NRPG: Another novel from your favorite DL Admin :).

RPG:

	For once, Christalla was awake long before M'ressan.  Her eyes 
opened abruptly to the grey haze of dawn filtering in through her bedroom 
window.  She knew she had no chance of returning to sleep... the stress 
of the approaching Council of Warrens had haunted her dreams, and she 
could feel the stiffness in her limbs from a bad night's sleep.  The 
sudden tithe crisis had only made things worse.

	She turned to M'ressan, who was still snoring softly, and 
watched him sleep for a while.  The look of peace on his face drove away 
any thought of rousing him.  She knew he'd had a few very busy days 
himself.  He'd need the rest.  

	On the edge of her mind, she felt Kaeryth roll to consciousness.  
<Looks like it's just you and me this morning, my love,> she sent 
affectionately.

	<If you'd rather be awake than sleep,> Kaeryth returned 
sluggishly.  

	Christalla slipped out of bed, careful not to rouse her mate, and 
wandered to the window precisely cut from the stone wall.  She unlatched 
it and pulled open the hinged glass panel, letting the crisp morning 
breeze chill her to wakefulness.  Outside, she could see almost all of 
the Warren, slumbering and empty in the grey light.  She had chosen this 
apartment for its view... 

	How old had she been?  16?  It was so long ago. 

	And so carefree.

	Where had all her freedom gone?

	M'ressan shifted in bed, shivering slightly.  Christalla quickly 
closed the window to lock out the cold.  She crossed the room to her 
wardrobe, opening it and sifting through it contents.  This would be a 
long, painfully diplomatic affair, and she would be forced to look the 
part. 

	She selected a blue gown, trimmed with gold-- something simple 
and yet elegant.  After thinking for a moment, she smiled and cinched it 
with the blue belt Almiron had given her.  If anyone asked her about the 
fine workmanship, she'd certainly see that business was directed to him.  
Then someone would get some gain from this whole tedious affair.

	She walked over to the mirror, washed her face in the basin 
nearby, and pulled back her hair with some gold-and-perl combs M'ressan 
had given her one year for her birthday.  He'd always said they made her 
look like a Queen.

	<You'll never look like a Queen as far as I'm concerned,> Kaeryth 
commented.  <Though Alicynth is coming along nicely.>

	"You look beautiful."

	Christalla turned to see M'ressan lying in bed, watching her.  
The ever-present teasing glint was gone from his green eyes, and the 
sudden intensity she saw there intimidated her.

	She backed away, suddenly self-conscious.  "I... thank you," she 
stammered, smoothing her dress and turning to fidget with her hair in the 
mirror.  "I know what it's like to face the Coucil, and I wanted to look 
as presentable as I could..."

	M'ressan slipped out of bed and walked toward her.  Christalla 
saw his reflection in the mirror and started to move away.  There was 
something in him that frightened her.  But he was swifter than she was 
and reached out to grab her and pull her to him.  She resisted for a 
moment, but he held her tight.  His voice was low in her ear.

	"When was the last time I told you I love you?"

	"M'ressan, I--"  Christalla looked up at him, and her eyes began 
to fill with tears.  A thousand thoughts, fears, explanations, whirled 
unvoiced in her head.

	M'ressan was dragonfolk.  He had lived in the Warren for twenty 
years.  He had even dropped his surname and contracted his given name in 
the convention of many dragonfolk to voice his surrender of Landbound 
past.  And yet there was a devotion in him that Christalla sometimes 
found so alien.  He truly believed she was the only one for him.  
Christalla wondered sometimes if she felt so strongly... or was worthy 
of his feelings.

	"When was the last time you were just Christalla, my love?" he 
murmured.  "Let's just be the two of us this morning."

	Christalla shook her head, though she was suddenly aware of how 
suffocating all the responsibility had been in the last week.  The wraith 
attack, the Hatching, the Council, the tithe...  It just seemed to press 
on her till she thought she'd be crushed.  "I can't.  The Council--"

	M'ressan laughed.  "Do you have any idea how early it is?" he 
demanded.  "You have plenty of time, and I don't think it will take you 
long to get dressed up again."  She opened her mouth to protest again, 
but he silenced her with a kiss.
	
	A kiss that drowned all the pounding of her responsibilities, 
stripped away the DragonLady, and left only a woman who needed to be 
loved.  Christalla surrendered, letting herself tumble down into a world 
that contained only the two of them.  

	It was like a release for her soul.  Her heart flew.

	M'ressan pulled her free of the stiff official gown and drew her 
back to the bed.  They had some time to waste.

**********

	When they walked into the Dining Hall together, it was still early 
in the morning.  There was a spring in Christalla's step that had faded 
in recent days.  M'ressan had an instinct for what was best for her.

	There were few dragonriders who ate breakfast that early, but 
Christalla noticed Hedda eating alone in a corner.  She looked like she 
hadn't slept well-- Christalla knew the feeling.  Probably she was 
nervous about the upcoming confrontation with the leaders of her former 
Warren.

	Christalla gathered some food and walked over to join the young 
dragonrider. "Mind if I join you?" she asked warmly.

	"Go right ahead," Hedda replied, a little nervously.  Christalla 
and M'ressan sat down, though M'ressan remained largely silent this 
morning.  

	"I want you to know I really appreciate the task you've taken on 
yourself," Christalla said.  "It can't be easy for you to face the 
people who cast you out of Falagand Warren, but your help will take  
great strides toward persuading the Council to take action against the 
WarrenLady Rhina and her mate Roland."

	Hedda's eyes flashed.  It was obvious she was still hurting from 
her treatment there.  "I want to see them face justice, especially 
Roland." she said sharply.

	"With your help, as well as mine and Evelle's, she will," 
Christalla replied.

	"And speaking of the hot-blooded new queenrider..." M'ressan 
began, some of the familiar twinkle back in his eyes.  "Shouldn't she be 
here by now?"

	Christalla scanned the filling Dining Hall, seeing no sign of her 
apprentice.  "Yes.  The Warren leaders will be arriving in a couple of 
hours.  I need her here."  M'ressan lay an inconspicous hand on her thigh 
...a quiet reminder of her Human side.

	<Kaeryth, would you call Alicynth?  I need to see Evelle as soon 
as possible.> 

	<Alicynth says they're better not disturbed right now,> Kaeryth 
replied with amusment.

	Christalla laughed aloud.  "Well, it seems we'll have to wait a 
little longer.  Evelle seems to be enjoying her new quarters."  She hoped 
Evelle's first choice of mate would be better than hers.  She glanced at 
M'ressan, forcing away a sudden constriction in her throat.  It had taken 
her almost four years to find him.

	M'ressan grinned.  "I imagine Wynn is having the time of his 
life.  I would, with an energetic young thing like that to wake up to 
every morning."  

	Christalla looked at him sidelong, eyes laughing.  "I guess you 
jsut have to live with this lazy, old thing," she said.

	"Hey, did I say I was NOT having the time of my life??" M'ressan 
demanded.  Christalla laughed, and even Hedda smiled a bit.  M'ressan's 
good humor was infectious.

	Kaeryth left some instructions with Alicynth at Christalla's 
instruction, and the three settled in to a pleasant morning discussion.  
After a little while, Aleta and M'tan arrived, accompanied by Almiron-- 
carrying the now-familiar tahdahk board.  Aleta slid into a seat beside 
M'ressan, and M'tan and Almiron set up the game and began to play.

	"I just came from the medical center," Aleta said quietly for 
glancing over at her mate and his friend.  "Zareth is doing a lot 
better.  I'm certain he's going to fly again."  She spoke with 
confidence as a trained Healer of both Dragons and Humans, having 
trained a the Keldarra medical center for 8 years before joining.

	M'ressan reached out and squeezed his sister's hand.  "That's 
wonderful!  I always had confidence."

	"That's because you didn't know what you were seeing," she 
retorted.  "I saw Zareth the day after the combat.  I didn't think he 
would ever fly again.  Even now I don't think he'll ever fly combat, but 
I'll live with that-- It's a miracle."

	"I won!" M'tan exclaimed, laughing.

	"You are quick student," Almiron replied ruefully, eyeing the 
wooden pieces on the tahdahk board.  "I would not have thought of quite 
that maneuver."

	At that moment, Evelle walked into the room, holding Wynn's 
hand.  She was flushed, excited, and radiant. Christalla stood up and 
walked over to her.  "We need to get ready," she said.  "The Council 
Meeting starts in less than an hour, and we'll be receiving the Warren 
leaders very soon."

	Evelle sobered quickly, and nodded.  "Just let me grab a little 
something to eat."

**********

	Dragons around the Warren green trumpeted as the large, metallic 
dragons began appearing in the air above Keldarra Warren.  Christalla, 
DragonLady, stood at the entrance to the Great Hall of Keldarra.  Evelle, 
Senior Queenrider and WarrenLady, stood at her right, slightly behind 
her.  Aleta and M'ressan, Alpha and Beta Wingleaders, stood behind to 
her left.

	Each WarrenLady brought another dragonrider to the Council as a 
second.  This could be any number of high-positioned dragonriders.  For 
some, it was a junior queenrider, for others it was their Alpha 
wingleader.  The few males that were allowed inside the Council were 
seconds. 

	The first arrival was a large male marroon Tathalar and a silver 
queen Selerith, who was very small for an egg-layer... actually a little 
smaller than her companion.  The dragons landed and riders dismounted.  
Christalla stepped forward, at her diplomatic best.

	"Welcome to Keldarra, fellow dragonriders."

	The male stepped forward.  "I am Roland of Falagand," he said.  
"This is my mate Rhina, our WarrenLady."  Rhina nodded silently.

	Christalla burned inwardly.  So these were her adversaries.  
There had been a change in leadership at Falagand since the last 
Council.  It was certainly obvious who was in charge, and it wasn't the 
Senior Queenrider.

	"I'm honored to meet you," she replied.  "I am Christalla the 
DragonLady," she put a bit of emphasis on this...just to make sure Roland 
knew her rank.  "This is Evelle, our young WarrenLady.  This is Aleta, 
our Alpha Wingleader and M'ressan, our Beta Wingleader."  Roland and 
Rhina greeted each one in turn, giving special attention to M'ressan.  
Then they passed the greeting party and entered the Great Hall.

	"Well, that pretty much settles it," M'ressan said darkly, his 
voice lowered.  "I'd say they're guilty on all charges.  Though that 
little queenrider looks more oppressed than oppressive."

	Christalla nodded and shushed him as two more dragons -- a brown 
and a bronze, appeared in the air.  The Warren dragons trumpted again.

	It was going to be a LONG day.

**********

	Christalla, Evelle, and Aleta  were the last two into the Great 
Hall.  The large, U-shaped table was filled with WarrenLadies and their 
seconds.  Aleta was standing second to Evelle under protest.  She hated 
political affairs like this, but M'ressan had sworn he wasn't setting 
foot inside the Council after 6 years as WarrenLord.

	Christalla stepped forward to the large DragonLady's chair at the 
base of the U.  The rest of the Council stood as she arrived.  Evella and 
Aleta walked to 2 seats on Christalla's right.

	"Welcome, everyone," she said in a strong, clear voice.  "This 
is the first Council in four years, and we should all take a little time  
to get aquainted.  However, as you know, we have a lot of vary serious 
business to attend to.  We'll have to save personal time for later.

	"The major issues on the schedule today are the renewed wraith 
attacks and the current tithe conflict with King Jaldor of the 
Landbound.  We will address these and then open the grounds for furthar 
concerns.  However, there is a problem that must be addressed first, an 
accusation that calls the very integrity of one of our Warrens into 
question. 

	"I call out Falagand Warren on charges of gender prejudice."

	Roland stood up.  "What!  This is an outrage!  My Warren does not 
discriminate based on anything!  I would not allow it!"

	"Roland, please sit down," she said quietly, a razor's edge to 
her voice.  "As I understand it, you are the *mate* of the WarrenLady, 
not the WarrenLady herself.  Perhaps she should speak her own mind."

	Redfaced, Roland sat.

	All the color drained from Rhina's face at the thought of talking 
to the Council, and she carefully consulted with Roland before standing 
and speaking.  "No gender discrimination takes place at Falagand Warren.  I 
let no such thing occur."  She quickly sat down.

	"I have someone here who disagrees," Christalla countered smoothly.  
"Council memebers, meet Keldara's Alpha Wingsecond."

[NRPG: Insert Nathan's upcoming post here.  It will involve an 
interesting conflict between Roland and Hedda :).  Nathan-- included the 
beginning dialogue of your post-in-progress in this one.  Hope you don't 
mind.]

	Suddenly, the shouting match was interrupted by a deathly keening 
of dragons outside.

	<Paranth!!> Kaeryth cried out in panic.  <Paranth is hurt!  His 
rider is unconscious!  Wraiths!  Smoke!  A rogue dragonrider!!>

	Christalla lost her balance momentarily at the power of the 
sending and grabbed her chair for support.  Evelle beside her had gone 
pale.  

	"Excuse me," Aleta declared abruptly.  She stood up, nodding to 
her Wingsecond Hedda.  The two of them rushed out of the Council room.

	Christalla took a moment to calm Kaeryth.  "There has been a 
disaster with one of our trainees," she forced out at last.   "This 
Council will take a short recess."

**********

	M'ressan called the trainees together a bit later than usual.  
Their dragons could fly reliably now, and they had taken advantage of 
M'ressan's earlier committments to begin moving in to their own 
apartments. By midmorning, most had straggled in, though M'ressan noticed 
the absence of Michel and Darlea.  That was close enough, though... he'd 
have to begin.

	He had begun to instruct them on the basics of combat flight 
when a spike seemed to plunge through his skull.  He cried out and fell 
to his knees, grabbing his head as if he could squeeze the voices out.

	<HHEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLPP!>

	It was Paranth.  He and Michel had gone out on their own and -- 
had been attacked.  Wraiths.  Something-- a rogue dragonrider!  They were 
assaulting him together?  How could that be?  Wraiths attacked anything 
living.  He knew of no time they'd ever worked WITH anyone.

	He felt a strong hand on his arm, helping him up.  He forcibly 
focused his eyes to meet Aleta's.  He leaned on her to regain his 
bearings.  

	"Paranth... Michel..." he began.

	Then, shaking his head, he started over. "Paranth's yelling 
for help.  He sent a vision of where he is.  Michel is passed out on the 
ground, and there are two wraiths.  But, that's not the worst of it....

	"There appears to be a Rogue Dragonrider working with the 
Wraiths." 

	"I know," Aleta replied, her voice dangerous and controlled.  
"Hedda and I are ready to go.  I assume you're coming with us.  I've 
arranged for coal with Verran."  Aleta was coldly under control, all 
business.  

	M'ressan hesitated, willing the pounding cries in his head to 
ease.  "He left an image of his location.  It's better if I go.  Let me 
call to my Wingsecond..."

	<Talib, could you and R'mar...> he sent.

	<R'mar and I are on our way,> came the abrupt reply.

	In the confusion, M'ressan lost track of the trainees.  He, 
Aleta, Hedda, and R'mar all met the coalmaster with their dragons, 
stocked on coal, mounted, and took to the air.  M'ressan sent the image 
of their destination that was still pounding in his head from Paranth.
He gave the signal, and all four disappeared.

	Darlea and Reolden watched from their own vantage points.  Their 
dragons had the image.  They were prepared to go as well, whether they 
had been asked or not.

Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Rati
Administrator, DragonLands

NRPG: SHEESH!!!  This took me more than *four hours* to write!!  I'm not 
sure, but I think it's my longest novel yet.  Eventually I'll learn to 
keep on top of things and break it up into smaller posts.  I did have 
some pretty serious RL concerns, though.  Hope you guys aren't too badly 
innundated.

Chris C: Here we go!!  Four official rescuers and one (perhaps 2) 
unofficial <G>.  Forgive me, but I replaced Christalla in your post with 
Aleta.  There's no way Christalla could have gotten away.

Nathan, Kristen, Chris C, (possibly Mike): It's up to you to post this 
rescue.  

	As I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong, Chris C), Michel is 
on the ground unconscious, surrounded by a huge cloud of smoke that 
dragons can see through but Humans cannot.  Paranth is flying around, 
trying to protect himself and Michel from a swarm of wraiths who are 
attacking both of them.  He's probably running out of flame at this 
point.  He and Michel will probably be pretty badly injured... Chris C is 
planning on it.  There is a rogue dragonrider and dragon aiding these 
wraiths.  The wraiths are leaving them alone-- they are obsessed and will 
probably NOT have a problem fighting back.

Kat: Now may be the time to introduce that character.  The rescue scene 
has been described.  There will be 4 dragons: Red, green, red, and 
yellow-gold arriving in formation.  Another green will be arriving back 
from the others.  Possibly another dark green will be arriving after 
that. 

Mike: No pressure to get involved <G>.  Of course, you don't have to get 
involved with the rescue.  But I wanted to leave it completely open for 
you to do so if you chose.

Judi: When the Council recovenes, it's all yours.  Nathan's post may not 
be out till Monday (I saw the almost-finished version before he had to 
leave for a drill with the National Guard), but it basically contains a 
very incriminating argument between Roland and Hedda.

Chris C: Have a nice weekend!  Hurry back <G>

Les, Justin, Lyn: Didn't want you to feel left out!  Jump in wherever 
<G>. 	
 
    __
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   (`__')  I am known by many names: Aiel, Arandolen, Christalla, 
    \  /      Echo, Grace, Iona, Leia, Mala, Suzanne, Unole, Zack,
    /_/_   srati@ucs.indiana.edu, CS Student, SF Fan, Babylon(5)ian
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               the pebbles to vote."  -- Kosh, _Believers_