[dl]

> Harkon turned to D'gerrit, fury burning in his eyes.

	D'Gerrit withstood the gaze of the noble silently.  He wondered 
if any good could possibly come of this situation.

	<Orobos, best back down now.  The situation is under control ... even 
if it is not our control.  The Warrengirl knows we can't risk 
the Queens.  But stay alert, I may summon you to depart soon.  You may 
also tell K'lestide to stand down as well.>
	
	<It is done.>	


	Harkon burst forth in angry speech; had the situation been less tense, 
he might have been amused at the 'noble' man's lack of diplomacy.

> "You informed me there would be no problem with this.  First I had trouble
> with Jaquel, then that girl there..."  Harkon gestured in Lacey's direction
> "Now this one tells me she holds the authority here."
> 
> "I'm sorry for your distress Lord Harkon.... but this would be better
> discussed in private."  Naomi said again  "Come Sir.  Nothing is gained by
> arguing in public...."
> 
> "Very well.  But I warn you, I mean to have the boy one way or another.."
> Harkon said  "Lead on woman..."

	D'Gerrit wondered if Naomi even heard that last part.  Was she 
deaf as well as ... no.  'Well, as Wingleader', D'gerrit thought, 'I can 
at the very least act as I wish for my wing, especially in the field, 
answerable to my own judgement.  The time has obviously not yet come ...'

> "Meena, would you escort your father to my office?  Lacey,would you take
> Demee somewhere safe for the moment?  Please make yourself comfortable Lord
> Harkon, I will join you as soon as I can..."
> 
> "I will escort Lord Harkon Naomi."  D'gerrit said angrily  "It is my duty as
> advisor to Jaquel..."
> 
> Naomi silenced his protests until the others had left the hall, then she
> turned to him and asked quietly;
> 
> "Well?...."
> 
	D'Gerrit thought rapidly.  This was the one eventuality he had 
not counted on; the ascendant Warrenlady suddenly, in a crisis situation, 
desiring the total leadership of the Warren, and brooking no argument.  
Although most of the older members of the Warren still looked to Jaquel 
for moral guidance and support, her day was obviously past.  D'Gerrit 
felt a twinge of sadness for the woman who had spent years leading the 
children and the gullible out of despair and into hope.  Now they all had 
the trust the children (less gullible than previously suspected [!]), to 
lead themselves.
	
	He nodded slightly, and sighed.  He ran a hand through his beard 
absently.  'I apologize, Naomi.  Lady Naomi.  What I said before is true; 
Jaquel has difficulty making decisions.  I truly had not thought to bother you 
with this matter.  But, as it now seems that you are prepared to take sole 
leadership of this Warren upon yourself, I can step down from my post as chief 
advisor.  You may find it useful from time to time to consult me on matters ... 
Then again, you may not.'
	
	Naomi wondered a bit to herself how much of what D'Gerrit was 
saying was actually meant.  'The good of the Warren is what concerns me 
most, and I merely hope that we can now patch relations with Harkon.'  
D'Gerrit nodded, but declined to comment further.  He had ideas ... but 
she would succeed or fail on her own, taking the Warren with her if 
necessary.  

	'Then it may behoove me to point out that Jaquel had taken the 
liberty of appointing me Wingleader of a new Beta Wing.  I had appointed 
K'Lestide, rider of Redspann, as my second, and had mentioned to many 
others the structure and organization of my wing.  I can inform them all 
that's not necessary if you'd like ...'

	'We can talk of that later, although I see no problems with it.'  
D'Gerrit hid the bit of startlement he felt.  'As with you, the Warren is 
my highest concern, and as with Jaquel.  But she was always very 
particular about how she wanted it run ... I would appreciate it greatly 
if you would tell heer you are assuming all responsibilities as of now.  
I'm not sure how I would go about it or how she'll handle it.  Especially 
now.'

	Naomi wondered a bit what he meant by that last part ... 

	'Agreed ... I will expect to see you tomorrow, to discuss the 
arrangements for your new wing.  Now, if you will excuse me, I must see 
to Harkon.'
	
	D'Gerrit summoned Orobos and left.

	He wondered what Rixx would have done.

	And thought of traitors at the Warren, evil ones who would poison 
dragons and exile an innocent man to the unforgiving wilderness.  It made 
such a romantic tale, and this one would have a surprise ending, he felt 
sure.	

	The next day, an old woman named Hannah finds a not attached to 
the door of her dying operation.  'An Order for Relocation.'  Signed by the 
Lady Jaquel.


[nrpg]

	Truly sorry about the lag in my posts -- I was going to post 
Saturday but the server was down (excuses ...)

	On to the organization of the Wing -- Shall we let the PCs 
'volunteer' to be in D'Gerrit's or T'Rend's wings, assign them, or what?  
Open to suggestions ... !

	
'Til Later ...

	Josh 'Khan' Kubli

	'There has not been any great genius without an element of madness.'
		--Seneca