"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Alex thought as he and Talafal circled 
towards the dancing torchlight that marked the Daere Warren.

<It's much too dark to continue tonight, Alex.  We've done everything we 
can, and my wings are too tired to carry us much longer.> Talafal told 
Alex trying to cheer him up.  The light sparkled off the lightning blue 
scales of the dragon as he landed, and when he did, his rider slid off 
down his shoulder and to the ground.

<Tell Gerald that we are going to have to stop for the night, and that I 
have some idea of where the rogues could be.> Alex commanded while he 
unsaddled his companion and then readied his knapsack.

<Where do you think they are?> Talafal asked after sending the message 
to their wingleader via his dragon.

Alex quickly erected a small tent and settled down for the evening, 
<There's only a few places that dragons could hide for long around here. 
 I doubt that most people in this warren know this region as well as I, 
and I would say that the rascals are hiding in the Stands just a dozen 
miles north of here.  In the morning, we'll investigate it.>

Alex climbed into his tent, and his friend Talafal carefully settled 
down nearby.  Alex laid there for a few minutes staring up into the star 
filled sky, and he noticed a trio of dragons, just silhouettes against a 
blue-black backdrop, launch into the night sky.

"Good luck, gents," he thought and drifted to sleep.

[...]

With one fluid motion Alex drew his sword from its scabbard and leveled 
its tip directly at Da'ntray's throat.  The fat man's waxed mustache 
twitched like a rat's whiskers, and he sweated profusely as he knew was 
going to die.

"I'll only ask you this one more time.  Where is Jayleigh's son?" Alex 
asked.

Long lines of sweat trickled down Da'ntray's face as he answered, 
"In..in...in...in...the...the cave.  Just don't hurt me Sir Alex," the 
man blubbered.

Alex smiled knowing that if Da'ntray had heard of him, then it was 
unlikely that the knave would try anything funny.

"All right, coward.  I am going into the cave to recover the Warren 
Lady's son, and you are not going to move from this spot.  You know 
Talafal and I have slain your dragon and scattered your lackeys; there's 
no where you can go.  You are defeated," Alex said stating the obvious 
to crushed villain.

Lowering his head, Da'ntray mumbled, "I humbly accept defeat; I will not 
move."  Alex withdrew the sword and returned it home with a metallic 
snick.  Not saying another word he proudly strutted past his prisoner 
and into the cave.

"Jadain!" Alex cried, his voice echoing off the stone walls and crashing 
deep into the darkness.  Suddenly he heard Da'ntray squeal in delight.

"Don't move, sir knight!" he commanded and Alex could hear the sound of 
a crossbow being charged.

He stopped where he was, and upon being commanded to do so, dropped his 
sword and turned around to face his former captive. Da'ntray had a large 
crossbow pointed directly at Alex and laughed with delight at the 
strange turn of events.  The villain then rambled on about how he was 
going to kill the young knight, rule the lands, and take Jayleigh for 
his own when suddenly a blue streak swept silently down from the sky.  
Da'ntray's head was crushed by a powerful hind claw, and Alex jumped to 
one side as the villain's body contracted at death releasing the 
crossbow bolt.  The projectile streaked by just missing him.

<Thank you, Talafal!> Alex cried out to his dragon.

<Alex wake up, Maeve has been kidnapped!> Talafal replied landing next 
to the young man.

Alex thought that his dragon's reply was quite unusual and could do 
nothing but stare absently at the magnificent azure beast.

<Alex!> Talafal's cry was more urgent, and the fog of sleep was lifted 
off the young man who woke up from his glorious dream.

[...]

The twilight of dawn clung to the horizon, and Alex urgently readied 
himself and saddled Talafal with the heavier lancing saddle.

<If you are hungry feed, and then fill your flame crop.  We have to be 
ready for combat.> Alex told his dragon who understood the grim task 
ahead of them.  Alex wasted no time in gathering up what gear he needed 
and ran to the dinning hall.

The establishment was all ready busy with riders and unjoined alike as 
the warren woke early to the unpleasant news.  Alex grabbed a bowl of 
thick porridge, some cheese, bread, and an apple for breakfast.  After 
he finished eating, he employed the aid of a few people and put on his 
armor.  He picked up a small packet of food for lunch, and as he clanked 
out of the dinning hall, he called for Talafal.

The dragon landed near his friend, who climbed into the large saddle.  
With much practiced grace, Talafal handed several of the eighteen-foot 
specially balanced lances to Alex one-at-a-time, which the rider secured 
tightly in individual holders.  The last lance Alex held on to and 
placed its end in its holder; the pennon at the top fluttered in the 
morning breeze.  The armored rider gave his dragon the command and they 
launched into the air.

<Let Gerald or the Jayleigh know that we are going to the Stands.> Alex 
said to his dragon as they rose with a warm current that lifted them 
high above the warren.  Once his dragon had relayed the message, Alex 
gave the image of this wilderness for teleportation, and the two were 
gone.

NRP:

The Stands is collection of several large upheavals of rock that has 
produced a strange rock formation that Alex calls the Stands.  It is 
about fifteen miles north of the warren and nestled in mountain 
foothills (hope that works geographically 'cause I don't have map for 
the warren area yet.  Haven't been able to get it to download. :( 

Anyway, this place is not known by many because of its seclusion and 
Alex found it during Talafal's second flight and was punished for taking 
his dragon so far away from the warren so soon.

There are tunnels and crevasses all through the Stands some big enough 
for a dragon to spread its wings, and so Alex thinks this is where 
Da'ntray and his men are hiding, so he has left to check it out. (But it 
probably isn't where the baddies are but maybe it is....)

Allen, hope you don't mind Alex just jumping off like that...

Barb, hope this doesn't rush your plans too much.  Don't worry Alex 
won't find them unless you want him too...

Oh yes, just so you know...Alex (and for that matter Tom) has no idea 
*what* Da'ntray looks like....

Nicole, welcome to Daere Warren. :)

Anyone that wants to go with Alex is welcome if they are in the dinning 
hall early and ready to go.

Tom Oesterman
<joesterm@neo.lrun.com>

Alex and Talafal...The Greatest In The Realms!