Gerard
***

>Gerard stood 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."

Gerard grinned, "Yes, she is. She won't be here until things calm down
however." His eyes lit up, "You like this room don't you? Why don't you
stay here for the night."

"Oh .. I .. I couldn't"

"Of course you can. I just said so, and I'm Lord Lothar." He grinned
happily, "You much remember to tell your dragonrider friends of my
generosity, of course. Now I won't take 'no for an answer. You must stay
here."

He motioned toward a darkened room off to the side, "In here is the
bathroom, with a most exquisite bath .. just like a hot spring. Connie
liked only best, I tell you. And when the sun comes it it shines in there
and you feel as though the whole room was wrapped in gold .. which it very
nearly is."

He moved past her again pointing his lantern toward another dark room
within the suite. "And in here are hundreds of gowns. I'm saving them for
my wife, of course, but I'm sure she wouldn't miss a couple if you wanted
to borrow them for your visit."

He moved toward Belarade, and took her hands in his. "It's a fully stocked
room. Clothes, perfumes, face color .. Please feel free to use anything and
everything here. It's completely at your disposal."

<<NRPG: So Taylor?? What will Bel do :) Gerard really wants to make a good
impression on the dragonriders.>>

Lecia
***

>She turned her attention back to Sir Malic. "You really can't hold the
>fact that he's my brother against me. I thought he was dead." She moved to
>stand next to him, continuing her flirting, "I've been living in the
>Castle in Lotherra .. a lady in waiting you understand. I'm a favorite of
>Lady Coneta. Why I'm very nearly her ward. You know they have no children
>of their own .. and someone will have to inherit Lotherra .."

She frowned when the man ignored her and moved to talk to Sarilyn. The
slightly plump woman seemed to shiver for a moment, and then Malic threw
down his sword, said something more to her. Lecia heard him scream, "YOU
ARE WELCOME TO IT," before stalking off.

She heard the dragon roar and looked up, unable to tell what color the
dragon was because of the sunlight glinting off his scales.

She turned back to the others and shrugged, "Some Lords can be so touchy .."

"He's not a lord, he's a knight .. or was .."

"Oh .." Lecia said her voice trailing away as she turned to look at his
form still heading away from them. Then she shrugged, "So what do you do
around here for fun?"

<<NRPG: Sarsif, I know you said you thought you would work Lecia in, but I
wasn't sure how since you had him leaving them all after talking to Sarilyn
so I added this .. Lecia wouldn't be fond of being snubbed :)>>

Ce'lot
***

>"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."

"B'Lin!" Ce'lot hissed. "Of course we're going in. I want to make sure
Belarade's okay as much as you do. But getting ourselves killed to get in
isn't going to help her is it!"

"Neither is staying out here and talking about it," the dragonrider huffed.

"So let's come up with plan. These soldiers have been  slicing people down
with less cause then storming the gate."

"So what do you suggest?"

"Stay here with the women." Ce'lot said climbing off his horse and headed
toward the guards at the gate.

"Gladly," B'Lin grinned at Carlynee and Halyn.

Ce'lot walked up to the guards, "Good afternoon."

"No one comes in without orders."

"So I've heard. However, I and my companions have word that would be useful
to your new Lord."

"Yeah, right!" the guard chortled, "You and every other person who wants to
gain access to the city. Well, I don't buy it. We're full up and no one
else comes in!"

Ce'lot shrugged, "All right, I just hope when the troops attack you can
explain why you weren't ready, when I could have given you the information."

"What are you talking about."

"Nothing, never mind."

The guard grabbed Ce'lot by the collar and held his sword to his throat,
"Tell me or die."

Ce'lot smiled, "If you kill me, I can't tell you."

"I should just kill you now and .." he turned to look at the man's
companions, ".. or better yet one of the women .."

Ce'lot shrugged again, "If any harm comes to any of them, I will not say
anything."

"You'd let them die?" the guard said in disbelief.

Ce'lot hardened his blue eyes, "Look, if you want this information, you let
me and my companions in, unharmed. That's the conditions."

"And how do I know you're not lying to me."

"You don't. It's your call. Will you be a hero and save the day or a fool
and let it pass?"

He looked at his partner who shrugged. "It's up to you."

The guard signed, "Fine I let you in. But I'm taking you straight to the
Castle myself. I'll be sure Lord Lothar has you killed on the spot if
you're lying!"

"That's acceptable." Ce'lot motioned to the others to join him. He saw the
boy the guards had been harrassing earlier watching in shock. "Oh, and you
let this boy in too."

"Him, he'll just become a theif .." the guard sputtered.

"Maybe, but if you want our information .."

"Fine, what's one more street rat!"

B'Lin moved toward Ce'Lot and whispered, "So now we have to deal with this
guy?"

Ce'lot shrugged, "At least we're in. Belarade should be at the castle with
the Duchess. We'll deal with finding her once we get there."

Regards,
Ce'lot & Britche

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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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        \/