March 25
Scene: Dining Hall

Piper came running into the Dining hall, looking around the room for
her Uncle. Finally spotting him, talking music with the Warren's other
bard.   She hurried up to him, gasping.

"Uncle! There is a show! Come! It's about to start!"  the dragon
rider's dark hair tumbled wetly on her shoulders, still damp from her
earlier dip in the ocean with Evelle, Wynn and S'brogh.

Jenero smiled,  "So I've heard. Come on, then.  Let's watch."  The
bards stood and followed more slowly after the skipping Piper.  She
didn't see the wink, and knowing look that passed between the two.

Piper pressed through crowd to get closer to the stage, and just
happened find a place near S'brogh.  She smiled at him as she noticed
his glance, and her gaze was slow to go back to the stage, where the
traveling troup had started their performance.

Aleipha walked up to Piper and glared briefly at S'brogh as she took
her place at her friend's side, opposite the indigo's rider, to watch
the show.  

The stars twinkled overhead, and Piper sighed, as she leaned against
S'brogh as the troup took their final bow.  Aleipha had left a while
ago, in a fowl mood, that Piper didn't understand, but she figured she
would find out tomorrow on patrol, what Penthos' rider was troubling
about.  Tonight, she was just enjoying the warm afterglow of the day
spent in the sun and sand with S'brogh.  She didn't want to spoil it.

Piper wanted to rush up to the visitors, to tell them how much she had
enjoyed their show, but they had already disappeared into their wagon,
and Iganeth's rider had his arm around Piper's slender shoulders,
leading her out into the dark meadow, where his dragon reclined.
"Come, let's go out to the beach again..."

"It's late,"  Piper protested, but her soft words belied her desire to
let the night grow later in his company.


The next morning:

Piper was up, watching the sunrise, sending it's golden orange glow
over the mountains and into the green below.  

*You were up late, last night,* Bishvilea said, her voice smug.  *Was
there a mating flight with Iganeth's rider?*  

"You know there wasn't," Piper said, out loud, her voice defensive.
*Besides, I'm not ready for such things yet.*  Her mind was
inexplicitely drawn to the dark man that she had left behind at
Norwall, and then she pushed the thoughts forcefully away.

The red-orange tinged dragon chuckled silently, but her merriment was
like a tickling in Piper's mind.  *If I fly, and Iganeth wins me, then
you will be ready for his rider.*  

*Well, you aren't going to fly just yet, then,*  Piper thought back,
fiercely.  She tossed the saddle on Bishvilea and fastened it harshly.

*Watch out, I'm not a hatchling anymore.*  The dragon seemed to pout.
*I need a little room to breathe.*

Piper slowed her movements and checked the fastening, then swung onto
the tall back, taking the leg up from the red-orange beast.  *Take me
down to the green, please, Bishvilea.  And please, keep your thoughts
to yourself.  I don't need the whole warren filled with gossip.*

Bishvilea looked mournful and indignant both at the same time,  *I
don't gossip,* she thought, and then paused.  *Unless it's true, of
course.*

The dragon landed not far from the troup's wagon and Piper noted that
they were headed toward the dining hall.  She followed, at a slow lope
and entered the large room and moved to the large buffet that was
spread out along one wall, to find her breakfast.  The visitors were
there.

Piper smiled.  "Hello,"  she said,  "I wanted to let you know how much
I enjoyed your show, last night.  I hope you can stay here for a
while."


Respectfully submitted,
Piper and Bishvilea

nrpg:... well, don't expect reams from me, but here is a post... hope
you enjoy. Sorry if I messed up anyone's characters or plot lines, but
since I'm not really involved in anything at the moment, it shouldn't
matter. :)

have fun
Louise


(end of original message)
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