On Fri, 18 Oct 1996, Michelle D. Pacheco wrote:

 Soliel felt a wave of excitement surge through her as she joined the 
 raging battle. Dragons fought above and below her, and she was proud to 
 do her warren a service. 
 
 *Firen, Calindeth, attack from below* Frien forwarded Malachite's message 
 to her. Directing Firen, they dropped in altitude and continued to flame 
 teh wild dragons.
 
 *We will win this battle* Firen reassured her.
 
 *Of Course we will, when was there ever any other outcome?* Soliel said 
 with a laugh.
 
 She felt that they had been in the air for years, dodging and flaming 
 wild dragons. Her adrenaline was weakening, and she felt as if she might 
 fall asleep in the saddle. 
 
 The events of the next minute went by so quickly, she wasnt sure exactly 
 in what order they happened. She was looking up at T'grat and Malachite, 
 when she saw a small wild about to attack from their blind side.
 
 *MALACHITE! Dragon attacking to your rear!!* Soliel could hear Firen's 
 shouted warning, and saw with relief, Malachite perform a quick roll that 
 caught T'grat Completely unaware. She issued a sigh of relief.
 After a few more minutes Firen relayed a message...
 
 *T'grat says that if we are tired we may take a break....*
 Soliel Eyed Firen, and laughed. 
 
 *As if i would let him stay while i left. Tell him we stay, and we fight 
 until this is through.* 
 
 Firen relayed the message.
 
 *He apologises for offending you.*
 
 Soliel laughed.
 
 *You, my dearest Firen, many tell him i am not offened anymore.*
 
She surveyed her soroundings, and dodged the dragon that tried to flame 
Firen. Her fellow riders her tired, and their dragons could barely stay 
in the air.  To her left, she could see Mordig'n and Destiny fighting off 
a large Red Wilder. She urged Firen to fly near him to help. 

*Mordig'n and Destiny thank us* Firen assured her, when, between the 4 of 
them, they defeated the dragon. She looked up to catch Mordig'n flash her 
a smile of gratitude, and she smiled back. 

Suddenly there was a combination keening and cheer. Demee had been 
rescued! 

She realized that they finally had the upper hand in the battle, and that 
soon, she would be able to eat and rest. 

*Watch them fly away in defeat!* Triumfantly, Firen emmitted one last 
flame, as the Wilds flew away. 

Smiling tiredly, she waited for the order to return from the warren, and 
when it came, she gladly directed Firen to do so.

***

She sat on Firen's back, too tired to even unharness herself from her 

"saddle" of sorts. She knew that if she were to close her eyes, she could 
fall asleep right where she sat. 

"Come now, surely you want some food before you fall asleep there, 
Soliel." Looking up, she blinked, surprised. She hadn't Heard Mordig'n 
walk up. But then, as tired as she had been.... 

"food..." she yawned, "would be divine right now..." 

"Then come with me to the dining hall."

When Soliel nodded assent, Mordig'n helped undo the buckles on her harness, 
and lifted her from Firen. Quickly the two of them took the "saddle" 
contraption from Firen's back and Soliel motioned her to go eat.

"If you are too tired to fly, deareast..." Firen grumbled at this *I can 
find you something to eat...*

*And not catch my dinner my self?* She snorted. *I don't think so* And 
with a gracefulness that belied her exaustion, flew to where the heards 
where pastured.

Stretching, she walked with Mordig'n to the Dining Hall.

Submitted By: Michelle/Soliel