Traknor
***

After Trak retrieved some water and animal carcasses, he spent a little
while longer with Mayhem, chatting, before leaving him alone to eat and
then nap. Trak also reminded Mayhem that he would need his services later
on tonight. As he watched his dragon close his eyes he smiled and headed
back towards the warren only to run into the man he believed was Kendal.

"Hail rider," Trak called out as he walk towards the man and extended his
hand.

"Hail to you, sir. Can I help you?" the young man asked.

"I'm Traknor Meridian, Wingsecond and I believe you to be the man known as
Kendal," he stated as the other man extended his hand and giving Trak's a
firm shake said, "Sir, that is correct, I am Kendal."

"Good. Good. I told Z'lec that I deal with your, uh, excursion. But first a
question for you," Trak said.

"Ok, sir," the young man replied.

"You bear a striking resemblance to a man I once fought with out in the
wastes one day. You wouldn't happen to be...."

"Yes, I believe that was me. It was three wilders that day wasn't it..."
Kendal finished the question for Trak with a grin coming to his face.

"Why yes it was, my friend," Trak said returning the young man's grin with
one of his own.

"Sir, as much as I would like the reminiscing, I was wondering about my
punishment," Kendal reluctantly reminded Trak.

"Hmm. Don't worry about it and don't do it again. Understand," Trak told
the now confused young man.

"But, sir," Kendal began.

Trak interrupted him before he could go on, "Look, I know how well you can
fight and how you handle yourself, but no one else here does. If you do
something like that again, tell someone and/or take some help or at least
call for it. Also I would like you to join the wing, but you'll have to be
under my command until Z'lec is more comfortable with you and your
abilities. Will that be acceptable to you?" Trak told the stunned looking
Kendal and then called over his shoulder as he walked away, "By the way,
stop with all the sir's and just call me Trak. And think about my offer and
let me know in the morning."

Waylene & Traknor
***
<<dinner time, day 3>>

She heard the rush of wings as a dragon landed on the ledge of their
apartment. She pasted a smile on her face and walked out of the kitchen to
see Z'lec heading toward the tall blonde man climbing down from his dragon. 

"Glad you could make it Trak, come on in and make yourself comfortable,"
the wingleader greeted his friend.

"Um, thanks for having me over, " he said while he opened up the saddle bag
and took out a bottle of the warrenlady's favorite wine.

Z'lec grinned, taking the bottle from the man, "You remembered 'Lene's
favorite!" he turned to Waylene and handed the bottle to her, "Look what
Trak brought."

She smiled lightly as she took the bottle and looked at it. It was her
favorite of the Marrid wines. "You have a good memory."

Being very mindful of what he said and how he acted toward her with Z'lec
present he replied with a nod and, "Thank you, m'lady."

"I'll go put this on ice," she said, turning and heading back into the
kitchen.

"She's been working hard on dinner, should be ready soon," he said with a
broad smile, "I told you she'd be glad to see you."

"Hmm. I don't know. She doesn't looked to thrilled to see me here. By the
way what is for dinner tonight?" he asked as he watched her walk back into
the kitchen then added, "Do you think she might need any help with it?
Dinner that is?"

"I think it's only that she hasn't seen you for so long." Z'lec frowned.
"And the last time we had dinner was with you and Azlyn .. I know she
misses her too." He paused as an uncomfortable silence filled the room. "I
.. I'm not sure what she's making for dinner .. But I'm sure it'll be
wonderful."

"That is true. She was always a good cook. That hasn't changed has it?"
Trak asked with a smile coming to his face.

"Absolutely not! Though she doesn't seem to have as much time to cook since
she became Warrenlady." He shrugged with smile, "That's what the dining
hall's for, isn't it?"

"Don't you cook for her?" Trak asked his childhood friend.

Z'lec laughed, "Once in a while, I suppose. But I was never much of a cook.
I suppose you must have gotten quite good at it while you were out in the
wastes."

Trak shrugged, smiled, and said, "Well we did what we had to do. I had to
be pretty creative some days. But my cooking  never killed anyone so I
guess that's a plus."

Z'lec chuckled as Waylene stepped out of the kitchen carrying a steaming
platter. "Dinner's ready," she called to the two men, as she carefully set
it in the middle of the table.  She smiled at the good spirits that seemed
to be in the room. 

"Is there anything I can help you with, m'lady?" Trak offered as he walked
towards the table.

"Why don't you pour the wine," she said handing him the bottle and then
heading back into the kitchen without meeting his eyes.

"Yes, ma'am. I'd be happy to," he said, taking the bottle from her.

He then proceeded to fill their glasses, adding a little but more to
Z'lec's than his and the Warrenlady's.

She came back out with a basket of rolls, "I hope you're hungry .. I think
I may have made too much."

"It looks great, 'Lene," Z'lec said, moving to take a chair at the
beautifully set table.

"I am hungry," he said as she came out of the kitchen, looking at the
basket of rolls. Then added as he went to help seat  the warrenlady, "I had
a busy day dealing with Mayhem and then Kendal. Did you also want me to
speak with the young lady he took with him?"

Waylene frowned slightly as she raised her eyes to Z'lec. But the
wingleader missed her glance, "That won't be necessary, Trey and I spoke to
her earlier this afternoon."

"Ok," he said as he took his seat at the table. Trak had caught the glance
she had given Z'lec and wondered why he didn't help her out. With all that
was going on she probably needed all the help she could get.

"So what did the warrenless have to say for himself?" Z'lec asked. Waylene
cringed slightly at the term 'warrenless'.

Looking his friend in the eyes Trak began, "You should be careful with that
term my friend. Remember I was Warrenless also," he paused then said, "As
for what he had to say it wasn't much. He thought he was helping the warren
by going on his quest and I told him to use more caution the next time he
goes out like that."

"'More Caution'! He could have gotten the girl killed." Z'lec ranted. "And
you, my friend, were never Warrenless. You always had a home here."

"Did he get her killed? There were plenty of times we did stuff like that,"
Trak said calmly. "I may have always had a home to come back to. But we
were still alone. I could not imagine what it would be like to be truly
warrenless."

Before Z'lec could reply Trak added, "There is much more about him and I
that you do not know my friend."

"Oh," Z'lec said looking up from his meal with interest, "Please, do tell.
I'm sure I should like to hear this."

Waylene broke in, "Perhaps we should talk about something else. I'd rather
not have any arguments at the dinner table."

"Who's going to argue, 'Lene," Z'lec asked. "Trak's my wingsecond now. We
have to discuss the wing. And I'm sure you're going to insist that Kendal
be allowed in."

Trak watched them both during their brief exchange and then told Z'lec
about an incident in the wastes, "Mayhem and I where way north and then
east of here when we were set upon by a few wilders looking for sport. He
paused to look at Z'lec before continuing with what happened, "We were
sorely pressed by them. We managed to kill a young one outright which cause
one of them to run, so we thought. We were doing fine against the final
one. When Mayhem heard an intake of air behind us..... he dodged to the
side and both of us tasted a bit of heat from the inferno that blasted by
us. As we fell under the one that was flaming us Mayhem was able to return
the gift of flames onto it. That's when we heard a war cry and I was able
to glimpse another rider attacking the other one, killing it and them
coming and helping to finish off the last one." Trak stopped a moment to
take a sip of wine and to catch his breath before he began again, "We then
landed and shared a camp that night. He showed me a few new things about
tending to certain injuries and we spoke about a few things but nothing of
any real value.... just talk. We then set up a watch and I was lucky enough
to be able to sleep first and that's about it."

"I suppose you're going to tell me this was Kendal who fought with you,"
Z'lec said.

"And that is why you are the wingleader my dear friend. That is correct it
was Kendal that I fought with. He handled himself very well. You should
give him a chance. Why don't we set up a sparring match or something to
allow him the chance to prove himself to you?"

At that Waylene chuckled.  Her laughter relieved some of the tension she
felt around her. Both Z'lec and Trak looked at her. Soon Z'lec laughed too.
"I've already sparred with him once."

"Kendal won in ground combat," Waylene said with a smile.

"See there you go," Trak said with a grin, "you should really give him a
chance. Let him prove us wrong instead of denying him the chance to even try."

"After all," Waylene added, "I was right about Tr'etram."

Z'lec rolled his eyes, "Oh Gods .. it's a conspiracy!"  He sighed and
looked back and forth between Waylene and Trak, "I'll give him a chance.
But I can't promise I'll like it."

"That sounds fair to me. If you'd like, have him report directly to me and
I'll try to solve any problems that arise before I have to come to you," he
said to Z'lec, "Well? How does that sound to you?"

"I don't know .." the Wingleader began.

"Let him help, Zee," Waylene pleaded.

Z'lec shrugged, "I suppose .. but remember if there are any problems, it's
going to come down on your head!"

"Baah... I'm not scared. I don't think there'll be any problems," Trak told
him as he reached for more bread and another sip of wine. "Here let me top
off that glass for you pal." Trak said as he refilled Z'lec's glass again.

***

Waylene moved to clear away the dishes as Z'lec downed his wine, "That was
delicious as always, 'Lene."

Trak stood and began to help the warrenlady with the clearing of the table
and asked Z'lec, "Would you like some more wine my friend?"

"I shouldn't .." he began, then grinned, "What the heck." He watched as
Trak refilled his glass, "Waylene does have good taste, doesn't she?" He
picked up the glass and moved to sit on the couch, while Trak followed
Waylene into the kitchen.

She turned around to see Trak. There was a moment of silence where they
just looked at each other, before Waylene finally broke the gaze, "Thanks
for helping out earlier." She said just barely above a whisper, "Seems he
won't listen to just me."

"I'm just glad I could help. I hate to see you two fighting and you
unhappy. I just wish he'd see just how special you are," he told her as he
put the dishes in the sink and turned on the hot water to get them soaking,
"You know, I wouldn't be like that...."

She looked nervously toward the door, "Don't .. I'm nervous enough as it is."

"Don't what, m'lady," he said taking the dishes from her hands and adding
them to the sink.

She sighed, "You should be out there talked to Z'lec. Go on. I can do this"
She waved him away from the sink of steaming, soapy water.

"Why don't you let those soak and join us? This is, after all your home
too, m'lady," Trak told her as he took her hand with his and lead her into
the living room where Z'lec was seated and having another glass of the wine.

"There you are!" Z'lec said merrily. "I was just thinking of coming and
looking for you." He grinned at the tall blonde man. "Look what I found."
He pulled out a wooden game board, "I don't think I've had this out since
you and I played the last time."

Trak grinned, turned to the warrenlady and asked, "Drunk? Does he do this
often or is it because I'm here?" He then turned back and headed towards
Z'lec to take a look at the game he was holding.

Waylene could see the alcohol was effecting her mate. He rarely drank, but
he was celebrating. Celebrating the fact that his friend was back .. his
best friend. She took a deep breath, trying to wash away the guilt that was
assailing her. After all she'd done nothing wrong ..

She tried to remember how she'd done it before. How had she gone on seeing
Trak everyday after what had happened between them. Then she remembered. It
had been because of Azlyn. The beautiful girl with the stunning smile.
Waylene had liked her very much. Everyone did. And with Trak head over
heels in love with her .. forgetting her feelings for him had been easy.

She looked at the two men. Watching the slightly glassy-eyed Z'lec. She
smiled lightly it was nice to see him happy again. She had to put these
feelings for Trak aside.

Z'lec sat down placing the game board on the end table. "Care for a game,
Trak."

Trak joined the other man at the end table and said, "Are you sure you're
up to it my friend? You're not looking very well.... How much have you had
to drink?"

"I'll be fine. After all how often is it that my friend returns." The
wingleader smiled and down the last bit of wine in his glass. "I'll bet I
can still beat you."

Trak glanced at the Warrenlady, who just smiled and shrugged, and then
said, "All right friend, prepare to lose. Also, what exactly did you care
to wager?"

Z'lec grinned, "What are you willing to lose?"

"Hmm.... That is a good question, but I must ask the same of you," he
replied as he thought about what he wanted to lose or even gain. The man
was drunk and would probably be easy to beat if he didn't pass out during
the game.

"I don't intend to lose," Z'lec laughed. "But how about if you tell me, my
friend, what is it I have that you want?"

With a glance at the warrenlady Trak said, "My friend... If I win you cook
dinner for your mate for the next week... Even if it means you have to take
lessons from the warren cook. How does that sound?"

"Do you want her to leave me," Z'lec chortled.

Waylene chuckled from behind the two, "I think it's a good wager."

Z'lec frowned, "Okay, then if I win .. YOU have to cook for her for two
weeks!" He grinned, happy with the wager.

"Just her or you and her," he countered.

Z'lec looked at him, stumped for a moment, "Hmm, I suppose if I say both of
us.. then I'd have to cook for both of you if a lost .. but if I say just
her then I still have to cook for myself .. or eat in the dining hall .."
He grinned, and looked at Waylene not noticing her taunt expression. "It's
an excuse to eat Cooks food every night!"

"Sounds fair," Z'lec grinned, "Don't you think so, 'Lene?"

Waylene looked back and forth between the two, the thought of dinner every
night with Trak both compelling and frightening. "I .. I .."

"I think she agrees," Z'lec grinned at his friend.

"Then you're on my friend," Trak said as he glanced at Waylene trying to
see if she wanted him to win or lose this game.

Waylene met Trak's glance. What would he do? Surely if he wanted to win, he
could easily beat the tipsy wingleader. She dared not think about what she
wanted.

Trak was definitely in trouble, he should have never said anything about a
wager, but it was way to late to back out now. Oh well he just play the
best he knew how and hoped the dice all landed his way. As much as he'd
like to see poor Z'lec cook for his wonderful mate... he much rather do it.

They two laid out the finally carved pieces onto the board and began
playing. Trak poured them each another glass of the wine as the wingleader
studied the board and made his first move.

Trak watched as his old friend made his move and shook his head, boy this
was going to be a long game he thought, as he countered the move.

Waylene watched them play, Z'lec downing his glass of wine and then working
on Trak's glass as well, which the tall man had unobtrusively pushed toward
his friend. Waylene caught Trak's eye and he smiled gently at her. She
nodded, knowing he wouldn't do anything to hurt Z'lec. They were still
friends regardless of anything else.

Hmm. When she caught his eye he figured that he would be in a bit of
trouble with her, she knew that he was getting her mate drunk. He didn't
know what else to do so he gave her a gentle smile and made his next move.
He set his piece into an obvious losing spot hoping Z'lec would see it, but
he really didn't know just how drunk he was or how much more he could take.

Waylene saw the move .. setting Trak up for a loss. He'd done it on purpose
and she knew it. The both looked to see what Z'lec would do. But the
wingleader didn't move. "Z'lec?" she heard Trak say. 

She stood and walked around to where she could see him. The man was sound
asleep.

Trak smiled and began to chuckle quietly as he realized what was going on.
He stood and moved to help him to the bedroom so he could get a good nights
sleep because he was gonna be miserable when he woke up.

Waylene watched Trak throw the smaller man over his shoulder gently and
carry him into the bedroom. She sighed and headed into the kitchen. Now was
as good a time as any to start on those dishes. 

Trak laid him on the bed as gently as he possibly could and then headed out
of there closing the door behind him. He heard the tinkle of the glasses
coming from the kitchen, ah, she must be cleaning up after them. He walked
to the kitchen and began to help her with the cleaning up of the dishes and
such. 

When they were done he asked, "Feel like going for a midnight stroll?"

She nodded, "Okay." She set the towel on the counter and followed him
toward the staircase in the large dragon chamber that led down to ground
level. It was a warm night 

"I'm glad you came. It made Z'lec very happy." She chuckled, "Maybe a bit
too happy."

"I'm glad that I came also, m'lady. But how do you feel about it?" he asked
her sincerely.

"You unnerve me," she sighed, "but I do enjoy your company."

With a confused look on his face he said, "I unnerve you? How is it that I
do that?"

She raised her eyes to his, "You can't tell." She smiled, "That's probably
a good thing. Perhaps Z'lec can't either."

"Um, that's right I can't tell. Would you please elaborate for me?" he
asked as he dodged a tree that seem to appear out of nowhere in front of
him. "Stupid tree," he mumbled.

She chuckled lightly. "I'm not sure I can. It's just something I'll have to
get over."

"What do you mean by get over?" he wondered.

"The feelings that you stir in me," she said quietly.

"I don't mean to... It's just that I'm myself. I don't really do anything
different around you... I'm, um, a little confused I think though," he
stumbled out to her, feeling like a idiot.

"I know you don't meant to. I'm just being silly," she smiled at him,
"Don't worry about it."

"I only worry because it involves you my dear... I don't wish to see you
hurt. I saw how he talks and acts towards you and in my opinion you
shouldn't have to put up with that. I'm sorry it's just how I feel...," he
said, letting his frustration with the whole situation start to show.

"Z'lec wouldn't hurt me. Not intentionally," she shrugged, "We just don't
always agree."

"It appears that you agree less and less everyday though, m'lady," he said
to her. "I'm sorry I should never had said that... but I'm so frustrated...
I just don't know what to do," he added before she could reply.

"Why are you frustrated?"

"Because I see that you aren't exactly happy in your present situation and
I want for you to be happy."

"I am happy," she protested.

"I'm sorry, m'lady but that is not what you display... especially to me,
sorry."

"I told you .. you unnerve me," she said, a frown marring her face. 

"But that is because of your feelings for me, correct? Why don't you just
act on those feelings... It might help," he said taking her chin in his
hand and tilting her head back so he could see into her bright eyes and
noted a tear sliding down her cheek in the moonlight.

Her breath caught in her throat, as her body urged her to follow his
advice, "I .. I .." she murmured. 

Being very gentle he leaned down to kiss the tear from her cheek. He hoped
that she wouldn't pull away and just let her feelings come to the surface.
He only hoped that she would admit to them and follow them.

His lips trailed down her cheek, finally coming to rest on her lips as his
arms encircled her. She melted against him, her lips responding to her kiss.

He wasn't sure what to do now... He hadn't truthfully expected this
response. Should he stop her? If he did that then she might never allow her
feelings to surface again. He lifted his mouth to her ear and asked softly,
"Are you sure?"

Her eyes flew open at his words, "Oh gods.." she whispered. She pushed him
away gently, "I .. can't .."

He let her go, making no attempt to stop her and asked before she could
leave, "You can't what? Make yourself happy? Make yourself not suffer
because of that unhappiness? Tell me...."

"Trak, I'm not unhappy," she whispered. Her eyes begged him to understand.
"Besides, we couldn't do that to him .. not again."

"I would hope that you aren't unhappy... You're here with me. We didn't do
anything to him... We shared something very special to us both that night
and there was nothing wrong with us showing each other how much we care for
and dare I say love one another," Trak said as he stepped closer to her.

"You aren't making this easy," she groaned. "He's my mate .. I can't think
about you as anything other then my friend. My mate's *BEST* friend .." She
grabbed his hand tightly. "That's the way it is .. that's how it has to stay."

"As much as I hate to do this, I know it must be done... Since you insist
on denying yourself your own feelings I think we should return you to your
apartment and call it a night," he told her while removing his hand from hers.

"Then you understand?" she asked.

"No I do not, sorry, m'lady."

She looked after him sadly as he turned and headed back toward her
apartment. How could she make him understand? She followed him, silently.
Maybe it was better that way anyway .. if he were upset with her, maybe he
would look at her that way. The way that sent shivers through her body ..
the way that made her want to fall into his arms and never leave them.

As he walked away from her his mind was in turmoil, what exactly did she
want from him or not want from him. Damnit... women could be so confusing
and difficult. He stopped abruptly and turned around and took a startled
warrenlady into his arms. Looking down into her eyes he whispered, "I need
you and I need you NOW." Then he began smothering her with kisses, first
her lips then her perfumed neck while trailing his hand down her back.

"Trak .." she breathed, surprised at his change. She could feel her body
responding to his kisses. ".. no .." the word caught in her throat. They
couldn't .. she couldn't, "Please .. stop .." she whispered even as her
fingers tightly gripped his arms.

Caught up in the passion he almost missed her pleas for him to stop, as he
came back to reality he realized that it was not right to take her if she
didn't want to be taken by him. But then she had tightened her grip on him
so maybe she did want to give into her feelings. He prayed that this is
what she truly wanted as he moved to bring her to the ground and began to
slip off her top.

His lips found hers again as his hands slipped under her blouse gently
lifting it. Waylene gasped her passion mounting, as his touch burned her
bare skin. Her will was caving as she kissed him back. He broke their kiss
to lift her light top over head. She whispered, "What about Z'lec?" as she
looked into his ice blue eyes caught between desperately wanting him to
continue and still hoping he would stop.

This was great. She was finally giving in to her true feelings. He was
elated by this and continued on with even more passion in his kisses and
roaming hands. He heard her mumble something and thinking it to be just
part of the loveplay, continued on with the exploration of her body.

"Trak .." she whispered, her lips finding his ear, as the rest of her body
tingled at his touch, " .. what about Z'lec .."

He heard her this time and mumbled, "What about him? We can keep this to
ourselves and not share it with others for the time being." As he continued
to undress her and then himself.

She didn't want to share it either. She couldn't think of anywhere she'd
rather be .. but the tendrils of doubt continued to wind their way through
her mind. How would she feel later .. how much would a night of passion
destroy .. relationships .. friendships .. 

He felt her reluctance and stopped the roam of his hands and the kisses we
was planting below her neck and pulled her blouse back over to cover her
skin. He rose, dressed himself and helped her up and escorted her back to
her apartment saying, "I swear on my life that this evening stays a secret,
m'lady." He kissed her one last time and then wished her a goodnight and
left for his apartment.

Waylene stood watching him go, suddenly feeling very alone. Gods! What had
she been thinking .. still she had to fight the urge to go after him.
Finally when he was out of sight she took a deep breath and headed back to
her apartment.

Regards
Waylene & Aura
Traknor & Mayhem
***
NRPG: Mike and I had fun with this one :}

Kris & Mike

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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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