From: "Vasaris, the Fuzzy Dragon" <vasaris@az.com>

[Rhiannon]

"BAH!" Ramstaso spat, "That's the place you're most likely to find the
lies! You're conniving husband has for sure changed the records there!
No," he addressed the Duchess, "Lotherra is not the place to begin the
search.  Landress herself is the key."

Rhia's serenity slipped for a moment, shocked at the accusations that
Ramstaso had made.  She had always been aware, in a vague kind of way
that she was related to the youngest Lothar, but given the realities
of the family, it wasn't a connection that she had ever spent much
time thinking about.  But this... this was an offense against *her*
family, someone who, in whatever sense, belonged to *her* and she
wasn't about to let that continue.

"I wish you had brought this to my attention sooner, my Lord, as I am
hardly old enough myself to have known anything but the sketchiest of
details.  Still, it is good to know that there is someone to take this
additional burden from my shoulders.  I love Landress and its people,
but it is no longer my sole -- or even primary -- duty.  My lord
Darril, I would be deeply honored if you were to take the Landress
title.  I hope that you will find my care for the lands and our people
to be satisfactory."

"Lady Rhiannon --"

"Lord Darril Lothar, Earl of Landress, please rise."  Glynweith's
voice cut across whatever the young man had to say.  "My accountants
and those employed by the Lady of Xylian for this purpose will be at
your disposal for the next several days."

"I will send a rider to you so that you may contact me at any time
with questions, Lord Darril."  Rhia curtseyed deeply, following the
sound of his voice to angle her body.  "I am certain that Landress
will prosper under your care."


-----
[Nineve]

Nineve stared down at the test results, holding them as though they
were unclean.  Despite the fact that she had already broken the news
to Ilara, it was hard to conceive of the truth.  Erkvinen's organs
were slowly dying -- and the indications were that they would fail
more rapidly every day.

Much too quickly for them to find out what was wrong, much less try
and find a way to correct it.

Nineve closed her eyes.  Gods -- what this was going to do to Ilara?

The death of a dragon was always traumatic, but to know, in advance,
and be unable to stop it?  Such separations were usually swift and
brutal, not slow and torturous.  Would they begin counseling now, with
an eye toward the fact that riders tended to suicide after their
dragons die, or wait until... until it was over, allowing Ilara as
much -- well, relatively -- unshadowed time with her dragon as
possible?

She shook her head and opened her eyes, placing the report in the file
that she would give to S'dan when he and Rhia returned.

Turning, she looked at the Medical watch-rider, catching his eye with
no difficulty.

"I would like you to call in Ilara and Lecia.  We have some
preparations to make."


-----
[Glynweith]

"It is time to begin the trial of Sherri of Xylian, once Lady
Tellari..."

"I object."  Rhia's voice echoed coldly in the room.

"What?  To the trial?" demanded Lady Arabei.

"No.  To terming her Sherri of Xylian.  She has been cast out and
sentenced to death and we do not deserve the stain of claiming her."

"Indeed."  Haedin's voice echoed a certain amusement.  "And what
should we call her?"

"Simply Sherri would suffice, brother," Glynweith returned.  "And you
are quite correct, WarrenLady.  I apologize for the misnomer."  She
gestured to the guards. "Bring in the accused."

She looked different, Glynweith thought, in the simple shift of grey
homespun, her hands and ankles shackled by chains that seemed too
heavy to bear.  She noted the woman's glance toward the Xylian
delegation, and saw the flash of pain in her eyes as she spotted
Billy.

"Sherri, once of Xylian and of Tellari, you stand accused of murder
and kidnapping, as well as the treason of breaking the Contract
between Warren and LandBound.  What say you to these charges?"

[Tag, James, etc.]

------
[Nineve]

"Ilara, Lecia... we need to make some plans."

"Um... shouldn't we wait for Rhia?" Lecia asked, and Nineve sighed.

"Lecia, if Sadie were dying, would you appreciate it if someone were
to take some of the load of paperwork and consultation off of your
shoulders so that you could spend time with her?"

"Well... yes, but..."

"Ilara -- could you step outside for a moment?"

"Of course, Nineve."

Nineve watched as the older girl closed the door behind her before
turning to Lecia.

"Lecia, plans *will* need to be made with Rhia, but I am *not* going
to deprive Ilara of what time she still has with Erkvinen because you
don't want to deal with the work."

"I never --"

"Lecia, I am a healer.  And believe it or not, I know a lot about you,
even though I haven't spent much time with you.  I hear a lot and I
see a lot, and I am not going to let you behave like a spoiled little
girl.  It is time to grow up now, Lecia.  No one is going to protect
you from this.  Erkvinen is *dying,* Lecia.  As in
_she_is_going_to_die_.  I'm impressed that 'Lara hasn't lost it yet.
Many riders would have, faced with that kind of loss.  The least you
can do, as a generous soul and a kind human being, is to ease that
suffering for her wherever possible."

"But, I... I'm not ready."

"The universe apparently doesn't care, Lecia, my dear.  If it did, it
would have waited."  Nineve raised her voice.  "Ilara, you can come
back in now."

The door opened.  "Now, girls, I've heard some rumors about how
well -- or not -- you two work together.  I suggest you work this out,
as well as a lightened schedule for Ilara --" Nineve handed the
red-head a list of suggestions, "-- and I suggest you get on it.  If
you can, I'd suggest working it out so that you have a final proposal
to hand to Rhia when she comes back.  This is going to be hard on
*her* too."

[Tag, Kris, Sam -- feel free to ask whys and wherefores... but mostly,
I think Nin want's the ladies to hash out the feelings over B'lin...]

-----
NRPG --
Everyone attending the trial... remember that you're sitting together
and stuff, so you can interact with one another concerning what you're
hearing and seeing, even if you don't have an opportunity to yell at
the lords and ladies :)  The observers would include: Jeanette, James,
and Steph.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jill E. Flansburg
Rhia, Glyn, and Nineve
Xylian Warren
DragonLands

             X-FILES                         DRAGONLANDS
 Director, X-Files Division           Rhiannon, WarrenLady  *Xylian*
 Sterling Kincaid, TL, ECHO           Elswyth and Aedra   *Keldarra*
 Damien Cunningham, Forensics         Katla and Satinka *Whiteriver*
 Xan X. Xavier, Trainer               Zera and Mazel       *Norwall*

                        Visit the XFRPG Web Site:
                http://www.steele.ml.org/~wiggly/xfiles/

 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
                         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
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=




------------------------------------------------------------------------
Has ONElist changed your life?
http://www.ONElist.com
Visit our homepage and share with us your experiences at ONElist of the Week!