As Gerald escorted his new charge to the dining hall-or was he being escorted?
The young man definitely had a lot of energy-Alex asked, "Would it be all 
right if I bedded down outside tonight?  The weather seems fair, albeit a bit
nippy, but I think we can manage."

"Why would you want to sleep outside?  There's plenty of room in the newly 
joined barracks."

"It...wouldn't be proper, sir, for me to sleep sound and safe, while Talafal 
has to sleep outside.  No, if its not much of a problem, I would rather stay 
with him."

Gerald shook his head at the strange behavior of the new rider and opened 
the door to the dining hall for him saying, "I don't see why it would be a 
problem, Alex." What am I letting myself into? He thought. Hard to imagine
a warren being anything but safe, but then being new, Alex wouldn't know
that. 

Once inside, the wonderful smells reminded Gerald that he had not eaten all 
day. His stomach rumbled. His appetite was quickly squashed, however by the
constant discourse the young noble sent out, interrupted by quick bites of 
food. Ye gods, the man had a high opinion of himself! Being rather humble,
Gerald was struck completely speechless in the presence of the young man's
arrogance. He sighed as Alex got up to get another tray of food; well, he
was a noble, even if distantly related to Lord Gossimor. He had to have a lot
of confidence. Plus, he had every right to his own opinions. Gerald just 
hoped that Alex wouldn't start ordering other members around in the wing; he
would have to watch that. If the man really was as good as he said he was,
he would be a valuable asset. Gerald was almost relaxed again as he finished
picking at his food. 

     Alex was finishing his meal when Gerald stood saying, "I'll see you 
tomorrow, and we'll get you situated within my wing."

     "That will be delightful, Gerald," Alex said standing with large 
man.  They shook hands, and the wing commander left, while Alex finished 
his dinner. Gerald was walking towards the entrance when Jayleigh's yell
interrupted the hall.

"WHERE'S MY SON!?!"

Gerald immediately crossed over to her table, but she was already surrounded
by members of her family. *Random, what's going on?*

<It's very confusing...Viktroy is panicked! Jadain is missing, he is
not in the warren. No one can find him or contact him.>

*Call the wing together. Organize them according to today's patrol schedule.
If Alex comes, put him with the third flight. Let's go!*

They took off into the darkening sky, followed by well-ordered groups of
dragons around them...

***************

It was absolutely depressing. It was dark before they returned, and they 
blinked in to the sorrowful keening of dragons. Random took up the sound.

<T'van and Jaros. T'van was injured while they searched. He came here and
died.>

*Injured how?*

<He was hurt with a human dagger.>

*Where? Where was he injured?*

<Jaros didn't say...he is gone.>

"Damn!" Gerald smacked his palm with his fist. "This is maddening. I don't
even know if he found them!" He walked into the dining hall where Jayleigh
was being comforted by a knot of people. He walked up to them, and sadly 
shook his head in answer to her questioning look.

"I'm sorry Jayleigh, I didn't find him. Random couldn't feel him anywhere.
Have faith, though, Jadain will be easy to sense, with his telepathy...
we'll just have to expand our search." He didn't mention the other possibility,
that the child might be unconscious or dead. He already knew Jayleigh was
thinking it. He brushed away a strand of her hair, hugged her; it didn't 
help a lot, but he could feel she took some comfort from it. As he hugged
her, he saw Tair'n talking quietly with a young boy, who he recognized
as T'van's son. 

So much grief tonight, he thought. Where would it all end? He squeezed 
Jayleigh's shoulders gently as he broke their contact. "I have to go out
again," he said. "We'll keep searching." 

Yes, he would keep searching, and by the gods he wouldn't stop until Jadain
was found. 

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

Tag, Barb :)
Allen Veazey
wolf@dbtech.net
	
	"I'm not really bad, I'm just drawn that way."
			--Jessica Rabbit