[Day 8]

Cynthia watched the search party dissapear from the sky above Cleft
Warren and wandered back to her office.  She began to look over a list
of supplies the warren needed, but found she couldn't.  Recent events
had made her too restless to simply sit around 
while Trevor and the others searched for Lenna.

She got up from her desk and headed down toward the hatching cavern.  As
she entered she ran her hand over the smooth stone where Nikol had
blasted.  He had done a good job, she thought.

Syren looked up at her as she entered, <I'll let you know when they find
something.>

*I know you will, but I just couldn't wait to hear alone.*

Syren looked at her understandingly as she walked over and sat on the
sand next to the platinum queen.

It wasn't long before Syren's thoughts echoed in Cynthia's mind, <They
found Blanchie.>

*Where are they? How is Lenna?*

<They are at the caves where Blanchie's rider was kidnapped.  Shinner is
asking if you can send more riders to help search the caves?>

*Tell him more riders are on their way.  Then ask the third flight to
assemble on the upper green and go to Shinner.*

***
[Several hours later]

Cynthia was waiting for him beside the tent where Blanchie lay when
Trissana flared her wings and dropped to the green.  Trevor dismounted
and walked over her.

"How is she?" he asked.

"I talked to Abby a little while ago and she expects Blanchie to
recover.  The problem is that as the drug is being neutralized she is a
bit more coherent and she realizes that Lenna is in danger," Cynthia
replied.

"We saw signs of a struggle and suspect that Lenna was carried away by
someone, but we don't know where he went.  We lost the trail in a small
underground stream."

"Have all the caves been searched?"

"Almost.  Meena has been doing a good job at keeping it organized."

"Then the obvious conclusion is that Lenna isn't there anymore.  If I
had to guess, I'd say that she was at Jhezrael."

"And we don't know where that is."

"Perhaps," Cynthia said, "but is Trissana up to another flight this
evening?  That yellow dragon is probably at Jhezrael now."

Trevor conferred with Triss for a moment before replying, "She's up to
it, but we'll need an escort."

***
[M'yer]

M'yer walked in to the room carrying a tray with a plate of warm bread
and two cups of tea.  He set it on the table in Ankara's room in the med
center.  She pulled her eyes away from the window and seemed to look
through him for a moment before focusing on her face.

"I brought you some tea," he said stating the obvious.

He handed her a cup of tea followed by a slice of the bread.  He then
picked up his own cup and sat on the bed beside her.

"Thank you," she murmered.  He waited for more, but she said nothing
else.

<My rider, Syren is asking if we could join Trissana and her rider on
the green.  They are going to look for this Jhezrael place.>

M'yer's first thoughts were of revenge, *Tell her that we'll be right
there.*

He turned and looked at Ankara and said, "I have to go.  Cynthia needs
me."

She nodded and watched him walk toward the door.  As it closed, she
whispered, "Please come back to me."

***
Cynthia walked up the line of riders assembled on the green.  M'yer and
P'ker sat on their dragons just behind Trevor.  She knew the pair to be
experienced riders, but she wondered about M'yer's state of mind.  She
hoped he wouldn't do anything rash.

"You ready?" she asked Trevor.

"I think so," he replied.

"Be careful, and don't get yourself in a situation you can't handle. 
Your goal is to find Jhezrael, not conquer it.  If you need
reinforcements, call for them.  If you need to retreat and return with
more riders, then do that.  Understood?"

"Yes mother," he said with a grin.

Cynthia grinned back, "Now stop dallying and get going."

The riders lifted into the air and Cynthia felt the down draft of 9 pair
of wings.  She saw Trevor lead the group south, and was then turn them
back to the north.  A moment later the group teleported.

***
The group popped in above a large grassy clearing in the mountains. 
M'yer jumped as something exploded in a shower of brightly colored
sparks about 100 feet away.  Several other explosions echoed off the
surrounding mountains.

Trevor looked around and saw the yellow dragon on the ground below them.

NRPG:
Well, the phone lines are working again.  This post wasn't as inspired
as I had hoped.  I'm a bit worn out from this weekend.  We spent most of
yesterday making pickles and salsa.

This post should throw another wrench in the fight with Rentana. 
Darren, and Mike, you now have a group of riders at your disposal.  I
think they are all NPCs except Trevor.

Barb: Do you want Lenna rescued on Day 8, or Day 9 after the eggs are
stolen?  Cynthia will be a little leery about launching an assault on
Jhezrael in the dark.

Lyn: Welcome back.

Respectfully submitted,
Warrenlady Cynthia - Cleft Warren
Alton Reich
-- 
			Alton & Elizabeth Reich
			  alton.reich@snet.net
"Dreams are sometimes catching / Desire goes to my head /
 Love responds to your invitation / Love responds to imagination /
 Respond, Vibrate, Feed Back, Resonate" -- Rush, Chain Lightning