The Hatching was over.  Hedda decided now would be as good a time as 
any.  She managed to make her way over to Christalla's side.

 "DragonLady... Christalla, we need to have a talk."

 "Now?"  She saw the serious look in Hedda's eyes.  "All right.  Follow me."

 Hedda followed Christalla to her quarters.

 "What is the problem, Hedda?"

 "It's about Falagand Warren.  Where I was at before..." Hedda trailed 
off, uncomfortable.

 "Yes.  What about it?"  Christalla was very concerned now.  If there was 
trouble in one of her Warrens...

 "The reason I left.  I am good.  I'm a very good combat flyer.  M'ressan 
will attest to that."

 "Yes, and he has.  That's one of the reasons I agreed to allow you to 
stay."

 "Yes, and I appreciate that.  But at Falagand, there seems to be a 
problem.  I was up for command of my own wing, but numerous times I was 
passed by, and the command always went to someone who was less qualifed."

 "I am sorry to hear that..."

 Hedda interrupted, "The command always went to someone who was male.  
There are no females in command positions over there."

 Christalla was troubled.  "I'm sure that Rhina must have had a good 
reason..."

 Hedda said, "Rhina doesn't run the Warren over there.  Her mate, Roland, 
makes all of the command decisions.  Rhina is just a figurehead."

 Christalla's eyes widened in suprise.  "What?  You can't be serious!  If 
what you are saying is true..."

 Hedda continued, "Falagand Warren is heavily influenced by the 
landbound, and Roland is always playing politics with them.  It would 
look bad for him to have a female in a command postition, so he passes 
them on by when one is up for command.  He keeps them all in the lower 
echelons in the wings.  I should know.  I was in that position.  I was up 
for command.  I pressed when I didn't get it, and they DROVE me away.  I 
had no choice but to leave."

 Christalla considered for a moment.  "I shall have to call a meeting of 
the Council.  This cannot go unresolved."

 Respectfully submitted,
 Hedda,
 Rider of Lannith, female red
 Keldarra Warren

 Nathan Terhune

 NRPG:  Well, here it is.  Hedda's story is finally out.  <G>