After a short meal break, barely long enough to satisfy ever present dragon
hunger, the riders once again assembled on the training ground.


"We need to teach these beautiful creatures a few things about flying.  Yes
I know dragons are born to fly, but in the wild they would not carry a
full-grown human!  It's important to strengthen the flight muscles, and we
have a set of exercises that you should follow for at least the next 10
days."  M'ressan explained


"How long before we can ride?" asked a tall lad with long blonde hair


*Who's that Kirimith?*  Minty asked


*That's Kaylin'sha's rider.*


"You can ride as soon as your dragon is strong enough to bear you."
answered M'ressan  "But you must take it slowly at first.  I'll not have any
crippled dragons because of over eager riders.... Not at Keldarra Warren!"


Using Alanth as a model, he demonstrated the exercises the new recruits were
to practice each day.  As they began, he walked round the group, offering
advice here, or a word of praise there.  Finally he called to them:


"OK That will be all for today!  We've made a good start, but all work and
no play...... Take yourselves off for the afternoon now.  But I want you
back here bright and early tomorrow morning."  With that he spun on his
heel, and walked across to tend to his own dragon.


*What would you like to do sweeting?  Some of the others are going swimming.
Would you like to join them?  I can't swim, but if I stay in the shallows.....*


*I'd like to sleep in the sun for a time.* Kirimith said yawning mightily
*Growing is hard work!*


Minty laughed softly and affectionately scratched the dragon's eye ridge.
*If you grow too much more I'll need a ladder to scrub your back!  Go on
sweeting.  I've plenty to do, and I promised Da I'd put in a word for him....* 


She made sure Kirimith was settled, then hurried to the kitchen cavern to
find her father.  She was dreading another confrontation with him.....  She
found Guy sat in front of the main hearth, with the inevitable cup of ale in
his hand.  As she approached, he lurched to his feet:


"About time too!  An' where have you been hiding yourself all day?  It's
past time for us to be moving on.  Get your things girl, and let's get
going!"  Guy's words were precise, telling Minty he was far gone in drink.
He grabbed her arm and started marching her towards the exit


"I can't leave Da, you know I can't!  I've to see to Kirimith....."  Minty
pleaded


"And you can forget this dragon nonsense too girl.  There's no place for
fanciful stuff in our lives.  Dragons!  Huh!   Just a drain on decent
folks."  Pulling her into the courtyard, past a crowd of muttering warren
folk, he was deaf to her pleas.


"I -can't- leave Kirimith Da!  She needs me.  Oh....."  Minty cried in shock
and pain as Guy slapped her face.


"You'll do as I say girl!  Now get your things...."  he raised his hand to
slap her again, but never got the chance.  A streak of midnight blue knocked
him to the ground, and Kirimith was there bellowing her rage....  Eyes
whirling red she stood guard as Guy came to his feet, and moved to grab
Minty again.


*Go Minty.  I will come soon.  Go to the barracks and hide....*  


Minty backed away, worried for her father, equally worried for Kirimith.  As
two of the bystanders pulled Guy back from the dragon, she called:


"Don't hurt him.  Please don't hurt him....."


*Go Minty.  Someone will care for him*


Followed closely by her dragon, Minty hurried towards the barracks.  Once
inside she gave way to fear and tears.  Flinging her arms around Kirimith's
neck she sobbed


*Oh Kirimith!  Whatever shall I do?*


*Shhhh Minty.  I will protect you.  No one will -ever- hurt you again*
Kirimith's thought was fierce.....


Respectfully submitted

Araminta, Kirimith's rider
-- 
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