<<NRPG: Yes  there are some adult themes in this .. >>

Coneta
***
<<Day two - morning>>

>"But for now, I've promised Tevran his reward and he is the one who found
>you..." He smiled, catching the front of the sack cloth gown and ripping
>sharply. "When you're not giving me the information I want, you will serve
>him... You will learn what he has to teach..." Haedin traced a finger
>along her jaw line, "and when you've passed your exams, you'll use your
>new skills however I tell you... If you do all of that, I'll leave
>Ce'lot's pretty little sister alone..." He draped a soft, linen robe
>around her shoulders, tying it off modestly. "If you do it well, you might
>even earn the respect you think you deserve."

She turned to look at the dark-haired thug of Haedin's. No wonder what she
offered him meant little. She should have known that Haedin rewarded his
men well. She looked into his blue eyes as they watched her, a satisfied
smile settling on his lips. Well, maybe giving him his reward wouldn't be
so bad. He couldn't be as cruel as Haedin .. could he.

"Follow me," he said .. his tone was almost gentle. Then he bowed to his
master and headed out the door. Throwing a quick glance at Haedin she
hurried to follow him.

His room was one floor up and at the other end of the hall from his
masters. It wasn't anywhere as large or as luxurious as Haedin's .. but it
was at least four times larger then the hole in the wall she'd been living
in the past couple of days.  This room actually looked almost cozy. Coneta
could only assume that meant this young man was in good standing with the
Lord of Dorith Pass. Loyal to the end.

As they entered the room, he began to remove the outer wear he'd had on to
retrieve her from the frosty outdoors. He smiled at her as he did so .. a
pleasant smile. Perhaps there was a way she could use him to .. NO! she
thought suddenly. If she wasn't careful Haedin would surely grab up Lecia
and change her forever. She had to be extremely careful ..  and do just as
he wanted .. endure his whims .. at least for now.

"Are you plotting?"

She looked at him surprised at his quiet tone, "I .. I don't know what you
mean?"

He smiled, "You are good at hiding many things in that pretty face of yours
.. but  confidence isn't one of them. I've seen you completely beaten by
Haedin .." he nodded as her face fell, he knew he'd surprised her. She'd
probly thought nothing more of him then that he was a hired thug of
Haedin's. ".. yet now you look almost hopeful, no longer routed." He
chuckled as he ran a hand through his dark hair which was slightly damp
from being under the helmet he'd worn.

"Do I?" she said looking away, "Perhaps it is just that .. you seem
different from .. him."

"Him?" he said, a smile still on his face, as he copied her slighting tone.
"He is my Lord."

"Of course," she said her head dropping demurely.

He chuckled again, throwing her and she looked up at him. He moved to her
and took her hand, gently but firmly, "I know your tricks, Coneta. I've
heard tales of what it's like to be your plaything. Your special pet of the
moment .."

He had taken her by surprise. Now she wasn't quite sure what to expect.
When he'd brought her here .. to his bedroom .. well, she was pretty sure
she'd figured out what he'd wanted. She'd expected to be thrown on the bed
.. problably raped .. at the very least used at his whim.

He ran his other hand over her smooth cheek, lifting her chin slightly as
he brought his lips to hers in a tentative kiss. The gentleness of his kiss
surprised her and she felt her breath taken away. He grinned as he pulled
back to look at her, "Is this how you started?  Soft touches .. teasing
kisses ..? Yes, I've heard the tales .. but my lady, one thing that you
must remember .. I am not a boy to be pulled into your loving grasp, and
you are not my mistress to be waited on .. and pleasured. No indeed .." he
said taking both her hands in his and lifting them to his face as he kissed
each palm, ".. this time, I am the master."

"Of course," she said, her tone slightly disconcerted.

"You sound surprised," he said. "Don't be. I want you to enjoy your time
with me .. just as Tammias and Ethlan enjoyed their time with you."

He slowly reached down and pulled the tie, releasing her robe.

Bryn
***

Bryn had enjoyed chatting with the Duchess and her lady. They were both so
poised and beautiful .. and yet so friendly. Not what she would have
expected from such ladies of power. Darril had assured her the trip would
not be bad, not even when it was taking her further away from him.

She worried for his safety, knowing he would never have asked her to leave
had he not thought it was the best for her and for their child. He promised
to come for his birth .. three months away. Three very long lonely months.

"You'll enjoy Eos, Bryn," Glynweith assure her.  "We have beautiful gardens
for walks and of course Dawn Falls. Though they are not at their fullest
this time of year .. come spring their beauty will amaze you."

"Just in time for the baby."

Glynweith nodded with a smile, "Do you want a boy or a girl?"

She shrugged, "Well, I'd like a son for Darril. But I'll be happy either
way .. as long as our child is healthy." Her eyes turned melancholy and she
sighed, "It is a long way to Eos .. isn't it?"

"Not as long as you might think."

Bryn nodded, "I've never been out of Lotherra .."

"Oh, the plateau is a very big place."

"Very lonely place .." she murmered her thoughts turning to Darril who
seemed so far away now.

Glynweith rested a hand on hers, "Things will work out."

Regil
***
<<Day two - lunch>>

The former lord of Lotherra said in heaven one hand resting possessively on
the knee of his consort .. as she poked fat, juicy grapes into his mouth.
He'd not given Coneta a second thought since he'd enjoyed watching her
tormented by Haedin at dinner the night before.

But as the tall Lord of Dorith Pass stepped to the lunch table, and his
wife's absense become obvious he asked, "Going to have to drag Coneta down
for lunch, Haedin." He chortled as the thought clearly made him immensely
happy. Joining up with Haedin had definitely been a good move for him!

"No, not today," Haedin said, "She's occupied for the moment."

Regil frowned for a moment, that is until Dawn slid another grape into his
mouth .. along with one slender finger, gently teasing his lips with her
tantalizing touch. He turned to look at her, wondering how it was she
always made him feel invigorated .. and ready for more. All thoughts of his
wife quickly vanished as he turned his attentions to the incredible woman.

He hardly noticed when the mistress of the house entered throwing him a
derisive glance before moving over to sit next to Haedin. They quietly
discussed finding subjects to join to the three eggs the lady's dragon now
watched over.

"They don't have to be soldiers, Haedin." Regil heard Sheri say, "In fact
the younger and more easily controlled, the better. We'll need both male
and female candidates and at least .. ten." She said. "I don't want to lose
a hatchling because of poor selection. We lost one last time because there
were to few, and some of those that stood had no affinity at all."

"Affinity?" Regil said, his attention brought into their conversation.

"Dragon's only join with those they feel .. suitable. All dragonrider's
have that affinity, which makes them suitable. If there are not enough
suitable choices, the hatchlings could go wild. I've worked to hard to lose
another hatchling that way." She shrugged, "So many of Haedin's .. toys .."
she said, throwing a glance at Lothar's 'gift', "while easily controlled
and very young .. are not suitable .. probably due to broken spirit."

Haedin shrugged, "They're suitable in my book. Don't you agree, Regil?"

He grinned, possessively pawing Dawn, "I most certainly do." He looked
thoughtful for a moment, "You know Coneta had a young girl she watched over
.. a ward of sorts .. who had a lot of spirit." A grin passed over his
face. "I think she would have been perfect for what you're looking for."

"She'd also have to be controllable .. not a trouble maker."

"Oh, young Lecia wasn't a trouble maker. In fact I think she was one of the
few of Coneta's servants who hadn't been turned against me by Coneta's
lies." He chuckled, "I have to admit I enjoyed the fact that I could move
the girl with a smile or a kind word .. or a gold coin. It drove my wife
crazy. She even had began to fear that I'd steal the girl out from under
her. Given another year or so to allow the girl to grow up a bit, and I
might have."

He shrugged, "Oh well, poor things most likely dead now with Gerard
ravaging my castle." His face took on a dark look. "When are we going to
take my castle back from that upstart brother of mine anyway?"

"When the time is right," Haedin said. "You just enjoy your time here for
now. The plans are being laid even as we speak."

Coneta
***

She cried out as waves of pleasure washed over. Her fingers dug into the
hips of the man positioned over her, grinding him deeper inside of her.
Soon he too groaned with release, and then collapsed on top of her.  His
heavy breathing blowing in her neck.

When his breathing began to slow, he rolled off her and lay on his back.
She moved to his side and rested her head on his chest, an he slowly began
to stroke her head, smoothing her mussed hair. "Again .." he whispered.

She lifted her head and looked at his face in surprise, her eyes trailed
down to his spent, limp member, "But .."

He silenced her, gently pressing a finger against her lips, "Persuade me.
Remember your job .. to serve me?"

"I .."

 Again he silenced her, "Don't question just do."

She looked at him, unsure for a moment. Making love to him had not been an
unpleasant thing. She'd honestly enjoyed it very much, and for a moment was
glad to be free of the humiliation Haedin loved to heap on her. He saw her
hesitation and spoke again,"This can be a very pleasant experience .. or I
can tell Lord Meradh you're not interested." His voice was soft and gentle.
Almost caring ..

She considered for a moment and then set to work to 'persuade him'.

***
<<Day two - evening>>

He'd had her 'persuade him' three more times that day, and each time once
she pleasured him, he would return the favor. She'd found it hard work,
looking for ways to make his exhausted body respond to her touch. But it
was also very satisfying, for he was very good at making her body respond,
even when she was sure she was far to tired.

She was almost surprised when he stood and climbed out of the large water
filled bathtub where they were sitting, and began to dress. "Are you
leaving?" she asked.

He nodded, "And you are coming with me."

"Where?"

"To Lord Meradh."

"Oh, must we .." she pouted.

He looked at her, "Of course. You will not find him so horrible if you give
him what he wants. Wasn't this afternoon a bit of a reward for you as well
as for me?"

"A reward?" she repeated, as she began to realize he was right. She'd given
Haedin the response he wanted .. her submission. And though at the time
she'd still felt punished, now she could see that it was a reward .. as
long as she continued to do as she was asked.

She looked into Tevran's eyes and saw that he too was doing just as Haedin
wanted. How that man orchestrated people's lives repelled her. But she had
no choice. She had to do this for Lecia .. and it could be as pleasurable
.. or as miserable as she wanted it to be.

She stood, her body begging to just crawl into bed and sleep for the next
couple of days. But she couldn't .. not yet. Not until she earned it. Maybe
one day she would be out from under Haedin's thumb .. but until that time.
For the sake of her own sanity, and for Lecia's honor, she would do what
she needed to do. Now that she understood the rules better, it shouldn't be
so hard.

***

"He was older, wiser .. I was young and foolish, and gave in to his
charms," she told Haedin of Gerard.

He snorted softly, "I doubt that. Let's be honest .. You saw the chance for
a step up in power, and you took it."

She was about to protest, but the man's smirk warned her. She swallowed,
"It was my father's idea."

"All of it?"

She looked at the floor and shook her head. "Not completely. He told me
that Gerard would be a good catch. To be aligned with the Lothar's would
put me in a powerful position .. a position where I could do some  good for
my family. So he wanted me to do what I had to in order to make sure Gerard
would ask for me."

She shrugged, "I knew Gerard was an honorable man .. at least then he was.
I told him if he would marry me, I would .." she stopped, her face
reddening.

"Ahh, but you would have anyway ..wouldn't anyway .. wouldn't you," he
chuckled, "Even then you're appetites were strong.  Come, pet .. let's not
have lies between us."

"I .. wanted him," she said, her memories flooding back as she spoke. "He
was a bit older, but very handsome .. and yes," she met Haedin's eyes, "I
wanted him to make love to me."

"And was it worth it?"

She nodded, closing her eyes, "Gods .. yes. He was .. everything I'd hoped
for. He made my body sing .."

She flushed and looked up at Haedin, "It was the best two weeks of my life.
Gerard had just announced his intention to marry me to his brother, when
Regil's wife died, and it ruined everything! Regil never could stand to let
Gerard have something better then what he did. If I didn't know better, I'd
almost think Regil killed his wife to steal me from his brother because he
could see how happy we were."

"You really think you're that good a catch?"

She glared at him. "You wanted the truth."

"Truth is subjective. But please, continue .."

"Gerard let his brother have me," there was obvious bitterness in her
voice. "He didn't even fight."

"You mean you didn't want to marry Regil." Haedin smirked, "You didn't want
to be Lady of Lotherra?"

Coneta colored, "I told Gerard I didn't have a choice, but that we could
still be lovers. I didn't have a choice. My father ordered me to marry him.
It was a better match. But Gerard said, once I was his brother's wife .."

"Yet you married Regil.. so in effect, you are the one who gave up the man
you were supposed to love."

"I did love him!" She retorted, "But I was going to be Lady of Lotherra! I
couldn't pass that up!"

"And once you were married?"

She slumped, "He was a perfect gentlemen. The ideal brother-in-law. I tried
.. I tried to make him change his mind. But he pushed me away."

"So you took it out on your husband by denying him your bed."

"Not at first," she shook her head. "But Regil .. he was not the lover his
brother was. He didn't satisfy me. I wanted Gerard and couldn't have him. I
didn't want Regil .. and he didn't want me .. he just wanted what his
brother had. But I wasn't going to let him enjoy it."

"So began your appetite for young boys?"

"You make it sound so vile .."

"And it isn't?"

"NO! I loved them!"

"Until the next one came along."

"No," she said shaking her head, "Until Regil took them away from me. He
was insanely jealous and found ways to get rid of any handsome young men
who he thought might catch my eye."

Haedin chuckled, "Perhaps Regil is more perceptive then I give him credit
for. But I really want to know more about Gerard. I know enough about you.
Tell me, how did Gerard take to your young lovers?"

"He ignored them." She frowned unhappily, "I would have given them all up,
if he would just have .." She broke off miserably.

Haedin shook his head, "Foolish man. He was the only one Regil was jealous
of, for no reason. Or at least for no 'current' reason. And so Gerard got
exiled from his home for nothing. And you did nothing to stop it."

"What could I have done?" She said sadly. "Regil wouldn't have believed me.
Besides, I wasn't the only reason Gerard was thrown out. Regil was honestly
becoming paranoid that his brothers were trying to take over."

"He was right .. Gerard did."

"But I don't think he would have. Not if Regil hadn't banished them. Gerard
was a good man, who had a lot of respect for his brother. Though I think
some of that was lost when he married me. Gerard is what he is today
because of what Regil did to him."

"You always find a way to lay the blame on someone else. You should take
credit where credit is due you, my dear."

Gerard
***
<<Day three - morning>>

Gerard grumbled as he woke to the sun streaming in his windows, yet no
servant girl there to greet him. Where were they all! He'd spent most of
the night before planning his brother's wedding to the Duchess, and had
paid little heed to the fact that things seemed extrodinarily quiet around
the castle.

Darril had hemmed and hawed and tried to talk him out of his decision to
try and form a romantic liason with Glynweith, but Gerard could see in his
eyes that the thought of going to Eos didn't upset him that much. Yes,
Darril had indeed taken a shine to the woman .. and he was sure she'd taken
a shine to his dark skinned brother as well. Things were going perfectly
now! This was just what he needed. Even moreso then the support of the
warren.

Now if only he could find out what had happened to all of his servants! He
got up and squealed as his bare feet settled on the ice cold stone of the
floor. He pulled them quickly up and glared down at the rug which he
vaguely remembered tripping on as he'd crawled into bed the night before,
visions of welcoming his new sister-in-law, the duchess, locked securely in
his head.

"Damn!" he swore. "Ellanor! Are you here girl?"

He leaned over the bed, stretching his fingers to the rug and tugging it
back into place before settling his feet on it. Where were his slippers?
They were usually right here by the edge of his bed.

He grimaced as he saw one laying upside down just inside the door to his
bathing room. There was no way to get them without stepping on the bare
stone floor. "Ellanor!" he called again.

He frowned and prepared himself .. then pranced across the floor and into
the bathroom. His eyes widened .. there was water in the tub. But it looked
old .. and dingy. He reached out his hand and found it cold. It must have
still been the water from yesterday's bath! He couldn't believe it!  He was
going to make sure Ellanor was delegated to the laundry for this!

He reached in the chilled water and pulled the plug, letting the water
drain away. He grumbled as he did so. He was Lord of Lotherra now! He
shouldn't be doing this for himself! Someone was going to pay for making
him to for himself, just like a commoner! He wasn't a commoner. He was
Lothar! And he was supposed to get everything he wanted!

Lecia
***
<<Day three - morning>>

>He held out his arm for her and let her link her hand through it as he led
>her back towards the cafeteria. "You know Lecia...it's so good to have
>someone like you around...someone with your refinement...I get so tired of
>these warren types..." he sighed ruefully. "You were always the kind of
>girl that I had hoped to take home to meet my parents...."

She smiled in pleasure, clearly pleased by his words. The fact that he
hadn't kissed her and her disappointment over that was washed from her mind
as she clung to his arm. Maybe being in the warren wouldn't be so bad after
all. Not if B'Lin was here.

Life here so far had been an absolute drudge! All anyone ever talked about
was getting a dragon or having a dragon! She was tired of it. She wanted
some excitement and B'Lin seemed the perfect person to give it to her.

She held her head high as she walked into the dining hall on the handsome
riders arm. She spotted her mother sitting alone and sighed in relief. She
wasn't ready to spend anymore time with that brother of hers. Especially
after the way he'd behaved at the refuge site! She wasn't sure why there
was such animosity between Nunlot and B'Lin, but she was sure it must have
been Nunlot's fault!

"That's my mother over there. Do you want to meet her?"

His dark eyes ran over the frail looking woman and then smiled down at
Lecia, "Of course."

Lecia's smile widened and she quickly gathered her plate and pulled him to
the table where her mother sat. "Mama," she said as soon as they got to the
table. "This is B'Lin. He rescued me."

Celia's faded blue eyes regarded the rider kindly and she smiled, "I am
grateful to you."

"It was my pleasure, ma'am."

"Please, sit down, I'm just finishing up, but I'd be honored to share the
rest of my dinner with you."

"Where is your .. son?" B'Lin asked, maintaining a smile on his face.

"He had to see the warrenlady and report on your rescue of all the refugee's."

"Bully for him," Lecia murmured. "He's gonna take all the glory .."

"Lecia!" her mother admonished.

"It's true, mama. I'm here thanks to B'Lin.. not  Nunlot .."

Celia looked about to speak again, but B'Lin shrugged it off, "It's not a
big deal, ma'am. I'm not in this for the glory."

Celia smiled at him .. Lecia beamed. He returned their smiles .. this was
going quite well.

Regards,
The Lothar's
Lecia
***
NRPG: Jill, hope Haedin and Tevran are all right :)

Kris

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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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