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


[Rhia]

"Rhia, I saw you standing here and I wondered if you'd accept my offer
of a lift back to Eos.  I know you didn't come on your own dragon and
Glimmer can easily carry two."

Rhia started at the voice, struggling for a moment to place it amidst
the cacophony of memories.  Veryonica -- yes.

"Thank you.  I need to return.  Queri tells me that they have started
early."

"They've begun the trial without you?"

"No... I think something has happened but it isn't clear.  But we
should probably hurry."


-----
[Glynweith]

Folding her hands carelessly, Glynweith allowed her joined fingers to
dangle casually before her, her elbows resting on the arms of her
chair as she listened to Coneta's impassioned -- and apparently
sincere -- plea that her husband's child not be deprived of its
birthright.  Various accusations and rebuttals charged back and forth,
but Coneta held up with grace and inimitable style.  Lord Felifar
called her a whore for all intents and purposes, but Coneta deflected
him gently, without even a wince despite the fact it was common
knowledge she had eagerly sought to share her brother-in-law's bed.

Glynweith turned her head and looked at her brother, only to find him
staring at her with that infernal half smile of his.  This was his
doing -- no question -- though she thought his surprise at the duel
had been real.  It probably was...  Such a public scene was not his
style.

She looked at Coneta, seeing the fresh marks of her 'passion' for her
husband, and considered reality.  Even with the obvious lies about her
love for Regil Lothar, the rumors of their... satisfying... reunion
were now confirmed, and doubt laid on the years of common knowledge
made it *almost* possible to believe the Lady of Lotherra.

Not that it mattered.  All the paperwork was in order.

So she waited for the commotion to die down, and stood.

"My lady.  My apologies for the error.  I was unaware that your
husband had taken a legal concubine with which to provide him an heir.

Of course I do not wish to take an innocent's inheritance -- it would
be unfair and unjust."  Glynweith did not look at Darril, even as she
acknowledged the destruction of her plans for him.  "But know this --
the Lands of Lotherra are to be held in trust for your husband's
child.  From this time, no issue of yours will be considered, and
should your husband's child come to any harm, the estate will revert
to the Lothar bloodline.  As Lothar's wife, you will be the child's
guardian, abrogating any claim that the child's birth mother might
have."

"I understand, your Grace."

"And to the Council, what say ye?"

The room exploded into noise, with the Aye's outweighing the Nay's by
an almost deafening sound factor.


-----
[Rhia]

"It should be the next room on the --"

Shouts poured out of a room up ahead, yeas and nays commingling in a
violent tide that made Rhia wince.  "Ouch."

"Rhia?"

"I think that's where we're going.  We'd better get a move on."

Veryonica led her into the room, and silence descended with an almost
audible snap.

"WarrenLady Rhia.  How kind of you to deign to come into our
presence."

Glynweith's voice was soft and gentle, but the razor edge could not be
hidden by it's cottony folds.

"Duchess," Rhia replied coolly.  "I apologize for my lateness.  I was
under the impression that the trial was not to start until noon?"

"Other issues came up.  We have well occupied our time in waiting for
you."

Rhia released her hold on Veryonica's arm and felt the rider step
away.  "I am sorry if there has been any inconvenience, your Grace,
but my duties to the Warren do take precedence."

"As pro tem guardian of Landress, your duty is to be here when you are
called, my lady."

Rhia heard a gasp come from one side, and her expression hardened.
"You claim that my duty to you is of greater precedence than my duty
to the Warren?"

"When it comes to issues of LandBound law, that is quite clear.  You
can hardly protect Landress interests if you're off playing dragons
and their licentious riders.  You cannot expect us to believe that
your people are not capable of handling a wraith attack on their own.
Your disregard for the coronet is clearly evident."

The room exploded into shouts and countershouts -- the battle lines
between Warren supporters and those who hated the tithes and
dependence were drawn almost from the first vocal denial.  Rhia stood,
calm in the center of the vortex, not even bothering to hide her
scorn.

"If your Grace believes that LandBound Law supercedes Warren Law, you
are sadly mistaken.  I took over stewardship for Landress because I
*was* Lady of Landress.  When Queri chose me, I tried to give it up,
but there was no one in the bloodline who wanted the work.  I made it
clear -- then and now -- that my first priority is Xylian and that
will never change.  I have always honored the LandBound throne, but I
do not have to listen to these insults."

"As long as you hold the Stewardship, you are bound to my will."

"I am more than willing to give it up to someone in the bloodline who
will care for my people.  Do you know of any?" Rhia shot back coldly.

[Tag Kris, Steph, James, Jeanette]

------
NRPG --
Don't forget that witnesses can have side conversations and all about
the happenings... :)

I'll get to Sherri after we deal with this little mess ;)


Respectfully Submitted,
Jill E. Flansburg
Rhia and Glynweith
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
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=





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