*How about we search that pattern to the northeast again.*

<No! I told you this before, we're going back to the warren. You're about 
to fall asleep in the saddle, and I will not be dropping you tonight. Not 
that it wouldn't be a good thing for your thick head.>

*You never used to talk to me like that, my heart.*

<That was before you got pig-headed. Pigs are dragon fodder. Use
your brains.  If we're half-dead from exhaustion, and we do find him,
how do you propose to fight off Keppo's rider's friends? We will
do much better to get some sleep and start fresh. I'm taking you 
back.>

*Wait...where are you going? This isn't my apartment.*

<'Troy's rider is still very nervous. You need to comfort her, and I
could use a cuddle with the Queen.>

*Lecher. All right, if it will help her...I thought she wouldn't want to be
bothered at a time like this, though.*

<Now is exactly the time. She needs comfort.>

*Where is Amadith's rider?*

<Taking care of the hatchling of Jaros' rider.>

*Oh...all right. We're here.* Gerald bounded off as Random made his 
back to where Viktroy lay curled up. He knocked lightly on the door, 
found it unlocked. As he entered, Jayleigh's slim form stood before
him. He looked down into her eyes, wishing that he were shorter; 
if he were, ducking his head would keep him from having to meet her
gaze. 

"I didn't find him. I sent out another flight to do the night searches. 
Random mutinied and brought me back here."

<Doing the sensible thing is not mutiny.>

"It's all right," Jayleigh said. "It's not your fault. You've done-and
are doing-the best that you can."

He hugged her again. "Gods, I'm sorry, Jayleigh. They can't hide forever,
though. Sooner or later they'll be found."

"And then what?" the Warrenlady murmured. "You have to do something.
They won't just give up. They will have to be taken care of."

"Dragon against dragon? You're not serious, I hope." Something in 
her eyes made him shiver. "I don't even want to imagine that...its
too horrible to think of. Rogues, wild dragons, you don't have much
of a choice, but dragons that came from this warren? People we know?
I hope not... you never know how strong a hold Da'ntray has on these
people. Maybe they can be reasoned with."

"And maybe not," Jayleigh continued. "It would be a good idea to be
prepared for them."

"Just the thought of it makes me sick. I hope it never comes to that."

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

<Gerald!>

Gerald rolled over, noticing that Jayleigh had started awake as well. *What
is it?*

<Krith's rider has been kidnapped! >

*No, no, this can't be happening. What do you mean, kidnapped?*

<She's gone from the warren. Krith is very worried. The human we saw
by the beach with Troy's rider was supposed to be with her; he's 
gone, too.>

*Perhaps they just snuck out together?*

<No...Krith says her rider would have told her. >

*She's right, of course...this is incredible. I'm getting up, we'll try
to search again. Although, once again if they teleported we don't have
much hope.* Gerald looked over to Jayleigh, whose face was pale 
with shock and anger.

"Reason with them, you said," she spat. "There's no reasoning
with them. They're animals, and they're out to get us."

Gerald couldn't give much of an argument as he headed for the
exit...
_________________________________

Okay, Gerald was here and gone again...but he won't search as long 
this time, he'll be back soon.

Lyn, I was gonna have Gerald talking to Tair'n at the med center
but  I didn't know if Tair'n would cover it up,  or if you wanted to 
take it further first. I'll have him stopping by the med center the
next morning if they're still there :>

Gerald and Random

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