< Good morning sunshine > Haroc said as H'tor stirred once beneath his 
comforter.

The man grunted and rose, throwing the covers in such a way that they 
fell off the mattress onto the floor.

The dragon stood at the edge of the ledge of their apartment and watched 
the morning activity on the green far below. As he studied the tiny 
figures he wondered why H'tor had insisted on occupying the highest 
available apartment. The others would say it was an effort to distance 
himself from them but Haroc knew better. H'tor did not avoid human 
contact, he simply appeared to have no interest in it, as if it was not 
a consideration. If it was important to H'tor to be so high above the 
green and so close to the lip of the extinct volcano it was a tactical 
decision. Either H'tor wanted to be outside the bowl quickly or able to 
build up the most speed possible on the downward plunge towards the 
green. Twice before H'tor had pressed for such a high perch and Haroc 
hoped that the events that had justified their position then weren't 
about to repeat themselves.

< You haven't gotten up so late in several years > the dragon said as 
H'tor stepped up next to him. < That book you were reading must have 
been very interesting. >

Haroc watched H'tor scan the skyline then drain a cup of water before 
glancing down at the green. Apparently satisfied with the relatively 
harmonious scene he turned around and walked back into the apartment.

< It's an original S'son > H'tor said as he refilled his cup from the 
pitcher next to his bed. He swallowed half of it before setting it down 
to begin his morning stretching. < The language was extremely archaic 
which might explain why we could never master the diving flutter reverse 
maneuver of K'mit's translation. It appears that K'mit left out a number 
of details. >

< Did you ever consider we couldn't do it because I don't "flutter?" >

< Are you admitting that you can't do something a dragon who lived over 
two thousand years ago could? >

Haroc wasn't about to admit any such thing but he privately hoped that 
they wouldn't practice the bizarre acrobatics in front of the whole 
warren. H'tor could never grasp that a dragon had his dignity.

Haroc leaped from the ledge of their apartment to stretch his wings in 
the morning air. Beating an easy rhythm he climbed slowly towards the 
far lip of the bowl. He'd made it halfway before he heard the call to 
assembly.

Haroc was back at their apartment in a moment and landed gently next to 
where H'tor stood in his armor holding the heaviest of their saddles.

< Is the full battle-kit really necessary? > Haroc asked as the man 
began to load him down. < This is a search and rescue mission at best. >

H'tor ignored the question. He worked quickly and efficiently, 
triple-checking every strap, every buckle. Years of practice finished 
the job almost as soon as it was begun.

H'tor took his place and they cleared their apartment's mouth and 
started a slow descent towards the green.

*********

Submitted by Abe Barker

"The yellow dog attacked alone knowing it would die, but yet it 
attacked. It was driven by the hunt...by something in its being that 
needed to kill" -- Forged in Honor (Leonard B. Scott)