[NRPG: Not sure of the current day. I belive the first bit would be the
day after, or later on in the day that Lenna attacked H'riol. So some of
this might be backposted. The last bit is the day after  Lenna's attack,
which I deduced from one of Barb's last posts.]

 Katrina was on the green saddling Azure. The two decided to take some of
the day to get away from the Warren-perhaps go to Lake Azure. Lately Kat
had been feeling stir crazy. The weather around Cleft had gotting nicer
and Kat's inactivity had been getting to her. Trevor was occupied with Triss
and training, as well as working with Cynthia on what to do with H'riol, so
not much was going on in the lines of mapping. Katrina wasn't doing much
patroling either-first because of the mapping and then because of her
partner Lenna's attack on H'riol. And it wasn't thought to be a smooth move
to send Kat patroling with someone else. Such a move would only irritate
Lenna-which as those who knew the firey Lenna wouldn't be a good idea.
Katrina busy with Azure's saddle heard:

>"Excuse me Miss, but do you need some help with that?"

>Katrina, who had been adjusting the straps on Azure's saddle jumped and
>spun around, her hand going to the hilt of her dagger.

>P'ker stepped back a few paces, "If I had know you were going to do
>that, I'd have stood back and shouted."

>Katrina relaxed, "Oh, sorry.  I thought you were going back to
>Keldarra?"

>"We did, and we determined that Tymor isn't quite the biggest queen.  We
>came back to let Brisse know the good news.  Besides, I like it here.
>The climate is better than Keldarra."

>"That is good news, I'm sure Brisse will be happy."

 Katrina heard Azure,<And my rider I bet you are happy to>.

 Katrina replied,<Now don't start that again. We've been over this before>,
and closed out her dragon's thoughts for the moment.

>"Yep.  Well, I've got to go find her.  Have fun out on patrol," P'ker
>said.

 "I'd try to, but as it is, I'm not scheduled for patrol now," Katrina
replied with a grin, "Azure and I are going on a short get away for part
of the day. You.." Katrina had to stop herself from saying,'are welcome to
come along,' but thought that sounded to forward, so she stumbled her words
and said something like, 'ah, see you around,' and turned away hoping she
wasn't blushing. Somewhere in her thoughts a dragon was chuckling.

(there is a tag her Alton if you want to pick up on it)

******
Next day.

 Katrina was happy that Lenna wasn't going to be completely removed from
patrol. From what she heard Lenna was going to be allowed to patrol part of
the time. Kat hoped she herself would get a bit more patrol time, maybe with
Lonnie or Trevor's mom Kellie. Kat knew Lenna wouldn't be happy about that,
but she thought Lenna needed some time to work things out. As for Kat, she
wanted Lenna to take the time away but she herself didn't want to remain
on part-time patrol, or on other tasks-she was getting, well bored.

 As to solving Lenna's fears, yesterday's idea thrown out by Katrina and
Lonnie about returning Lenna to the caves was a good way to help her
overcome her fears. Lenna had objected at first, but then said she would.
Katrina decided she was going to bring the subject up again when Lenna
and her were patroling today. Katrina looked up from her thoughts to see
Lenna heading her way.

>Lenna was on time meeting Katrina 30 minutes later and grinned happily at
>her friend when she dismounted and came to meet her.

>"Well Let's get to it," Kat ginned before Lenna could say anything. "It's
>about time you got back in the saddle."

>"Oh I couldn't agree more."

 The patrol was uneventfull. Katrina observed her partner as they went
along. Lenna was thrilled and showed little of the problems that had been
affecting her since her attack on H'riol. Katrina had not mentioned the
attack, or as of yet, the return to the caves. They talked of the latest
romances going on, including her brother Turner's involovement with
Kellie and a variety of other things. As the two prepared to end their
patrol Katrina swung Azure around and headed in a different direction.

 Lenna asked,"What is up? Did you see something?"

 "No, I just want to check something." Katrina said nothing more, and for
the moment kept it at that. Then to keep Lenna from suspecting anything
Katrina threw out a topic.

 "So how are plans going for your parent's joining party?"

 "Fine, there is still some things to work out. You are still coming?"

 "Wouldn't miss it," replied Katrina.

 The two talked a bit more, but nothing about certain caves. Those certain
caves soon came into view. Katrina looked at Lenna and she could tell that
they were familiar to her and her expression was not one of pleasure.

 "What is this? You aren't going to have.., not..." Lenna's voice trailed off.

 As the riders drew closer to the caves, Katrina could see the apprehension
in Lenna's eyes, but Katrina didn't say anything. She instead directed Azure
towards the base of the mountain that contained the caves. Lenna tried
to pull up on Blanchie, but Blanchie had unbeknownst to Lenna already
confured with Azure, so she knew what was going to happen.

 Katrina knew Lenna was very nervous and tense right now, but she knew
such feelings would soon leave Lenna. For Katrina turned Azure left and
ran even with the mountains, past the cave Lenna was familiar with, but
Katrina did not land.

 Lenna who had been back a ways from Katrina drew Blanchie up alongside
Azure. Katrina could see Lenna was a bit pale and not very happy.

 "That was nasty Kat! What in the world were you trying to
accomplish," Lenna huffed?

 "Sorry Lenna, I shouldn't have been so extreme. You did mention yesterday
that you would return to the caves. I do not wish to bring you into them
yet, just get you use to them. It is sorta like getting someone who is afraid
of water wet for the first time. For the next few days, maybe even a few
more after that, we will go by the caves while on patrol, then we will work
on getting you closer, landing and then entering. I am no expert on helping
one overcome a phobea, but hopefully this will be a way to go about it. Now
let's head back to Cleft."

 Katrina sighed, took a breath and hoped Lenna would forgive her, and go
along with her idea. Well only time would tell.

<I think it is a clever idea my rider>, sent Azure.

<Thanks, could you please pass that on to Blanchie for me, so then
perhaps she could pass it on to Lenna and help convince her>.

(tag to you Barb, if you wish to add anything)

NRPG:
***************************
All: Well here is a bit of something, so you all know I am still about.
Sorry I wasn't more creative with the post title-I couldn't think of
another one. When I write again it probably will deal with the venture back
and into the caves, and anything else that might develop before then. I
hope this post makes sense or doesn't have to many errors-it was late here
when I
wrote it.

Barb: If you have any ideas about the cave return, or if you want to
work together on something with that just mention it to me.

Alton: I will need to change a bit on Kat's bio sometime in the near
future. With the summer season(do I have the timeline right here?)
hitting Cleft soon, Katrina will be having a B-day. I should of done
this back when Kat first arrived in Cleft, since I believe she was close
to a B-day at that time. Does that make sense-gee it's late. So whenever
you will be sending Bio updates tell me so I can change Kat's age to 20.
Thanks.

Respectfully,
Kris Berg
Katrina/Azure
Cleft Warren