Date:  Mon Mar 25, 2002  5:01
pm


NRPG: Anyone who wants to backpost bringing Tarv in, feel free.



** Afternoon **



Tarv'renon flinched at the chink of the keys followed by the dismal 

clank of the lock slamming into position. Having been brought back 

to the warren as if he were some common criminal, now he was 

imprisoned as well. "What is the meaning of this???" he raved.



"The warrenlady will explain," was all the more answer forthcoming 

from the guard as he hung the keys on the wall, out of reach but 

tantalizingly within sight.



"There must be some mistake. Let me out of here! Please!!!" his 

ravings dissolved into tears.



<NRPG: Tag, Arle! Whenever you are ready to fit him in, he's 

waiting.>



***



Xanthia rose from her nap and gathered both children, strapping 

Alina securely to her chest in a device that Z'bert had gifted her 

with; made of the softest leather and designed with straps like on a 

napsack so as to be worn over the mother's shoulders and a belt to 

fit around the mother's waist, it had a back support for the baby 

and holes for her her pudgy little legs so that Xanthia could free 

her hands and still hold Alina close, the old dragonrider had termed 

it appropriately a Cuddler. Oberon had afternoon classes to attend 

as well as Xanthia wanting to spend some time at the med center 

catching up on her patient load. She figured Corra could probably 

use the relief and Latnem had agreed earlier to watching her infant 

Alina for her.



The trio had no sooner decended the stairs down to the green when 

Xanthia spied 'Tonio over by the hatching cavern. Her face 

brightened as a broad grin spread across her face as she quickened 

her pace to a trot with only a mere trace of a limp, Oberon giggling 

gleefully as he ran along side his aunt.



"Hey 'Tonio!" she waved. She only realized as she caught up to him 

that he was in the company of two beautiful and identical young 

ladies.



"Xanthia, have you met the Woods twins yet?" 'Tonio politely began 

the introductions.



Xanthia focussed her attention on the ground before her an moved it 

about with the toe of her boot, her expression suddenly 

demure. "No..." 



"Xanthia is one of our fine healers here. Xanthia, this is Daisy and 

Rosie Wood, new inhabitants to our beloved warren."



"Nice to meet you," Xanthia murmurred unconvincingly.



"I am Oberon! That's Alina!" the young man who appeared closer to 7 

years  rather than his actual 5 years of age interjected.



"I was just taking him to classes..." Xanthia said lamely.



<TAG Chris and Kas!>



***



After Xanthia had dropped off Oberon at the school, Xanthia called 

Maxima to her and, mounting up, took off with Alina in the direction 

of the med center. The infant cooed and gurgled with delight as the 

sensation of dragonflight. 



"My little dragonrider!" Xanthia purred as they dismounted in front 

of the med center. She stroked the infant's soft red curls, "You're 

daddy will be so proud."



She'd no sooner entered the building when Merissa grabbed her by the 

arm. "We need to talk," the queenrider said, as she ushered Xanthia 

unceremoniously to Th'rin's office.



<<TAG Arle & Kris! So... how are Merissa and Th'rin going to handle 

this discussion? Is Latnem in on it?>>



***



**Evening**



Xanthia couldn't shake the feeling of being a caged animal. Grabbing 

a wrap and strapping Alina to her with the Cuddler, she strode out 

of her room.



"Where are you going?" Th'rin asked.



"Out," Xanthia said simply.



Th'rin shook his head, "No, *where* are you going?" he asked. 



"I want to talk to Oldreth," Xanthia said.



"That's going to be a little difficult. He's not here." Th'rin 

stated.



"Where did he go? When is he coming back?" Xanthia asked.



"He's not. Xanthia, he left... again." 



"Again?!?" Xanthia's face skewed up as tears stung her eyes. She 

didn't want to believe it. "No, you're wrong!" Xanthia scowled.



"Xanthia, I'm sorry, but it's true. Merissa told me herself. He 

couldn't handle the workload." 



"I don't believe it!"



"You can go see for yourself. But do me a favor, leave Alina here 

with me."



Xanthia felt betrayed as she reluctantly reached for the belt that 

strapped the Cuddler about her waist.



"It's okay, she'll be here when you get back," Th'rin encouraged.



Xanthia finished unfastening the Cuddler and then handed Alina over 

to Th'rin.



"And your knife," Th'rin insisted, holding out his hand.



"What???" Xanthia couldn't believe Th'rin was taking the two things 

that meant the most to her.



"Your knife," the head healer insisted, "I want no repeats of the 

last time."



Xanthia sighed in disgust and unfastened her belt, sliding off the 

sheath which held the precious blade. Her eyes blazed like fiery ice 

as she handed it over.



"Thank you," Th'rin said as he took it and placed it safely in a 

drawer. 



Xanthia stood in shock, uncertain what to do. As much as she wanted 

to see for herself, there was an uncomfortable dread which filled 

her, causing her mouth to go dry and her knees to tremble. She ran a 

dry tongue over equally parched lips.



She called out to Wintermoon in a panic, <Answer me! Where are you?> 

but no answer was forthcoming. 



Suddenly Xanthia felt like she was suffocating as panic engulfed her 

along with the realization that Th'rin was indeed telling the truth. 

She shook as she stood there staring at Th'rin, longing to reach out 

but the words failing her.



<Sign it!> Maxima prodded.



~Scared~ Xanthia signed simply.



"Scared?" Th'rin asked for verification.



Tears started streaming down Xanthia's face as she fervantly signed 

~Abandonned! Alone! Help!~ Her small body shook as the tears became 

full sobs of despair.



<<NRPG: Tag Kris!>>

************



Respectfully submitted by:



Morgan

The heart and soul of Xanthia & Maxima, Alina, Oberon, Corra, 

Latnem, Tarv'renon, et al.