(The morning Trevor went out to meet Vorbis)

Andorra slipped past the door into the hatching barracks. She had been doing this for the past few days, as Nikol was still hurt. She was sure he was still having difficulty moving around, especially in the mornings after a nights sleep he was sure to be stiff.

The stables smelled musty and thick with the oil used to wash the dragons; there was a warmth that wrapped around her pushing off the chill of the morning. Small oil lamps lit the stable like area, giving the wood and stone a golden glow making the place seem holy. With the rafters and pillars made of pine that glowed under the flame's treatment. She wondered if the tents of the Gods looked so lovely.

She looked into the small pin where the dragon looked up at her with anticipation. She smiled and opened the door to get in. "I have brought you a leg, with the bone. You are lucky they still had this in the kitchen." She set the bundle she had down and unwrapped the cloth. A pigās leg rolled out with some other food, including spiced apples.

The dragon churred in response and started to eat the food. She touched the head wondering at how quickly he was growing. She was sure he was twice his size when he was brought here.

"You are growing very fast. Soon you will be able to go into battle." She ran her hand down the side of the dragon. "You must take care of Nikol for me then. I do not want to see him die." She took the oil out and started to oil the dragon, removing the loose scales on his body.

She hummed a tune, one of the sacred songs. It seemed appropriate with the surroundings. She felt herself drawing closer to the gods as she worked taking care of the dragon. 

The dragon gobbled up the food then looked at her. "You will get your breakfast when they bring it. I have nothing more for you." It nudged her again and churred. ĪDonāt be so greedy." She giggled and gave his nose a shove back.

It made a yelping noise and pushed her again. This time she turned enough to see someone at the gate of the stall. Her eyes went wide as she fixed on Nikolās form. He stood looking at the two with a bucket and an oiling cloth. His wide form filling the doorway.

She jumped up and started for the door to leave, just a tail tripped her. The fool dragon had wrapped his tail around her ankle and she fell forward. Nikol caught her and said something in the rider talk.

Raine had been giving her lessons, but he spoke so fast she could not make it out. She grimaced and looked back as the dragon unwound itās tail from her leg. It churred softly.

She spoke what dragonrider she could, and what she thought was correct. *I go.* 

(Tag- Nikol. Well, what is he going to do?)

(That afternoon)

Amberylle bit her lip as she stood at the door. Her gloved hand rapped genteelly at the door. The plump Danki opened it. "Oh, hello. I didnāt expect it to be you." She opened the door wider allowing Amberylle to step in.

"I have actually come on business. I have a request." She fidgeted with the front of her skirts. She marked how Danki made her feel like a child and Danki was the governess. "I would like you to make me something. The ridersā leathers the ones they wear to ride in. I would like a suit. They look very comfortable, and I am sure with the settlement I will need something practical to wear." She said it all as she had practiced. "I am sure seven gold·"

Danki cut her off. "No need to talk price just yet. Any way, a good way to barter is not let them know what you are going to pay, but to let them name a price." She huffed and walked over to a teapot she moved from a fire. "Your ladyship care for some tea?"

"Yes, yes please." She fidgeted more with her skirt. "If it is not too much trouble." She waited for Danki to show her to a chair before she sat. Something about this woman made her feel like such a child.

She took the tea and smiled at Danki. "So the suit is not much trouble?" She lifted the cup to blow on the steaming tea.

"Did you come to ask about the suit?" Danki sipped her tea, "Or to get an answer to that question?" 

Amberylle almost choked on her tea. The woman could see strait through her. She turned a deep red. "I was wondering about that."

Danki smiled and took another sip.

(Tag-Barb)

(Later that Evening)

The wind came across the scrub brush carrying the hint of sage. The horse plodded through the red clay that made up the ground, it was dry and hard packed. The sun was setting behind the mountains and the sky was turned to fire. The clouds took on a deep red hue that he had never really seen any place else. And the normal blue sky was a deep orange that faded to a dark purple near the end farthest from the sun.

"The sky is on fire." He spoke to the horse, not expecting an answer. "Soon we will be left with the cold ash of night." He patted the neck of the horse softly. "We will need to set camp, and find you some water and food."

The seasonal streams had dried up, and he had rode most the day without finding water. The only grass he had seen was a thick weedy grass that grew in clumps the horse would eat in one bite. And as far as he could see, it was going to stay that way.

"We may have to ride through the night. And I may end up walking." He reached down and pulled out some of his dried meat. He chewed it thinking slowly.

Last time he traveled the desert here he followed the river. And at his own home, water was never far off. He could use one of Trevorās maps now. The mountains were a lot farther than they looked, and they seemed to drift away from him as he rode closer to them. He hoped this was not a dream.

In the distance he saw a plume of dust rising. He heeled the horse and it, in turn, started to gallop. The horse flew over the brush and brambles with ease, as they didnāt even reach the height of the animalās knees.

The horse crested a small rise and below was a herd of deer. They were running and he could see the wild dogs chasing after them. That is what had set the herd to flee, but what caught Cāaranthās eye was the shimmering blue pool. The night was slowly setting in and it gave the water a clear look with sparkles of the dying day rippling off the surface. 

He led the horse down to the water where it started to drink. The dogs could be heard howling in the distance, they must have taken a kill. He would set the fire high tonight, and any thought of sleep became a passing memory. He needed the horse, and he wasnāt going to let the dogs get her. He started to gather wood for the long night.

Darren Hunter
korzad@lgcy.com


------------------------------------------------------------------------ZZZXXXZZZ
eGroup home: http://www.eGroups.com/list/cleft-warren
Free Web-based e-mail groups by eGroups.com