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Day 13 - morning

---((sorting things out))--
"I am well aware of Shella's 'problem' but it will add stability to the
warren if she is recognised as a queen even if she reverts to a normal
dragon, as the past has shown she might easily become a queen again. Do
either have a problem with this?"
--((xxx))

Arri deliberated the question for a moment. With being a Junior, oh my she
had problems with that galore. But they might be circumventable with the
resident Queen clutching anyway. There was no indication that Daetyn was due
to rise anytime soon, and they always had plenty of warning to get out of
the Warren before. She assumed that probably wouldn't change.

It wasn't the mental responsibilities, although she'd never really liked
being the traditional leader type. It was the physical expectations that
bothered her.

<:I think she means with Shella being a Queen, Arri,:> prompted her dragon
gently, <:Even though she's not dependable for mating.:>

<Oh,> thought the healer with a mental rueful grin. <Me being wrapped up in
my own problems again to the exclusion of reality, huh?>

The only response from her dragon was a wash of mental comfort and
reassurance. She would tell her when it was time.

---((sorting things out))
Both A'rillia and Tina said they did not.

"Well that was easy. The second matter is what do we do with this assassin
we have locked up?"

"Hang him from the nearest tree." said Tina flatly.
--((xxxx))

Arri looked at Tina from the corner of her eye. They had never really
interacted, but she was discovering that the young woman had some strong
opinions. About everything. With a soft smile, she thought of Carie and
shook her head. The duty would calm down her hot little head. Somehow it
always did.

As much as she'd like to see the terrorist activities punished, she really
didn't think killing him would help much. He wasn't an assassin - there was
no specific target. He was just trying to tear apart the morale of the
Warren, and to some degree he had succeeded, if for no other reason than
disruptiveness.

However, if they killed him, they would have no idea who sent him, or why.
Arri scratched her stubby hair with one gloved hand, looked at Rhia and
shrugged before replying.

---((sorting things out))
"I agree," said A'rillia "but we still don't know who sent him."

"Well we can't let him go, he has murdered dragons and their riders." said
Tina. "Besides Shella is ready to take matters into her own hands and rip
him to pieces for nearly destorying her eggs."

"Okay then, I think we will have to hold him to trial for his actions. If we
wait a few days the Duchess and some of the nobility will be here for the
hatching. I suggest we wait until then to hold the trial. Either of you
against this?"

"Not me." said Tina.

"I think that's fine by me." said A'rillia.
--((xxxx))

The healer nodded inwardly. Not only was it good for relations to have the
nobility present at any trial of someone who hurt a dragonrider, the
terrorist had been well funded and supplied.

Someone had been footing the bill. Someone with big, deep pockets. Probably
one of the very nobility who were being invited, actually.

Since the days that Wraiths started falling and dragons started flying
against them, there had always been those who resented the tithes, resented
the protection, and felt that they didn't need the dragonriders.

Usually they were fairly silent about their activities. But word had come of
a psychotic despot near Whiteriver who had kept his people under martial law
for years, poisoning them against the dragonriders and all they stood for.
His recent death was a relief, but not a solution.

Perhaps bringing all the cats to watch them flush out the rat might make a
useful tail or two twitch in the process.

---((sorting things out))
That is everything I wanted to cover. Is there anything you wanted to
discuss?" asked Rhia.
--((xxxx))

It was never something she wanted to discuss, but best to get it out in the
open and be done with it.

"You realize, don't you, that Daetyn has never flown to mate," said Arri
quietly. As much as she didn't want to bring this up, she knew it was only a
matter of time until someone asked her. Better to have it over with.

"We'd heard that, yes," replied Rhia carefully, "but it's obvious she isn't
barren physically."

"It isn't her," Arri said quietly, "It's me. And until that changes, I will
support you in whatever way I can except that."

<:Arri, I don't think they'll take this well...:> began Daetyn softly.
<:Shella seems rather upset about that idea...:>

Tina looked at her, aghast. A Queenrider who didn't WANT a mating flight?
"But, what about all the riders we lost," she finally said, stunned, "The
eggs that were damaged, the dragons killed by the assassin?"

"We are not sure that everyone in Wild Marrid or the interim post is dead or
injured because we have no way to reach them. We must assume they are all
right until we know otherwise. Also, he's not an assassin," Arri corrected
very gently, "He is a terrorist. Assassins use a focused attack on a single
individual. Terrorists destroy without pattern or forethought in the
interest of demoralization."

<:You know as well as I do that they're very likely dead, Arri,:> objected
Daetyn, <:And you're being unrealistic.:>

<Until I lay them on the fire, hey're NOT dead,> replied Arri with an inner
shout. <I have to believe some are alive. Or I'll go mad.>

"And as we have a Queen in clutch, it is immaterial at this point since NO
dragon will be in heat until the hatching is done," the healer continued.
"There are other ways I could far better use my skills in the Warren than as
a brood mare. The Medical Center is understaffed, they still need help
cleaning the grounds before the hatching..."

"A'Rillia," said Rhia gently, looking at the younger woman with concern,
"Mating flights cannot be controlled. They are instinctual."

Shaking her head, the blonde replied, "Controlled, no. But the situation
leading to one can be avoided quite easily."

"You would put your dragon through suffering a mating urge away from the
warren with no male to slake it?" asked Tina, utterly confused. "That's
cruel."

"Daetyn does it voluntarily. It was her idea. It is uncomfortable for both
of us, but it is better than the alternative right now," Arri replied shyly,
looking at the floor.

"Wilders?" prompted Rhia. "What if she's beget by a wild dragon?"

Arri shook her head. "We know places unpopulated by anyone, human or dragon,
and do not use the same teleport twice in succession. It hasn't happened
yet, and I doubt it ever will. I trust her judgement."

Rhia and Tina shared a confused shrug. "I won't even pretend to understand,
Arri, but if this is how it must be for now, I can accept that. Do what you
need to do. But I still want you to help with the running of the warren and
what to do with the assass... er, terrorist."

"Absolutely, Rhia. I will help in whatever way I am able," Arri replied
softly.

"Tina, did you have anything," the Warrenlady turned to Shella's rider with
a confused sort of quizzical smile and asked. This certainly had turned into
an interesting conversation all of a sudden.

--==--
NRPG: Sorry, my brain's only at half mast today. Jeanette, I haven't
forgotten about day 12, but I wanted to get this out first.


Namaste' (We Are All One)
   --Shadowsinger--
=========================
shadowsinger@bigfoot.com
     ICQ #: 3673956

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