Hector and the powerfully-built woman left shortly after breakfast. He
said he'd return before mid-day and she believed him.

She finished washing the dishes and dried them carefully before putting
them away. The pans Hector had used were unfamiliar to her but she
managed to scrub them so they gleamed as brightly as those hanging from
various hooks around her.

Throwing a slightly damp rag over her shoulder she wandered back down to
the sunken open area with its oversized furniture and huge fireplace.
Absently she straightened the cushions that had been knocked out of place
where she'd slept.

She ran her hand along the edge of the big table that stood between the
raised kitchen and the living area. She could feel the dust beneath her
fingertips and immediately went to work removing any sign that the
gleaming surface wasn't used on a daily basis.

After she wiped down the backs of the chairs surrounding the table she
jumped the steps to the kitchen. There she soaked up a few small puddles
of water before rinsing out her cloth, hanging it up and getting a fresh
one.

Artemis started towards the passageway that led to the large chamber that
Hector shared with the absent demon-queen.

< Daughter of the Moon > a sad voice reached out to her.

She was not afraid as the washcloth fell from her hand. She turned, all
thoughts of tidying up forgotten. She started towards the sandy expanse
where Haroc was curled into a tight ball.

< Is that you? > she asked softly.

The sinuous form seemed to unwind itself at her inquiry. Finally the
dragon's great head rose, reptilian eyes fixing her to where she stood.

< It is I > the sad voice assured her.

< Mother told me that there were others > she said, referring to her
telepathy. < I never imagined -- >

< That you would find it in a monster? > Haroc inquired gently.

< Yes > she answered. A thought suddenly struck her. < Why didn't the
other -- >

< Why didn't they speak with you or your mother before they destroyed
your people? > the dragon finished her thought, as often happened in
telepathic communication. < Because child, they didn't care. >

The truth of his words was undeniable. Artemis felt another wave of
sadness sweep over her, as powerful as ever.

< Come child > Haroc said gently, resting his head on the fine sand. <
Sit beside me and let us speak of loss. Through yours I may once again be
able to join H'tor in his quest for vengeance against my own flesh.
Through mine you may understand your place among us. >

< I would welcome the opportunity > she said, starting forward. < There
is much I don't understand. >

So she joined the fearful creature, laying her back against his warm
side.

They spoke there for a long time, as shafts of spring sunlight slowly
made there way across the sand.

Artemis told Haroc of life in the Wastes: the viciousness of the demon
raids, the savagery of the monsters, the randomness of the wraiths. She
conveyed to him the feelings of helplessness the tribes felt in the face
of such awful predators. The only defense to brutal attacks being to
crawl into holes and emerge to start again when the hunters had consumed
everything they could and moved on.

She spoke of the people's shame: the desperation and starvation which
could only lead to violence among the people as they struggled to
survive. Neighbor raiding neighbor. Tales of cannibalism, slavery and
sacrifice.

Then Artemis told the dragon of her own life at Black Rock. She
envisioned family and friends, recalling moments of happiness with each
of them, and then passing along those images and memories to the great
creature whose side warmed her back. Finally she showed him how they
died, consumed or incinerated, their terror reaching out to her at the
moment of death and now passed on to Haroc.

< This isn't battle > Haroc said at last. < It's war. >

< What do you mean? > Artemis asked.

< It's something that H'tor used to say to others before Keldarra > Haroc
answered thoughtfully. < I always believed it was just a catch phrase to
encourage new prospects to join his crusade. > The dragon paused. < He
hasn't said it in a long time though, about the time he stopped
recruiting. >

< Recruiting? > she asked. < Crusade? >

< Words > the dragon replied. < Words inferior to the task of explaining
what he has done . . . and what he will do. >

< Then show me > she said.

< Very well > the dragon agreed.

When Haroc finished the sun was high in the sky.

< Now I understand . Artemis said as the last of Haroc's images passed
from him to her.

< Good > Haroc said. < Because it is time for both of us to make our
choice. >

She was about to reply when a shadow fell across the cleft and cave mouth
to Haroc's bed. A moment later the space was filled with another dragon's
form.

It was Raye and H'tor returning on the back of Rache. Haroc remained
motionless as Artemis rose. Rache landed carefully on the hard rock at
the entrance to the cave. Fresh scorch marks lined Rache's hide as well
as Raye and H'tor's heavy armor. H'tor was sliding off Rache before the
dragon settled to earth.

"Artemis," he called out, moving to the cave wall lined with various
weaponry. "It's time to go. Gather your things."

Without wasting time asking questions Artemis started towards the other
room to gather what few possessions she had.

H'tor's attention turned to where Haroc watched him.

< Dear heart > H'tor called to his friend. < I need you. >

< I am here > the dragon answered.

H'tor turned back to where Raye waited with Rache.

"Ten minutes," H'tor called to them.

As Raye and Rache turned to go H'tor looked to his equipment and
weaponry.

< Come Haroc > the man said to his dragon. < Let's see to the saddle. >

===>> The Green <<===

All the Outriders but W'liem were there when H'tor and Artemis arrived
with Haroc. The dragons joyfully greeted their so recently soul sick
friend while the Outriders dismounted.

"You know who we are," the tall man with the scarred features said when
the dragonriders formed a second ring within the circle of dragons. "You
know what must be done. Gather the host. I'll see you there."

"What of Artemis?" K'lestide said, nodding to the girl still seated on
Haroc's back.

"I'll see to Artemis," H'tor replied. "She'll join the others."

"W'liem?" Raye asked.

"He has served his purpose," H'tor said. "He'll be dealt with before any
of you arrive."

"Then let's get started," Raye said, turning back to the now burn -
treated Rache.

The others followed her lead, returning to their mounts to leave H'tor
standing alone.

One by one they rose into the air, until the only Haroc remained.

But instead of returning to his companion, H'tor started towards the
ground level apartment of Meena and Demee.

He knocked on the door when it was before him but no one answered. After
another try he opened the door and stepped into the apartment.

His eyes fell on a nearby table and he moved to it. From a pouch at his
waist he withdrew a clean piece of paper and using a pen he wrote the
following upon it in clean, beautiful script --

Demee,

Goodbye.

'Tor

He folded this farewell once and left it on the table. Drawing the
beautiful dueling shortsword that hung at his waist he lay it gently upon
the note. Then he left the apartment.

They'll keep it safe, H'tor mused as he walked down the corridor. Then at
some point Talesin will see and recognize it as half of the long and
shortsword combination that his cousin Herin insisted I keep after I
killed Arthur. Talesin's honor will require him to explain that Demee's
ownership of the blade means that Herin will be willing to sponsor and
mentor Demee without requiring him to become a guilder.

H'tor emerged once again into the open air. He started towards the
Hatching Grounds.

In this way Demee will gain some of the skills that he will need . . .
even if I'm not there to train him myself.

Satisfied with this he turned his thoughts to other things until he
entered the Hatching Grounds.

Naomi turned from Amethyst at his arrival and rose from where she
reclined.

H'tor crossed the distance between them without speaking. Naomi stood
still, watching him, her small frame appearing almost tiny next to the
huge form of the queen.

Then he was before her and he stripped the gauntlet from his right hand
before lifting the callused palm to her soft cheek.

"I wish I could have been the man you deserve," he said to her.

"You are the man I love," she said, pressing her cheek against his hand
and closing her eyes. "Another fight?"

"Another fight," he answered softly.

"Please don't go," she whispered.

He gathered her to him, pressing her against the thick armor that he
wore.

< I'm sorry > he told her.

She looked up at him in astonishment.

< You can do this? > she asked.

< By touch > he replied, his bare hand resting against her. < When all my
defenses are down. When a dragon helps me. When it matters. >

Naomi hadn't seen the end of Amethyst's tail press against the legs of
the tall dragonrider. The queen hadn't told Naomi of Haroc's story of how
H'tor had focused his telepathy using his companion as a great lens to
speak to the wilder queen. She had kept this one secret  to herself,
knowing that H'tor would reveal it to Naomi when the time came.

< I will see you off > Naomi told him.

They walked together, leaving the queen to her hatching grounds.

Hand in hand they crossed the distance to the waiting Haroc. It was too
short a distance. When they stood before the dragon, H'tor lifted Naomi's
small hand to his brow and pressed the backs of her fingers against his
forehead.

He released her hand and turned to pull himself up into the sturdy saddle
he always used for battle.

"H'tor," she said as he fixed the last strap in place. "Can you win this
fight?"

She didn't know why she asked but her fear rose at the seemingly endless
silence it produced in him as he looked at her.

Then all at once he smiled, his features opening up to radiate courage
and confidence. For that moment, seated as he was and smiling as he did,
he looked invulnerable.

There is nothing that I cannot do, his smile told her. Then Haroc rose
from the green into the air, and the last she saw of him he was looking
forward towards what came next.

****************

"Now you form up here and put fire down on 'em.
They're comin' and I'm going to meet 'em."

Tom Berenger (Gen. Longstreet -- Gettysburg)

****************

Abe Barker < H'tor, Haroc & The Outriders >

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