"There's one other thing," Cynthia said when Katrina seemed to be getting
used to the idea of running a wing, at least for a short while, "I'd like
your permission to use the twins and Seth as couriers.  Since they are too
young to join the wings, I think this will give them a chance to play an
active role as riders."

Dan'yar looked suddenly very serious, "Are you sure that's such a good idea?"

"I think it is.  They and their dragons will need to get out and fly. This
will give them a chance to do something useful at the same time."

Dan'yar hated to go against her, but he didn't feel the girls were old
enough to fill in for that kind of duty. Not yet. He knew his girls better
then anyone and knew that they still had a lot of growing up to do. 

Becoming dragonrider's wasn't going to change them overnight no matter what
others thought. They were still 13 year old girls who got into trouble doing
dumb things without thinking them over first.

Until they proved to *him* that they were grown up enough to forget childish
pranks, then he would veto allowing them to act as couriers. That job took
trust, and while he knew the girls were basically good kids... He knew they
were still kids at heart. Kids who didn't always think before they acted.
Maybe that had been is fault for allowing them to get away with some of the
pranks they did, maybe not. But until they proved they could handle the
duties of official Warren Couriers, he would not allow them to fill the role.

He turned back to Cynthia, a slight frown on his handsome face as he
considered what he was about to say. He knew she would think he was only
acting the over protective father... and maybe he was. But he was their
father and the decision was his to make.

"You haven't said anything to the girls about this have you?" he asked and
Cynthia shook her head.

"Maddy was going to have a talk with them today," she told him. "Put it to
them and see how they felt about it."

"Tell her not to." 

"And why not?" Cynthia asked.

"Because they won't be able to fill the role of courier for this Warren at
this time," he said, hoping she'd simply nod her head and respect his words.
But he hoped in vain because he knew she wouldn't let it drop.

"And why is that?"

"Because as their *father*," he emphasized the word as their eyes met. "I
will not allow it. Not at this time."

Cynthia frowned. "Don't you think you're being a bit over protective
Dan'yar? I mean the girls have been around dragons all their lives and they
know..."

"You just hit it," he cut her off, standing and beginning to pace as he
spoke. "They *are* girls. Children still, just barely growing into the teens
stage of their lives and if you remember anything at all about how Lenna
acted at that age then you can understand why I have concerns about them
filling such an important role in this Warren."

Cynthia laughed. "Dan'yar... The twins are nothing like Lenna was at their
age. I think you're worrying to much. The girls will do fine."

"In a year or so maybe," he countered. "But not right now. Right now they
will learn to take care of their dragons and learn some responsibility. I
don't feel playing tricks on new and unsuspecting people just because they
happen to be twins is showing good enough judgment to prove they're adults
now because they ride dragons. Nor can you deny the times they've tricked
even you who can't tell them apart unless they're together... and you've
known they all their lives!"

Cynthia was the one frowning now as Katrina sat there watching the both of
them, not saying a word.

"I believe them to be responsible enough already or I would not have thought
to offer them the job," she said, not bothering to hide her sudden
irritation from him. "I think the job would do them a world of good."

"I think it is something you should have discussed with me before you
mentioned it to anyone else," he snapped. "*I* am their father. Something I
wish you would remember before you come up with anymore bright ideas."

"Dan'yar... That's a little uncalled for isn't it?" Katrina asked, shocked
that he had spoken to the Warrenlady in such a way.

"You're just seeing them as being your little girls Dan'yar," Cynthia spoke
up before Dan'yar could reply to Katrina. "If you would stand back and look
at this from a different..."

"They are my daughters and I will decide when and if they are ready, and I
would ask that you remember that!" he snapped again, not caring if his words
upset her or not. "You yourself asked me to fill the role as Alpha
Wingleader because you trusted my judgment. Well respect it now when I tell
you the twins are NOT ready for what you want them to do, and until I as
Wingleader decide that they can treat their dragons as something more then a
new toy... They will not be allowed to fill such a important role."

He turned then and started towards the door. Then remembered his manners.
"If I may be excused now, I have a wing to go over and a training session
about to start. Now that my partner is filling in as acting Wingleader for
Beta, I have that much more work to do. Ladies."

Then he was gone.

<What's wrong with you?> Shinner asked as Dan'yar left the Warren office
complex.

<<Women...>> he snorted as his long legs carried him away. <<Are the new
riders on the green ready to start training?>>

<If you don't want to talk about it fine...> The copper-green dragon snorted
himself, not bothering to hide his amusement. <They are there and ready to
work.>

<<They'd better be!>>

<Fayona and Kayrana are looking especially good this morning,> Shinner
added, knowing the twins dragons of his hatchlings had something to do with
his riders mood. The copper top was not above egging his rider on a bit.

<<Keep it up wraith breath,>> Dan'yar muttered under his breath as he
approached the trainees. <<And I'll be offering to use you for target
practice.>>

<As if any of them could caught me.>


============== 

Nrpg:

Yes Dan'yar is being a bit pig headed at the moment... and he will stand by
his decision for now..... got some evil plans in the works for this story...
the girls will have to prove themselves and they will ... never fear.......

Kris B.... sorry I haven't gotten back to you yet on the twins thing... my
hours at work lately have been the pits... getting off to late at night most
nights... but I'll work something up this weekend.....

***Submitted by: ****

Dan'yar & Shinner
Alpha Wingleader
Cleft Warren

Aka
Barbara



------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your high school sweetheart-where is he now?  With 4.4 million alumni
already registered at Classmates.com, there's a good chance you'll
find her here. Visit your online high school class reunion at:
http://click.egroups.com/1/3139/6/_/150597/_/956370291/
------------------------------------------------------------------------