A'shair woke up a couple hours later, still exhausted from the hatching 
the night before.  Groggily getting out of bed, he threw on some dark 
clothes and his black hooded cloak and walked out.  He awoke as soon as 
the cold air hit his skin, and took a deep breath.  It was a wonderful 
morning.

In the distance the sun could be seen waiting to rise, the sky awash with 
luinecant reds and yellows.  Waking Sirus, A'shair prepared the saddle.  
'Wake up my friend.  It is time to go on patrol.'

*Why must we always take the morning patrol?* The dragon grumbled, 
rolling over on his back and glareing at his rider.

'For two reasons.  One, because that leaves our afternoons free to nap, 
and two, because the sun and I do not get along.' He said, and nudged the 
dragon gently on his side.  'Now let me put this on.'

Snorting, Sirus stood up and let the saddle become attatched.  A little 
while later they were flying to the green to check in with T'grat.  
Landing, A'shair saw T'grat talking with the patrol that had just 
reported in.  Waiting just a bit away, he looked around.  The warren was 
still asleep, and probably would be until about noon.  The hatchlings 
didn't have a very good sense of time.  

T'Grat finished quickly and headed over to A'shair.  
"So far there has been nothing to report.  A few wilders, no wraiths.  
Your patrol should run smoothly." He said, his face looking tired.

"It always run smoothly.  You haven't slept yet..." A'shair said, putting 
a hand on his friends shoulder.

"I know, and I will later.  I just had some stuff to do." He managed a 
grin, and turned to leave, and remembered something.  "Naomi was 
wondering if she had done anything to offend you, the way you ran off 
last night as she came by.  Maybe you should go talk with her?" He asked, 
trying to get the shy man to meet the WarrenLady.  

A'shair shrugged.  "She did nothing, as you probably have told her.  I'm 
just too nervous around new people.  It would take me a while..." He 
said, remembering his time amoung the landbound.  "If I have time, I'll 
try." He said, and mounted Sirus.  With a wave, he was in the air...

*T'Grat is right, Ash.  You should meet new people.  Not all are like 
those in your past.* Sirus offered, heading towards the wastes.  

'I know that, but it is hard, and I said I would try.  Isn't that 
enough?' He said.

*Maybe not...* The dragon thought, and continued his patrol.

********** NOONTIME: MEDICAL CENTER **********

A'shair came in from his patrol and checked with T'Grat, explaining that 
he had seen a few wilders and a group of wraiths.  "I flamed them." He 
explained.  Better kill the things on sight than let them live.

"Sirus did or you did?" the WingLeader asked in a hushed voice.  Not 
everyone knew about A'shairs strange power.  

"I did." A'shair said and after a handshake he headed towards the medical 
center.  Lilliana was sitting in her office as he arrived, and when he 
knocked and entered, he found her reading a book.  

"Not many patients toady?" He said with a smile.  The healer looked up 
and shook her head, a smile across her lips as well.

"No, not really.  How have you been A'shair?" She asked, motioning for 
him to remove his cloak.  He did, and the healer checked his arms and 
head for burns.  

"I've been all right, the hatching was wonderful."  He said, comfortable 
with the healers touch.  When he first arrived, he was terrified of her.  
But as the years progressed, be came to trust and admire her.  She had 
never been afraid of him.

"Yes, I know.  Most of my patients have been seeking remedies for 
hangovers.  I told them to sleep it off, and not to do it again." She 
laughed, and A'shair giggled at the thought.

"You seem to be fine.  The sun didn't touch you for too long." She said, 
and put his cloak back on.  

"I may go see Naomi today.  She wonders if she had done something to 
offend me since I ducked away last night when she came by..." He said, 
pacing about, nervous at the thought.

"You shouldn't fear the WarrenLady, A'shair.  She won't run from you." 
Lilliana said, trying to give the young man confidence.  

"I know, but I am still nervous.  If I am to do it, it better be now 
before the sun gets any higher.  I will stop by later..." He said, and 
nodded with a smile.

"Good luck." Lilliana said, and laughted to herself.  It was about time 
A'shair came to face his fears.

**** OUTSIDE NAOMI'S OFFICE ****

A'shair must have walked by the door at least a dozen times, wondering 
weather he should knock or not.  He was nervous, and afraid of the 
dragonlady's reaction.  Clutching his cloak tighter around him, he 
steeled himself and knocked quietly.  A 'come in' was said from beyond, 
and he opened the door.

Stepping in, A'shair spoke quietly, since Naomi hadn't looked up yet.  
"Dragonlady, I wish to apologise for last night.  I didn't mean to 
offend..." He said, and Naomi looked up....

********* SUBMITTED BY **********

	    Justin

      /\     /^---_---^\     /\     "Pain?  What do you know of pain?  I've
     /  \    > |_\ /_| <    /  \     experienced anguish at the molecular
    /    \   |         |   /    \    level.  Let me show you what it's like."
   /      \   \  o o  /   /      \  "Dragons exist my friend, for the sheer
  /        \  |\_____/|  /        \  fact that in all cultures they are
 |          \ | \/ \/ | /          | present, weather separated by land
     ----------       ----------     sea or air."----  Justin Almeida