(Day 18, Afternoon, Falagand Warren.)


 Vasklar was lounging half asleep in his apartment after wing practice when
he felt a familiar mental nudge.

 *Hmmm?*

 <Your presence is required in the warrenlady's office immediately, which
probably means you're late already.> Vasklar rolled his eyes and sat up.

 "What does she want this time," he said to himself, walking over to the
ledge where a rather large shape was sunning itself. An equally large head
lifted up and winked one eye.

 <She probably doesn't like how you're dressed, or how you walk. If not one
of those, I'm sure she'll think of something.> The comment was laced with a
draconic snort, expressing exactly how the dragon felt about the warrenlady
of Falagand, a lady who seemed to wax between distainful, arrogant and
overbearing most hours of the day. Even though Vasklar enjoyed life at the
warren very much, he always felt that B'nair had something in for him.

 *Let's not keep her waiting then,* he said, sliding onto Hunter's back. The
dragon flowed off the ledge, spreading his wings for the glide down to the
ground.

 "So nice of you to join us," B'nair remarked as he stepped into her office.
Having gotten used to the woman's manner, Vasklar nodded a quick greeting to
the unfamiliar rider sitting across from her and took a seat himself,
looking the warrenlady in the eye as he did so. He knew she hated it, which
was half the reason he did it.

 "You asked for me?"

 "Yes," B'nair replied, tossing her head in the direction of the other
rider. "It seems Norwall is in need of a searcher and they're asking around
to see who has a spare."

 "And you immediately thought of me? I'm touched." The sarcasm dripped off
his words, surprising even himself. Where had that come from? Perhaps he'd
just had enough of this woman.

 "You mentioned that you'd finished training the new searcher," B'nair said,
ignoring his comment. "This assignment is for the moment temporary and I'm
sure F'sal can fill in for you while you're absent."

 'You mean you can browbeat him into submission,' Vasklar retorted mentally.
It was obvious that she wanted to get rid of him for the time being, if not
for good. Well then.....why not go?

 *Brother?*

 <Sounds like you could use the time away,> Hunter replied. <I would too.
The females here are a little stifling and we haven't had any hard riding
practice in a while. Perhaps those at Norwall would be more inclined?>

 *Trust you to think of the important things.*

 <Keeps you in perspective,> Hunter sniffed. <Give that human her victory
and take the offer. If anything it will get me away from her annoying
dragon.>

 *Very well,* Vasklar replied with a mental grin. Back in the warrenlady's
office, his face remained impassive as he nodded to B'nair. "If Norwal
requires assistance I'd be glad to help." He turned to the messenger. "If
you're leaving right away, please tell your superiors that I'll arrive
tomorrow morning. I have a few loose ends to tie up." He inclined his head
to B'nair one last time before walking out of room.

****

(Day 19, mid morning, Norwall Warren)

 It was a habit that they'd tried to work out of, but Vasklar and Hunter
still tensed up as they made the long teleport into Norwall airspace. From
the overcast skies over Falagand, they emerged out into clear blue skies,
their position high above Norwall's crater giving them an unrestricted view
of the surrounding areas.

 <We should have been hailed by now,> Hunter commented, interrupting his
rider's reverie.

 *Falagand wasn't exactly that sharp either,* Vasklar reminded him.
*Although I have heard that Norwall has had some trouble recently.*

 <There we go,> Hunter said suddenly, <they've realised I'm here. Time to go
find out who we're working for now.>

 'Anything's got to be better than B'nair,' Vasklar thought to himself as
they drifted downwards, Hunter's large frame casting a long shadow on
Norwall's landing area as he backwinged, slowing down before dropping
lightly onto his forelegs. Vasklar slipped his packs onto his shoulders and
slid down his dragon's foreleg to the ground in a long practiced move. He
looked around to see not a few curious faces, both human and dragon,
checking them out. Behind him Vasklar felt Hunter stiffen.

 *Easy brother, we're new here remember?* He rested a hand lightly on the
dragon's side, knowing that Hunter loathed being gawked at. *Give them some
time.* He picked one of the closest humans and headed for them.

 "Excuse me," he said quietly, causing the young woman to drag her eyes away
from the dragon, "do you think you could direct me to the warrenlady's
office?"

 "Umm, it's...well..." she stammered, blushing heavily. "I'm sorry, it's
through that door and along the passage."

 "Thanks," Vasklar replied with a faint smile. He paused for a moment,
looking at her with a practiced eye. "You're new here, aren't you? A
searchling?" She nodded. "Well, good luck...and thanks for the
directions."


(Nicole...Chime have any thoughts on the new guy?)


 *Find a place to sun yourself brother, I could be a while.*

 <I'll be here.>

 After a few helpful directions from others, Vasklar managed to find the
door he was after without too much trouble. Knocking, he heard a muffled
'Come in,' which he did.

 The surprise came when he caught sight of the blonde haired womam behind
the desk.

 "Warrenlady?" he said tentatively, the look on her face as she glanced up
and noticed who it was confirming his first thought. "Jeneve?"

 "Yes?" she replied, a flash of uncertaincy crossing her features, as if she
were trying to match his face to a name. Vasklar wouldn't have been
surprised if she didn't remember. Her time at Falagand hadn't been all that
good to her.

 "You're from Falagand, aren't you. Can I help you? If B'nair want's me..."
In fact, her voice sounded downright cold.

 "You sent a courier around the warrens asking for a searcher to help while
yours was ill," he replied, smoothly interrupting her. "Warrenlady B'nair of
Falagand was...kind enough to release me from my duties to assist you."

 "A searcher? Oh yes, I totally forgot. Wait a minute..." She looked at him
for a moment, then checked again. Falagand... She smiled, nervously.

 "Vasklar? Is that you?"

 "Sure is," he said, returning her smile, "and I certainly didn't expect to
see you here. Or rather," he winked at her slyly, "perhaps I should have
expected it. I always said you'd make a good queenrider." Jeneve blushed
lightly.

 "Well I didn't really expect B'nair to take our messge seriously, let alone
send you here. Is she...?"

 "...the same as ever," he replied with a short nod. "No, Falagand's
warrenlady hasn't and will never change. I was getting tired of her jumping
on me and it was clear that she didn't want me around, so I took the offer
when it came up." He grinned at her. "Now I'm glad I did."

****

 The two of them talked for a while before they were interrupted by a quick
knock at the door, followed a fraction of a second later by youngish looking
redhead.

 "Jeneve, I had to ask you..." she started, breaking off when she noticed
the room's other occupant.

 "Oh Breezy, glad you're here," Jeneve said, her mouth twitching into a
grin. "This is Vasklar, our new searcher. Vasklar, this is Breezy, our Snr
Wingleader."

 "Glad to meet you," he said coolly, eyeing the wingleader up out of habit
more than anything. Of course, there wasn't that much of her to eye up
really. Still, she was probably their Snr Wingleader for a reason. "Jeneve's
just been teling me about you."

(Tree, whats Breezy think of him? Carina, I know he's from Falagand but he's
still a friend...if she wants :)

****

NRPG: Well, he's here...do your worst :)


Submitted by,
  Vasklar and Hunter

aka

  Michael Turek


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