[Glynweith, the morning Malic wakes up, before Ce'lot and Co. go to the
city walls]

Awakening with the dawn, Glynweith arose and dressed without the aid of the
young maid who served her out of terror of Gerard than any real desire to
do so.  She went to Wylla's door and knocked softly, unsurprised when her
Lady-in-Waiting opened it almost instantly.

"You'll be wanting to leave today."

Glynweith shook her head.  "I'm going to have Gerard take me on a tour
today.  What I want is for you to find every servant who wants to leave and
find ways to get them included in our group when we leave.  I need you to
interview them concerning what has been going on in the manor and the city.
 Given that they're the only link to Gerard's moods and orders, other than
the guards, between them all, they ought to know just about everything
that's going on.  Tell them that anyone who claims sanctuary of me will get
to leave."

"What will Gerard think?"

Glynweith's face hardened.  "I don't care.  These people have been through
enough and I am not going to force them to stay in what will most likely
soon be a war zone.  He can't counter the order anyway.  Perhaps it will
induce him to be nicer to the servants who stay... though I doubt it."

Wylla nodded.  "What about Bella?"

"She seems to be a calm and calming sort of girl...  Have her help you.  Oh
-- any and all children, if we can manage it.  Ask Darril to help you. 
Tell me if he doesn't agree to, I'm interested in his response... 
Actually, while you're talking to the people of the Manor, feel them out on
which brother they like, assuming they like any of them."

"That's the way you're heading?"

Glynweith grinned, an expression few realized the usually somber little
duchess was capable of.  "I think so.  What do you think?"

"I think I know just who to talk to when we get back to Eos."

"I leave it in your capable hands."

Glynweith returned to her rooms and rang for her maid.  "I would like a
meeting with Lord Gerard as soon as possible, though don't wake him if he's
asleep."

"Aye, m'lady."  The girl bobbed a curtsey and left.

[Tag, Kris]


-----
[Haedin, Tellari Estate, Breakfast, same day]

"I slept as well as could be expected, Lady Tellari.  After all..you have
given me, and the others as well, much to think about.  And if the purpose
of this visit was to introduce us to your dragon, and inform us of your
plans, then I'll be leaving after this meal.  I have other things at that
inn that I have to get together.  I can find my way back here afterwards,
and have a few things that I'd like to discuss with you in private."

Haedin raised an eyebrow.  Interesting.  Not the reaction he'd expected
from Aelxirn at all.  He glanced at Lothar, who also seemed to be mildly
puzzled.  Coneta seemed to ignore the whole thing, though she was very
bright and Haedin was certain she was listening to every word.  Before, he
would have said that Coneta was their biggest problem, but Aelxirn might
pose a threat as well.

Of course, it was well known that Aelxirn hated dragonriders, so it might
simply be an extension of that.

"As you wish, Lord Aelxirn.  I have not yet formalized any plans, I simply
have some... ideas."  Sherri glanced at Haedin and he smiled slightly,
running a light caress down the fine crystal of his glass before taking an
exploratory sip.

"Indeed, Aelxirn, there are many, many things we could do to exploit this
situation..."  Haedin considered it.  "For the first...  Air support when
Lothar attacks Lotherra to take it back from his brother would certainly
stir up trouble.  Everyone knows that dragonriders come from the Warren
after all..."

[Tag Kris, Jeanette, James]


-------
[H'lie, afternoon]

"That is what I am, and each notch upon that blade is a life.  My title
gave me that, what did your title give you, and if you wish to take my
title from me YOU ARE WELCOME TO IT!"

Somewhere in the warren a dragon let forth a mighty roar, and took flight. 
The silver in the dragon magnified the light down upon the warren causing a
glare so intense nothing could be seen for a few moments and was then gone.

Ilara and the others stared after him in shock.  Ce'lot's sister shrugged
suddenly.

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?"

"Actually," H'lie corrected in a cold, furious voice, "he's a dragonrider. 
If you'll excuse me, I seem to have failed in some of my responsibilities."

H'lie scooped up the huge sword with an ease that belied his age and went
after Malic.

"Stop where you stand, 'Sir' Malic."  H'lie's normally gravelly voice
deepened in his anger.  The man stopped, whether responding to the
authority in H'lie's voice or because he wanted another confrontation,
H'lie couldn't tell, and didn't care.

"What do you want?"

"For you to begin acting like what you are, boy.  Congratulations on your
kills -- I'm very impressed.  I've killed hundreds more Wraiths than that
in my lifetime, and to be honest, your ability to kill humans does not
impress me.  You don't know anything about Wraith fighting, and have done
nothing to prove yourself here."

"I am --"

"You are Malic the Raven, dragonrider.  Why do you want to be anything
more?"  The old man stared into Malic's eyes, furious.  "You have never
seemed to understand that once Solarin chose you, you became a dragonrider,
nothing more.  In this place, your worth is gauged by what you can do...
and killing people does not arouse much by way of honor here."

The young man glared at him and H'lie's lips twisted.  "I expect you in
class tomorrow morning, and I expect you to treat me and every other rider
there with the respect they deserve *as* *your* *equals.*  Do you
understand me?"

"What do you think you can do to me, old man?"

H'lie laughed.  "I think I can report your behavior to Rhiannon, who though
she was born a lady, *never* demonstrated the arrogance you have shown. 
Ask Solarin how he would feel about being banished or being grounded by
Queri's order...  He *will* obey her, as she is mother and Queen, and her
rider, though kind, has a finite amount of patience.  Now, do you
understand me?"

[Tag Sarsif, told ya H'lie wasn't pleased ;)]

Respectfully Submitted,
Jill E. Flansburg
Rhiannon et. al.
Xylian
DragonLands

                 X-FILES                         DRAGONLANDS

  Assistant Director                     Rhiannon, WarrenLady  *Xylian*
  Sterling Kincaid, Team Leader, ECHO    Elswyth and Aedra   *Keldarra*
  Damien Cunningham, UD DELTA            Katla and Satinka *Whiteriver*
  Xan X. Xavier, Trainer, Classroom A    Zera and Mazel       *Norwall*

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			      Vasaris, the Fuzzy Dragon
       Jill E. Flansburg	    |		            vasaris@az.com
       CS HMC 1994	          |		jflansbu@muddcs.cs.hmc.edu
       History, WWU 199?          |		vasaris@divcom.umop-ap.com
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