[The night Nelar arrived, after dinner with Lonnie and family]

>Sometime later she excused herself from the table, saying that she 
>needed to talk to the Warrenlady. Lonnie again took her hand and told 
>her that he had enjoyed singing with her. 

>"Maybe sometime if you'd like I could bring my guitar and we could 
>play some music together. I had a friend at Telnor, Ga'brin, Preston's 
>rider...  Who I used to play with every once in awhile." Lonnie told 
>her. "I really miss it."

>"I'd like that Lonnie," the girl smiled and that's when he remembered 
>who she was. Not only that, but the scandal that she brought with her. 
>Well it wasn't any of his business. Maybe someday she would feel like 
>talking about it to him...but until then, he would try to be her friend 
>and enjoy her company. For he'd a feeling she didn't have many she 
>could call friends.

******

>Cynthia smiled as the new rider settled at her table.

>"Boy, everyone seems to be celebrating tonight," Nelar commented.

>Cynthia's smile faded.  "Yes, that was something I was going to tell 
>you about tomorrow morning.  But, I expect I should just explain 
>tonight."

>"As you know, there are people native to this area called the Horse 
>Nomads, or just Nomads.  They're very warlike.  Yesterday morning, 
>there was a raid on the warren.  They managed to grab two of our 
>girls-- an unjoined girl named Aniki and our newly-joined queenrider, 
>Brisse.

>"Our riders finally found and rescued them early today.  Both of them 
>had been raped-- Aniki by multiple men almost continuously from her 
>capture.

>"They also took a man who turned out to be the chieftain of the tribe. 
>He says dragonriders have been raiding his tribe, taking women, and 
>that they flamed people to get their way.

>"We don't know who these dragonriders are.  But if it's true, there's 
>going to be difficult to manage to befriend these tribes.  We may even 
>be looking at all-out war.

>"That's why I spoke with the wingleader today and told him to warn all 
>his riders to stay out of bowshot range if they see any Nomads."

>The woman nodded, taking it all in.  "These girls, how are they now?"

>"Brisse appears to be taking it fairly well, though I'm sure there will 
>be some problems.  Aniki is pretty much catatonic."

>"Would it be all right if I had a few words with them?" Nelar asked in
>concern.

>"You'll have to speak with the healers on Aniki's case.  As for Brisse, 
>I have no objections if she doesn't."

Nelar nodded solemly and regarded the WarrenLady intently.  She had 
only spoken to her briefly a couple of times, but something about her
told Nelar that she could trust Cynthia.  Nelar never thought she would
be confiding in someone so soon.  Taking a deep breath,  Nelar decided 
to share a little of herself with Cynthia.

"The reason I asked about the girls," she began quietly, "Is because 
when I was younger, I too was raped and beaten.  You see, my family
died when I was young so I was ah...shuffled around between the distant
relatives for a few years.  I wound up living with a distant cousin."

"Nelar..you dont have to tell me...." Cynthia said gently.

"It's ok. Really.  It was a long time ago and well....I just thought
that maybe I could help."  Nelar trailed off and shrugged.

"I'm sure you would be a big help to them Nelar.  I would advise you
to go slowly tho."

"I understand." Nelar nodded.

They talked for a little while longer about the Warren and the people 
there.  Nelar found that she like Cynthia.  She was smart, a true
leader.  Hopefully they could become friends.

[Next morning...The day after Brisse's rescue]

>Nelar stepped into the Wingleader's office.  "Nelar, rider of Novara, 
>reporting."

>J'errid nodded and motioned her to a chair.  "Welcome to Cleft.  I'm 
>J'errid, the wingleader.  We have wing drills every other day at first 
>light.  Today's an off-day, so tomorrow you'll need to report for 
>practice. Some time soon, we're going to need to split into two wings, 
>but for now there's just the one.

>"I'll assign you a patrol partner tomorrow after I see how you operate 
>at wing practice.  Until then, you won't have any patrol, obviously.

>"Now," he said, leaning back in his chair, "tell me a little about 
>yourself.  I'm especially interested in how much experience fighting 
>wraiths and wild dragons you have had."

Nelar smiled. "Well Sir, I assisted with fighting wild dragons at 
Telnor for oh....about 15 years so I have a little experience there.
Wraiths, however, are another story."

"I see.  Well your experience with wild dragons will definitely assist
us here.  We're trying to find the band of dragon riders that are 
attacking the Nomads."  

"Yes, WarrenLady Cynthia spoke of them last night." Nelar replied
concerned.  "Any leads?"

"Nothing yet,"  J'errid grumbled.  "But we will find them.  Mark my 
words."  He said emphatically.

"Anything I can do to help J'errid, just let me know."  Nelar replied.

"Well let's start by seeing what ya got.  How bout you meet me after
lunch and we'll take to the sky and see what you know."  

"Very well.  That would be fine.  I'll let Novara know."  She nodded.
"Novara will be exicted."

Nelar excused herself and headed out.  She couldnt wait to talk to
Novara and let her know.

<Novara!  J'erried wishes us to fly with him this afternoon.> Nelar
sent excitedly.

<Yes little one.  I heard.> Novara replied slightly amused.

<Think we can beat him?>

<I think we can do well enough so we're not embarrased.> Came the 
teasing reply.

<Novara!>  Nelar chided.

<We will do wonderfully Nelar.  You know you are a good rider.  And 
I, of course, am a magnificent dragon>  Laughter rippled along with
her words.

<You are impossible dearest!>  Nelar chuckled and shook her head.
<Go feed and we'll meet after lunch.  I must go meet with Warren
Lady Cynthia now.>

<I hear and obey little one.>

[NRPG Tag Cynthia if ya want to take it from here]

[Lunch...Same day]

> "Oh, that's good."  The man turned to the woman who had walked 
>in with him.  "Oh, this is Nelar.  She's a new transfer.  Arrived 
>here yesterday.  And...well, these are some of Cleft's newly-joined.  
>I'm afraid I don't know any names but Isolinde."
> 
> "Silly!" Isolinde said, "You should know Raissa-- you met her only 
> yesterday-- and Brisse, the new queenrider."
> 
> Brisse blushed.  She would never get used to this.
> 
> "Oh, yes, I guess I do know a couple of other names," he admitted 
> sheepishly.  "I'm R'bert."
> 
> "This is K'han and Kendra."
> 
> The new arrivals sat down.
> 
> "Do you play?" Raissa asked, indicating the small harp that Nelar
> had with her.
> 
> "Yes, I do."
> 
> Raissa's eyes lit up.  "We'll have to be sure and play together some time.  
> Can we hear you play?"
> 
> Nelar smiled.  "After I eat."
> 
> They chatted for a bit while Nelar ate.  Brisse noticed that Nelar kept 
> glancing at her.
> 
> After she had eaten, Nelar unslung her harp and began to play.

She played a couple of lively songs, silly songs and a few ballads
that were haunting and beautiful.  She glanced at Brisse a couple
a times to try and guage her state of mind.  Nelar didnt want to
push her, just to let her know that Nelar was a friend.  Nelar
hoped that would come across in her music.  Her audience was very
appreciative and applauded.  They wanted to hear more but Nelar had 
to leave to go meet with J'errid. She was very excited when she went 
outside and found Novara waiting for her.

<Ready little one?>  Novara inquired, knowing full well her rider 
was ready.

<You bet!  Let's go!>  Nelar replied, feeling like a very young girl
again and mounted Novara.  They took to the sky in flurry of blue...

[NRPG Tag for J'errid or anyone else that wants to join us]

[Later that day.....early evening]

Nelar had just sent Novara off to feed when she heard the cry.  Glancing
quickly around she saw Dan'yar and D'ren rushing towards the south
gate.  Wondering what was wrong, Nelar followed them.  As she arrived at 
the south gate she saw the smoke......The Nomad camp was on fire.
That could only mean one thing........Dragons.

[NRPG  Ok I think I'm up to date on Nelar......feel free to correct me
if I'm wrong.  (LOL I'm sure someone will...:) 

Respectfully submitted by,
Michele Bolles
(Nelar/Novara)

Quote for the Day:  "Sex is like a box of chocolates....you never know
what you're going to get."  :)