David held his mate's body in his arms as she took in what he had told 
her.  At fist, she seemed not to notice what he had said, but it 
registered in her eyes.  They seemed to shift from blue to a stormy 
purple, clouding over with tears.  She began to cry, her grief 
overflowing her soul.

"My fault my fault my fault my fault my fault...." she repeated endlessly.

David began to stroke her hair, trying to hush her.  "It wasn't yer fault 
love.  Please don't say that..." He said as she clung tighter to him.  
"Minty, I love ye.  No matter what happens, I'll always love ye."

With no more words, he held her exhausted body as she continued to weep.  
Soon C'tain came into the room, and stood in the doorway a little bit, 
watching them.  Minty, while crying, had closed her eyes and was close to 
passing out again.  David continued to hold her, trying to keep his own 
feelings at bay for the moment.  

The healer shut the door behind him and walked towards David and Minty.  
"David, she needs rest.  You should leave and get something to eat since 
there's no reason to keep you here."  His voice showed genuine concern.

David began to protest, then looked at the now sleeping Minty, and laid 
her down on the bed, making sure she was comfortable.  "Please, let her 
be all right..." He said, looking for a long time at Minty's pale face.

"She'll be fine, David.  Go get something to eat and some rest." C'tain 
said, and walked David out of the room.  David nodded, and let himself be 
led.

David walked outside where Kaylin and Kirimith were laying next to 
eachother, seemingly in conversation.  'Kay, can ye take me down to the 
Dining Hall please?' He asked, and the Dragon nodded.  As he approached he
stroked Kirimiths hide.

'Kiri, is Minty going to be all right?' He asked, looking into the 
dragons eyes.  

*I hope so, David.  I hope so.* The dragon said, and gave a sypathetic 
nudge to her riders mate.  David smiled faintly, and mounted Kaylin.  As 
they took off, Kirimith watched...

After a quick meal in the Hall, most of which he couldn't finish, he went 
to see Z'lec.  It took a while to find him, but when he did, the 
Wingleader was talking with someone else.  Waiting his turn, David tried 
not to think to hard about Minty.  Not because he didn't care, but not to 
break down infront of the whole warren.

When Z'lec finished, he turned to David, and gave a start at the young 
mans ditraught eyes.  "David... I'm sorry about what happened, with you 
and Minty." It was clear he was unsure of how to proceed.  David nodded, 
"Thank ye, sir."

"I came t'discuss the new positions.  I have no preferences on who ye put 
me with, and Minty doesn't either, as far as I know.  She was Wingsecond 
at Keldarra under Wynn." He added, just giving some information to the 
Windleader.  Z'lec asked about his training and experience, and was 
surprised at his and Minty's action in the field.  It was alot for 
ones so young.  

After the small interview, David shook Z'lec's hand.  "Minty should be 
out o'Medical in a couple days, and I'm ready for any assignment ye 
throw at me." He said.  "If ye need me, just have Raynod contact me.  Ye 
now have a telepath at yer warren..."

******* SUBMITTED BY *******

	Justin

      /\     /^---_---^\     /\     "Pain?  What do you know of pain?  I've
     /  \    > |_\ /_| <    /  \     experienced anguish at the molecular
    /    \   |         |   /    \    level.  Let me show you what it's like."
   /      \   \  o o  /   /      \  "Dragons exist my friend, for the sheer
  /        \  |\_____/|  /        \  fact that in all cultures they are
 |          \ | \/ \/ | /          | present, weather separated by land
     ----------       ----------     sea or air."----  Justin Almeida