(previous night)

As Darrkon oiled Calindeth he couldn't help wincing.  His hide was
covered with scars from times his skin had torn from improper
oiling.  When he thought about the care the other riders gave to
their dragons he couldn't help feelings ashamed.

<Don't feel guilty> Calindeth said to him <You took good care of me
those other dragons are just spoiled.  They'd never survive the 
things I have.>

Darrkon knew Calindeth would never be accepted amongst his own kind
if he didn't change his thinking.  <You shouldn't talk like that
Calindeth.  You're going to have to make friends with the dragons at
the warren.>

<Why is that?>

<Because you need training.  You fly fast, you fly strong but you
don't know how to fly in a group or as part of a team.>

<So that's just training.  I can do that without talking to the
others.>

Darrkondidn't want to bring up the next subject but he knew he had
to. <Then these the other matter.>

Calindeth feigned ignorance <What other matter?>

<Well, which one of us accidentally blew up a farmers barn?>

Darrkon was leaning on Calindeth when he asked the question.  The
dragon shirted just enoughto make him slide off and fall to the
ground.  <You said you wouldn't talk about that!>

Darrkon stood up and brushed off the dirt  <Under normal 
circumstances I wouldn't.  But if you're going to fight in a wing
you need to have all of your powers under control.>

Calindeth grunted but Darrkon was sure he had proved his point.
<So who is it going to be...Amethyst or Garnet.>  The dragon didn't
respond he just blew outone hot breath and acted like he was asleep.
Darrkon laughed <Well let me know so I can prepare for her next
flight.>

Calindeth couldn't let that one pass  <The way you're acting I have
to keep an eye on you and the women in the warren.>

Darrkon laid down beside his giant companion <Go to sleep.  We'll
decide who will help the two of us in the morning.>

*********************************************************************

(next day)

The morning had passed rather uneventfully.  Darrkon and Calindeth
still hadn't come to a decision as to who would help him train.
Darrkon was leaning toward Garnet for obvious reasons, but Calindeth
was leaning toward Amethyst for more practical reasons.

<This is all I'm saying.> Darrkon continued in his arguement <Lacey
and I will very likely be good friends so it makes sense that our
dragons be friends as well.  Naomi is Warrenlady, she will almost 
always be busy so training including all four of us would most likely
happen rarely.>

Calindeth countered <You're just intimidated by Naomi.  You don't think
you're good enough to be around a warrenlady.  Well remember Lacey will
be warrenlady someday as well.  But more importantly Amethyst is older
and more experienced.  Since you want me to choose that's who I want to
be trained by...>  The dragon stopped in his argument.  When he spoke
again he sounded somewhat puzzled. <Naomi wants to see you.>

<Speaking to Amethyst already are we?> Darrkon couldn't help teasing
Calindeth.  Despite himself it seemed the dragon would develope an
interest in his fellow dragons after all.

<No> Calindeth answered. <Naomi spoke to me herself.  I've heard of
humans who can speak to all dragons but I've never met one.  She wants
to see you as soon as possible.>

<Well, tell her I'm on my way.>

Darrkon knocked at Naomi's door and waited for her to call him in.
He sat down in the samechair as yesterday and Naomi once again sat
behind her desk.  This time she didn't seem as stern to him though, but
he wasn't sure if it was he who had xhanged or her.

"I have thought about what you said yesterday and I have talked to a
number of other riders from the warren.  I have decided to give you a
chance here at Norwall."  Darrkon felt himself swell with pride, he had
finally succeeded in his quest, "But joining won't be easy.  In fact it
may prove the toughest thing in your life.  You're going to have to start
from the beginning.  I understand you know how to fly but it's entirely
different in a wing.  Which means Calindeth will need training as well.
We are forming a new wing Beta and it is possible you will be placed
there.  But if we find you would serve better in a more established wing
we will move you.  All you need to do now is pick an apartment and pick
up new flight gear.  So do you have any questions?"

"Yes one question.  Calindeth has an unusual ability in his fire
breathing.  He can compress his fire into a flaming ball.  It reacts
totally different from regular fire.  I was wondering if a dragon would
be able to teach him more control?  It only appears under times of high
stress, and I thought that something like that unchecked could cause real
harm."

"Of course he could be trained.  I'll make it a part of his routine.
Come to me anytime you develope more ideas for his training.  Calindeth is
a special case so some digression from the norm will be expected.  But 
very little."

"Thank you Warrenlady."

"One more thing Darrkon."  Naomi said smiling, "Now that you are a part
of us, call me Naomi.  Warrenlady is only forpolitics and such."

"Of course.  And thank you again Naomi."

Darrkon left the room exitedly awaiting the first of his training
exercises.