The wraith battle was over.

	Aleta's riding gear was still damp with sweat.  She knew she 
looked a wreck and would be better off back at the Warren cleaning up.  
Instead, she left Melianth outside to rest and strolled into the 
Traveler's Rest.  One of the blonde bartenders jumped up as she entered, 
and Aleta ordered a drink without really paying attention.  Then she sat 
down at a table in the middle of the tavern, where she could see almost 
everyone.

	<The truth is,> she thought bitterly as she sipped her drink, 
<I'm afraid to go home.  I'm afraid to see what's become of M'tan.>

	<Zareth is alive,> Melianth sent quickly, trying to comfort her 
Human.  <M'tan must be alive.>

	Aleta shook her head.  <There are fates just as brutal as death,> 
she replied sadly.  

	M'tan was Aleta's mate and wingsecond.  They were a perfect team 
equally in combat and love.  He had led the half of Alpha Wing that had 
stayed behind at Ralengarde to hold off the wraiths, and she'd returned 
with backup from Keldarra just in time to see him go down.  She knew she 
ought to be with him, but somehow it was easier to go without finding out 
how bad it was...at least, for a little longer.

	She scanned over the denizens of the Traveler's Rest.  Most of 
them were landbound from Ralengarde, talking excitedly to their friends 
about the wraith attack.  There wasn't a dragonrider to be seen.  Of 
course, that made sense...everyone from Keldarra, at least, would be 
getting ready for the victory celebration.  It was traditional.

	Then her eyes fell on a young man sitting warily in a corner.  
Suddenly interested, she put down her drink and watched him closely.  
Unbelievable!  He had to be mid-to-late twenties, yet her practiced 
Searcher's eye picked up one of the most powerful dragon affinities she'd 
ever seen.   But he had to be too old now.  How could someone so 
obviously made to be a dragonrider gone unnoticed?  What a waste!

	Still, it couldn't hurt to go talk to him.  Aleta stood up, 
suddenly conscious of her haggard appearance, and headed toward him.  He 
tensed immediately.  Aleta wondered what she had done to make him so 
nervous.  She didn't think she looked THAT bad!

	She stopped a safe distance away, caught by the strong feeling 
that the man was going to jump at her like a cornered animal if she came 
to close.  "I'm Aleta, Alpha Wingleader of Keldarra Warren," she said, 
offering him a bow.  "I was wondering if I could have a word with you."

	The man's eyes widened, and he looked away to hide his surprise. 
"Sure," he replied.  "There's a chair free."

	Aleta took the offered seat and forced a smile.  "What might your 
name be?" she inquired sweetly.  

	"Michel," he replied, still not looking at her.  "Was there 
something in particular you wanted to bring up?"

	Aleta got the distinct feeling she wasn't wanted.  Perhaps she 
had been wrong about this man.  "Well, actually, I do," she said 
sheepishly.  This whole thing was absurd.  "I was wondering how old you 
are, Michel?"

	He looked at her in surprise.  "24.  Why?"

	Aleta was surprised.  Only 24?  This young man had been through a 
lot certainly.  He looked prematurely aged.  It had been a LONG time 
since someone that age had stood as a candidate in the Hatching Cavern, 
but it was still possible.... "Then I have a proposition for you," she 
said at last.  "I'd like to bring you to the hatching at Keldarra."

	Michel's eyes flashed with suspicion.  "Why??" he demanded.
	
	"I know you're officially too old, but I'd like you to be a 
candidate," Aleta replied, feeling foolish again.  "Just come with me to 
Keldarra for a few days, and think of it as a visit.  You're there to see 
the Hatching, but you'll get to see it a LOT closer than most."


Respectfully Submitted,

Susan Rati
Aleta, Alpha Wingleader of Keldarra
Administrator, DragonLands

NRPG: OK, Chris, feel free to finish up the conversation.  Aleta will 
offer to let you pick up any of your things and take you to the banquet 
tonight.

All: Go ahead and write the banquet, and anything that might happen 
there.  This is your first real chance at character interaction :).

     __
    /__\
   (`__')  I am known by many names: Aiel, Arandolen, Echo, Grace, 
    \  /      Iona, Leia, Mala, Suzamni, Suzanne, Unole, Zack,
    /_/_   srati@ucs.indiana.edu, CS Student, SF Fan, Babylon(5)ian
   (____)   Visit me: http://ezinfo.ucs.indiana.edu/~srati/
  (______)   __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  ^
 (________)_/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/  \/ )
 (___________/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/\__/
   "Is there enough forgiveness in the world for what I've done?"
                              - Edward, "Passing through Gethsemane"