Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [L] Message-ID: <93015.093946ASG102@psuvm.psu.edu> From: The Dreamer Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1993 09:39:46 EST Luthor to Kadrys: "Mista is with her mother. While the inn was under attack and I rushed outside to help out, Serene was attacked and Mista was kidnapped. I see the concern in your face, but don't worry. Mista was found and returned. Hopefully Serene will recover soon. If not, then I will have lost the love of my life for the second time..." Luthor sighed again. He was saved from tears by a light mood-altering melody from Listener's lute. Serene paused at the top step. The shadows permitted her privacy, and she allowed mist to gather in her eyes. "Oh, Luthor," she whispered, "Your tender, romantic heart..." She centered, closed her eyes, squeezing a tear from beneath her lashes, gathered peace for a prayer, "May I never hurt you off the practice field." Mista cooed and grasped her mother's brightly coloured hair. Serene adjusted the bairn in her sling and leaned heavily on the rail to assist her descent. Using her balance and sense of feel far more than her less-than-focused eyes, she softly approached the table where Luthor and Kadrys talked. Luthor noticed her, rose to assist her. His heart nearly lept out of his chest, such was his happiness. "Serene, be careful. Nothing pleases me more than to see you up again, but it must be a terrible strain." With admiration plain in his voice, he continued, "Your strength never ceases to amaze me." "Mista was getting fussy - well, as fussy as she ever does. I'm feeling all right except for balance and I thought the change would do her good. I wanted to get a little milk and maybe some food for myself." Serene leaned against Luthor for support and transferred the happy infant to his arms. Mista gurgled and was coaxed to trade strands of copper hair for folds of BLACK cloak. "Will you hold her for a little time, please Luthor?" she asked as if there was a possibility that he would refuse. Thus bribed with the prospect of his goddaughter's company, Luthor grinned and looked to Listener to play baby-entertaining music. As Serene started to rise toward the kitchen, Mary Littlefair erupted with scoldings from those doors. It took a solemn promise from Serene to return immediately to her room before Mary would retreat to fix a simple meal for her. "May I help you back upstairs?" Luthor rose, allowing no negative reply. He cradled the baby in one arm and supported the small woman with the other, nestling her protectively under his wing. In this way, he guided her back arcoss the bar room. As the two passed, several patrons waved to Serene and gave he their wishes for good health. They ascended the stairs slowly. As they approached Serene's room, a gentle breeze opened the door (thanks to Luthor's Shadowmagic) to admit them. They crossed the room and after Serene was under the covers, Luthor tucked her in, cared for the baby and sat gently on the edge of Serene's bed, waiting with her for Mary and lunch. "Serene, I don't know how to say this... When I saw you on the floor after the attack... You looked so vulnereable... I thought that I failed you like I failed Rachel. I don't think that I could stand that pain again. It's just that...well, you mean so much..." Luthor faltered. Serene reached for the extensions of Luthor's energy, as she did not trust her eyes, and found his strong hand with her own. Her eyes were soft with sleep, but still sparkled grey. "I love you, too, my friend." She cradled the gold-tinted hand to her cheek as weariness crept over her. "Oh Serene," Luthor sighed. A single tear fell from his ice blue eyes. Perhaps Serene did not see this in her weakened state...perhaps she didn't need to. She squeezed his hand tightly. Silently, he pledged his noble life to this woman. No, she was not noble by birth, but by heart and that was all that really mattered. Luthor heard a noise behind him. Mary Littlefair was standing in the doorway to Serene's room with a large tray of cheeses, fruit, something resembling a small roasted chicken, and a bottle of wine. Luthor looked at Mary and smiled brightly. Her evesdropping was given away by the tears in her eyes. "Now Luthor, you get out of here and let me tend to my little girl," she said trying to act tough and blink away the tears before they were noticed. "And take that baby outside to get some fresh air. She could use some after being cooped up with demons and a sick mother for days." 'Demons? Already the story has grown out of proportion,' Luthor thought. He was about to protest Mary's error when she turned to him again, this time with the sternness back in full, "I don't care...now GET!" She shooed him out of Serene's room with the baby in hand. Mista's gurgling caught Luthor's attention. With a fresh bounce in his step, he walked downstairs and outside the inn with his favorite goddaughter in his arms. For a moment, he opened the door and addressed Kadrys. "I'm going to take Mista for a little walk, care to join me?" Luthor knew that the midday sun would cause Kadrys some discomfort, but he thought he would ask anyway. The two had a lot of catching up to do. Love and Peace and Clearing the Way, -The Dreamer-