Date:  Tue Oct 16, 2001  2:20
am


Day 3

Late Morning

(This part is a backpost to answer James's tag)

Tel'Thar's New Apartment



Pav'lo cursed lazy old dragons.  Why did Punkin have to sun himself all the

way up on the highest peak?  Huffing and puffing the quartermaster climbed

the last few steps to the new rider's apartment.  His arms were laden, so he

thumped at the door with his boot, hoping that Tel'Thar would hear him,

since obviously, Eleanora wouldn't.



<Punkin's rider asks that you let him...um, I believe he said "the hell

in".>  Eleanora giggled slightly and went to open the door and let the out

of shape quartermaster into the apartment.  "I think I found the ghost," she

said softly.



"The ghost?  Ah..."  Pav'lo's eyes twinkled as he glanced around the unused

apartment.  It had stood empty far too long, and really was a beautiful, big

place.  Too nice to waste!  "And thank you, my dear!"  He shouted at

Eleanora since she was deaf.



Tel'Thar jumped again, "Uh, I think she reads lips? Oh!  Here, let me help

you with all that!"  He managed to catch a falling kettle that had been

perched precariously on top of a few other dishes and cups.



Eleanora made a mock grimace at Pav'lo and elbowed him sharply, heedless of

danger to crockery.   "Will you stay and have tea then?  Assuming, of

course, that ghosts like tea."  She chuckled softly and turned to help

Tel'Thar with the implements of tea-making.



"Would be delighted... yes, delighted!  I brought some biscuits and jam...."

Pav'lo called out as an after thought, licking his lips.



As the tea was set out, Pav'lo began to regale Tel'Thar and Eleanora with

stories about the haunted apartments of Whiteriver.  "Oh, I've heard that in

one of the queenrider apartments one night a year there is this terrible

screeching -- they say that the queenrider vanished mysteriously out of that

apartment, and no one knows how.  Of course most of the apartments that they

say are haunted probably aren't, but since we've got so much space no one is

willing to live in any that..."



"So much space?"  Tel'Thar raised an eyebrow, "I thought you said that

Whiteriver was crowded and this one was..."



"Ah!  Did I say that?  Ah.. Hmm... well...,"  the crusty quartermaster

chuckled, "I knew once you saw this place you'd love it.  I was right,

wasn't I?"



Tel'Thar laughed and nodded, "But it is huge...."



"We've lots of family apartments that are just standing empty.  I think a

lot of the riders with young children decided to take them elsewhere when we

had all that trouble with that Blindfolded Lady cult...."



"So this apartment isn't haunted?"  Tel'Thar asked.



"Now... I didn't say that... did I?"  Again Pav'lo's eyes twinkled as he

winked at Eleanora.



Eleanora beamed a smile on Pav'lo.  The crusty old man had clearly taken a

shine to Tel'Thar - which was quite a recommendation.  Far be it from her to

mess with the boy's fun. "Oh, but you couldn't.  Everyone says it's most

definitely haunted."



Pav'lo launched into another story and soon the morning had faded into

afternoon as they chatted, telling taller and taller tales.  Tel'Thar's

adventures in the wastes that once had been Marrid were even more scary than

anything that Pav'lo could have dreamed up.



"As wonderful as this has been... I've reports to write and I'm sure you

want to be settling in to your new home."  Pav'lo sighed as he put down his

empty tea cup.  "Eleanora?"



Eleanora sighed.  It had been a fun morning, but sadly Pav'lo was right.

They did have work to do...there was always paperwork awaiting the

administrative personnel of the Warren.  "Yes, I've a deskfull waiting for

me." She smiled at Tel'Thar.  "Settle in well.  I'm sure the ghost is

friendly."



With a faint chuckle, she followed Pav'lo down the stairs and across the

green.  Waving a goodbye to him, she strode into Merissa's office, only to

find things in a bit of an uproar.



***

Merissa's Office



"Derry, you can't go chasing off after ghosts!"  Merissa frowned, unable to

comprehend what Derry was suggesting.



"But I have to try, Merissa!  What if it were Trinale that 'Tonio saw!?

Merissa, if Th'rin vanished... wouldn't you go searching for him?"



Merissa's eyes filled with tears, "I'd do it for Trinale, too... if I

thought it could be her.... But Derry, you know...."



"NO!  I don't know!  I'll never know, and neither will you!  She could be

out there.  Confused, Lost!  Merissa, I have to go!"



The tears slowly spilled over as Merissa bowed her head.  "Yes, you have to.

I can see that.  But.. be careful Derry, and come home to us?"



Derry nodded, grim-faced, "When I find her, I'll bring her home."



Eleanora stumbled as Derry pushed past her and out the door.  She blinked in

surprise.  Trinale? "Merissa? He's going after Trinale?"  Her face paled.

"He's...he's not... we can't let him..."  She spun to catch him, afraid of

the keening she'd hear.  Merissa gently restrained her with a hand on her

arm and turned her back to face her.  "No, not like that.  There's a

rumor...that Trinale is alive, in  Falagand.  He's leaving to look for her,

to find out."



Eleanora nodded dumbly and then looked up as the reality sunk in.  "We're

going to need a new Wingleader then."



Merissa nodded and Eleanora smiled.  "I think I know just the man.  That new

rider from Marrid, Tel'Thar.  He's obviously combat experienced - and

skilled or he wouldn't have survived in what's left of Marrid.  And,"

Eleanora continued with the air of pulling an ace out of her sleeve, "he can

get along well with anyone.  Even PAV'LO likes him.  And you know how rare

that is!"



Merissa wiped away her tears and smiled, "Tel'Thar?  Hmm... I'll have to

speak with him again." and she made a mental note to have Chrysthal ask

Talos to have his rider join her for breakfast the next morning.



***

Day 4

Morning

Dining Hall



Knowing that he most likely hadn't had time to visit the bazaar and stock up

on food for himself, Merissa had Tel'Thar meet her for breakfast,



"Everyone who has met you seems rather impressed by you,"  Merissa smiled,

she easily engaged him in conversation, and after a bit, realized that he

did in fact have the personality of a leader -- and one thing that

Whiteriver desperately needed -- experience.



"I know that you only recently arrived here and are only just beginning to

get acquainted with the warren, but I was hoping that you might consider the

position of Wingleader for Alpha Wing.  Our previous Wingleader just left -

to attend to some....family matters.  So, are you interested?"



***

TAG: James.  I've already assumed he accepts [g]



***

Day 5

Early Morning



The two dragons landed softly, careful of the precarious nature of their

riders' pounding heads.



Merissa wasn't exactly sure she even wanted to remember everything from the

previous evening, and from the looks of things, Eleanora certainly didn't,

either.  Merissa grimaced as she recalled the manner in which she'd been

awoken and quickly banished it from her mind.



[NPRG:  This is a separate post in works]



"Need a shower...,"  Eleanora sighed softly.



Merissa nodded and then immediately regretted the action.  "Take as long as

you like,"  she answered and headed to her own apartment to do the same.



***

"Where have you been all night?"  Th'rin asked, slightly panicked by

Merissa's appearance.  "I thought Chrysthal said you'd be taking Eleanora

out...?"



"Yes, we did... and drowned our sorrows.  Did you worry?  You needn't have.

We were well taken care of,"  Merissa smiled as she stripped and stepped

into the shower.



Th'rin sighed and lovingly watched her lithe form as she soaped; his passion

rising in him inspite of his anger.  "Xanthia is being released today," he

called out above the sound of the water.  "You do still want to suggest her

moving in here?"



"Of course!"  Merissa responded at once.  "Alina is your daughter...We're a

family, and should be together."



"Well, if you're sure...?"  Th'rin asked as Merissa dried off and got

dressed.



"You don't need to ask again... in fact, if you'd like, I'll ask her,

myself, so she won't think you're pressuring me to accept her or anything."



Th'rin smiled.  How could he doubt her.  They walked hand in hand to the

medical center, enjoying the beautiful weather, and envisioning a happy

household.

***



[NRPG: Insert Morgie's post here]

***

Afternoon

The Green



"As you can see we can assemble the entire wing on the green in a matter of

seconds," J'red explained, proudly, as he showed the new Alpha Wingleader

around.    He found himself beginning to like the man.  He asked direct

questions, and displayed a certain confidence that J'red found reassuring.

"Derry and I had just randomly divided up the patrol partners, but we can

discuss changes when you get to know the riders better.  I don't think

there's anyone in either wing that doesn't deserve to be there."  J'red

talked on, describing each of the dragon and rider pairs that were currently

in the Alpha wing.



***

TAG: James.. want to add anything here?  We can run into other characters if

you'd like.



***

Evening

Merissa's office



'Tonio entered into the room, seeing that both J'red and Merissa were

present, "Good evening to you both.  I was informed that you wished to see

me?"



Merissa frowned at the Knight, "J'red has informed me of some of your...

activities."



J'red looked down, uncomfortably for a moment, at Merissa's harsh tone of

voice, then straightened with resolve, "Yes, I'm sorry, 'Tonio... but you've

taken some liberties with your position as Wingsecond."



"Especially as Wingsecond!"  Merissa snapped.  "You need to be setting an

example."



 'Tonio straightened at the tone, "I understand that, milady.  However,

sometimes decisive action is required so as to avert possible catastrophe.

I was trying to act in the best interest of the warren."



"And suddenly it is your job to decide what is in the best interest of *my*

warren?"  Merissa's eyes flashed.



J'red stepped forward, raising his hand slightly.  Merissa sat back in her

chair with a capitulating sigh.  "I know, 'Tonio, that you thought what you

were doing was in the best interest of everyone involved, however, we've had

too many riders injured when out alone... there are rules about going with a

partner, for *our* own good."



'Tonio nodded, "Perhaps I have been too used to working alone.  While at

Falagand I was given a fair number of tasks that I was to complete solo.  It

is sometimes difficult to adjust one's behavior."



"Well, if you want to remain Wingsecond, you'll have to.  'Tonio, it isn't

so much that you do things on your own.. it's that you do things without

consulting anyone else.  What if instead of finding Patinari you'd found

yourself in trouble?  No one would have known where you'd gone!"  Merissa

stated, "Or when you decided to go and fetch Rosie's sister.  What if

instead of landing safely at the Fowler Estates you'd ended up injured on

the hillside?"



"A point well taken, milady.  It is true that unfortunate circumstances

befall us from time to time,"  'Tonio said, massaging his injured ribs.



Merissa's eyes narrowed.  "And that!  Not only do you put yourself and your

dragon in danger by brawling like a school-boy, you put my courier in danger

by having her face down a crowd of hostile landbound peasants!"



'Tonio bristled slightly, "She would have come to no harm, milady.  I would

not have asked for her assistance otherwise."



"You couldn't have been sure of that!  A knife... a thrown rock!  How could

you have protected her from that?"



"Merissa... I think 'Tonio could have handled...,"  J'red began.  Having

sparred with his partner he was certain that the Wingsecond could have taken

on a few of the ruffians without any difficulty and had in fact wondered why

he had let that unskilled boy win the duel.



Merissa turned to J'red, "Oh, you do?"  Her eyes narrowed.



"Yes, I do,"  J'red found himself defending 'Tonio, much to his surprise.



"I'm glad you have such confidence in your partner's abilities."  Then she

spun on 'Tonio, "Do you hear that?   Your partner is confident in your

abilities.  I expect you not to let him down again!  And next time you feel

like going somewhere -- remember this! -- take your partner with you and let

*me* or one of the other queenriders know where you are going!"



'Tonio offered an apologetic look towards J'red.  He had expected to take

full responsibility for his actions, not have it spread around, "As you

wish, milady.  Is there anything else you wish to discuss?"



Merissa shook her head and closed her eyes, as if trying to get rid of a

nagging headache, and tight-lipped she responded "No... you may go.  You may

both go."  She waited for half a minute until the door closed before letting

a smile spread across her face.  She chuckled as she recalled 'Tonio's

hang-dogged expression knowing that he'd think twice before going off

half-cocked again.



***

Dinnertime



Th'rin and Merissa had a lot to discuss, and also, not wanting to intrude on

Xanthia's time with the baby, they decided to have their dinner alone in

Merissa's office.



Merissa didn't have long to wait before Th'rin showed up bearing a loaded

basket.  Silently, the healer spread the blanket on the floor for an indoor

picnic as Merissa finished up her paperwork, stacking it in a box to be

filed by Eleanora the next morning.



"I know you were worrying about me last night,"  Merissa opened as she

joined Th'rin on the floor.



He handed her a glass of wine, but Merissa laughed and declined, "Honestly,

I think Eleanora and I drank enough wine to last me a... month.. at least."



Th'rin laughed with her, and took a sip of his own.  "No, I do understand

that you felt that Eleanora... and you, too.. needed time away from all the

pressures here, but I just wished you two hadn't gone alone."



"You don't think we could take care of ourselves?  ... and we weren't alone.

We had Chrysthal and Cara."



Th'rin looked away, "I know... yet, I still... Merissa, I just don't want

anything to happen to you, you know that."



Merissa reached out her hand and cupped his chin, "Yes.  I know, and that's

just one of the reasons I love you so much."



***

TAG:  Kris... ?



***

"The baby!"  Both Th'rin and Merissa jumped up as their dragons passed on

the distress.  Maxima was frightened, and both Areena and Chrysthal were

beside themselves.



As the Warrenlady and the Healer raced back to their apartment, they also

noticed the brown Murkash on the ledge outside.



"Tarv'renon is here!"  Merissa cried as she sprinted inside, "He'd

protect...."  Then her voice caught in her throat... or would he?  "Xanthia!

Xanthia?"  She called out as she pushed the door open.



"Xanthia?  Tarv'renon! Tarv'?"  Th'rin's voice joined his mate's.



Both sped through the apartment, barely noticing the uneaten sandwich in the

kitchen, as they ran to the room Xanthia was to share with Alina.  The room

was empty, but there was a pool of dark liquid on the floor and the smell of

... blood.



***

TAG: Chris... take it away!



****

NRPG:

Thanks to KK for playing Eleanora.

Thanks to Chris W. for playing 'Tonio.



Respectfully submitted by

Arlene Jacobs

AKA

Warrenlady Merissa, rider of Chrysthal

J'red, Beta Wingleader, rider of Firefly

Pav'lo, Quartermaster, rider of Punkin

of Whiteriver Warren.