Darrkon entered the dining hall with the intention of having a late
supper before his extra patrol.  T'grat had assigned it to him as a
reminder of what can happen when a dragonrider doesn't follow
procedures.  The area he was to patrol was the same area Jilt and Felice
fell on.  As he looked over the occupants of the hall he noticed the
usual gathering of folks.  Then two figures caught his eye.  Lacey and
Naomi were involved in a conversation.  He scanned the rest of the room
just to get an account of who was there, an old habit, when he looked
back he was the focus of their attention.

Darrkon made his way over to their table and took a seat next to Lacey,
"Good evening Naomi, hi Lacey."  He said taking his lover's hand, It's
good to see you back.  How'd the meeting go?"

"As good as could be expected." Naomi answered, "There are some troubles
in the south..."

"Which can be discussed later."  Lacey chimed in, "Go ahead.  You wanted
to know, so ask him."

Darrkon was confused by the sudden turn in the conversation, "Ask me
what?"

"I brought this up before."  Naomi began, "Outside of the medical
center.  But I didn't get a chance to get an answer."  The events of the
day had been so hectic Darrkon forgot what the question was.  "I need to
know, for my own piece of mind and to see if you can help the warren in
any other capacity.  Are you telepathic?"

Darrkon looked at Naomi, to Lacey and back again, "She didn't tell you?"

Once again Lacey spoke up, "It was something told to me in private.I
thought it should stay that way until you wanted it known.  I wouldn't
tell anyone, not even my big sister.  She answered smiling
apologetically.


Darrkon appreciated what he had in Lacey all the more, Well the answer
to your question is yes I am.  But not to any great extent.  I'm not
sure how I could help."

"What's important is that you learn to control your responce to feelings
or messages you recieve.  We can't have you going off half cocked every
time Lacey's in trouble can we?"  Naomi teased, "You'd never get any
sleep."

"More training huh."  Darrkon answered, "Good I've been feeling ancy
lately."  The trio discussed a few more things including how Darrkon
should begin his new training.  At the end on their conversation he left
for patrol.

(Kat, Les anything to add)

<..>

Lancer's Tor

Darrkon and Calindeth flew over the area of the fateful battle.  Nothing
much had happened so far during their patrol. When they spotted a small
fire in an opening in the forest the duo decided to investigate.

<Darrkon I think we've found something.>  Calindeth told him with slight
interest in the situation.

<What is it.  A lost caravan?>

<No.  One wagon is being raided.>  Calindeth focused on the scene harder
<There is a boy on the ground and an old man.  Some men are taking a
bundle into the forest.>

This concerned Darrkon.  It was the same situation his village had
suffered, an attack by bandits and no dragonriders.  He decided to
change this outcome.  <Do a fly by to get their attention then land.  By
the way, how many are there?>

<Four.>  The dragon answered.

<OK.  No need to call for backup...yet.>

Calindeth performed his flyby and the bandits scattered into the trees.
After the dragon landed Darrkon dismounted and walked toward the place
the men disappeared.  <Come on out fellas, and I'll go easy on you.
We'll go head to head.  If I have to come in after you my dragon's
flames come first.>

>From the trees he heard, <That doesn't sound like the talk of a
warrenbound.>

<Who ever said I was from a warren?>  Darrkon knew that would get their
attention.  After a minute three men came from the trees.  One of the
men was a giant, easily seven feet.  The others were average height.

The giant came at him first, <I'm gonna smash you like a bug.>  Darrkon
didn'y see any reason to reply.  Anyway this man was foul and the sooner
this was over the better.  The mammoth man swung one of his huge arms
and connected with Darrkon chin.  The giant was faster than he looked.
Darrkon rolled and got to his feet.  Calindeth hissed and distracted the
monster.  Darrkon immediately sent a kick to the man's knee which
knocked him off balance.  He drove into his assailant's midsection which
knocked him off his feet and continued driving with a knee to the groin
and finishing with a headbutt.  Darrkon let the man fall and rolled
again.  When he turned around he was surprised to see the giant passed
out.  The bigger they are the quicker they fall he thought.

(Uh oh, running out of time...to be continued)