*timeframe: The day that everyone is going swimming*

 After a full morning of assisting M'ressan with training, Hedda was ready 
for some time off.  She decided to go for a ride.

 Lannith was ready to fly.  Hedda grabbed a small bag, slung it over her 
shoulder, and climbed on board the red dragon.  Lannith took to the air 
almost immediately.

 They headed north, gliding through mountain passes and over crystal 
lakes.  Lannith said, <Where are we going?>

 Hedda pointed down.  "There.  That lake looks good."

 Lannith almost dove into the lake, pulling out of the dive at the last 
second and touching down smoothly on land.  "Dear, you are going to get 
us killed doing that one of these days,"  Hedda mock scolded.  Lannith 
pretended to go into a pout.  Hedda smiled and scratched under the 
dragon's chin.  Lannith said <That's right.  You have got the right place.>

 Hedda laid out a blanket, took off her clothes, and laid down, letting 
the sun warm her.  Lannith curled up nearby.  

 Hedda awoke an hour later to Lannith gently nudging her.  <Let's swim!>

 "Ok.  We'll swim.  But then we have to get back."  

 <All right.>  

 Hedda climbed on Lannith's back, and Lannith took off.  Then, Lannith 
turned around and started diving, straight toward the water.  When they 
were close, Hedda jumped off, and Lannith evened out the dive, settling 
gently in the water.  Hedda surfaced beside the dragon.

 Lannith shook her wings off, sending a fine spray of water at Hedda.  
"Hey, you!  That does it!"  

 The two splashed around for quite a while.  When the time was up, and 
the sun was nearly setting, Hedda climbed out of the lake, dried off, and 
got her clothes back on.

 Hedda and Lannith were back at the Warren in time for the evening meal.  
Lannith flew out to the herd, and Hedda dined with the new riders.  In 
general, they were a friendly bunch, each in his or her own way.  After 
dinner, she retired to bed.  All the playing had worn her out.

***********

 The next morning, on the way to breakfast, she ran into a group of the 
trainees.  They invited her to join them, and she accepted.  They talked 
all the way to the Dining Hall, asking her about flying, saying how much 
they were looking forward to getting to fly today, and asking what flying 
combat was like.  

 "Yes, I'll admit, I was scared when Lannith and I were flying against 
the wraiths," she said, rubbing her left shoulder lightly.

 Once in the Hall, Hedda saw Christalla, M'ressan, Aleta, and a bandaged 
M'tan.  Aleta motioned for the group to come over, then said "Hedda, if
you have a moment, I'd like to talk to you later."  

 "Yes, yes.  That would be fine,"  Hedda replied, slightly confused.

 Breakfast went by, Hedda not interacting with the group as much 
anymore.  She hardly listened to the converstation, thinking about what 
Aleta could want with her.  

 After breakfast, she headed out to the training ground, like she usually 
did.  On the way, Aleta stopped her, asking her to ride as wingsecond in 
Alpha Wing.  

 Hedda simply said, "I would be honored."

***********

 Lannith was elated.  She was in the air again, with a proud Hedda on her 
back.  She didn't exactly understand what "wingsecond" meant, but it made 
Hedda proud, and so it made Lannith happy.  

 They drilled the rest of the day, and Hedda got to know most of the 
riders in the wing.  They were a good group.  Hedda knew that this was 
just the beginning, though.  She could sense that bigger things were in 
the air.  After all, they would have to do something with the new 
riders.  Maybe, just maybe...

Respectfully submitted,
Hedda,
Rider of Lannith,
Of Keldarra Warren.

 Nathan Terhune

NRPG:  Ok, this should get me caught up.  I havn't posted recently 
because there hasn't been much going on with my character.  Now, though.

Susan:  I was just starting this one when you sent out yours.  <G>