R'ven got Zenith to drop him by the dining hall.

(Messenger and delivery boy! That's all I am!)

<Yep, that's all your black hide is worth. Or maybe you would prefer
to be made into riding jackets and boots?> R'ven threatened,
mockingly.

(Over my dead body!)

<Of course, my love. I couldn't subject you to being skined alive, now
could  I?> He didn't stiffle the chuckle.

(You take great delight in threatening to do unspeakable things to my
glorious, shiny black hide don't you?) Zenith was putting on one of
his stren faces that made him look as if he needed to  relieve
himself.

R'ven looked at the face and collapsed into gufaws of laughter.

(Well if that's your attitude, I'm going to go and rip some poor deer
to shreads. It's your fault that I take my revenge out on defenceless,
innocent creatures, you know!)

<You can't blame me for your hunger, Zen,> the darkhaired dragon rider
chuckled as he slapped the hide of his dragon. <Now leave me in peace
while I go and eat. And this time don't give me a running commentary
on how your lunch died, or  how nice the blood and entrails were.>

(I thought you might have been interested, that's all,) Zenith
chuckled, remembering how  his life partner felt as he ripped into the
dead cow. It didn't help R'ven as he was eating steak at the time.
(I'll make you a veggie yet!)

With that the large black leapt gracefully into the air and blinked
out.

R'ven held his hand to his eyes as he watched Zenith disappear.
Turning he nearly knocked Jayleigh to the ground.

"Ahh Jayleigh, just the person I wanted to talk to!"

"Not  now R'ven," she said breathlessly, "I'm in a hurry, catch me
later." 

He sighed, watching the young Warrenlady almost skip across the green
to her dragon. Another dragon landed beside Viktroy.

"Lucky lady," he sighed as he saw that her date was Gerald, "or should
that be lucky man?"

He turned back towards the dining hall. His thoughts going back to
when Zen first won Jenna. Gods how he missed Lara. 

(As I miss my Jenna.)

He continued on his way to get something to eat. Upon entering the
hall he could smell the food and his stomach rumbled. He was just
about to go over to the counter when he happened to glance over
towards a table by an alcove.
Kiree was sitting with her chin in her hands looking very glum.
He made his way over to her.

"Hi, " he greeted .
Getting no response, he sat down next to the blond girl and enquired,

>           "What's wrong, Kiree?"

>             "Nothing."

>             "Well, all right, but if you want to talk, I'll be there." R'ven 
>stood to go.

>            "R'ven, wait..."

>             "Yes?"

>             "It's...silly, I guess, but it's about Gerald...and Jayleigh."

R'ven sat back down and  saw the sadness behind those big blue eyes.
He found that quiet a few landbound riders often came to him for
advice. So, putting his arm round Kiree's shoulders, R'ven listened to
her. Kiree was still  trying to get to grips with warren life.

(nrpg: Ok Allen, take it from here. I would have done more but  am
unsure as to what the relationship is between Kiree and Gerald.)

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

Late evening of the attack on Tair'n

R'ven heaped the last pile of Velara's clothes onto the sofa. He
hadn't realised how many things she had. It had taken longer than
expected. Mainly because he stroked and smelt  most of them. Trying to
bring her back. Trying to remember her face, her smell, the way she
felt, her voice. That was the most difficult. Remembering her voice.

For the last time he hugged her memories close and then closed the
door of the living room. Once again he stripped off his clothes by
himself. Tair'n was out on warren business and he went to bed alone.

"Something you have to get used to, old man, " he chided himself.

(You can always come and sleep out here with me.)

<What and get covered in sand and dragon drool?  No thanks!>

(Suit yourself. I won't ask again so don't come begging.)

R'ven loved the banter that he and Zenith had. It had kept him
together through the  many deaths and misfortunes in his life.

*****

He felt a white hot pain in his side.  

R'ven awoke in panic. It was dark. He couldn't see or feel anything.

Then he heard   Amadith scream.

"TAIR'N!"

In his haste to get dressed R'ven walked into a door and fell over a
stool, cursing as he rubbed his shin and head.

As soon as he was halfway on his dragon, Zenith leapt into the air.
R'ven clung as tight as he could to stop himself from falling.
No sooner than they had landed , he raced into the Med Centre.

The door banged behind him as he ran blindly down the corridor. His
shirt unevenly buttoned, no boots and a wild expression on his face.

"Please God's don't take another one I love away!" he wiped a tear
from his face with the back of his hand.

Looking at Jayleigh he almost shouted,
>"Where is he? Where's Tair'n?" His eyes were flashing with the same 
>concern that was in the Warrenlady's blue eyes. 

He felt sick. He couldn't face another death. Not so soon after Lara.

>"They have him in the examining room, and are about to bring him 
>out," she told the younger man's lover. "Calette said that he's 
>going to be fine. No vital organs were hit, but he lost a lot of 
>blood."

>"I want to see him!" R'ven stated and started down the hall. 

He felt a firm grip on his arm. Jayleigh was struggling to restrain
him.

>"We can't see him until they're finished cleaning him up," She told 
>him and her lips curled up into a half smile. "I already asked when 
>I got here. 

He sat down next to her on a bench.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper.

"I'm not too sure. Troy say's that he was attacked when he approached
the poachers."

"Why? Why hurt him? He wouldn't harm anyone." R'ven said, clasping and
unclasping his hands.

"A frightened animal will often attack if it feels  threatened. I
guess they were scared. He'll be fine R'ven. He's in good hands," she
soothed as she took hold of the older man's hands and held them tight.
'He has to be alright,' she told  herself.

			*****

He woke with a start. His thigh and buttock had gone numb. He looked
at the heavy weight on his shoulder. 

"Jayleigh?"

"Hmmm... not now Gerald...later, love." Jayleigh snuggled closer to
R'ven.

"Jayleigh, it's me, R'ven," he smiled.

"R'ven?" she replied sleepily before her eyes flew open. "R'ven! Oh
I'm sorry I must have nodded off. Any news?" 

Sitting up she pushed back her hair and rubbed her eyes as she yawned.

He shook his head.

"No not yet. Look there is no point in both of us having an
uncomfortable night. You go back and get some proper sleep. I'll get
Zenith to wake Viktroy if there is any news. Ok?"

"Promise me you'll get me whether it's good or bad news."

"Of course, " R'ven hugged the younger  woman and then kissed her
gently on the forehead.

Standing up, Jayleigh smiled, "What was that for?"

"For being here, and for  letting me babble."

"All part of the job, but I don't need to tell you that, now do I?"

"Go on lass, off with you, before I get carried away."

Jayleigh blushed as she made her way out into the night.

He closed his eyes once again and waited.

			*****
Several hours later.

"R'ven?" the voice was soft. "R'ven, wake up."

He felt a gentle shake. He opened his eyes blearily and looked up at
Calette. He was awake instantly and on his feet.

"How is he? Can I see him?" concern choking his voice.

"Calm down R'ven. Tai is fine. Very weak from lack of blood," she
eased the older man back onto the bench. "The wound missed any organs
but it sliced deep into muscle. He is going to be sore for some time,
I'm afraid. No patrol for him till that wound has healed. No vigorous
exercise either." She winked at R'ven, "I know what he is like and I
hold you responsible for him if that wound doesn't heal. Do you hear
me, Dragonrider?"

"Loud and clear, m'am," he couldn't supress the grin as it crept
slowly over his face. "Can I see him now? Please?"
He looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

She nodded, "Of course. We've moved him in here. He's still
unconscious and is likely to remain so for a few hours yet."

Calette lead R'ven to a door and opened it.

"Thanks Cal. Oh before you go what time is it?"

"It's just after 03:30."

She closed the door silently and R'ven made his way over to the still
figure in the bed. He looked so pale, R'ven thought, gently stroking
Tair'n's cheek. He bent and kissed the young man's lips.

Pulling a chair over to the bedside, R'ven sat in the semi darkness
and watched over his lover, holding one of Tair'n's slim,  limp hands.

It was still dark when R'ven awoke. He was aware of movement from the
bed. He watched as Tair'n's eyes flickered open. Smiling at him, R'ven
said,  " Good morning, lover."

Tair'n turned his head towards the voice as he tried to focus on the
figure next to him.

His voice, dry from thirst, croaked, "Where?"

Before R'ven could answer, a female voice replied.

>"You're in the Medical Center," Jayleigh said, as she came into 
>the room. 

R'ven could see that Jayleigh was happy that Tair'n was going to be
alright. And it wasn't just because she was the Warrenlady, but
because she truely cared.

The brown headed Wingleader turned his gaze from his lover to the new
voice and tried to focus on her face.

>"Morning, beautiful..."  He sank back into the waters of oblivion.

Pulling up another chair next to R'ven, she whispered, "How is he?"

"He's fine. Calette said he would be sore for awhile, but there is no
permenant damage." He couldn't help to notice the  look she gave
Tair'n. The way her eyes shone, the slight flush on her cheeks, the
way her chest rose and fell under her shirt. 

"You look like something a dragon wouldn't even consider eating,
R'ven. Go to bed. I'll call you when he wakes."

"What about your duties?"

"I think they can wait for awhile." A whistful smile crossed her face
as she looked back at the man in the bed.

R'ven stood and kissed Tair'n gently on the lips, lingering above the
still face he whispered, "I'll be back, lover." Once again his lips
met the other man's.

He rose and looked at Jayleigh. Her expression had changed slightly
and he realised that she was uncomfortable with this intimate
exchange. He sighed mentally.

"Call me when  he wakes," he said  placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I will. " Jayleigh reached up and squeezed R'ven's hand.

			**********

Just before Lunch, day after the attack.

(R'ven, get up.)

<Huh? Why? >

( Tair'n is awake.)

<Awake? Why didn't you tell me?> the tall man leapt out of his bed,
rushing around getting his clothes together.

(I just did,) came the sacastic reply from Zenith. (You look as if you
need a wash and shave before you go visiting. The Warrenlady is with
him still. So don't hurry. Make yourself decent before you go.)

<You are quiet right, my love.> he grimaced as he caught sight of
himself in a mirror. His black hair was more unruly than ever. Deep
bags under his eyes made him look older and that stubble? He ran a
hand over the coarse hairs. 

"Hmmm, definately a shave, " he said aloud.

After he shaved, washed and dressed in clean clothes, he got Zenith to
take him down to the Med Centre.

<Who were you cuddled up with last night, Zen?> Knowing that the black
dragon doesn't really like sleeping on his ledge when R'ven isn't
there.

(Salanth. The little green with silver marking's. You were talking to
her rider yesterday, so I thought that maybe she needed some
comforting too.) 

R'ven chuckled out loud, slapping the black hide, "You old rogue!"

Zenith turned his huge head to his rider, his saphire eyes swirling.

(Don't come the innocent with me, wraith bait! You know as well as I
that you would mate with her given half the chance. Just you wait till
Sal rises to mate next time. We'll have some fun and more!)

R'ven was still laughing when they landed. He walked nonchalantly
across the green, when he noticed  Jayleigh running full steam across
to Viktroy, who had just landed.

"Jayleigh!" he shouted, "Wait up!"

He picked up speed as he ran towards the woman.

"Go away R'ven. Leave me alone!" she shouted at him.

A terrible  thought flashed through his mind. Tair'n! He had got worse
and she was upset about that. 

(Wrong!)

"Jayleigh what the hell is the matter?" he turned the struggling woman
towards him. 

Tears were streaming down her face, her eyes flashing angrily.

"Ask him!" she spat twisting out of his grasp.

She leapt onto her queen as R'ven shouted after her.

"Jayleigh, what the hell happened?"  The breeze from Viktroy's wings
carrying his words away.

(It seems that Tair'n and our Warrenlady had words.)

R'ven didn't know whether to go after Jayleigh or see his lover. 

(Viktroy says she will flame us if we follow. I guess whatever it was
that was said upset them,) Zenith said matter of factly.

"Shit! What has he done now? Why can't they get on?" he hissed as he
made his way back to the Med Centre.


He was about to turn the handle on the door of Tair'n's room when a
quiet voice stuttered, "H... h... he's s...s...sleeping."

R'ven turned towards the voice and was confronted by a pale woman.
"Can I sit with him?"

"N...n... no. H...H...Herin..."

R'ven knew better than to cross scalples with Herin. Smiling at the
woman he said, "Well it won't do to go breaking his orders,now would
it?"

She grinned back. and shook her head.

	**********

Jayleigh's office mid afternoon.

R'ven leant back in the chair rubbing the bridge of his nose. He had
spent the past three hours sorting out the files that Jayleigh had
asked him to look at. Putting them into order of urgency. 
The landbound were starting to get edgy about wraith attacks. So he
decided to bring that up as soon as Jayleigh returned. It meant
another sucking up exercise. Something Velara was good at. She always
managed to get she wanted and made the Landbound Lords think that they
got what they wanted too. He hoped that Jayleigh could cope.

Leaning  further back in the chair, he closed his eyes only to be
disturbed moments later.

"What are you doing here?" demanded a familiar voice.

He opened his eyes and let the chair fall back into place.

"Working," he replied  getting up. "Where have you been, Jayleigh? I
was getting worried."

Throwing her riding gloves down on the desk she said curtly, "What has
it got to do with you? Why aren't you with... with.. him!"

'Yea gods, what has he done to incur such anger?' he thought to
himself.

"Jayleigh, what happened between you and Tair'n?"

"I don't want to discuss it. It has nothing to do with you. It's a
personal matter."

R'ven's anger was rising.

"What the hell do you mean, 'It has nothing to do with you?'. When the
Warrenlady disappears for half the day, without an escort, and her
queen tells any dragon that comes within flaming distance that she
will flame them. *It * is my business. You have responsiblilities. You
can't just run away and hide because someone has said something to
upset you. You have a Warren to run!"

"How dare you tell me about my responsibilities! I don't need you to
tell me how to run *my* warren."

"God damn it, woman, you do! You need every single bit of help you can
get. You haven't been in office a week. Velara didn't leave you much
to go on and you don't have the experience to run this place single
handed."

"I have the two junior queens. They are there to help me. Unlike your
precious Velara who could run this place with her little finger!"
Jayleigh couldn't beleive she was saying these things but she needed
to vent her anger out. Talking with Zert helped a little, but he
didn't understand warren politics. So she used R'ven.

"Velara understood the ways of the warren. She knew her limitations.
Yes, she was manipulative, but look where it got us? She built up this
warren. She may have kept you in the dark, but she did it to see how
strong you were. She deliberatley left things for you to do. She knew
that you wanted to help, but she was too proud to ask you for it, so
she left threads hanging so you would have to pick them up."

Jayleigh seated herself at her desk.

"All she wanted was to have fun! Who the hell do you think got Tair'n
his postition? It wasn't Velara. She put as many objections as
possible to stop him from being promoted. And what does he do? He
carries on sleeping with her, because *he*  thinks she got him that
job! She wanted him all to herself, and you were too blind to see it
R'ven. She used you as she used everyone!"

R'ven walked over to her desk and hit it with his fist.

"What the hell do you think Velara and I where doing here most nitghts
till 2 or 3 in the morning? Fucking!?"

Jayleigh flinched at the word.

R'ven contined angrily," What we were doing was catching up on the
work that needed to be done. Velara needed very little sleep. She
could work for sixteen hours a day and need only 4-5 hours rest.
And,yes for your information, both Tai and I fucked her on this desk.
,And yes,  she enjoyed it. As to me being the blind one, open your
eyes Jayleigh! The only reason Velara objected to Tai being Wingleader
was not because she wanted her 'boy toy', your words Jayleigh, all to
herself, but because she wanted you to argue his case against her. She
wanted to see if you had  a strong enough backbone to take her on. To
go over her head if nescessary, to get what was for the good of the
warren. And you did. She was  proud of you. She knew that when she
died the warren would continue to prosper. But the only way it will
continue to grow is for you to grow with it."

"I don't beleive you." Jyaleigh's mind was in turmoil. Even from her
grave Velara was still manipulating people. She had convinced R'ven
that it was all her doing that Tair'n got the position. She knew it
couldn't be true.
"You are only saying that because that is how you saw the situation.
You weren't there when I had to deal with people who were too afraid
to approach her or because she just wasn't there. You have no idea how
much I have covered up her blunders and errors. It wasn't your
illustrious 'Lara' who helped deal with farmers who had crop failure.
They didn't have enough food to see them through the winter. It was me
that begged and borrowed from other area's. She couldn't have cared
less. Because she had her 'boys' to keep her warm at night."

She didn't need this right now. What she needed, wanted, was to get on
and do her job. But R'ven wasn't going to let her get on and do it.
All he wanted to do was protect his beloved Velara.

"You just don't get it do you, Jayleigh? This isn't an argument about
who did what? It's about how to run a warren. You are not and never
will be like Velara. You are not manipulative. But in order for her to
build the warren up she had to be. When she became Warrenlady, we had
150 dragons. How many do we have now? Roughly 450. And in order for us
to feed all thoses dragons and riders we had someone who was strong
enough to get what we needed. She did it the only way she knew how.
And it worked, because we prosper. We can be here all day arguing who
is right. It doesn't matter who is. What matters is the warren.  And
you are the most important person here. Not , me, Tair'n,  or Velara.
We are only a small cog, that works the big machine.  If we break we
can be replaced. If you break we end in chaos. Velara gave you a good
founding to run a warren. So when she died we didn't end up in chaos.
If anything happens to you, what will happen?" 

Before she could reply, R'ven continued more gently, "You need to
accept people for who they are, not what they are.  The warren will
continue to flourish depending oh how fruitful the Queens are at
laying eggs. Jayleigh you are warren born. You know how the society
works. What I can't figure out is what are you frightened of? Your own
sexuality or Tair'n's?"
 
She sat there dumbfounded, unable to think straight. She watched the
darkhaired man straighten up. 

"Think about what has been said, Jayleigh. And think about Tair'n.
Accept him for who he is. He wasn't Velara's boy toy, he was her
mate!" R'ven turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

			**********

Med Centre.

R'ven pushed open the door and greeted Tair'n.

"Hi, lover. How you feeling?"

Startled by the intrusion, the red haired man drew his dagger.

"NO!" 

R'ven looked towards the blur that came towards him. For a small
individual he was quiet strong, and R'ven was pinned to the floor,
trying to keep a sharp blade from slicing into him.

<Amadith get him to stop. Tell him R'ven is a friend.>

(He is frightened. He thinks R'ven is goin to hurt him.)

<I don't  care what he thinks, get him to stop!>

Amadith managed to get through to the frightened man. Looking from one
to the other he picked himself up and fled out the door.

"Give my thanks to Amadith, Tai," R'ven  said as he pulled himself up
from the floor.

"Thanks, R'ven, " the younger man said sarcasticly.

"Hey, what have I done?" he said as he brushed dust from his leather
trousers.

"I was just about getting through to him and you have to put your size
nines into it."

". All I was concerned about was seeing how you were. I didn't expect
one of your visitors to try and kill me. Who the hell was he anyway?"

"He name is Nrocinu. He was the one who attacked  me," Tair'n breathed
deeply as he tried to sit up. 

R'ven was next to him, helping his lover into a more comfortable
position.

"Does it hurt?"

"What the hell do you think, R'ven?"


R'ven and Zenith.

Nrpg:

Welcome Morgan, please add anything else before R'ven stuck his size
9's in :)

Lyn, sorry mum ;)

Barb, I hope I got Jayleigh right. If I didn't  I'm sure you can fudge
it. :) After all she is fairly stressed out isn't she? ( I hope I
didn't take to much liberty with Jayleigh?)


"