Naomi turned to T'Grat with a frown marring her delicate features.


"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings Naomi.  I thought the older folk
were beginning to look to you for decisions at last.  I wouldn't even have
known about this if G'Raint hadn't overheard two of the women
gossiping....."  he said  


"I'm surprised at you listening to gossip." she said with a slight smile
"Still in this case it's a good thing you did.  Where's Hannah now?  I'll
hear what she has to say first.  I don't want to go running off to see
Jaquel without all the facts."


"She's outside.  I knew you'd want to speak with her first so I brought her
with me."  T'Grat gave Naomi a fond grin  "See I know you only too well...."


Naomi left her chair by the window and went to the door.  Hannah was
shuffling from foot to foot in the corridor outside, and looked round
quickly when the door opened.


"About time too.  I've work to do even if you haven't.  I told T'Grat.  It's
how we've always done things and I ain't changing it without the say so of
the WarrenLady."  Hannah started before Naomi had a chance to say anything. 


Naomi just waved her into the office and  settled her into the visitors
chair.  Hannah sat there silently, arms crossed,and waited for Naomi to
comment.  And waited.... and waited.....


"Well ain't you got nothing to say?"  Hannah asked, Naomi's silence finally
too much for her  "We've used that cavern to dye cloth for years, and we've
never had a problem before.  Was the WarrenLady herself said we could
continue to use it and I doubt she would have if she'd thought there'd be
any sickness caused by it.  And I won't let any bit of a girl like you tell
me she's wrong either...."


"But Lilliana explained to you why you have to move your dye operation.
It's contaminating our water supply and some people are ill because of
it...."  Naomi patiently pointed out


"So why didn't it make people sick before?"  Hannah asked, her tone sulky


"Lilliana explained that too Hannah.  It's that new dye you've been using,
but even if you stop using it you'd still have to move.  We can't be sure
what else will cause problems, and we should be careful of what we put in
our water."  T'Grat answered Hannah


"Years we've been there and never had any sickness before, and I won't
believe it now either." 


Hannah's face held a mutinous look and she refused to hear anything more
said to her on the subject.  Eventually Naomi gave up trying to persuade
her, and dismissed her.


"I'm sorry she didn't listen to you.  Most of the other dyers are already
moving their equipment, but Hannah's lot have been delaying all week."  he said


"It's OK T'Grat.  I've learnt to work round things like this. I keep hoping
that Jaquel will let go of the reins, but each time something like this
happens I wonder.  You'd think she'd enjoy the freedom after her years of
responsibility wouldn't you?"  she said, puzzled 


"Some people can't let go and relax, Naomi.  I know one of them...."  he teased 


"Not funny T'Grat.  Oh well, battle calls.  Again."  she sighed, as she
mentally prepared herself.  "And you might thank G'Raint for me."


"I'll do that, and I know he's always glad to help. Do you want me to come
with you?"  


"And have Jaquel find fault with something else about me?  Thanks, but no.
I have to do this on my own."  she smiled at his offer


"Well I'll get back to work then."  he said from the doorway  "I'll be glad
when Garnet's eggs hatch, and I have another set of trainees.  I've nothing
to do but listen to gossip nowadays!"


He ducked out the door quickly, before Naomi could think of a retort or pick
up something to throw....


"ohhhhhhh!....."  she hissed, laughingly


*T'Grat I assume?*  came a laughing thought from her Queen.  *I always know
when you are with him.*


*How so, love?* she queried


*He makes you laugh!  And you do little of that now.  You should relax more,
Naomi, and have some fun.*  


*I know.  Maybe when the eggs hatch.  There's just so much to do!* she said
with a mental sigh  *How is Garnet?  Last time I looked in she was so
fidgety I didn't stay long.*


*She's still 'fidgety' and getting worse.  It won't be much longer I should
think. A day or so....*  Amethyst said thoughtfully   *She's so protective
of those eggs!  Won't even let me -look- at them.  I was never like that......*


*Ha!  You were terrible with your first clutch!  Or have you forgotten that
you wouldn't even let me near them for the last few days?  I thought you'd
flame me!*  Naomi retorted


*I'd forgotten.* the dragon's thoughts were sheepish  


*Never mind love, I understood why.  It's just funny you complaining about
Garnet... Like mother like daughter it would seem.  I've got to go and see
Jaquel now love, I'll go and see Garnet and her eggs later.  A day or two,
you say.  Hm!  might be as well to warn Jeryn then.  He'll never forgive me
if he doesn't have enough time to provide a feast for the Hatching....*


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

<Main Kitchen>


Jeryn was hard at work preparing the main evening meal when Naomi entered
the main kitchen, but she knew he wouldn't mind being interrupted.  He
always loved to talk and Naomi had fond childhood memories of the treats he
always had somewhere on his person.  As she approached him, a small boy,
barely two years old came hurtling into the kitchen and made a bee-line for
the small man...


"Uncle Sweety.  Uncle...."  he yelled as he ran across the room


Jeryn turned , floury arms held ready to slow the child's headlong charge.
He swept the giggling child up, and twirled him round.


"Uncle Sweety.  Gimme..."  the little boy demanded, as the cook put him down
"Gimme gimme gimme...."


"Slowly Demme, slowly.  Now let me see.... where did I put them."  the small
man started searching the pockets of his apron  "No.. not there.  I
wonder...."  he looked at the small child carefully  "Ah!  That's where they
are...."


He reached towards the child's ear, and produced a sweet biscuit as if from
thin air.  The child crowed with delight, and Jeryn patted his head as he
ate the treat.


"Where's your mama then?"  he asked  "I'm sure she can't be far away from
you young man...."


As if his words had summoned her, an anxious looking young woman poked her
head around the door, her face relaxing as she saw the little one.


"There you are Demme!"  she called  "How many times have I told you to stay
in sight....."  she picked the boy up, and hugged him tightly  "I'm sorry
Uncle, he will run off.  Hello Naomi.  I hope him didn't interrupt anything...."


Naomi shook her head.  "No problem Meena. I love seeing him, and I only came
to tell Jeryn that the Hatching will be very soon, a day or two at most
Amethyst says."


"Two days, maybe only one.  Not long enough.  You should have told me
sooner.. I'll never be ready in time.... " he scolded her  "A feast for a
Hatching and only two days to prepare.  Merric, Larna we have much work to
do.  Excuse me Naomi, Meena... I don't have time to stand chattering." 


Naomi laughed as he hurried away, his staff already running to do his bidding.


"Are you looking forward to the Hatching Meena?....."  she asked the younger
woman


<NRPG Kris?>


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

<Later, Jaquel's quarters>


Naomi hesitated outside Jaquel's door, composing her features into the
proper demure expression.  With her hair slightly mussed and her eyes
downcast she looked the very model of meekness... She tapped lightly on the
door and entered when Jaquel called for her to come in.


Jaquel and D'Gerrit were seated beside a small fire.   D'Gerrit nodded at
her as she closed the door, and Jaquel said;


"Naomi. Come, sit down.  What can I do for you?"


"Thank you, Jaquel."  Naomi took the offered seat, and composed herself
"I've come about Hannah....."


"I thought you might.  Hannah came to see me very upset that she was being
asked to move from the cavern where her family have always worked.  I see no
reason for the move."


"I spoke to Hannah about the move, and Lilliana explained the connection
between the new dye and the contaminated water that was causing sickness in
some.  Did Lilliana speak to you about it too?"  Naomi asked in a very quiet
voice, so quiet that D'Gerrit had to lean towards her to hear all she was
saying.  


"I believe Lilliana came to see you yesterday Jaquel."  D'Gerrit said  "You
were very busy so I told her to come back later.  Then when she came back
you'd already retired for the night, so I told her to come back this
morning.  Perhaps you'd like me to talk with her for you and report back?
I'm sure it's nothing too important...."


"Would you D'Gerrit?  I have so much to occupy my attention just at the
moment, and I'm sure this problem with the new dye can be sorted out without
moving Hannah."  Jaquel smiled at D'Gerrit  "You're so thoughtful...."


"My pleasure Jaquel.  I'll speak to her as soon as I have an opportunity."
he replied


"Was there anything else you wanted Naomi?  As you can see I'm rather busy
at the moment... " she gestured vaguely towards her desk


"Nothing else, thank you Jaquel."  Naomi rose, frustrated at D'Gerrit's
interruption, knowing she would have been able to persuade the other woman
to her viewpoint if he hadn't been present.  "Perhaps I'll come back when
you've heard from Lilliana."


She started out the door, and then turned back;


"Oh... Garnet's eggs are almost ready to hatch. I thought you'd like to
know." she said


A genuine smile lit Jaquel's face, and she said warmly;


" A Hatching is such a happy time for the Warren, and your sister must be
very proud. Thank you my dear, for telling me."


Naomi closed the door, quietly behind her and started down the corridor.
She hadn't gone far when D'Gerrit hurried to catch her up.


"Just a moment, "  he said  "I'd like to talk with you....."


<NRPG Josh... over to you.>


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


Naomi watched as D'Gerrit walked towards the Medical buildings, wondering
what it was about the man that set her teeth on edge.  He was considered
quite handsome by some of the female riders.... She gave a mental shrug, it
took all sorts! 


*How's Garnet's temper, Amethyst?  I thought I might peek in on her...*  she
asked her dragon


*Tread carefully then.  She's fussing badly at the moment, and Lacey's
having trouble settling her down.*


*Thanks for the warning love.*  


Naomi stood at the entrance to the Hatching ground, feeling the heat from
the sands even through the thick soles of her riding boots.  Garnet was
standing guard over her eggs, Lacey standing off to one side trying to calm
her.  Naomi watched for a moment, remembering how trying Amethyst had been
this close to Hatching. 


*Garnet?*  she sent a gentle thought  *May I enter?*


Garnet's head whipped around and she hissed in annoyance at the intrusion,
moving to place her body between the rapidly maturing eggs and Naomi's gaze,
shielding them from sight with her outspread wings.


*May I enter?*  Naomi tried again, but all she got was a confused angry
whirl from the  Queen, so she waited where she was as Lacey calmed her, and
then came to the entrance to speak to her.


"Sorry Lacey.  I just thought I'd look in and see how things were going......"


<NRPG.  OK baby sister do your stuff>


Submitted by

Naomi

QueenRider to Amethyst
WarrenLady at Norwall


NRPG

All... Norwall is officially open for business  <I can't find the champagne
or I'd crack it over my monitor!>

-- 
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