Cynthia woke up late the morning after dancing with Trevor.  Normally
waking up late would throw her into a minor panic over the things she
should be doing already, but this morning was different.  She went
through her morning routine with a smile on her face, while humming a
little tune.  For some reason she felt good, regardless of the time.

She grabbed some not quite stale sweet rolls from the basket in her
kitchen and walked out of her apartment.  Syren was laying in the warm
morning sunshine that was streaming on to the ledge of their apartment.

*Good morning Love.*

<You're in a good mood this morning.>

Cynthia regarded her for a moment, *I really don't know why, but I do
seem to be is a good mood.*

Cynthia walked down the corridor toward her office but continued on
past.  She entered the library that was located at the end of the
corridor.  The room had that musty smell that libraries get and the
illumination left something to be desired.

Cynthia found the book she was looking for on a shelf near the door and
took it back to her office.  She settled in her chair and began to
peruse it while idly eating her sweet rolls.

After a few hours of reading she desperately needed to stretch her
legs.  Cynthia left her office and walked to the Dining Hall.  At this
hour it was usually deserted, but she heard voices from inside.  She
paused at the door.

>      "Trevor, what in blazes is your...your *dragon* doing in the
>      diniing
> hall?!"
> 
>     Trevor shrugged, tossing Triss the piece of meat he held in his
>     hand, and
> watched her deftly catch it.  "Well, she wanted to see what the
> inside of the dining hall looked like.  Something wrong?"
> 
>      "Something wrong??" she demanded.  "This is where *we're*
>      supposed to be
> eating, not the dragons!  Look, you've been at Cleft for awhile now
> - how many times have you seen Blanchie in here, eh?"
> 
>      "Well, I think the fact that Blanchie is too big to get through
>      the door
> may have something to do with that," he pointed out.  "Besides, it's
> only this once...by tomorrow, she may be too big also. And anyway,
> you're a fine one to talk!  First you give my horse away to the
> Rushela, and now you're complaining about what I do with his
> replacement!"
> 
>      Lenna blinked, clearly taken aback.  "Wait a minute...are you
>      saying that
> if I hadn't gotten rid of that mangy hayburner, you'd be bringing
> *him* in here at mealtimes??"
> 
>      Trevor grinned, but decided not to answer that
>      question...better to let
> her wonder about that!
> 
>      Lenna just shook her head.  "Well, if Cynthia comes in here and
>      sees that
> you've turned this place into an indoor feeding ground, I wouldn't
> want to be in your place!"
> 
>      "If Cynthia sees what?" the Warrenlady asked, as she entered
>      the dining
> hall.  She stopped and looked at Triss, and Trevor could see a
> knowing smirk on Lenna's face.
> 
>      "Well hello there!" Cynthia said, walking over and giving Triss
>      a pat on
> the nose before turning to look at Trevor.  "Decided to show her
> where her rider eats while she's still small enough, eh?"  She
> ruffled the pearly scales at the back of Trissana's neck, and the
> dragon leaned down to rest her chin lightly on the Warrenlady's
> shoulder.
> 
>      "Oh, look, Lenna, isn't she sweet?" Cynthia asked, looking over
>      at the
> blonde rider, who was watching the scene in disbelief.  "They're so
> cute when they're this size!"

Lenna had caused her fair share of headaches for Cynthia and she was
enjoying the opportunity to get under Lenna's skin a bit.

/Some snippage/

>   After Lenna had left the dining hall, Cynthia gave Trevor that
> speculative look that he was coming to know so well.  "So, who did you have in
> mind to talk to H'rriol?  And about what?"
> 
>      Trevor grinned.  "Can't fool you, can I?  Actually, I was thinking of
> D'arcon...but only after I've gone in there first.  I've got an idea that may
> pave the way for just the kind of agreement you've got in mind."
 
"Oh?  What do you have in mind?" Cynthia asked.

"I want to think the details through before I tell you.  Give me a
little time to work it out."

"That's fine Trevor, but don't do anything without telling me first."

"I won't," he replied.

"Good.  Now, you two had better get back to training before J'errid
comes looking for you. I don't mind you bringing Trissana in here, but
he might.  Besides I have to get back to work."

"What are you doing?"

"A little research about H'riol.  So far it's been interesting."

"Have you found anything?"

"Maybe.  I need some time to think about it," Cynthia said with a grin.

"Touche," Trevor replied.  He stood and said, "Come on Triss.  The
Warren Lady said we need to get back to practice, so we'd better."

Cynthia watched the pair walk toward the door and she called out, "I'll
see you later."

"You bet," Trevor called back over his shoulder.

***
[Late Morning - Upper green]

P'ker stood for a moment watching the hatchlings practicing a short
distance away.  "Remember the bad old days when that was us?" he asked
M'yer.

"The practicing taking off and landing.  The constant feedings and
oilings.  Hatchlings are so much work."

"I'm much happier measuring queens," P'ker laughed.

The pair carried their small packs of equipment over to where Tymor was
sitting watching her clutch work their wing muscles under the direction
of J'errid and Shiathos.

M'yer pulled out a tape measure, "Ready P'ker?"

P'ker pulled out a small folding table, quickly set it up and dropped a
stack of paper on top of it, "Yeah, go ahead."

Brisse watched the pair from a short distance away and wished that
they'd just go away.

***
[Mid Afternoon - Cynthia's office]

D'arcon rapped on the frame of the open door, "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, come in and have a seat."

He did, and from the look that flashed across his face Cynthia could
tell that he was unsure if being invited to sit was a good thing.

"I've been doing a little research about our guest H'riol," Cynthia
said.

"I'm not sure I'd call him a guest, since he is a Rogue," D'arcon
pointed out.

"That's at the heart of the issue, isn't it?" she said tapping the book
on the desk in front of her.

"I don't understand what you mean."

"I've been reading through the notes from the Council of Warrens that
was conviened to deal with the 'problem' at Fagland Warren.  Roland was
found guilty of trying to userp Rhina's authority and Rhina, the
Warrenlady, was found guilty of allowing it to happen.  They were both
banished from the warren."

"And the rogues were all found guilty of conspiring with Roland and were
also banished," D'arcon said.

"No, actually.  There were several others who were found guilty of
conspiring with Roland and banished.  H'riol's name is not on that
list."

"Then why was he banished if not for conspiring with Roland?"

"There's the sticky part.  He wasn't banished.  According to the
follow-up notes, there were a number of riders who left Fagland with
Roland voluntarily.  They weren't banished," Cynthia said pointedly.

D'arcon frowned, "But what about the fact that the Rogues broke one of
the most basic tenants of the contract by participating in the attack on
Ralengarde."

"No one would dispute that taking part in the attack violated the
contract, but the matter was never pursued."

"What?"

"According to the records I have, there never formal charges issued or a
formal hearing held to banish, or level any other punishment on the
Rogues who took part in the battle.  I suppose that everyone figured
that you can't punish anyone who has already been banished.  However,
some of the Rogues, like H'riol had not been banished."

D'arcon looked like he didn't like where this was going, "So you're
saying that H'riol has the same legal rights as any other rider at this
Warren?"

"It seems that way," Cynthia replied.

"What about the raids that the Rogues have executed against the Nomads?"

"The Nomads don't have a formal legal system like we do.  They operate
on a you raid me, I'll raid you level.  An eye for an eye philosophy."

D'arcon shook his head, "This isn't right."

"I'm not sure what to do either," Cynthia replied, "I wanted to let you
know what I had found and I wanted to get your thoughts."

***
[Evening - Cynthia's apartment]

>      "All done over here," said Cynthia, wiping her hands off on a rag and
> walking around the dragon to where Trevor was working.  "Are you ready for
> dinner?  I'm getting hungry."  Through the corner of his eye, Trevor saw that
> Syren appeared to be watching them very closely.  Must be making sure he did a
> good job and didn't miss any spots, he decided.
> 
>      He half-turned to Cynthia, just as he was beginning to rub the oil
> beneath Syren's wing.  "It'll be just a minute and I'll be done..."
> 
>      Just then, Syren drew her wing closed.  Cynthia's eyes opened wide with
> surprise as she was shoved into Trevor's oily embrace, and the two of them
> were pinned securely between Syren's flank and wing.  Trevor's face was only
> inches from Cynthia's, and he didn't know which he was going to do first,
> laugh or turn bright red...

"Syren!" Cynthia yelled at the Queen.

Slowly, Syren released them, but Trevor was still holding Cynthia.

Cynthia closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly upward.  Trevor was
surprised for a moment and closed his eyes as well, tilting his head
toward her.

Cynthia stepped back out of his slick embrace.  When Trevor opened his
eyes, Cynthia's face was red.  "I'm sorry," she said, "I don't know what
came over me."

She turned to Syren, "What was that all about.  If you keep that up,
I'll never oil you again!"

Trevor stepped closer, "It's all right, Cynthia.  I'm sure she was just
having a little fun."

She turned toward him, "Trevor, this is difficult for me.  I don't want
you to take this the wrong way, but you do things to me that I don't
understand.  It was so hard to part from you last night after we danced,
and now... I need to be objective in order to run the warren
effectively."

"And you would choose objectivity over happiness?  You were the one who
got me to open up and express my true feelings, remember."

"I remember.  This sounds like a double standard, doesn't it?"

"Yes.  It does," he replied.

Cynthia laughed, "The night is still young, I suppose.  Let's get
something to eat."

NRPG:
John: I'm really not sure where this is headed at the moment, but I
think we'll find out eventually.

Krister: I'm really looking forward to your reply.

Lyn: Feel free to correct my distorted view of the Rogues.

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