<..>

L'kor smiled at the memory.  But his thoughts became
troubled when he realized it was the same night Commander
Speare was killed.  The bellowing and disappearance of
his great blue dragon woke the camp.  The following
morning the camp became the living hell he escaped from.

<Don't be sad.>  Sentinel interruped <We're going to have
company.>

<Really?  Who?>  L'kor asked.

<Guess.>

The dragon was always playing guessing games.  Whoever it
was he should know them, otherwise Sentinel wouldn't
bother with the game <Is it Darrkon?> he asked nervously.

<No! What a silly guess.  He wants to hurt you.  I would
warn you to leave.  It's Garnet.>

<Who's Garnet, and how do I know them?  And how do you
know Darrkon wants to hurt me?  I never told you.>

<Garnet is the queen who's eggs were hatching when we
arrived...>

<Oh she's a dragon.>  If Garnet was a queen that meant she had a female
rider.  L'kor quickly dressedto acoid any awkwardness when they arrived.

<Of course, and don't interrupt.  I know the human wants
to hurt you because Calindeth told me.>

Before he could get more out of his dragon a large red
shape filled his eyes.  He stood as a small woman climbed
from the great queens back.

(KAT"S PART)

Lacey, he had heard that name before, but couldn't place
it.  "I am L'kor." he answered, ""It's good to meet you. 
And any mothering given to Sentinel is welcomed, whether
he likes it or not." he added with a smile.

He watched as the queen moved her massive form into the
water.  His young dragon tried to speed away from her,
but the large queen was more than a match for the little
rogue.  Sentinel had been swinning circles around L'kor
since their first day out.  It was good to see someone
who could show the dragon a thing or two.

He turned his attention back to Lacey, and realized where
he'd heard her name.  "Lacey is a beautiful name, but it
doesn't touch upon the beauty of the woman it belongs
to." he said as they sat down.  He saw her skin flush
just a bit, "I can see why Darrkon is so taken with you."

At the mention of that man's name she stiffened for a
second.  Most people would have missed it, but L'kor's
specialty was observation.

"I'm sorry if I've misspoken." he said quickly.  "It's
just, well, when we last met, your name came up often. 
>From both parties."

"Don't apologize." the junior queenrider replied, "You
couldn't have known..."  She cut herself off.  "I should
be getting to know you and seeing how you're settled, not
the other way around."  she said, suddenly changing the
subject.

"Things at the warren are fine." he answered, "Just a
little slow.  I was hoping for some sort of assignment by
now.  Something more than drawing maps."

"That doesn't seem like too much to ask." the woman
replied, "You should talk to Naomi though.  She has to
authorize assignment of new riders."

"Naomi.  She's the warrenlady right?"  his companion
shook her head yes.  "I met her the night I arrived,
she's very fiesty.  But someone should warn her about
getting beween Darrkon's sword and its intended vicim. 
Not the best career move."

Lacey's smile was a mix of pride in her sister and pain
at hearing Darrkon's name, "You'd be surprised how well                she
handles him." she answered.

L'kor made a mental note not to mention Darrkon in this
woman's presence.  But he had to find someone to talk to
about him.  To learn his chances of living long enough to
enjoy life at Norwall.

"Since I'm new here, maybe you could help me talk to the
warrenlady.  I'm not sure how she'll respond to a request
coming from someone with my past."  The words evoked a
small reaction but L'kor couldn't determine what she was
feeling, "That is if it's not too much of a problem."  He
waited for the woman answer, knowing it would be no.

(Tag Kat!)

Submited by
L'kor & Sentinel

NRPG: This post became more than I intended.  I'll tackle
Darrkon's involvement in Meena's search today.