> Lonnie)
> 
> "Nelar, you okay?" Lonnie asked. He'd seen her land just ahead of 
> him and Meritanth, saw her all but stumble as she dismounted form 
> her dragon, Novara, but it wasn't until he drew beside her that he 
> noticed the tears falling from her eyes. That was when he reached 
> out to her.
> 
> He felt her start to pull away from him, but he held on and turned 
> her around and gathered her in him arms. "Go on... let it out," he 
> said softly as his hand started to gently stroke her hair. "It's 
> all right Nelar."
> 
> "Oh Lonnie," she cried. "That little girl... her mother was killed 
> by those who flamed the encampment. What's going to happen to her?"
> 
> "The others will look after her, I'm sure," he told her trying to 
> sound convincing enough to calm her worries.
> 
> "But what if they don't?" she sounded almost angry. "There were so 
> many people there who'd been hurt. What if no one has the time to 
> look after her needs?"
> 
> "The warren will send people to help them," he reminded her. "Maybe, 
> you can ask if you can go with them and check up on her."
> 
> Nelar's head came up, her eyes meeting his. "Do you really think I 
> could?"
> 
> "I don't see why not," he grinned.
> 
> "Oh Lonnie, thank you," she stood up on tip toes and gave him a 
> quick kiss on the cheek, then back away quickly, embarrassed by 
> what she had done.
> 
> If the kiss shocked the tall rider, he was smart enough not to let 
> it show, but took it as a sign of her friendship and trust.
> 
> "Why you're more than welcome Nel,"
> 
> "Maybe when I do back, I can check out those other dragons that 
> Novara told me about."
> 
> Lonnie felt himself stiffen. "What other dragons?" he asked his 
> voice going suddenly cold.

<Little one...you should rest.>  Novara sent gently

<I can't Novara....so much to do> Nelar sent back tiredly.  It was
true that she was exhausted but she just didn't think she could
sleep right now.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Nelar explained to Lonnie
about the dragons that Novara had sensed.  He looked very concerned
as Nelar told him about the camp, the burn marks that could only
have come from dragons.

"Damn." He gritted his teeth.  "This is all we need.  Did Dan'yar
say what he intended to do about it?"

"No..." Nelar shook her head.  "He just went to report to Warren
Lady Cynthia.  I have no idea what happens next.  All I know is
that I'm so tired....."

"Then it's bed for you.  No arguements."  Lonnie said firmly and
picked her up off the ground and put her on Meritanth.  He climbed
up behind her and they took off towards her apartment.She was too 
tired to argue about it so she just sigh and relaxed in his arms.
Before she knew it he was carrying her into her bedroom and laying
her softly across her bed. She looked up at him sleepily.

"Thank you Lonnie."  Then she gently touched his cheek and closed
her eyes.  She was asleep before she saw the look of tenderness
come over his face.

Lonnie stood watching her for a moment and then sighed.  Damn
he hoped he didnt screw this up with her.  She needed a friend and
he was by god going to be one.  Kissing her gently on the
forehead, he turned and quietly let himself out.  He didnt notice
Novara watching from a distance.

Nelar woke the next morning and frowned.  She couldnt remember for
a moment how she had gotten home.  Then she recalled Lonnie and
smiled.  He had been very good to her.

<So you're awake at last lazybones.>  Novara sent teasingly.

<Novara!  What time is it?> Nelar asked as she quickly gathered up
clean clothes and a towel and headed to the baths.

<It is almost noon little one, but do not worry.  No one was looking
for you.>

<Oh no....I can't believe I overslept!> Nelar said in a panic.

<Simmer down my little worry wart, all is well. You needed to rest.
Besides....I need a bath too.>

An hour later, Nelar had bathed and changed clothes, oiled Novara
and was headed to dining for the noon meal.  She was anxious to 
find out what was happening.  Especially she wanted to here about the 
little girl.

********

(Sarina)

Sarina watched as Farr'in walked away from the fire.  He had given her 
much to think about.  Could it be true that there was a life other than
slavery?  What would she do?  Where would she go?  She had no money, no
lands, no possesions.  What could she bring to the Warren in exchange
for her freedom?

Shaking her head she stared into the fire and tried to imagine not
being a slave.  It was all she had ever known.  Cooking, cleaning,
serving........and yet.......

She kept glancing back at Farr'in, trying to gauge the truth of his
words.
Maybe he would help her.  Were there really people such as him outside
the tribes?  People who did not own slaves?

She found herself, for the first time in her short life, daring to 
hope.  She pondered on it for a long while.  Weighing the possibilities.

After a time, Farr'in came back to warm himself by the fire.  He sat
down and looked at her.  For the first time since meeting her, she
did not look away.  He knew she had been watching him and thinking
about what he had said.  Maybe the Warren couldn't save everyone,
but if he could help just one, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

"I meant what I said Sarina.  You would be free to do as you please."
He said quietly.

She regarded him a few minutes more and then sighed.  "Raidah, I no have
money or land.  All I have is skill with food, cleaning, serving.  What
place at Warren is there for me?"

Farr'in thought a moment and then slowly smiled.  "You could work in
the dining hall.  We could always use an extra hand in the kitchen.
It would give you a chance to earn money.  And the gods know we could
use an interpreter."  It was a brillant idea.  

She stared at the fire for a few minutes and Farr'in didn't dare say
a word for fear of breaking the mood.  And then she looked up and
he saw her smile.

"I will come."  She said simply.

Respectfully Submitted,
Michele Bolles
(Nelar/Novara)