<T'grat>


T'grat looked after A'shair thoughtfully.  He'd made the right choice as far
as wingsecond went, and now it seemed that he might have fallen into a good
friendship too.  Shaking his head, he turned away and started toward the
dragonet barracks.  The morning was getting on, and time was wasting... 


<..>


Scene:  Dragonet barracks


All was quiet within the barracks and T'grat grinned to himself as he walked
the corridors.  All too soon the newly joined riders were going to look on
this peaceful interlude and wish they'd chosen any other occupation....


*That is not a nice thought, my friend.*  Malachite admonished gently  *True
but not nice at all!*


*No point is pretending the first few weeks are easy, Mal.  The hatchlings
are nothing but appetites on legs at this stage, and these poor kids are
going to be kept hopping to fill those bellies.*  he grinned  *I wished I'd
been anywhere but here at one time....*


*And there were times when you were so slow I would have been better
choosing a slug for my life's partner.*  Malachite snorted  *Go gently on
them... at least for a while.  The excitement had many of the small ones up
until almost dawn.*


*It does them no favours if I hold back Mal.  You know that... but maybe..
just this once....*    T'grat reached the end of the corridor and stood near
the brass bell that was used to call the young riders to flight practice.
*But then again maybe not!*  


Taking hold of the short length of rope, T'grat rang the bell.  The echoing
'clang clang clang'  was loud in the enclosed space, and almost immediately
doors up and down the corridor were flung open, spewing sleepy eyed
youngsters into the hallway.


"What's going on?"  "Where's the fire?"  "Is it a Wraith attack?"


The questions flew back and forth until T'grat rang the bell once more.  The
silence that descended was brief however....


"Good morning riders.  My name is T'grat, and I'm wingleader for Alpha wing.
I know some of you already know me...." he nodded to Aleipha  "I'll be
taking you for lessons in the care and feeding of dragons.  I want to see
you all out on the Green in 10 minutes....."


"But the sun's only just cleared the horizon."  a small voice complained.
"It's not civilised...."


"And suppose this were a Wraith attack?  Would they wait until a more
civilised time of day to attack?"  T'grat waited for the laughter to die
down  "As I was saying... on the Green in 10 minutes please.  We've a lot to
get through if we're to make any kind of progress.... there's more to being
a dragon rider than sitting atop a great flying beast and impressing the
Landbound.  I'll see you all outside....."


T'grat walked away, and a hum of conversation broke out behind him.  "Who
does he think he is?"  he heard a voice ask loudly, and he smiled as the
others tried to hush the speaker.  That one would bear watching....
Outspoken he may be, but he had the nerve to question and that was a good
trait to look for in a potential leader.


<..>


Scene:  Warren Green


T'grat watched them straggle out of the barracks followed by their  dragonet
companions.  He grinned broadly as the clumsiness of the tiny creatures, and
laughed aloud as one or two managed to actually trip their riders and send
them sprawling across the soft grass.


"I'd swear he's doubled in size over night"  one of the boys said


"And you'd be right."  T'grat told him  "It's K'ref isn't it?" The boy
nodded.  "Most of these delightful creatures will double in size every day
for the first few days.  That's why they eat so much..."


"Tell me about it!"  a young girl exclaimed  "This greedy monster has had me
feeding her every hour since she was shelled!"


"That kind of appetite only lasts for the first few days you'll be relieved
to hear.  Once the initial growth spurt is over you'll have a bit more free
time."  T'grat explained cheerfully  "Mind you, there'll still be plenty to
do.  So don't get too excited!"


"When can we fly?"  a voice called  


"I wondered how long it would take for that question.  As soon as your
dragon is big enough to carry you...and that's normally on the fourth or
fifth day.  Once you've made your maiden flight you can pick one of the
cliffside apartments... and then comes the real work.  Combat training.
Now.  Does anyone want to ask any questions?...."


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
T'grat & Malachite


NRPG

Just a short post to get us moving along. 

Justin... You can backpost A'shair bit with T'grat. :) :)

-- 
Les

the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  CMO    USS Javelin        T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage         Broken Lands      Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands
                          Caliban, Lute's human,  Dragon Lands
Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands

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