T'rell
(Wingleader's office, Day 3)

/snip from Barb's post/
"I heard from the dragon pipe line that he's offered to teach... Mari how to
defend herself."

"Might be good for her," Ja'ks said raising his coffee cup up and taking a
sip. "Might be a good idea for most of the women around here to take some
kind of classes like that. Especially those who ride dragons and have to
visit the worst towns around here. I know Jays feels better knowing she can
take care of herself... those knives she wears aren't just for show
either... she can hit what she aims them at."

"I've seen her do it," T'rell quipped, but didn't mention when.

"Okay now, how's about telling me about this idea of yours?" Ja'ks said
taking another sip of his coffee.
/end snip/

     "Very simple," said T'rell.  "What I'm looking at doing here is creating 
a small team that's capable of responding quickly, in *any* sort of 
emergency...not just attacks by wraiths or wilders."

     Ja'ks looked perplexed.  "What else is there?" he asked.  "Barring, of 
course, things involving the landbound that would violate the contract."

     "Well, look at what happened when Da'ntray attacked the warren," T'rell 
said.  "If Des'ry had had his squad up and operating, they might have been in 
a position to prevent what happened to Danika and Kalindeth, and all the eggs 
that were lost.  Instead, the 'elite' riders were out flying patrol with the 
wing...and not even as a distinct group, mind you.  The theory was, I guess, 
that if they were needed, they'd quickly assemble and do whatever needed to 
be done."  

     "Of course, by the time they'd get themselves assembled, the critical 
moment may have passed," Ja'ks observed.

     "Right," said T'rell.  "These riders are going to be together on a 
continuous basis.  "They'll do patrols together, hang around the warren 
together, and in general get used to working as a team."

     "Hopefully, they won't get sick and tired of each other as well," Ja'ks 
said.  "Who have you got so far, besides D'Altar?"

     "Several from Gamma," T'rell said, ticking names off on his fingers.  
"Sharees, Jason, the new guy Alexis, Big Olaf...also Allora from Alpha..."

     Ja'ks eyes widened.  "Whoa, go back a bit...you let *Olaf* into your 
*Elite* squadron??"

     T'rell cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Um, yes..."  He proceeded to 
relate the chain of circumstances which had resulted in Big Olaf becoming 
part of the new unit.  "And yes, I know, he's not exactly what I was casting 
around for...but by the gods, I meant what I said to M'naten about being to 
make *any* rider good enough, given enough training."

     "Well, if you say so," Ja'ks said, shrugging.  "So, when should we have 
Norin report to you so that you can make something out of her?"

     T'rell looked thoughtful.  "Well, I could make her into a practice dummy 
for sword-practice tomorrow," he said.

     "Is this unit going to have a name?"  Ja'ks inquired.  "Jays mentioned 
something about the 'Black Coffee Squadron' the other day..."

     "That's an odd name," T'rell said, giving Ja'ks a curious look.  "Why 
would anyone want to call it that?"

     "Well, because...oh, never mind," Ja'ks said.  "But look...what exactly 
are you going to do to train this bunch, anyway? And who's going to run the 
wing while you're doing it?"

     "M'naten has graciously volunteered do the paperwork while I'm occupied 
with this," T'rell said.  "As for what I had in mind...are you busy late 
tonight?"

     "I should probably say yes, but truthfully I'm not," said Ja'ks.  "At 
least, not so far as I know.  Why?"

     "There's a little work that needs to be done in here," said T'rell.  
"Some things that I want to keep secret from the group...things that involve 
our little session tomorrow."  After double-checking to make sure that no one 
was looking through a window or listening at the keyhole, he quietly briefed 
Ja'ks on what he had in mind.

* * * * * * * *
Afternoon, Day 3
(T'rell's office)

/snip from Tree's post)
Before T'rell could answer she added, "I can assure you I can hold my
own real well.  If you need me to prove myself I'll wrestle any man you
name. I would have to be honest to say I don't always win and have lost
a few, but not too many.

Shaking his head, T'rell rubbed his temples," and please quit calling me
Sir!"

Puss saw the man squinting at her and couldn't help wonder what was
wrong with his eyes. Noticing he kept staring at the empty cup before
him, she said, "Yes sir! I noticed you keep looking at that empty cup
of yours. Did you need some more coffee? Would you like me to get you
some, it wouldn't be a problem."
/end snip/

     "Um...sure," said T'rell, "I guess..."

     He didn't even get a chance to finish the sentence before Puss had 
snatched the cup off his desk and disappeared out through the door.  He gave 
a low whistle, then sighed and shook his head.  You certainly couldn't fault 
the girl for any lack of drive and ambition.  True, you could fault her for 
not having any fashion sense to speak of...but not for lacking drive and 
ambition!  

     She reappeared moments later, a steaming cup in her hand.  "Here you go, 
si...er, Wingleader!" she said, placing it carefully onto his desk.

     "Thanks," he said, picking up the cup and bringing it to his lips for a 
sip.  "Now, Puss, tell me why you want to join the...ack...coffee...."

     "To join the Black Coffee...what?" Puss asked.

     T'rell coughed, setting down the cup.  "No, no," he choked out, pointing 
at the cup.  "THAT coffee...where'd you get it??"

      "From the pot you had heating in the storeroom," she said.  "It took me 
a bit of doing to find it, but..."

      T'rell grimaced as he slid the cup away from him.  "Puss, that was a 
pot of old coffee grounds that I was heating to soften them up to make 
fertilizer out of, for the tomato plants I've got growing out back!"

     "Oops," Puss said, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

     T'rell waved a hand.  "No, that's all right," he said.  "No way anyone 
but me would've known the difference without actually tasting it...so at 
least I know you're not a coffee-filcher."

     "No, I'm not that," she agreed.  "Now, about my joining this unit you're 
forming..."

     Just then, Big Olaf appeared in the doorway.  "Mister T'rell, I finished 
the stuff you told me to do before...and I brung ya s'more coffee!" the big 
man said.  T'rell nodded, and reached up to all but snatch the cup out of 
Olaf's hand.  Despite what he'd just told Puss, that stuff he'd just drunk 
tasted abominable and definitely needed to be washed down.  

     "Thanks," he croaked, once he'd washed the taste of old grounds out of 
his mouth.  One thing about Olaf, he always managed get the coffee when it 
was fresh.  Then he noticed that Puss was eying Olaf rather intently.  

     "Howdy, ma'am!" Olaf said cheerily to Puss.  "Ah'm Olaf!!"

     "Olaf here is one of the members of our new Elite Unit," T'rell said, an 
idea forming in his mind.  "Puss, tell you what...I've got some reports I 
need to finish, but let Olaf here explain to you what this new unit's all 
about.  Maybe you could go over to the dining hall."  

     And, if Puss was sufficiently ambitious and focused that she *still* 
wanted to join after this...then maybe, just maybe, her request to join the 
squadron would begin to pique his interest...

(Tag Tree)
     
* * * * * * * *

(Day 4, Predawn - Lexi's & Panda's apartment)

/snip from Tree's post/
"It's Panda's own blend, she makes it herself, being a coffee drinker I
thought you might like it." Lexi answered handing T'rell a piece of the
warm pie.

Just then a loud squeal caught their attention as a flurry of blankets
erupted from the bed and ran into the bathroom.
/end snip/

     T'rell blinked, then turned to Lexi.  "Don't look now," he said, "but 
I'm afraid you may be hearing from her later about this."

     "I think you may be right," Lexi agreed.  "Oh well...in the meantime, 
here, let me refill your cup."

     "Thanks," said T'rell, holding out his cup.  "Hm, so tell me, where does 
your sister get this coffee blend of hers...I've never tasted anything quite 
like it..."

     "I don't know that she'd want me giving away her secrets," said Lexi 
with a smile.

     Before T'rell could say anything else, his attention was taken up by 
Pandora's reappearance.  In a remarkably short time she'd managed to get 
herself dressed, her hair fixed, and in general looking like she'd already 
been up a couple of hours instead of only moments.  And, even though she was 
more clothed than she had been before, T'rell couldn't help but notice the 
perfect curves that lay beneath the clothing, or how well they went with her 
exquisite features.  He quickly stood up and pushed his chair back.  

     "We haven't had a chance to meet, at least not formally," he said, 
bowing.  "I'm T'rell, the Gamma Wingleader here."

     "Ah...yes, I know," she said, as he took her hand and kissed it.  "I'm 
Pandora..."

     "You make wonderful coffee," he told her.  "Not to mention the pie!  I 
can see why Lexi's dragon hangs around you all the time!"

     Pandora looked more than a little embarrassed.  "Thank you," she said.  
"Would you like some more?"  In response, both T'rell's cup and Lexi's were 
quickly held out in her direction.  "I guess I should be glad that Samson 
doesn't drink coffee too!" she said.

     "There are worse habits," T'rell said.  "If he ever starts to take an 
interest in mud or paint, discourage him immediately!"

     "He's very stubborn," Lexi said with a chuckle.  "I may have to call 
upon your authority as his Wingleader to make him mind."

     While they were talking, T'rell continued to watch Pandora bustle around 
the kitchen.  The Wingleader sighed.  If he hadn't sworn to himself that he'd 
never get involved with another woman after Marialla, he thought he'd be 
taking quite an interest by now in this one.  Even though he barely knew her, 
what little he knew of her told her that she was just the sort of woman that 
could make just about any man happy.  He sighed inwardly again.  If only...

     He was broken out of his reverie as Lexi spoke to him.  "You said not to 
let you stay too long," the big man said.  "Something about needing to get 
over to the hatchling barracks?"

     "Oh, yeah," T'rell said, forcing his attention from Pandora back to 
Alexis.  "Yeah, I'd better."

     He quickly finished his pie, drained his coffee, and started to get up 
to leave.  Pandora came over with the pot and refilled his cup.  "You look as 
though you could use another cup," she observed.  "Take it with you...Lexi 
can bring it back with him later."

     "Oh...gee, thank you," said T'rell, giving Panda a grateful smile.  "It 
was a real pleasure meeting you, ma'am!  I hope we'll be seeing quite a bit 
of one another!"  And he found, to his surprise, that he really meant that.

     He bowed to her yet again, and hurried out.  "See you over there!" he 
called back to Alexi.

* * * * * * * *
Training Barracks, shortly afterward

     The handpicked members of the squadron were assembled outside the 
training barracks...including, to his surprise, Kayla.  Ja'ks had come by 
only minutes before the squad had assembled, and ask him if she could join.  
T'rell, of course, had approved the request immediately.  Kayla had been one 
of his best trainees...and, even though Ja'ks seemed to think that she'd 
changed since the death of Ar'Aman, he was more than willing to give her a 
chance.  

     Also here were representatives of the other two wings.  Even though he'd 
initially planned on having this be strictly an internal affair of Gamma 
Wing, both Ja'ks and Tair'n had wanted to have some of their people involved 
in case it should be later decided to form similar units within Alpha and 
Beta Wings.  Altogether, there were about a dozen riders here.  A good start, 
he thought, as he walked out to address them.
 
     They weren't lined up in drill formation as he would expect of new 
trainees...this group was past that level.  They'd already proven themselves 
capable of warren discipline, or they wouldn't be here today.  Instead, they 
stood in groups of twos and threes, chatting among themselves as they waited 
for T'rell to speak to them.  The dragons were there too, arranged in a wide 
semicircle facing toward the barracks.  For the most part it was the dragons 
belonging to the riders who were here, but he was surprised to see Viktroy 
there as well, sitting next to Flerrion.  T'rell walked over to them, saying 
hurried good-mornings to Chamelle and Starfire as he passed between them.  
*Well, this is an unexpected pleasure,* he told the queen.

     [I am here to observe,] she replied.  [My rider can't be here because 
she has to sit in her office and scribble things on paper all day, just like 
she does every day...but this way, she will still know what is going on.]

     *Well, I'm happy to see that we're attracting attention from high 
places,* T'rell said, patting Troy on the nose as he walked over in front of 
the group.

     "Okay let's get started!" he said, clapping his hands together once to 
get their attention.  "I imagine you're all wondering what this is about.  
Well, that's what I'm about to tell you!"

     He quickly gave them the same explanation that he'd given to both Ja'ks 
and Jayleigh.  "And so, as we learned yet again the other day, we need a 
group of dragons and riders who is ready to respond to *any* emergency on a 
moment's notice...just like the one that almost claimed the life of 
Wingleader Tair'n and Nor...*ahem,* and somebody else from the warren."  

     Sharees raised her hand to ask a question.  "I can see what you mean 
about the situation with Tair'n and Norin," she said, "or when those rogues 
attacked here.  But how many situations are there going to be like that?"

     "Even if there's only one a year, or one every two years, it's enough to 
make this worthwhile," T'rell answered.  "And, I've been thinking of other 
possible things too...things that dragonriders typically don't do, but could."

     "Things involving the landbound?" Jason asked.  At T'rell's nod, he 
asked, "But what about the contract?"

     "The Contract tells the things we *must* do, like fighting wraiths," 
T'rell told the group.  "And it tells things that we must *not* do...such as 
siding with one landbound lord against another, as Roland of Falagand did.  
But there are many things we don't do that we could...things that we now 
leave to the landbound simply because we aren't required to do them.  But I 
heard that right after Jayleigh became Warrenlady here, dragons and riders 
from Daere helped put out a forest fire that might otherwise have destroyed 
acres and acres of valuable forestland.  Our patrol riders see things out 
there all the time that need doing...and sometimes they get in trouble 
because it's a situation where one or two dragon-rider pairs isn't enough, 
and it takes too long to muster a whole wing to go out and help.  That's 
where this group would come in."

     He saw the riders nodding and whispering among themselves.  Whether they 
thought it was a screwy idea or a good one, he couldn't tell.  Probably they 
couldn't tell themselves, at least not yet.  Nor, for that matter, could he 
with any degree of certainty...but he had high hopes nonetheless.

     "The key to the whole thing is expecting the unexpected," he told them.  
"The type of training we'll be doing here will be based around that premise." 
 He turned and started to walk back to the barracks.  "Hang on, I've got to 
get rid of this coffee," he called back to them.  Then we'll get started!"

     As soon as he was inside, he closed the door and dropped the locking bar 
across it.  It was a heavy door, capable of resisting a lot of battering.  He 
knew that the windows were all locked as well, save the one that faced out 
onto the practice field where he'd just come in from.  He saw that Ja'ks was 
sitting next to it, just out of sight of anyone outside.  "You're sure you 
want to do this," he said, not quite in the form of a question because he 
figured he knew the answer anyway.  

     "Yup," said T'rell, glancing around at the various booby-traps that had 
been rigged at the doors and windows...tripwires attached to cans of water 
and paint that had been rigged above the doors, as well as nets and a number 
of other ingenious little traps; none of them lethal or even particularly 
painful, but enough to give anyone trying to get inside quite a surprise.  
"Training Exercise Number One...Expecting the Unexpected!"

     "Okay," said Ja'ks obviously thinking that he and T'rell might end up 
being surprised as well.  "Ready when you are!"

     T'rell nodded, then crept over by the window and let out a bloodcurdling 
scream.  Outside, they could hear the excited buzz of conversation between 
the riders.

     "Okay, we've got T'rell!"  Ja'ks growled in a voice as unlike his normal 
speaking voice as he could manage.  "Let's kill him now and go out and get 
those other kiddies standing around out in the field!"

     "Naw, let's hold him hostage!" T'rell replied in a guttural voice that 
he doubted anyone would recognize.  "Hey, you out there!  We got this here 
Wingleader, and we're gonna kill him unless you bring the Warrenlady to us 
right now!  No tricks now, or we'll cut his throat!"  He then switched to his 
normal voice.  "They're nuts!!" he shouted in a loud voice that everyone 
could clearly hear.  "They mean it!  Better...better do as they say!!" 

     "I hope they don't decide to have the dragons burn this place down 
around us!" Ja'ks whispered.

     "Don't worry," T'rell said.  "If they do, I'll flunk them on the 
exercise.  Their goal is to rescue the hostages and overpower the attackers 
without any bloodshed."

     "That's very reassuring," said Ja'ks.  "Come on, we'd better duck down 
into the cellar!"  The two riders went down, and closed the trap door behind 
them to wait.

(Ok, tag to any and all of the squad members!  Rescue the "hostages" if you 
can...and watch those booby traps!!)

NRPG: I didn't list the PCs and NPCs who were here this morning because I'm 
not 100% sure who all intended to be there.  Big Olaf is definitely there, 
and it's been established that Jason and Sharees were there as well.  Based 
on Barb's post I assumed that Kayla would report as soon as she got the word. 
 The others I *think* are there would include D'Altar, Allora, and Alexis.  
Puss may also be there, assuming she and Big Olaf got along well enough the 
day before. :)  

Submitted by:

John

T'rell & Flerrion
Daere Warren
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 09:25:16 +0100
From: ObjectWiz <ObjectWiz@hotmail.com>
To: "Tree (Trina)" <treedr@yelmtel.com>, ObjectWiz <ObjectWiz@hotmail.com>,
     Michael David Turek <mdt02@uow.edu.au>, Lynette Cowper <lcowper@indy.net>,
     Katrina Gischer <kgischer@bayarea.net>, John Pepper <varaenna@hotmail.com>,
     John Pepper <Trissana@aol.com>, Joan Fisher2 <vayanth@hotmail.com>,
     Joan Fisher <evillady@concentric.net>,
     Dragonlands Archives <dlands@dragonlands.dhs.org>,
     Dianne Eberle3 <regenta02@hotmail.com>,
     Dianne Eberle <marialla@rockriver.net>, Cozette <ice_indigo@yahoo.com>,
     Barbara Matthews <carolyn@prismnet.com>, Arlene Jacobs <wondermom@ij.net>,
     Keri Rodgers <keri_rodgers@execacco.com>
Subject: [DL-D] Changing Positions

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NRPG:

I *believe* this all takes place on...

RPG:

[<[ Day 5, midmorning ]>]

- - 8< - - [And It's Only Just The Morning] - - 8< - -

Later on he stopped by the dining hall for lunch before his patrol and saw
D'Altar right away in the company of Jason and Sharees. He and Jason seemed
to be having a few words and just when Ja'ks decided to break it up, they
settled down. But not before D'Altar caught him watching.

Earlier on his way to the hall, he'd seen the man with Mari, heading inside
her apartment, and that hadn't set to well with Ja'ks. Wasn't one woman
enough for the man? He knew the man saw him with Sharees and maybe he though
they'd better have a talk before things got out of hand.

Moment's later D'Altar walked over to him.

"Perhaps you would like a talk with me?" D'Altar questioned.

"Perhaps I would," he replied flatly.

So the man was expecting him to say something. Ja'ks wasn't so sure he liked
that. He'd seen the man walking with Mari towards the Junior Queenrider's
apartment sometime after leaving T'rell's office that morning to go find
Kayla and give her the ... news, and the two of them seemed a bit to
friendly. He hadn't figured on being seen by them as well, but after D'Altar
knowing he had seen him with Sharees... maybe he should have expected the
man would want to talk.

"Let's go outside," he told the other man. "We can talk while we get ready
for patrol."

Had he been *that* wrong about the man?

Maybe he wasn't good enough for Jays. She'd been hurt enough over the last
year and didn't need someone like that in her life. Not a man who could go
from one woman to another in less then a day and not think something was
wrong with it.

Jays would never put up with that type of relationship again, and she really
hadn't been the type to play around even if she had been sleeping with both
Tair'n and Gerald.

It had cost her though and in the end she had ended up lonely and
broken-hearted. If she hadn't had Jadain and Vena... Well... He didn't want
to ever see her hurt like that again.

When they got to their dragons, Ja'ks turned to face the man. "First it may
not be any of my business...But I feel I have to say it. I want you to
understand something. Jay's was hurt bad not to long ago by several men who
she loved... I won't go into the reasons other to say that if you're only
interested in a one nighter with a beautiful woman... Leave Jays alone," he
warned softly, not needing to sound angry to get his point across.

"Maybe I was wrong... but I had a feeling like you might want to get to know
her better... And I'm all for that... She could use a *friend*... But Jays
doesn't need another *sometimes* man in her life. She needs a mate to stand
beside her and support her but one who can remember that she's still a
woman. Just don't get involved with her if she's going to end up hurt in the
end... She barely got over it the last time and we need her here in this
Warren."

- - >8 - - [And It's Only Just The Morning] - - >8 - -

D'Altar considered Ja'ks' words an insult to his honour, but he tried to
keep his emotions under control.

"Ja'ks, I am going to be honest with you. I think I have fallen in love with
your sister. She is everything I could look for in a woman and more. But she
does not want my love right now." He looked sad as he went to continue. "She
wants a friend and that is what I will be. But I am human, Ja'ks. Sharees
and I both wanted to share the feel of someone, without any emotional
entanglements and that is what we shared - sex. I had not been with a woman
for almost 8 years before two nights ago."

Ja'ks knew the man had lived in the wilds for some time, but was genuinely
surprised that it had been 8 years since he had felt the touch of a woman.

"And what about Mari?"

"I am training her in the martial arts. That is all."

"In her apartment?" Ja'ks said incredulously.

"No - I helped cook us both a breakfast so we could have a chat. I also had
a shower there. Jason also leapt to the same conclusion you did."

"What's going on with you and Jason anyway? You looked as if you were going
to hit him."

"A difference of opinion. Nothing more. I do not like being accused of
things I have not done."

There was no menace in his voice, but his impressive size and the spread of
gossip about his performance at the lake against three assailants was
menacing enough.

"Fair enough. I just want you to be careful with Jays. She doesn't need any
more heartache."

"I know Ja'ks. I want to be there for her always, but she will not let me
in."

<Tag Barb: Does Ja'ks have any advice? What about patrolling?>

During the patrol, Ja'ks discussed the idea of T'rell's 'Black Coffee
Squadron'.

"It is a very good idea," the big man replied. "Every form of military
always has a rapid response unit. Daere needs one too, if some stories I
have heard since arriving are true."

"They probably are," Ja'ks smiled. "But how would you feel about being *in*
the squadron?"

D'Altar couldn't seem to believe what was going on! First, he was WingSecond
two seconds after joining the wing, now he was offered a place on a new
elite squadron!

"Well, I feel I have a lot to offer..." he trailed off.

"But?"

"Well, what about my new duties as WingSecond? I cannot just desert my
responsibilities."

This was just the reaction Ja'ks had been hoping for... a sense of duty.
D'Altar was obviously excited by the idea, but played it down, happy to give
it up for the sake of his wing.

"I think the elite squadron could become more important than being my
second," he smiled, "and they're going to need a good man. There can't be
many better trained to expect the unexpected than someone who spent 6 years
or more in the wilds."

"Then I will inform T'rell I accept," D'Altar grinned. Ja'ks had seen him
smile, but had never seen a grin from ear-to-ear on the man's face before.
It was amazing how many years it seemed to lift from him.

After their patrol, D'Altar was rather at a loss for something to do. He
walked onto the green and looked around his new home. It was wonderful to be
involved with a community of people again. He still felt a little threatened
and, in a way, he didn't want that to leave him. He hoped he hadn't made his
first enemy in Jason as he genuinely liked the man, but had just not
appreciated his 'sense of humour'. It was while lost in these thoughts that
he saw Jayleigh walking across the green.

He walked over to her, waving. She smiled back, but he couldn't help
noticing that she seemed rather sad.

"Hello there Jayleigh. How are you today?"

"Fine," she answered. "How are you doing?"

"Very well. I was wondering if you had any dinner plans this evening? I
thought we might grab a bite together."

"Don't *you* have plans already?" she queried.

"No. I really wanted to spend some time with you tonight," D'Altar said, but
he didn't miss the slight difference in her voice.

<Tag again Barb: I know Jayleigh's not mad, but what *is* she?>

NRPG:

Well, he might have missed the first training session, but D'Altar will be
happy to join the BCS. Also, hopefully he will have dinner plans... (*hint,
hint*)!!

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Shillan,
aka

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