Ailill sat on the edge of Z'lec's bed her minds spinning faster than the 
words could tumble from her throat.  "We've got to do something Z'lec.  
We can't just sit here."

Z'lec watched as without warning her eyes lost their focus.  The vacant 
speaking-with-her-dragon look seemed to twist a knife somewhere deep 
inside Z'lec.  He tried to deny the pain, to push it away, but it 
lingered eating away at the edges of his mind.  

"Wraiths!"  She hissed.  "Wraiths are attacking the ranks of soldiers."  
She paused, and look of confusion creeping into her eyes.  "The aren't 
attacking the dragons?  Just the soldiers?"  She shook her head, right 
now she didn't need to worry about strange wraiths.  "We're safe Z'lec.  
The warren is safe!  With the forces scattered and distracted the 
dragons can easily defend the warren.  Besides who can really turn 
around and killed the creatures that just saved their lives."  She felt 
sorry for those soldiers who were out there fighting the wraiths.  Yes, 
they were out to destroy the warren, but death by wraith burn was not 
something she would wish on _anyone_.  

Z'lec's cold voice cut through her mixed pity and relief, and slapped 
her in the face with their current situation.  "_We_ are not safe.  Just 
because the warren is out of danger doesn't mean we are." 

Ailill swallowed hard.  He was right.  "So what do we do?"

"Not we Ailill, you.  I'm not part of this anymore.  Besides who would 
listen to the half crippled _former_ wingleader anyway?"  His voice was 
bitter, with and undervein of intense sorrow.  "Someone has to make the 
men out there realize the futility of their situation.  With the main 
force gone they are sitting ducks.  It's only a matter of time before 
they get desperate, and people start dying."  

Z'lec rubbed his temples.  Why was he doing this, why did he even care.  
He stared at the girl who sat, huddled, beside him on the bed.  She was 
just a baby, her eyes large with fear she tried to keep hidden.  She 
should be spending her days playing in fields, and breaking young boys 
hearts.  Not defending herself from lecherous soldiers, or saving 
hostages.  But she was a dragonrider, and dragonriders didn't have time 
to grow up.  They were snatched from childhood and forced to live their 
lives in a whirlwind of activity and danger.  Lives that all too often 
ended as quickly as they had began.  He sighed and buried his face in 
his hands.

Ailill watched him quietly.  The seconds ticked on and she was beginning 
to think he had fallen asleep on her when Storm's frantic voice filled 
her.  <<Mother's rider is heading towards the med center!>>

"Waylene's coming here?"  Ailil was so shocked she spoke out loud.  

Z'lec's head snapped up.  "What did you say?"  

Confusion grew in Ailill's face as she tried to take in the information 
Storm was relaying as well as answering Z'lec's questions.   "Storm says 
Kendal was hurt badly, and needs medical attention, so Waylene is 
bringin him here."  Chills ran through her at the thought of Kendal 
being injured enough that Waylene would risk bringing him here.

"What is she thinking!" Z'lec growled, startling Ailill.  "Having the 
warrenlady as a hostage will be just the leverage those troops need to 
gain a foot hold in the warren.  If they have her they won't need an 
army."  He spilled out a barrage of curses.  Ailill was only familer 
with half the mutterings, and those she did recognise made her blush 
three shades of red.

"How are trying to get in, surely Waylene isn't fool enough to try 
crossing the green.  Not with an army and Wratihs out there."

"Ummm, no. Storm says they are coming in through the tunnel system."  
Ailill frowned.  "I'm not familier with the tunnels?"

"I am."  He said coldly  "They aren't much safer than crossing the green 
would be."  All this activity, the concentration it took, dulled that 
lingering pain.  Let him forget it for just a little while.  When he 
spoke again he had regained some of his aura of leadership.  "Ailill, 
you need to go back to the others.  Find the leader, speak with him.  
Convince him that continueing this occupation is pointless.  Tell him 
what has happened.  Assure him that if he agrees to go peacefully his 
men won't be harmed.  The dragons will allow them to leave.  Tell him 
anything, just get him to listen to you.  Get him to trust you."  He 
pulled himself to his feet.

"Where are you going?"  She wasn't sure she could do this on her own.  
What was she supposed to say.  She had never negotiated for the relaes 
of hostages before.  

"I'm going to find Waylene, and the warrenless rider and try and keep 
this whole mess from getting any worse."  With that he walked unsteadily 
from the room.  Ailill rose shakily to her feet and went off in search 
of the man she suspected was in charge of this whole occupation.  She 
just wasn't sure what she would say to him when she found him.  

To Be Continued...

NRPG: I knew something would come up. :]  

Respectfully submitted by...
Katherine Heath
Ailill and Storm


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