NRPG: I'm bumping this event to about a week after the hatching because I 
told Chris C that Fiera would be quite capable of flying, etc. by this 
point.  I hope that's cool with everyone, and I think it's only a day or 
two after Kris said it was.

Judi: You said you were posting V'rdeen, so I'm leaving that to you.

RPG:

	It had been 5 quiet days since the sentencing of V'rdeen.  
Christalla had enjoyed a nice lunch with M'ressan and Evelle, and was 
just settling into her office for an afternoon attempting to train 
Carie.  She was coming along... VERY slowly, and Christalla wondered if 
she would ever really be able to understand the roll of a Queenrider.  
But she couldn't dislike the idea of training a new Queenrider.  It was 
so thrilling to have a 3rd at Keldarra, so soon after 9 years with only 
Kaeryth.

	She sighed and settled into her chair, her normally loose gown
pulling tight across her waist.  <I'm going to have to do something about 
that soon,> she thought forlornly.

	A few minutes passed.  <Kaeryth dear, could you call to Fiera?  
Carie's late again.>

	<They've been out exploring,> Kaeryth replied.  <Fiera's such a 
curious creature.  But I think I can find her.>  There was a brief pause, 
and then suddenly Kaeryth erupted in Christalla's head.

	<AURA IS HERE!  There are Dragons dying!  They need help!  Please 
help them!>

	Christalla stood up, reeling. Aura... Aura was... Waylene's 
Dragon.  Marrid Warren.  There had been strange reports coming in from 
Marrid, but what--

	Then the door to her office and Waylene burst in, her face a wash 
of emotion.  Christalla froze for a moment, seeing the grief and urgency 
in the fellow Queenrider's face.  Waylene opened her mouth to explain, 
and her control began to crumble.  "They're going to DIE if you don't 
help!" she choked out, tears filling her eyes.
	
	In one motion, Christalla was beside her, holding her up.  
"What's happened?" she asked, her voice controlled, but urgent.

	Waylene struggled to regain control.  "Wraiths have attacked
Marrid.  More wraiths than I have ever seen in my life...  There's a Human
and Dragon working with them; I don't know how.  And we've lost Keanne and
Larith..."  A few tears spilled over Waylene's eyes. 

	Keanne!  And Larith!  Larith was going to lay eggs in a few 
days!  Christalla was stunned at the depth of the tragedy.

	<Kaeryth! Call M'ressan and Malekith and Melianth!  Meet me on the
Green!>

	Then she looked up and saw Darlea's wide eyes looking through the
open door.  She forced herself completely into the mind of a DragonLady
and sent Darlea-- terrified over the fate of her father-- off to inform
the other Warrens.  Then she took Waylene's arm to lead her away... the
poor woman was exhausted. 

	M'ressan and Wynn were standing on the Warren Green when
Christalla and Waylene arrived.  They'd both received Aura's cries, and
were ready to help.  Christalla quickly explained what she knew.  "I don't
know how much the remaining Marrid Dragons will be able to help you. 
They've lost a lot.  I want Alpha and Gamma Wings to head in.  M'ressan,
keep Beta coaled and on standby." 

	The three Wingleaders nodded tersely.  Aleta and M'ressan headed
to equip for battle; Wynn took a moment to seek out Evelle for a brief
goodbye.  Christalla turned to Waylene.  "There's little more we can do
right now," she said.  "Let me get you something to eat.  Marrid will pull
through now, I promise you." 

**********

	Aura keened pitiously, having escaped to be alone on a crag in the
Warren mountains.  She felt a gentle nudge and found herself face-to-face
with the copper-gold Kaeryth.  <Why are you here?> Aura demanded. 

	<You shouldn't have to live this alone,> Kaeryth answered, nuzzling
Aura gently.  <And only a Dragon can truly understand this pain.> Aura met
Kaeryth's eyes-- seeing the sinscerity there-- and collapsed against her,
surrendering to grief. 

**********

	Christalla led Waylene to the dining hall.  It was not a usual
mealtime, and with all the Warrenfolk at work to help Marrid, it was empty
of diners.  Sheltie came out when she saw them, and made them something
special.  Christalla could see Sheltie's hands trembling as she brought
out the food... Darlea might be out of the action, but D'nar was at
Marrid. 

	Christalla let her eat for a while and calm down, then asked
gently, "How bad is it?" 

	"Terrible," Waylene sighed.  "They came out of nowhere, descending
from all sides..."  She hesitated for a moment.  "There are so many lost,
DragonLady.  I don't... really think Marrid can continue as a Warren with
what remains."  The last came out in a rush.  This was visibly painful 
for her.

	Christalla thought hard.  "You're serious about that, aren't you?" 
Waylene nodded.  Christalla stood.  "I think we will have to call a
Council of Warrens," she said firmly.  "There are 6 more of us, and I
think we all can send some aid.  I'm having Kaeryth call for my courier." 

	<Al'dairan won't come!> Kaeryth replied.  She was away from
Keldarra, sad, and distracted.  <Rendel says someone he cares for is
injured.>

	Christalla shook her head.  It was already beginning.  <All 
right, perhaps someone else... V'redan?>

	<Lixanth is on combat alert with Beta Wing, but he is willing.>

	<Alright, call him here.>

	Af few moments later, Evelle's large father came striding into 
the dining hall.  His usually warm face was solemn.  "What can I do for 
you, DragonLady?" he asked.

	"I need you to deliver a message to the other Warrens," Christalla
explained to the older dragonrider.  "There will be a Council of Warrens
as soon as possible, to discuss the fate of Marrid Warren once we drive 
away Malk Bromitz and the wraiths."

	V'redan nodded.  They were warriors before friends in this time of
crisis.  "Immediately, DragonLady."   He turned on his heel and left the 
dining hall.

	Christalla turned to Waylene.  "I'll be organizing the relief
cycle of the wings if this battle continues for very long, but I think we
Queenriders can do the most by preparing for the Council.  Everything's in
the hands of our warriors and healers now.  Would you come back with me to
my office?" 

	Waylene nodded.  "Yes, I think we should get working," she 
agreed.  

	"Good," Christalla affirmed.  I'll have Kaeryth call Alicynth and
Fiera, and we can have a Queenrider roundtable to decide what must be
proposed.  It will especially do our trainee good."  As soon as she said 
it, she felt guilty.  Keldarra had been blessed with a *3rd* Queenrider, 
and Waylene was now alone at Marrid with Aura.  Christalla had been the 
only Queenrider at Keldarra for 9 years, and she knew what a strain it 
was... 

	But Waylene seemed unhurt by the statement.  "Certainly," she 
said.  "I want to thank you for all your consideration, DragonLady."

	Christalla sent asked Kaeryth to send the messages to the other
Queens, took Waylene's arm, and headed toward her office.  "I hope that
Keldarra could have this kind of support if it were me in your position," 
she replied quietly.  "It's only right for Warrenfolk to help each other." 

	<I can't find Fiera!> Kaeryth errupted in her head.  <Some of the 
other Dragons speak of her teleporting to Marrid!>

	"WHAT!" Christalla exclaimed aloud.

	Waylene started.  "DragonLady, what is it?"

	"Our Junior Queen is missing," Christalla said tersely.  "It 
appears she may have gone with her rider into combat."

	Waylene gasped.

	"I don't care what it takes, I'm going to find that Queen and 
rider if I have to go to Marrid myself!" Christalla ranted.  "How could 
they risk an egg-layer like that??  I'm going to call my Beta Wingleader, 
and HE'll have to drag her back here..."

	<Kirimith has returned!> Kaeryth announced.  <And-- Fiera is with 
her!>  

	"They're back!" Christalla exclaimed to Waylene.  "And I think
unharmed, thank God.  I have something to say to that young woman.  Come
with me?"  Waylene nodded.  She couldn't help but smile slightly, even in
the circumstances.  It was strange and almost comical. 

	The two women headed out to the green to meet Kirimith, and were 
met by Evelle coming the other direction, dragging an unwilling Carie 
with her.  "I think we need to explain a little more clearly what it is 
to be a Queenrider," Evelle told Christalla, eyes blazing.  "Ali's first 
Queen could have been killed!"

	Christalla began receiving Kirimith's report from Kaeryth and was 
appalled.  Dealing with Carie and direct confrontation with Malk Bromitz 
was tearing apart Gamma Wing.  They weren't very large, and it wasn't 
long enough after Darlea's kidnapping... she should have known better.

	<Kaeryth, tell M'ressan and Alanth that I want Beta Wing mobilized. 
They are to go relieve Gamma Wing immediately.>

	<They're on their way,> Kaeryth reported after a pause.  <I think
Aura is feeling a little better.  I hope Alanth is careful.>

	"Now," Christalla turned her eyes on the taller form of Carie, who
avoided them-- trying not to look intimidated.  "We have some serious 
ideas to discuss," she said.  "I can't say how disapointed I am in you, 
Carie, but there really isn't time.  Waylene and I were on our way to my 
office to plan for a Council of Warrens.  Won't you join us?"

	Evelle looked at Christalla in surprise.  Carie, ignoring Evelle 
shrugged.  "Why not?"

	They turned to head for Christalla's office.  "There's plenty of 
time for punishment later," she added, and Carie winced.

**********

	Beta Wing broke into the air away from the chaos that was Marrid 
Warren.  It was a heated battle, and it looked like the wraiths were 
winning.  But the two Keldarra Wings and the remnands of Marrid Wing were 
fighting valiantly.  

	<Keldarra Gamma Wing,> M'ressan broad-sent.  <Beta Wing is here to
relieve you.  Return to Keldarra.> He was rewarded by waves of protest,
especially from Michel.  Everyone wanted a piece of Malk Bromitz. 

	<Look,> he sent more forcefully.  <These are orders directly from 
the DragonLady, and you're giving me a headache.  Return to Keldarra now, 
coal, and go to standby alert.>  Grudgingly, Gamma Wing aquiesed.

	<Sorry about them,> Malekith sent.  <We're heading out now.>

	<I understand how you feel,> M'ressan replied, just to Malekith.

	M'ressan could see, yards away, Wynn raise his arm as a signal to 
Gamma Wing.  They all broke combat and pulled away from Marrid.  M'ressan 
signaled Beta Wing to come in from the opposite direction and fill the 
gap.  

	As they reached the site of the battle, M'ressan's heart sank.  It
was the worst he'd ever seen... he hoped there was SOMETHING left of
Marrid when this was all over. 

	Suddenly, the air above the battle was full of Dragons.  Dragons
M'ressan didn't recognize-- not from Keldarra or Marrid.  Two whole Wings
worth.  Then, there beside one of the Wingleaders, he spotted a little 
green he recognized.
	
	<Makayla!>

	<Norwall and Telnor have sent help!> Makayla returned happily.  
<I think everything will be all right now!>

	M'ressan let out his breath with a *whoosh*.  <Keldarra Alpha
Wing, pull out.  I think we can handle it from here.  Welcome, Norwall 
and Telnor!  Thank you!>

	And then, on a more private send, <Thank you, Makayla and 
Darlea.> 


Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Rati
Administrator, DragonLands

NRPG:  Well, that takes Gamma and Alpha out of the action, and I think
Marrid's fate is secure.  The wraiths are getting smarter, but I think we
have them overwhelmed for now. 

DragonLands science note: Due to the length of a Dragon's wings,
swordfighting adragonback is physically impossible.  

Sorry if my writing isn't quite up to par... I've been having a lot of 
trouble writing ANYTHING.  Try being an Admin and suffering from writer's 
block.  Ignore any inconsistencies.  I tried.