Scene: Outside Ralengarde
 
        <I can fly.>
 
        "No, little one, you can't.  I will not have you hurt any 
more."  Wynn said quietly, patting Malekith's neck as he stood beside 
his dragon.
 
        Roland's men surrounded Wynn and Malekith, dragons hissing at 
each other.  "A vain attempt, dragonrider."  The brawny rider growled.  
"Surrender to us now and save yourself and your dragon any futher pain."
 
        Wynn patted Malekith's muzzle to keep the dragon calm.  There 
was no choice to be made.  Wynn prepared to step forward.
 
        A challenging roar caught all their attentions, and they looked 
up as fleeting shadows crossed over them.  Above three dragons spiraled 
down quickly, white, blue and indigo.  They landed heavily inside the 
circle, protecting Wynn and Malekith from all sides.
 
        "Back off, rogues!"  Lisell called out in a strong voice.  "Wynn 
is of Keldarra, and he does not fly alone."
 
        The large man scowled.  "We still outnumber you, woman, and 
Feldrik would greatly appreciate three more riders as prisoners."
 
        "You'll not take us alive, scum."  S'brogh growled defiantly.
 
        "Hah!  Do you expect us to fear one who follows in the shadow of 
such a young girlie?"  The large dragonrider laughed heartily, followed 
by his fellow rogues.  Iganeth roared out his rider's anger.
 
        "Gareth!  It's the bitch that stole Roland."  A thin, wiry rider 
called from the opposite side, recognizing Briana upon her small white.
 
        "Is it now?  How lucky for us, there is much I'd like to teach 
that girl."  Gareth grinned malevolently.
 
        Shadows fell across them all, and further dragon roars filled 
the air.  Looking above, the sky was filled with dragons of all 
colours.  "You forgot something, rogue."  Lisell called out.  "We too 
are of Keldarra, and we do not fly alone.  Care to continue your 
boasting against two score of battle-ready dragons?"  Lisell returned 
the grin, now long gone from Gareth's face.
 
        The rogue dragons launched themselves into the air, flying a 
hasty retreat towards Feldrik's camp.  "I'll be sure to tell Roland all 
about your defeat!"  S'brogh called out, a large grin on his face as 
well.  A few dragons landed nearby, their riders dismounting and making 
their way quickly to Malekith.
 
        Wynn's three rescuers quickly dismounted as well, heading over 
to the grounded Wingleader.  Wynn smiled broadly and gripped his 
brother's arm in a warrior's grasp.  "It is good to see you.  I was 
beginning to think I would never see any of you again."
 
        S'brogh gave Wynn a quick hug in happiness.  "You have little 
Briana to thank for that, it was her plan."  S'brogh beamed, grinning at 
the young girl.
 
        Briana blushed and looked downwards.  "It wasn't really my plan, 
I just added a thought."
 
        "One I should have thought of."  Lisell interjected.  "And a 
good thought at that.  We delayed the arrival of the rest of the Wing to 
make it appear as if their dragons were given coal.  We weren't sure 
that number alone would have been enough, even with S'brogh's squad from 
Alpha Wing."  Lisell explained.
 
        "I'm just glad it worked.  But I need to know, how are things at 
the Warren?"  Wynn asked anxiously.
 
        The three looked to each other, and Lisell drew in a breath.  
"Not very well.  Aleta and Kyven were poisoned just before we gathered 
to stop the dragon attacks on Ralengarde.  Kyven seems to be all right, 
but Aleta ..."
 
        "The Wings are in shambles, Wynn."  S'brogh broke in.  "M'tan 
has been so worried about Aleta and Almiron that he hasn't been up to 
flying with Alpha.  And to make matters worse, Christalla was nearly 
killed after you had left."
 
        "What?!?"  Wynn exclaimed.  The three riders nodded in unison.
 
        "And Al'dairan was killed protecting the Dragonlady."  Lisell 
continued.  "A knife in the throat.  Evelle was with them, but she 
escaped without a scratch."
 
        "And with both Aleta and the Dragonlady in such critical 
condition, M'ressan hasn't been there to lead Beta Wing.  And then you 
go and get yourself captured."  S'brogh interrupted.  "It's been hell.  
If a Wraith attack occurred, I don't know how well we would have been 
able to respond."
 
        Wynn rubbed his eyes.  Keldarra was in shambles.  He worried 
about Evelle, knowing she would do all she could to help keep things in 
control.  He had to get back to her, to lend whatever support he could.  
Wynn turned quickly, walking back to Malekith.  "How is he?"  He asked 
the three field medics that tended to his wounds and injured wings.
 
        "We've done all we can for the wings.  He may be able to fly a 
short distance, but really should not extend himself until they are 
fully healed.  The arrow wounds are fairly superficial.  Though small, 
your dragon seems to be pretty thick-skinned."  A young man smiled, 
gently patting the black dragon.
 
        Wynn felt Malekith nuzzle him from behind.  <I'm glad to see 
that you're alright, my dragon.>
 
        <Of course, I am with you again.>  Malekith replied contently.
 
        "Lisell."  Wynn turned again, calling to the young woman.  "A 
word with you if I may."
 
        Lisell nodded and walked over to Wynn.  "I have had some time to 
think over things, but I'm also compelled by circumstances to do this.  
I need someone who is level-headed and can think on their feet.  I've 
watched you since you joined, and I feel confident that you can be the 
one I need.  I would like for you to become my Wingsecond.  Think you're 
up for it?"
 
        Lisell stood wide-eyed.  She had never expected this.  She 
stammered for a bit before finally getting out her acceptance.  Wynn 
smiled.  "Good.  Hate to press you into service already, but I need for 
you to organize patrols between Ralengarde and Keldarra.  We need to 
know if Roland's men try to break the Accord again."
 
        "Understood.  I'll get right on it."  Lisell nodded curtly, and 
quickly made her way back to her dragon.
 
        "That's the best we can do, Wynn."  A young woman known as 
Leandra said, tying an end of bandage around itself.  "Malekith should 
probably rest for a little while, but it would be best if we could get 
him to the Warren as quickly as we can."
 
        "Thank you very much.  You can rest assure that he is as 
thankful as I am."
 
        <I am, those arrows were quite annoying.>  Malekith sent to his 
rider.
 
        The three medics said their farewells and went back to their own 
dragons.  Wynn glanced around him, filled with pride at the dragons 
around him.  Moved that so many of the riders would risk themselves to 
rescue him.  "Oh, Lisell, Briana is to stay with me for the time 
being."  Wynn said, walking over to Briana and S'brogh.  The new 
Wingsecond nodded, and turned back to her planning.
 
        "I hate to interrupt, but I think it's time we start getting 
ourselves organized, wouldn't you say?"  Wynn said, trying to sound 
light-hearted, but a serious edge could not be kept from his words.
 
        The two nodded, earlier smiles slowly disappearing.  "S'brogh, I 
want you to thank your squad for me.  Myself and Malekith really 
appreciate their help."
 
        "Anything for you, my brother.  Little sister will be so happy 
to have you back.  She's been near tearing her hair out over you."  
S'brogh commented.
 
        "I hope not, I do like her hair."  Wynn smiled.  "Briana, I 
would like for you to stay with me while Malekith rests.  I want to talk 
to you about a couple of things."
 
        Briana swallowed hard, simply nodding.  S'brogh shook hands 
again with Wynn, then went back to Iganeth.  Most of the dragons were 
soon aloft, and moments later disappeared from Ralengarde.  Two dragons 
remained behind, flying a patrol around Ralengarde.  Wynn turned back to 
his dragon being comforted by the even smaller Starlena.  Briana 
followed slightly behind.
 
        "I'm ... I'm sorry, Wynn."  She said in a quiet voice.
 
        "For what?"  He asked in a neutral voice, not turning to look at 
her.
 
        "For getting you captured.  If I hadn't gone in and grabbed 
Roland ..."  She began, haltingly.
 
        He stopped and turned to her, the young girl nearly colliding 
with him before her reflexes kicked in and stopped her.  "Briana, it was 
a very reckless maneuver, and could have cost a lot more than you 
realize."  Wynn said in a somewhat stern voice.
 
        "I know, but I thought I was helping.  I didn't want anyone to 
get hurt.  I'm tired of all the hurt."  Briana nearly yelled, tears 
welling up in her eyes.  It seemed everyone was against her.
 
        Wynn looked down at the small girl.  "But, I also want to thank 
you.  You more than likely saved my life."
 
        Briana blinked and looked up into Wynn's pale blue eyes.  "Me?"
 
        Wynn nodded.  "You probably didn't learn of it until after, but 
I had challenged Roland to a duel.  It was all I could think of to stop 
him.  I know I'm fairly good with a sword, but I don't know about 
Roland.  If he's had training anywhere near what David had had, I 
wouldn't have lived for very long.  But I do want you to know that it 
isn't your fault.  You did what you thought was best, how can I fault 
you for that?"
 
        A rogue tear streaked down Briana's cheek, and she quickly wiped 
it away.  "It's a very difficult thing, to act on your own.  You take 
all the responsibility upon yourself, and you do have to live with the 
consequences.  I get to do so by the sake of having a rank.  But I'm 
just like you, Briana, I just do what I think is best."
 
        "But you were picked Wingleader, you must know what you're 
doing."  Briana said.
 
        "I'm learning, just as everyone is in Gamma Wing.  Yes, I was 
picked Wingleader.  So not only am I responsible for myself and 
Malekith, but I am responsible for everyone in the Wing, including you."
 
        "You don't have to be, I can take care of myself."  Briana 
replied.
 
        "I'm hoping we all can, but that isn't the point.  Do you 
remember what Lisell said in challenge to Roland's men?"  Wynn asked.
 
        "That we don't fly alone?"
 
        "Exactly.  We are a family, Briana, a bond is between all of 
us.  We all have to be a team if we are to be successful.  But there 
will be times when we won't have the time to do so, when an action must 
be taken without confirmation or approval.  I don't want you to lose 
that instinct.  It is a very precious thing to have.  All I ask is that 
you try to tell someone what you plan to do if you can.  Next time we 
may be able to capitalize upon your sudden inspiration and make it work 
all the more, like your thought about keeping the dragons back before 
coming to rescue me.  Do you think you can get that active imagination 
of yours to work for me?"  Wynn gave a gentle smile, looking to Briana 
for her answer.
 
[Feel free to continue this, Kat.  Wynn is guessing Briana is feeling 
quite down about what happened, and will be more supportive than 
berative.]
 
Scene: Some time later
 
        <I am eager to get back.>  Malekith said, flapping his wings 
gently but restlessly.
 
        "Do you think you can fly, little one?"  Wynn asked, patting his 
dragon.
 
        <Well enough, my rider.  I can get us to Keldarra.>  Malekith 
said confidently.
 
        "Well, time to go, Briana."  Wynn called over to the young 
gymnist, who had taken some time to oil down her dragon.
 
        "Okay!"  Briana called back, readying the saddle on Star.
 
        Wynn hugged Malekith.  "Let's get home, my little one."  Wynn 
cooed softly, then gently climbed onto Malekith's shoulders.  With a few 
practice swings to work out the kinks, Malekith soon launched himself 
into the air, staying aloft but not climbing that rapidly.
 
        "To Keldarra!"  Wynn called, sending his dragon the image.
 
Scene: Keldarra Warren, near the medical building.
 
        Two dragons suddenly appeared low in the sky, one white, one 
black.  <Steady, my dragon, land as close as you can.>  Wynn sent 
reassuringly.
 
        Faltering, the young dragon flew erractically downwards.  With a 
heavy thud, Malekith landed solidly on the ground with a groan, and Wynn 
slid off his shoulders immediately.  From the medical centre, an orderly 
ran over to look at the dragon.  "Take good care of him."  Wynn said, 
looking up at his dragon.
 
        <Go to her, and quickly.  Alicynth wouldn't want to step on 
you in her excitement.  She says that Evelle is inside with the 
Dragonlady.>  Malekith said, much happier than he had been.
 
        Wynn nodded, and rushed quickly inside.  He cornered Mila in the 
hallway, surprising the older woman.  He quickly found where Evelle was, 
and hugged her happily, leaving the doctor quite flabberghasted.  
Turning down one corner, he came upon the door he was searching for.  
With quick strides, he was before it and threw it open.  Evelle was 
nearly in his arms as he stepped into the room, having heard of his 
arrival from her own dragon.
 
        Wynn wrapped his arms tightly around his love, lips pressed 
firmly against hers.  Evelle returned his kisses eagerly, nearly 
forgetting herself.  With supreme effort, she managed to pull back to 
look at him, the smile upon her face refusing to leave.  "I've missed 
you, love, I was so frightened."
 
        Wynn smiled broadly, a hand running through her coppery-red 
locks.  "And I you, my love.  Malekith was injured, but he'll be fine in 
a couple of days.  I'm just glad to be back."
 
        "I'm so glad to see that you are back, Wynn."  Christalla smiled 
from her bed.
 
        "Dragonlady, I am so relieved to see that you are well.  I 
couldn't believe my ears when I had heard what happened."  Wynn replied, 
arms still about Evelle's waist.
 
        "Perhaps we should continue later, Evelle."  Christalla smiled, 
though somewhat painfully.  She missed M'ressan, and worried as to where 
he had gone.
 
        "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."  Wynn apologized.  "I 
just had to see you, Evelle.  If you need to, continue, please.  I need 
to change and get cleaned up at any rate.  And a good meal would go down 
nice as well."  Wynn smiled broadly.  It felt good to be home.
 
NRPG: Yay!  Wynn's finally back home!  That at least concludes one loose 
end.  Now to deal with all these assassins that are running about.  Wynn 
will take time out to visit with his friends, and will be very happy to 
be back indeed.  If you like, feel free to encounter him, though he most 
likely will be calling it an early night, correct Judi? ;)
 
Welcomes to June and Jack.  Hope you like it here at Keldarra, and hope 
it isn't too confusing at the moment :)

              />   Malekith and his boy Wynn 
             /<      
     O[\\\\\\(O):::<============================================-       
             \< 
              \>   aka Christopher Ackney,
                       yu121874@yorku.ca