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Day 10 - around noon

Having finished her paperwork for a while, Jeneve had decided to come 
outside and watch the training session. Since orecious queen dragons 
were not expected to take part in combat, Jeneve had never even *seen* 
a dragon 'in action'.>

<How can I be expected to offer constructive suggestions about the 
running of the wings if I've never even seen them in action?> Jeneve 
had said to Malani earlier.

*You don't *need* to make suggestions, little one* Malani had soothed. 
*Makron and Qualis's riders have the situation under control, and Coo 
says ... well, lets just say that if we believed Coo, then her rider 
is the *best* of all of them!* the golden dragon added with a chuckle.

<Breezy is a very competent senior wingleader> said Jen, defensively.

*Of course* said Malani, gently. *It's just that Coo is such a dear, 
sweet  thing*

<Malani!> said Jen, laughing herself now. <How can you call Coo a 
'dear, sweet thing' - she's older than you!>

*Well, you know what I mean*

<Well, it doesn't alter the fact that I want to learn about training.>  
Jeneve insisted. <Yes, I know that S'ron, K'tarr, Kalena, Breezy and 
the others don't *need* my help, but I want to be able to be involved.  
I don't want them to think I'm just excess baggage, and that they're 
basically running the warren themselves.>

Malani hesitated, then voiced the fear that had been on her mind all 
along.

* But ... there will be flames, little one*

After a long pause, Jeneve replied. <Yes, I know> she said softly.  
<But I have to overcome this. Hopefully ... it won't be *too* bad.>

*I hope so too* said Malani, sadly.

**********
Day 10 afternoon

Jeneve slipped outside quietly to watch the training. She chose to 
stand away from the other watchers, not wanting them to notice her 
presence. There would be too much explaining if she did. And she 
didn't want to share all of her reasons with anyone.

Leaning against the wall of one of the buildings surrounding the 
green, her head covered by a hood and her face masked in shadow, 
Jeneve settled down to watch.

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

Landon strode out onto the green, vaguely aware that there were a 
number of eyes on him, not including the trainees.  Today was the day 
for combat training for the new riders.  Galen had just run them 
through their paces, attacking static targets, an easy task but 
necessary

Taking a deep breath, Landon walked out to the center of where the 
trainees were gathered, "Okay, today I'm going to be taking over this 
portion of your combat training.  For those of you that don't know me, 
my name is Landon.  Today, you are going to be practicing with moving 
targets. It's a more realistic training simulation because most 
objects aren't going to stand still while a dragon flames them.  We'll 
be doing both air and ground practice, starting with the ground."

One of the riders spoke up, "What are we going to use as targets?"

Landon shrugged his shoulders, "Perhaps it would be better to show 
you.  Stay here."

Landon ran out onto the sand.

The trainees watched in awe as the massive Vladiggor lifted off and 
flew directly towards Landon.  All except one, who darted out towards 
Landon on his blind-side.  Vlad reached the target and inhaled and 
sent his rain of fire down on Landon.

The flames seemed to respond to Landon's need and they moved 
unnaturally, flowing directly into him, the fire barely missing 
Jasmine.  A red-orange haze glowed around Landon as he struggle to 
contain the intense heat raging within him.  Turning to Jasmine, his 
pain contorted with pain^�

*********

A heartrending shriek split the air, and the watchers' attention were 
momentarily snatched from Landon to Jeneve.

"MALANI!" she cried, covering her face with her hands. Then the 
warrenlady slumped into a crumpled heap on the floor.

With a roar, the golden dragon rose into the air from where she had 
been waiting. Waiting and hoping that something like this would *not* 
happen. Hoping that her rider would watch the dragons at training, 
learn that it was nothing to be afraid of, and grow strong. That the 
emotional wounds of childhood would be healed.

Malani heard Jeneve's cry, but she knew that Jeneve called not for her 
... but for her dead sister.

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

**Dargis**

At the sound of the cry, Dargis spun around, knowing that it was 
Jeneve in distress.  Friends always helped friends in need so Dargis 
rushed to where he heard the sound.  He nearly knocked somebody down 
in the process and he murmured a quick apology before rushing forward.  
He found her lying crumpled in a heap and he picked her up in his 
arms.  Turning to move her to the healers, he saw Cyrus rushing up, 
who promptly stopped as he saw Dargis, "Is she going to be..."

Dargis nodded, "I think so.  Don't worry, I'll make sure she's okay, 
Cyrus.  Tell Landon that I had to take care of Jeneve and that I'm 
sorry that I missed training."

Cyrus saw the sincerity in Dargis' eyes and went back, albeit 
reluctantly.

Dargis walked across the green when Malani settled gently down between 
him and the healers, her head swiveling to face him.  Dargis gulped as 
he felt Jeneve begin to stir.

But the gold dragon was more concerned about her rider's wellbeing 
than with Dargis.

<Are you *ALRIGHT*?> Malani asked Jeneve, as the girl's eyelids 
flickered open.

"What happened?" she asked, looking around in alarm. "Landon?! Where 
is he?"

"Landon's fine, I think," said Dargis, looking around and hoping that 
it was true, because he could see no sign of Landon from where they 
were.

Seeing that the golden queen was showing no sign of eating him alive - 
though she was watching him *very* carefully, Dargis tried to 
explain..

"You screamed, and then you fainted, Jeneve," he said. "Gave us quite 
a scare, it did!"

Jeneve put her head in her hands, and her shoulders shook as she 
sobbed.

"But the flames..."

"Ummm, it wasn't quite what it seemed," explained Dargis. "You see, 
D'lion's been explaining to me, and..."

"But Landon was *burned!*" said Jeneve, her voice rising in pitch and 
volume. "And ..." she remembered something else.

"What happened to Jasmine?"

"Hush, now," soothed Dargis, unselfconsciously putting his arms around 
the warrenlady and smoothing her hair. "Jasmine will be fine. Now, 
let's just get you to the healers so they can just check that you're 
alright..."

"NO!" squeaked Jeneve, suddenly composed, though still looking as if 
she might tip over the edge again at any moment.

"I mean, no - don't bother the healers," she said, in a slightly 
calmer voice.

"I'm not ill," she continued. "I just need some time ... to sort 
myself out." The last thing Jeneve wanted was for anyone to be 
concerned that there was something *wrong* with her.

"Just, just help me to my office, will you, Dargis?" she asked.

Dargis looked nervously up at Malani.

"Is that OK with you?" he asked. "She *did* ask me."

The dragon narrowed her eyes, then lowered her head and gently nudged 
the young man.

<Go with him> she said to Jeneve. <He'll look after you>

Ignoring the people who were by now crowding nearer, despite Malani's 
protective presence, Dargis swept Jeneve up into his arms. Despite her 
height, she felt light as a feather to one so strong as Dargis.

"It's all right, everyone," said Dargis, carrying her purposely 
towards the warrenlady's office before anyone could think of trying to 
stop him. "I'm taking care of her."

Respectfully submitted
A Joint Post from

Carina Norris
and
Chris Weeda

Jeneve <& Malani>
Landon <& Vlad>
Dargis <& D'Lion>




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