Evelle hoped that Briana didn't feel she and Wynn had been too 
harsh.  The Queenrider knew that Briana's body control was astounding 
and her instinct for balance unerring.  But accidents could happen, as 
they had with that rope.  Evelle was concerned for the girl and her 
Starleanna;  Wynn was, too.  If she were to be a combat rider in his wing, 
she'd have to learn some discipline.  Briana was a free spirit, the lessons 
would not be easy for her.

	"It's only that we care for you, Briana, and don't like to see you take 
unnecessary risks.  There will be plenty of necessary ones during 
combat."

	"I'm not taking any risks," Briana insisted once again.  "I know what 
I'm doing and Star knows just what I want her to do."

	Evelle sighed and looked at Wynn.  His almost imperceptible shrug 
said that they couldn't do any more than try to give some guidance.  
Several of Alicynth and Malekith's children's riders were an impetuous lot.  
What Briana was doing certainly didn't fall into the same category as what 
Carie and her Fiera had done.  Evelle still fumed when she thought of that 
and so did Ali.  But Carie had left for Marrid and was Waylene's problem 
now.  They could only hope that Marrid's WarrenLady might get through 
to her junior queenrider.

	Evelle's thoughts were only half on Briana's daredevil flights.  
Visions of dimly lit caves and buttery icing periodically danced in her 
head.  "I wonder," she mused to herself, "butter, sugar, a little milk.  Not 
very difficult."  A little trip to the kitchen pantries might be in order.  Yes, 
she did need to replenish the groceries in their apartment.  I little extra of 
the ingredients for frosting wouldn't hurt.

	She looked at Wynn with the eyes of love.  By now they each new 
every inch of the other's body, yet he still found new ways to fan the 
flames of her pleasure each time they made love.  She adored him and 
wondered if he really knew, really believed, how much she loved him.

	Suddenly Evelle's musings were interrupted by the piercing 
trumpeting of a female dragon issuing her challenge.  Soaring high into 
the sky was Salinda's lovely red Dencia.  Evelle froze as she felt Wynn go 
tense next to her and knew that Malekith was in the chase.

	*Ali?*

	*Yes, I know.  It's all right, foolish girl.  Even if he should win her, 
I'm the one he cuddles with.  Humans are so silly about such things.*

	That we are, thought Evelle.  She slipped her arm through Wynn's 
reassuringly, although she was feeling nervous.  Neither of them would 
ever desire anyone else, but they both knew that the day might come 
when Malekith would fly another or a different dragon would catch 
Alicynth.  It might not be this flight, but it was absurd for them to think it 
could never happen.  It was something they never talked about, but they 
would have to, Evelle knew.

	In her mind, she felt just as Alicynth did.  She was warrenborn and 
knew the difference between an abiding love of the kind she shared with 
Wynn and the purely physical they would feel with another partner as a 
result of a mating flight.  There was nothing wrong with it, it was simply 
the way of things when humans and dragons joined.  She knew full well 
she'd not feel that Wynn was being unfaithful to her or love him any the 
less.  Yet she also knew that it would sadden her to think of Wynn giving 
the pleasure to another woman's body that he gave to hers.  And if she 
felt like that, as comfortable as she was with open sexuality, how would 
he feel, born landbound, if it were she who was bedded by another?  That 
was what worried Evelle most.

	The body that knew where it belonged slipped into his arms right 
there on the training green.  Evelle kissed him and whispered,  "Whatever 
happens, it will never harm our love."  Wynn stroked her hair and kissed 
the top of her head.

	"I'm going to my office now," she announced as she separated from 
him.  It was better that they be in different places right now.  If some other 
male won Dencia, Wynn would be starting training shortly, and Evelle had 
her own work to do.

	"I'll see you later, love."  She squeezed his hand for reassurance 
and had Alicynth fly her to the warren's main square.  Ali said she was 
going to the lake for a swim.  Evelle approved and said she'd try to join 
her there later.

	*I hope so, Evelle.  I want to play today.*

	*You always want to play, copper girl.*

	*So do you, Evelle.*

	*Yes, you're right.  You know me too well, little one.  But I have to 
work before I play.*

	*It's much more fun to be a dragon.*  Alicynth's manner indicated 
that no sentient being could possibly argue with this.  Having had her say 
with her rider, she flew off.

	Inside her office, Evelle brewed a pot of coffee, then settled into 
her chair.  Today she would choose a personal courier, something she 
should have attended to earlier.  Wraith attacks, hatchings, and other 
events had led to her putting it off, but she could delay no more.  She had 
asked several candidates to come to her office today for interviews.  
While she waited for her first appointment, she thought back on 
yesterday's Council Meeting and Kyven's astounding request.

	Speaking on that idea had been hard for Evelle.  She could see the 
benefits of what the healer suggested.  It would be a chance to learn more 
about the enemy that could wreak such devastation.  But the thought of 
having living wraiths in the warren, even as far away as the medical 
center, disturbed her.  The queenrider doubted seriously if she had it 
within her to study the things up close.  Perhaps she wasn't meant to be a 
healer.  In matters of diplomacy the young WarrenLady felt much more 
competent.

	"I would have grave concerns about bringing live wraiths to 
Keldarra," she had told the Council.  "Even assuming that we *could* 
capture some, how could we be sure of containing them for study?  We 
may be unleashing on ourselves the very threat we struggle so hard to 
keep out.  I can easily see Kyven's point.  It may well be our best method 
of understanding the beasts, but I still fear for the safety of our people and 
our dragons.  So, until we know more, I would have to recommend 
against.  Kyven will argue, and I don't disagree, that we can't know more 
without close contact.  But I think we may be reckless if we move too fast 
on this.  I believe we need more planning and preparation before we 
consider taking this action.  I thank the WarrenLadies and the 
DragonLady for their attention."

	She had taken her seat, grateful to have Wynn's strengthening 
presence beside her.  There had been a good deal of argument, back and 
forth, on the proposal.  Each side had merit.  It ended with Christalla 
saying she wanted to think some more about it and discuss it further with 
its proposer.  Asking for and finding that there was no further business, 
Christalla again thanked the WarrenLadies and their seconds for 
attending then adjourned the meeting.

	Kyven seemed to Evelle to be a little more distant to her than 
usual.  She felt badly about that.  She understood his point of view, but 
she had to speak her mind as WarrenLady.  As yet, her mind was far from 
made up and while it was, she must urge caution.

	There were several applicants for the position of her personal 
courier.  What surprised Evelle was that V'rdeen had applied.  There had 
been no further incidents with him, but she had to gently deny him the job.

	"I can't, V'rdeen.  I hear you've made good progress, but being my 
courier will involve dealings with the nobles.  Given your recent instability, 
I just can't take that kind of chance."

	"I just want to be useful again," he replied.

	"Yes, I know.  You will be, V'rdeen.  Even if I could consider you for 
this, it's not for you.  You're a combat rider.  Keep behaving as you should 
and you'll earn your way back into a wing."

	"Gamma?" he asked hopefully.

	"I don't know.  That's not for me to say.  But somewhere.  One step 
at a time."

	He had taken it gracefully she was pleased to see.  He seemed to 
be focusing on the hope she'd given him that he would one day return to 
combat.  Several other riders came and went until the one Evelle had half 
decided upon before the interviews even began knocked at her door.

	"Come in, please, D'glis."

	The young man who entered her office was a charming and gentle 
soul.  He had been joined to Jubalth, a chocolate brown dragon whose 
scales were flecked with sunny yellow, at the age of seventeen.  D'glis 
was of moderate height and well-muscled.  His eyes were dark brown and 
his golden blonde wavy hair fell to his shoulders.  Joined five years now, 
the handsome D'glis had seen his dragon win several mating flights.  
Many a female rider hoped Jubalth would fly her dragon.  Evelle had 
known him for years and was very fond of him.

	D'glis had flown to battle in the recent attacks, but he wasn't really 
suited to it.  He was a story-teller and a musician.  Before joining with 
Jubalth, he had planned to study with the Guild of Bards.  Evelle 
explained the duties of the job she was offering.

	"Do you think that would suit you, D'glis?"

	"M'lady, I would be pleased and honored to be your courier."  He 
rose and performed a courtly bow.

	"Then the job is yours," she decided.  "I'll be preparing some letters 
today to the nobles who are continuing to tithe.  What I want is to try to 
improve relations between the cities and Keldarra.  Tomorrow, I'd like you 
to begin visiting them.  Give them my letters and tell them that 
WarrenLady Evelle of Keldarra would be pleased to meet with them at 
any time."

	"I think I know just what you want, m'lady.  I'll stop by in the 
morning to pick up your letters and any further instructions you have for 
me.  Thank you, WarrenLady, for choosing me."

	"I'm happy to have you working with me," she answered quite 
truthfully.  "And since we'll be working so closely together, unless we are 
with the nobles or at some other official function, please let's return to the 
friendship of our childhood.  Call me Evelle."

	"Evelle."  He said it easily.  He would know when to use it and 
when to appear formal.  "Shall we get to work?  I'm sure I can do 
something to help with those letters."

	"Yes, you certainly can.  I'll compose them, then you may read 
them and give me your true opinion on how they sound, and then fold and 
seal them.  But first, it's lunchtime.  Come to the Dining Hall with me and 
we'll get something to eat and announce your new position to anyone 
who's around."

Evelle
Queenrider of Alicynth
WarrenLady of Keldarra

NRPG:

Evelle and new courier will be in the Dining Hall if anyone wants to visit 
with them.  D'glis is my new NPC, and he's quite a charmer.

Lyn:  Evelle's not sure how Kyven feels about what she had to say, but 
she said what she felt.  It's possible Christalla will overrule her.  If so, 
Evelle will accept the DragonLady's decision, but will still worry about it. 
<G>

Chris:  Evelle -will- check the kitchen for the Redi-Whip.  <G>