"You think I set this up?" B'rand bellowed indignantly.

        "Well, I have to admit, and give you credit for your imagina-
tion, doll face." Her head bent, scant inches from his own. "Maybe I
should go ahead and let you kiss me, since you went to all the trouble 
of getting me in your arms."

        B'rand looked into Lenna's shockingly blue eyes, one eyebrow
raised questioningly. His breathing was coming just a little more
quickly now, as he felt her body settled on top of him. 

        "I don't have to resort to using my dragon to scare women into 
my bed, sister." For some reason, he had intended to sound more harsh,
but hadn't. "The only problem I have is keeping them out of it."

        Both of Lenna's eyebrows raised at that. "Oooo, quite the 
little stud, are we now?" she asked mockingly, sure of herself.

        Realizing the balance in her position was a little off, B'rand
heaved and twisted. Suddenly, he was on top of her, pinning her to 
the sand. Her eyes locked with his, and B'rand almost lost himself
looking into their blue depths...
 
        But that was enough of that. Lenna tried to shift out from 
under him, but B'rand compensated each move. His voice dripped the 
same mocking sweetness she used as he smiled at her. "You know
something, sister? Someone should have taken you out into the woods,
and gave you the beating you so richly deserve. Maybe you wouldn't
be such a sassy little wench if they had."

        She chuckled. "Believe me, handsome, there were those who
tried...and failed. Want to give it a try?" Her eyes caught his again.

        To his credit, B'rand finally felt that things were going a
little too far. Teasing this woman was something like standing in
between a dragon and a wraith. "Don't tempt me," he muttered as he
rolled off and stood up. The cavern felt so much colder after breaking
away from her warm body on the sand...

        "Scared to try?" Lenna asked.

        "Hardly," he replied as he walked over to Rook and finished
wrapping the splint around the huge leg. Rook looked mightily amused,
but mercifully had not added to the conversation. "But ask me again 
after I get my dragon fed and maybe we can go a few more rounds."

        "Sure, handsome, anything you say."

        *Not to worry, Rook, I'll have some food for you shortly.*

        <<No need! While you were busy playing with Blanchie's rider,
she has grabbed something for me.>>

        *That's not funny. Who's Blanchie?*

        <<You'll see her in a minute. Now, there's a dragon I wouldn't
mind twining up with on a cold ledge.>>

        *There are precious few females you wouldn't consider the same
way.* B'rand could see Blanchie then as she deposited a large buck
deer before Rook. Rook fell to, hungrily.

        "Dinner is served," Lenna said as she sketched a mocking bow.
Let's just hope, Blanchie, that the dragon has better manners than the
rider. He never did thank me for looking at his beast."

        One of these days, girl," he muttered. "One of these days."

        "Yeah!" she taunted. "You and what army?"

        Thinking better of it, B'rand made a little mocking bow, 
himself. "Thank you for looking at my beast," he said condescendingly.

        "You're quite welcome," she responded just a little too 
sweetly. Behind her, at the entrance, Blanchie gave a dragon-sized
snort. B'rand looked at her, then at Rook.

        <<Just paying her a compliment. I think she's flattered.>>

        *Sure she is.*

        "Now," Lenna said with a twinkle in her eye, "let me show 
you the perfect place to stay. You'll love it. Then, I'll show you 
where the dining hall and other landmarks are."

        "Gee thanks." He sounded dubious.

        "Just following the Warrenlady's suggestion," she said sweetly.

        "Indeed." *Rook, are you done yet? We have to find an apartment,
it's almost dark.*

        <<Go on ahead. I'll catch up by the time you get there.>>

        *But-*

        <<Have patience, sweet B'rand. Haven't I ever told you about
the reluctant rider and the->>

        *Never mind, I'm going.* Lessa and B'rand left through the 
enormous opening.

        B'rand was impressed. The inhabited part of the Cleft was 
huge. Already, though, it was dotted with the reflective eyes of 
dragons as the huge creatures took roost on ledges and rocky perches.
It was not long before they reached their goal; the dragons landed and
took on the riders before winging up to a particular ledge. B'rand 
found a lamp at the edge, and lit it before entering.

        "Its...its...filthy."

        Indeed it was. Time, weather, and dust had made the place look
more like a forest floor than a cave. How did it get so dirty this 
high up?

        "I could spend hours cleaning this up."

        "Cheer up, handsome," Lenna said. I know a dandy way we could
clean up the floor..."

        B'rand's eyes took in her form again. Wouldn't mind that at
all, he thought. Still...

        "Another time, maybe." He was absolutely dejected from the 
mess.

        "If you fly a broom like you do a dragon, I can see your 
problem," Lenna said. She continued on before B'rand could retort.
"If you need any help, I'm not too far away."

        That stopped him. "Where's that?"

        "Right there." B'rand looked where she pointed; diagonal and
down, the opening to her apartment was practically next to his, not
even a running leap away.

        A piratical smile crossed B'rand's face. "Of course it is."

        "Well, come on, then, let's get some food, Red-" his arm 
flashed out, placing suprisingly gentle fingers against her lips,
stopping her.

        "Don't call me Red. Ever." He hesitated, then said, "Please."



        

                        Allen E. Veazey
                        wolf@dbtech.net
	     http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/3043

	         "The future ain't what it used to be."
				-Yogi Berra