D'Altar and Raven walked away from what turned out to be the dining hall. 
D'Altar was a proud man, but even he was salavating at the smells wafting 
out from the hall. Until his fate was decided though, he would not be a 
burden to the Warren.

The girl had looked at him in a rather odd way. She seemed to know him. Not 
possible, obviously, and yet she seemed convinced. He must be like someone. 
Not his double or she would have used his name, but sufficient to make her 
talk to this tall stranger. No doubt all would reveal itself in the fullness 
of time.

At a suitable spot, away from the Warren building, they made camp. 'Camp' 
was made by sitting on the ground. He was too tired to eat but to restless 
to sleep, so D'Altar took out his harp. Raven curled around his rider to 
listen to the sweet music. D'Altar began to play a lilting ballad. It was a 
song tinged with sadness, not quite fitting the situation, yet reflecting 
the sadness which had plagued him for years. Who was this girl?

He saw a figure at a distance. She eminated from the WarrenLady's offices 
and was the right height and build. It was the WarrenLady then. She seemed 
to pause, listening, then continued on. She looked as if a weight was 
sitting on her shoulders. He was sure, though, that one man and his dragon 
could not be causing such a problem for her. Just as he began to feel his 
eyes get tired, she seemed to pull herself upright and stride more 
purposfully. The woman had strength.

It was then he was aware of a slight ground tremor. Most people would never 
have felt such a thing but he was not most people. As it drew near, he had 
to remind himself that this was a place full of people, not hunting beasts. 
He did not draw his sword, but stood and turned with a speed which surprised 
the approaching rider.

"Woah!! Where's the fire?" he smiled.

"I apologise. I am unaccustomed to company. What do you want?"

"Direct, aren't you?" he smiled again. "I didn't get a chance to introduce 
myself. I am Ja'ks, a WingLeader here at Daere. Jayleigh asked me to see you 
were comfortable."

"We have all we need. Thank you," he added, with the discomfort of those 
unused to others and the politics of social interaction.

"Then I will leave you to rest. You look as though you've travelled far."

As he was turning round, D'Altar spoke again.

"Wait a moment!" The rider turned back. "I see a reaction in your faces - 
all of you. And at the dining hall, there was a girl..."

"What girl!!" Ja'ks asked.

"I don't know who she was. She was small, pretty. There was a sadness around 
her. She invited me to eat with her and I said that I would perhaps see her 
in the morning."

"D'Altar, you're right. We see in you the face of a rider who died. He was a 
valiant man and a second in my Wing. We recently had a huge battle involving 
many Warrens fighting Wraiths together. The man died there in battle. I 
think the girl you saw was Kayla, his mate. I wasn't sure how she'd react to 
seeing you. She is not over him, but was beginning to move on."

D'Altar's face was grave. "Then it would be best if I left," he said.

"No! Even if she hadn't yet seen you, we would not ask you to go just like 
that. No, wait and see what Jayleigh has to say. Don't make any rash 
decisions."

"Apart from descending on your Warren in the night, I never make rash 
decisions. I will await the Lady."

Ja'ks left to go and speak to Kayla in the dining hall. Perhaps he could 
guage her reaction better than this man. D'Altar, though thoughtful, knew he 
must sleep. Meditating would clear his mind, so he sat down, legs crossed 
and began to breath deeply...

[The next morning...]

8< ..ooO SNIP Ooo.. >8

Sprarroe didn't have any trouble finding the spot where the newest rider to
Daere had spent the night. He landed beside the big black and lowered
himself so his rider could slide from his back then warned the black that
his rider needed to talk with his.

"Good morning," Ja'ks greeted the man when he saw him. "I hope that you both
spelt well last night?"

"Well enough," D'Altar returned the greeting. "Has the Warrenlady decided
what is to become of us yet?"

"Getting right to the point I see," Ja'ks grinned. "I like that. Mean's
you'll be quick to make decisions... and as it happened she has. You're to
be assigned to Beta Wing for training..."

"We've had training," the other man started and Ja'ks unconcerned waved him 
off.

"Training out in the wilds yes, but we have a different way of doing things
around here," he told the man. "We'll talk more of that later but for now
how about we find the two of you a place to live and show you around the 
Warren."

8< ..ooO SNIP Ooo.. >8

"That would be ... nice." He would have to get used to the customary 
pleasantaries. They walked around, Ja'ks pointing out the various shops and 
stalls, the coal bunkers, the warehouses. They came to the cliffs which 
housed the riders and their dragons.

"There are many empty," Ja'ks said, waving his arm towards the caves. "You 
may have your pick of those. Most have no furniture, though, but we can sort 
you out with that."

"I have no money, but I have skills I can trade and I am willing to work," 
he said, looking uneasy.

"We don't really operate with money here, D'Altar. The Landbound give us 
tithes to protect them and as one of those protectors, you are entitled to 
share the resources of the Warren."

D'Altar looked around again, this time with more wonder. Could such a place 
really *be*!

"It will take time to get used to this."

"I'm sure it will. We're all here to help you. Now, about breakfast. You 
know where the dining hall is?"

"Yes. I can find it."

"Good. I have to go. I have other matters to attend to. Get breakfast and 
find yourself an apartment. We'll talk again later."

"What about the girl?" D'Altar asked.

"I think she'll be alright. Just go easy there - she's still vulnerable."

As D'Altar approached the dining hall, he passed by the clearing where Raven 
still stood.

<Raven, do you see the cliffs over there?>

<<Yes my rider. What are they?>>

<Our new home. Fly to the top level and find an empty one that you like. If 
you can, make sure it has three chambers and a kitchen.>

<<Let me guess - a small one at the front and the back, with a large one in 
the middle>>

<That's right! Am I so predictable?>

<<Where else will you train?>> the dragon said, amused.

<When you've found a place, make sure you get something to eat.>

Without the company of Ja'ks, D'Altar noticed that many people were staring 
at him. Not all of them were friendly, but many people gave him a little 
smile. Arriving at the dining hall, he saw the girl - Kayla, he reminded 
himself. Had she been waiting for him?

"I knew Ja'ks would be finished with you about now. He told me he'd be 
talking to you last night."

"I do not know what to say to you. I am sorry for your loss and if my 
presence pains you, I will leave this place."

"No! Don't leave. I couldn't bare it if I drove someone away from a safe 
home, especially someone who needs one as much as you."

"I don't need anything from anyone," D'Altar countered.

"You could live without it, but you still need it. Friendship, support... 
love." She blushed at the last part. "We all need it." She seemed lost in 
thought, but only for a moment."Come in and eat breakfast. Realee is an 
excellent cook and makes a mean bacon and eggs!"

"Does she have oatmeal?" he asked.

"Yes, but most people leave it alone. It reminds them too much of being a 
kid.. 'Eat up your oatmeal'..." she smiled.

"Yes," he replied, smiling sadly, "it does, doesn't it."

NRPG:

Barb: I hope that's what you had in mind. I hadn't thought of that exactly 
for D'Altar but it's a great idea.

---------------------

Peter Shillan
ObjectWiz@hotmail.com

aka

D'Altar and Raven, Beta Wing, Daere Warren.

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