[DL] Darlea

Darlea woke in the middle of the night feeling her body burning. She sat up
and realized it wasn't her, but Almiron. She reached her fingers to touched
him and felt the heat even before she touched him. She quickly lit a candle
so she could see. Already it looked like the bruises were beginning to fade.
<Makayla...>

<ummm?> came a sleepy reply.

<Ask Darshan if it's normal for Almiron to be so hot while healing?>

<He says, 'yes, go back to sleep.' I agree...> she grumbled.

Darlea watched in fascination as Almiron's body slowly healed itself. She
wasn't sure if it was a trick from the light of the flickering candlelight
or not, but she could almost see the bruises lighten before her eyes. She
also noticed that he was sleeping so still, he could almost have been taken
for dead, were it not for his burning body, and his dragon sleeping
peacefully near Makayla. Finally she blew out the candle and lay back down,
keeping her distance from the burning man, so that she could sleep in comfort.

****
As morning came on them, Darlea awoke again. Almiron was still sleeping,
though his body was not burning as it had during the night. He stirred
slightly as she got up, but did not wake. She was pleased to see that the
majority of the bruises were gone. Only a little left around his eye, though
that was hardly noticeable.

<Good morning, Makayla.> She called.

<I'm awake, Darlea-pet. It's a beautiful day...> Makayla was in a good mood,
and Darlea was pleased for she was in a good mood as well. She felt much
better after her talk with Almiron. She was glad to know that no matter who
thier dragon's chose to mate with, thier friendship would remain. It seemed
rather silly to worry about such things when living in the Warren, yet
sometimes it couldn't be helped.

Almiron began to wake as she was getting dressed, "Darlea?"

"I'm still here. How are you feeling?" She asked sitting down next to him.

"Better... thank you for staying and taking care of me."

Darlea smiled, glad that she had been able to help in a small way, "I didn't
do much, you did most of it. I woke last night, and you were burning up...
and this morning, no one would even know that you were hurt. That's an
amazing power you have." She paused, combing his hair slightly with her
fingers, "I'm going to go and get some breakfast. You should probably sleep
some more. So, I'll see you later, okay."

Almiron nodded, closing his eyes again. Darlea leaned down and kissed him
quickly on the cheek then turned and met Makayla on the ledge. <To the
dining hall, deary.>

****
Salinda woke to Dencia calling her urgently, <Salinda, wake up, I am going
to get something to eat, with or without you!>

<Where is your patience today.>

<Now, Salinda. I must go now!>

Salinda pulled on her clothes quickly and went to find a comb, but her
dragon's cry's became even more urgent. She turned to see Dencia about to
take flight without her. She quickly ran to her dragon, <Sweetie, what is
it?> She barely had time to hop on before the dragon was in the air. She
glided down to the feeding grounds, where Salinda slipped off as Dencia
swooped over to devour her first kill.

She stood watching the red dragon for a few minutes when she began to feel
the need for food growing inside her as well. Absently she turned and began
the long hike to the dining hall from the feeding ground. She was only to
the green when Dencia trumpeted her challenge. Salinda lost all thought of
breakfast as she began to mimic Dencia as she flew followed close by a flock
of males.

****
Darlea walked into the dining hall. She was pleased to see M'ressan and
Christalla sitting with M'tan and Aleta. She ran up behind M'ressan and gave
him a hug.

M'ressan laughed, "My little Darlea, you seem to be in a good mood this
morning!"

"Oh, I am!" she smiled. "You'll all be pleased to know that Almiron is
feeling much better this morning than last night. I know he'd want you all
to know that... I'd love to sit and talk, but I need to find mama... I was
kinda snippy to her last night."

"No, not my Darlea..." laughed M'ressan in mock horror.

"You know how she can get sometimes... and I just wasn't very nice." Darlea
said.

"She only want's what's best for you, Darlea," said Christalla.

Darlea smiled at her. "I know... I just forgot last night. Oh, there she is,
I'll see you later." She walked over to her mother. Sheltie watched her
approach, setting down the tray of pastries she had been carrying, "Mama..."

"No, Darlea, don't say anything. Last night was my fault. I should know
better then to talk to you about that boy. You don't listen to me anyway."
Taking note of Darlea's troubled expression she quickly went on, "I think
it's just better that we don't talk about him, it just seems to upset you."

Darlea bit her tongue, to keep herself from saying what she was thinking.
Instead she agreed with her mother, "Okay, mama, we won't talk about Almiron."

Just then they heard the trumpeting. Darlea walked to the window, "It's a
mating flight, mama." She said excitedly. She always liked to watch, because
the dragons were at their most graceful and beautiful during thier mating
flights. Sheltie just shook her head and walked back into the kitchen. She
was one of the few in the Warren who did not enjoy mating flights.

--Darlea & Makayla
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Kristen and Scott Gant
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/gant.htm
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