title: breakfast pt 2
authors: the following few posts are a conglomeration by
teri/stana/spiffy/kit/emily
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 1999 12:28:41 EDT

***

The door clicked open, and Teri looked up with relief at not having to
answer
any more questions, and then sat back again when she realized who it
was.

Stana moved to the table quietly, her eyes just grazing the sun and
moon-headed pair opposite Teri.  Stana took a seat next to the other
girl,
and it was then that Teri noticed the elemental motif. *How wonderful
that
they put me next to Stana* Teri thought, casting a menacing glance at
the
other girl. She remembered Clip's advice- but at the moment, she was
NOT in
the mood. And she knew, though she still
hoped she was wrong, that the chair to her left would remain empty.

Clip moved fluidly into the room, staying uneasily in the corner. There

wasn't much room for him elsewhere, and he seemed his usual derogatory
self.

Estela entered with the overdone pomp and circumstance Teri had begun
to
expect- being carried in by Tadrin and blushing furiously the whole
way.

After a few more awkward moments, a strange youth casually entered and
bowed
to the ensemble.  Upon straightening, his gaze traveled to R'Kelinin.

The man smiled with the etiquette of one practiced in the court, but
genuine
appreciation could be perceived by Teri alone.  He looked at the group
a
moment before adeptly deciphering which seat was his, and took it.

They were all relatively quiet as the Queen entered, and sat in silence

waiting. Finally Teri cleared her throat and, not looking at anything
other
than her spoon, her other hand toying with the cloth in her pocked,
said,
"Let's just get this thing going. He's obviously not coming."

There was an awkward moment of silence after that - for one of the
chosen to
dismiss her guardian in such a way was obviously something of a shock
to the
S'kaeans, despite all of the unusual things that had happened so far.

Elainas was the first to recover, and wasted no time in seizing the
initiative.  Now the rest would either have to wait for an opening or
talk
over her rudely.

"As everyone in this room is no doubt aware of, the recent attack was
largely
centered on capturing the Chosen.  There was however another enemy -
one the
Syl have encountered before -  who struck at the same time, capturing
the man
known as Finn.  I intend to accompany a rescue party to free him."

The Syl Ambassador seemed remarkably composed, both physically and
mentally,
despite the large bruise on the left side of her forehead.  Only a
feint
surge of repressed emotions gave Teri any indication that there was
more to
Elainas than her cool - as - a - cucumber appearance.

"...Sending an armed detachment of soldiers is out of the question.  To
do so
would not only weaken S'kae's defenses but also call attention to
itself when
stealth would be preferred.  A group of people not officially allied
with
S'kae, however, would be able to cross borders with little concern."

"So you want us to risk our necks and get another enemy?  Arent there
enough
people trying to kill us already?."  Stana seemed to speak for the
group.

"I do not ask that you assist in the actual rescue, but I am leaving,
whether
or not anyone accompanies me.  It is possible for me to sneak a small
group
past the enemy unnoticed.  Having done this, They will continue to
attack
S'kae thinking the Chosen are still within it's walls.  In reality, we
will
be heading towards one of the few places in Narada where the Chosen
cannot be
tracked through magical means."

Tadrin's eyes widened as he realized what the Ambassador was
suggesting.  "A
Syl Clan!"

Elainas nodded.  "It is rare for humans to be permitted entrance, but I

believe the Elders will make an exception in this case."

Lyr straightened in his chair with a fierce scowl on his face. The
Royalty
did not look too pleased with this suggestion either.  The General
swept his
eyes over their faces and tapped his quill in front of him three times.
"Once
you are out of S'Kae. You are out of our protection as well." Lyr
warned. "If
you try to make a run out of it--none of S'Kae can go with you.  Not
just for
the reasons the Ambassador presents alone.  The Army outside matches
us, man
for man as far as we can determine. When you
break, we'll be launching a strike designed to distract the enemy and
allow
you to slip away with little resistence."

"Then you recommend we go?" Teri asked, unsure of what she was feeling
from
the room.

"I-" Lyr hesitated, tongue in cheek. "I see the tactical advantage in
splitting up the targets. I can't protect you-although that is my
filial
duty--if you leave, but I can buy you time to get away. The Syl are
powereful
allies to have. You would find worse havens. If you decide to leave, I
recommend you not all head out together. "

"That was my thought as well," Elainas said cooly, managing to make
eating
the crumpet before her look like an art.

Stana stared moodily at the window, fingers tracing tracks in the
condenscation on her earth-colored glass. She looked at Clip, at the
rising
sun, anywhere but the reality staring at her from the table.

"I'm going," she said flatly. She heard a restless stir at the table,
but
refused to elaborate. Teri felt a hint of something, before the same
opaque
nothingness characterizing the Earth Elemental these days slammed
firmly into
place.

Of them all, Clip seemed the most suprised. He glared at her for a few
moments, her bland expression heightening his fury at being bypassed in
this
decision.  It was on the tip of his mind to refuse, but he held back.
His
Princess had bade him gaurd her, for whatever obscure, twisted reason.
If he
failed-ostracism was only one of few punishments.

He struggled fiercly against himself for the space of time it took
these
thoughts to pass, but when they were gone, he was still there, and
being
watched.  Irked at the attention (Especially as it was unflattering
attention) he dipped his horn impatiently in agreement. Fortunately,
none
present were skilled at interpreting unicorn expressions.

"We leave at dusk," Elainas said. "Be ready at the Northern Gate."

"I'll go too," said the man next to the Lieutenant, who had been silent
and
largely forgotten thus far in the meeting. Teri flicked her eyes to
him,
noticing the angular planes of his face- paler than any she'd seen.
She felt
a strange amiability towards the stranger, a curiosity almost
compelling her
to engage him in some way-

Stana beat her to it, her crisp voice slicing the wondering silence of
the
group. "What is your name?" she demanded, the sharper edges of her
voice
blurred by a curiosity of her own.

"Audion," he replied succinctly. "I wish to aid and protect the Chosen.
I am
an elementalist."

Though she didn't know what 'elementalist' meant to Narada, Teri could
hazard
a guess, and felt her eyes widen with interest.  This man used the
elements
they all represented? She cast a jealous glance at Stana, who would be
travelling with him. Of all the members present, for some reason he
piqued
the strongest interest for her at the moment- and judging by both
Stana's and
Estela's faces, they were confused by their own draw towards the reedy
man.

Lyr's face had tightened considerably when the Elementalist had spoken-
but
it was as had been discussed.  He would rather the wanderer in the
company of
Elainas, and possibly the Syl Clan, than off with another Chosen who
had no
more sure protection.