"You wanted to see us?" H'nry said as he and Daniel walked into Sandor's
office.

"Yes," Sandor said gesturing for the two to sit in the chairs by his desk.
 "As you know we're expecting our tithe in a day or two.  Ophelia thought that
it would be good experience for the new riders to fly patrols escorting the
tithe caravan."

"They will have to fly a pace different that their dragon's own," Daniel said.

"It'll be hard for them, but they have to learn sometime,"H'nry added.

"I don't expect there'll be any trouble, so that should be all they have to
learn.  However, if anything does happen, don't hesitate to call for help."

"Don't worry," H'nry said with a smile, "we'll bring them back in one piece."

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

Dalanth led the small diamond formation southwesterly away from the warren.
 His powerful wingstrokes pushed the cool morning air below and behind him.
 H'nry enjoyed the breaze caused by his motion through the air.  It's going to
be hot and humid today, he thought to himself.

<Yes, it will be,> Dalanth agreed.

Even after 6 years H'rny still hadn't gotten used to the fact that he and
Dalanth shared many thoughts, even some very casual ones.

<I can rely on you to keep me cool,> H'nry replied.

He glanced back over his right shoulder and saw Lyonnia and Dianthus holding
position nicely.  A glance over his left shoulder told him that Kay and
Sabbith were also in position.  Danielle had done an excellent job teaching
him formation flying, and Kay was a quick learner.  He didn't need to look to
know that Danielle was flying directly behind him, trailing at a slightly
lower altitude, which would give her a clear view of the ground.

<Dalanth, ask the others if they are ready to teleport,> H'nry thought.

There was a brief pause as Dalanth asked and answers came back.  <They're
ready when you are.>

H'nry fixed the image of the stone bridge where the main caravan route crossed
the Telnor River firmly in his mind.  <On your mark Dalanth.>

<Mark, who's mark?>  Dalanth thought with a chuckle.  The running joke brought
a smile to H'nry's face.

Seconda later the four dragons popped into the air above the Telnor river.
 They flew east for half an hour before they came across the Tithe caravan.
 The caravan stretched for over a mile behind the caravan master at the head
and included sheep and cattle, and wagons carrying grains, vegetables and
chickens.  The various noises made by the animals were easily audible at the
low altitude the dragons were flying.

"Hachoo!"

H'nry started at the noise and looked around.

<Kay apologizes.  He said Sabbith sneezed from the smells of the animals, but
is ok now.>

<Thanks Dalanth.  Tell them to try to stay in formation while we turn to
parallel the caravan.>

They executed a smart right turn and fell into place above the head of the
caravan.  Many below could be seen pointing at them as they flew overhead.

They landed when the caravan paused for a rest and to water the animals at a
small stream that fed the Telnor River.  H'nry approached nd offered his hand
to the caravan master, a dark burly man named Evart.

"Hail and well met," the master said, grasping his hand firmly.

"Hail and well met," H'nry replied.

"So what brings you out here to meet us?  Is there trouble on the road ahead?"

"Not that we know of, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious."

"Aye.  Some of us have been on the road over a week and are too road weary to
put up much resistance if we were to be attacked by bandits.  Your escort is
much appreciated."

"Thank you.  Hopefully we won't do anything but fly overhead."

A few moments later they were winging westward toward the bridge again above
the caravan.  Kay and Lyonnia did well matching Sabbith's and Dianthus' pace
to the caravan.  As they approached the bridge they had no idea what was
waiting in the foothills on the other side.

NRPG:

I'm pausing here to give the rest of you a chance to say something.

Kris:  Any meetings between Kay and his "relatives" while on the ground.

Lyn: I caught you're hint, don't worry.

                            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