**After the mating flight, early evening**

They crossed the green together -- and saw Cynthia heading towards them.  
Andahar felt a surge of fear -- what would she do to him for having sex 
with *her* chunor?  Certainly she would understand that it was due to 
the dragon-lust!

Trevor hurried over to her, taking her hand and kissing her cheek
>tenderly.  "I'm all right," he whispered.
>
>Cynthia squeezed his hand and released it.  She then walked the 
>few steps to where Andahar stood, and kissed him on the cheek.
>"Thank you," she said.

He nodded slightly, relief replacing the fear.  "You are welcome," he 
said, knowing that she did understand and accepted what had to be.

>Cynthia turned back to Trevor.  "Let's go home and get dressed.  
>We still have an announcement to make."
>
>Trevor agreed, but first went over to Andahar.  Placing his hands
>on the young Nomad's shoulders, he whispered, "We'll talk later, 
>all right?"

"Yes," Andahar agreed, surprised, yet glad, that Trevor would want to 
talk about it further.

>Then Trevor hurried back to Cynthia.  "Let's go," he told her.  
>Hand in hand, they walked back to the apartment.

Andahar watched them go.  Though the lust had been brought on by 
Trissana's rising to mate, the feelings that he had for Trevor were 
real, and seeing them walk off together left him feeling empty.

<No, you are just hungry!>  Snorted Bohoc, who also was ravenous after 
the energy used for the mating flight -- and the mating.  He, however, 
was happily munching on a buck that Tergath had so kindly provided for 
Triss and Bohoc.

<*Yes, my friend, I hunger...*>  Andahar wondered vaguely if Andorra 
would have another surprise for him at dinner!  He was going to look for 
her, when Bohoc informed him that she was with the hatchling Azurbull.

Andahar made his way to the hatchling barracks.  The guards were lax 
again, he noticed.  They didn't even look twice when he went through.  
He found Andorra -- asleep, under the wing of the young dragon.  Her 
face was streaked with tears!

"*Andorra?  Cousin?*"  He spoke to her in the language of his people 
whispering softly.

Andorra looked up slowly, and then jumped up when she realized where she 
was and who was addressing her.  "*Cousin!  I am sorry...*" her hand 
brushed at her skirts, twisting them nervously.

Andahar smiled gently, "*And why are you sorry?  What are you doing here 
Andorra?  Are you waiting for Nikol?*"

She looked around quickly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes..., but then it 
quickly went out as she realized how foolish it was to be hoping to see 
the blaster.  "*Cousin, why do you tease me so?*"

"*Andorra...*" he thought better of what he was about to say, and 
changed the subject, "*There is new tribe camping near warren... perhaps 
we could go there to trade?  You were wanting more spices...and some 
cloth?*>  He smiled at her.

She looked up excitedly.  "*Oh, YES!  Thank you, Cousin!  I will return 
to our stone-tent and get some of my bead work to trade!*"  

The two hurryingly left the hatchling barracks, and after a quick stop 
back at the apartments went down through the gates to the tents of the 
visiting Nomad tribe.

As was custom, Andahar stood with Andorra outside the circle of tents 
waiting for an invitation to come in.  It was quick in coming, once the 
other Nomads saw his double swords.

"I would greet your chief." Andahar said with as much bluster as he 
could manage, and was immediately ushered into the tent of Chief Rainen, 
leaving Andorra to trade with the women of the tribe.

He was surprised by the woman who was sitting across from him as he 
entered -- Reain!  What was that woman doing here?

Reain looked up when the young Nomad entered the tent. Her heart gave a 
slight jump, but Andahar took one look at her then turned back to the 
man sitting on the rug before her.

Andahar turned to the Chief, and in the formal Nomad language spoke, 
"Greetings brother, I am Andahar of Anavasha."  But unable to control 
his curiosity, he spoke bluntly, "May I inquire why *this* woman is 
here?  She is a woman of no honor!"

"Your words do not sound like greeting!"  Rainen said, rising from the 
rug, "This woman you speak of is my much loved niece," Rainen stated and 
moved his hand to the hilt of the dagger he wore on his side. "If you 
have reasons to be speaking of her so I will give you the chance."

Andahar flushed, "My apologies, but this woman dishonored me."  and 
Andahar began telling Rainen how Reain had stepped in and broke up a 
fight of honor.

"Is this man's words the truth niece?"  Rainen asked looking at the girl 
kneeling with her head bent low to her chest. 

Reain nodded her shame, but spoke no words.

Andahar's heart ached for the woman, yet his pride would not let him 
interfere as the older chief motioned for them to follow him outside the 
tent. 

Rainen stood before his tent and his people assembled quickly, wondering 
what was happening.  Murmurs could be heard, as they saw the young Nomad 
and the Chief's niece standing beside him.

Rainen raised his arms, and a hush spread through the crowd, "As is the 
way of our people you have committed most serious crime and now you must 
pay price," he told the girl.  Turning to the crowd he spoke, "This 
woman has shown dishonor to Chief Andahar of Anavasha!" then he turned 
back to Andahar. "Take her. She is yours to do with as you will. Maybe 
you can teach her respect." 

Knowing what was expected of him, Andahar grabbed Reain by the wrist and 
though looking cruel, she was surprised by how gently he held it, and 
pulled her towards him.  She didn't dare to raise her eyes, and 
swallowed hard. She could hardly believe her uncle was doing this to 
her. Not after they had just found each other! But she knew that he was 
a man of honor and could do no less to keep the clan's honor, not after 
the shameless way she had acted.  As Reain dared to look around she saw 
the eyes of the others look away from her. She glanced up at Andahar but 
he was looking at the crowd gathering around him.

Andorra stood off to the side, shock and dismay crossed her face.  She 
prayed silently to Anavasha to send wisdom to Andahar.  She caught her 
cousin's eyes as he scanned the crowd, and mouthed to him, 
"Don't...don't...she cares for you!"

Andahar swallowed hard, knowing what was expected of him, yet feeling 
unwilling to punish her so publicly.  Gods why had he said anything to 
Rainen! Suddenly it dawned on him! Andahar could see the advantage of 
aligning himself with the great chief Rainen -- and with his niece as 
his chunor... Andahar could see his status being elevated!

In a clear voice Andahar announced to the gathering crowd -- "Reain, 
niece of Rainen, is now chunor of Andahar of Anavasha"

Rainen looked at the young Nomad with surprise -- and gratitude.  He 
knew that Andahar had every right to beat the girl, or worse.  But to 
make her his chunor!  Well, that showed that he had respect for her 
status as the niece of a chief, and some sense.  He then invited Andahar 
back inside his tents for a a meal.

Andahar accepted and motioned for Andorra to join them. He heard an 
approving murmur from the crowd, and a few whispered comments, "two 
women.... He is lucky man."

Andorra smiled, approving, knowing that having Reain as chunor would 
elevate Andahar's status, and thus hers.  Perhaps there was hope for her 
and Nikol....

Andahar, followed the chief into the tent, and introduced Andorra, his 
cousin, to Rainen.

Andorra unable to keep her tongue whispered to Andahar, "You will be 
kind to her won't you?"

Andahar glared at his cousin, "Quiet woman!  Remember your place or you 
might find yourself being traded...."  But as soon as the words left his 
lips, he regretted them, though he noticed Rainen giving him an 
approving look.

Andorra dropped her eyes, begging excuses.  

Rainen sat and motioned for Andahar to sit across from him, which he 
did.  His two women dropped to their knees behind him.  The dinner was 
swiftly brought by Rainen's slaves, and Andahar ate, satisfying his 
ravenous appetite, and recounting his recent battles on dragon back, 
much to the amazement of the Nomads present.  Then he suddenly 
remembered the women behind him, who would get nothing to eat unless he 
demanded it for them -- and he motioned for them to be served as well.

He had been among dragonriders too long, he realized, as he suddenly 
felt very uncomfortable in this traditional Nomad setting.  He suddenly 
longed for the quiet dinner that they had eaten in his apartment only 
the day before.

Jaliase!  The thought of their dinner of the night before suddenly 
brought to mind the little girl.  He looked at Reain, who was barely 
eating her dinner, "Where is bena Jaliase?"

Reain looked up surprised, the use of the term bena did not escape her 
-- so he was going to accept Jaliase as his daughter?!  "She is with 
Demee and his cousins and their family."

Andahar nodded, relieved.  The little girl would be safe there, but he 
was sure she'd be missing her mommy soon.  Turning to the chief he spoke 
up, and in the formal language said, "Brother Rainen, I have enjoyed 
your hospitality, but I must return to my tent."

Rainen nodded and responded, "Brother Andahar, my tent is your tent, you 
are welcome here when wind blows my clan and your clan together."

Andahar rose, and followed by his women, returned back to Clef Warren.

****
NRPG:  Thanks Barb for helping with the dialog!  This was fun to write.

Submitted by:
Arlene Jacobs <chrysthal@hotmail.com>
aka Merissa Junior Queenrider of Chrysthal & J'red rider of Firefly of 
Whiteriver Warren,
and Andahar rider of Bohoc of Cleft Warren.


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