**Lyonnia**

>She could tell Dianthus was communicating as they landed on the green.
>Looking around, Lyonnia asked *Where is everyone?*
>
>Mentally chuckling, Dianthus replied <It seems we were the fasted to respond.>
>
>Sighing and thinking that they could have spent a LITTLE more time at the
>beach, she thought *Oh well.  We'll just wait a bit then.*

Just then, Lyonnia remember something.  *Crap!* she thought.  *Di, can we go
quickly back to the beach?  I kinda forgot something.*

<What did you forget this time?> came the dry reply.

*Silly bluebird.*  She felt Dianthus stir at the nickname, but nothing else
happened.  *It's not like I do this all the time.  I forgot my bag;
remember, I laid it by the tree?*

<Oh, alright then.  I'll inform the others we'll be a little late.>

*No need.  We were early anyway.  And it'll only take a minute.*  She formed
the image of the beach in her mind as Dianthus lifted off, and the scenery
changed around them.  Within minutes, Dianthus was back where they had
rested, and Lyonnia dismounted.  *Di, do you remember which tree it was?*

<Over there.>  Her large wing pointed in a direction, and Lyonnia saw the
tree, along with her pack lying beside it.  She hurried over and picked up
the bag and swung it onto her shoulder.  *Okay, let's go* she said, mounting
again.

Within minutes, they were back at the warren.  Lyonnia saw that there were
now people on the green.  NOW they come, she thought dryly.

>Dianthus settled lightly on the green next to Dalanth.  Lyonnia looked at
the arms the three were carrying, "I'm unarmed.  Should I get a sword or
something?"

>"Do you know how to use one?" H'nry asked.

>"No, not exactly," Lyonnia replied.

>"Then you're better off without one.  We don't expect any trouble when a
few dragons land in the center of town, but you never know what will happen.
Just stay near me or Dianthus.  One of us will keep you safe," H'nry said.

<Don't worry.  I'm here> Dianthus thought gallantly.

*I know my sweet.  But I kind of wish I had some kind of weapon---  Oh
yeah!*  A lightbulb lit in her head as she reached into her bag and pulled
out her bow.  *I forgot about this totally!* she thought excitedly.  She
noticed H'nry was talking to someone else, and hadn't noticed her weapon.
No matter, she thought, shrugging.

She looked in her bag, and only saw six arrows.  I need to make more arrows,
she thought, frowning.  

>Other dragons landed a few at a time until 20 dragons were sitting in the
afternoon sun on the green.  After they'd all exchanged greetings, Dalanth led 
them into the sky.


**Laris**

Laris waved goodbye to Kessa and watched as the red haired girl turned
around and went to her apartment.  Even spending a day with her, the girl
still reminded her of her daughter.  Maybe not so much in mannerisms, or
speech (the girl was a little crude at times), but more in looks and her
actions like her walk.  Kessa and Lyonnia walked the same way; Laris didn't
know exactly how the style looked like, but they walked the same. And the
resemblence!  She still couldn't get over it.

She liked the young red headed woman.  She was someone to take Lyonnia's
place; since her joining a dragon, Lyonnia hadn't had time for her mother.
Now, a young woman much like Lyonnia had enter Laris' life, becoming,
however quickly, a friend.  Sometimes, she really believed there was a god.

She watched until after Kessa was out of sight, then turned back around,
heading back to the kitchen.  She couldn't get up to hers and Lyonnia's
apartment (it was too tall) but she still had her old apartment by the kitchen.

She passed by the kitchen on her way, and saw Tabita overseeing the kitchen
crew.  She went in to thank Tabita for the day off, but the older woman, on
seeing Laris, strode over and said without preamble, "Lyonnia left you a
message.  She said that she wouldn't be back for a while, and for you not to
worry."

Laris's smiled inwardly, thanking her daughter for informing her of her
change in plans. "What came up?" she asked the head cook.

Shrugging, Tabita replied, "Just another patrol, as far as I could tell.  A
whole bunch of the dragonriders, along with a lot of the new ones, are going
to check out a possible raid sight.  That's as much as I know."

A little warning light lit in Laris's chest, but she kept her face calm.
"Thank you for the message."  She looked around and commented, "I just
wanted to thank you for giving me the day off.  I see, however," she said,
gesturing around the kitchen and smiling, "that you might need some help."

Tabita made a face.  "Yes, it seems that a couple of the others took sick,
and we now have a backload of dirty dishes."  A little light came on in her
eye.  "You wouldn't mind if maybe......"  She left the question hanging,
staring pointedly at Laris.

Laris mocked sighed, glad, in all actuality, to have something else to do,
but didn't give Tabita any sign.  "Oh," she said after a slight pause, "okay
then.  But this is the last time," she said, waving a finger in the head
cook's face.

Tabita laughed a bit at that, and turned back around.  She sobered quickly,
though, and half-shouted at one of the cooks, "Just what do you think you're
doing?  I said NO more of that!"

Laris smiled at the head cook as she berated one of the new cooks.  The poor
boy didn't know what to do, and Laris pitied him.  Being the brunt of
Tabita's displeasure wasn't a thing most people sought after.


NRPG:  I don't know what's going on in the village we're going to.  Hope it
comes soon; I want to write about it.  <g>

Submitted by

Sarah
Lyonnia/Dianthus *Telnor Warren*
Laris *Telnor Warren*