Waylene
***

Waylene had returned to her apartment and retired for the night before
Z'lec returned, and she was up the next morning before he woke. She bathed
and dressed quickly and was now finishing a cup of coffee before heading
down to her office. She didn't know why she was feeling guilty about her
rendezvous with Trak the night before. After all .. they'd been friends for
a long time. Z'lec surely wouldn't have minded. 

But she knew it was because in the back of her being, Trak stirred
something within her. Something that had begun with Z'lec's near death ..
and their indiscretion. She'd buried it then. For Z'lec who was making a
recovery and needed her and for Trak as he found love in the arms of the
beautiful Azlyn. She'd buried the feelings so deep, she was surprised at
how easily just thinking about him seemed to dig them up again ..

She heard a soft moan coming from the bedroom and quickly poured her nearly
cold coffee down the drain and raced out into the main chamber and down the
steps.

Z'lec
***

He woke wondering where she was. Then he heard a soft clatter from the
kitchen. He slowly stood, stretching as he did and headed into the kitchen
.. only to find it empty. She must have had a lot to do to have run out so
quickly, he thought. 

He padded back into the bedroom to get ready for the day. <Raynod, any word
from Storm?>

<No ..> The dragon responded hesitantly, knowing his rider would be
unhappy. He'd wanted to mount a full scale search yesterday, but Waylene
had forbidden it. She didn't seem to worry too much about the fact that
Kendal and his dragon had been accused and convicted of crimes against
dragonkind. Sometimes he just didn't know what she was thinking.

However, she was the warrenlady .. So he'd sent out a couple of extra
patrols. He would definitely talk to Waylene today about that search. Storm
and Ailill hadn't even completed training yet .. they shouldn't be out in
such dangerous territory.. let alone with a banished rider!

If they made it back she was going to get a severe talking to.. not to
mention the screaming he would do at Kendal! 

***

"'Lene, we don't know what could've happened to her out there!" he raged.

Waylene sighed, "She's not alone, she's with Kendal .."

"Which is worse then being alone!"

She sighed, "Z'lec, Christalla herself, pardoned him. Do you believe she
was wrong?"

"People make mistakes .. maybe she was."

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Kendal said it could take several
days. I intend to give him that time."

"What if something happens to Ailill and Storm in that time .. or if Kendal
never returns." He raged on, "What if he's kidnapped her .."

"Stop!" she yelled finally. Her nerves were getting frazzled. "I think we
need to give them time. That's my final word." She sighed heavily, "I'm
sorry for yelling, but Kendal had to go through a lot to get the
Dragonlady's pardon. I can't believe he did all that just to come back and
cause havoc here."

Z'lec frowned, "I still think you're wrong. I just pray for Ailill's sake
you're not!" Then he stormed out.

Waylene leaned back in her chair. She had her own fears about Ailill's
safety. But she had given her word that Kendal would be a part of this
warren, and she wasn't about to go and make him feel like criminal again by
hunting him down, which she knew is exactly what Z'lec would do given the
chance. "Please, please, Kendal return soon .." she said putting her hands
over her face. 

She needed him to return, not only to halt Z'lec's rage, but to help the
dragon's. Aura was putting on a good front, but Waylene could feel her
sickness. And despite all the things that A'Rillia had done, nothing had
halted the plague .. only relieved the symptoms. Which was probably why
they had not lost a single dragon so far.

***

>"Good morning Waylene, just thought I stop by and tell you that we're back."

>"Please Kendal come in."

>"Is there something wrong."

She nodded her head and took a deep breath, "Z'lec is very angry."

"Because of Ailill .. I shouldn't have let her go with me. I wasn't
thinking .." he frown, "Until it was almost too late."

"Too late? Is she all right?" Waylene hoped she was or there would be hell
to pay for both her and Kendal.

She breathed a sigh of relief at his next words, "She's fine. But we did
have a run in with some wild dragons. Storm was injured. But Kai Ho took
care of it. We spent the night in one of his caves to make sure it was
healed."

"You shouldn't have taken her." Waylene said.

"I know. I'm sorry." He pulled back his shoulders and faced her squarely,
"I'll understand if you want me to leave."

"Leave?" Waylene asked. "No, I promised you a home here, and you've done
nothing to warrant me taking that back now. It was a mistake, that's all.
Ailill and Storm are fine, no harm was done."

"Except the wingleader will no longer trust me."

Waylene let out a rueful laugh, "That was a given before you even took
Ailill .." She looked up at Kendal's frowning face, "I'm sorry. Z'lec takes
his position as Wingleader very seriously .. especially when it comes to
the welfare of his riders. He sees you as a unknown link in his chain of
protection. You can be sure he will give you a hard time."

She turned her eyes to him, looking at him intently, "But be assured, he's
very good at what he does .. He's just not always .. easy to get along with."

Regards,
Waylene & Aura
***
NRPG: Norman and Kate, feel free to write your own interactions with Z'lec,
cause I'm sure he will be looking for you once he knows your back. The
dragon gossip may be a bit slowed due to the sick dragons .. but not by
much I'm sure :}

Kristen

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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
                      Waylene & Aura, Marrid Warren, Warrenlady
                      Meena & Vonn, Norwall Warren, Wingleader
                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
                      Saul & Fayloth, Whiteriver Warren, Searcher
                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
                http://homepage.interaccess.com/~sgant/Kris/kris.htm
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        ()
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        \/