David awoke in the morning drenched with sweat, and a horrible headache.  
He looked over to see Minty fast asleep in a chair beside his bed.  
'How'd she get there?' He thought, and winced as he tried to sit up.  He 
looked at his shoulder and found that it hurt more now than the previous 
day.  
*Take it easy, David, or I'll have someone call D'ssarian.* Kaylin 
thought with a relieved smile.  *You were sick last night and tore your 
shoulder open.  I was worried...*

David tried to remember, but couldn't.  There was still a lingering sense 
of something wrong, but that was all.  Looking around, David got up 
softly and went looking for a glass of water.  He didn't want to disturbe 
Minty from her sleep.  She probably didn't get much anyways.

The morning was warm, and some sunlight poured in from surrounding 
windows.  Walking past Malks room, David looked in on the 
captive/patient.  Inside, the sheets were tossed off the bed and the man 
was gone.  Suddenly upset, David forgot about his water and went 
searching for Yenal.  The damn dragon had promised to keep Malk here, and 
now he was gone!  His headache getting mildly worse, David stormed out of 
the complex and headed straight for the black dragon.

'Where the hell is Malk!' He asked, and the dragon looked at him with 
mild annoyment.

*First, you will stop yelling, and commanding me, Human!  Whereas I get
along with your kind, somethings you odn't do to your own kind, let alone
Dragons.  If you speak with such missplaced authority among your own
kind, it's a wonder you're still alive.  Secondly, Malk is gone.  He
asked me to transport him late last night, and I doubt we'll see him
again.  We teleported to the wastes...and parted ways.  He went into the
Wastes.  I returned here, to rectify part of the harm he ahd done.  I had
no control on him,b ut was around, just the same, and therefore am just
as guilty.  Thereby, I shall pay my debt to this warren before becoming
Wild, for make no doubt, the bond between my human and I is gone now.*

David had to resist the urge to go get one of his swords and kill the 
beast where he stood, despite his injured shoulder.  'Why you arrogent, 
stuck up piece of....' David began, and Z'lec arrived beside him, looking 
at David strangely.

"What's he been telling you?" the Wingleader asked of the lad.
 
"He took Malk t'the wastes." David said. "He's here t'help. That's 'bout all
he'll say."
 
"Fine. David, go back and lay down. I don't want you pushing yourself. 
Besides, it looks like D'ssarian has already spotted you and is headed 
this way." Z'lec said, almost laughing.
 
David looked up and saw the healer headed in his direction. "I think yer
right." David held a faint smile. "He's as bad as m' mate when it
comes t'bein' o'erprotective." Sighing, he tried to sneak away as the 
healer approached.
 
"That he is." Laughed Z'lec as D'ssarian walked up.

The healer caught up with him, and opened his mouth.  David nodded and 
spoke first.  "I know, I know.  I'm goin back inside right now..." 
D'ssarian nodded and followed David inside, annoyed by the young rider's 
simple lack of worry for himself.  

"Do I have to tie you to the bed to keep you in it?" The healer 
mentioned, and David knew he wasn't jokeing.  

"No, it's not needed.  I was gettin a glass o'water when I noticed Malk 
was gone, so I had t'talk with Yenal..."

"You shouldn't have gotten up in the first place.  Wasn't your mate there?"

"Minty was asleep, and didn't get much rest from te'look o'her.  I can do 
simple things like..." 

"Tear your shoulder again, like you did last night?" D'ssarian said 
sarcastically.  "Now there is definitely going to be a scar, and it's 
will take longer to heal.  So stay in bed, and I'll tell Minty to make 
sure you follow my orders."

David made a grimace.  Minty would be hovering over him like a hawk to 
keep him out of trouble.  The two came to David's room and found Minty 
still asleep.  David crawled into bed, making sure not to wake her up.  
"D'ssarian, I've got this headache that's been with me since I woke up.  
Can ye do somethin about it?"

The healer nodded, and walked out of the room.  David lay down and looked 
at the ceiling.  It was going to be a long day.  Looking over to Minty, 
he found her eyes were open and looking at him.
"Good morning love." David said with a smile.  He hoped D'ssarian didn't 
tell her to keep him in bed...


********* 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