Waylene
***

The warrenlady was just about to take Trak's suggestion when she saw Trey
stumble into the dining hall. She and Trak looked at each other momentarily
and were going to see what was wrong when Dorian called to them.

The older man  gave them the awful word. The morgue had been invaded and
Diana's remains were missing.

Waylene's upper lip curled, "Who ..?"

She felt Trak's arm going around her waist, holding her up.

"We suspect some of the soldiers," Dorian explained. "But why .. we'll
probably never know."

"Poor Trey .." she said turning to look at the man. She saw Talitha, the
new rider from the lost warren with him.

Trak followed her eyes and then whispered, "You should still go rest.
Tr'etram isn't alone."

Waylene nodded, "All right. I'll go, but if anything comes up .."

"I'll call  you right away, promise."

She nodded and headed out to the green to find Aura. There she saw Carie
with her queen. The metallic blue dragon had what looked to be a
superficial wraith burn on her tail. Waylene frowned and headed over to the
girl. "Carie?"

The tall young woman looked up from her ministrations guiltily. She moved
quickly in front of the queen's injury, "Waylene .."

"Is she hurt?"

"Oh no .. no, she's fine."

"Carie .." Waylene admonished her for lying.

Carie sighed, "Okay, so one tiny little wraith got a little to close and
Fiera swung her tail at it. It's barely noticeable. Not even something to
bother the med staff about."

"Carie, she's a queen!"

"I know .. but .. Well .." the girl paused. "Those wraiths were weird,
Waylene. They didn't attack  us. Fiera's only hurt because one got too
close. Like it was .. studying us."

"Studying .. Somehow I don't think wraiths are that smart."

Carie shivered visibly, "I never thought so either .. but .. after today .."

Waylene frowned, "Carie, the point is, Fiera should never have gotten that
close .. She shouldn't be fighting combat."

"We weren't. It's like it sought us out."

"You weren't flaming wraiths?"

"No .. sure we were tempted. But we were protecting the fire we'd built ..
just in case those soldiers changed their mind." Carie turned back to
Fiera's slight burn. "Which is why this bothers me so much. That wraith
didn't attack .. it watched Fiera .. and me .."

<<NRPG: Chris, hope this is okay, I wanted to add more to the wraith story
you and Les kept up for us :)>>

***

Morning was just starting to break over the horizon when there was a joyful
trumpeting. Waylene sat up, reaching out for her dragon.

<It's a hatchling, 'Lene. Kirimith's rider has had her son.>

Waylene sunk back down into the covers, <I'm so glad ..> She thought back.
And she was. But for a moment that familiar sadness filled her as once
again she mourned the loss of her own children. It wasn't something she
could explain .. nor was it something she though anyone would understand.

She felt Aura's comforting presence. Crawling out of bed she grabbed a
nearby robe and stepped out to where Aura lay on the sandy bed. Waylene
gasped, "OH! It's beautiful!" She looked at the sky, alive with light
blues, and pinks as the sun began it's climb into the sky.

"It's a good day to be born." She nestled herself into the crook of Aura's
forearm letting the dragons breath warm the morning chill around her.

Regards,
Waylene & Aura
***
NRPG: just a short one.

Please do not write much past lunch on Day three. I have plans for dinner
:) You all can join me then :)

Kris

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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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