>M'naten looked startled for a second, then grinned.  "Well, I have my 
reputation to >consider.  Couldn't join any but the best wing..."

>"Gamma it is!" T'rell clapped him on the shoulder.  "Why don't you come and 
meet >some of your new wingmates?"

>M'naten stood up and smiled.

>"Love to."

     "They'll be gathering for drills shortly," T'rell said, as M'naten fell 
into step beside him.  "In the meantime, let's stop at the training barracks. 
 We just had a hatching here, you know, so we've got several new riders, 
including a new queenrider.  By the way, are you all settled in?"

     "Yes," said M'naten.  "I think I am going to like this warren *very* 
much."

     "Oh...all right," said T'rell, knowing from M'naten's tone that he could 
have elaborated on that statement a bit more than he had.  "We like to see 
our riders happy...it makes them more efficient."

     "I feel quite efficient this morning," M'naten said, grinning.

     "The new riders and their dragons have moved out of the training 
barracks," T'rell explained as they drew within sight of the large building.  
"As always, we've still got a number who didn't join last time and are 
waiting to try again.  But the newly-joined riders are gathering for flying 
practice...there are some of them now, by the way."  He pointed to a cluster 
of young dragons and riders gathered to one side of the training barracks.

     "This is M'naten, rider of Graimor," T'rell told the trainees.  "He's 
new at Daere, and will be joining Gamma wing."  He then proceeded to 
introduce the others to the newcomer.  "This is Allora, and Jason, and 
Sharees.  And these are their dragons, of course.  
Starfire...Charnelle...Fluffy - er, Thornguard."

     Just then they heard the sound of dragon wings, and Regenta landed next 
to the barracks.  "Ah," said T'rell, smiling as he went over to help her 
dismount.  "And this is Marialla, the rider of our new queen, Regenta."

     As M'naten and Marialla exchanged introductions, T'rell noticed how much 
the wind had picked up.  Even though the bowl the warren provided a natural 
windbreak for those inside it, the wind blowing across its open top subjected 
the interior to unpredictable swirls and eddies that he knew could be tricky 
for even experienced riders and dragons.  

     "T'rell, what is it?" Mari asked, noticing the look of concern on his 
face.

     "Well, I *was* planning for all of you to get in more flight-time on 
your dragons today, but now, with the wind picking up like this, I think 
perhaps we'd better stay on the ground."

     Mari looked around her.  "Hmm, doesn't seem that bad...whoops!" she 
said, as an unexpected gust pushed her back against Reggie's wing."

     (I still think I could fly in this,) Reggie ventured, and was seconded 
by the other trainee-dragons, even though they clearly were having difficulty 
just keeping their wings folded properly against the tug of the wind.

     *I'm sure you could, but lets play it safe,* T'rell told her.  He wasn't 
about to let anything happen to *any* of his trainees, but most particularly 
to Mari or Reggie.

     "Starfire's been wanting to practice flaming," Jason said.  "I don't 
know that's too good an idea in this wind."

     "Probably not,"  Allora agreed.  "Especially not with Fluffy...I mean 
Thornguard...here."

     T'rell shrugged.  "Well, I'm sure we'll think of something."

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

>Graimor chuckled to himself.  This had taken some time to set-up, but it was 
going to be worth it.   M'naten would surely forgive him the loan - 
eventually. 

>All he had to do now was find his target.

><You left me.>  The queen's tone was quite petulant.  Graimor smiled.  She 
would value him.

><Where's Flerrion?>  He forced as much accusation and hurt into his tone as 
he could. 

><Oh, him.  He's asleep by  the pens.  Not paying any attention to me!>

>Graimor chuckled.  Foolish move, Flerrion - I win.  As stealthily as a very 
large dragon could move, he headed for the pens.  There was his rival, 
snoozing happily in the sun.  Stifling a laugh, Graimor arranged his plan 
carefully. 

><The pens really are quite nice and warm, my dear.  Perhaps we should all 
enjoy the sun here.>

>

>Satisfied with the knowledge that his plan was complete.  He smiled benignly 
at Flerrion.  Soon the beast would awaken to his humiliation.  That should 
end his daring to challenge me.

     (Flerrion, you seem to be falling down on the job,) Troy observed.  (Do 
I need to start hunting for myself again?)

     Flen opened his eyes and yawned, then saw the queen standing there and 
heaved himself up to a standing position.   (Um, sorry about that,) he told 
her.

     (And what *is* that you're holding?) Troy asked.  Behind her, Graimor 
snickered audibly.

     Flerrion looked down, and saw a piece of cloth clenched in his right 
foreclaw.  He blinked at it, perplexed at how it had gotten there.

     Gauging his timing carefully, Graimor now spoke up.  (Hey, that belongs 
to *my* rider!) he said, his mindvoice carefully reflecting outrage.

     Troy rolled her eyes.  (Well, what are you doing with that?) she 
demanded.

     Flerrion looked at her,  then down at M'naten's sheet, then back up at 
Troy.  (I have no idea,) he told her.

     Graimor hmmphed.  (Well, when my rider finds out, he's not going to be 
the least bit happy that you got it all dirty!  And he'll tell your rider, 
too!)

     Flerrion looked back down at the sheet, then decided that bold, decisive 
action was called for.  He tossed the sheet backwards over his shoulder, then 
dropped back down to the ground and pretended to be asleep.  

     (Oh, how lame!) said Graimor.

     (It usually works, though,) the queen observed.  (Except 
that...Flerrion, that scrap of cloth...)

     (It isn't a *scrap!*) Graimor protested.

     (...is hung up on the tip of your tail,) she finished.

     Flen took a surreptitious look behind him, and saw that he hadn't 
succeeded in ridding himself of the evidence.  He gave his tail a quick 
flick, and sent the sheet fluttering up into the air...after which he quickly 
pretended to be asleep again.  The sheet, meanwhile, was caught by a gust of 
wind and went sailing directly at Troy.

     The queen, having no desire to find herself hit with a dirty sheet, was 
quick to duck, and the sheet passed over her on a collision course with 
Graimor.  He beat his wings strongly, sending the sheet wafting up high into 
the air.  Carried by the strong breeze, it sailed out over the bowl of the 
warren.

     T'rell was standing with M'naten next to the training barracks when one 
of the trainees looked up....and the cry rang out.  "Wraith!!!"

      Immediately, every eye was turned upwards.  "Wraith!!" shouted several 
at once.

     (Wraiths??) asked several of the young dragons, craning their necks 
skyward.  

     (I don't think that's a wraith....) said Regenta.

     (Well, what else could it be?) Starfire asked.  (It's the right shape...)

     (And the right color...) Thornguard put in.  (Get it!!)

     *Hey, wait a minute!!* T'rell mindshouted as several of the trainee 
dragons leaped skyward.  *You forgot your riders!*

     "What's going on?" asked M'naten, squinting to see the shape more 
clearly.  

     "Damn bedsheet!" T'rell snarled, glaring skyward.  

     "That's what he calls wraiths," Sharees explained to M'naten.

      "Not this time," said T'rell.  "That's not a wraith...its a damned 
bedsheet!"

     "Hadn't we better call them back?" Mari asked uncertainly, keeping a 
hold on Regenta's wingtip lest the queen decide to join in the chase.

     T'rell sighed.  "Naw, let them go....it'll be good practice for them."

* * * * * * * *

     Flerrion cracked an eye open as he heard the commotion approaching them. 
 Troy and Graimor also looked upward.  

     (What *is* going on?) the queen demanded.  (This used to be such a quiet 
warren...Flerrion, did you do something?)

     (I have no idea,) the crimson dragon admitted.

     Just then, M'naten's dirt-streaked sheet blew back into view, pursued by 
a multicolored gaggle of trainee dragons all crying (Wraith!)

     (Wraith??) Flerrion asked, snapping immediately into full wakefulness.  
The only thing he could think of was safeguarding Troy!  He dashed forward, 
interposing himself between her and the oncoming menace.

     (Troy, get down!) he cried, shouldering the surprised Graimor aside.  He 
unleashed a blast of flame from his jaws, instantly incinerating the 
offending sheet and forcing the pursuing dragons to take frantic evasive 
actions.

     Flerrion turned to look at Troy.  (Well, I guess I showed that wraith 
not to come messing around Daere!) he said proudly.

     Troy chuckled, watching the few remaining shards of the "wraith" flutter 
groundward, followed by the trainee dragons.  (Well...)

     (Wow, did you see that?) one of them asked.

     (It was coming right at him and he didn't even flinch...)

     (He must be *very* brave...)

     (*Flerrion* did that?  I didn't think he had it in him...)

     Troy cleared her throat to stifle a laugh.  (It, um, looks like you're a 
hero at the moment, Flerrion.)

     Flerrion puffed his chest out with pride, leaning over to nuzzle Troy.

     (Hmmph!) grumbled Graimor, shaking his head.

NRPG:  I hadn't done a post like this in quite some awhile, and I figured it 
was time to do another. :)

Submitted by:

John

T'rell & Flerrion
Daere Warren

Trevor & Trissana, Cleft Warren
Warrenlady Tara & Queen Varaenna, Jasra Warren