Evelle and Alicynth spent most of the afternoon at Lake Sharrel.  
Christalla hadn't called her back and she'd brought meat for Alicynth 
to eat and oil to rub her with between swims.  It was a lovely afternoon 
and many thoughts crossed her mind; her dragon knowing all of them.

	It had been nice having a brief chat with Darlea earlier.  Two 
years her junior, Evelle and Darlea had grown up together and were 
friends.  Evelle was delighted that Darlea had found her dragon so 
young, and she smiled at her friend's eagerness to get back to her 
training with M'ressan.  The girl had a crush on the handsome, flirty, 
wingleader, but she was joined now, and when her dragon started 
looking for a mate, Darlea's eyes would turn toward one of the 
younger, eligible riders.

	Michel, she didn't know him at all yet.  He was older than most 
new dragonriders and even more different from several of the others.  
She wondered if Hedda might take a special interest in the young 
man, and Evelle promised herself she'd get to know him, too.

	*Evelle, Minty is troubled.  Kirimith tells me she isn't sure she 
belongs*

	*Oh how sad.  We will have to make sure she feels welcome*
She is joined and is one of us now*

	She began to wonder how Reolden was doing.  The change in 
his life had to be more drastic than even her own.  Born royal, 
expected to rule, and now he was a dragonrider, part of Keldarra 
warren, and no longer set apart for regal treatment.  Likely he would 
be estranged from his father as well, and caught up in the political 
upheaveal his joining might cause.  She would try to talk with him soon 
as well.
	
	They were back in the water when her thoughts turned, as they 
so often did, to Wynn.

	*Ah Wynn.  He and Malekith are swimming, just like us, Evelle.  
At Lake Misen*

	*Oh.  I'm sorry they didn't come here with us*

	*I'm sorry too, Evelle*  Alicynth sounded truly rueful, mimicing 
Evelle's regret and causing the young queenrider to giggle.

	*It's all right.  There'll be another time.  Lots of other times, I 
hope*

	*Ah, he laughed, too.  Wynn laughed.  Malekith is happy.*

	Wynn laughed.  Evelle felt wonderful.  She'd know him so long, 
remembered the happy boy he once was, and had watched him grow 
quieter and more withdrawn from them all.  Now he had Malekith, and 
maybe things were slowly changing once more.  She had begun to 
realize how drawn to him she was.

	*Alicynth, ask Malekith if Wynn would have dinner with us?*

	*Malekith says yes.  You are happy, Evelle, and I am happy.  I 
like Malekith.  He is a fine dragon*

	*You are a fine dragon, little one, although I can't call you that 
much longer.  How big you are getting to be*

	*Yes, I am.  Soon we will fly, Evelle.  I can't wait*

	*Neither can I*

	They began to play in the water again, swimming and splashing 
each other.  Evelle was naturally at home there and it appeared that 
Alicynth was, too.  Suddenly from the shore, she heard a "hello!"

	Picking her head up, Evelle saw that it was David Swordson 
and his Kaylin calling from the shore.  She lifted her hand from the 
water and waved at him, then started swimming back with Alicynth 
keeping perfect pace with her.

	"David!  How nice to see you," Evelle said as she scampered 
out of the lake.

	"Oh!  M'lady!  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to intrude."

	David was busy trying to look everywhere but at Evelle.  
Puzzled, she looked down.

	"Oh dear.  No, it's I who should apologize, David.  You've 
adapted so quickly and so well to life in the warren, I forgot for a 
moment that you grew up landbound and aren't accustomed to our 
ways.  Wait a moment while I dress and we'll sit and talk for a bit if you 
like."

	"Aye, m'lady.  'Twould be a true pleasure to sit with ye."

	Evelle wrapped a towel around her and moved to the tree 
where her clothes hung.  Quickly, she dried herself off and dressed.  It 
was true that she hadn't remembered in time the different customs 
between warrenfolk and the landbound.  The taboos and restrictions of 
the towns just didn't exist in the warren.  Something else the new ones 
would have to get used to.  She emerged from behind the tree to see 
that Alicynth and Kaylin were playing with each other while David 
looked on.

	"I hope you like life in Keldarra, David."  Evelle sat herself down 
on the grass next to him.  We're please to have you with us."

	"Aye, m'lady.  'Tis a warm welcome I've had here.  Begins to 
feel like home, it does."

	"Please call me Evelle, not m'lady.  We are both dragonriders 
now, and you have a special talent, I understand.  You're a telepath.  
How wonderful that must be, to hear all the dragons."

	"Aye, 'tis wonderful and strange and overwhelmed me that first 
night.  I did not know that the sounds were not heard by all.  But I'll be 
learning what I must from M'ressan.  As ye be learning from the 
DragonLady.  'Tis quite somethin' t'be ridin' a queen."

	"Yes, it's wonderful.  SHE is wonderful."  Evelle pointed at her 
dark copper dragon, scales gleaming in the setting sun.  She thought 
about David's telepathy, and M'ressan's.  She *did* think it was 
wonderful, but she'd noticed a momentary flicker in Christalla's calm 
control when the subject had come up.  <I wonder why> Evelle 
thought.  <It seems a natural thing to me>

	*Of course, it's natural, Evelle*.  She smiled.  Alicynth was 
always inside her mind.  Already it was almost impossible to remember 
what it was like before they joined.

	"How is your father, David?  Will he stay at Keldarra with you?"

	"I cannot say for sure.  I think he'd like to stay, but 'twill depend, 
I'm thinking, on how fare the merger 'twixt Warren and Guild."

	"Ah yes, the merger.  Come, it's getting late, and I'm about out 
of food for Alicynth.  Walk with me back to the barracks and we'll talk 
more.  I think the merger will be good for both.  I hope it goes through."

	"Aye, I do as well.  Might you put in a word in its favor, Evelle?"

	"I don't know how much weight my word would carry, but if I'm 
asked, I'll say that I'm in favor."

	"And I'll be thanking ye for 't."

	They talked easily as they walked home with Alicynth and 
Kaylin.  Evelle was telling him again how pleased she was that he was 
part of the warren now, when she spotted a familiar figure just up 
ahead.

	"Oh!  There's my brother, S'brogh.  I haven't talked to him since 
the hatching."

	"So, my little queenrider, congratulations," S'brogh said and 
gave her a crushing hug.

	"Thank you.  Have you seen her?"  Evelle stroked her dragon 
fondly, and Alicynth purred.

	"Sure, she's a beautiful one, Evelle.  Like you."

	"S'brogh, I'd like you to meet David Swordson and his Kaylin."

	"Pleased to meet you, David."  S'brogh extended his hand and 
the two exchanged a firm handshake.  "Welcome to Keldarra.  I've 
heard of your talent with the sword.   We're proud to have you with 
us."

	David thanked him and said he hoped to see him again soon, 
then left brother and sister to talk alone.

	"I'm sorry I haven't seen you and mother and dad since the 
hatching."

	"You've been busy, as all new riders are.  The folks are as 
proud as can be.  Quite a night they made of it when they saw you join 
with the queen.  I'm very happy for you, Evelle."

	"I know," she smiled.  "And I'm happy that you all came through 
the battle unhurt.  But have you heard about Wynn?"

	"That he joined?  Yes, I have, and I'm pleased.  I hope maybe 
we can be friends again.  I've missed him."  He chucked her under the 
chin.  "And so have you, if I don't miss my guess."

	"What do you mean?"  Evelle was looking everywhere but at 
her brother.

	"You always had a yen for him, Evelle, back when he was 
around so much.  He never knew it, but a brother couldn't miss it," he 
teased.  I think maybe it never went away."

	"Well, never you mind," she laughed, "or I'll start inquiring after 
your own involvements.  But I think we're having dinner together 
tonight, and I'll tell him you'd like to see him.  Tell Mom and Dad, I'll 
come and see them soon.  Alicynth should be flying soon, and then 
we'll get our apartment, and can come visit."

	"Okay, Sis.  I've got a date myself.  And never you mind with 
whom."

	"Oh, I don't have to ask anymore.  Alicynth can get it from 
Iganeth," she retorted with a mischievous grin.

	Her brother groaned, kissed her, and left rider and dragon to go 
back to their barracks.

Evelle
Queenrider of Alicynth