The Price of Friendship
A Round Robin Story


BY: Ravens, Inc Authors
Chapter Fourteen Written By: Archangel


Disclaimer: The characters created by Laurell K Hamilton used in this story are hers. We are merely borrowing them to explore our own writing ideas. No copyright infringement is intended. Please do not sue, we are doing this for our own amusement only, and for the enjoyment of our members. This story may not be posted anywhere else without the consent of all involved in writing it.

Rating for this posting: PG


 Doyle and Barinthus rushed into Doyle's room.  Doyle
 pulled out the  small mirror from his pocket.  He and 
 Barinthus  crowded around it.   Doyle said the phrase 
 he had set the mirror to.   They then had a 
 clear view of Doyle and Frost's bedroom.
 
 "Frost!"  Doyle called.
 
 After a moment, Kitto appeared.  "Where's Frost,
 Kitto?"  Doyle asked.
 
 "He is with Lady Merry and the new comers."
 
 "Get him, please."  Doyle watched Kitto hurry away
 from the mirror.   A moment later, Frost and Merry showed.
 
 "Doyle?  What's wrong?"  Frost asked.
 
 "Cel is free."  Doyle swayed on his feet slightly. 
 Barnthius reached out a hand and steadied him.
 
 "And Doyle has been poisoned."  Barnthius added.
 
 "What!"  exclaimed Merry.  "How?"
 
 "The Queen welcomed me back,"  Doyle said softly.  
 
 "Doyle, sit down,"  Barinthus said.  "I will tell
 Merry and Frost what is occuring here."
 
 "The Queen is hosting a feast tonight.  In Cel's
 honor, celebrating  his release.  She has taken a
 new lover, who is as cruel as she is.  
 His name is Kevames.  He is a banished Seelie."
 
 "Rory is here.  He has apparently had a run in with
 this Kevames,"   Merry interrupted.
 
 "I am not surprised.  Kevames and he don't like each
 other.  Watch him, Merry.  He is still Cel's friend.  
 The feast tonight is to pacify the Prince because 
 his best friend was sent away."  Barnthius 
 looked away for a moment.
 
 "Doyle is in trouble.  The Queen has decreed that
 tonight's entertainment is dueling.  Specifically,
 Doyle against several  challengers.  With this poison 
 in him, he might stay alive, but I fear he will be 
 hurt.  I don't want to think of tomorrow night."  
 Barinthus looked worried.
 
 "Can you get him through tonight?"  Frost asked.
 
 "Yes."
 
 "I will be there for him tonight.  By midnight.." 
 Frost looked grim.
 
 "There's more, Barinthus."  Merry said.  She told
 him what had taken place that night at the crime scene.  
 When she was done, she could  hear Doyle cussing 
 in the background.

 "I don't like this, Merry,"  Barinthus said
 seriously.  "I will see  what I can learn here.  
 We are almost out of time now.  The Queen 
 expects us back.  Frost, midnight.  We will be out
 along the walkway near the road."
 
 "I will wait for you there.  Let me talk to Doyle
 again."  
 
 Barinthus handed the mirror to Doyle. 
 
 "Yes, Frost?"  Doyle asked.
 
 "Be careful."  Merry said.
 
 "I think this is a trap, Doyle." Frost stated. 
 "First, you have to go back.  Then, the Queen sends Rory.
 The trap for Merry.  Now, you having to fight duels 
 after being poisoned.  Even after they are 
 done, watch your back as best as you can.  I will be
 there at midnight."
 
 Doyle nodded, then cleared the mirror.  He looked at
 Barinthus.  Silently, they headed back to the feast hall.



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