Scene: Outside Hatchling Barracks - Morning after Party
{NRPG: I've gotta start somewhere}

H'nry was standing talking to Thomas as the hatchlings and their humans
arrived for practice.  He had caught Thomas up on their progress over the past
few days and Thomas was quite pleased.

"I'll see most of you this evening in the dining hall.  Those males among you,
and you know who you are, I want to meet with and discuss some things.  Have a
good day and work hard for Thomas," H'nry said before walking across the green
to where Dalanth was waiting.

A short flight later had them landing on the heights of the warren's
encircling mountain next to a brown dragon with orange spots running down his
sides.  The dragon's rider was more than a head taller than H'nry and about 50
# heavier.

"Ho there M'rtin," H'nry called out.

<Good day Tarlith> Dalanth called to M'rtin's dragon.

"How'd you enjoy your few days off?" M'rtin asked.

"What days off?  I was working with the new riders.  You look like you spen
the last 3 days eating."

"No, we spent it flying solo patrols.  Quite dull, I assure you."

"That's because you didn't have me to keep you company," H'nry responded with
a chuckle.

<Do you think they'll ever grow up?> Tarlith asked.

<If they haven't by now, then they probably never will.> Dalanth replied.

The two dragons lept off the heights and winged their way north.  Tarlith and
Dalanth were well matched and each kept pace with the other.  They worked
their way up into the mountains, cresting peaks and gliding down into valleys.
 It was a good route to get H'nry back into the patrolling routine.

They rested for a while on the slope of a forested mountain and shared a lite
snack M'rtin had brought.  H'nry told him about the hatchlings and his
experiences working with them.

"Sounds like you enjoyed it," M'rtin said.

"I did.  They're so full of youthful exhuberence."

"Unlike us," M'rtin said with a smile.

"Yeah, unlike us."

Soon they were flying east along a line of valleys running between several
mountains.  H'nry spotted something on the exposed northern slope of one of
them.

<Dalanth, can you see that?> H'nry asked mentally directing Dalanth's gaze.

<I see something, but I'm not sure what it is.>

<Ok, tell Tarlith we're going down for a closer look.>

Moments later they were perched in a rocky clearing on a mountain side.  H'nry
and M'rtin approached the object they'd seen from the air.

"It looks like a bear," H'nry said kneeling near the fly covered remains.

"Smells dead," M'rtin replied.

"Moron," H'nry said pointedly.  "Look at these marks on it's hide."

M'rtin peered closely at the ugly black marks streaking the bear's hide.  "His
response was limited to one word, "Shit."

"Wraiths," they said to each other at the same time.

"Let's get out of here," M'rtin urged.

NRPG:

To be continued...

                            Respectfully submitted,
                                H'nry - Dalanth
                                 Telnor Warren
                                  Alton Reich



-- 
                                Alton J. Reich
                                areich@gdeb.com

             "Make things as simple as possible, but no simpler."
                               --Albert Einstein