa decide to leave the

mother and daughter for a moment.  She came out of the bedroom to hear

Latnem and Th'rin discussing them in hushed voices.



<SNIP FROM MORGIE'S POST>

"Yes, but is her momentary happiness worth the risk if a complication goes

unnoticed by her? And what about the baby? You know she's... she's not

normal. Being a mother is a new thing. I'd rather she be at the med center

while she learns," Latnem pressed.



"You're right. I'll tell her," Th'rin conceded, knowing Xanthia wasn't

going to like it.



"Oh, and Th'rin..." Latnem added.



"Yes?"



"I... uh... I'm sorry. It was bad judgement on my part to insist that

Xanthia go on this excursion so late in her pregnancy. If I had any idea

that this would happen..." Latnem faltered, his eyes tearing up with the

guilt that tore at him.

<END SNIP>



Merissa spoke up, "Any of *what* would happen?  Xanthia gave birth in one of

the most beautiful ways any woman could.. and I am so grateful that I was

given that chance to witness such a miracle!  Th'rin... I understand your

concern about Xanthia, but..."



"No, Merissa. I know what you're saying is true, but remember what she did

to her leg?  She could have died!  We can't risk her or Alina."  Th'rin's

voice sounded firm and final.



Merissa was about to protest again, but acquiesced, "It's only for a few

days, right?  And then.. if you'd like, Th'rin we could suggest she move

into Mara's old room...?"  Merissa waited for him to answer.



***

TAG: KRIS -- what will he say?  AND Morgie.. what will Xanthia say if they

decide to ask her?



***

Xanthia was not pleased to go into the medical center, but with all of their

combined insistence, and their obvious concern for her and Alina's

well-being, she agreed.  They began to gather up the things she'd need for a

few days' stay at the med center, and Merissa picked up a small bag as they

made ready to leave.



"Merissa?"  A familiar voice interrupted their departure.



"J'red?  You look.. awful!"  Merissa stared at the new Beta Wingleader.  "Is

it Kanler?  Or...?"



"No, Kanler is improving, and should be able to be transferred to Tinobal

soon.  It's someone else."  J'red looked away, unable to meet Merissa's

gaze.  "I think you should know.... Elissa and Ben'sar -- haven't reported

back in from their patrol this afternoon."



"OH!"  Merissa's eyes widened.  "Wait.. not here..."  Merissa glanced around

to see if anyone else had heard the distressing news, "  I'll meet you over

in my office as soon as we get Xanthia and Alina settled in the medical

center."



"I'm sorry to have brought you such news at such a joyful occasion," J'red

sighed.



"No, it's okay, I'm glad you told me.  But J'red... the dragons haven't

keened... there is hope that we'll find them!"  Merissa smiled in

reassurance.



J'red's face brightened.  "Yes... I'll send out search parties!"



<*Fire!  Tell DeMarco that we're going to organize...*>



<My rider, DeMarco has already gone in search of them.>



<What?  Alone?>  J'red fumed.  "I think we also need to have a talk with

'Tonio..."



Merissa frowned at J'red, "And why?"



"Firefly just informed me that 'Tonio has left the warren in search of the

missing dragons and riders."



"Alone, I take it."



"Yes..."



"I see."  Merissa's frown deepened with concern, though part of her felt

sure that if anyone could find them, it would be 'Tonio.  "Yes, we'll

certainly have a talk with him."





***

LATE EVENING

Merissa's Office



J'red had left, after much protest, to accompany Har'son and a few other

riders to J'red's father's estate.  Lord Fowler was throwing one of his

*famous* searching parties, and Merissa had insisted.  She didn't want them

to miss any opportunity to bring in suitable candidates for Daetyn's

soon-to-be-laid eggs.



The queenrider paced back and forth, unsure yet whether to tell Eleanora

about Ben'sar's disappearance.  She would find out soon enough, as Cara was

bound to spread the news to her.  Well, better to give her good news after

the fact than have her worrying....



<*Chrysthal, can you ask Cara not to tell Eleanora about Ben'sar, at least

not until we know something?*>  Merissa sent to the senior queen.



But it was shortly after that, when DeMarco and Patinari teleported into the

warren.... without Killeen.



Immediately the warren dragons sent up a keening.  "Oh, no!"  Merissa found

her chair and sat down heavily in it.  Abby and Eleanora would be

devastated!



All thoughts of reprimanding 'Tonio vanished from her mind, and Merissa

asked Chrysthal to have the Knight come to her office to explain.



"What happened?"  Merissa's tear-filled eyes, looked up at the young man as

soon as he entered.



In short order, he told her of finding Patinari and Elissa... and the sad

story the yellow dragon had related.



"So, he's gone..."



****

TAG:  KK?  Where is Eleanora and how does she find out?  Hmm... did she go

with J'red and Har'son to Lord Fowlers?



****

NRPG:  I'll get to day 4 & 5 when I've caught up!  ;)  But I'm working on

it!



****

Respectfully Submitted by:

Arlene Jacobs

AKA  Warrenlady Merissa, rider of Chrysthal

and J'red, Beta Wingleader, rider of Firefly