Setting aside her grief for the time being, Tera with 
all the other hatching mates from Sundellath's clutch, 
listened attentively to every word H'nry had to say.

After what she had learned from the Warrenlady 
earlier about her brother's death, Tera was going to 
make damn sure that nothing like that would happen to 
her and Sundee.

H'nry showed them all about taking care of their 
dragon's. Everything from bathing and oiling the 
rapidly growing hatchlings to the proper exercises 
to have them do to straighten wings for flight.

It was a comedy of errors that had them all laughing 
when they had tried for the first time to put on the 
saddles needed for riding. It wasn't as easy as H'nry 
made it look when he had showed them using Dalanth as 
an example. But by the time the lesson was over, each 
of the riders was able to saddle they're dragon 
blindfolded. 

When the lesson for the day was over, Tera walked back 
to thebarracks along with Kay and Tahlaya. They were 
talking over the things they had learned.

Kay was making everything into a language lesson. 
Showing the two girls his signs for everything that 
was being said. Tahlaya had asked him earlier if he 
had a sign for each of their dragons, and he had told 
her that she could make up her own sign for her girls. 
Tera couldn't help but get into the act. After Tahlaya 
showed them the signs she had picked out to identify 
each of the separate personalities of her dragon, Tera 
got to show what sign she had come up with for 
Sundellath. A closed fist that opened up quickly
like a sunburst.

Later, after making sure Sundee had had enough to eat 
and was settled in to sleep for a while, Tera took a 
long bath. Enjoying the feel of the warm water as it  
eased sore muscles. She dressed with extra care 
remembering her date with Ga'brin. They were to meet 
in the dining hall and have something to eat before 
going somewhere to practice.

Trap would have liked Ga'brin, she thought as she 
braided her long hair back into it's customary style. 
They both enjoyed a lot of the same things. It was to 
bad, Tera thought that they would never have the 
chance to meet.

She arrived a little early at the dining hall. She 
looking around for Ga'brin but didn't see him yet. 
She did see Sarrine sitting next to a handsome man 
that had to be Ga'brin's father by the look of him. 
Sarrine saw her standing there and waved her over.

"Well you look a whole lot better now that you did 
earlier," she said in a low voice ment only for Tera 
to hear. Then she turned back to the man sitting next 
to her and made the introductions.

"Gabben this is my new friend Tera," she said. "She 
was the one last night that got up and sang that 
beautiful song about the hatching." she turned back 
to Tera. "This handsome man is my mate Gabben, a bard 
by triad, so I'm sure he'll be asking before long if 
you'll be kind enough to teach him your song. He just 
hates it when there's a song out there that he 
doesn't know."

Tera couldn't help but smile when she saw the look 
Gabben gave his mate, before turning to hold his hand 
out to the girl.

"I'm very pleased to meet you young lady," his smile 
was warm and reminded her of Ga'brin. "And as for your 
song...(scowling at his mate)...what kind of a bard 
would I be if I didn't keep abreast of all the new 
songs out there?"

"Then by all means," Tera tried to keep a strait face 
but failed. "I won't be the cause of you lost of 
reputation, I'll just have to teach you how to 
play it sometime."

"Well how about tonight after dinner," Gabben asked 
hopefully,only to have Sarrine give him a not so 
gentle elbow in the ribs.

"Sorry father this one's mine," Tera turned around 
quickly at the sound of Ga'brin's voice behind her. 
Her heart rate increased as his eyes met her, the arm 
he raised to drape across her shoulders felt so right. 
"I saw her first old man. You leave her alone." 

Gabben turned to face the other's sitting at the table
with a woeful expression on his face. "You all see what 
I have to put up with? An ungrateful son who wants to 
keep all that beauty to himself. And think about the 
songs she could teach me....."

"Father...." he warned in a mocking tone. "Maybe if 
you behave yourself, I'll let you talk to her later. 
Much later!!" he said as he guided Tera away from the 
table, and over to the food bar. Picking up two plates 
he handed one to her and let her fill her plate first.
Then when they were through he led them to a table away 
from everyone else.
 
I see you've met my parents," he said after he had taken 
his seatacross the table from her.

"Yes," Tera replied "I met your mother when I went to 
the med center this morning." She was bowing her head,
not wanting him to see the cuts, but knowing that he 
would. Tera was surprised that Sarrine hadn't already 
told him about their meeting. But then she remembered 
that Ga'brin had been out on patrols most of the day.

"I had a little accident and had to go there to get 
something to clean up my scrapes. I'll tell you about
it later," she told him and was grateful when he let 
it drop.

They were just about through with dinner when an older 
woman Tera had never met came up to their table, asking 
if she could sit with them for just a moment. Ga'brin 
seemed to know her, but then he had lived here all his 
life. He got up, telling Tera he just needed to talk to 
his mother about something and left the two women alone 
to talk.

"My name is Gazella, Rainbeth's rider," she introduced 
herself. "The Warrenlady has asked me to be availibe to 
any of the new riders...."

Tera cut her off,....."Look I don't mean to be rude....
but is this about what happened this morning in her
 office?"

"No it's not. But I do know about. Ophelia did inform 
me, just incase you wanted to talk.Gazelle's face 
showed her sadness.."I knew your brother for the brief 
time he was here. He used to talk about you sometimes. 
He loved you, you know. Was always talking about how he
was going to go back and get you, bring you here. And 
then they were lost in that teleporting accident. I'm 
sorry." she told Tera. "I think I was one of the few 
people around here who knew him, but it hit us all 
hard when he was lost."

Tera could tell the women spoke the truth.
"Thank you for telling me, " and she was greatful 
but she didn't want the Warrenlady to think she had to 
send someone to keep a check on her. As if reading her 
mind, Gazella went on.

"Actually, I'm here as I was saying to be available to
all the new female rider's incase you have any questions 
about anything. I'd like to meet with you and the other 
landbound riders in the morning right after breakfast to 
go over a few things that you'll need to know."

They set a time and Tera told her she would inform 
Tahlaya and Dame Eliana. They shook hands and Gazella 
left. Tera sat there wondering what kind of things, 
Gazella thought they should know.

Ga'brin came back to the table a few minutes after the
other woman had walked away. 

"Are you all set to practice?" he asked helping to pick 
up the dirty dishes. 

"All ready!" she replied  aloud. 'You keep smiling at me 
like that'  she thought to herself and, I'll soon be ready 
for a whole lot more that practicing the guitar with you. 

After dropping off the dirty dishes, he took ahold of her 
arm and led her across the dining hall floor towards the 
exit. Tera happened to glance around the room and saw 
Tahlaya sitting with some people at a near by table. 
The girl was smiling and winked at Tera when she saw who 
her friend was with.

Tera's own smile just grew bigger and her cheeks turned 
rosie, but she didn't care who saw her in the company of 
this tall good looking man. She wasn't at the inn anymore, 
things were different here. No one here would think any 
less of her for being with a man. Not like they did back
 home.

"No!! This is home now," she reminded herself. A new life, 
and a new why of doing things. If she felt like flirting 
with this wonderful man, she would. Feeling a little silly 
all of the sudden, Tera tilted her head up until her eyes 
met Ga'brin's soul stealing black ones and gave him a 
sassy winked.

His eye's grew wide at her playfulness. They were outside 
now and no one else was there to witness as he drew her into 
his arms. His lips came down to cover hers in a slow but 
very sexy kiss. By the time he raised his head and his eyes 
met hers, they were both breathing a little quicker.

"Wow!!" Tera said, dropping her forehead to rest it against 
his chest. Glad to have the support of his arms around.

"Yeah wow!!" he agreed liking the feel of her body pressing 
up against his. He could fast become addicted to this. He 
could go ahead and take what she was offering, but it was 
to soon for her. He had to be the one to take it slower.  
To give her time. Maybe after her talk with Gazella 
tomorrow, she would understand.

He give into his need to touch her for just a few minutes 
more, then he began to walk with her to where he had left
 his guitar earlier.

"Come on woman, " he groaned "We came out here to practice. 
And I for one am going to practice."   

******Submitted by:*******************************

Barbara
(the voice of"
Tera/Sundellath
Ga'brin/Preston
Telnor Warren

nrpg: Lyn, I went ahead and used Gazella a little. You 
didn't have a name for her dragon..so I made one up 
*Rainbeth* You can let me know if it needs to be changed.

Are we all back from vacation now? 
And did we all have fun?




****Submitted by***************

Barbara  *PQJ*

The voice of:
Tera/Sundellath
Ga'brin/Preson
of Dragonlands RPG
Fatala/Kindis Weyr