Her cry echoed across the sky:


"Freedom........"


*Are you afraid to fall now Minty?  Do I not fly well?*  Kirimith's tone was
exhilarated, matching perfectly Minty's mood.


*You are the -best- of dragons.  There is none to match you, sweeting.  Tell
me if you tire, I don't want to tax you on our first flight!*  


*I am fine!  This is why I was hatched!  Do not worry so, Minty.  You are a
light burden that I can carry with ease.*


Rising on the warm air currents, Kirimith circled the Warren.  Gliding on
outstretched wings..... Far below the lakes shone in the sunlight, sparkling
with an invitation to bathe in their cool depths.


*A swim would be nice don't you think?  I will teach you!*


Laughing lightly, Minty gave her consent.  With a slow downbeat of her
silken wings, Kirimith left the thermal she had been riding.  Angling down
to the nearest lake, she landed lightly on the sandy beach.  Minty descended
and removed the saddle, and Kirimith waded into the cool blue water.


*Come, the water feels good.  And I need you to reach my back!*  Kirimith
pleaded, eyes whirling contentedly.


*Oh laziest of dragons!  What would you do without me I wonder!?* Minty
demanded, as she stripped off and entered the shallows.


*I could not live without you Minty*  Kirimith sent  *My life will cease
when yours does*


Throwing her arms around the dragon's neck, Minty was contrite


*I'm sorry sweeting. I did not think. I love you!*


Seconds later Kirimith's wings swept Minty's legs from under her, and she
was dumped into the water.  Coughing and spluttering, she rose from the
water hands on hips,  to confront the unrepentant creature.


*The day is too good for such serious musings.  Did I not say it was a good
day to fly?*   Amusement was apparent in the Dragon's tone.  *Are you afraid
to get wet?*


Minty's *You...you...brazen.....*  was cut short by a curtain of water
descending on her head.  Without thinking, she chased the dragon further
into the depths, floundering as she realised there was no support for her
feet.  Just as she started to panic, Kirimith surfaced under her, and bore
her towards the shore, dumping her onto the sandy beach......


*My back still needs scrubbing....*  Kirimith wheedled


Laughing, contented, Minty set about tackling the task.


*We should be getting back to the barracks soon.  We have still to choose a
home for ourselves*  Minty sent as she scrubbed


*I suppose we must* agreed Kirimith wistfully *It is just so warm in the
sun, and I am -so- comfortable....*


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

Later, in the barracks....


*The DragonLady is calling us!* Kirimith exclaimed suddenly
 

"The DragonLady??" Minty exclaimed.  "Why would she want us?"


*I don't know, but we should go to her office and find out* Kirimith pointed
out matter-of-factly.  *It would not do to keep her waiting.*


With mounting unease, Minty made her way to the DragonLady's office.


<put the interview with the DragonLady here>


"..... I will NOT have one of our kind hurt.  We look out for each other
here.  Remember that you always have someplace to turn."  Christalla concluded.


"You have my thanks Lady, for your patience.  If I can find Da some work,
then I think he will be alright.  At least that has always been the way
before.  May I have your permission to seek a place for him?"  she asked


"Yes, of course.  I'm sure there is something he can do here.  If he settles
well then he will be most welcome to stay.  If not, well, we will have to
think again...."


Bobbing a quick curtsey, and offering shy thanks, Minty hurried from the
office to seek her father and tell him the good news.  


*Well? *  Kirimith demanded  


*He can stay Kiri!  The DragonLady says he can stay!*  


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

Early evening....


*Will it do?*  Minty asked anxiously  *Will you have enough room?  Is it
warm enough?*


The two had spent an enjoyable afternoon picking a home for themselves.
They had finally decided on an apartment high on the cliff, with an eastern
opening to catch the dawn.


*The morning sun will wake me.  There is enough sand for a comfortable bed.
Yes, I believe it will suffice.  Now, you must eat....*


Kirimith deposited Minty at the entrance to the dining hall.  When she
showed some reluctance to enter, Kirimith reminded her:


*Family!*......


Inside, the hall was beginning to fill, and Minty went unnoticed.  She
collected a plate of stew and some bread, then settled herself at the end of
the long table used by the trainees.  She hoped to avoid attention as much
as possible, but she was not left to herself for long..... A young girl sat
down next to her:


"Hello.  It's Minty isn't it?"  When Minty nodded, she continued  "I'm
Darlea.  Are you feeling better now?"


Realising the girl was referring to the incident with her father, Minty
blushed and said nothing.


"It's alright you know.  You don't have to talk if you don't want to.  I
shan't pry.  I thought it would be nice for you to know someone here.
You're landbound aren't you?"


Darlea's questions were kindly, and Minty relaxed slightly.  It might be
nice to have a female friend.  So she answered in a quiet voice, and tried
not to hunch into her seat too much.  Trainees came and went, and a tall
young rider caught Darlea's attention. Leaning over she whispered to Minty:


"Don't you think David's a handsome lad?  Maybe he'll come sit with us.
Wouldn't that be nice?"  Smiling and waving, Darlea beckoned David


"He seems nice enough." Minty agreed guardedly "He's the telepath isn't he?"


"But only with dragons." said Darlea  "Hello David.  Come and sit with us.
Do you know Minty?"


David and Darlea chatted together quite happily.  The girl had such a sunny
disposition that it was hard to take offence with her.  Minty was quiet,
feeling awkward and shy, but she make the occasional comment.  She was quite
enjoying the bantering between the two, when Darlea suddenly announced:


"I need to go and speak to my mother. I hope you both don't mind. Please
keep talking."  Without waiting for an answer she rose, and disappeared in
the direction of the kitchen. 


Minty just sat there, painfully shy, wishing the ground would open under
her.  David sensed her discomfort, and did his best to put her at ease,
talking of this and that.  His accent sometimes made it hard to follow him,
but his voice was warm.  Touching on the subject she had been dreading he
enquired:


"So are you feeling better this night?  We were all worried about ye." 


Minty turned away to hide the deep flush spreading across her cheeks.
Mumbling to hide the tears in her voice, she answered:


"I'm fine now.  I haven't seen Da since this morning though....."
Embarrassed, she tried to move further away, but he would not allow it.
Taking her hand in his, turning her face gently towards him, he held her to
her place.


"I know how much ye care fer him.  I would give me life for me da, 
also."  He said, gently squeezing her hand.  "But here at te' warren, we 
are a family, too."


"That's just what the DragonLady said too.  She was concerned that I might
be hurt! Yet she doesn't even know me!  She said I could look for a place
for Da, and that he could stay!  Kirimith says we're all family too....."


"Now, if I remember hearin, ye da was a metal crafter?"  He asked.  "Because
if he es, I could probably see t' et that he gets a job.  Me guild es
building a chapter house ere' at te' warren.  And by trade, we are
Blacksmiths....." 


Hardly able to believe her ears, Minty  smiled and asked excitedly...


"Do you mean it?  Really?  If Da works then he slows his drinking down.  If
he doesn't drink so much he doesn't fight, and get into trouble.  Oh yes
please!"


"Consider et done!"  David said with a slow, warm smile.....


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

Following day, on the training field.....


Minty watched as M'ressan demonstrated some of the basic combat moves.  Her
life and Kirimith's might one day depend on how well she learnt her lessons....


Suddenly M'ressan and David cried out and sank to their knees.  An unearthly
keening shattered the air, raising bumps on Minty's skin and setting her
teeth on edge.


*Paranth calls.  Wraiths!  Oh oh a rogue rider.  We must help, Michel is
down*  Kirimith's thoughts were frantic.


*Calm down. calm down.  We will go when you calm down.*  


Looking round, Minty saw the other trainees had also received the bad news.
Some stood unmoving, locked in communication with their dragons, others were
preparing to fly to help the stricken Michel.


"We must go. We must help."  Minty appealed to those riders nearest to her.
To lose family she had only just gained!  No she could not stand by, and let
it happen!!  She was stopped short by a firm "NO" from Wynn.  Amazed she
turned to face him.


"We have no training for this mission.  If we rush blindly into danger we
help no-one, least of all Michel.  There are plenty to help, and we will
just be in the way."


Minty noticed David wincing in pain, and went to him, but she turned her
head towards Wynn.  "How can you say that?  He's one of us.  That is what
all of you have told me, just like I'm supposed to be.  Was it a lie?"  she
demanded outraged.


"Who does it help to have two to rescue?  Or three?  Or four?  If we go we
will only put ourselves and others in danger.  It would be best to leave it
to those who have experience.  We should be prepared to aid those who will
be injured!  You can be sure there will be many."  Wynn's tears were near
the surface now  "My dragon has not even blown flame yet, and we know only a
few simple maneuvers.  Look, if you must go, then go.  And I wish you the
best of luck.  I truly hope you return with Michel and Paranth."


Minty paused, looking at Wynn, trying to decide what was best to do.  Should
she go, or stay?  Kirimith's shadow falling across her face, set her to
thinking again.  Was it fair to risk Kirimith to this venture?  Finally
deciding, she said:


"Perhaps you are right.  We must prepare for the worst this day can offer.
Where does the Warren keep it's medical supplies?  Bandages, pain numbing
ointments, the like?  I cannot just stand here, I -must- do something......"
She waited for an answer......


Respectfully submitted

Araminta, Kirimith's rider


NRPG  Whew!  I got caught up with everyone at last.



-- 
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