From: John Chivian (2/25/96)

To: Kathy Harrison

Encounter at the Grove

Rio has flown from the palace back to the grove to wait for Glows return. His mind is filled with unpleasant thoughts of what might happen to her in such a place unescorted. He cries out when he sees her and ruffles his feathers so she'll know it's him. Her telepathy is a strange but somehow pleasant sensation. He tells her of the group being held at the castle until the hearings tomorrow and hopes she'll come to the proceedings. Rio is glad when she promises to be there. His concern for her is obvious and he doesn't try to hide it.

"You are the first person here I feel truly comfortable with..." the druid says in her mind, "...and perhaps one of the few reasons I might wish to stay." He looks at her intently with the hawks dark eyes. "It has always been my path to travel alone. My friends from circumstance have been true it is sure but they do not follow the rhythms of Nature that are here all around us in this sacred place. I welcome your companionship and promise none shall harm you as long as you travel with us... as long as you travel with me."

If he had hands Rio would take hers in his and hold her close. Instead he tilts his head to one side and winks.

"I'll see you tomorrow and we shall both see justice for Raagnar." His thoughts momentarily fill with rage at the barbarians death but he suppresses it for the most part and after a quiet moment with Glow flies back to the palace. He has trouble turning his thoughts away from her and so remains in hawk form throughout the night so he wont have to talk to the others. Instead he remains perched on the window sill near Dre until the guards come get us in the morning.