Allora knew she would be pressed for time.  The Gamma wng would 
need all the help they could get to be ready to go.  She found a couple 
of her clutchmates, and asked for their help.

	She was determined to make sure they had well mended, if not new 
fighting straps.  Allora would do the real work, but the others could 
check for weak spots, mark and cut new strips, and then when Allora was 
done, deliver them to the riders.

	Allora and her helpers worked through the night.  She was just 
finishing the last set of straps as Gamma wingwas gathering on the Green. 
 She looked up from her work to see her helpers sleeping in the chairs, 
on the bed, anywhere they could find a comfortable spot.

	Jason woke up from his doze just as she finished.  They quickly 
woke the others, they had all made her promise that she would wake them, 
they wanted to see Gamma wing off, and wish them luck.

	They helped her deliver the last set of straps.  Everyone in the 
wing had a spare harness and straps.  They could do no more than to wish 
them luck.

	As they were heading off the Green, Jason said "We shouldn't go 
to the Barracks...the others will still be sleeping.  All of us coming in 
would wake them."

	"Good point, then I guess we all head up to the work shop, we can 
sleep there till breakfast"  Allora suggested.  "But I get the couch."

	At the base of the steps going up to the work rooms, were all the 
hatchlings.  They looked like a tangle of colors, they let them stay 
there, no sense disturbing them.


 ********** 
Regenta startle Mari out of a sound sleep.

<Wake up! Mari!! T'rell's getting ready to leave.  You need to say 
good-bye!>
 
*Thank you dear.  I do want to say good-bye.*
 
Mari quickly  pulled her clothes on, as a dull ache filled her chest, and
hurried out on to the green, followed by her young dragon.
 
     At the edge of the green, T'rell saw the two queenriders watching 
the
wing as it prepared for takeoff.  Little Regenta stood next to Mari, 
while Viktroy loomed behind them.
 
     <T'rell, my rider says that you are to be *very* careful!> Regenta
told T'rell. <She says that she expects you to keep your promise and 
return!>
 
     T'rell smiled, and waved at Mari. *Tell your rider that I ALWAYS 
keep
my promises.*
 
     Regenta relayed the message to her rider.  Mari took a deep breath 
and
her body shook as a sob escaped from deep inside her.  She knew he meant 
to keep his promise if it was at all possible and if he was in control of 
the situation she knew he'd keep her promise.  But no one was in control 
of a situation like this.
      <Don't cry Mari,  he'll be back he promised.>
 
      *I know he will if he can, dear.  But he doesn't have control over
what happens, only the gods do.*
 
      The young dragon cocked her head as if trying to figure out that
statement.  <Well then, you have nothing to worry about.  I'm sure the 
gods wouldn't want anything to happen to T'rell.>

   --------- 
    
      The young queen grew very uncomfortable.  Something was wrong with
her rider.  Regenta tried to contact her without success.  She became
frightened.  Something was wrong and she couldn't help Mari.

       <Hey, Fluff?>
 
       <Yes my queen, what can I do for you?>
 
       <I think somethings wrong with Mari.  I can't reach her.  She 
doesn't respond to me.  Can you help me find her?>

	<Ofcourse, I will wake the others, we will find her for you.>

	<What other's?> Regenta was puzzled by his answer.

	<Dojanth, Starfire, Keresha, and Marlinth>  Fluffy answered, and 
he began nuzzling and calling them.  <Regenta has lost her Rider, and she 
needs us to help her find her.>  he explained to his friends.

	Dojanth suggested they tell their riders where they were going.

	<I will tell my soul mate, and then she could tell the others,>  
Fluffy told the others.

	<Allora...>

	<Yes love??> was her sleepy reply.

	<We are going to help Regenta>

	<Hmmm alright, where is Shadow?>

	<He is with me.>

	< O K....let me know if you need anything> and she was fast 
asleep.

	<Umm .. Reggie... It is very dark out here.>

	<Fluff!  I need you to help me!>

	Just then the clouds that were covering the moon, passed away, 
and the warren was bathed in moon light.

	<Thanks Reggie!  But how did you do that?>

	<Do what?> she was getting more concerned for her rider. 

	<Turn the lights on>

	Shadow chose to remain perched on Fluffies back for this trip,  
There were too many dragonnettes wandering around.  The little group 
wandered in the direction of the Green...that was where Mari had been 
last.

	From there they quietly tromped over to the doors of the dining 
area.  The size of the double doors posed a problem for the rapidlly 
growing dragons...they couldn't fit.  Try as they might, none of them 
were quite small enough, although Merlinth was almost small enough, she 
was able to get partway in.

	Then Fluffy thought of Shadow...he was small enough, and he knew 
what Mari smelled like. It took him a little bit of time to get the 
kitten to go in, he was not at all interested in getting down.

	Finally Shadow got down, and went in....there was just one 
problem...he was a kitten...a rather large kitten granted, but a kitten 
none the less.

	Five minutes , and three loud crashes later, he came yeowling out 
the doors, at least Fluffy thought it was Shadow....but now he was all 
white!

	He launched himself onto Fluffy's back in a cloud of flour, just 
in time to avoid getting hit with the broom.  Realee caught Fluffy on the 
right side.  She was yelling something, while standing in a swirling 
cloud of white, but the little dragons didn't wait to find out what.

	<I think we had better go get Reggie>  Fluffy suggested to his 
group of helpers.

	When in doubt...get a queen.

	They headed in the direction of the Barracks, never noticing the 
trail of white footprints they were leaving.  They made their way, to 
where Regenta was sitting.

	<Fluff, what happened to all of you?>  she asked.  All of her 
friends where coated in white.  Just then Shadow jumped down and headed 
for T'rell's office.  <Was that Shadow?>

	

--------

end of part one	


I will finish this to night

disrespectfully submitted by

Allora & Fluffy

Joan