*Belarade*

[With Gerard in a bedroom, the night before Ce'Lot and co. arrive in
Lotherra]

"Please, wait," Gerard said putting on a charming smile. Bella took note
that his smile lacked a lot of the best features of his brother Darril, but
it was a nice enough smile. "I've not had the opportunity to entertain a
dragonrider yet. Though I've extended my hospitality to your Warrenlady."

"I'm sure she's been busy .."

"Undoubtedly." Gerard said amiably. "I would love the opportunity to show
you the high regard I have for your Warren. Perhaps you can relay that to
Lady Rhiannion, so that she knows I have only the best intentions." His
eyes lit up. "You like this room? I can show you one even more splendid. It
will be my wife's when she arrives."

"Well....." Bella looked around, unsure.  But she was curious...

"All right," she nodded and followed him down the hallway.  "Where is your
wife?"

She patted around with her hand against the stone wall, blindly feeling her
way along despite the lamp that Gerard carried in front of her.

"She's...away..."

There was hesitance in his voice and Belarade decided that it was probably
best that she drop the subject.  She definitely didn't want to anger the
man, and so far he had been almost charming...not like the hardened dictator
rumors made him out to be.

The large chamber which he took her was as large as he parents entire
house... and the bed was draped with red satins and huge goose down pillows.
Bella slid her hand over the soft fabric slowly, the delicate textures of
the embossed floral pattern easily traceable with one of her fingers.

"It's a lovely room..." she murmured as her eyes scanned the various
furnishings.  "When do you expect your wife back?"

Belarade turned and glanced over her shoulder at the older man....her
situation suddenly becoming alarmingly clear to her.  She was in a
bedroom....in a part of the castle that she was unfamiliar with....standing
with a man that she was even more unfamiliar with.

Gerard stood watching her carefully, not making any attempt to answer her
last question.  The silence was unnerving and Bella shivered as a cold draft
crept underneath her gown.

"I really...really should be getting back to my room...  You see, I was
having trouble sleeping...and...and...." she stammered.  "I just should be
getting back...thank you, Sir, for showing me this room, though.  Your
wife....she must be a very lucky woman to have someone lavish her like
this."

[Tag Kris]

*B'Lin*

[outside of the city gates, mid morning]

As the traveler's approached, they
could see a number of guards harassing a young man.

"Go away boy. There's enough riff raff in Lotherra already."

"But sirs, my home was burned to the ground, my stores ransacked and
stolen. I have nothing left. My grandfather lives within the city walls .."

"He's most likely dead, go away before I help you join him," the guard said
menacingly as he fingered his sword.

The boy moved off, his face broken. He noticed the riders watching him and
shook his head, "You'll never get in. They aren't letting anyone in."

B'Lin scoffed at that.  "Oh....they'll let us in all right..."

He stuck his heels into his horse and urged it on, its heels clopping into
the ground as he held his head up to stare at the guards evenly.

"B'Lin..." he heard Ce'Lot hiss behind him, but he was in no mood for the
wingleader's rank pulling right now.  His sister was inside those
gates...and after seeing the outlying areas, he shuddered to think of what
lay inside those walls.

"No....you listen to me..." B'Lin whispered lowly back.  "My sister is
inside there...while yours is now safely inside the warren.  Now if you are
going to be our fearless leader...then by gods, you lead and I will
follow....but if you don't....then kindly step out of my way."

[Tag Kris, Cheryl, and Lisa]

Respectfully Submitted,
Bella and B'Lin

NRPG:  I'm back from my vacation in New Orleans!  Sorry if this isn't
much....I'm still suffering from too much time on Bourbon Street :)
Hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things by my next post!

~Tracee Taylor-Schneider~
http://www.geocities.com/~_sierra_

When shall they meet?  I cannot tell,
Indeed, when they shall meet again,
Except some day in Paradise;
For this they wait, one waits in pain.
Beyond the sea of death love lies
For ever, yesterday, today
            ~Christina Rossetti "One Day"