[dl]
	D'gerrit realized he was a bit late arriving at Naomi's office, 
but it couldn't be helped.  He knocked three times, quietly, and waited.  
Naomi's young voice said 'come in,' and he heard her mutter something 
else.  A foul imprecation, perhaps?

> 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...."

	D'gerrit turned to face the younger girl, the one who had opposed 
him yesterday regarding Harkon's succession.  He was shocked at the 
mocking tone that Naomi chose to use, and the presumption of inviting an 
outsider, even a relative, into a Leadership meeting.

	<Perhaps they are afraid of you, D'gerrit.  Naomi likely wants 
a witness to anything said.>
	
	<That is possible, Orobos.  I realize that the child likely 
thinks I am simply obnoxious.  Wait until she begins working personally 
with a few of the truly obnoxious members of this Warren!>

	D'gerrit cleared his throat slightly.  'My apologies on my 
lateness, Lady.'  He was intentionally formal, deferential even, as if to 
spurn an intended insult.  'I assure you I prize puncutality, but I 
discovered only a short while ago that my office was broken into last 
night.'  He cocked his head to one side.  'I had to secure my papers and 
have the lock changed, for the safety of the Warren, of course.  Nothing 
was missing, but a few papers were shuffled about.  I don't expect it to 
happen again.'
	
	Naomi spared her sister a quick glance.  This was certainly a new 
development!  Was he making up the whole story?  And was he, with his 
simple words, casting blame, or ...?

	"I see.  I will speak to some of the others about possible 
prowlers in the vicinity last night.  On to more important matters ..."

	D'gerrit had a seat, relaxed slightly.  Naomi obviously 
considered her words carefully.  "I have spoken with the healers, and 
they say that Jaquel has obviously been suffering from lapses of memory 
and attention.  Therefore, it is best that I assume her duties as well.  
I know she would rather it had been later, but her long delay in the 
matter of moving the cloth-dying operations resulted in several 
hospitalizations.  Our people need to feel safe here."  D'gerrit simply 
nodded.

	When a short pause ensued, he stated simply, 'My first priority 
has always been the Warren.  All else -- even I -- am secondary to the 
good of our people and dragons.'  Naomi simply nodded, while Lacy 
listened without comment.

	"Good.  Here is the list of riders and dragons I was considering 
transferring to the new Beta wing under you and Orobos.  I was wondering 
if you had any other suggestions."
	
	D'gerrit accepted the paper, nodding, perusing it, comparing it to 
noates he had brought along.  'I see ... Soliel and Firen?  Ah, another new 
pair.  Yes, I told you that I had nominated K'lestide as my Wingsecond, along 
with Redspann.  I was also going to add As'Tarth and Moonstone, Z'drash and 
Rubyclaw, mmm, who else ... T'rella and Lapis Lazuli, M'narrin and 
Rhavigrat, V'tann and Lorgebb, D'rothe and Throth ... those were my only 
requests.  Along with any volunteers to my wing.'  He handed his paper to 
Naomi, who accepted it and looked it over, struggling to recall all of the 
names.  "I'll have to think on this, but I do not see any immediate problems."

	D'gerrit nodded.  'Good.  I'll speak to T'grat about helping on 
relief patrol shifts with the few definite members, and we can expand our 
patrols once we've a more definite membership.'

	"Yes.  It might be well for you to have a talk with a few of the 
new riders, tell them what to expect and when training will begin."  She 
gazed directly at D'gerrit.
	
	He lowered his gaze.  'I know you aren't very fond of me, and 
that my methods are much different than yours, but I hope that we can 
work together well.  These people need good leadership, they expect it.  
I wish you luck.'  His clear gaze met hers.

	Naomi blinked, nodded a bit.  "I appreciate the sentiment, 
D'gerrit.  I hope we can cooperate as well.  And as long as my leadership 
is accepted, I will do everything in my power to govern well."

	<Well well, Orobos, the terms are drawn.  A waiting game.  Most 
amusing.>
	
	<Will they accept a male leader?>
	
	<They seem to accept a child.  They will accept _me_.>

[insert whatever else Naomi wanted to discuss with him].

	After a few more minor issues were discussed, D'gerrit bowed 
deeply and departed.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-	

	'You are a fool!'

	The speaker turned on his nearby friend.  The other lad, in his 
early twenties, turned to the first.  'What are you talking about, 
As'Tarth?  We never expected that Shard would ever come back.  He must have 
told D'gerrit what happened at the last mating.  And we needed to know if he 
was going to assign us to his wing!  Now that we know ... we must make 
plans on how to protect ourselves ...'

	'It's too late for that.'

	The two turned, startled, to see the figure of D'gerrit standing, 
impassive, in the torchlight.  The former wingmate of Rixx Highsun, 
Norwall's greatest fighter, D'gerrit was known as a formidable 
swordsman.  And was not known for gentleness, or even for evenness of 
temper.  

	'D'gerrit!  How can we ... help you?'

	D'gerrit, scowled deeply.  'I will make this very, very simple.  
You are going to be very enthusiastic about joining my Wing.  You are 
going to make every effort to uphold the feeble trust I put in you.  And you 
are never again going to harm Shard in any way.  I know you for thieves and 
backstabbers ... when there are no convenient rocks to throw.  If not, 
you may expect nothing but myriad forms of innovative pain.  Am I 
understood?'

	'Y-y-yes!  Sir!' 

	D'gerrit smiled slightly.  'I do reward those who serve their 
Warren well.  But those blinded by the past ... they are hopeless.'  He 
thought of Jaquel.  Perhaps the present situation was just as well; it 
had been getting harder and harder to get her to do anything.  D'gerrit 
stepped closer.  The friends As'Tarth and M'narrin forced themselves 
to appear relaxed, and straightened form their instinctive combat 
positions.  'You are young.  You can learn from your mistakes. That is 
what life is all about.'  He turned and stalked from the room.

	The two friends faced each other.  Even on hunts for the Wild 
Ones, the two had rarely been more terrified.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 

	D'gerrit came upon Soliel as she sat in the dining center of the 
Warren.  He stood nearby and asked quietly, 'Do you mind if I sit down?'

	She glanced up sharply.  'S'ephan, I -- Oh!  I'm sorry!  Please!'

	He took a seat.  'My name is D'gerrit.  I am the leader of 
the new Beta Wing, and, as I understand it, you are going to be assigned 
to my wing.'

[Tag, Michelle.  He's just going to get a sense of her personality, ask a 
little about her combat skills, and leave.] 
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Later,

Khan