*They are so hesitant with each other* the coal black Malekith 
told Alicynth.  The two young dragons were feasting on the meat 
Wynn had provided for them and keeping a dragon's eye on their 
respective riders.

	*Silly Humans* Alicynth agreed.  *They make difficult what 
should come easily*

	*I should not hesitate!*  Malekith drew himself up to his full 
height and flapped his wings for Alicynth.

	*I will remember that* she answered, flapping her own in 
response.

	*And I will not let you forget* he said proudly.

	Meanwhile, back at the campfire, Evelle was enjoying the 
aroma wafting out of the simmering pot.

	"I didn't expect all this," she began, drawing his eyes to her. 

	His eyes turned from her back to the fire.  She was even more 
beautiful by firelight, and he found himself thinking back to that day he 
spied her.

	"What are you thinking about?" Evelle asked innocently, not 
seeing Wynn's blush in the dim light of the campfire.

	"Ummm.... I think the food is ready, actually."

	*He thinks back to when he saw you swimming here, Evelle.  It 
was before we joined*

	Evelle smiled happily.  *Ah, very good.  Thank you, little one.  
You're enjoying your dinner, too, I see*

	She turned to take the plate of steaming noodles and a slice of 
bread from Wynn.  She waited a few minutes for the cool evening air 
to take some of the heat from the food, then put the spoon to her lips.  
Her eyes opened wider in delight.  It was pungent and spicy, and the 
thick sauce clung to the noodles.

	"Mmm, it's delicious, Wynn.  You can cook for me anytime," she 
teased, and set about eating with enthusiasm.  Relieved, he did the 
same, realizing he was indeed hungry.  Watching Evelle enjoy her 
food, he though perhaps he was hungry for more than a plate of wheat 
noodles, then rapidly turned his eyes back to his own plate, and his 
thoughts to less dangerous subjects.

	They talked with the ease of two who'd know each other for 
many years.  He told her how pleased he was with his training, and 
she told him about her own study with Christalla.  As he talked, she 
looked at him, handsome, fit, and proud, and new that he'd ride into 
battle fiercely when the time came, and that she'd worry terribly about 
him when he did.  Evelle moved closer to him.

	"Wynn," she said, looking up into his eyes and capturing them, 
"I'm afraid the wraith attack will turn out to be only the first.  Promise 
me when you ride to battle, you'll be careful.  I... I don't want to lose 
you."  She reached out and touched his arm and wasn't surprised at 
the sensations that touch send rippling through her.  From the way he 
jumped quickly up and began collecting their plates, she knew he'd felt 
it, too.  

	She lay back on the blanket while he sand-washed their plates 
and banked the fire.  He turned to look at her from time to time, 
admiring the graceful position of her body and thinking that it would be 
very nice to be lying along side of her.

	*Then why don't you, Wynn?*

	He smiled as he grimaced.  <I'll have to start watching what I 
think now that I've got a dragon in my head.  A mischievous dragon 
who'll probably tell Alicynth all about it>

	*Of course, I will.  Can WE help it if you silly Humans need help 
with the simplest things?  Alicynth agrees.  She is a wise and 
wonderful dragon.  Don't you agree her copper color is beautiful, 
Wynn?*

	*Yes, she's a beautiful dragon, Malekith*

	He groaned silently.  If the two dragons were attracted to each 
other, he might as well admit that his fate was sealed.

	"We should be getting back, Evelle.  The night air grows colder 
and I don't want you getting a chill."  

	He leaned over and offered her his hand.  As he pulled her to 
her feet, Evelle again noticed his strength, tempered with gentleness.  
They called their dragons, who came bounding back, their content with 
the evening evident to both riders.  On the trip back to the barracks, 
Evelle told Wynn how S'brogh was looking forward to renewing their 
friendship.

	"He's missed his old friend, Wynn.  Truly."

	"I'd like it if we could put these past two years behind us, Evelle.  
I only hope he can forgive me."

	"I'm sure he'll tell you that there's no forgiveness necessary.  
He understands, Wynn, just like I do.  Go and talk to him.  You'll see.  I 
was right about the dragon, wasn't I?" she asked with a smile.

	They had reached the barracks and stood outside for a 
moment.

	*Are they just going to stand there, Alicynth?*

	*We'll see if we have to give them a little nudge, Malekith*

	But they didn't.  Evelle lifted her head to look into Wynn's eyes.

	"This was a lovely evening, Wynn.  I meant what I said earlier 
about the wraith attacks.  I think there's going to be a lot of trouble in 
the Realm with the wraiths and with other issues."

	She kept her eyes focused on his.  He couldn't draw away from 
them.

	"I'd like us to be together before you go off into battle and me to 
the horrors of my council meeting."

	Before he could answer, she put her arms around his neck and 
pulled his head down.  Their lips met in a kiss.  At first he stiffened, 
trying to pull away.  Then, as he tasted the warm sweetness of her 
lips, his arms tightened around her and he became a willing 
participant.  A sense of approval from the black dragon and the copper 
one filled their minds.

	"I'll see you tomorrow, Wynn," she said breathlessly.  "Maybe 
we'll meet at the lake again after training."

	He nodded, not trusting himself to speak, and not quite sure of 
what he should say if he did.

			*****************************************

The Next Morning

	*Wake up, Evelle.  It's breakfast time*

	Evelle groaned and stretched.   Getting up in the morning 
wasn't her favorite thing.  It ranked somewhat higher on her list than a 
wraith attack, but not much.  Still Alicynth was hungry and Chistalla 
was like waiting for her.  She forced herself up and dressed quickly.

	*He dreamed of you, Evelle*  Her dragon's mind voice sounded 
pleased.  *You dreamed of him, too*

	*I hope you were busy with some dreams of your own, nosy 
one* she thought back to Alicynth as she laughed.

	Just outside, she saw the subject of her dreams kneeling next 
to the new rider, Araminta.  

	*What's the trouble, Alicynth?*

	Her dragon contacted Kirimith and told her the story of Minty 
and her father.  Alicynth relayed it to Evelle.

	"Minty, I am Evelle," she said, kneeling down beside Wynn.  "It 
will be all right.  No one will hurt you anymore."

	The young girl looked up with frightened eyes.  "You... you're 
the queenrider!  Oh dear, I don't want to make any trouble."

	"You aren't," Wynn told her.  "We look out for each other in the 
warren."

	"Kirimith protected me," she said in wonder.

	"Of course she did.  She always will," Evelle told her.  "Minty, 
please don't think you're different.  You're a dragonrider now and one 
of us.  I'll tell the DragonLady what happened.  She'll take care of it."

	"I don't want him hurt," Minty pleaded.  "It's the drink.  He can't 
help himself."

	"She'll know what to do.  Don't worry.  Just go for breakfast now 
with Wynn before training.  You should meet Darlea and David and 
some of the others.  You have friends, Minty.

	"I'll see you later, Wynn," she said softly, and left Minty in his 
protective hands.

				**************************

Scene:  Dining Hall

	Evelle was laughing, responding to M'ressan's charming 
flirtiness.  His way with the ladies was well known through the warren 
though all of them knew of his utter devotion to Christalla.

	"I'm afraid I'm not the type to nod, smile, and be silent, 
M'ressan," she laughed.  

	"Somehow, I thought that would be your reply, my young 
beauty.  Spunky little queenrider we have here, DragonLady."

	"So it would appear," Christalla said wryly.  Evelle had already 
told her about the problem with Minty and her father.  It would have to 
be dealt with.

NPRG:  Susan, the DragonLady can take of it, or she can assign the 
problem of Guy to Evelle as her first queenrider chore.  Up to you.  
<G>

RPG:

	The mood became more somber when Aleta came in with 
M'tan.  A jolt of horror shot through Evelle when she looked at the 
results of the wraith attack on Aleta's mate.  Her thoughts turned to 
Wynn and how she would react if such a thing happened to him and 
she shuddered.  Yet, Aleta was stalwartly showing no outward sign of 
the distress she must be feeling.  M'ressan's sister had a strength that 
was amazing even among combat riders.  Since Evelle had been 
unjoined only a few days ago, she didn't know Aleta very well, but 
knew of her reputation as wingleader among the riders.  

Scene:  Christalla's office

	Christalla had briefed Evelle on everything she could think of to 
prepare her for the coming Council of Warrens.  Much of it would of 
necessity be extempore.  You couldn't prepare someone for what you 
didn't know would come up.  But Christalla felt the growing air of 
authority in Evelle that came with riding a queen.  She thought the girl 
would do all right.  <And very likely get me into some trouble with her 
outspokenness> the DragonLady thought to herself.

	*Very likely* Kaeryth agreed.  *Not unlike yourself when you 
became Senior Queenrider*

	*I should have know that you'd not forget that, nor miss the 
opportunity to remind me* Christalla told her dragon fondly.

	They were interrupted by the arrival of Almiron with his request 
to sell his wares in Keldarra Warren.   The quality of his work was 
amazing.

	"Oh, I must have this one!"  Evelle had seized upon the copper 
and gold belt and closed it's ornate clasp about her waist.  She was 
looking through some of his others while Christalla negotiated with the 
strange young man.

	"And this one too!"  She'd found a supple jet black leather belt 
studded with irregular chips of gold.  This she would give to Wynn 
later that day when they met at the lake.  "I'll arrange for your quarters 
and a place for you to work.  And I'll see that a meal is prepared for 
you in the Dining Hall.  I'll also arrange for you to meet with one of our 
crafters if you should need some of your tools repaired or replaced.  
Will that do for the two belts, Almiron?"

[NRPG]  Lyn, I'll leave it to you to say yea or nay.  Evelle hopes 
they've got a deal. <G>]

	Not long after that, Christalla dismissed her for the afternoon.  
Evelle had a number of things to do before she went to Lake Sharrel 
that afternoon.  She met her brother, S'brogh, who helped her take her 
first ride on Alicynth.  Being on her dragon's back was sheer heaven.  
Evelle took to it instinctively.  It was too soon, and Alicynth was still a 
day or two away from long rides or teleports, but she could soar high 
enough for Evelle to select an apartment.  She found one high up in 
the cliffside with a large, airy bedroom and a nicely equipped kitchen 
for when she didn't feel like getting to the dining hall, especially at 
breakfast time.  It also had a large antechamber which would be quite 
comfortable for two very large dragons.

	*Yes, I like this one, Evelle*

	*So do I.  I'll ask Christalla about it*

	While Evelle and S'Brogh flew around apartment hunting, she 
told him about her evening with Wynn.

	"He feels bad, and a little guilty, about avoiding you, Brog.  
Maybe you'll go look for him?  "But, um... don't keep him too long if 
you see him this afternoon.  I think we have plans.  I hope."

	"Ah, so that's the way it is.  I thought so.  So did Iganeth."  Her 
brother had a wide smile on his face.  He was looking forward to 
renewing his dormant friendship with Wynn, and he quite approved of 
what his sister's interest in him.  <Do me a fat lot of good if I didn't> he 
thought.  <She's had a mind of her own since she was a toddler>

	"Thanks for the riding lesson," she told him, hugging him after 
they'd landed.  "I'm going to ask Christalla about that apartment."

Evelle
Senior Queenrider of Alicynth