Almiron arrived at the party, having come from the last Gamma Wing drill
under Wynn.  Wynn had introduced him as their new Wingleader, with the
Wingsecond to be announced.  There had been a lot of congratulations, but
Almiron had also noted some sour faces.  Many still saw him as "the
warrenless."

He smiled as Darlea threw her arms around him and pulled him over to the
table where his birthday cake awaited.  "Your mother has done good job,"
he told his mate.

"She always does.  I was so worried she'd forget, though, with the New
Year's Celebration and all."

He hugged her.  "I would have understood if she did."

There was a crash and they turned to find D'nar staring at them in shock,
his wine glass shattered at his feet.

Darlea went to find out what was wrong, and Almiron followed.

******

"I think Darshan has been spreading same rumour.  It is probably all over
warren that you are expecting," Almiron said, as they left her relieved
parents after straightening out the confusion.  "He seems convinced that
my gift always works on first try."

She laughed, though there was something odd in her eyes.  "Would you like
to dance?"

He nodded.  "I am not good at this kind of dance, though."

"I'll teach you."

******

The commotion at the door as Aylin and M'tan arrived caught his eye, as it
did everyone else's.  He watched M'tan's forlorn expression, and the way
people avoided him.  The man seemed at points on the verge of tears.

The arrival of M'tan's tehdahkh board, with the pieces Almiron had carved
to resemble Keldarran personalities, seemed to make the man somewhat
happier.  Almiron watched as M'tan began to demonstrate the game to the
boy across from him.

"Almiron?" Darlea said.

He turned back to his mate, smiling apologetically.  "I am sorry.  What
were you saying?"

******

"I'll be back in a flash," Darlea told him, as they stood on the green,
her father waiting for her to bring him back to Marrid.

"If you don't mind, I would like to visit M'tan.  He is very troubled.  I
think he could use friend right now."

She nodded.  "I won't worry if you're not home when I get back, then.
Take your time."

******

Aylin simply directed him to M'tan's room, letting him find his own way
and let himself in.  He knocked softly, but received no answer, so he
opened the door softly.

M'tan was lying on the bed, his shirt and boots off, one hand thrown
across his forehead.  His eyes were closed.  Almiron might have thought
him asleep if it were not for the tears slowly streaking down the older
man's face.

Almiron's heart went out to him.

He stepped across the room and paused beside the bed.

"What did you want, 'Nor?" M'tan asked, his voice bitter.

Almiron reached out, his finger catching a tear as it slipped down M'tan's
face.  "It's not D'neor, it's Almiron," he said.

M'tan's eyes flew open, then.  Almiron sat gently on the bed and looked at
his friend in concern.  "Are you all right, my friend?"

Respectfully submitted,
 Lynette R. F. Cowper
  Almiron and Darshan

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 * Lynette R. F. Cowper * Official INWO NetRep & Goddess *
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