< Aelxirn, Tellari Estate >

> "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."
> 
> "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..."

  Aelxirn kept a perfectly neutral and impassive face, inwardly breathing
a dragon-sized sigh of relief.  After he made it to that inn, he had a lot
of thinking to do.  And a plan that might well be the end of him, but he
had to try it.

  "So, you're saying that we have Sherri's 'riders' appear as though they
were from Xylian...and help to attack and possibly kill the few left in
Lotherra?  That's an interesting concept, and it would indeed cause
trouble.  But tell me this, where are you going to get riding outfits with
the Xylian markings on them?"

  He settled back, and fingered one of the few rings he now wore..memories
of his 'Lordship' still in his mind.  If he was still Lord of Nambrill,
this would all be so much easier.  He *had* to get word to Sarilyn!  
 
[Tag Kris, Jill, James!]
> -------

< Sarilyn, at Xylian >

  Sarilyn stood, visibly shaking, and trying to disappear in Lunath's
wings as she saw the sword that Malic had drawn.  She was certain he
intented to use it on her!  She'd only been trying to save him from going
through what she had when she first arrived....and he was *this* upset?!

> "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!"

  She did, however, still have a bit of spunk in her.  Blinking with
indignation, and more than a bit of hurt...she replied in a totally
natural voice that did not show the trembling of her insides.

  "My title gave me a very lonely and unhappy life.  And it nearly cost me
the few friends I have here at Xylian.  I was simply trying to spare you
the same situation that I went through.  As for your sword, keep it.  I
personally don't fight anyone that can't control their temper, or listen
to advice, no matter how it may be given, from someone that knows better."

> 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.

  That roar totally deflated Sarilyn, and she started backing away, slowly
at first...then finally at a more hurried pace, to anywhere but here in
front of this Knight that had her almost totally terrified.  Let him learn
for himself then!

> 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.

  Sarilyn turned, and watched with wide eyes.  She hoped that she was
never on the receiving end of that tone of voice.  She also found herself
worrying about H'lie.  He was a professional, and said what he meant...it
would do no one any good if he went and got himself hurt over her own
butting in.  Why did it seem that no matter what she did, or how she tried
to either help, or make things right...she constantly managed to mess up??

> "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?"
 
  Watching the unfolding scene in front of her, Sarilyn found herself
holding her breath as H'lie gave Malic almost the same lecture that he'd
given her..in a sense.  Respect shone in her eyes...she was coming to
think of him as a friend...though they'd never had the chance to
talk...and as busy as he was, never would, most likely.

> "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?"

  After hearing that, Sarilyn decided that she wanted no more part of the
goings on, and turned and hurried off with a worried Lunath in tow.
Finding a good hiding spot, she finally let her weak knees give way, and
sat with a flop.

  << Lu, what was so wrong with what I said?  You remember how I was at
first...I just didn't want him to have to go through the same thing, is
all.  Why is it that I seem to mess up even with the best of intentions?
I'm trying so hard! >>

  Then she had an idea....a scary one.  She'd finish her training,
graduate, and go to her Father.  They understood each other now...and at
least knew each others' place.  Besides, who knew, he might need her?  

  Looking at Lunath, she sighed softly.  << Lu, love...what do you think
of leaving here, and going off to live somewhere else? >>

[Tag anybody that wants in!]

----------------------------

Jeanette
Sarilyn/Lunath * Xylian