<Naomi>


T'grat and Naomi stood watching the wing go through its drills.  There were
gaps in many areas, and it would be a long time before those who had fallen
in the battle against the wilders would be forgotten.


"We lost more than a dozen riders last night Naomi, and we still haven't
really recovered from the attack that decimated Constance's clutch.  I
can't see how we can be expected to send riders to this new Warren they're
opening up and still have enough riders to protect ourselves and those
under our wings."  T'grat said quietly


"I offered our support and personnel T'grat, and I'll stand by my pledge to
aid as and where we can."  Naomi shielded her eyes against the sun as she
watched Alpha wing. "They already understand they we can't spare many
riders.... and we're not the only Warren that's short on manpower.  I've
already had a few volunteers.... there's always *some* willing to go where
the adventures lead them."


"Well they'll be finished in a few minutes and you can ask them then.  How
many of the Unjoined will be going?"


"Enough!"  Naomi said   "Those that haven't been picked for the last three
Hatchings mostly."


"I suppose they think they'll have a better chance elsewhere?" T'grat
grinned  "It always amazes me how they think it's someone else's fault that
they weren't chosen.  Fortunately dragons have more sense than some humans."


"Hm!  I'm not always convinced of that."  Naomi replied, eyes alight with
mischief  "After all Malachite picked you....."


"Ha!  And Amethyst made a sensible choice I suppose?  If you weren't
WarrenLady I'd....."


"You'd what?"  Naomi grinned and poked her tongue out  "Whatever it is I'd
like to see you try... especially with Greta looking on.  Which reminds
me... when are they due back in Whitbarrow?"


"They're not going back Naomi."  T'grat said, looking her straight in the
eye  "If I have to I'll go somewhere far away from Norwall and Whitbarrow
to keep them with me....."


"Are you sure you know what you're doing?"  Naomi asked gently, resting her
hand on his arm  "Harkon is a dangerous man to cross."


"That's why I'll leave Norwall if necessary."  T'grat sighed and shrugged
"It's not your fight.... or Norwall's."


"Lars and Alyne are my responsibility since they both have strong dragon
affinity.  We'll think of something, don't you worry."  Naomi said
comfortingly  


"Which of the riders volunteered to leave?"  T'grat abruptly changed the
subject so she wouldn't see how upset he was at the though of losing Greta
"You did say there had been some riders wanting to go?"


"Yes."  she nodded  "As'Tarth and  M'narrin came to me yesterday after the
battle. They were very eager to leave us too... wanted to go right there
and then."


"That's strange!"  T'grat said thoughtfully  "They've been much more
settled recently.  Although I thought we'd have problems with them a while
ago when they both asked to transfer to Beta wing..... right out of the
blue too."


"I remember that!"  she exclaimed  "I had a strange feeling about that at
the time.  I'm sure there was something going on there.... but I could
never figure out just what it was they were afraid of.  I thought they'd
had a run in with you... but it seemed more as if they were afraid of
D'gerrit."


"Then why would they *ask* to transfer to his wing?"  he mused quietly
"Unless he had some kind of hold over them and he was using it to get them
where he could use them.  That would make some kind of sense... they were
happy enough when I told them he wouldn't be leading Beta wing after all
because he of the fall he took."


"And there's the reason they want to leave Norwall.... D'gerrit woke up and
they're afraid that he might try something of the sort again.  If they're
not here then he can't get to them!"


"Hm!"  T'grat said  "I think I'd have to agree.  And what are you going to
do about continuing the search for D'gerrit?  If he doesn't *want* to be
found....."


"I think you're right T'grat.  Maybe it's best to just let him come back
when he's ready."  she sighed, "I wanted to be able to say I'd at least
tried to find him, that's all.  You're not the first to say I should leave
it be."


"As long as he stays far from Norwall then I'm all for letting him live his
own life any way he feels fit.  But...."


"What can one man on his own do to an entire Warren T'grat?"  Naomi asked.
She shivered as a cold premonition swept over her, and she shrugged as she
tried to push it aside.  


"You never know when that one man is D'gerrit!"  he answered  "But let's
talk of something else shall we?  The wing has finished practice for this
morning, and the new trainees are just arriving.... let's go talk to them
about the new Warren..."


<..>


".... so if any of you want to be considered for transfer to the Cleft then
come and see me in my office as soon as possible."  Naomi finished  "It
won't all be fun and adventure though... so think about it carefully.  Now
I'm sure T'grat has a few things he wants to say to you all... so I'll only
take up a little more of your time.  Arwin... I'd like to talk to you in my
office as soon as this slave driver lets you go.  And you too Soliel.


"Meena..."  she drew the woman away from the other riders,   "I like to
talk to you about Demee sometime.  It's not urgent, so any time that will
suit you... And I'd rather it was in a familiar place for Demee.  I don't
want to frighten him...."


"Is it really necessary Naomi?"  Meena asked anxiously  "He had quite a
fright yesterday and I don't want to upset him any further."


Her eyes were full of concern for the little boy and Naomi sighed softly,
knowing how much Meena loved her son.


"I just need to talk to him for a little while.  I'd like to find out how
strong his telepathy is... the scream he let out last night nearly took the
top of my head off!.... and he has to learn a trick or two about control.
If he doesn't I can see some very uncomfortable moments in the days ahead."
 she patted Meena's hand "I won't push him Meena, I promise.  And I promise
that Harkon won't *ever* get his hands on him....."


"Come and have dinner with us tonight."  Meena said, finally making up her
mind to accept the inevitable.


"Thanks Meena."  Naomi smiled  "That will be the perfect opportunity.  I'll
see you later..... "


*******

<T'grat>


As Naomi drew Meena away, and the older riders began drifting away in two
and threes, T'grat turned to the trainees.


"I'm proud of the help you all gave with the search yesterday."  he praised
them  "I'm not so proud of the trouble you gave Naomi and Lacey last
night... but no harm done, and I know that none of you were really that
eager to get yourselves killed."


There were a few red faces and T'grat chuckled kindly at their chagrin.


"You're not he only ones by a long way.  I was just as impatient when I was
newly Joined... and someday I'll tell you all about the tricks Naomi tried
to get up to.  But that's for another time.  Now you all have the pleasant
task of finding skyside apartments for you and your dragons.  There are
plenty to choose from...."


"How do we know which ones we can take?"  T'rence asked 


"If it's unoccupied and you're first there then you can have it."  T'grat
told him  "All the apartments are furnished with the basics... if you need
anything extra you'll have to bargain with one of the crafters for it.  You
can still use the dining hall if you don't want to cook for yourselves.
Once you've found yourselves someone to live, I want you back on the Green
ready and willing to start learning combat techniques."


"At last!"  one of the girls breathed quietly  "We'll be doing something
useful...."


"You'll have plenty to *do* from now on."  T'grat warned her  "When I hear
you cursing me for overworking you.... and I will!... I'll remind you of
what you just said.  If you've no questions I suggest you all get going....
I won't be so lenient and indulgent from now on.  This is where you all
start to earn your keep."


As the trainees turned to leave, T'grat called out;


"Aleipha... I'd like a word with you please."


The girl said a quick goodbye to her friends, and then walked to where
T'grat was standing.


"Was it important?"  she asked him  "It's just that Piper and I were going
to look together."


"It's important to you.... but if you'd rather leave it then we can talk
another time.  Or would you rather talk to a woman about it?"  T'grat
asked, a faint smile pulled at the corner of his mouth  "Penthos is going
to be ready to join the mating flights any time now...."


<NRPG  Michelle? *g*>

******

<Naomi>


The soft knock on the door startled her for a second, but she pushed away
the papers she'd been working on and called 'come in'


"Arwin, Soliel!"  she got up and walked round the desk to greet them
"Thank you both for coming to see me so quickly.  Can I offer you tea or
fruit juice?"


She led them to a cosy grouping of chairs, making sure they were
comfortable and had refreshments to hand, before seating herself.


"You're probably both wondering why I asked you here."  she began, smiling
as they nodded at her  "Arwin... I just wanted to thank you again for your
rescue of Hered.... without you I doubt he'd be alive still."


"It needed to be done."  was the brief reply


"Still I'm grateful... and so is Meena.  But that's just part of the reason
I wanted to see you.  I've noticed that you spend far too much time alone,
and I'm worried that you're not making friends with the others.  And that's
where you come in Soliel...."


<NRPG  Mikki or Tanya.... tag!>


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
T'grat & Malachite


NRPG  Seeya at dinner Kris!  *g*
-- 
Mint,  the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  FO   USS Javelin       T'beth  Counsellor     USS Magellan 
Lillith the Mage     Broken Lands     Minty, Kirimith's rider  Dragon Lands
                       
                             Caliban, Lute's human,  Dragon Lands
Naomi, QueenRider to Amethyst, Norwall's WarrenLady,  Dragon Lands

 
 http://www.netkonect.co.uk/l/lovers/mint/norwall.html