Part One

Tiny dragon tears coursing down his snout austin draconis watched as his mistress dressed and placed items in her backpack.  He could not but help feel her pain as he had been Valeana's since lord Murtano had presently him as a gift to her at the beginning of his creation. She was all he knew with the exception of Squeaky the Wondermouse whom he had much difficulty keeping up with. It taxed his baby faerie dragon brain trying to follow that warrior mouse about.

Walking back and forth on the widow ledge his wee dragon heart was heavy as he heaved and sighed. When he saw Valeana pick up her great sword he knew she was leaving and would be gone for a long time. Watching as she approached him, she then kissed him sweetly on the head ..one of his most favorite things ..and looked into his eyes.
Immediately he understood and tried to dry up his tears but being a baby he could do no such thing.

Turning to the windows he peered down into the courtyard and waited till he saw her come out of the stables heading out the gate.  Sinking slowly laying his little head on the windowsill austin draconis vowed to wait as long as it took for Valeana to return.

To be continued

Giantklr - 04:34pm Sep 27, 1998 MST (#13 of 61)
Lord Consulate ~ Knights of the Round Table

Taking an evening stroll around Camelot, Giant notices a small wagon approaching the gate. Motioning to the guards to open the gates and stand ready, he approached the wagon and rider.  Greetings my friend, I have not seen thee about these parts before. Is there anything I can help you with?

The old man began to tell of the past days events and his meeting a lady Knight, then he handed a scroll and a hide to Giant..... I gave my word I would see this to one called Giantklr.  Looking at the scroll, Giant knew immediately it was from Lady Valeana..  You are in luck this eve, for I am the one you seek. I thank you for bringing this to me, now is there anything I can do for you? A place to rest for the night perhaps.  Explaining he had a family to get home the old man refused the offer saying he must be on his way back immediately.  Well then I must insist that you allow me to provide you with an escort on your journey home.  These lands can get a bit rough after dark.

To this the old man only nodded his head in agreement. Watching as the old man and the guard escorting him rode out of sight, Giant headed inside and opened the scroll...

My Dear Giant,
Please forgive my unannounced departure from Camelot. There are many things I feel at this time I must handle and can only do on my own. As you know before the demise of Neverwinter my Champion Sir Beiruit and his squire Halin were seeking my book of spells. I feel now I must find that portal in which we passed through to this land and cross back over to find that book. I do not know what the future holds but I do swear that I will return soon. Please take good care of the family in my absence.
Your loving Sister
~Valeana~

Rolling the scroll back up, Giant placed it into his pocket. Without paying attention to where he was going, Giant looked up and was standing at the door to Val's study...

Seem some things have become more habit than one realizes. Oh well this is as good as place as any to leave this hide for her until she returns. Opening the door, the first thing Giant sees is Val's small fairy dragon sitting in the window. Eyeing the sad expression on his face Giant tries to comfort him.

"Cheer up Austin, I am sure Val will be back sooner than you expect, and do not worry, I am sure we can find something to do while we wait. If you need anything, I will be right down the hall."  Placing the hide on a small table, Giant turns to leave when he spies another small dragon sitting on Val's desk. Muttering something about Val and her pets, he approaches this new dragon..  "And who might you be??

Mocha - 02:57pm Sep 29, 1998 MST
The Coffee Spouting Dragon

"Psssssssssssst .. Hey  .hey you."
The little dragon startled out of his deep thoughts looked up. Not seeing anyone he laid his head back down.

"Hey! I'm talking to you."

Jumping, Austin draconis set up on his little haunches eyes wide searching Valeana's study for an intruder.

"That's better. Now what are you going to do? Sit on that windowsill the rest of yer life with that long face?"

Puzzled and confused austin directed his attention to Valeana's desk and what he saw astounded him. There by a steaming cup of coffee was another little dragon. But this one was all colorful and smirking at him.

"Yeah .here I am on the desk. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mocha. .the coffee spouting dragon. I was created especially for the lady Valeana by some how do I put this .a rather wild looking sort of chap. Anyway that's of no importance."

Resting on the edge of the cup Mocha blew some steam rings into the air watching them float over by the baby dragon. "So kid, I ask ya ..ya gonna spend yer life on that windowsill?"

Sniffling austin looked out the window and then back to Mocha. "I am waiting for Valeana to return and I'm not moving from this spot till I see her.

Rolling his eyes Mocha snorts, "Oh .puuuuuuhleeeze ya can't be serious. Wonder if she doesn't come back. Heh! Ya gonna be sitting there a loooooooooong time."

"She will be back...She promised me," whispered austin as he heard the door to the study open. Leaping up thinking Valeana had returned he noticed it was that big guy they called Giantklr. Watching as he laid a pretty white rug with black spots on it before the hearth austin wondered where it came from. Giant then turned to austin and smiled trying to reassure the little dragon his mistress would be home soon. Then he turned and looked straight at Mocha and asked him who he be.  Not knowing the lay of the land Mocha decided he better play this cautiously. Bowing politely to the man he once again gave his spiel of his origins and purpose. Finishing his brief history with an exaggerated bow he settled back against the cup and watched as the man left laughing muttering something about Valeana and her pets.

"So kid ..I take it yer gonna sit there forever or until Valeana returns." Nodding austin turned back to the widow watching the courtyard below. "Well, I for one don't see the need to be sitting here think I will go explore and see what's around." Puffing a few more steam rings about Mocha began the long decent to the stone floor. "Ya ought to come with me kid .no telling just what we can find."

Now dragons being curious by nature austin peeked back over his shoulder watching the colorful dragon as he climbed down off the desk and march over to the newly laid rug.

"Oh  WOW ..now this be the life," snorted Mocha as he laid and stretched out before the fire. "Yap  this be pure comfort ..much better than laying on an old hard windowsill." Sneaking a glance back to see if austin was looking Mocha snuggled down into the soft fur and waited. Well it didn't take long soon austin had slid down the drapes and joined Mocha on the rug where they both promptly feel asleep.
 
 
 

Excalibur - 01:34pm Sep 30, 1998 MST
Just call me "Cali", Lady Felena's Notorious Cat

Cali sat on the windowseat taking in the warmth of the sun as he contemplated what adventures he would undertake this day.  Carefully washing his whiskers and white shirt front free of the dust from his nights "guard duty" about Camelot, his mind wandered to the human with the long red mane and soul-deep green eyes called Felena. He was her familiar...this honor he shared with only one other...the great beast she called Silvermyst. In return for her hospitality, he served her by keeping Camelot free of uninvited pests...something he did quite well if he did say so himself.

He stretched lazily, to get the blood flowing and jumped down from the windowseat. Perhaps the little dragon Austin would like to join him. He had seen the human referred to as Valeana...the one with the raven mane...leaving the courtyard astride one of the keeps great beasts as he perused the expanse of the keep from his favorite perch. From his viewing spot he could ascertain the "daily news" of the keep, reporting anything amiss to Felena as he saw fit. As he watched Valeana ride away, he wondered why she did not bond with one of the great beasts, as many of the humans were prone to do. Perhaps soon...she would locate the chosen one just for her.

He pushed through the partially open door and sauntered down the hall toward Valeana's office, knowing that the little dragon would be sitting in the windowsill sniffling at her departure. The door was closed, as he knew it would be...but he stretched a practiced paw to curl around the latch, letting his weight pull the carved iron handle down. A satisfying click told him he had been successful. He put his weight against the door, forcing it open enough for him to push through.
Cali sat back on his haunches, curling his tail around him as he smirked in his cat way. There sleeping on a snowy white fur rug with black dots was Austin. But what surprised him, was the other colorful dragon-thingie beside him. He decided that the other must have been "invited" to be there, so he would allow it to remain, unchallenged. Perhaps they could find some amusement while their humans were away.

"Ah-h-h-e-e-e-mmmm," Cali said to get their attention. "What have we here??"