<M'lent - Afternoon, Naomi's office>


He ushered the two youngsters into the office when Naomi called out.  He
patted Domaia on the shoulder, knowing that she was nervous even though she
tried hard to hide her feelings.  Her fear was understandable in the
circumstances he supposed... even though he'd tried to explain that
anything that had happened in Fairlight wouldn't count against her in the
Warren.  She seemed to think this was some new form of punishment....


*I've never known anyone who didn't *want* to become a dragonrider given
the opportunity.*  M'lent told Ebony, puzzlement at her failure to
understand colouring his thoughts.  *She doesn't seem to take in what I'm
saying when I try to explain it to her.*


*She's frightened.*  was Ebony's amused reply  *I could feel her fear when
she rode on my back last night.  Perhaps she really does believe the
nonsense about my kind eating humans that the Landbound teach their
hatchlings.*


*A fairy tale told to children!  I think she would have grown out of
nonsense like that before now.*  M'lent said  


*But she's barely out of the shell, my friend.*  Ebony's laughter echoed in
M'lent's thoughts  *And she's small even for a human hatchling... she'd
make a poor meal for one of my size!*


*Maybe you should tell her that then!*  M'lent said, half seriously   


*I might at that.*  Ebony harumphed  *Can't have her running away every
time she sees me......*


M'lent tuned into the conversation taking place between Naomi and his
searchlings just in time to see Domaia start in surprise as Ebony spoke in
her mind.  He grinned as she looked round the room for the speaker, his
eyes twinkling as he caught her gaze.  


Domaia touched her hand to her head. "I -- I heard something. A voice!" 


She glanced quickly between Naomi and M'lent as she slowly backed away.
Edbert stared at Domaia in confusion, obviously wondering just what he was
missing. 


"I heard it again!"  she said in a panic filled voice.


*Enough Ebony!*  M'lent ordered, taking pity on the poor girl  *She's
terrified.*


Naomi frowned at him, and he shook his head in apology.  They hadn't meant
to make things worse....


"Can you describe this voice?"  Naomi asked sympathetically, moving to put
her arm around the terrified girl's shoulders.


"Sure can." Fear of that unknown voice overtook Domaia's fear of punishment.
"I heard it in my brains! It seemed like it was coming from all over the
place. Sounded like someone who was laughing at me, but... " she paused. Oh,
how to put it... "encouraging me all the same."


"Well, young Domaia, you have described something truly interesting.
Something tells me that M'lent knows something about this little phenomenon
that he's not willing to tell at the moment." 


Naomi's voice was soothing, and M'lent saw Domaia relax slightly as her
fear gradually receded.   


"I think M'lent and I might want to concentrate on just what *kind* of
voice you've been hearing."  M'lent flinched under Naomi's withering stare.
"But for now  M'lent will show the two of you around the Warren, and get
you settled somewhere suitable until the next hatching.  Pay close
attention; you'll both need to know these things."  


He ushered the two to the door, throwing an apologetic glance towards Naomi
over their heads.  He felt awful about the panic Ebony's actions had caused
in Domaia.  Naomi shook her head as he caught her eye, her mouthed promise
of "Later" not doing much to reassure him.


He moved into the corridor and waited for the searchlings to join him,
closing the door to Naomi's office firmly behind them.  He leaned against
the door for a second, and was startled to hear a choked giggle from the
other side.  Perhaps it wasn't *quite* as bad as he thought.....


He tapped Domaia on the shoulder as she walked past him, and smiled at her
apologetically as she turned towards him.


"I'm sorry for what happened in there.  We were really only trying to help
set you at ease."  M'lent told her  "We didn't mean to frighten you."


"We?"  Domaia asked curiously, a tiny hint of fear and  doubt in her voice
"I only heard one voice.  Who's we?"


>"Would you like to talk to that voice?" he asked in a whisper.
>
>"Yeah!"
>
>"All right then... The next time you hear that voice, concentrate on what you
>want to say to the voice. Don't say it aloud, think it." 


*Talk to her again.*  M'lent told his patient dragon 


*That may not be such a good idea friend M'lent.  She was afraid before and
I don't want to make things worse.  Besides  Amethyst has already warned me
that her rider is displeased with me......*  Ebony said uncomfortably


*I'll explain to Naomi that it was all my fault. But I have to put things
right with Domaia first.*  M'lent sighed mentally  *Last time Ebony... just
so she knows she wasn't going crazy.*


>Her chance wasn't long in coming. *Well? Don't you want to say something to
>me?*
>
><Who are you?>
>
>*Good, good... You're a quick study!*
>
><Who are you?>
>
>*You know me as Ebony.*
>
>Domaia cast a shocked expression to M'lent. His eyes twinkled. "Well? What
>did the voice tell you?"
>
>Domaia took a few moments to gather her voice. "I asked him who he was and he
>said that I knew him as Ebony!"


M'lent nodded at her shocked face.


"But...... but ......how?  How can I hear him.  And why can't he?"  she
pointed a shaking finger at the waiting Edbert.


"It's my fault I'm afraid."  M'lent explained  "I was worried that you
seemed overwhelmed by everything here, and that you didn't seem to believe
me when I said that you had nothing to fear from dragonriders or dragons.
So I asked Ebony to reassure you... I hoped you'd realise that dragons were
gentle creatures... well mostly."


"But how could I hear Ebony in my head...."


"Ebony likes you, and sometimes if a dragon likes a human he'll deign to
talk to them."  M'lent told her  "He likes you, and he was trying to help
me help you..... so he spoke to you.  If he'd known how it would affect you
though....."


She was quiet for a second, her face creased with concentration.


"Oh!"  she said in disappointment  "I can't make him hear me again.  I
liked hearing him really... and I'm not frightened any more!"


"You won't be able to unless he decides to talk to you again."  M'lent told
her gently, hugging her briefly before moving towards Edbert and the exit
to the admin buildings.   "And I don't think he'll do that again in a
hurry.  But when you Join with your own dragons.... "


"Do you really think we will?"  Domaia asked wistfully  "Do you really
think a dragon will choose me?"


"Of course she will!"  M'lent told her  "I'm not usually wrong about these
things... that's why I'm Searcher.  None of my searchlings has ever been
passed over!  Now come on... the pair of you.  Let's get you settled into
quarters and then I'll introduce you to some of the riders. "


***********
NRPG  All... Paula didn't realise she should only be able to hear her own
dragon ....... hence this workaround.   Tag  Ed or Paula... if you'd like
to write M'lent showing you round the warren and such?
***********

<Naomi - Evening>


She started towards the main entrance. She woke Amethyst and asked the
queen to meet her at the door, that would save a minute or so. She ran
down her mental checklist of things to do before meeting H'tor at
Uncle's. She wished that all her emergencies were this benign...


<..>


The trail of discarded clothing stretched from the ledge to her bedroom....
 Stopping only long enough to pull a soft, fluffy towel from the cedarwood
box at the foot of her bed,  she entered the bathroom and started the
shower running.  She pulled the pins from her hair, and then stepped under
the warm spray.  Slowly she lathered her body with the magnolia scented
soap she preferred, and mentally catalogued her wardrobe.  There was the
black and silver she'd worn when Harkon had named Lars as his heir, or the
emerald green silk she'd been saving for a special occasion.....  


Sighing softly she turned the spray to cold and shivered as the icy water
sheeted over her body.  Goose flesh pebbled the skin of her belly and
breasts as she stepped from the stall and began rubbing herself vigorously
with the soft towel.


Clouds of steam had misted the surface of the mirror,  distorting the
reflection of the face peering back at her.   Red hair clung damply to her
face and neck and the warmth had brought an unflattering flush to her
cheeks.....she stuck her tongue out childishly at the sight!  Oh to be
blessed with Lacey's blonde locks and baby blue eyes... and no freckles!


She pulled the comb through her damp hair, twisting the fine strands into a
smooth knot at the base of her skull, then pinning it quickly into place
with amber headed pins.  Satisfied that her hair would stay in place she
padded naked into the bedroom and pulled wide the door to the wardrobe.
Indecision creased her brow as she mentally cursed herself for not asking
how formal the meal would be ....  Black and silver?  Emerald?  Cream and
black?  


Finally she settled for a copper-hued dress with tiny silver buttons,
embroidered silver leaves at neck and hem the only enhancement to it's
simplicity. The soft material fitted snugly over the curves of her breasts
and hips, before swirling into soft folds just above her knees.... The rich
tones of the shimmering silk brought burnished highlights to her hair, and
a warm glow to her normally pale skin.  


She dabbed perfumed oil behind her ears, and after a momentary hesitation,
in the shadowed valley between her breasts.  She slipped her feet into
dainty silver sandals,  before picking up the silver- threaded shawl she'd
chosen to finish the outfit.  


With a last backward glance in the mirror she walked out to her patiently
waiting Queen.


<..>


Amethyst landed neatly before the great doors of the dining hall, flipped
her wings closed against her sides, then lifted a foreleg to allow Naomi to
step to the ground.   She looked around as she gained her feet, and smiled
as she saw H'tor hurrying towards her.  


"What kept you?" she teased lightly  "I've been waiting for ages."


"Really?"  he grinned  "That's not what Amethyst told Haroc...."


*Traitor!*  Naomi sent mentally,   *Can't trust you anywhere can I?*  


"Amethyst never could resist telling secrets."  


She laughed softly as they walked to the doors and pushed their way into
the dining hall.  They made their way through the dinnertime crowds to the
kitchens, a hush falling over the nearest diners followed by a sharp buzz
of speculation as they passed.  


S'ran was seated at a table near the serving counter, and he frowned as he
saw her companion.  He tried to rise to his feet as she drew closer to his
table, but, B'thany,  his dinner companion tugged at his arm.  She threw a
grateful smile at the woman, but she shook her head, and turned away
avoiding Naomi's eyes.  The smile died on her lips, and she anger flared
briefly in her eyes, then nodded stiffly to her brother and turned to
follow H'tor towards the kitchens.


"I thought you could get the wine while I picked up the salad and sorbets."
 H'tor told her.  


He studied  her set face and would have said something, but she forestalled
him, raising her hand to hold back his questions.  She slipped past him
deftly, leaving him to follow her into the organised chaos of Uncle's
domain.  Knowing better than to disturb Uncle when he was cooking, she made
straight for the cold storeroom to pick up the basket she knew would be
waiting.  Uncle could always be relied on...


"Perfect."  H'tor said as he lifted the white linen napkin that covered the
array of prepared salad vegetables.  "And he's even put some of his special
dressing in for us too.  I'll have to remember to thank him for that touch!
 Now for the wine."


"I already took care of that,  I brought some from my own supplies.  It's
in Amethyst's saddle bags."  


She led the way back to the steamy kitchens, but ducked through the rear
exit rather than pass through the dining hall again.  She didn't think she
could trust herself to stay quiet around S'ran for a second time... just
seeing him might be enough to trigger the anger roiling beneath the
surface.  H'tor shot her a quizzical look, but said nothing as he followed
her into the open air again.


Amethyst was waiting where she'd left her and Naomi leant against her flank
for a brief second, allowing the tension to drain from her in the comfort
of the dragon's warmth.  Then she climbed up onto the Queen's back,
settling herself comfortably astride Amethyst's ridged neck.  


*I took the liberty of telling Haroc I would take his rider to their home.
He wasn't happy but I *persuaded* him eventually.*  Amethyst's voice was
full of amusement.


"It seems I'm dependent on Amethyst for transport."  H'tor told her  


"I know and I'm sorry."  


She held out a hand to help him up behind her, relaxing against his chest
briefly as he settled behind her,  feeling the heat of his body through the
thin silk of her dress. Her breath caught in her throat as his arms came
around her, and she sat up straight, trying to fight the desire that
flooded through her at his nearness.  She thumped Amethyst's neck with a
trembling hand, and signalled the Queen to take off for the short flight to
H'tor's home.


<..>


Amethyst, grumbled softly to herself as she settled down beside a sulky
Haroc.  She butted him hard when he turned away from her, forcing him to
vacate the sandy hollow he'd created for his comfort.  She gave a contented
sigh as she settled into his favourite spot, then twined her neck with his,
eyes already closing in sleepy pleasure.....


Naomi chuckled softly at Amethyst's bossy maneuvering, and followed H'tor
into the human part of the shared quarters.  He took the basket he carried
to the kitchen, placing it on the counter before lifting lids and stirring
simmering pans. She watched amused from the doorway as he checked that
everything was well with the cooking meal.  


"Where should I put these?"  she asked, holding up the saddlebags
containing the wine.  "I wasn't sure what we'd be eating so I brought white
and red wine."


"There's a cooler there somewhere...." he waved vaguely towards the counter
beside the sink.  "Would you mind preparing the salad while I put the
finishing touches to this....."


They worked side by side for a while, the silence between them comfortable
and unstrained.  He was as deft in the kitchen as he was in weapons
practice...his hands sure as they carved and chopped and seasoned.   She
was almost sorry when Amethyst announced that the first of the guests were
arriving.....


<..>


She stood beside him quietly as he greeted J'nnele and Y'vnne, ignoring the
sidelong looks they gave her.  She just smiled at them, and led them into
the main room as if she belonged there... that would give Y'vnne something
to gossip about tomorrow!  She settled the pair into comfortable chairs,
then made small talk about the comings and goings in the Warren while H'tor
moved from main room to kitchen and back, putting the finishing touches to
the meal.


"Ganni and K'lestide shouldn't be long."  J'nnele told H'tor  "He asked me
to extend his apologies to you for his lateness.  Of course had he known
that Naomi was going to be here....."  
  

He looked at Naomi with open curiosity, his eyes asking what his tongue
didn't dare.  She merely smiled at him, grateful that H'tor chose that
moment to announce that dinner was ready, and that he hoped K'lestide
wouldn't be insulted if they started without him....


Submitted by

Naomi & Amethyst
M'lent & Ebony


NRPG  Abe...  Sorry it's taken me all week to get this finished, I hope
you'll be back to carry it further.

All... don't forget to remove Abe's addy from your mail list after the
28th.  I'll let you know when we have a new email addy for him.

Louise.... Just starting on the Jav post now!! 
-- 
Mint,  the voice and soul of

Timi Caplain  FO   USS Javelin       T'Beth  CMO/Coun  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/~lovers/mint/norwall.html
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/5902/
http://www.dragonfire.net/~Mint/