Scene: The Training Field, the day of the Council of Warrens
 
        Wynn finished with the new trainees, recently transferred to him 
by M'ressan.  The Beta Wingleader still took it upon himself to show the 
new recruits the basics of handling their dragons before allowing them 
to be transferred to Gamma.  Wynn would have preferred to do the basics, 
and let someone more experienced do the actual combat training.  He 
knew, however, that the other Wingleaders had had very little experience 
over him, the Wraith attacks coming as suddenly and unexpectedly as they 
had.  He still felt uncomfortable with the leadership role he had been 
given, but he was also determined to accept the responsibility.  Others 
had given their trust to him, and he was not about to destroy that.
 
        He watched the fourteen riders and their dragon's depart.  Soon 
he would integrate them into his own Flight, and hopefully have Hedda's 
Second Flight complete.  His mind was still wondering on who to transfer 
to the second Flight when he noticed her approach.  Minty gave a weak 
smile, eyes looking downwards.  Wynn suddenly knew why she was here.  "I 
came to say thanks for the trust and faith you showed in making me 
Wingsecond,  I'll always remember that!  But ..." 
 
        "... You've decided to volunteer for Marrid?"  Asked Wynn.  The 
word had been sent out earlier in the day, and Wynn knew, deep down, 
that a number of his own would volunteer.  It was the way they were.  
Most of Gamma Wing would want to go and help, just as he did.  He knew, 
though, that his responsibilities, and his life, was here.
 
        Minty nodded.  "David wants to go, and so do I.  But I don't 
want you to think that I'm deserting you and Keldarra ..."
 
        Wynn shook his head immediately.  "No, of course not.  Though I 
will say that I hate to see you leave.  You've been tremendous ... I ... 
I just don't know how I'm going to replace you."
 
        Minty gave a pleasant smile.  "You'll manage, I'm sure.  You've 
got a good head on your shoulders, Wynn."
 
        "We're just going to stand here and compliment each other all 
day, aren't we?"  Wynn smiled back, a bit of a laugh escaping him.
 
        "Gods, I hope not, I'm having trouble enough keeping from 
blushing as it is."  Minty replied with a silver laugh of her own.
 
        The two fell silent, looking at each other.  Araminta had grown 
since she had first arrived at Keldarra, and Wynn was nearly envious of 
David.  The young woman before him was quite beautiful, both inside and 
out.  "I'm glad you came to tell me.  And I want to wish you good luck 
at Marrid.  It'll be a challenge, but you'll be a great asset for them.  
Just remember to think before you leap."
 
        Minty nodded.  "I had to come and tell you.  You're one of the 
first to have put so much trust in me.  I'll never forget that."  
Impulsively, she stepped up to him and hugged him, giving him a friendly 
kiss on the cheek.  "And I'll never forget our friendship."  She said in 
a softer voice.
 
        Wynn was surprised, but his arms hugged her back as well.  He 
suddenly realized that this was goodbye.  "Farewell, Mint.  Take care of 
yourself and that strapping mate of yours."  They pulled back from each 
other.  "I won't forget you either, and make sure you're not a 
stranger.  We're not that far for a dragon."
 
        Minty nodded as Wynn fought back tears.  He wondered if she was 
doing the same, and knew that she was.  With a brief goodbye, Minty 
turned and headed back to the Warren proper.
 
Scene: After the Council of Warrens
 
        Wynn held Evelle's hand as they departed the Council chamber.  
All the Warrens had been willing to lend whatever support they could to 
Marrid, and Waylene appeared truly moved by all the support given to her 
and her Warren.  Evelle had done quite well speaking for Keldarra, 
strong and confident.  "You spoke wonderfully, M'lady"  He whispered to 
her as she stood up.  She had smiled, and took his hand in hers.
 
        They stood outside, bidding farewell to the other Warrenladies 
and their seconds.  Soon, the two were left to themselves.  Evelle 
turned to Wynn, her arms around his waist.  "Thank you for being with 
me, love.  Everything is always so right when we're together."
 
        He kissed her lightly.  "I do have to agree, my love.  Are you 
free for a walk?"
 
        "I'm sorry, love, but Christalla will want to discuss a few 
things with me, and with Carie as well.  Oh, but I wish I was."  Evelle 
replied.
 
        Wynn nodded.  "I understand.  Shall we meet for dinner then?"
 
        "Of course.  We can take our walk then.  I've felt that I've 
been sitting around too much as it is.  Though you've been very good at 
keeping me active."  She said with a wink.
 
        "Funny, I was going to say the same thing."  Wynn replied with a 
smile.  With a deeper kiss between them, they parted.
 
        Wynn arrived early at the dining hall.  Many people were already 
gathering food for themselves, or already seated and eating.  He glanced 
about the large hall, and found Evelle looking over the selection of 
food offered by Sheltie and her staff.  Wynn quickly came up to her, 
placing an arm about her shoulders.  She smiled at his arrival, leaning 
into him, enjoying his closeness.  "Everything go all right?"  He asked, 
reaching over for a plate.
 
        "Mm-hmm.  Carie wants to go to Marrid, which would be a big 
boost for them, if they can handle her.  I'm not so sure that she was 
meant to be a Queenrider."  She replied, filling her plate.
 
        "The dragon did choose her after all."  Wynn reminded.
 
        Evelle sighed.  "Yes, and both are quite headstrong.  Quite a 
match, really.  Perhaps they will mellow with age."
 
        "Perhaps."  Wynn smiled, and escorted his mate to a far table, 
the closer ones already filled with those of the Warren.  The food 
smelled wonderful, and the two dug in without further word.  Wynn caught 
sight of a number of his Wing gathering at one table, amongst them 
Almiron.  The young man looked as if he had been in a fight, with 
blackened eye and winces of pain when he was jostled.  He seemed to be 
fretted over by at least three others from the Wing, and Wynn had no 
desire to further discomfort the young man.  But he made a point to ask 
Almiron about it as soon as he could.  
 
        A nudge distracted him, and brought his attention back to his 
beloved.  "I heard that Minty and David are going to Marrid, among 
others."
 
        "Yes.  Araminta came to me earlier and we talked.  She'll be a 
good addition to Marrid, as will David.  They will surely need all the 
experience and skill they can get to rebuild."  Wynn sipped some water.
 
        "I hope they can.  I was horrified to hear what had happened to 
them."
 
        Wynn nodded.  "What really worries me are the Wraiths.  They 
seem very different from the Wraiths of old.  I had always thought of 
them as thoughtless beasts, only intent on eating whatever was in their 
path.  But now ... somehow they are much more intelligent.  How Malk can 
even associate with them is beyond me.  How he can control them ..."
 
        "Control?"  Evelle asked.
 
        "I can't think of how else he can have Wraiths do his bidding.  
He was carried by them to his dragon.  Carried.  How is that possible?"
 
        Evelle found what little appetite she had left was gone, as did 
Wynn.  With a sigh, he turned to her.  "Shall we take that walk, love?  
I just want to put this at the back of my mind for now."
 
        "I would love to."  Evelle smiled, and the two rose from the 
table.  After saying their farewells to those they knew, the young 
couple headed outside, the night sky a darkened blue.  Arm in arm, the 
two lovers walked into the night.
 
NRPG: Just to say a fond farewell, and to officially make my own split 
of my header :)  Good luck to everyone at Marrid, and I would like to 
ask that I not be on the Marrid list, in case someone has me there.  
Thanks.
 
Lyn: Wynn will find Almiron sometime tomorrow to get the lowdown on his 
condition.  And Wynn certainly won't take "I fell" as an answer.  Hope 
Almiron has other excuses in his reportroire, he's going to need them :)
 
Judi: If you care too, you may finish the evening. ;)

              />   Malekith and his boy Wynn 
             /<      
     O[\\\\\\(O):::<============================================-       
             \< 
              \>   aka Christopher Ackney,
                       yu121874@yorku.ca