There was something beautiful about how the snows had been blown into 
drifts at various places. Everyhere there was an object-a tree, a rock, 
a building-the winds had sculpted the snow into a bizarre, artistic form.
The wet snow glittered as the wan sun's rays struck it. Also, wherever 
something was not completely concealed by the snow, the sleet from the
night before had encased it in transparent, glittering ice. White vapor 
puffed from his mouth as he regarded the scene. Beautiful, he thought. 
It was almost a shame to see the riders and their dragons flaming paths
into the snow and ice.

<If you think I'm going to help with that, you're crazy.>

*Why, Liupeth! the thought never crossed my mind.*

<Yeah, right. I know you far too well, my rider. You would volunteer us in a 
heartbeat just to show off how helpful we were. And for the opportunity to 
sell them ice cream.>

*How did you know about ice cream? I never fed you any.*

<I hear things, same as you. Ahh, this is wonderful...things are so different
here. There are so many of my kind that my mind has touched already, even 
in these few minutes...I shall enjoy living here. So much better than talking
to you all the time.>

*What do you mean, talking to me? What's the matter with me?*

<Nothing at all. But, you must admit, one would get tired even of your 
sparkling conversation and wonderful altruistic personality.>

*Sarcasm doesn't become you.*

<Oh, yes it does.>

They landed close to what would normally be considered the green, if it 
wasn't buried under snow. C'nis dismounted, looked around; there didn't seem
to be anyone in the immediate area, and those he could see were busy trying 
to clear out the snow. Even as he stood musing at the sight, three dragons 
and riders spiraled down to the same area. He watched at they conversed, then
dismounted, heading in his general direction. He made out an older man, a
younger man, and a red-headed girl.

"Excuse me," the older man said. "Can you tell me how to get to the 
Dragonlady?"

"I'm afraid I don't know," C'nis replied. "Just got here myself. I need to
find her as well. Care to look together?"

The man shrugged, then stuck out a hand. "I'm V'dar, from Geode. This is 
H'nry and Lyonnia from Telnor." C'nis nodded to each in turn, then looked back 
at V'dar. My name's C'nis, formerly from Daere."

"Daere?" the man frowned. "Pleased to meet you."

"I don't remember ever being at Geode." 

The man grinned. "I do. How can I put this? Geode's been around for a long
time, but we've just now found out about the warrens here."

C'nis blinked. "A new warren? Gods!"

"No, an old warren. A very old warren. Just not known here."

"Amazing. So, where are you located?"

"That I don't know. We can teleport back and forth, but I don't know the 
relative locations. We should figure it out soon, though."

"We shouldn't head to Christalla's office," H'nry said. "She's not there. 
Dalanth says she's in the medical center."

"Sound's like she's busy. Well, I'm famished... I had a rough night. Woud you
all care to join me in the dining hall?"

"Sure," V'dar said. "Never passed up a chance for a meal. Hate to intrude,
though..."

"I'd say they wouldn't mind," C'nis said. "Come on."

*I don't know if that applies to raiding the herd, though, Liupeth.*

<I have already introduced myself to the Empress,> Liupeth replied smugly.
<She knows of our presence, so of course her rider will know. She has
already told me to take my pick. I'm flattered, I've never met an Empress
before.>

*See? We're making a splash with the important folk already.*

<Yeah, begging them for meals. Hardly an auspicious beginning. I will let
you know when the Dragonlady will wish to meet you. She will know where you
are.>

*Right. Have fun rending some poor animal.*

<And you have fun stabbing some dead defenseless thing with a knife and fork.>

They entered the dining hall, grabbed what food they could-fascinating how
being snowbound worked up everyone's appetite, C'nis thought-and looked 
for a seat. H'nry called out, "Prania!" and headed towards a young woman.

"Who's she?" V'dar asked.

"Prania's from Telnor, also. She's a courier for the Warrenlady. I'm suprised
that she's here."

"Someone actually came here during the storm last night?" C'nis asked. "She's
a brave one. Hey, V'dar, I like the necklace." He nodded towards a necklace of
rough tumbled amethysts around the older man's neck.

V'dar touched the stones. "What, this? Thanks, but these are just gather 
stones. Very common."

"Gather stones?"

"Sure, there are veins of amethyst everwhere. The hatching cavern is just one
enormous geode lined with amethyst. The smaller stones are all over the place.
They're a nuisance...we gather as many up as we can and try to do something 
with them."

"Amethysts...a nuisance?" C'nis felt his legs grow weak as he appraised the
worth of the necklace before him. "They're everywhere?"

"Everywhere. Of course, in a Warren we don't have much use for them...we
contract with the mining guild, who mine them for us. They help manufacture
or provide us with items in those rare instances when the tithe doesn't 
cover our needs. Our warren is very close-knit with the Craft Halls."

"I'd say," C'nis said, staring at the necklace. "Tell you what, I've got a 
deal for you, since they're only gather stones and all..."

===================

Tag Susan and Lyn and Alton :)

I included Geode and Telnor on this so I wouldn't have to just copy V'dar's
point of view for the same events. 
Allen Veazey
wolf@dbtech.net
	
	"I'm not really bad, I'm just drawn that way."
			--Jessica Rabbit
     

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