A Need to Find, to Find a Need...
---------------------------------

[NRPG - picking up from John's post "An Interrupted Return"]

[Morning, Day 7, at the new warren]

Martyn sipped his coffee, reflecting.  "Still, I need to return
to my own warren for at least awhile...probably get an awful
chewing out from T'rell for not reporting in sooner, and an even
bigger one if they've sent out searchers to try and find me.
But what about you, my friend?  What are your plans?"

"Plans?"  Arkt'han stroked his coppery beard, considering.
"Well, frankly, I haven't any, at the moment.  It's been a long
time since I left Falagand, and haven't stayed in any one place
more than a couple of months since then.  Usually long enough
to get frustrated at the lack of leads, then to move on."

Martyn leaned forward, having caught a word of keen interest.
"Leads, did you say?"

Arkt'han nodded.  "That's right, missing folk are your trade,
or used to be.  Unfortunately I can assure you Ar'lan's trail
is long since cold.  He's my elder brother, a former rider from
Falagand who was growing increasingly mentally unstable just
prior to his disappearance.  In all this time, I haven't turned
up any trace of him."

"Intriguing," Martyn reflected.  "A trail that cold *would*
be a challenge..."

"Too much so, I fear."  Arkt'han shook his head ruefully.
"I doubt it's a productive use of one's time, even for one
skilled in your art.  Alaphardalus - Ar'lan's dragon - was always
particularly good at concealing their presence from other dragons
and riders.  I think that's been part of the difficulty in trying
to track them down."

Martyn shrugged expressively.  "As you prefer.  If you truly
think it would be time ill spent, then so be it.  My other
responsibilities will keep me busy enough, I am sure.  If you
hange your mind and wish to enlist my aid in the search..."

Arkt'han nodded agreeably.  "I'll let you know."

Martyn set the empty mug near the rest of Lakoda's abandoned
breakfast dishes.  "So, if you're not off to resume your search,
what instead?"

It was Arkt'han's turn to shrug.  "Haven't any notion.
We probably shouldn't wear out our welcome..."

Auram had been distracted, conversing happily with other off-duty
dragons, but *this* made him snap his attention abruptly back to
his rider's dialogue.

<NO!>  The thought struck Arkt'han like a blow, making him wince.
<You promised!  You said we were going to find a new place to call
home!>

The normally easy-going gray's sudden vehemence caught Arkt'han
completely off-guard.  Making pained expressions that drew looks
of concern from Martyn, he composed his thoughts to reply.
<I never said that it would be here,> he reminded Auram.
<We weren't even aware this place - the relocated Marrid, I mean -
existed, when we talked about it before.>

<If not here, where?>  The thought came plaintively.  <And why
*not* here?  These folk are in trouble, and can use all the help
they can get!  They *need* us, and I cannot believe you'd even
entertain the notion of abandoning them...>

<Whoa!> thought Arkt'han.  <None of that is *our* decision
to make, SmokeRing.  It'll be up to their WarrenLady, whoever
she is, how long - or even whether - we can stay.  You know
that as well as I do.>

<Well, then, petition her for permission!> Auram insisted.  <Don't
just sit there making noises about wearing-out-our-welcome and
perhaps-we-should-be-moving-on and all that nonsense.  Just ask!>


Martyn had half-risen and was leaning across the table.
"Are you alright?  Should I go get-?"

Arkt'han shook his head while massaging his temples.  "I am fine.
Just experiencing a difference of opinion."  He stood and
stretched.  "It seems I have a need to go have an audience with
whomever is in charge and ask them for permission to take up
residence here."  He winced in response to Auram's enthusiastic
assent.  "A pressing need.  If you'll pardon me..."

"Of course.  Best of luck!"

"To you as well," he said, half-bowing.  "Safe journeys."


* * * * * * * *

[NRPG - Tag, Kris!  Arkt'han will ask around until someone informs
him who is in charge, etc.  By the time Waylene returns, she'll
discover someone is waiting to have an audience with her...]

Respectfully submitted,

    Dave Lankford

        aka Arkt'han & Auram

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