From: "Benjamin Tate" <boy_devil@hotmail.com>

Day 7 - Morning

"Whoa, whoa.  Stop a second."  Galen stepped back and took a look at his 
charge.  Naomi had been progressing very well lately, but today something 
was different.

"What's taking your attention?  Your not focused like you usually are."

Naomi's eyes unfocused for a second and then refocused on him.  "I'm sorry 
Galen.  I don't mean to be so distracted · there's just a lot of stuff going 
on right now."

Galen squinted a moment, thinking.  "You've been able to separate your 
worries before · something a little more personal bothering you?"

"You could say that."

Galen smiled.  "Why don't we call it a day then?  I don't want you cutting 
off a toe because you're pondering something else.  Go take a walk."

"I've got a lot of things I can be doing·"

"Nope · 'things' can wait.  Instead of cutting me to pieces today, you're 
practice will be taking a walk."

"Is that an order?" Naomi asked with a smile.

"Yep, so get a move on."

<..>

There's a lot of stuff going on right now.  Naomi had it right.  The influx 
of new riders responding to Norwall's need had been more than Galen had 
expected and the flurry of activity since then had been a little 
mind-boggling.  To be truthful, he had taken a step back from everything 
lately and been content to watch.  He suspected he was getting old, but the 
urge to jump into everything that was going on was a lot weaker than it once 
had been.  Zera understood where he was coming from.  How had the 
conversation gone last night?

"Am I just getting too old?  I'm not just sitting around, but I've just been 
watching all the stirs that have been happening lately."

"You're not old · I've been a little out of thing myself.  There's so many 
new faces around · and so many old ones missing.  It's just hard to get back 
into the swing of things."

It wasn't just that though.  S'ron and Darrkon had both been around for a 
but and they had played their parts in what had been happening of late.  Not 
to say that he hadn't, but it was different.  S'ron had the knack of getting 
into whatever was happening, a good thing for a wing leader to have · 
something to keep him on top of everything.  And Darrkon · well, Darrkon had 
been busy with one of the new riders.  He was changing · seemed to be a 
theme around here lately.

Not to say that this was bad · far from it.  Norwall had suffered quite a 
bit and the changes were bringing a new life to the place.  But once more, 
Galen couldn't help feeling his age a little.  It got easier to be content 
with his routine as the days went by.

There was a change in the wind for him though.  The new eggs would be 
hatching soon and he'd have a batch of trainees to get ready.  The thought 
of trainees jogged his memory.  It was almost time to meet with Kalena.  The 
poor girl was getting bored with things.  Not that he blamed her · couldn't 
be much fun to train by herself · and the stuff she was learning wasn't all 
that difficult.  Well, she would be glad today.

<..>
Day 7 - afternoon

Kalena looked distracted.  Must be in the air today.  He watched as she 
finsihed a maneuver and landed nearby.

"Wonderful!  You've done a great job of picking up all the strategies."

Kalena smiled.  "Thanks."

"I know this hasn't been as much fun as you had hoped ·"

She started to protest, but Galen raised a hand.

"·so you'll be glad to hear that you're done.  I've taught you all you need 
to know to fit in with the wing.  I'll tell Naomi and S'ron that you're 
ready to be match up with a wing partner · I'm sure they'll want to meet 
with you to work everything out."

The glow in the girls eyes showed him that she had indeed been ready for 
this for a while.

(NRPG: Sorry about that.  I meant to have Kalena finished earlier, but I've 
been out of things for a bit.)

<..>

Galen sat and polished his sword.  He had taken great lengths to be sure 
that he had this time in the afternoon.  Gave him a chance to relax.  He had 
watched quite a bit during the past few days.  A lot of new relationships 
were forming · made him think of his first few days here.  Zera had asked 
him if he was feeling lonely at all.  Galen guessed that's what it must seem 
like · all of his talk about feeling old and not really knowing any of the 
new faces.  But he didn't feel lonely.  He talked to Zera and Naomi · S'ron 
still helped from time to time with the class · although that had gotten to 
a more advanced stage and only a few students had stayed for that.  He ate 
with Zera when he could and with a few of the riders he had helped train 
when she wasn't around.

He wasn't lonely.  He enjoyed the free time and to some extent, the quiet.  
Maybe he didn't know the new faces · but he was content.

<..>
Day 7 - evening

He stayed out late that night.  Zera had to work late and it was a fairly 
clear night, so Galen spent the time watching the stars.  He hadn't been 
there too long when another man crossed the green and paused nearby, gazing 
at the stars.  Galen glanced at him · he was the one with all those tattoos 
· what was his name?  K'tarr?  That sounded right.

He knew K'tarr was aware of him · something in his posture told Galen that 
he always knew where people were.

K'tarr kept his watch on the sky for a bit, then continued on to wherever he 
was headed.  He among all the new faces was the most intriguing.  His 
tattoos were curious enough, but his manner was unlike most other riders.  
He was aware.  That was the best way to describe it · he seemed to know what 
was going on, even if he wasn't directly involved.

Galen's mind floated to other things, but he had half a mind to get to know 
K'tarr over the next few days .. see what was going on in his head.

_____________________________
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore!"
Ben Tate
Galen - Norwall

NRPG:  Just something to get me a little caught up.

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