Travellers Rest was crowded with drinkers and M'lent had to push his way to
the bar to get a drink.  When he finally managed to get served he took his
drink to a small table at the back of the inn and sat quietly sipping, and
brooding on the last few days.  It seemed there were fewer candidates for
Search nowadays, and the few that he'd seen recently were only marginal
possibilities.  Still you never knew who'd Join come Hatching time, so he'd
taken them to the Warren just in case.


He'd had no luck today at all, so he'd decided one last drink and then back
to the Warren.  The Hatching was bound to be in the next few days and he
didn't want to miss it....


*Everything alright with you Ebony?  I'll not be long I promise... just a
drink to cut the dirt of the road and then home!* 


*There is no dirt on the 'road' we travel friend M'lent, but I am content to
wait.  Hmmmm!  You may take your time.* said Ebony with a dragon chuckle,
almost purring with contentment  *I have found some friends who are most
obliging.....*


*You mean you've got the local population of children fawning over you and
scratching your itches again?  You're becoming spoilt Ebony, I swear!*
M'lent was amused.  everywhere the pair went the children were always the
first to come and gawp and stay to play.  *Are there any possibles in this
bunch?*  The possibility was faint, but M'lent was conscientious in his duty
as the Warren's Searcher


*Not in these M'lent.*  Ebony said with regret


*Never mind.  There'll be others somewhere.  I'm just finishing here... with
you in 5 minutes.*


M'lent tipped his glass to drink the last of his ale, and rose from the
table.  A small stir in the far corner of the room caught his eye, and he
paused to see why everyone was suddenly quietening.  The crowd was so dense
he had trouble seeing, so he asked a nearby patron;


"Why all the excitement friend?"


"Tis Soliel getting ready to begin the evenings singing.  She's a fine
voice, and a dainty figure... though I've heard she's too free with the
knife she carries for real beauty."  the man explained before turning his
attention back to the small dais


Still M'lent was unable to catch of glimpse of the woman,and he pushed
forward through the crowd to get a better view.


*Sorry Ebony. I'll be a while yet... something tells me I may have found a
possible after all....*


*Take your time.*  the dragon said sleepily  *The children are good company.*


Seated on a stool cradling a small lap harp, a young girl was preparing to
sing.  M'lent studied her as she sang her first number.... a pretty song
about dragons as it happened... and knew that here was a very real candidate
for Joining.  

He waited until she'd sung two more songs and was taking a break before he
approached her.  With a smile and a slight bow he said;


"Good evening m'dear.  I'm named M'lent and I'd like to talk with you about
dragons if you'd give me 5 minutes of your time...."


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
M'lent & Ebony


NRPG

Michelle... Your chance to tell how Soliel came to the Warren.  <g>

-- 
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

Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands