Scene: The Banquet Hall
 
        Wynn looked on as people went this wa and that, passing 
pleasantries, talking amongst themselves, or simply nodding an 
acknowledgement.  Most of the Warren dwellers had long since learned 
that Wynn was not one for speaking, and said little more than a 'Good 
evening'.  However, there appeared to be an unusual number of guests at 
the Warren this time.
 
        The woman who appeared at the Warren during the battle, Hedda 
was her name, approached him for a few moments, trying to pry words out 
of his mouth.  From what he had heard, she was warrenless, but received 
high praise from M'ressan.  That was no easy task in itself.  Most 
likely the Dragonlady had already welcomed her with open arms to 
Keldarra Warren.
 
        There were at least two other new arrivals, both fresh 
Searchlings, who would be attending this years hatching.  One was five 
years older than he was, and yet he had been chosen.  It was that that 
had synched it for Wynn.  He wondered what he would do with his life 
now.  Could he stay at Keldarra?
 
        Christalla watched the dark haired youth sitting by himself.  
Wynn had been a promising lad, but had always been passed by at each 
hatching.  His aura had remained strong, but it did change.  He felt 
somehow ... colder than he once did.  Aura's faded, that Christalla was 
used to.  But this?  She was at a loss to explain it.
 
        Soon, they were all gathered at the table for the feast, and 
M'ressan rose to toast the Dragonlady, the victory, and the death of 
their fallen comrades.  Then the meal began in earnest.  Wynn found 
himself more hungry than he thought.  He should have known he would be, 
spending the day shoveling coal.  He was lost in his own thoughts as 
people chatted to either side of him or past him.  The voices all 
mingled together, and he made no effort to try seperating any of it.  
Most of the talk would be of dragon riding, and what did he know of that?
 
        Eventually, the main course of the meal was done, and guests 
began to rise to mingle again with each other.  Wynn remained seated, 
sipped a glass of wine.  The wine was bitter in his throat, and he 
wondered why he even tried to drink it.  Alcohol didn't seem to agree 
with his palette.  He smiled ruefully, couldn't even drink himself into 
a stupor properly.
 
        He noticed Master Kershod speaking with the two guests from the 
Guild of Swords.  The younger man Wynn recognized as one of the new 
Searchlings.  Hopefully he would be able to find his dragon, though it 
didn't look as he had had many disappointments in his life.
 
        Wynn rose from his seat and walked to one corner.  The noise of 
constant chatter was beginning to get to him.  He had taken with him a 
glass of water instead of wine, and sipped quietly by himself.
 
        "Not enjoying the festivities?"  A voice brought his eyes up 
from the ground.  Evelle stood before him, in russet gold from neck to 
foot.  Wynn lost his voice at the sight of her, and didn't repond 
immediately.
 
        "The ... the feast was good enough.  It was a great victory."  
He managed.
 
        She smiled.  "Indeed it was.  I just happened to see you by 
yourself and thought it odd, with so many people to talk to."
 
        Wynn nodded slightly and looked down.  "I'm afraid I won't be of 
much company tonight, m'lady.  You should find yourself someone more 
pleasant amongst all the guests."
 
        Just then, the Dragonlady called for everyone's attention, 
giving a speech to all that were there.  Evelle's attention diverted, 
she glanced back to see that Wynn had moved off, to where she could not 
see.  Then the Dragonlady stopped, catching her attention again.
 
        "They are starting to hatch!"  She said happily, and murmurs of 
joy swept through the Great Hall.
 
        Wynn watched as Christalla began to leave the Hall, followed 
closely by those who had been Chosen and various other observers.  Wynn 
glanced longingly after them, wishing he had one more chance.  But it 
just wasn't to be.  He exited the Hall soon after the others, and found 
himself walking under a clear night sky.  He found a rock large enough, 
and sat down to gaze up at the stars.  What was he going to do now?
 
NRPG: So, how goes the hatching, I'm wondering :)  Can't wait so I can 
get my next post out ... Wynn's in for a surprise :)
 
Hope I did all right with the characters I used ... still getting the 
hang of everybody.
 
Still sigless,
Wynn,
aka Chris Ackney, yu121874@yorku.ca