[The morning after in Reain's apartment]

Morning was on the verge of breaking when Andahar awoke.  Reain nestled in
his arms, her back spooning comfortably against his belly.  He sighed in
contentment.  She could not deny her feelings for him, and he was sure she
would remain his Chunor.  Then the smile that had been on his face faded as
he thought of the woman who would become his wife -- Saleh.

He no longer felt comfortable and slipped out of bed.  That girl was
carrying his child!  How had that happened?  They had shared one night of
drunken passion, celebrating the victory over Vorbis's army.  He kissed
Reain softly on the forehead, how much more would he have preferred that it
had been with Reain!  How much more would he have preferred that she, not
Saleh were carrying his child.  But Andorra couldn't be wrong, and so he
would have to marry Saleh -- it was the Nomad way.

He dressed silently and went out to greet the morning, as was his custom.
Another was also on the green above the warren, and Andahar approached
cautiously.  It was C'aranth, who stood silently watching the sunrise.  He
spoke to Andahar even before the young chief had made his presence known.

"I've been waiting for you."  C'aranth turned and his eyes held the promise
of battle ahead.

Andahar nodded as if it were expected.  "Where do we ride and whom do we
fight?"  He asked.

"Vorbis.  I would have gone out during the night... but ... Renata..."
C'aranth looked uncomfortable for a moment, and Andahar did not press him.
"I will talk to Cynthia first, but I wanted to know," and C'aranth looked
directly into Andahar's eyes as if measuring him, and as if confirming his
opinion he continued, "if you would join us."

Andahar didn't hesitate.  "Of course.  How many Nomad?"  He asked already
thinking of which of the young men he could ask.

"No, only you.  I want this to be a surgical strike.  In and out.  Not a
drawn out battle.  Of course the Warrenlady may have other ideas."  He
grinned as he turned, "but I'm glad you'll be with us.  We had a brief
meeting last night -- Cynthia, Renata, Meena, Lady Amberyl and Lady
Madyllin.  We're having a meeting in the dining hall this afternoon for
those going..."

"I'll be there."

***
Andahar had patrol that morning and he and Farr'in swept out towards the
plains, avoiding the area being occupied by Lord Vorbis.  The ravages of the
great flood could still be seen.  Areas where animals had been trapped and
drowned were covered by carrion eaters -- and wild dragons!  They noted
these areas, but kept far enough away as to not attract attention or appear
as a threat.

The two dragons circled over the large pond that had formed from the rains.
It was already drying at the edges and Andahar was sure that in a short time
the area would be as brown and parched as it had been previously.  Now,
however, it was teeming with life, with desert flowers blooming along the
edges -- at least those edges that hadn't been trampled by animals drawn to
the water.  The other thing that it attracted was wraiths, and the evidence
that they had been there was obvious.

<*Tergath says when we return that you and his rider will have to report to
Cynthia or Dan'yar about this.  It may mean increased wraith activity in
area.*>  Bohoc commented as they passed over the pool.

<Yes, wraith always increase with rain> Andahar agreed.  They would watch
this area.

After one more pass closer to the Southern mountains the two dragons swung
towards home.

***
Andahar returned to his apartment, entering by the ledge.  He swiftly and
efficiently rubbed Bohoc down making sure to get all the grit and grime out
of the softer creases.  He didn't have much time to wonder about how quiet
or empty his apartment was as he quickly cleaned himself off and rushed to
make the meeting that C'aranth had told him about.

The dining hall could easily hold a wing of riders, but at this hour there
were few there.  But over near the coffee Andahar saw Cynthia, Trevor,
C'aranth, Renata, Madyllin, Isara, Meena, Dan'yar, and Katrina, among
others.

He joined them, standing slightly apart and to the side so he could observe
their interaction.  Most seemed tense and uneasy.  C'aranth's hand kept
sliding to the hilt of his sword.  He, Renata and Katrina were the only ones
that seemed resolute.  Cynthia looked determined, but it seemed to be a sad
sort of determination.

Andahar caught some muffled conversation.  Meena and Dan'yar were standing
together and he could just hear a few names being bantered about -- and the
word wraiths -- so Farr'in had reported in to Dan'yar about what they had
observed during patrol.  The two Junior Queenriders were conversing, and
though their conversation appeared light, Andahar could clearly see the
anxiety on Madyllin's lovely face.  He couldn't help but remember their
dragon-induced, passionate lovemaking, and he quickly turned away, annoyed
with his mind for having brought that memory up at a time like this.

Cynthia looked as if she were waiting for someone, as she continuously
monitored the entrance.  Then Lady Amberyl appeared and they watched as the
once vibrant woman slowly made her way across the hall to where they
gathered.  The poisons that had almost killed her obviously were still not
completely purged from her body.  When Lady Amberyl had taken a seat,
Cynthia moved to the front of the group and bade everyone to be seated, as
well.

Andahar slipped into a chair next to Katrina.  It was this woman's sister
that they were deciding on whether to rescue -- as well as, what to do with
Lord Vorbis.  Andahar was surprised as Cynthia recapped the letter from
Vorbis's brother, which gave control of the army to Lady Amberyl.  He
frowned and his eye caught Isara's, who also looked a bit surprised.  These
Landborne seemed to have equally confusing customs with leadership, Andahar
thought, certainly there was a suitable cousin or other male in the family
to take charge?  But none of the dragonriders seemed to be bothered by Lady
Amberyl's being named the leader, all except perhaps C'aranth and Renata.

Katrina rose next at Cynthia's request, to talk about the note that was
secretly passed to her when she and Farr'in had gone to pay a visit to Lord
Vorbis and her sister.  Serina had indicated that Davyd's death had not been
from Nomads, as was already suspected from his autopsy.  Nomads certainly
hadn't killed him.  If for no other reason than Nomads wouldn't have wasted
their arrows on an already dead man, Andahar noted.

All the explanations were given.  Now all they needed was a battle plan.
Andahar sat forward as Cynthia and C'aranth outlined the basic plan of
attack.

***
TAG to all players who wish to be present for this exciting meeting.

NRPG:  Short, I know, but I wasn't sure where this was all going.  But
Andahar is in.

Respectfully submitted by
Arlene Jacobs
AKA Andahar rider of Bohoc of Cleft Warren.