Date:  Mon Oct 29, 2001  5:49
pm


*Day 6, early morning*



Xanthia tried in vain to exile the memories of the night before from her 

thoughts as she dressed and gathered her healer's bag. She drew a shaky 

sigh as she gave one last check to the sleeping Alina. It would be another 

couple of hours most likely before she awoke.  Careful to move quietly, she 

eased the door open and closed it behind her, entering the main living 

quarters of the queenrider apartment.



"Xanthia?" Th'rin, bleary eyed, questioned as he peered from the doorway of 

the kitchen. "Couldn't sleep?"



"No," Xanthia confirmed.



Th'rin eyed the bag in her hand with a frown "Where are you off to?"



"Checking on 'Tonio. Alina just was fed and changed and should be asleep at 

least til I get back. I won't be long" she offered in explanation.



Th'rin cast her a stern gaze, causing Xanthia to wonder if that was a look 

of disapproval. "I owe him a debt," she further explained.



"You shouldn't fly."



"I won't," Xanthia said, feeling around on the wall til she found the 

secret doorway she'd stumbled on the night before. Pushing it open, she 

entered the tunnel corridor and followed it.



It was only her second time in the tunnels, and the first time ever with 

conscious thought of going there.  She wondered that no one had told her of 

these before, as it seemed like such a practical part of the warren. 

Security, most likely, she decided. Indeed, it wouldn't do for every person 

who desired to be gaining entry to any apartment they wished in such manner.



Didn't take the young healer long to find the doorway she'd literally 

fallen into the night before. Xanthia had made sure to count the steps 

between the gallant rider's apartment and the queenrider's apartment she 

shared with Merissa and Th'rin as she was walked back home after the 

commotion was over. It was a self-calming tactic which also aided 

navigation for Xanthia, counting her own steps. But there was a guard 

posted on this day, making it easier to find the exact location.



"I'm here to examine my patient," she explained to the guard, her eyes 

gleaming with icy blue determination that would not be deterred.



She felt for the doorway once again and pushed the door open, entering much 

calmer than the night prior. Xanthia poked about, looking first in the 

common area, the kitchen, and then the bedroom. 'Tonio was nowhere to be 

seen, but as she looked in the bedroom she noted the sound of running water 

from the bathroom. Realizing he was in the shower, Xanthia removed herself 

to the common area and waited until 'Tonio emerged.



>Blinking in  surprise, he bowed, "Milady Xanthia, I did not expect anyone 

>to be

>visiting me at such an early hour."

>

>She stared at him blankly for a moment, "Alina is asleep now and I wanted

>to check your wounds."

>

>`Tonio shrugged, "As you wish, milady."

>

>Pulling up two chairs, he sat in one and gestured to the other.



Xanthia sat down, feeling awkward, and busied herself with examining the 

rider's wounds. She marvelled at how gallantly he came to her rescue, "Like 

a knight..." she murmured, not realizing she'd spoken aloud.



"I beg your pardon?"



"The way you came to my rescue, to anyone's rescue, and you're always so 

gallant. It reminds me of those knights I read about in that book."



"What book would that be?" 'Tonio asked, grimacing as Xanthia daubed some 

salve on a wound.



"'Tales Rude and Glorious,' A book of romantic legend and lore, just a 

fancy I read once. There were tales of these knights, rescuing damsels in 

distress, sorting out love issues," she blushed and smiled with youthful 

innocence, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. "It was a secret 

society, naturally. Very fascinating." She began bandaging the wound she 

just salved, "Anyhow, you kind of remind me of those knights... Oh, *now* I 

remember what they were called!!!" Xanthia exclaimed.



<<NRPG: Tag Chris! Uh... reactions? ;> >>



****



*Mid morning*



Xanthia departed in the same manner she arrived and found her way back to 

the queenrider apartment. Latnem 'Th'rin, and Merissa were sitting in the 

common area.



"She's still sleeping," Th'rin confirmed.



"I know." Xanthia smiled, turning to enter her room.



"Come, let's sit and talk," Latnem invited just as Xanthia placed her hand 

on the doorknob.



"I'm kind of tired." Xanthia replied.



"Please," Merissa pressed, "I need to talk to you, about last night."



Xanthia turned to face them, her face a mask of pain. "I don't want to." 

Indeed, she didn't even want to think about it, let alone discuss it aloud.



"I know," Merissa replied quietly, "But as Warrenlady I need to hear all 

sides of the story so I can sort it out. I need to know what happened from 

your point of view."



Xanthia sighed moved over to the sofa, sinking down onto it with 

resignation. "Did you find the painting?" she asked. "There was a painting 

leaning on the wall by my room, a nude of you," she pointed to Merissa. 

"Looked like Tarv'renon's work."



"Is that how you knew he was here?" Latnem asked.



"No... I was in the kitchen, and I saw his face. I knew then he was with 

Alina. He was hurting her."



"I don't understand?" Merissa asked.



"Xanthia," Latnem used his soothing voice, "Where was Alina when you saw 

Tarv'renon's face?"



"She was in the bedroom. He had her. His hand was over her mouth. I saw it."



"How??? You were in the kitchen."



"Alina, of course! She showed me!" Xanthia exclaimed, frustrated by the 

circular questions.



"What do you mean?" Latnem asked. 'Tonio had mentioned the possibility that 

the infant was also telepathic, but could it really be so at this young age?



"Like the dragons do, like Oberon, of course!" Xanthia cried out 

exasperated. "Like me!"



"Are you saying your baby is telepathic?"



"Yes!" Xanthia sighed, relieved that she'd finally gotten through. "Why 

wouldn't she be?"



Latnem just shook his head, "Where were we?"



Merissa exchanged a look with Th'rin and then continued, "So you were in 

the kitchen, and you saw Tarv'renon with Alina. What happened next?"



"I grabbed a knife from the butcher block. Moira and I took lessons in 

knife throwing from J'red..."



"That was a long time ago," Merissa commented.



"Yes, it was. But I went in, and I saw him there, his hand over her mouth. 

He stunk to high heaven!" her nose wrinkled in renewed disgust.



"He was going to kill her. He said so. He said, 'And you're next, BITCH!'" 

Xanthia shuddered, her voice choking as a lump rose in her throat even as 

tears began to sting her eyes. Crossing her arms defensively, she rubbed 

her hands over the goosebumps on her upper arms, her gaze locked  on the 

ground as she fought to still her quivering lip.



Xanthia sniffed and swiped at her nose with the sleeve of her dress before 

continuing. "I told him to put her down, and he wouldn't. She couldn't 

breath... I threw the knife, like J'red taught me. I heard it hit..."



Xanthia raised a trembling hand to her mouth as tears cascaded freely, "Oh 

goddess, I couldn't let him kill her! I thought he was dead. I didn't know 

what to do! I grabbed up Alina and ran... blindly. I somehow the wall 

opened into a doorway," she gestured to the innocuous looking wall, "I 

found myself stumbling through tunnels. I stopped to rest, and leaned 

against the wall. Next thing I knew the wall opened and I was inside 

'Tonio's apartment."



<<NRPG: Tag Kris and Arlene!>>









Respectfully submitted by,



Morgan

The heart and soul of Xanthia and Maxima



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.