Darrkon awoke in the medcenter in a rage.  His mind was foggy but his
anger at those who invaded his home was clear.  As he lept from his
ledge, he felt himself falling and wondered how this could be happening.
When his face hit the cold floor clarity came to him.  He was seeing and
felling things sent by Calindeth.  In his weakened state his mind was
unable to disern separate thoughts.  At least while the rider was
asleep.  Now he knew what he must do.

Darrkon grabbed a robe left in the room and rushed out of the medical
building.  He knew Lilliana wouldn't have let him leave under normal
circumstances, but with all fo the commotion around he'd bet she hadn't
seen him leave. <Tell me exactly what is happening.>  He urged his
dragon as they met on the green.
 
Calindeth had smartly grabbed a bundle
which Darrkon always kept nearby.  In it was an extra change of clothes.
He discarded the robe and changed.  By the time he had mounted the great
grey beast before him Darrkon had already re-opened a number of the cuts
he had recieved the night before.  <Wilders attack.>  His dragon
answered.  <They have grabbed the child of the human Meena.>

Darrkon didn't believe the child could possibly be alive any longer.
But he would go along to rescue him none the less.  Not only because it
was expected of him, but because he refused to let the wilder enjoy his
catch, if it was up to him this would be the last raid the dragon ever
saw and the last child it would ever kill.

When the wing took flight Darrkon told Calindeth to ask T'grat if
one pair should go after the kidnapper, and to tell him he'd volunteer
if S'ran was willing.  <A rider already goes.>  Came Calindeth's answer.

<A rider?  Who would go alone?>  This upset Darrkon, not only because he
was beaten to action but also because it was exactly what T'grat had
lectured him on as "irresponsible behavior".

<It is a new pair.  At least new to Norwall.  They are Haroc and his
human H'tor, the red above and to the left.  T'grat says we are to
attack from below, others will take them high.>

<Good he's giving us the vulnerable areas.  You know what to do.>
He and Calindeth probably had more experience fighting wilders than most
in the warren, but living in the wild had helped them develop a few
tricks.

<Darrkon, might I remind you that we fight as a team, in a wing.  Our
stunts of old can no longer help us, we must be able to be seen by our
partner and to see them as well.>

Darrkon hated to admit it but his dragon was right.  Now all the fun was
taken out of the idea of battle.  The team flew into the fray, intent in
searing any wilder that came into their path...


<..>

Med Center - later that day

Darrkon entered the room where the young boy and the other two travelers
rested.  The young boy lay in a bed with a bandaged head, a woman lay in
a cot beside him and the old man sat asleep in a chair.  At the sound of
Darrkon's purposely loud footsteps the man stirred awake.  When he got
up to face Darrkon, the riderstopped in disbelief.  Of all the people he
could have run across what are the odds that it would have been...

"Maykor!  Is it really you?  Had I known I would have stopped by
sooner."

The old man looked at him surprised and confused, "I thought it was you
when I saw the grey dragon and it's masked rider.  Many of my friends
have told me of your rescues and how you asked nothing in return.  When
you disappeared many thought you dead.  I am honored to meet you
Darrkon, but how may I ask do you know of me?"

At the old man's last words, a realization came to Darrkon.  He had not
seen Maykor since before he was a bandit, since befor he found
Calindeth, since before the mask.  He also realized the other
inhabitants of the room were awake and listening.  "I should not have
expected you to remember me.  It was such a long time ago.  Maybe this
will help you remember."  He reached down into his boot and retrieved
his dagger and handed it to the old man.  After a few minutes of
examining the knife the Maykor looked back at Darrkon eyes wide and
unsure.

"It can't be.  You can't be the same boy who came to me those many years
ago asking to be trained as a miner and jeweler."  He grabbed Darrkon's
right arm and checked his forarm.  When the ancient figure found
starburst burn Darrkon had recieved after fooloshly nosing around
Maykor's freshly formed pieces, the man grabbed Darrkon in a bear hug
surprisingly strong for one so old.  Then he turned to the others behind
him, "Darrkon this is my apprentice Agniom."  The two enchanged hellos.
"And I'm sure you remember my daughter Narina."  The woman who walked
toward Darrkon was far too beautiful to be the awkward girl he
remembered of his childhood.

"Of course.  Hello Narina."  He stammered.

"Hello Darrkon, Or should I say Karellen?"