*B'Lin*

"My lady-"
"A moment, B'lin," she cut him off with a soft tone that could have etched 
glass.  "I am responsible for the welfare of everyone within the bounds of 
this Warren, dragonrider.  Not just the WarrenBorn, not just the 
Searchlings, and not just the dragonriders.  Lecia of Lotherra, from all 
accounts, is a snobbish, gently raised, *innocent* girl.  She isn't one of 
the sophisticated young things that you find here in the Warren, so I would 
like an explanation, from one LandBorn rider to another, what the hell is 
going on if Lecia isn't your mate.  Ce'lot's sister is not a whore, and I 
will thank you not to treat her like one."

He took a deep breath to calm his nerves before he replied lowly, "And I 
will thank you to know that I have every intention of making her my 
mate..."
B'Lin stopped himself short in the lie, what in the hell was he getting 
himself into?

"I have treated her with nothing but respect... I've taken very good care 
of her since she came to the warren...much better than her brother has," he 
took in another huge calming gasp of air.  "I merely hesitated at your use 
of the word 'mate' because Lecia and I have not made it official..."

He silently congratulated himself on that quick comeback.  Good thinking!

"You don't have to make it official...life in the warren isn't like that, 
and you are very well aware of that." Rhia's voice had remained cool and 
even during all of this.

"Forgive me, warrenlady, but due to the fact that I am not originally from 
warrenlife, I feel as if some sort of ceremony would be appropriate..."  He 
was digging a much deeper hole for himself...and he knew it...damn Rhia for 
trying to call his bluff on this charade with Lecia!

"A ceremony then?" the Queenrider grinned slightly.  "Well then, shall I 
begin preparations?"

"Uh...my lady-"

"Oh no...I insist....if it's a ceremony you need to make Lecia your mate 
then a ceremony you shall have...the grandest that Xylian has ever seen."


<You are doing what???>

A blast of fire shot forth from Glay's snout as B'Lin tried to break the 
news as gently as possible to him.

<I'm going to take Lecia on as my mate..>

<B'Lin....you promised!>

<I'm sorry, Glay... besides..it won't be so bad... we still have the mating 
flights.. >

The huge gray dragon let out a low rumble to let his rider now that he was 
still not content with the decision made.

<You are making a huge mistake, B'Lin....  You are doing this to save 
face....>

<Come on now Glay...she's not that bad....  She's the best looking girl in 
the warren...>

<But what about me???>

B'Lin sighed as the dragon landed on the perch outside of his apartment. 
 He would never be able to make this up to his best friend...  Glay would 
hold a grudge for the next several days and probably would barely speak to 
him.

Guiltily, B'Lin slid down from off of the beast's back and soon felt arms 
squeezing him tight, and a head being pressed in between the middle of his 
shoulder blades.

"B'Lin....I'm so glad you're back..."

He turned around and gently closed his arms around her as he rested his 
chin on top of her head.  What kind of mess had he gotten himself into?

"Lecia....we need to talk about something...."

"Oh yes I know....S'dan is here..."

"Here?" B'Lin frowned and looked up just as the Searcher for Xylian warren 
stepped towards them.

<Tag Kris, Jill>

*Bella*

She had barely touched her food...choosing instead, to draw designs in it 
using her fork as her mind went over and over what Lecia had told her.

"Bel..." Ce'Lot grimaced slightly.

"I'm sorry....I'm just...thinking.." she apologized and set her fork down 
in the plate.

"Tell  me...please...  what's gotten you so shook up?  You're not usually 
like this after seeing Lecia..."

"I don't know..." Bel bit her tongue, holding back her concern over the 
bruises that she saw...bruises that could not have been inflicted by a 
fall.  "I just have a lot on my mind..."

She managed a feeble smile at him before standing up and taking her plate 
to his sink.  "I should be getting back to my place..."

<Why????> Menia whined.  <Let's stay here...come on....I don't know why the 
two of you don't just say you're mates and live together.  It would free up 
an apartment for someone else.>

<Menia...> Belarade sang to her dragon.  <What have I told you about that?>

<You tell me that you two are not ready....that you need time...but you 
have had time Bella!>

<Well...we need some more...> Bella leaned over and draped her arms over 
Ce'Lot's shoulders as he continued to sit.  "I'll try to see Lecia again 
tomorrow...  I didn't have a chance to ask her about not eating the other 
night when you saw her.  Maybe she had a virus or something..."

<Tag Kris>
<NRPG:  Sorry for the lame ending!  I'm on my way out the door to catch a 
plane....and will be out of town for a week....  I will have my access 
still though!  Talk to all of you later!>
Respectfully Submitted
Belarade and Menia
B'Lin and Glay

Tracee Taylor-Schneider