The sun rising over the bowl of the Warren was a beautiful sight, and as
usual Naomi was there to witness it.  Years of early rising was a hard habit
to break, and she put the time alone to good use. 


Pinning her hair back neatly she went into Amethyst quarters.  The dragon
was looking better for her oiling, the dusty patches Naomi had found now
covered with a light sheen.  She'd been horrified when she'd realised just
how badly she'd neglected Amethyst...


*You have many things to do Naomi.*  her dragon said sleepily  *And I
understand that you can't always take time to oil me.  But the swim last
night was fun, wasn't it?  You should relax more...*


*I know love, but it's hard.  Every time I think I might have a few minutes
to be just me instead of Warrenlady of Norwall something else needs my
attention.*  Naomi sighed and patted Amethyst neck, scratching her eye
ridges with affection.  *Well at least I have you love.  I don't have to be
anyone but myself with you.*


Amethyst lowered her head, and butted Naomi gently in the side;


*Could we hunt today? *  Amethyst asked wistfully  *I would like to catch my
dinner instead of it just walking into my jaws.*


*You have a way with words my love, don't you?*  Naomi grimaced at the
picture the dragon had conjured in her mind  *I'll make time for you to
hunt... I promise.  But it may be after moonrise.*


*I like to hunt by moonlight.*  Amethyst said with a satisfied sigh  *The
chase is much harder then...*


*OK my sweet, tonight we hunt.  Now I have Warren business to attend to, and
that waits for no woman or dragon.  I'd like you to talk with the other
dragons today about Calendeth becoming a part of the Warren, just to see if
they will accept him easily.  That'll give me some idea of how the riders
will react...*


*A chance to gossip!*  the dragon chuckled with delight  *That will be fun!
I have no objection to Calendeth staying.....*


*Oh you... you.... flirt!*  Naomi hugged the dragon's neck and then climbed
astride.  *Come on, let's get started before the sun gets too high.*


As they took off from the ledge she noticed the solitary figures of A'shair
and Sirus out on their patrol sweep.


*Strange man that.  I'd really like to get to know him better...*



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

<Medical centre>


Naomi knocked lightly on Lilliana's door, not wanting to disturb the Healer
if she were sleeping.  She received a quiet "Come in" and knew her hope that
the woman had taken some rest had been forlorn.  She opened the door, and
walked in already opening her mouth to admonish the Healer about taking it
easy.  However Lilliana got there first;


"Yes, I intend to sleep sometime.  No I know I'm not indispensable.  Yes I
appreciate your concern for my welfare.  Did I get it all?"  Lilliana asked
with some amusement  "No I do not read minds.  But Janna has just been here
and she said what you're thinking....."


"Bravo for Janna!"  Naomi laughed   "I was going to say all that... now I
don't need to.  Did you actually go to bed at all last night?"


"For a while.  But then B'den brought Farrah in...."


"So what did they have?  Is the babe well?"  Naomi asked excitedly  "A new
life is always cause for celebration."


"They've a bonny boy, healthy and strong as a young dragonet.  They haven't
decided on a name yet and I don't want them disturbed."  she fixed Naomi
with a stern glare  "No... not even by you!  Farrah had a hard time bringing
him into the world and she's sleeping."


"OK! OK!  I'll wait."  Naomi conceded  "What I really came to see you about
though is Jaquel's mental state.  I'm getting very worried about her
Lilliana.  I think the sooner you start those tests the better."


"I'd intended to get her in here today.  I agree that her vagueness and
forgetfulness is cause for some concern.  I'll let you know the results as
soon as I can."


"Thank you.  Now off to bed with you.  We can't have our Healer getting
sick... who would dish out hangover cures?"  Naomi laughed as she left the
room, Lilliana's muttering following her into the corridor.


*A bit of gossip for you to spread Amethyst.  Farrah's babe was born in the
night....*


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

<Warren Green>


"S'ran!"  Naomi hurried to catch her brother  "Wait S'ran.  I need to talk
to you."


S'ran paused, and hugged Naomi to him as she reached his side.


"I want to talk to you about something S'ran.  Last night M'lent brought a
Wilder into see me.  He's lived alone a long time and wants to be part of a
Warren.  I'd like to give him a chance, but I  need to know how the others
will react.  Are they likely to accept him do you think?"  


"Hm!  Difficult question that.  We've no reason to love that kind...." he
mused quietly


"Prejudice?  From you S'ran?"  Naomi asked shocked


"No!  You know me better than that little sister.  No... I was thinking
aloud about what the older riders will say." he smiled at her  "The younger
ones will have no problems, but the older riders.  Well...."


"That's what I was afraid of.  I suppose one more problem from them won't
make that much difference.  I'm going to give it a try I think.  If he
doesn't fit in he'll probably leave of his own accord anyway.  Thanks
S'ran."  Naomi kissed him  "I'll let him know later today..."


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

<Dragonet barracks>


Naomi pushed open the door as Soliel called 'come in'.  The girl was propped
against her dragon, gently strumming a small lap harp and humming to
herself. She put the instrument aside when she saw Naomi, and stood up
brushing the straw from her skirt.


"Hello again Soliel.  I'm sorry to disturb your playing, that was a
beautiful melody."  Naomi smiled, and came further into room.  "I just came
to talk to you about training for this beautiful creature."  Naomi patted
Firen gently  "I've decided you should join Beta wing, under Wingleader
D'gerrit.  He'll come and talk to you about training sessions and care of
your dragon later today."


"Thank you.  I was beginning to feel useless watching the others go out on
patrol and such and not knowing when I'd be able to join them."  Soliel replied


"It'll be a few days yet.  As soon as Firen is big enough you'll take your
first flight together, then you'll be taught to teleport, then flight
tactics.... You'll soon wish for this quiet time the two of you have had to
get to know each other."


<NRPG  Michelle... anything you'd like to add here.>


***********

<Naomi's office>


Lacey was seated and waiting when Naomi finally reached her office.  She
smiled as her sister walked in and said;


"Good morning.  I was beginning to think I'd have to talk to D'gerrit on my
own."


"I wouldn't do that to you, Lacey.  I had a few things to sort out this
morning but I'm here now.  Have you eaten breakfast yet this morning?  If
not I'd appreciate the company after we've seen D'gerrit..."


<NRPG  Kat...tag!>


A knock on the door finally heralded D'gerrit's arrival.  Naomi called 'come
in' and murmured to her sister;


"Deliberate lateness I shouldn't wonder."


She rose as D'gerrit entered, and gestured him to a seat across form her.


"Thank you for your time D'gerrit."  her tone was ironic  "We have a lot to
discuss this morning.  I hope you don't mind Lacey being present?   This
will be good training for when she eventually become s Warrenlady herself...."


<NRPG  Josh... your turn!>


***********


*Calendeth?  I would appreciate it if you'd ask your ride to join me in my
office*


*Who?*  Calendeth asked, his start of surprise clear in his thoughts  


*I'm sorry Calendeth.  I thought the others would have told you about me.*
Naomi told the dragon  *I'm Naomi, Amethyst's human.  Would you ask Darrkon
to come and see me as soon as he has the chance please.*


*Sure.*  


<NRPG  And your turn Ismail>


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst


Kris... I'll leave the next post about T'grat to you as you know what you
have in mind, once I get a feel for what you're doing though.... <g>


Justin... I wasn't sure what A'shair would be doing so I'll leave you to
interact with Naomi if you want to.  <g>


All.. Have fun!
-- 
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