--Late afternoon/early evening of Tymor's flight--

Her mind whirling, Callana pieced together the day's events:  She had
survived two teleports, (thankful that Farr'in's Tergath had made sure
Slaire had a picture... she was all too tempted some times, especially
the one home, to just let everything slide.)

*I don't want to join the screams,* she sighed, shoving the apathy away
for a time until she could sleep it off.  Farr'in wanted her to start
over, to make a truly clean start.

She had flown over one section of the NomadLands, seen some of the
Landbound farms, and rediscovered that her fear of teleporting was still
there.  *It's going, though... maybe if I wore earplugs, I couldn't hear
the screams...*

Useless, she knew.  No one else heard them.  Which inevitably lead to
the thought, *Am I going crazy?*

<Yes,> Slaire's nonchalant reply echoed through her head, startling
her.  <You are crazy.  Absolutely stark, raving mad.  That's the only
reason why they let you be a dragon rider in the first place.  It's a
requirement.  You can't fly patrols on a sound mind, or fly a dragon,
or->

<- Or talk to one,> Callana cut her dragon off, smiling slightly.  <Go
hunt yourself a rat, you lizard with wings, and leave me in peace.>

<Brooding is not peaceful, Blade,> Slaire shrugged.  <And I am hungry. 
Ravenously so.  So was Tymor, for that matter.>

Tymor.  The young queen who had flown her first mating flight that
afternoon.  It had been breathtaking.

<You're not going to...?>

<Soon, I think.  It's a new warren.  I need to see if the males can
actually fly, or if all they're good for is gliding on currents for
patrols.  And so should you.>

<What, fly patrol?>

<Oh, you flirt, you!> Slaire chuckled mentally.

<Slaire, I.. I don't want..>

<So hide under the bed, or something.  Though, from what I understand,
you humans prefer the top.. much more comfortable, I believe.>

Callana scowled, but said nothing.

<What, can't find an excuse for not having fun?> teased Slaire.

<Just give me a few days to settle in before you flap off and make a
fool of yourself!  Besides, I thought you and Furl...>

<Nature calls, Blade.  You're just going deaf.  I just got back from
patrol, and I'm hungry!  Wouldn't you be, after a hard work?  I happen
to actually use my muscles up there, unlike you ride-hitching
freeloaders!>

<Uh-huh.  Have a nice dinner.>

<You too.  Maybe find yourself some company so you won't embarrass
yourself when I take flight.>

<Would you leave me alone!?>

<No.>

Callana frowned, still angry.  <I want down,> she sent, going to the
edge of her apartment balcony.  Slaire arrived a few minutes later,
practically drooling at the thought of food.

<Where do you want to go?>

<The ground.  I'll walk, you eat.>

<Certainly, my rider,> Slaire replied with a touch of sarcasm that came
with such an obedient tone.

Callana mounted and dismounted all within the space of a few minutes,
her feet touching the grass of the Warren green.  Several other dragons
and their riders were about, including the recently-joined dragonrider
youths and their dragons.

Callana laid one hand on Slaire's forearm, a small gesture of the
affection she felt for her dragon that she rarely ever showed.  Slaire
leapt back into the air, winging off for the pens and some dinner.

Callana knew she should eat, but didn't really feel the hunger much. 
*T'keth was convinced I was too thin.. I should eat.*

So she set about finding the dining or mess hall, or whatever they
called it here, scrounged up some food, caught Turner to procure his
skill in plumbing and such for water to her apartment at Farr'in's
suggestion, and set about wandering Cleft in search of entertainment.

She found it.  Late evening, it was dark, she wasn't hungry.  She had
some bread and cheese in her hand, munching as she walked along, eating
just because she had to.  She was on the other side of the Warren,
looking down at the apartment balconies dotting the cliff.

She stopped short, hearing voices.

"This's gonna be so good, they won't even know what hit'em!"

"Shh.. keep your voice down.. someone'll hear you, stupid!"

"Fine - Thi - 's - partmen - oof!  Don't hit me, man!  I'll be quiet!"

"Tea - Dan - eep 'is - nds - her.."  There was a slow, dry chuckle that
made Callana shiver.  She breathed out ever so slightly, not realising
how close she had actually been until she crouched down beside a rock,
only to have a head poke around the corner at the sound of her movement.

"Whassat?  Who's there?"

Callana caught her breath, holding it in tightly.  Were these the rogue
dragon riders who'd been terrorizing the Nomads?  No, the voices sounded
much too young.  In fact, they sounded like some of the voices she had
heard on the green, but she wasn't quite sure..

"I'm telling you, I heard someone!"

"And they've probably heard you by now, you idiot!  Shut up!!"

The footsteps and voices receded.  Callana still crouched in the dark. 
A few minutes later, two dragons took off.  Callana stayed in her hiding
place for a few minutes longer, until she could no longer hear the sound
of the dragons, before wandering casually back the way she had been.


*******

"See?  I told you someone was there.  I think she heard us."

"You don't think, and of course she heard us!"

"What're you gonna do about it?"

"I don't know, but I'll think of something."

"You know, this is getting way outta hand, man."

"He's gotta learn to keep his hands off her!  She's mine!  And some nosy
bitch ain't gonna get in my way, either!"

*********

NRPG:  It's been awfully quiet at Cleft lately.  Just thought I'd stir
up (and join!) the fun!  Tag to anyone who wants it.

*********

Submitted by,
Keri Rodgers
Callana Blade & Slaire