I'll Be Dog-Gone (23)

I'll Be Dog-Gone (23)

Sixth Sense Dreamer -- From the high council chair..... (cont)

Raistlin sat in the high council's chair, Artist in front of him, standing like a statue. A younger mage came scrambling up to him, his eyes on the floor, trying hard to ignore both the vortex in the room, and Raistlin's glare.

"We have yet to find the journeyman and the bard. Someone is helping them." He said, his voice shaking in fear.

"Then why do you come here?" Raistlin didn't even look at the man. "Don't come back until you have them!" the mage ran out, and Raistlin went back to staring at Artist.

"Perhaps I should just leave you like this for a while." he murmured. "There are many things I could do to you in this state that would leave you decimated..." he smiled, a very deadly smile. The sound of a door slamming wide open made him look up, as did all the other wizards. Artist, facing away from the door, couldn't see who or what all the wizards were looking at, but judging from their faces, it wasn't someone they either recognized...or expected, in Raistlin's case. He looked...shocked.

"You." he said, his voice almost a whisper.

"That's right. Me." 6th's familiar voice rang out across the Hall, and Artist would have sagged to the ground in relief, had Raistlin's spell not held him firmly rooted to the spot. He couldn't even turn his head to see her.

"How can you come in here?" Raistlin said. "this..."

"I come and go as I please. No one holds me to anything. 'I am the cat who walks by herself.' I go where I choose, and do what I choose. You've alwaysthat." 6th said, as she walked across the floor and up onto the dais where Raistlin stood. Gandalf, Merlin and Moiraine came in the doorway behind her. Moiraine locked the door behind them.

"Raistlin, I'm surprised at you. You should have waited for the entire council to gather." she shook her head at him, but Raistlin was oblivious. He stared at 6th as if she were a ghost.

"How...where...YOU were the one...with them?" he said. Artist would have enjoyed watching the powerful wizard squirm much more if he could figure out what he was so unnerved over.

"It's been longer than I thought." 6th said, her eyes locked on the wizard. "Why do you look at me as if I were a ghost?" She placed her hands on Raistlin's chest and eased him back into his chair. There was an audible gasp from some of the mages. She LAID HER HANDS on him! But 6th didn't seem to notice or care.

"We have been friends many years, you and I. We have done many things together, and I always listened to you, dear Raist. Now will you listen to me, just once?" her voice was soft, but carried over the room, holding everyone's attention.

"I..." Raistlin was never without something to say, and here he sat, as 6th leaned over him, her hands over his wrists, leaning in until their faces almost touched.

"We destroyed entire civilizations, you and I. We held it all in the palm of our hands. You know I never lied to you then, and I won't now. Are you listening to me, my dear?" 6th stroked her finger down Raistlin's face, and Artist coundn't tell of the mage shuddered in terror or esctacy. Something caught his ear. Destroyed? He would have to ask her about that.

"This is wrong. The mage did not do anything purposefully to disobey any rule. He cast the spells he should not have tried to save our friends...to save me. And I? I encouraged him. Haven't I always encouraged people to do more than they thought they could? Did I not do that with you? Drumheller is not to blame. He did what he thought would help, and neither of us knew that it would affect me so. I take full responsibility for his actions."

Raistlin stared at her. "That means..."

"Yes. If punishment is in order for the mage, I will take it as my own." 6th eyed Raistlin, "If you are so desparate to punish, here is your chance." She never let her eyes drop from Raistlin's, until the wizard looked away.

"I call no punishment." he murmured. The council began to mutter in amazement.

"No punishment." was the call all around. 6th smiled.

"Now there is one other little thing." she said, turning finally to look at Artist, still frozen where he stood. She smiled again, wider this time. Behind her, Raistlin shook his head in bewilderment. Artist had never seen a more welcome sight than her standing confident before him. He wished he could take her in his arms right then, to smile back at least. But for now it was up to her to free him still...

*******************************************************

Mouse lay on the ground, staring up at the sky and giggling. Artic was wrestling with Gwnehuyvar, the big panther obviously letting her win. Spyral was whirling SunAeryn around, singing at the top of his lungs, while Sun laughed. The animals had gotten into some of the supplies and were busy trying to make little swords. Thor had already finished his, and was busy wacking kitten over the head as she tried to finish her own little sword. *Your'e gonna get SUCH a poking!* she hissed at the T-rex who grinned at her, his teeth glittering. Ragnar chuckled as he looked at the Drow elf, who was watching the Scoobs with a wry expression on his face.

"S'now what?" Ragnar said, trying to keep his words from slurring. He couldn't seem to keep from chuckling, and it felt like the chuckles were threatening to turn into giggles, God forbid that!

"W'could snurk...uh snack...uh...sneak in! Yeah!" Mouse said raising her hands to the sky, and rolling on the ground.

"I'd advise against it." Drizzt murmured, but the Scoobs didn't pay any attention.

"Sneak in, cool!" Sun said, hefting her pulse rifle up in the air. "A rescue missseion. OOOOO, Spyral don't whirl me around like tha', you make me all dizzy-like!" Spyral giggled and whirled her around again.

Ragnar tried to stand, locking his knees as he wobbled. He teetered back and forth for a minute, then as the ground came into focus, he said, "Come on. let's go."

"Go where?" the others all chorused, big silly grins on their faces.

"Into the Hall. 6th needs us." he didn't know if 6th was even alive at this point, but he thought it sounded good. Rescueing someone was better than watching the trees get up and dance.

Just then he heard someone calling his name. He whirled around and fell on his rear. The three figures were running up fast. Finally he recognized Drum and Chryse, with another man hurrying up to them.

"Drum, Chryse! What th'frell's goin on?" Ragnar cried, trying to push himself to his feet. Mouse crawled over to try and help push him upright. Drum grabbed one of his arms, and Chryse the other and together they got the big viking upright. He leaned against the tall man standing with Chryse, and delighted surprise lit up Ragnar's face.

"LAN!" he cried, and swept the big man into a hug, surprising the gang, and Lan himself. Ragnar pounded Lan on the back. "Longtime, no see, buddy! How's it goin'?"

"Just fine, Ragnar." Lan looked at Drizzt, who shrugged, a smile on his face. "They've been drinking, haven't they, Drow?"

"Just something to pass the time." Drizzt tried to hide the growing smile of amusement on his face.

Chryse tried to get Ragnar's attention. "We need to go back inside. Artist's still in there, and I still don't know if 6th is ok yet. All the wizards are mad at Drum. I saw you guys out the window. Let's go back in. Maybe we can..."

"Waaaaaay ahead of you, cutie-elf." Ragnar pushed his helment forward on his head, and slung his axe over his shoulder, staggering slightly as the weight offset his balance. He strode forward, waving at them to follow over his shoulder. Chryse looked at the others, who were already racing after the viking, giggling. Then she looked at Drum and Lan. Drum just looked confused, but Lan shook his head, grinning ruefully.

"There's no reasoning with him when he's like this." Lan said, "You just have to follow and be prepared to save him right along with whoever else you're going after. Not that he ALWAYS needs help. Sometimes there's nothing better than a drunken viking at your side."

Raven-Kat -- Sitting alone in her room,

Rae considered recent events. It was not in her nature to sit back and do nothing, but that was all she seemed to be doing lately. The time for inaction had ended, she decided. Shaking her head, she rose and grabbed her bag.

A hand-carved wooden bowl from Rae's home sat at ther very bottom of the bag, and Rae carefully pulled this out, kissing the brim before she placed it onto the table. She closed the glow baskets and dimmed the lamps so that the only light in the room came from a single candle.

Then she pulled a vial filled with black liquid out of an inner pocket and poured the contents into the bowl. The thick black liquid shimmered in the candle-light. Pricking her finger, Rae let a drop of blood fall into the bowl. The liquid shimmered even more brightly, and began flowing around the bowl.

"Show me Mousie." Rae whispered, peering into the bowl.

The flowing liquid began to form shapes from the candle-light, and soon a happy scene became clear. A small campsight outside of a tower. Ragnar dancing with Sunny. Mouse dancing with Spyral. Artic sitting by the fire petting what looked like a panther. A dark elf playing happy music and looking on. All well with the world.

The image in the bowl changed. Jila sitting at a table in the Weyr talking animatedly with F'lar and Lessa. She seemed to be enjoying herself greatly.

An image of a brick wall materialized in the black water.

The image maintained.

"Drenn. Show me Drum."

The brick wall remained. Rae understood. *The Tower.*

The boat seemed fine, undisturbed.

"Show me if there is ANYTHING at all I am needed for."

The bowl showed the interior of the Scooby mansion, Rae's own bedroom. A desk with a pile of bills.

Sighing, Rae moved to empty the bowl. Then she changed her mind.

"Show me Ragnar." Rae whispered.

As Rae watched, the image of the make-shift party reappeared. Watching made her feel better, and so she did until she was almost asleep.

A knock on the door roused her.

"Huh, come in." Rae pushed the bowl out of sight.

Oldive hobbled in. "I could use your assistance. A Holder is very ill. I think it's his appendix."

Rae rose. "Are you equipped to operate?"

"Yes, but I've never seen the procedure." the Healer admitted.

"Right." Rae reached into her bag and pulled out an obsidian dagger. Then she clipped on her comm badge. "I'll show you."

As Rae and Oldive rushed out of the room, the image in the bowl changed. The long-boat remained undisturbed by human hands, but a nasty storm seemed to be blowing up.

IQ120 -- “Actually”

Said IQ, "I'm a quarter welsh...but I don't see how he could smell that."

After a few seconds the giant gave up looking and sat down in a big chair.

JilaCosa -- After breakfast....

Lessa politely excuses herself. "Weyr business" she states matter of factly. She pats Jila and Kay's shoulders as she walks by and asks them to please see her before the evening meal. F'lar, not needing to get to his business just yet, asks the girls what they'd like to do first.

*Hmmm,* Jila smiles, *what to do first?* "Well, Kay, let's see..... we could help scrub dragonhides. The young dragons itch constantly as their hides grow and the Weyrlings always appreciate a hand with that. The Weyrlings are the new riders who bonded with their dragons at the last hatching. We could sit on the high rocks for a while and watch the dragons practice fighting Thread"

"Oh yeah," Jila grimaces slightly, "something about this planet I forgot to tell you. Earth has Halley's Comet, Pern has the Red Star... and Thread. Thread is a nasty little organism that falls from the Red Planet in silver strands. It can burn it's way through anything. Wood, grass, plants, dragonhide, skin, bone, anything. F'lar, would you mind giving us a tour. I'd like Kay to see the DragonEye and hear the teaching songs."

"It would be my pleasure." F'lar says, rising from his chair and helping Jila and Kaybe with theirs. "Right this way."

The three go out the main door and walk first around the 'bowl' of the Weyr. The Weyr is shaped like a bowl with only three sides. On the lowest side there is a large lake and many Weyrlings are there scrubbing their dragons hides and applying numbweed to stop the itching. Looking around the bowl itself F'lar points at the holes in the walls of the Weyr. He explains to Kaybe "The Weyrs are made in the cliffs because rock is the only thing that Thread cannot burn through. The holes that you see are the individual dragon weyrs, where each dragon and rider sleep. The much smaller holes that you see are some of the sleeping quarters. I'm told, Jila, that Manora found you a room with a window."

"Yes, she did." Jila replies, looking with just as much awe as Kaybe at the Weyr from this angle. "The room was wonderful."

"Now over there," F'lar points up to the highest point of the Weyr to a pillar of rock with a large hole near it's top. "is the DragonEye. This is how we know when Thread is due to fall. 'The finger points at an Eye blood red. Alert the Weyrs to sear the thread.' When the Red Star revolves at it's closest, the light from it, at a certain time of day, shines directly through that hole. That's when we know that Thread will fall. 'Wheel and turn or bleed and burn. Fly between, Blue and Green. Soar, dive down, Bronze and Brown. Dragonmen must fly when Threads are in the sky.' The dragons chew black rock and then they can blow out a stream of fire. This fire burns the Thread before it has a chance to touch the ground. If any Thread is missed and is left to burrow into the ground, we lose anything growing in that spot. 'Drummer, beat, and peper, blow, Harper, strike, and soldier, go. Free the flame and sear the grasses Till the dawning Red Star passes'."

"FATHER!" One of the Weyrlings yells and runs over to the F'lar. The young boy grabs F'lar in a bear hug which is affectionately returned.

"Ladies, my son, F'lessan." F'lar pats the boy on the shoulder, "Don't you think you should be getting back to Golanth's bath?" He says to F'lessan with mild reproval and a raise of his eyebrow.

"Yes, father." F'lessan says with a grin which changes to a look of surprise. He looks at Jila with curiosity "You are the one that everyone is talking about, the one who can talk to All of the dragons."

"Yes, I guess I am." Jila sighs, then smiles, "Golanth says that you missed a spot and that he's hungry."

"Shards!" F'lessan mutters, cheerfully enough though since he had also,obviously, heard what the young dragon had said. As F'lessan takes his leave of the group Jila can hear his playful complaints, *You always itch. I could scrub you all day long and you'd still itch. You are about the itchiest dragon I know." The young bronze dragon's eyes whirled in contentment.

"Is there anything else you would like to see?" F'lar asked

"Perhaps the few fighting maneuvers?" Jila asks "If there are any being practiced today." She adds quickly.

"Yes, there are practice flights today." F'lar, Jila, and Kaybe climb the stairway at the edge of the bowl to the Watchtower where there is a remarkable view of the practice flights. "Also, if you look over there I believe the Queen's Wing is practicing today. The Queen dragons do not blow fire, or 'flame' as it's called, so the Queenriders use flamethrowersI have some business now to attend to. When you are ready to leave the heights just call to Mnementh and I will be back." to burn the Thread that is closer to or on the ground." F'lar goes into the Watchtower and comes back out with a blanket which he spreads on the ground for Jila and Kay to sit on. "I have some business now to attend to. When you are ready to leave the heights just call to Mnementh and I will be back."

Jila and Kay thank F'lar for the tour and the blanket, and a then sit down to watch the incredible flight patterns of the dragons.

Kaybe0 -- As Kay and Jila sat on the blanket

watching the proceedings in front of them, Kay was entralled. Slightly concerned that Jila would tire of all her questions, she noticed, the enthusiasm that her answers held. Jila was having the time of her life. They laughed at the antics of F'lessan and Golanth. Jila explained more to Kay about the Red Star and the Thread. Then Jila pointed as the flame throwers started practicing. "You said they were flamethrowers for the Queen Dragons?" Kay asked. "Yes", answered Jila. "And there is no time for mistakes." Kay shuddered slightly, as she glanced up at the Dragon eye to make sure they were safe for the time being.

"What were you requesting from Lessa?" asked Jila curiously.

Kay explained her idea to Jila and the two discussed the different possibilities of how to aquire what Kay wanted. "Yes", said Jila. "Lessa is right. Although it may be impossible to put it all together with the resources here, there are other options for doing it." After a while, Kay sighed. "Do you think 6th is allright?" she asked Jila. "I'm not sure," said Jila, "But, I believe she is. There has been talk among the dragons about the 'wee thing'in another land that was cured by a very strang looking king. I'm not sure what they are talking about, but, from the way they talk, I feel like it is 6th. I just hope that Drum is okay now. Rae and Viridian are probably having a blast, but, I hope Mouse, Chryse, Artist, Artic,Ragnar, Spyral, Sun, and Ghost are okay. Kara and IQ were wonderful for staying to look after the dogs, but the poor things are probably bored to death right now. They are missing out on all the adventures."

RagnarRB -- “My Queen!”

Thor suddenly screeched, thru the haze that was his brain. *She's okay!*

Ragnar halted, the gang piled up behind him. "what's that you say?!" he bellowed.

Thor was excited and quite animated. *MY QUEEN IS OKAY! I can feel her in my mind!*

Ragnar's eyes narrowed. "You can can you?"

"And you say she's alright?"

*YES! She says everyone is fine.*

Ragnar straightened. "Well now."

Everyone seemed to be smiling. "That means there's no damsel to rescue right?"

"Yes i believe that would be true. " Lan answered.

Ragnar pursed his lips. Thor was inundated with request for information and swamped. It didn't take the big viking long to mull it over.

"I an't going to do it!" He anounced with slurred wording as he started up the hill, back in the direction he had come from.

"Ragnar wait! Where are you going?"

"That-a-way" He replied continuing to stomp away.

"Aren't you going to go see 6th?"

"Nope, that woman has caused enough trouble of late. If she needs me she can come find me!" He said with drunk aplaumb. "Thor says she's alright so...no need to ruin the moment." Ah the blessed working of the drunken mind.

His eyes fell upon the clearing....

ArtistStudio -- Artist had never stood a chance against

Raistlan - he had only managed to buy a little time. It was enough - barely.

Drum was rescued - and so was Artist - though 6th and Raistlan were not yet aware of that. At the moment that Raistlan was distracted, Artist executed a frightfully subtle illusion - leaving not only his image but some of his essence in Raistlan's magical grasp as he steps invisibly out of his image. He waits long enough to realize 6th is in no danger and seems to have some power over the great wizard - before slipping invisibly from the hall.

Chryse and Drum nearly leap out of their skins as Artist appears before them. "6th is safe. Drum is reprieved. For now. Raistlan is not one to forgive a grudge - and he has one against you Drum. He has a rather mighty one against me - that council room won't really ever be usable until they figure out how to remove my vortex. I've been working on that spell for years. They'll be forever picking it apart."

Morraine appears beside Lan. "Lan told me you were here, Artist. I suggest you leave fast. Drum, you have incurred Raistlan's wrath - and you will need additional training if you are to survive it. I will only offer this once: I will take you as apprentice - but we must leave now."

Drum looks at Artist and thinks of all the things unsaid - he has no idea how he can face 6th after nearly killing her. "Artist - I don't have the words. Tell her... tell her I had to go..." Drum's voice trails off.

"I will tell her you love her," Artist says quietly as Drum leaves with Morraine and Lan.

Chryse looks at the other Scoobs wandering off drunkenly after the drunken Ragnar - then back at Artist. "I have a bone to pick with you..."

"Save it - or bones is all we will have left. Raistlan hates me - the other wizards are afraid of me - and will be even moreso when they realize I've escaped. I can only hope Gandalf and Merlin will see 6th safe from the Guild Hall - it's my death to set foot in there again. You have interfered with Raistlan's plans too - he will be after you. No one makes a fool of Raistlan - except 6th it appears."

Artist casts two spells - one letting 6th know Drum's fate - and where he, Chryse and the other Scoobs are. The other summons Geradan.

"What of the other Scoobs?" asks Chryse.

"They're safe as long as they don't get involved - with you, me and Drum away from here, the chance of that is rather small - assuming 6th can get out safely," Artist says - then turns to the dragon. "We have to escape, my friend. Will you carry us to safety?"

Geradan presents his neck. Artist helps Chryse up then climbs up to sit behind her. "Ooofff!!!" he says as she is thrown back into him by the force of the dragon's lift-off. Below several mages gather, casting spells to attempt their capture.

They hold on tight as the dragon races into the air - weaving his way through a web of spells. Beams of light lace through the air - some cutting close to the dragon and leaving ionized gasses in their wake.

Chryse feels electricity running through her - the hair on Artist's arms bristling against her skin - and thinks briefly they have been hit. The yawning feeling in the pit of her stomach and the blackness around her make her wonder briefly if the beams have hit her - she suddenly realizes she is screaming.

"Calm yourself," comes a voice inside her head.

"That was Geradan - his telepathy is enhanced when he goes Between," says Artist. "We are safe."

"Evidently you have a different way of defining safe than I do," Chryse says into the absolute darkness...

Mouse2000 -- Ragnar walked off

into the forest, and Spyral, Sunny, Mouse, Artic, and the animals followed him like an unusually tall and broad pied piper. They were still a little happy and relaxed even with Artist's big announcement in the front of their minds.

Soon, they came to a small sea plane. A man with a clipboard and a harried look looked the group over and mumbled under his breath, "What, do they expect us to work miracles?" He then looked up and said loudly, "Ok, you're right on time, lets get loaded onto the plane. Step lively, we don't have much of a backlog right now, so please, let's keep to the schedule."

Artic and Mouse looked at each other with a "what is he talking about" look, but decided it was too beautiful a day to worry about it. The plane set out, and after cruising a while, decended to a beautiful island. Mouse and Spyral smiled at each other, knowing each other's penchant for beautiful islands. As Ragnar led the way out of the plane, he stopped short, and caused a minor collision behind him. When the other Scoobs got on their feet again, they were amazed to see a dark-skinned figure in a white suit, with a shorter figure beside him, also in a white suit.

"Can't be.." Mouse whispered, just as the man's distinctive voice rang out,

"I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island!"

Raven-Kat -- Staring into the bowl

Rae sighed. "Fantasy Island... They have all the fun!" Scowling, she emptied the contents of the bowl into the sink. With a sudden smile, she began packing. Her Bag of Holding, which had been half-empty when she had come to Pern was now bulging with various plants and Herbs. Hoisting it over her shoulder, she hurried towards the main hall.

"You, excuse me." Rae stopped a young, quite cute dragon-rider.

He turned and stared at Rae. "Yes, miss? Can I help you with something?"

"I need to borrow your dragon."

His jaw dropped. "I beg your pardon?"

"Is there a problem, Lord Jaxom?" Oldive asked, walking into the main hall with a large sack.

"She wants to borrow my dragon!"

"Ruth doesn't mind." Rae assured him glibly. "Do you, Ruth?"

Ruth registered surprise at the direct address. *I suppose not...*

"But where are you going?" Oldive asked, shaking his head.

"To see my friends, of course. Could you have this note delivered to the Lady Viridian? Thanks."

Oldive and Jaxom stared in awe as Rae walked quickly out of the hall and clambered onto the dragon's back.

As Ruth lifts off and goes Between, Jaxom mutters, "She stole my dragon!"

"Well, I'm sure she'll return it..."

Sweetiepie Parrot -- Heavy weather a’brewing

"Can't they even go for a walk without getting into trouble?" Sweetiepie groused. "They've been gone all night. How long does it take to walk the dogs?"

<Perhaps you should contact the others.> Natasha the wolf suggested in canine. <Didn't Ragnar leave you one of those little badges?>

"I think Kara and IQ took it with them." Sweetiepie said.

In the Giant's Castle...

Kara and IQ were crouched under the table. The giant was sitting in the chair right next to them.

"Do you have that little comm badge Rae made?" Kara asked.

"I left it on the boat." IQ replied. "I didn't think we'd need it to walk the dogs."

"Next time don't think." Kara whispered. "You should have kept the badge with you at all times."

"I'll do better next time." IQ said.

"If there IS a next time." Kara said. "If this giant doesn't eat us."

"WIFE! BRING ME MY MAGIC HARP." the giant boomed.

Suddenly there was a loud barking and all 12 dogs tore through the room and back out the front door.

"WHAT IS THIS? WHY ARE ALL OF THESE DOGS IN MY CASTLE?" the giant asked. Then he got up and ran out the door after the dogs.

"Here's our chance." IQ whispered.

Kara and IQ ran to the door, but as they ran out a giant hand came down and scooped them up.

"HA HA! NOW I HAVE YOU!" the giant said.

The giant took them back inside and put them inside a giant birdcage.

"WIFE, COOK THESE HUMAND FOR MY SUPPER. WE'LL HAVE DOG PIE FOR DESSERT!"

Then the giant left to follow the dogs.

"Now what do we do?" Kara sighed.

Back on the longboat...

Off to the west, stormclouds were moving in. The big thunderheads boiled and rolled and lightning flashed and thunder clapped.

"I wish I could batten down these hatches but I don't have hands." Sweetiepie sighed.

<We will do what we can.> Natasha said.

"For what it's worth." Sweetiepie said. "I hope that Viking gets back soon. Those waves could pound this tub to matchwood."

As Sweetiepie and Natasha watched, the storm drew closer...

artickat -- As the rest....

of the gang debated on what fantasy 'they' wanted, Ragnar already knew. After a short chat with Mr. Roarke, he was lead off with a slightly perplexed look, by two very pretty Hawaiian girls grass skirts and all.

"Hey!" Artic looked up just in time to see Ragnar and the girls disappear into a building "Where is he going? We just got here!"

"Well...Ms Artic" Roarke waved a hand in the direct Ragnar had gone "It seems that Mr Ragnar already made his request...maybe you would like to make yours?"

"Oh" with a puzzled look Artic said "Ummm...I'm not really sure what I want."

Roarke chuckled "That is fine...please make yourselves at home while you think on what you wish to do while you're here. These ladies will show you to your accommodations." Roarke smiled and with a nod of his head the gang were lead away.

*********************

Ragnar was lead into large room with a giant sunken bathtub in the middle of the floor. The girls began giggling as they reached to unbutton his shirt and he pushed their hands away. "Ah...no...I can do it myself…thanks" Ragnar stood there a moment waiting for them to leave, when they didn't he herded them up and with a gentle push out the door locking it behind them. They protested a bit but then seemed to understand he wanted to be alone. They told him were everything was and left him with the knowledge that if he needed anything he just needed to pull the tassel by the door. Ragnar disrobed until he got down to his white boxers with little red hearts, he began to take those off too but thought better of it...you just never knew. :)

After adding a bit of bubble bath to the water he climbed in and leaned back. <SIGH> "This is the life...what?" Ragnar's hand knocked a small box into the water. After fishing it out of the tub he slowly opened it and a large grin formed on his face. "Duckie!" pulling the rubber ducky from the box Ragnar gave it a squeeze. <SQUEAK!> "Ahhhhh...perfect!" Ragnar chuckled to himself and began to hum-sing "Rubber Ducky hmm hmm hm, you make bath time hm hmm fun..."

#%} ...sorry bud..had to be done!!!! :D

ArtistStudio -- “Where are we going?” Chryse asks in the

"Natasha tells me Kara and IQ120 are missing - and did not take their com-badges," Artist replies. "So back to the longboat to pick up their trail. I hope someone looks after 6th - since neither you nor I can."

"You've known 6th a long time, haven't you?" Chryse feels uncomfortable in the darkness of in Between - she can almost feel the inky blackness sliding past her skin - like some ethereal oil. She shudders from the cold and bundles back into Artist for warmth.

The illusionist answers her unspoken question first. "Trips in Between take only moments - out there - in Between seems like a very long time when you're in it. I've known 6th since she was a beautiful adolescent. Ten years. I was her first teacher. She doesn't have much magical aptitude - either you have it or you don't. But there isn't a lock made she can't pick - or a pocket."

"Thirteen years. Since we were both young - we're of an age and I think we're the oldest on this journey. Close your eyes," Artist warns.

Even through her closed eyelids, Chryse feels almost blinded by the light of day as Geradan comes out of Between and appears above the longboat.

JilaCosa -- Kenelas walks across the grass

She's wearing a very stern look and carrying a picnic basket. "Manora is not happy with you two." She says as she reaches the blanket that Jila and Kaybe are sitting on. "You did not come down to the dining hall for the midday meal and she cooked special for you." Jila and Kaybe glance at each other, neither one having any idea how much time they have sat watching the dragons fly. Kenelas puts the basket down on the blanket between Jila and Kay and starts unloading it. Bowls, silverware, glasses, napkins, a covered pot with a handle on it, some slices of just baked bread, and a bottle containing a red liquid. When Kenelas takes the cover off the small pot, steam and a rich aroma flow out. "She made her special Herdbeast stew." Jila and Kaybe look at each other and then back in the pot. It smells so wonderful and looks incredible. The sauce is so thick and the vegetables so colorful that it's almost sinful to eat. "She also sends you a bottle of the best Benden Red.” Kenelas stands up and says to the two “I’ll be back shortly for these things.” And back down to the kitchens she goes.

Jila and Kay savor the flavors of the wonderful meal and too soon they are finished. Jila picks up the bottle of wine and holds it out to let the sun shine through it. “This,” she says to Kay, “is the best wine on the planet. The MasterHarper, Robinton, prefers this to any other. I guess Manora isn’t too mad at us.” They each try one glass. “Incredible.” In a short while Kenelas and F’lar come back to the heights.

“Lady Kaybe,” F’lar says as he extends his hand to help her stand. He then extends his hand to Jila who accepts his assistance with appreciation. “would you like to take care of the request now?”

“A request?” Jila grins at Kaybe, raising her eyebrows.

“Yes, a request.” Kaybe grins back at Jila and rolls her eyes. “I asked the Weyrwoman this morning at breakfast where I could get gifts for the Scoobs….. I mean our friends, and she told F’lar who said that it was easily taken care of.”

“As you know Jila,” F’lar explains, “they will be a Hatching at Igen Weyr very soon. And with an event of such magnitude comes a Gather, a festival if you will. There will be many Vendors set up just beyond the Igen Weyr and Kaybe may find the gifts she is seeking there.”

“Yahoo!” Shouts Jila “Another dragon ride and shopping! Life can’t be better than that!” She looks at Kay and they both giggle.

“S’lel has volunteered to take you to Igen this afternoon.” F’lar says as a dragonrider approaches them.

“This way, Ladies.” S’lel extends his hand and points to a bronze dragon that sits not far away. He helps Jila and Kaybe mount and fixes there harnesses securely.

“Are you ready Kay?” Jila asks with a grin

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Kay sighs but grins. Jila’s enthusiasm is always contagious.

“Here we go!” S’lel calls backwards. The three relax and the dragon jumps off the edge of the bowl into clear air. It’s wings snap out and catch air. Beating its wings a few times it gains altitude and soars.

“D R E N!!!!” Kaybe yells with surprise. “You didn’t tell me he was going to do that.”

“It’s easy that way!” Jila yells through the wind. “A lot less rough on us!”