[Glynweith]

"Forgive me, m'lady." Gerard said bowing slightly, "I have been under a lot
of stress lately. But once you have heard my story you will know that I
should be recognized. For I was wrongly driven from my home by my brother
.. wrongly accused of things I did not do .. And I will be able to provide
Lotherra with an heir. Something my brother has failed at miserably."

"I was not aware that the ability to reproduce was reason to be a Lord."
said Glynweith icily.  The fact that she had not produced an heir for
Yleric had always been a point against her, in the minds of those who
wanted her stripped of the ducal title.  That Yleric had produced no
children with any of his mistresses was an indication that the fault lay in
him, but it was hard to know.  Gerard went on, apparently unaware of his
error.

"I am merely stating an obvious truth that will be of benefit to Lotherra.
Coneta is aging .. and as they have not yet produced offspring I think it
unlikely that they will. I on the other hand have a young wife .. just now
entering her reproductive years. She is a fine, strong woman worthy of
bearing the future generations of Lothar's."

"Future generations that will not have a place to live as you have
destroyed the farmlands and killed the people."

"They will recover.  Once I am recognized as Lord Lothar, they will be
rebuilt. And I will use the monies which my brother stole from his people
to do so."

"I see.  I take it, then, that you have not already done so?"

"Of course not, your Grace.  My brother, worm that he is, may attempt to
re-take the manor at any time."

Glynweith raised an eyebrow but said nothing, studying him.  One thing that
she was certain of, however, was that she did *not* want Gerard in charge
of Lotherra any more than she liked having Regil in ruling it.  She sipped
her tea thoughtfully, trying to think of a good way out of the situation
that would take no more lives -- or at least not many.  Regil Lothar would
undoubtedly counter-attack, which meant that the absence of civilians was a
good thing, all around...  but...

She smiled slightly.  "Gerard, you will have to explain your reasons to the
Council.  They may recognize you or not at their whim, and I will be guided
by their decision.  It is possible that Regil will bring suit against
you... certainly, whoever is in physical control of it will be able to sway
votes...  but you can argue it in front of them.  I want to hear of no more
civilian deaths... and if one hint -- one *whisper* -- of atrocities
against the men and women of Lotherra, who have done nothing wrong except
to live here, comes to me, I will be *very* displeased.  Do you understand
me?"

Small as she was, with an empty tea cup of delicate -- if ostentatious and
ugly -- porcelain, Glynweith suddenly radiated all of the power and
authority of her position.

"Yes, your Grace.  I understand."


-----
[Wylla]

"You idiot!" Darril spat, "Look at her. Would someone send spies dressed as
Ladies to search through the gutter of this city? Have you no brain. Now
get out of here, before I run you through for harassing visiting
dignitaries!"

"Yes, sir!" the guard snapped, and both him and his companion quickly
exited the room.

Darril took a deep breath, and moved toward the two women, "Are you all
right? I'm Darril Lothar."

Wylla nodded.  "Thank you, my Lord.  I would have hated to have to start
killing people.  It's so hard on my clothes."

Darril and Bella both stared at her.  A long, slim blade had appeared in
her hands, and the way she held it spoke of long familiarity and supreme
competence.

"I am sorry my dear, had I not been so startled, I could have handled it
better.  I didn't quite believe that Gerard's soldiers would be... so...
stupid."

Darril snorted lightly.  Wylla smiled at him, liking the look of this
Lothar far better than the others.  "My lord Darril, her Grace has asked us
to assess the damage here and see if we can locate anyone who would like to
take sanctuary elsewhere, as is her right and duty.  Would you care escort
us as we go...  I would hate to have another such incident."

[Tag Taylor, Kris]

-----
NRPG --  sorry it's so short.  I have a bad case of
Xylian-writer's-block...  I think it's contagious, but I don't think I see
anything else pending.  If I'm wrong please tell me and I'll post for it :)

Respectfully Submitted,
Jill E. Flansburg
Glynweith and Wylla

  Assistant Director, X-Files            Rhiannon, WarrenLady  *Xylian*
  Sterling A. Kincaid, TL, ECHO, X-Files Elswyth and Aedra   *Keldarra*
  Damien Cunningham, UD DELTA, X-Files   Katla and Satinka *Whiteriver*
  Xan X. Xavier, T1, X-Files             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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