(NRPG: Could someone bounce this to the NG for me?  My news server seems 
to be messing up again.)

RPG:

 The man on the large maroon dragon had flown south, teleporting back to 
his domain.  No, he corrected himself.  His former domain.  But he would 
have it back.  Oh yes, he would have it back.  With interest.  Once he  
crushed the current warren structure, he would rebuild it, with the 
people who deserved to be in charge at the top.  The men.

 So he flew south, landing a short way outside a town in what had been 
his former domain, Falagand.  He gave his dragon instructions.  *If they 
make a move against me, come to my aid.*   <I will burn them if they try 
to hurt you.>   *Very good.*

 Roland walked the rest of the way into the town.  He was stopped at the 
gate, and asked his business.  "I wish to speak to your lord."  The glint 
in his eyes let them know he was serious, and -- though it had been a 
long time since he had consulted with their lord -- they recognized him.  
They let him pass.

 He was not bothered the rest of the way in.  The same thing happened at 
the gate to the keep.  He walked in.  

 Roland quickly found his way to the Great Hall.  The man he was looking 
for sat in a chair, not quite a throne, but almost, on a raised section 
of the floor.  He stood and shook Roland's hand. 

 "Roland, it has been a long time."

 "Not so long that I have forgotten you, nor the service you rendered 
me.  Now I come to offer my services to you, my lord."

 The man sat back on the throne, thinking.  He was in his late fifties, 
with dark hair that was rapidly greying.  He was a large man, nearly 
filling the chair he sat in, and still very little of his bulk was fat.  
The man in the chair was very muscular, yet Roland noticed that he was 
somewhat less imposing than he had been.  "Age is finally reaching him," 
Roland thought with quiet satisfaction.

 The man stood and approached Roland.  He was even larger and more 
imposing standing up, and he knew how to use that appearance to instill 
fear.  "And what could a dragonrider, ONE dragonrider, do for me that I 
cannot do for myself?" he demanded.

 Roland didn't flinch.  He had worked with this man and knew his tricks.  
He replied, "My lord, I still have powerful contacts, many of whom owe me 
a favor or two.  It is time for them to pay up."

 The man snorted, "I have grown powerful enough that I have attracted 
the attention of King Jaldor.  Can you help me with that?"

 Roland stated, "The dragonriders of Keldarra Warren, and therefore all 
the other warrens, have strict orders not to get involved in this 
affair.  Even one dragonrider would be able to help you in this matter.  
And, imagine Jaldor's suprise when a wing of dragons appears over your 
armies.  He will think the Warrens have gotten involved, and have sided 
with you.  He is already angry at the Warrens anyway, for his son, and 
only heir, is now a dragonrider.  This will turn him against them 
completely."

 The man considered this for a moment.  A smile slowly spread across his 
face, adding a disturbing light to his eyes.  "Yes, yes.  I can see it 
now, Roland.  Together we can crush Jaldor and destroy the DragonLady.  
I will rule from Ralengarde, and you can form a new order of dragonriders 
and be their general."

 He laughed aloud, a thundering, frightening sound.  He gestured to a 
woman standing quietly behind his chair.  "Maralee, get us wine."

 The woman, perhaps early forties, with blonde hair, lightly silvered, 
and tired blue eyes, nodded wordlessly and went to do his bidding.  One 
would never guess to see her now that she had once been the mistress of 
Misty Valley Keep.  That had been a long time ago, a time almost 
forgotten. 

 A few moments later, she returned with two glasses of wine.  The man 
proposed a toast.  The two men raised their glasses.  The man said "To 
Feldrik and Roland, the two most powerful men in the DragonLands!"

 The moment the glasses clinked, the pact was made.  The two drained 
their glasses.  Roland then excused himself to go collect on some of the 
favors owed him.

 As Feldrik watched Roland walk away, he thought "Once we crush 
everyone, I will disband the dragonriders.  Dragons are easy to control 
when you hold their riders captive.  When that happens, I'll have no need 
of Roland.  None shall have the potential to have more power than me.  I 
can have the dragonriders banned from the Dragonlands."  And he 
chuckled.  This had turned out to be a good day after all.

 He could see the DragonLady before him, pleading for her life, with 
Jaldor beside her.  Yes, this was a good day indeed.

***********

 Roland walked away with a feeling of satisfaction.  He must have put on 
a good show if Feldrik had actually believed him.  He told Talthalar, 
his large maroon dragon, *Once everyone else is out of the way, and I 
kill those three women myself, I'll kill Feldrik, too.  Then I will 
have all of the Dragonlands for myself, and you can have any of the 
Queens you want.*

 He felt his dragon shudder at the thought of killing anyone, but then 
his dragon calmed, even became a little excited, at the thought of 
mating any Queen dragon he wanted.  And his rider would be pleased with 
that, also.  For he would be in bed with their riders.  Roland smiled at 
that thought.  Maybe he would keep Christalla around after all...  maybe.

 Deviously submitted,

 Roland,
 Former ruler of Falagand Warren,
 Rider of Talthalar, 
 Nathan Terhune

and

 Susan Rati
 Conniving Administrator of DragonLands