*Minty we're summoned to the training ground.*  


Kirimith's soft call was a welcome intrusion.  Minty had been trying,
without success, to persuade her father to stay sober. Never very amenable
when he had a hangover, he was 5 times worse this morning.  Minty wondered
if he'd tried his luck with one of the kitchen women the previous evening
and been turned down.  He was never at his best when thwarted, and Minty had
learned early to duck......


*Minty!  Alanth won't like it if we're late....*  Kirimith pleaded


*I'm coming, I'm coming.  Don't fret so sweeting*  Minty sent back, then
said aloud:  "I have to go Da, I'm needed.  Please try not to get into any
trouble while I'm gone.  I'll see if I can talk to someone about work for
you when I get back, I promise.  Please Da.... stay off the ale......"


Minty hurried from the kitchen pursued by mumbles of "ungrateful wretch, to
deprive a man of his ale...".  Pausing to gain her bearing, Minty saw the
other new riders heading towards the training ground, and Kirimith waiting
patiently at the entrance to the barracks.  Running to the small dragon,
Minty exclaimed:

*You've grown! *


*Yes I have* said Kirimith proudly  *Soon I will be big enough to carry you.
Now hurry, please.....*  Kirimith gently pushed Minty in the direction the
others had gone.


They managed to join the group without fuss, and Minty listened carefully to
everything M'ressan said.  Caring for Kirimith was the most important thing
she had ever had to do, and she didn't want to make any mistakes.  Bathing
the dragon was not such a chore yet, but she could see that it might become
so when Kirimith reached her adult size. 


*I itch Minty.*  Kirimith complained.  

Minty scratched the spot indicated and was horrified to see that Kirimith's
hide was flaking


"You'll need to oil her regularly.  Dragons grow very fast just after
hatching, keep her hide soft and supple with oil and it won't split."
M'ressan was going from rider to rider making sure each did a good job.
"Here.  Use this."  He pushed a vial of oil into her hand, and moved on to
the next rider.


Opening the vial, and pouring it onto her hands Minty rubbed at the flakey
patches.


*Ahhhh that feels much better.  You're so clever Minty, you know just where
the hide feels tight*  Kirimith rolled onto her back to allow access to her
underbelly, and Minty giggled.


*You look undignified Kirimith*


*Time for dignity when I'm as old as Kaeryth my mother.*  suddenly
Kirimith's mental tone changed  *I apologise, I apologise.....* 


Looking woe begone and chastened, Kirimith righted herself and sat quietly
while Minty finished oiling her hide. 


 When she'd finished she looked around at the other riders.  She hadn't had
much of a chance to learn anything about them last evening.  She'd been
quickly settled in the barracks and Kirimith's satiated sleepiness had
quickly put her to sleep.  


*Do you think the other riders will accept me Kirimith?  After all I'm not
warren born...*


*If they don't they will have -me- to answer to!  I like Malekith and
Paranth, perhaps their riders will be nice.  You've missed a spot.....*


*Sorry*  Minty remedied the omission, then settled to listening to the next
lesson from M'ressan.....


Respectfully submitted

Araminta, Kirimith's rider


NRPG

Thanks for the welcome Chris, it's great to be here.  When are you coming
back to the Jav? <G>
-- 
Les

the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin
T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage          Broken Lands
Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands