NRPG: This post covers a few "days".  Sorry for being so far behind!  I hope
I don't miss any of the tags...  And apologies for anyone getting this
twice!  I'm not sure if my e-mail addresses are up to date, so I copied and
pasted some from a recent post.

***
THE BATTLE:

Bohoc rose with the other cleft dragons and teleported -- at once Andahar
found himself in a land unlike any he had ever seen!  Mountains and lush
green, that was so bright that it hurt his eyes, that were accustomed to the
browns of the dessert.

The wing landed at Geode and Bohoc chafed at the waiting.

<All I want is to flame those wraiths!  I can feel them near...why is it so
complicated with these warren dragons? > Bohoc snorted in disgust.

Andahar smiled at his soul mate's impatience, but it wasn't all that long
before the wing was told to form up behind the Geode wing -- as back up!
Andahar smiled at Bohoc's indignation, but was in fact a bit relieved.  He
had only flown once in combat with wraiths with the wing -- the combat at
Jehzrael had been against foes he understood, other Nomads.

The battle was fierce, but the strategy worked very well.  Andahar was
amazed as the wings advanced on the incoming horde, flaming until they were
surrounded, and then teleporting behind the next line of defense.

The Cleft wing moved forward -- their time had come!  Andahar was surprised
to find a young Nomad girl riding a dragon next to his -- Reain and her
dragon Sylois!  His face burned as he recalled the way she had shamed him in
the dining hall, and he pointedly directed Bohoc away from her.


Instead he looked for their "partners" Tergath and Farr'in, but they were
riding with Vonn and Meena... he was alone -- accept for that stubborn
Sylois, who for some reason was again at his wing.

They dove at a wraith as it closed from below, and Bohoc's agility served
him well in this close fighting.  His lithe neck swiveled back as Andahar
fed him another lump of coal.

<*You will have to 'port back for more coal soon if you continue to flame
this fast!*> Andahar's thoughts, however, were filled with pride at the
performance of his soul-mate.

When the bag was empty they winked out of the battle and in over the Geode
coal bins, and a young child ran up with a full bag of coal.  They
teleported back to the battle, a bit behind the lines, so as to not 'port
directly in the path of a flaming dragon or a horde of wraiths.  It was at
that moment, that Bohoc called out:  <Sylois!  Look out!>

The two flew straight in as the younger dragon was suddenly surrounded by
wraiths, with seemingly no escape.  Reain's face was pale from fear -- and
pain, as a wraith slipped past her dragon and brushed against her arm --
appearing to sear it slightly.

Bohoc dove, flaming as he went, and thanks to his swiftness and agility, he
drove the wraiths back from the young dragon and her rider.

<*Tell Sylois to take her rider to med center!*> Andahar directed.  He could
see the conflict between the girl and dragon -- Reain obviously did not wish
to leave the battle.  <*Tell Sylois to tell Reain that I wish her to go...*>
Andahar's stomach tightened as he could clearly see the young dragonrider
was in pain.  <*Stubborn woman!*>

Bohoc seemed to chuckle, <Should I pass that last bit along as well?>

But again they were distracted by the wraiths -- and Bohoc maneuvered away
as the wraiths turned against them again.

<*Is it my imagination -- or are these wraiths more organized than ones over
dessert?*>  Andahar wondered.

<The wraiths here seem to be moving away from warren...and attacking in a
pattern.>  Bohoc confirmed.

<*It seems as if they have purpose...*>  Andahar's thoughts were cut off as
he watched in amazement as another warren pulled a very clever trick --
using oil and straw to make a flame ball that ripped through the wraiths!

Almost out of coal the wing was ordered to teleport back behind the lines.
But there was no coal to be had at Geode!  The coal bins were under attack
by hellspawn-dragons and were burning with a hazy black smoke.

<My rider, wing is to 'port back to Cleft for coal>  And no sooner had Bohoc
passed on the announcement and the image of Cleft, then the wing was flying
in low over their own warren.  But the warren was not prepared, but after
some confusion, the newly joined riders were conscripted to fill coal sacks.
It didn't take long, though it felt like an eternity, before the dragons
were loaded and ready to return to battle.

Then they were back -- fighting the wraiths.  But by the time the Cleft
riders had returned, the battle was nearly over.  They waited around that
evening, and for the majority of the next morning, but no more wraiths
appeared.  Andahar found it a bit of a let down after all the excitement, to
just go "home" without a victory feast... but these weren't Nomads, they
were dragonriders.

****
NRPG: I'm a bit confused on the time line here, so I hope I get this right!
****
BEFORE LUNCH TIME:

He had returned with the wing -- bone tired and craving his own apartment --
but his first duty was to his dragon, and he joined the other riders and
dragons by the pond.  As he scrubbed the green dragon off, removing the
smoke, ash and battle grime, he noticed Andorra scurrying around behind him,
as if trying to get past him without drawing his attention.  He was too
tired to care at that point, so ignored her.

****
After a brief nap, he woke to the smell of "home-cooking".  One thing he had
to admit about finding Andorra, was that her cooking was certainly better
than that bland stuff they called food in the mess hall!

Andorra set the bread down.  Andahar soaked up the last the gravy on
his plate with the slice she handed to him.   ãIt was fierce battle?ä

She sat next to him having already eaten today.

ãVery.ä  He said around a bite.  ãI have never seen wraith like that
before.ä

Andorra bit her lip.  ãPerhaps you should see Nikol.  I am sure he would
like to hear your stories as well.ä  She picked up Andaharâs cup and filled
it a second time with
what the dragonriders called ãwineä.

Andahar looked at her with amusement, ãWhy donât you tell him yourself?ä
His smile at her just met with a scowl.

ãThat is not funny Andahar of Anavasha.  You know he will not speak
with me.  After what Câaranth told him.ä  She stood and walked to the
fireplace to stir the stew she had served Andahar.

ãWhat do you mean?ä  Andahar turned to look at her, wondering what exactly
she thought C'aranth had said.

ãI will not face him with him knowing I belonged to others.  He is rich man,
he will not want me for wife.  He may just offer to buy me from you.ä  She
put the lid on a little harder than it needed to be put on, and it rung like
a gong.

She stood wiping a tear from her eye.  ãRaein and her daughter are
coming for dinner tonight, so please wear something nice.ä

Reain -- that woman again!  He remembered her fierceness in battle -- she
was certainly a fine warrior -- but she was a woman....

ãCousin?  Did you hear me?ä

ãYes, something nice.ä  He said weakly.  Then thinking of what Andorra had
asked about speaking with Nikol, he said, ãI will talk with him.ä

Andahar stood and walked out of the room.

Andorra picked up his plate.  ãJust donât get into a fight.  And donât
forget to be here at sunset.ä

****
Andahar wandered across the green looking for the blaster.  He was not at
the hatchling barracks, where he assumed a newly joined rider would normally
be at this time of day.  Recalling the blaster's apartment, Andahar went in
search of him there next.

As he approached to knock at the door, however, he was amazed to hear the
sound of a woman's voice coming from within -- it sounded like Azure's
rider!  and she sounded like she was crying.  The voices were too muffled
for him to hear what it was they were talking about, but he was certain that
the blaster was trying to comfort the young woman -- and that could only
mean one thing, as far as a Nomad's way of thinking, that they were involved
in a relationship, as no woman would dare to approach an unfamiliar man with
tears!

He backed away slowly, feeling great sadness for his cousin.  Perhaps what
she had said was true, perhaps Nikol would not want a woman such as her!  He
swallowed, wondering what he would say to Andorra, for he was sure she would
ask.  Should he lie?

****
NRPG: Tag Darren, Mike
****
DINNER

They sat on the floor as Andorra swiftly and efficiently served up a
sumptuous meal.  Andahar again admired her cooking, making a small approving
sound.

The little girl was amazingly quiet as she sat beside her mother, and
Andahar couldn't help but approve of the way Reain had trained her.

Andorra served Andahar first, and they all waited as he tasted his food.
Approving again, he nodded and Andorra quickly served up the other 3 dishes,
first to Reain, then to the little girl, and then for herself.  The women
ate in silence, but Andahar could distinctly see the daggers that Andorra's
eyes were throwing him.

He cleared his throat, suddenly uncomfortable, knowing that he needed to say
something...."Very good meal, Andorra."

Ah, the food was a safe subject, and Reain immediately jumped in with
compliments to the chef, and comments about the spices, and how good the
"wine" was.

The little girl seemed to relax as she heard her mother speaking, and
suddenly piped up with, "Are you and my Mommy going to be mates?"

****
TAG: Barb :)
****
MORNING:

Bohoc had fed and lounged around all of the day before, after enjoying the
scrubbing his rider had given him, and the wonderful oils that he had rubbed
into his hide.

But the morning came, finding him feeling restless, so he hunted out on the
Nomadlands, finding a nice buck.  He had just returned to the warren and was
starting to crunch on his breakfast, when Trissana called to him.

<Bohoc, you've got to come and see this!>

Picking up the deer in his jaws he lifted off and landed on the ledge
outside the Queen's apartments.

<Syren?  Is it okay if I come in to visit Trissana?>  He asked the Queen
politely.

She rumbled an approving yes, and Bohoc quickly approached the young pear
dragon.

<You are looking lovely this morning>  Bohoc noticed, as Triss' coloring
seemed to glow with a certain something special.  Thinking of the deer he
still held in his jaw, he asked, <Would you care to share some of this deer
with me?>

Trissana, too excited over her blanket declined, <Do you see this?  This was
*MY* little blanket -- here, this gray piece!  And here it is a part of my
new blanket!  Isn't it wonderful?>  She happily rolled herself up in the
blanket, and peaked out from under its edge coyly.

Bohoc grinned in appreciation, <It is wonderful, Triss, especially if it
makes you this happy.>

****
LATER IN THE DAY

Andahar and Bohoc flew slowly over the dessert.  C'aranth had turned up
missing, and Andahar had a matter of honor to settle with the
ex-dragonrider.  What lies had he spread about his cousin?  Nikol was too
good a prize for Andorra to lose!  But they had swept along the Cleft and up
the river, and had not seen any trace of the man, so Bohoc and Andahar
returned to the warren.

They were just heading back to their ledge when Bohoc called out, <Trissana
needs me!  She is frightened!  She says that "they" are trying to hurt her!>

As Bohoc landed on the green Andahar leapt off his dragon, pulling off the
leather straps, which he preferred over the dragonrider's saddles.  At that
moment, Triss let out a terrified roar and rose into the sky.  The roar was
echoed by Vonn who had been snoozing only a few yards away.

<*Bohoc? What is going on?*>  Andahar called in confusion as Bohoc along
with a host of male dragons soared into the sky trailing the frightened
Trissana.

But in answer, Andahar felt the flush in his loins, as Bohoc's dragon lust
swept through him.  A mating flight!  Trissana had risen to mate!  But it
wasn't right... she was frightened.

<She thinks they want to harm her!>  Bohoc called to his rider.

<*You know her, Bohoc, she knows you would not harm her -- tell her!*>

Bohoc circled around the pursuing males, again using his greater agility and
swiftness, he came up to Trissana, calling to her.

<Triss -- it is me!  Bohoc!  You know me Triss!  Would I hurt you?  Triss??
I am here to protect you!>

Trissana faltered -- Bohoc had protected her, Bohoc wouldn't let Rashevenon
harm her!

<Bohoc!  Help me!  Save me!>  Triss called to him.  But as he approached,
she could see his dragon-lust growing stronger, and her fear overwhelmed
her, and instead of letting him join her, she raked out with her claws.

****
Trevor moved onto the green, letting Trissana's fear into him -- and her
desire.  The riders of the male dragons came around him, dragon-lust filling
them as they reached for him.  Trevor trembled and backed away -- and then
their eyes met...

Andahar moved slowly, persistently, his golden eyes never breaking contact
with the map-maker's own.  He reached out slowly, gently... the lust was
there, yet, it was tempered with understanding.  There had been a "first
time" for him, too, when his Nomad captors had taken him... he saw that same
fear mirrored in Trevor's eyes.

<*It will be okay*>  Andahar/Bohoc assured Trevor/Trissana <*I will not hurt
you... I will protect you.... I will love you...*>

And Trissana/Trevor responded.

*****
NRPG: Tag John

Respectfully submitted by Arlene Jacobs,
AKA Andahar of the Anavasha and Cleft Warren, rider of Bohoc.

Return to Geode Posts for Feb 1999