From: Ismail Abdur-Rahman <onyxscarab@yahoo.com>

Day 7- Evening

Darrkon and Aurianna hurried back to the warren green. Calindeth
informed the masked rider that the message was sent, but he could not
be sure how many dragon's could respond. Darrkon was annoyed by this,
but he completely understood. So much had happened in the warren lately
that things weren't as organized as they should be. He realized that
fate enjoyed teasing Norwall. Showing her brief moments of respite,
then sending a disaster for her to face, which takes longer to overcome
than the last. But these hellspawn...why Norwall? Why now?

He looked over to Aurianna. She was visibly shaken by what had just
happened. How could she not be? The untold deaths, the creatures they
were fighting, and S'ron in a battle all his own...Even with all of the
carnage in his past, Darrkon found himself ill at ease. This situation
set his teeth on edge. "You were great back there." he said to her.

"What?" Aurianna replied surprised by the suddenness of his words.

"Back in the Dining Hall, you did a great job. It was our first battle
together, I thought I should tell you that." Darrkon didn't count their
encounter at Ravensvale as a battle. There was too much history behind
that situation to expect Aurianna to fight at her best. Just a few
moments ago she showed him her true heart. She could have taken her
assailant in Ravensvale down with no problem had fear not clouded her
mind...Darrkon was sure of it.

"It's not something I enjoy..." she said more to herself than to him,
"Not like -some- people." A dark look crossed her face. The rebuke
struck Darrkon's heart, although he knew it wasn't meant for him. When
Aurianna realized her words, her eyes widened and she looked over to
her love, "Oh! I didn't mean...it's just that S'ron is so out of
control!"

Darrkon moved over to Aurianna and put his arm around her. They were
both covered in other men's blood, but even this did nothing to
diminish the special feeling the two shared when the other was held
close, "I know you didn't mean anything by it. This has got everyone
riled. These hellspawn are..." Darrkon couldn't even find the right
words, "And now to hear they have Naomi. This won't go over well. We
can expect more extreme reactions from the warren when they learn of
this."

"But we have to tell them." Aurianna finished his thought grimly,
"Because Naomi is a threat right now, and if anyone comes across her
they have to know that!"

"If you keep reading my thoughts like that, we may have to get you
checked for telepathy." Darrkon joked. Aurianna managed a weak smile,
and he felt her body relax against his. He wondered if she knew just
how much strength -he- was getting from having her so near. They walked
the rest of the way to the green in silence.

< ... >

Darrkon's heart swelled with pride as he reached the warren green.
Dozens of dragons sat ready, Calindeth among them,  to spring into
action once orders were given, and their riders stood in formation at
attention waiting for those orders...his orders. He noticed some riders
held positions away from the main mass keeping watch for any movement.
He was sure their dragons were perched atop the warren cliffs doing the
same thing. Despite the circumstances, Norwall's riders were still
organized and prepared.

Darrkon also saw L'kor striding toward the assembly. Behind him,
Sentinel took to the air with a female on his back. The red haired
rider walked to the back on the ranks of dragonriders and took a
position. Darrkon watched as his dragon flew high into the sky, then
blinked out of existence.

The masked rider decided to address this immediately, "L'kor!" he
called, and waited for the dragonrider to step forward, "We're going to
need every healthy dragon available for duty here! Why did you sent
Sentinel away?"

"A friend was panicking Sir!" L'kor answered. It was more military than
was needed in a warren, but Darrkon was somewhat impressed that the
ex-bandit was trying so hard to conform. L'kor continued, "I thought it
would be best to remove her from the area lest she act rashly Sir!"

"Did you also think that you may be sending both her and your dragon
into more danger?" Darrkon responded. There was no accusation in his
voice, he simply needed to point out L'kor's error to prevent others
riders from committing it in the future.

The other rider was not daunted though. "There are some places that are
not easily found." His eyes shifted over to Darrkon, "I am sure -you-
would understand Sir!"

Darrkon immediately realized what L'kor was hinting at, and nodded
allowing L'kor to return to the line. He was quickly organizing a plan,
but was unsure if the warren leaders would approve. However, logic told
him that in their absence, he had to follow his gut.

"For those of you who may not have been informed, Norwall has fallen
victim to an attack...by hellspawn!" His first words to the entire
assembly held their attention, but none were shocked by his news, "They
infected Harkon's men and used the guise to gain entry to the warren!
The wraith attack earlier was a decoy! That, in and of itself, poses
some interesting questions about the intelligence of wraiths and their
association with hellspawn! But more importantly it proves that Norwall
was specifically targeted in this attack. These hellspawn went out of
their way to distract us, to plan an attack when the warren was
weakest, and to take prisoners who would further know our weaknesses!"
This comment brought a number of questioning murmurs.

Darrkon saw two more dragons land out of the corner of his eye, one his
recognized as Link's. As he was about to continue he heard bickering
coming from that direction. Darrkon was furious! In the middle of all
of this havoc, these two decide to have a lovers quarrel! Darrkon
headed toward their dragons. He knew the woman Link was arguing with
had to be his wife, she was the only person in the warren besides the
little girl they brought along with them, that Link would know well
enough to engage with in such foolishness.

Nearing their dragons, Darrkon spoke, "Unless one of you is hellspawn,
I expect this fighting to end...NOW!" The two dragonriders looked into
Darrkon's direction. Anger still crossed their features.

Link was about to voice his objections to Darrkon's interruption when
Amy spoke up, "Pardon us ahh...ummm..."

"Darrkon." the dread locked rider finished.

"Oh, of course! Link has mentioned you. Please excuse us Darrkon." Amy
began while dismounting her dragon, "With so many recent stresses,
we're not quite ourselves."

Darrkon waited for Link to dismount before he spoke, "I was informing
the other riders of our situation. Perhaps you'd like to join them."
Darrkon turned and headed back to the assembled riders. Link and Amy
quickly and quietly found places in line. "As I was saying! The
hellspawn sought to capture warren leaders, either to usurp us, or to
use their knowledge for their own advantage! Aurianna and I were able
to help S'ron escape their clutches! However, we were too late to
prevent the abduction of our warrenlady!"

A number of shocked gasps and angry exclamation erupted from the ranks.
Darrkon continued, "That's right! Naomi is in the hands of the
hellspawn as is Galen! However, S'ron has taken point in the search for
any clues that may lead to their rescue!" Darrkon thought the small lie
was necessary to explain the wingleader's absence. "Our duties tonight
are threefold! First we -must- secure the warren! That means posting a
larger guard at the gate, which has been ruined! That also means
dispatching any and all of Harkon's men! Understand this! They are to
be killed! Not injured, not captured! These hellspawn can change bodies
as easily as you and I change clothes! They are to be -killed-!"

"Our second mission is to protect Norwall's citizens! L'kor has given
me a great idea as to how we can do this in our current weakened
state!" Darrkon sent an image to his dragon, who sent it to the other
dragons who sent it to their riders, "What you are receiving is a
picture of a hiding place of mine! It is a cove high in the mountains
of the wastes! We will take any warrenfolk who can travel there for
their safety! We will split into two teams! Two thirds of you will be
search and rescue! You will search the entire warren, dispatching any
of Harkon's men you come across, and rescuing our warrenfolk! S'ran you
will lead this group! Assign as many sub captains as needed! The final
third will ferry those rescued to the cove! L'kor, this was your idea,
chose a second!"

"Our third duty is to gather any information we can about these
hellspawn! If you find anything you think is important, report it to
someone in command! They will be sure it gets back to me! These
monsters have invaded our home, butchered our families, and abducted
our leader! They are to be shown no mercy!" Darrkon looked over the
crowd for a few seconds to let his words sink in, "Are there any
questions?"

"What about Naomi?" he heard a voice call from the crowd. Soon that
sentiment was echoed by other questioning voices.

"We will deal with the warrenlady's abduction when and if we can! S'ron
will return with more information for us to work with! Until then, you
have your orders!" Darrkon prayed S'ron would come back to his senses
soon, the wing would be shaken if word spread that their leader had
lost control.  But that was a worry for later. Right now there were
lives to save!

< ...>

Day 8- Early morning

It was a grueling night's work that was not yet completed. Most of
those warrenfolk who were not battle trained had been relocated, but
some refused to leave their home, and many were too severely injured to
move.

S'ron had finally returned and took back the command he never should
have abandoned. Darrkon was angry at the man, but it was not the kind
of anger that prevented forgiveness.. S'ron could still be trusted in
battle. The wingleader had sent for the injured K'tarr who quickly made
his presence felt. He was now off somewhere building booby traps. The
masked rider wondered if the hunter's traps were anything like those
hidden at the cove...the ones Darrkon warned his guests about. He hoped
they paid enough attention and don't go wandering.

Darrkon found himself suddenly demoted, which was somewhat satisfying
to him. He no longer had to direct the actions of an entire warren.
Instead he could focus on the clues collected to see if anything points
to a plan by the hellspawn, or a way to beat them without hurting
Naomi. He was sure it was there, but he just couldn't find it. The
blood covering his body had hardened and was now flaking off. His
search seemed to be pointless. He wasn't sure what -his- next move
should be. The warren was organizing and he found himself without a
purpose. Perhaps a quick shower would clear his mind, and point to a
path.


Submitted by
Darrkon&Calindeth
aka
Ismail Abdur-Rahman

NRPG: Sorry this took so long to get out. Darrkon's available for
whatever. Use him if you need.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com

--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------

Get great offers on top-notch products that match your interests!
Sign up for eLerts at:
<a href=" http://clickme.onelist.com/ad/elerts1 ">Click Here</a>

------------------------------------------------------------------------