Date:  Mon Oct 15, 2001  3:12
pm

    


Day 5 – morning



	**'Tonio.**



	The gentle probing of DeMarco woke `Tonio from his slumber.  

Clambering out of bed, he rubbed his eyes, <Yes, my friend.  I am 

awake.>



	**Message relay from a few other dragons.  Actually, two, 

both of them your superiors.  Firefly and Chrysthal.  You'll be 

having a meeting with one or both of them tonight.  I would have told 

you last night, but you had enough on your mind.**



	<And I still have enough on my mind, DeMarco.  However, I 

must take responsibility for my actions.  I will be there.>



	`Tonio showered and changed, wearing plain black riding 

leathers.  `Tonio did not feel particularly himself today, the past 

few days weighing rather heavily on him.  It was uncommon for the 

Knight to feel overwhelmed, usually having the opportunity to step 

away should things get too thick, but his duty prevented him from 

doing so in this case.  He was bound by both his oaths as a rider and 

as a Knight, which felt very stifling at the moment.



	As he exited, he picked up his rapier, belting it to his 

side.  While the cut to his ribs still limited his movement, he 

needed to find out how much.  Latnem was working on figuring out who 

might be responsible for the mercury poisoning and `Tonio wasn't 

confident of resolving the matter peaceably.



	He took up a stance outside his apartment, the open terrain 

allowing for maximum mobility.  He began slowly, moving through a 

series of thrusts, parries and ripostes, fencing against an imaginary 

enemy.  He began moving quicker, through more complicated maneuvers, 

remaining as aware as possible of his injury.  A few times he gasped 

as the cut twinged slightly, forcing him to stop the technique 

midway.  After about twenty minutes he stopped, sheathing the rapier 

with a flourish.  It was a light workout, but `Tonio had a much 

better idea of where he was on the road to recovery.  Glancing about, 

he spied one of the twins watching him.  Smiling, he bowed, "Good 

morning, milady.  I apologize, but I do not know you well enough to 

know whether you are Daisy or Rose.  Please forgive my ignorance."



<Tag, Kas!>



[..]



Evening



	`Tonio paused outside the admin offices, taking in a deep 

breath.  Duty, remember duty.  Placing his hand on the door, `Tonio 

turned the knob and walked in….



<Tag, Arle!>





Late Evening



	The Knight shook his head, emotionally and physically 

fatigued from the day's work.  Slipping off his riding vest, he made 

a visual inspection of the light bandages encircling his ribs to 

ensure that he hadn't done anything to reopen his wound and invite 

infection.  A short shuffling of feet alerted him to another's 

presence, "Hello, anybody there?"



<Tag, anyone!>



Submitted by

`Tonio and DeMarco

AKA Chris Weeda





NRPG:  Short, but it tags a few people.  Post on folks!