From: Kristen Gant <kgant@interaccess.com>

Sh'han
***

>"I thought you were seeing someone?" Belarade asked.

>"I'm seeing you right now..." he grinned.

>"No..." Bel laughed some. "That's not what I meant..."

>"I know what you meant....and there's that beautiful smile of yours....I
>was wondering when I was going to see it..." he smiled before leaning over
>and placing his lips on hers.

Sh'han was a natural flirt and he loved to watch women melt to his whim.
Not that he didn't care for them .. because he did. But after all there was
more then enough of him to go around. He figured he should be where he was
most needed, and right now that was sitting here with poor lonely Belarade.
Ce'lot should not leave his women alone like this if he intended to keep
them.

"Sh'han .." Bel said pushing against his chest slightly, "I .. I don't
think this is right."

"Oh ?" he asked pecking softly at her lips and cheek and ear .. He smiled
softly as he felt the goosebumps rise on Bel's arms

"I .. mean .. after all .. Ce'lot and I .."

"Shhh .. let's not talk about him. I want to concentrate on you. And on
doing everything I can to make you forget your troubles and your pain .."
his hand glided up her arm and to the neck of the bed gown she was wearing
.. untying it from behind and pulling it forward off her shoulders as his
lips moved down her neck. He looked up at her with dazzling eyes, "I just
want to make you feel good, Bel."

He nuzzled his head between her breasts. "Let me make you feel good, Bel
.." he whispered.

Ce'lot
***

Ce'lot was up early as usual the next morning and after sweating out his
morning exercises he jumped into the shower to get ready so he could go see
Belarade .. that is *if* she would even see him now. He just didn't
understand .. the pills .. then sending him off like that .. without any
explanation ..

But he had high hopes for this morning .. He'd see her .. she'd see him ..
they'd kiss .. they'd make up .. Yes this morning everything would be
better!


His golden hair shone like sunbeams in the magical light of early morning
as Britche's hot breath blew on him, helping to dry the man off.  <What
does Menia say?> he asked, <Is Bel doing better .. did she sleep okay?>

<Menia is still sleeping .. lazy bum ..> Britche snorted. <However, if
she's sleeping that's probably a good sign that her rider is as well.>

<Maybe,> Ce'lot groaned, <I'm just so worried about her. I wish she would
have let me stay last night.>

<Then you would probably not have slept well.  Besides, she's being well
cared for.>

<Oh, I know she is ..> his fingers tangled through the golden locks making
sure the last bit of moisture was dried before heading into the bedroom to
dress.

After a good deal of primping in front of the small bathroom mirror, Ce'lot
finally decided he was ready.  Britche was too. <Why I had to chose a rider
who takes *forever* to get ready is beyond me!> he snorted. <You know there
are some dragon's whose rider just throw clothes on and go ..>

<Sure there are .. but they also *look* like they just threw clothes on.>
Ce'lot shot back.

<<NRPG: Taylor, I will leave it up to you as to whether Ce'lot finds her
alone or not <G> >>

Lecia
***

For the third time, Lecia found herself crawling out of bed and answering
R'har's insistent cries. And for the third time, she'd woken to find that
B'Lin had not come home. Now she was angry. Who the *hell* was Mattina
anyway!

The little copper hatchling decided it was best to just let her rider fume
.. none of her helpful information had been of any help. It had only seemed
to upset Lecia more. So while the young woman went into the baby's room,
Sadennetta curled back up and closed her eyes.

Lecia, standing over the red-faced R'har, looked down at him in
exasperation. "Now what? Huh?" I changed you .. I even made sure the diaper
was on the right time last time. You had a bottle .. What could you
possibly want now!"

The baby stopped wailing for a moment to look at her, the began again, his
tiny arms and legs flailing in frustration.

Lecia groaned and carefully touched the baby. The last couple of time he'd
been messy .. the first because she'd forgotten to change him before she
went to bed and the second because she hadn't fastened the pin right and
the absorbent cotton cloth had not been able to do it's job.. Now he felt
dry .. but still he was crying.

She gingerly picked him up, and placed him over her shoulder. She felt him
begin to gnaw hungrily at her neck. "Oh .. R'har .." she groaned, "You
can't be hungry again .."

She held him back from her and studied his face as he burst into frustrated
cries yet again. "Don't you understand .." she moaned, "I don't have
another bottle .."

Still he wouldn't stop and she grimaced knowing what she would have to do.
"Why can't I be like Jewlia and just use bottles all the time .. then there
would be enough." As it was the woman wouldn't be happy when she got in
this morning and found that Lecia had used her bottles during the night.

Somberly, Lecia moved to a chair and  lifted away her night shirt to give
the infant access to her breast.  She cringed as the baby latched on easily
and began to suck at the already chaffed nipple.

When the nurse arrived only a few moment later, tears were streaming down
Lecia's face. She looked at the girl in concern. "What's wrong?"

"It hurts .." the girl moaned, pulling the baby away for a moment of
relief. R'har screamed angrily at having his breakfast taken away.

Jewlia took the baby as she moved closer to look at Lecia's breast. She
frowned, "What about the other one?"

"It's worse," Lecia cried, pulling her shirt to reveal the other breast,
which was also chaffed, and cracked. There was also an angry red lump.

"How long has it been like this?" Jewlia asked.

"Since just before Sadie hatched .." Lecia continued to sob, "But B'Lin ..
he say I have to feed R'har .. cause that's what a real mother would do ..
But I can't .. I can't .."

"Shh .." Jewlia soothed. "I want you to go and get a wash cloth wet with
very warm water and place it on that red spot, it'll help sooth it. I'm
going to get a bottle for the baby."

Lecia frowned, "There isn't any .. I .. I used them last night .."

Jewlia nodded, understanding why the young woman would not want to
breastfeed. "All right. Go get the wash cloth like I told you, I'm going to
go get more milk for R'har. I'll stop at the med center and get something
for you too."

Lecia nodded miserable, then frowned in anger as the flapping of dragon
wings was heard followed by the thump of a dragon landing. It was clear
that B'Lin was home.

He sauntered in and smiled at Jewlia, moving to take R'har from her, "And
why is my boy, crying?" he asked, making faces at the infant. R'har stopped
crying and watched his father's face for a moment, nearly smiling .. until
his stomach reminded him, it needed filling and he began to howl again.
B'Lin frowned at Lecia, "I think he's hungry. Haven't you fed him yet?"

"I was just going to take him to get a bottle .." Jewlia began moving to
take the baby.

But B'lin ignored her and  handed the baby to his mother, "Feed him."

"Where the hell have you been?" Lecia glared, not backing down and making
no move to take the howling baby.

***

Out in the large sandy bed, Sadennetta buried her head under Glay's wing,
<I just wish they would stop that baby from crying!> she moaned, trying to
shut out the howling infant.

<It does hurt your ears, doesn't it,> Glay agreed.

<<NRPG: Tag again Taylor <G>. Lecia is angry, tried and in pain .. probably
not at her most rational right now.. and the howling baby can't be helping
:) Also I figured B'Lin would probably *NOT* get his way with Veronyca,
being she has a love of her own .. so would end up somewhere else. Feel
free to decide where that someplace else was and who the dragon Mattina
belongs to <G> >>

Coneta
***

>"Never underestimate me, pet. Anlon will wash you and dress your hair...
>And I suppose you will simply have to wait and see what I will do in
>Council." He smiled sweetly. "Had you had a little faith, pet, I would
>have told you, but now... I'll let you think on it... Will you be a Lady
>or will you be one of my whores?"

>Haedin walked out, and leaving her on the cold stone floor.

She lay there, breathing heavily, tears beginning to fall  from her eyes ..
Once again Haedin proved he had her where he wanted her .. and there was
little she could do about it. Damn Regil! Why had he allowed them to fall
into that man's clutches!

Not that her life with Regil had been much better .. but she'd had her
freedom. She could do as she pleased ..

"M'lady .." she cringed slightly at the sound of Anlon's voice .. Gods had
Haedin even ruined that sweet boy for her now?

"Lady Coneta? Your bath is ready.

She nodded and pushed herself up, only to find the young lad moving to help
her. Her eyes met his and he smiled. She watched for a moment in disbelief
.. even after what he had seen .. what he had done .. Even after all that,
there was still something in his eyes. He still admired her .. maybe even
respected her.

She returned his smile gratefully as it became clear that she and Anlon had
more in common then she ever could have imagined. They were both pawns in
Haedin's little game .. Only Anlon had learned his lesson and been rewarded
.. she had not.

He helped her into the tub an began to wash her with the same sweet touch
he'd used before and for that she was glad. It gave her some solace that
things were not completely over. Haedin had won this time. She'd let things
slip, and paid for it. But not anymore. She knew she had only two choices.
One .. work with Haedin, or two .. be just another of his useless toys.
Nothing but a piece to be used for entertainment.

Well that wasn't going to happen. She was not going to let him do that her.
No matter what. She would do what she had to in order to maintain at least
some control of her life. And suddenly she knew what had to be done.

A smile crossed her lips. "Anlon .. I need to send a message to Lord Meradh
.. It has to get to him before the council meeting .."

"Yes, ma'am I'll see to it myself."

***

"Lord Meradh -

Let me express my deepest gratitude for your kindness to me in this time of
deep sorrow. Know that for all you have done for me, I shall forever be in
your debt. And while I hate to ask more of you, I find that I must.

Over the years of our life together, my husband and I found, to my great
disappointment that I was unable to provide with him with children. Knowing
that Lotherra needed an heir, I allowed Lord Lothar to take a concubine to
provide him with the child I could not give him. I understand that the
woman is indeed carrying my husbands child and staying at your estate. For
which I am again grateful for your friendship to my husband in this matter.

Please allow me to accept that child as my own so that my husbands legacy
may go on. Regil died in control of Lotherra .. and by rights this child
should be allowed to have all his father would want him to have.

Gratefully yours -
Lady Coneta Lothar"

Coneta carefully folded the parchment and handed it to Anlon. "Now we wait
to see what Lord Meradh has in mind for me."

Anlon nodded in understanding and hurried off with the note.

Regards
Ce'lot & Britche
NPC's galore
***
NRPG: I think that catches me up to morning and now I eagerly await the
'trial of the century' <G>

Kristen
*********************************************************************
  |\  /^~~^\  /|
 -qqQ-\O||O/-Qpp------------------------------------------------------
       \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
 --d----------b-------------------------------------------------------
        ()
       \()/
        \/

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