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Day 5
BEFORE DAWN

The nomad's dreams had been troubled.  Being in a nomad village had brought
back memories that he had thought he had buried deep within himself,
memories of his family's tribe, of the attack that destroyed them and made
him a slave... he moaned in his sleep.

It was then that he felt hands touching him... a mouth kissing his.  It was
thus that they had come to him, the men of that conquering tribe.  When he
was deep in sleep they would crawl onto his mat -- or drag him from his
mat -- pawing him, and expecting him to pleasure them.

He responded out of duty, out of a dread born from many beatings when he had
tried to refuse.

He responded, still half-asleep, and wishing it were only a dream.  But the
body he felt, the mouth he tasted, they were not nomad.  They were not the
disgusting, drunken gropings of one of the lesser warriors of the tribe.
They were young, and... familiar!

His eyes opened and he knew that he must be dreaming.  The man on the mat
with him was Trevor!  He had known he would come to him!  Andahar felt a
surge of joy.  That Warrenlady-Cynthia could never be good enough for a man
like Trevor!

The heat rose within him in response to the pressure from Trevor's hands and
mouth and Andahar reciprocated.  It took little time to release Trevor from
his breeches.  Andahar slipped back the blanket that he had thrown over his
own naked body, welcoming Triss's rider into the warm place beside him.

****
Bohoc stood up in a panic, when he heard Trissana roar out in protest.

<*Triss!  I'm here!*>  He scrambled out from the warmth of the cavern,
telling the two other females to stay behind.

He scanned the area looking for danger, but he suddenly realized that danger
was not coming from the outside, as he felt it... his own rider's warm
feelings as Andahar reacted to the advances from Trissana's rider.  Trissana
wasn't used to these emotions.  Perhaps it brought back memories from their
mating flight -- where Triss had been terrified due to her recent encounter
with Rashevon.

<*What?  Triss why are you so upset?*>  Bohoc felt the warmth and good
feelings radiating between them from the link with his rider.

Triss just trembled.  [No... no!  Don't you feel it?  This.. this isn't ...
it isn't!  But he isn't listening to me!]

<*Come here Triss!  Why don't you just enjoy the feelings and come and
cuddle with me?*>

Triss came forward and leaned into the security of Bohoc.  [Bohoc!  I'm
scared!!! THIS doesn't feel like Trevor!  It feels different!]

Bohoc lifted a wing and placed it protectively around the frightened
pearlescent dragon. <*If your rider did not want to mate with my rider why
did he come onto my rider's mat?*>

[I don't know!]  Triss replied, miserably.

****
Andahar's pulse raced as his hands moved along the warm skin.  He marveled
again at how tanned Trevor's skin was along his arms, neck and face... and
how pale it was on his torso.  His kisses traveled down the soft, white
body, moving slowly, till he reached the hard, alabaster shaft that rose
from the soft, dark, tangle of hair.  His own pulsing member was aching for
attention, but he wouldn't pressure Trevor, recalling his reluctance during
the mating flight.

Again he was amazed that the man had finally come to him.  Why tonight?  Why
here?  Was it that he sensed that at the nomad village they were free from
the watchful eyes of the Warrenlady?  He felt his own resentment against
Cynthia growing.  Was it Cynthia that kept Trevor from letting that part of
himself come out?

Just as Andahar's mouth reached its target, Trevor shoved him away.

"What do you think you're doing?"  Trevor squeaked in alarm.

"What?"  Andahar sat up bewildered and reached for Trevor.

Trevor flung himself backwards, "Don't touch me!"

"But... but?"  Had he hurt him in some way?  He was sure he'd been gentle!
He ached deeply, "Trevor... please!  Come lie back down... I can go more
slowly."  Though he wondered if he could.

Trevor crab walked backwards in fear as the nomad reached out for him.
"What?  What were you doing!  You ... PERVERT!"

Andahar shook his head in shock and amazement.  "You came to me!"

"No... NO!!!  NO!!!!"  Trevor gasped.  "I wouldn't ... you.. you...Did I?"
He stared in surprise.  Had he come on to Andahar?  He thought he'd been
dreaming!

His passion flared to anger as he stared at the dragonrider in front of him.
Andahar's amber eyes burned fiercely.

Trevor blinked and began to tremble,  "Andahar... I'm... I'm sorry... I
can't...."

"Has she castrated you then?"  Andahar spat out.  "Or is it I am Nomad and
not good enough for you?"

Trevor shook his head dazedly, his eyes taking on a dull, glassy look.
"No...it isn't..you wouldn't...understand...."  He turned away from Andahar,
his expression one of pure shock.  Then without warning, he slammed his fist
down on the mat in front of him.  "Gods, what have I done...?"  He squeezed
his eyes shut, and tears trickled down his face.

Andahar's passion cooled, turning to anger and bitterness.  "Am I that
stupid then that I would not understand?  No... maybe I don't understand
dragonrider way, but I do understand strong attraction between people.  Why
do you hide that part of you?"

Trevor shook his head violently.  "But...I...am...not...that...way!!!" he
cried shrilly.  "I won't...be like...M'del!!"

M'del?... Andahar stared at Trevor in bewilderment.  He didn't know that
word.   "M'del?"  he asked, wondering if it was a dragonrider curse word.

Trevor looked up sharply.  "Yes, M'del!!" he hissed.  "Rashevon's
rider...Khazeen!!"  He spat those names out like curses, interspersed with
racking sobs.  "I hated them both...but I'm just like them!!  I'm
sorry....gods, I'm sorry...!"  He turned away, facing the side of the tent,
his shoulders heaving.

"Khazeen...."  Andahar's voice hissed.  "YOU are nothing like
false-god-Khazeen!"  Andahar couldn't help but reach his hand out to lay it
on Trevor's shoulder.  He felt the man shudder at the touch.  "You would
never force yourself on anyone!  Look at me, Trevor!  Look at ME.  You are
not like Khazeen... I would never want Khazeen to touch me ... and I burn
for your touch."

"I *did* try to force myself on you...!" Trevor groaned.  "I don't...know
what came...over me!  Andahar, I...like you, I...like you a lot...but I
can't..."

Andahar made a soft, painful noise, aching for Trevor's pain, and aching for
Trevor's touch.  He put his arms around Trevor, offering him comfort.
Trevor eased back into the embrace.  "No Trevor...you didn't... I want
you... " he was about to say, to trust me, but at that Trevor stiffened in
his arms.

Trevor gasped and pulled away, the look on his face that of a hunted animal.
"No...I can't hurt you...or Bohoc....!  I'm sorry...!"  And with that, he
turned and rushed out of the tent.

"Trevor?!"  Andahar stared at the flap of the tent in surprise.  And what
did Bohoc have to do with this?  Triss certainly was nothing like Rashevon,
and Bohoc enjoyed cuddling with Triss!

<Bohoc?  Are you awake?>

<*Yes, my rider.  You are upset?*>  Bohoc answered immediately.

<Yes, but that isn't important.   Where is Trissana?>

<*She is here, beside me.*>

Andahar relaxed a bit, <And her rider?  Is he there?>

<*Yes.  He seems to want Triss to return to Cleft.  But she is going to stay
here.  She does not think it safe to fly or teleport now.  She was...
confused and dizzy earlier... and Trevor does not seem to be thinking
clearly.  She is very worried about him, my rider.  Maybe you should come
here?*>

<NO!... I mean, no, I don't think that would be wise right now.  Let him
stay there and be near Trissana.  She might help to calm him.>  With that
thought, Andahar sighed and leaned back on his mat.  He didn't sleep,
though.  His mind drifted among the many faces from his past... all his past
lovers... including Saleh... and Reain... and Trevor.

****
MORNING

Andahar rose early, as was his custom, to greet the rising sun.  He lifted
the flap of the tent, feeling disjointed.  The familiarity of the village
struck him as he walked through it.  Women were moving about, talking
softly, as they rekindled the cooking fires.  Their conversations hushed as
he moved past.  He was aware of their stares and heard a few muffled giggles
behind him.  He smiled to himself as he heard the whispered words, "nice
ass."  Yet, he didn't belong here in a nomad village... not anymore.  He was
a dragonrider, and his home was Cleft.  The emotion startled him, as he had
clung to his traditions while living among the dragonriders, yet... he was
acutely aware of his "other-ness" here in the village.

He climbed the rise at the edge of the village just as the sun's rays
speared the valley.  He stood in silence, drenched in the golden glow.

He heard a shuffle behind him and whirled, short sword coming lose
automatically.  Ankara froze a few yards away.  She lowered her eyes,
respectfully.

He saw it.  She was already slipping into the Nomad ways.  Had he grown away
from them so much that it rankled him to see her gaze drop?

"What is it Ankara?"  He spoke to her in the dragonrider tongue --
addressing her as an equal, returning his sword to his belt.

She looked up startled.  "I..."  She cleared her throat and continued, with
her head up.  "I have request to make."

"From me?" Andahar asked, confused.

"Yes.  I wish to remain here... among my people..."

"Ankara, your people?  But you are dragonrider now!  Your people are at
Cleft Warren!"

"Yes, I am dragonrider... but dragonrider protect Landbound!  This is what
all dragonrider say."  Ankara stared at Andahar, daring him to contradict
her.  But when he didn't she went on, "Village here has no dragonrider to
protect from wraith.  Do you see?  I must stay!"

"Ankara, you cannot fight swarm of wraith alone and protect village.  I
know!  Bohoc and I fight wraith alone many time.  It can be done... but you
must be fast!  Your two dragon -- one does not fly, the other is slow..."

"But, we can teleport!  We could come to Cleft and get help!"

Andahar thought a moment, "Like patrol... only permanent?"

Ankara nodded.

"If this is what you wish, what request do you make of me?"  Andahar asked.

"That you tell... Warrenlady-Cynthia... and if you could... bring me my...
things."

"Why don't you come back to Warren and do yourself?"  Andahar asked.

Ankara flushed, wondering if he would refuse her. "No... I can't,"  she
whispered.

Andahar could see the tears forming in her eyes.  "There is someone there
that you do not wish to see?"  he commented astutely.

She just nodded.  "Would you also... speak to chief of Aloniqua?  Could you
explain...?"

Andahar nodded in response and spoke solemnly, "I will honor your request,
Ankara, joined of Ivee and rider of Eness, protector of Aloniqua."

Ankara smiled in acknowledgement.

****
They turned and walked back to the village.  The people were now rising.  He
noticed a few stares at him as he and Ankara returned together from the
hill.  He wondered what they had thought of his male companion returning to
their tent so late last night, and then leaving so precipitously a few
moments later.  He was sure that everyone in the surrounding tents must have
heard them, even if they hadn't understood the dragonrider tongue -- and
that gossip had spread.

The leaders of the village came forward and they shared a breakfast
together.  They spoke quietly, and Andahar spoke for Ankara.  She would be
given her own tent and respected as a "wise woman".  Andahar nodded in
satisfaction.

Then he heard a few snickers, and caught some of the younger leaders
glancing past his shoulder.  Without turning, he knew that Trevor had
emerged from the cavern where the dragons had spent the night.

Trevor came forward and waited outside the circle to be invited in.
Andahar's lips straightened into a tight smile.  The man had been studying.
Andahar saw the leaders look from him to Trevor and back.  It was obvious
that they assumed that the dragonrider was his companion, perhaps Chunor,
and in disgrace.  Swallowing his own hurt feelings, he rose and met Trevor
at the edge of the circle.

"They are looking to me to invite you."  Andahar's amber colored eyes showed
no emotion.

Trevor could barely meet his intense gaze, "I'm sorry... really.  I hope I
haven't offended them by not staying...,"  he swallowed convulsively.

"No.  Aloniqua probably think I sent you out,"  Andahar said softly, "and I
will not dishonor you by saying otherwise.  Come, sit and eat."  He repeated
the last sentence again in the Nomad tongue for the leader's benefit, and
returned to his own seat.

Trevor stood for a moment, aware of they dark eyes of the villagers looking
at him.  He nodded once and then took his seat beside the nomad from Cleft.

****
The two dragons returned with their riders shortly after breakfast, leaving
Ankara and her two dragons behind.

Upon landing, Andahar turned to remove the riding leathers from Bohoc as
Trevor removed his saddle from Trissana.  No comments passed between the two
riders.

Trevor looked relieved when he was greeted by Cynthia, and the two strolled
off together.  Andahar fumed.  Not even a farewell!  Cynthia hadn't even
looked his way!  This wasn't the first time that she had "claimed" her man
in such a fashion.  Andahar clearly recalled the time after the rescue of
Katrina's sister from Vorbis when Andahar had been dumped into some bushes
and Cynthia has pulled Trevor away, not even checking to see if Andahar had
been hurt by the fall.

He watched their retreating backs, confused and angry.  It was thus that
Reain found him.

"Andahar?"  She whispered, seeing the fury in his eyes.  Fear mingled with
love shone from Reain's own dark eyes.  Had he already heard then, about her
fighting with Saleh?

Andahar could see that Reain was afraid... was she afraid that he was angry
at her?  He pushed aside his feelings for Trevor as he gathered Reain into
his arms.  Her body felt just right next to his, as he lowered his head to
kiss her lips passionately.

"Andahar!"  She giggled, glancing around.

"I don't care who sees us!  Come Reain... I am ... tired."  He grinned at
her.

****
TAG Barb... to bed?
TAG John and/or Alton... hmmm... and where are they going?

****
BOHOC and TRISSANA

The two dragons joined Syren on her ledge.  But both could not forget the
confusing state of things that remained between their two riders.

<*He does care about your rider, I know he does.*>  Bohoc commented to
Trissana.

[And I know my rider had feelings for yours.  I just don't understand all
the other feelings that seem to be there when they are together.]  Triss
sighed.

<*My rider is confused about Khazeen... M'del... what does this man have to
do with your rider's not wanting to mate and be happy with mine?*> Bohoc
asked, equally confused.

[Perhaps... ]  Triss seemed to think for a moment, then nodded to herself as
the battle within was won, [perhaps you should tell your rider to speak with
Varie's rider about this.  She is his dam after all, and might be able to
explain better.]

Bohoc nodded, <*This I will do.*>

****
EARLY AFTERNOON

Hunger had finally driven Andahar and Reain to head to the Dining Hall.
This was the last place Andahar had seen Reain before heading out to fly
sweeps with Trevor.  He frowned thinking of the dragonrider and their
strange encounter.

Reain, however, fretting over what had happened there the last time Andahar
had been in that cavern, misread the frown.  "She really isn't worth it, you
know.  I could give you strong baby, too!"

Andahar blinked, "hmm?  Who?  What are you talking about Reain?"

Reain flushed, embarrassed by her frankness, and now embarrassed that she
had been asked to explain herself.  "Saleh.  She isn't... she started it!
You have to believe me..."

Andahar just stared at her over his now forgotten plate of food.  "Saleh
isn't what?  What have you done, Reain?"

****
TAG BARB: What will Reain tell him about the fight with Saleh?

****
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the roars of the dragons.

<*My rider!  My eggs are hatching!*>  Came Bohoc's proud call.

Reain had obviously received the same notice from Sylois and the two
abandoned their lunch and tabled their conversation in order to attend the
hatching.

The crowd converged from everywhere in the warren and surrounding areas.
They saw Reain's daughter Jaliase, with her babysitter and called her over
to them.   It seemed that everyone that could be there would be there, as
the hatching of dragons, though not uncommon, was still something that you
didn't want to miss if you could help it.

Andahar noticed one woman leaving the hatching grounds, with her baby... the
woman had looked hauntingly familiar, but she vanished around a corner
before he could be certain.

It was magical, watching the mewling little dragons, emerge damp and sticky
from the eggs and make their way to the humans that would be their riders.
He held Reain's  hand and pulled Jasi onto his lap, relaxing in familial
bliss.

****
TAG again Barb?  and Dana what happens when Saleh joins?

****
It was evening before Andahar asked Bohoc to contact Varie.  Her rider,
Kellie was still recuperating, but was at home.  Varie said that Andahar was
welcome to come by and a bit anxiously, Andahar went to Kellie and Turner's
apartment.

The response was immediate when he scratched at the door, signaling that he
was there, so he entered.

"How are you, Kellie?"  Andahar asked softly.

"I'm recovering."  She was reclining on the sofa, with a blanket tucked
about her, even though it was not cold.  She looked pale and drawn, yet an
inner light shone with contentment.

Andahar stood awkwardly, not sure how to proceed.

She smiled and nodded towards a chair, "Make yourself comfortable, Andahar."
After he had perched himself on the edge of the chair, Kellie continued,
"Varie told me that you wanted to talk with me... about Trevor?"

Andahar glanced up sharply.  Dragons certainly did gossip!  He cleared his
throat, trying to formulate the question he wanted most to ask.  He had
rehearsed what he would say to her many times, but here, in her own
apartment, nothing was coming to me.  Finally he just said, "He told me
about... M'del."

He saw her eyes fly open wide, and her breath was sucked in with a hiss.
"Oh, I see...."

Did she really see?  Andahar just nodded.  "But I don't understand.  Could
you... would you please explain to me, why he is so afraid... of...,"  he
swallowed hard, his face pinking slightly under his natural tan, "coming to
me?"

****
TAG: John.  Hmm is she shocked?  What does she say?

****

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

with many thanks to John Pepper for his insight into and conversation by
Trevor.