In the halls of the warren (before Goâwaynâs verdict is read)

     Sâmil left Cârinâs room, not exactly mad but still somewhat annoyed.
 
How dare he try to suggest that Elsith would collide with another rider? 
That they had no training.  Sure, he and Elsith had never had formal 
training, but they had flown long distances and tight maneuvers around 
Geode.  Didnât that count for anything?

     *Elsith,* he thought, *could you ask Velsath where Mcâkey is?*

     *No problem,* Elsith sent.  After a short pause, he thought again, 
*Mcâkey is in the dining hall.*

     *Thanks.*  After a short walk, Sâmil stepped into the dining hall.  
He saw Mcâkey sitting by himself at a table.  Usually, Sâmil had seen 
Mcâkey with several others in loud conversation.  Mcâkey looked more 
solemn now, probably from the position of Acting Wingleader.

     As he walked closer to Mcâkeyâs table, Sâmil remembered that 
Mcâkey was not much older than himself.  They had vastly different 
personalities, though.  While both were polite and courteous, Mcâkey 
was more outgoing and more involved in the warren.

     As he stepped next to the table, he said, ăHi, Mcâkey.  Could I talk

to you for a second?ä

     Mcâkey did not respond to Sâmil for a few seconds.  When he did, 
he reacted as if he had just been woken up.  ăWhat? Oh, yes, sit down.  
Youâre Sâmil right? The one who plays the flute?ä

     Sâmil sat down and nodded.

     ăSo, what is it youâve got to talk to me about?ä Mcâkey continued, 
not exactly smiling but definitely not frowning.

     ăI was just talking to Cârin.  I wanted to know if I could join a 
wing.ä

     Mcâkey nodded.

     ăHe said that I would definitely be needed, being in a crisis, but
that 
I had no experience.  He also told me that he wasnât in charge anymore, 
which is why I came to you.ä

     Mcâkey sighed.  ăCârin is right.  You really wouldnât be much use 
out in battle, not having had any training.ä

     Sâmil frowned.  ăItâs not as if I donât knowhow to ride a dragon--or

as if Elsith doesnât know how to fly.  Iâve been a dragonrider for two 
years--I think I know how to fly a dragon!ä

     Mcâkey frowned a bit, too.  ăI know that, Sâmil, but there are
certain 
parts of flying in battle that just arenât part of normal flying.  You
just 
have to be shown these things, but we donât have time to do that during 
a crisis.ä  Mcâkey sighed.  ăTell you what, Iâll put you in defense of
the 
warren itself.  If anyone breaks through our defenses, you and 
whoeverâs with you  will be our last line of defense.  Can you use a 
sword?ä

     ăYes, I have some skill.ä

     ăGood.  Youâll need it if anyone does get to you.  Welcome to Beta 
Wing, Sâmil.ä

     Sâmil smiled.  ăThanks.ä

     ăWhen the call for Beta Wing goes out, report to the warren 
entrances.  Youâll be told where to go from there....oh, and youâre 
going to have to report to training exercises from now on.  I donât think

youâll need a lot of training, since you know a lot of the basic 
maneuvers, but you still need to learn.ä

>From the land of dragons,
Sâmil and Elsith,
Geode Warren,
aka Max Felsher