<T'grat>


>Lacey saw T'grat with the new hatchlings and strolled over. "Yeah, I have 
>a question, Why the heck did you wake them up so early?" Lacey grinned 
>mischieviously at him.
>
>"Well, unlike, some saucy little Queenriders, these guys will have to 
>work to earn their keep." T'grat teased Lacey.
>
>The new riders tried to keep from laughing at the scene being played out 
>before them.
>
>"Oh, you want me to work to earn my keep?" Lacey asked "Well, how about I 
>take over for you right now & teach them about basic care, then send them 
>to breakfast....you can get a nap in, old man....you loook like you need it"
>
>That was too much and one of the new riders burst out laughing and the 
>others shortly followed. T'grat and Lacey also were laughing.
>
>"Just for that, little one, you CAN teach them, while I go eat!" T'grat 
>said walking off, laughing still.


<..>


He was still laughing quietly to himself when he saw Harkon's caravan
pulling out of the warren on it's way back to Whitbarrow, taking Greta with
them. Suddenly he no longer felt so cheerful.....


*And I didn't even get time to say a proper goodbye Mal!*  he told a sleepy
dragon  *It's going to be a fair while before they're back at Norwall...
probably not until the next hatching, if then.*


*Then you should just keep her with you.*  Malachite grunted sleepily  *I
don't see why it is so difficult to arrange for something that you both want.*


*I know you don't old friend, and I've given up trying to explain it to you!
Why couldn't I have had the sense to fall in love with something a little
more accessible?* he sighed  


*Ah but you like to do things the hard way!*  Malachite's chuckle rumbled
through his mind  *Now me... I just go catch whichever female happens to be
flying and then forget it ever happened.... unless of course I catch
Amethyst!  I can't see -that- one letting any male forget her.....*


T'grat laughed aloud at that comment, drawing looks from the people hurrying
to the dining hall for breakfast.


*Mal... you're good for my soul!  Greta will be back.  I just have to be
patient and wait.  And I have you in the meantime.*  He finally reached the
place where Malachite was lazily surveying the Warren inhabitants as they
rushed about their business.  


Leaning against the huge form, he scratched the dragon's muzzle
affectionately.  *How bout you and me going hunting for a while?  I haven't
got much planned for today..... oh damn!*  T'grat smacked his forehead with
the palm of his hand.


Malachite swung his head to look at T'grat, puzzlement in his eyes. *What
did you forget?*


*I meant to speak to Aleipha this morning as soon as training was done with.
Lacey sneaking in that way pushed it out of my mind.*  T'grat explained  


*Is this about her Joining with Penthos?*  Mal asked him.


*That's right!  I haven't had a chance to find out if she realises just what
being Joined to a male dragon means.*  Hr straightened up  *Well the hunt
will just have to wait for a while......*


*Can't you speak to her later?*  Mal asked wistfully  *Surely it won't be a
problem today since none of the females are even close to mating and Penthos
is still to young to fly them anyway.  I can tell Penthos you want to talk
to his rider as soon as we get back.*


T'grat mulled that over for a moment, and then agreed.  *It's probably best
to wait until later anyway, Mal.  Most of the youngsters were up until all
hours caring for their dragons last night.  And I didn't allow any
sluggishness this morning.  Tell Penthos I'd like to see Aleipha after
supper tonight.*


*Done!.... Now can we go hunting?*  


<NRPG  Michelle... tag!>


*Come on then!  What are you waiting for lazybones!!!*  T'grat straddled
Mal's lowest neck ridge, and held tight as the dragon launched into the air,
graceful as thistledown for all his huge bulk.  


*You know where to go Mal.*  T'grat thought as they circled high, the wind
lifting his hair at the nape of his neck  *Go friend....*


********

<Naomi>


She'd left G'raint to speak with C'rrin and was on her way back to her
office when she ran into the stranger.  Literally!  As she took his offered
hand to pull herself up she took the opportunity to study him.....


He was a tall young man, tall, and well muscled, his skin tanned and glowing
from spending time outdoors.  His blue-black hair was drawn back at the nape
with a simple leather thong, showing the strong line of his jaw to good
advantage.  A sensitively mobile mouth parted in a broad smile, showing
strong white, even teeth, and his eyes were dark brown velvet fringed with
incredibly thick lashes, holding a spark of laughter as he appraised her in
his turn.


He laughed at the blush that bloomed in her cheeks as he held her tiny hand
in his and raised it to his mouth to place a gentle kiss on the pulse point
of her wrist.  The soft whisper of his breath on her sensitive skin set a
shiver racing along her spine, and she fought an urge to melt into his arms.


"My apologies to you, m'lady." he said softly, his voice deep and
mysterious.  "I should have been watching where I was going.  Will you
forgive a clumsy oaf?"


Naomi found herself nodding almost hypnotically, dumb struck by this
fascinating man.


"I wonder if you could direct me?"  he asked when she remained silent  "I'm
looking for the WarrenLady's office."


"Did you want me?"  she asked him, still captivated by his sheer masculine
presence.


"Maybe later....."  his voice held an unspoken promise of passion.  "But for
now I have to see the WarrenLady."


Trying to recapture her dignity at his outrageous assumption that she'd been
offering him her favours, she snatched her hand from his, and drew herself
up to her full 5' 1".


"Her office is that way."  she told him sharply, pointing towards her door.
"But she isn't there right now."


"Ah then   perhaps we can take the time to get to know each other a little
better.  I like to know who it is I'm bowling off their feet."  he was
amused at her reaction, and didn't hide it.  "My name is Daimon, lately come
from an engagement at Traveller's Rest with my fine troupe of performers.  


"I'm hoping to persuade the Lady to allow us to perform here for a while.
Do you think she will or is she a dried up prune of a woman with no time for
fun and frolics?" he looked at her quizzically, a half smile curving his
fascinating mouth.


Naomi shook herself abruptly, irritated at herself for responding to the
rogue so readily.  "I expect she could be persuaded."  she told him
mischievously  "Our 'dried up prune' of a WarrenLady likes to be flattered
by handsome young men.  Perhaps you'd like me to take you to meet her?
She's usually in the dining hall at this hour."


"Why thank you m'dear!"  he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow
"Lead me to her!  Now tell me..... how did such a fascinating creature as
yourself come to be running around on the loose so to speak.  Is there a
husband or jealous lover I should beware of?"


"Oh no.... there's no one like that!  Just Amethyst."  she smiled sweetly as
she led him away from the admin buildings.  


"And Amethyst would be?"  he asked her curiously  


"Oh... she's a friend!"  Naomi said airily....


<..>


<Dining Hall>


They stopped in the doorway, and Naomi made a pretence of looking around for
the 'WarrenLady'.  Seeing them, M'lent came hurrying up, full of smiles and
good humour.


"Ah  Daimon!"  he said cheerfully, then he turned to Naomi  "So what's the
verdict?  Can he stay a while?"


"I haven't had a chance to see her yet, M'lent!"  Daimon said,  "This
delightful young lady was about to take me to meet her."


"What's going on Naomi?"  M'lent asked her puzzled  "I sent him to find
you....."


"She's Naomi?"  Daimon looked horrified  "This is....."


"The dried up old prune of Norwall?  Yes!"  Naomi's silvery laugh sounded
round the hall, drawing smiling looks from those sitting nearest.  


"Naomi!  I've been looking for you everywhere."  Lacey came hurrying up just
then.  She turned to Daimon  "I see you found her then.  Oh you have to let
them stay for a least a while sis!  They're so talented......."  


Daimon groaned quietly, and Naomi laughed at his chagrined expression.
Totally confused Lacey asked plaintively;


"Would you mind telling what's going on?....."


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
T'grat & Malachite


NRPG

Kat... tag!
-- 
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

 http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/5902
 http://yi.com/home/MooreLes/norwall.html