Scene: Keldarra Warren
 
        "I've got a couple of errands to run, love, and to pick up some 
food for tonight.  I owe you for a most scrumptious breakfast, and for 
the time we ate it at."  Evelle smiled sweetly, standing on her toes to 
kiss her mate.  With a spring in her step, she headed off towards the 
main part of the Warren.  "Say hello to Malekith for me."
 
        "I will."  Wynn said, taking a deep breath as he gazed after his 
love.  He could hardly believe that he had so recently been held 
captive, that he had been in the middle of a bloody battlefield.  Now, 
as he stood at Keldarra, blue sky overhead, he could hardly believe all 
the violence that had so recently happened.  Wynn looked more closely at 
the Warrenfolk as they went about their chores.  He could see the 
worried looks upon their faces, the furtive glances they gave as they 
walked quickly from building to building.  Few people stayed outside to 
chat, instead saying only mild pleasantries before quickly continuing on 
their way.  The people were scared, though thankfully it was still 
controlled.  But for how much longer?  How many more deaths and near 
deaths would it take?
 
        With another sigh, Wynn did a half-turn and headed towards the 
Medical center.  The path was well worn now, trampled by many feet in 
recent days.  The Medical building was placed off to the side from the 
Warren; close enough to be of service to the Warrenfolk, but far enough 
away to protect the Warren from disease and the like.  It took a bit of 
time for him to walk there, but soon arrived to see splotches of colour 
spread out before him.  There were a large number of dragons resting and 
healing outside the Medical center, more than he would have hoped.  
Malekith was easy to spot amongst the groupings of dragons, black lying 
alongside the coppery queen.
 
        The rumbling roar echoed against the walls as the copper queen 
launched herself into the air.  Wynn stood his ground as Alicynth flew 
past him, wind stirred up by her powerful wings.  <Malekith, what ...?>  
Wynn began, looking over his shoulder to see what had so suddenly upset 
the Queen.
 
        <It's Evelle, she's been taken.>  Malekith replied, with unusual 
slowness.
 
        Wynn's brow furrowed.  <Evelle?  What do you mean?>
 
        <Roland has escaped, and Talthalar has captured Evelle.  They 
are gone.>  Malekith replied, landing a bit heavily beside his rider.
 
        The anguished roar echoed back to them, rebounding off the high 
walls of Keldarra Warren.  The Queen had lost her rider.
 
        "Malekith, calm Alicynth down as best you can.  We can't have 
her going off on her own."  Wynn ordered of his dragon, his mind in 
turmoil.  How could this have happened.  How did he escape?  What was he 
going to do to Evelle.  A shudder ran through Wynn as various 
possibilities came to him.  "Try to get her to come back.  I know all too
well how she feels.  But if Evelle is to be rescued, we'll need her."
 
        Malekith made no answer, but Wynn knew that the dragon agreed 
with him.  The angry roars ceased, and slowly the copper Queen made her 
way back to them.  Immediately Malekith went over to the young Queen, 
nuzzling her gently in her grief.  At least Evelle was still alive, Wynn 
thought to himself.  Wynn raised a hand to his eyes, closing them 
against the tears that threatened to come.  He regained his composure, 
glancing up at the two dragons.  "Take care of Alicynth, little one.  I 
... I need to see what has happened.  Inform me immediately should 
Alicynth hear from Evelle."
 
        <I will.>  Malekith replied.  Wynn nodded, and made his way 
quickly back to the Warren.
 
Scene: Outside Roland's 'cell'
 
        "Oh, Hello Wynn.  What can I do to help?"  Michael asked, nearly 
bowling over his Wingleader.  Both men were deep in their own thoughts, 
and did not see the other's approach.
 
        "Michael."  Wynn said, in way of recognition for himself.  Being 
jolted out of his thoughts always left him a touch disoriented.  "Any 
idea of what has happened?"
 
        "Nothing specific.  Only that someone here slipped inside, 
killed the guards and released Roland.  Roland's dragon appeared and he 
ran out and mounted.  Then he had the dragon grab someone and ported.  
Seeing Alicynth flying around in a rage was a good indicator as to who 
Roland took."  Michael reported as much as he knew.
 
        Wynn placed a hand over his mouth, a gesture of thought for the 
young Wingleader.  "How is Evelle?"  Michael asked after a moment.
 
        Wynn shook his head.  "I don't know yet.  Ummm ... I need you to 
organize who you can from our Wing.  We have to be ready to leave at a 
moment's notice.  Roland will not take his time exacting whatever 
revenge he has planned."
 
        Michael nodded quickly.  "Right, I'm on it."  Michael quickly 
made his way to his dragon, beginning communications with the rest of 
the Wing.  Wynn walked up to where the other Warrenfolk were.
 
        D'Van nodded in acknowledgement to Wynn as he approached.  "By 
the Gods, more death."  Wynn whispered.
 
        D'Van nodded again.  "Whoever it was, they are damn good with a 
knife."
 
        Wynn's eyes turned from pain to anger.  "Whoever it was shall 
pay dearly for this."
 
Scene: Later, on the training grounds
 
        <Malekith, send to Darshan.  I need Almiron to take command of 
the half of Gamma Wing that I will leave here.  I realize Darshan may 
not be up to flight yet, but I need him to take over.>  Wynn paced 
before his dragon and Evelle's, a scattering of other riders and their 
dragons spread themselves across the green.
 
        <Sent.>  Malekith replied quickly.
 
        <Any word from Evelle yet?>  Wynn asked hopefully.
 
        <I would tell you, my rider.>  Malekith answered.
 
        "I know, I'm sorry."  Wynn said quietly.
 
        <No apology needed.>  Malekith consoled.
 
        Wynn fell silent for a moment.  "Are you sure you can fly?"
 
        <I can fly well enough.  Do not worry so.>
 
        "I cannot help it.  You and Evelle are the most important things 
to me in this life.  You will have to live with the fact that I will 
worry about you from time to time."  Wynn gave a half-smile, but there 
was little humour in it.
 
        Suddenly Alicynth's head rose from the ground, eyes wide in 
excitement.  Wynn looked on expectantly, but only silence followed.  "Is 
it her?"  Wynn asked anxiously.
 
        <Alicynth stills speaks and won't answer me yet.  Oh, yes, it 
was her.  We have an image.>  Malekith sent.
 
        "Michael!  Get our Flight together.  We are leaving."  Wynn 
ordered, quickly walking over and mounting onto Malekith's shoulders.
 
        <The image.>  Malekith said, sending along with the thought an 
image.  Wynn took the image and held it in his mind, focussing and 
concentrating on as many details as he could.  He needed to make the 
image as clear as possible for Malekith to teleport to.  He needed to 
make the image clear to save Evelle.
 
        "Concentrate on the image.  This teleport is dangerous, and a 
mistake could be fatal.  If you are unsure, do not follow us."  Wynn 
called out.  And moments later, the dragons and riders disappeared from 
Keldarra.
 
Scene: Roland's Cave
 
        Alicynth bolted from the pack as soon as they had arrived, 
diving down towards a small series of caves upon a ledge jutting from 
the mountain before them.  <Damn, Malekith, follow her.>  Wynn sent to 
his dragon.
 
        Dropping downwards to gain speed, Malekith quickly gave chase, 
soon followed by the rest of the Flight that had accompanied them.  
<More dragons, to the left and above.>  Malekith reported.
 
        Looking upwards, Wynn noticed the dragons making their 
descent.  <Send to Paranth.  The rest of the Flight is to do their best 
and distract Roland's men.>
 
        <Sent.>
 
        Alicynth landed outside one cave and entered, barely giving her 
wings enough time to fold against her.  Malekith made to land when a 
much larger dragon flew into him, sending both dragon and rider crashing 
to the ground.  Wynn shook his head, rising quickly to his feet.  He 
watched as Talthalar roared, hissing loudly at the two of them.  
Malekith replied with his own his, and a snapping of jaws at Talthalar's 
neck.  <Go, my rider.  I shall make sure none follow.>
 
        <Be careful, brave one.>  Wynn said, lingering a moment before 
bolting off down the corridor.
 
        Malekith made no reply, his attention all upon Talthalar.  <Why 
do you do this, fight against your own?>  Malekith asked, slowly pacing 
in a circle, matching a pace set by the larger dragon.
 
        <I do not fight against my own, I fight for my rider.  That is 
all I am.>  Talthalar replied.
 
        <You are a Dragon.  Have you forgotten?>
 
        <No, I have not.  But you threaten my rider.  Would you do any 
less?>
 
        Malekith paused.  <No, I would not.  Would you kill me?>
 
        <I see no other options.>
 
        <But why?  Your rider goes against what we are.>
 
        <No he does not.  He is as loyal to me as I am to him.  That is 
what we are.  Nothing more.>
 
        The dragons paused in their discussions, peering at each other, 
slowly pacing.
 
Scene: The passage
 
        Inside the cave, Wynn soon came upon Alicynth, her roars nearly 
causing his ears to bleed as they reverberated off the walls.  In fury, 
she breathed red flame down the small passage before her, too small for 
her to enter.  Wynn tentatively touched the raging dragon, capturing her 
attention as hate-filled eyes peered at him.  Wynn swallowed 
impulsively.  "Let me by, Alicynth, I will save your rider, my mate."
 
        Wynn wasn't sure Alicynth could understand him.  Whether dragons 
could understand other humans has been long debated.  As best as could 
be figured out, the answer was when they wanted to.  In any case, though 
shaking with rage, the large Queen moved aside, letting the much smaller 
human to rush ahead, the rock of the tunnel burning hot around him.  
Around him he could hear the harsh shouts of Roland echoing off the 
walls around him, soon drowned out by another roar from Alicynth.  But 
with so many twisting tunnels, where was he?  If he had heard Evelle in 
any way, the bastard would pay ... dearly.
 
Scene: Outside the cave
 
        <Can you not talk to your rider, he need not control your every 
action.>  Malekith broke the silence.
 
        <I do as my rider asks ... as my rider needs.  Were you not 
about to go against everything you were taught at the human city?>
 
        <They held my rider captive, I had no choice.>
 
        <There is always choice, Malekith.  You could have died.>
 
        Malekith came to a stop, silence following Talthalar's 
statement.  It took a moment for the sleek black to reply.  <Death is 
anathema to us.  The only thing that frightens us.  A void that cannot 
be filled once it is gone.  How could I have chosen that path?>
 
        Talthalar psionically chuckled.  <You will find more to life to 
be afraid of, young one.  Sometimes, very rarely, death is the preferred 
option.>
 
        Talthalar gave Malekith a long, hard look, then raised his head, 
bearing his neck to the younger dragon.
 
NRPG: Wow, my first post from the new account ... and you Dragonlanders 
are the lucky ones to get it :)  I hope things mesh well with all that 
is going on at the Warren.  I left it open for those who wanted to be 
along on the rescue to be present.
 
I am also not sure if anyone wanted to decide the fate of Roland and his 
dragon, and whether they would live or not, so I left it open.
 
Judi: Wynn's here, now all he has to do is find Evelle in this maze of 
tunnels.
 
              />   Malekith and his boy Wynn 
             /<      
     O[\\\\\\(O):::<============================================-       
             \< 
              \>   aka Christopher Ackney,
                       yu121874@yorku.ca