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[Day 1 - afternoon, on the green]

[snip of Alton's post]

"H'nry!," someone called out, and he turned to see Laria walking toward
him and Dalanth with another woman.

H'nry smiled down at Laria and said, "I see you're getting close."

Laria rubbed her belly with a smile, "It can't come soon enough."  She
turned and gestured to the young woman beside her, "This is Maedralyn,
rider of Zareena, and our new junior queen rider."

H'nry dismounted and held his hand out to her, "It's a pleasure to meet
you."

"H'nry is our Alpha Wingleader," Laria continued.

Mae gripped his hand firmly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, too."

H'nry smiled at the younger woman, "I'm sure you've got some settling in
to do, but if you ever want the grand tour let me know.  I'd be more
than happy to take you out on patrol with us."

[end snip]

"That would be very helpful, H'nry."  Mae smiled in return.  "I'd like
to get the lay of the land.  Perhaps later in the day tomorrow...if
you're free."

"I think that can be arranged," H'nry assured her.

"Good.  Now, you're Alpha Wingleader, and the Beta Wingleader is in the
med center.  Is there another wing?" she wondered.

"As a matter of fact there are two, Gamma and Delta.  It's a large
warren to protect."

It's a large warren to oversee, Mae thought to herself, but she was not
one to be daunted by a challenge, so she continued, "And who are those
Wingleaders?"

"Lira, rider of Drathor, for the Gamma Wing, and Storm, rider of Cloud,
for Delta."

"Can you arrange a meeting with them for me?  I'd like to speak with all
of you - save Sandor, was it?, of course - as soon as possible so you
can bring me up to speed."

"I'll be glad to.  How about we make it for after the patrol?  Then
you'll have a better idea about things for the meeting."

"That sounds perfect.  Thank you, H'nry."  She smiled warmly at the
wingleader.

[Tag, Alton - if you would be so kind as to set up the meeting]


****

[a short time later, Laria's office]

[snip of John's post]

     "So, Dalmar," said Maedralyn, "I take it, then, that you're a
healer?  Are you a rider as well?"

     "No...no, I'm not," said Dalmar, clasping his hands in front of
him.  "Nor, exactly, am I a healer.  I'm a dragonhealer, actually."

     The queenrider's interest was visibly piqued.  "A dragonhealer?
Then your arrival is well-timed, Dalmar.  It's my understanding that
Telnor's own dragonhealer, Abbien, left just yesterday."

     Dalmar sighed.  "Not so timely, it would seem," he told her.  At
her questioning look, he continued.  "Although I've completed the full
course of study at Tinobal to be a dragonhealer, I've never actually
worked at a warren...nor am I joined, which puts me at a bit of a
disadvantage in certain ways."

     "I can see why," she agreed.  "Not being able to speak to or
understand your patients..."

     "Oh, I can do that," he said.  "I'm a telepath, you see.  But the
point is, you see, that I was sent here to receive advanced "in the
field" training from your dragonhealer Abbien...who, as you just said,
is no longer here."

     "Oh...yes, that is a problem," Maedralyn agreed.

     "As I was telling Traplin earlier, the best thing to do would
probably be to get a message to the Master Dragonhealer at Tinobal to
get instructions.  They may not wish me to stay here in her absence."

[end snip]

"Yes, that seems the most sensible course of action."  Mae jotted down a
note to herself before continuing.  "In the meantime, Dalmar, you might
as well get ^„in the field' training while you're here.  There is nothing
like hands-on experience to improve one's expertise. Any dragon in need
of care will be referred to you."  She smiled.  "As a matter of fact, I
happen to know of an expectant queen who could benefit from some extra
attention.  If it's all right with you, I'll send Zareena to see you,
once you're settled in and ready to see patien...er, visitors."  Mae
winked slyly.

"I'll be glad to see her," Dalmar agreed.  "Any time."

"Is there anything else I can do to be of assistance to you?  Have you
found an apartment yet?"

Dalmar shook his head.  "There hasn't been time since I arrived."

"Then I'll have," Mae looked down at a page in front of her, "Lark set
you up in one.  Let's see," she picked up a rough map of the warren,
"the unjoined quarters are across the green on either side of the inn.
I don't know yet which office is the quartermaster's, but I'm sure we
can find it.  If you'll come with me?"

Mae led the way out of Laria's office and into the corridor.  There was
no answer to her knock on either of the next two doors.  As a muffled
"enter" filtered through the third door, Dalmar turned the handle and
gestured for Mae to proceed.

"Hello, I'm Maedralyn, queenrider of Zareena, and this is Dalmar of
Tinobal," Mae made the introductions.  "Dalmar is in need of one of the
unjoined apartments."

Lark stood up behind his desk.  "Welcome to you both.  I'm sure we can
find an apartment for you, Dalmar.  And for you as well, Maedralyn."  He
turned toward the queenrider.

"Thanks, but I've already helped myself."  Mae smiled beguilingly.  "I
trust you don't mind.  There's much less choice among those apartments.
I selected," she pointed to one of the sites on his chart, "that one."

Lark jotted down a notation.  "Very well, then.  You're taken care of."
The quartermaster gave Mae a quick, stern look before softening it with
a wink.  "Now, as for you, Dalmar...."  He glanced down at his chart.

"While you two work out the details, I need to get back to work.  If
you'll excuse me?  I'll talk to you later, Dalmar."  Mae closed the door
behind her, leaving the two men hunched over the desk.


[Tag, John.  Get yourself settled so you can start seeing patien...er,
visitors. :-) ]


****

Maedralyn sat at the desk facing a mountain of paperwork.  In a warren
this size, no matter how diligent Laria had been, the tasks remained
endless.  Mae found a half-finished letter requesting a new courier near
the top of the pile.  Hmm, wonder what happened to the last one, she
thought to herself, not discovering an explanation in the letter.  Not
seeing any reason to leave it unfinished, Mae took up where Laria had
left off, penning several additional copies to send out to other
warrens.  Then, remembering her promise to Dalmar, she also wrote to the
chief dragonhealer at Tinobal.  Once the correspondence was neatly
folded and sealed, she set it aside, pondering what to do in the absence
of a regular courier.  Hmm, a volunteer; that's what she needed.

{{Zareena, dear?}}

{Yes, rider,} came the queen's sleepy voice.

{{I'm sorry to disturb your nap, but I need you to find me a volunteer
to deliver some letters.}}


[Tag, whoever would like to deliver these letters.  And Dave, we're
ready for Ada as soon as you're ready to write her in.]


****

[late afternoon]

As soon as Maedralyn heard that Laria was at the med center, she hurried
over to offer her support.  Not that it was likely needed, she just felt
better about doing it.  Once inside the doors, Mae accosted the first
person resembling a healer whom she encountered.

"Excuse me, I need some information...about Laria.  How is she doing?
Is she in labor?  And how's the baby?  Will it be here soon?"

The older woman frowned, her dark-gray eyes stormy.  "And just who are
you, asking personal questions about the warrenlady?"

"I'm Maedralyn, queenrider of Zareena, just arrived from Epion.  I'd
like to help out in any way I can.  Is Laria in a lot of pain?"  Mae
felt a twinge of sympathy.

"A new queenrider, hmm?  Well, I'm Sarrine.  I don't normally broadcast
information on patients, but I suppose the new junior queenrider," she
raised her eyebrows questioningly, then at Mae's nod continued, "is
entitled to know whether or not she's essentially in charge of the
warren.  Laria's water broke this afternoon, and a short time ago she
began having contractions.  So far the pain isn't too bad.  I expect
we'll have a new Telnor resident by morning."  Sarrine flashed a brief
smile.  "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have patients to see."  She bustled
off before Mae could say another word.

Mae frowned, tapping her foot against the floor a few times.  Well,
there was nothing to do but wait until word went out that the baby had
decided it was good and ready to make its grand entrance into the world.

As she stood at the juncture of two corridors, she heard a thump from
the one opposite that which Sarrine had just hastened down.  She looked
around, but there weren't any other healers in sight at the moment.
Concerned that a patient might have fallen out of bed, she went to
investigate.

The corridor was now deathly silent.  That thought slowed Mae for only a
heartbeat as she straightened her spine.  The first several doors she
tried were locked.  Another couple opened to storerooms laden with
various medical supplies.  Then, she tried the door to room 48.  It
stuck when she tried to open it.  Not as though it were locked, but as
though....

"Is someone there?" she called out.  Only her own voice echoed in the
hallway.  "Is everything all right?"  With an abruptness that caught her
off-guard, the door suddenly yielded, sending her sprawling into the
room.  She thought she heard footsteps behind her as she got to her
knees, but when she turned around, all she could see was an empty
bed...at first.  Then, just beyond the footboard, she spotted a foot.

Scrabbling to reach the body, she found him lying in a pool of blood.
Gingerly reaching out to touch his shoulder, she found he was still
warm.

{{Zareena!  I need you to get me some help.  Room 48 in the med center.
And hurry!}}


[General tag - who wants to help with our victim?]


****

It seemed an eternity before Maedralyn was finally heading to the
spacious apartment where she had hastily stowed their belongings after
lunch.  Given the hectic day so far, she opted out of dinner at the
dining hall and requested some simple sandwiches be brought for her and
her mother.

It was with some mixed feelings that she contemplated that evening's
reception.  When she had received word of it, she had been looking
forward to the social occasion and the chance to get to know more of the
warren's inhabitants.  But the stresses of the day had worn on her, and
now she was beginning to tire.  Still, there was nothing like a party to
get one into a more positive frame of mind.

****

[after dinner]

In a warren of this size, the dining hall was naturally immense, but
with most of the warrenfolk in attendance for the reception of the new
queenrider, it seemed woefully inadequate.  Every table, it seemed, was
filled to capacity, and elbow room was at a premium.

Mae carefully ushered her mother to a table, near the back of the hall,
that had been raised up on a sort of make-shift dais.  After seeing to
it that Marla had a cool drink and that her embroidery silks were
aligned in order, Mae stepped out into the crowd to mingle with her new
warrenmates.

Wincing as an icy beverage was pressed into her hand, Mae turned to find
Forrellyn smiling down at her.

"Hello again."

"Hello."  Mae took a quick sip of the punch.  "How is your son doing?
No lasting effects from his fall, I trust."

"No, like all little boys, he's right back in the saddle again," the
young father assured her.  He glanced around the milling assemblage.
"There he is, over there.  Sampling all of the desserts, no doubt."  He
turned back to Mae with a grin.  While his back was to her, she had been
greeted by yet another rider.  They stood a moment in conversation.
When she was free again, Forrellyn sympathized, "It must be overwhelming
trying to get acquainted with everyone, especially all at once."

Mae laughed.  "Well, I doubt I'll get to meet everyone tonight, and I
certainly won't remember all the names, but it's a start."  She handed
him her now empty glass.  "Thanks for the punch.  Now if you'll excuse
me...."  Mae turned away with a smile that encompassed both the archer
and her next acquaintance.

****

Some time later, Mae made her way back to the head table where her
mother was in conversation with Elisa.  Well, it might have been a
conversation if not for the fact that the clamor in the dining hall was
making it next to impossible for Marla to hear what was said to her.

"Hello, Elisa.  It's nice to see you again.  I'm sure under different
circumstances my mother would appreciate your efforts to entertain her."

Elisa frowned.  "Well, I hated to see her sitting here all by herself,
and I knew you were busy meeting people, so it seemed the least I could
do.  It's just so loud in here."  She glared at a nearby cluster of
riders laughing uproariously.

"Yes, it is," Mae agreed, "but I like to see people enjoying
themselves.  So often it seems like there is more trouble in life than
fun; it helps to make the most of the opportunities to appreciate
whatever pleasures come along."  She grinned wickedly.  "Like that
one."  She stepped off the dais to greet the very handsome rider who had
just approached.


[General tag - anyone recognize his or her character here? :-) ]


****

Mae looked up into the piercing blue eyes gazing down at her as she and
the trainer swayed to the melodic tones produced by the ensemble of
bards playing in a nearby corner of the room.  As the last strains
trailed off, Mae stepped out of Eth'n's warm embrace and flashed him a
soft smile.

"Thank you.  I enjoyed the dance."

"I did, too.  Can I interest you in a glass of punch?"  At Mae's nod,
Eth'n threaded his way through the crowd to the tables loaded down with
refreshments.  A bowl that put Mae in mind of a small lake held the icy
punch, slices of orange and lemon floating on the surface like miniature
islands.

As the two lingered beside the table, enjoying their cool drinks, Thomas
hobbled over on his crutches.  Eth'n got the trainer a glass of punch,
while Mae offered to fill a plate for him, since he was encumbered by
the crutches.

"I don't know how I'm going to stand it with these damn things," Thomas
groused.  "They tell me it'll be weeks."  He sighed.  "Well, bring the
food along, then, Maedralyn, while I try to find an empty seat."  He
swung himself forward on the crutches, brandishing the right to clear a
path between the clusters of chattering merrymakers until he eventually
found a place to sit.  Eth'n placed the brimming glass of punch in front
of him, while Mae handed him the plate of food once he was settled
gingerly in the chair.  He immediately set the plate on the table and
picked up the glass, taking a large swallow of the fruity beverage.  Mae
and Eth'n exchanged amused glances.

"Is there anything else we can do for you, Thomas?" Mae wondered.

"Ask those silly bards to play something less sappy," he suggested
before returning to his punch.

"Shall we?" Eth'n extended his arm to Mae.


[Tag, Arlene.  Is Eth'n interested in another dance?]


****

Maedralyn was standing near the refreshments, refilling her glass with
punch, when all of a sudden one of the tables began rocking.  A plate of
stuffed mushrooms shattered on the ground, sending shards of china
flying amidst the delicate champignons as they spattered butter and
filling on the nearby partiers.  A collective gasp and assorted curses
accompanied the mishap.  Before anyone could figure out what was
happening, the table rocked more violently, dashing more hors d'oeuvres
and crockery onto the floor and scattering everyone standing in the
way.  A small tousled head peeped out from beneath the table just before
it overturned with a tremendous crash.

Mae stood looking down at Pekin with her jaw hanging slack.  Had that
little boy just managed all that destruction?  She stepped forward to
help extricate him from the broken dishware at the same time as she
realized that the falling table had taken with it a couple of lamps that
were now igniting a wall hanging and the wooden table.  She leapt
forward to grasp the youngster in her arms, drawing him away from the
spreading fire.

In the meantime, someone else had lifted the huge bowl of punch and was
heaving it in an arc, spilling the liquid onto the blaze.
Unfortunately, Mae and Pekin weren't spared a dousing as the cascade
went by.  Eyes stinging, Mae clasped the boy close to her as she moved
off as quickly as she could, fighting panic now that their clothing was
alcohol-soaked and more susceptible to the flames.

Smoke was beginning to billow in blinding clouds, burning eyes and
throats as everyone scurried about, trying to locate friends and loved
ones on their way out the door.  Mae coughed repeatedly as she guided
Pekin toward what she thought was the light from outdoors, not daring to
think what might be happening to her mother, only trusting that someone
would help her find her way out.  At this moment, all that mattered was
the innocent child in her care.  Suddenly she felt powerful hands
reaching for the boy, heard choking sobs of fear and relief as he was
lifted into his father's loving embrace, while other, smaller hands
helped Mae to her feet.  Her eyes met Lalas's for just an instant before
they were again enveloped in smoke.  As it cleared briefly, Mae could
see from the corner of her eye a man she thought might be Trap leading
her mother through the room.


[Tag, everyone.  Have "fun" with the inferno. :-) ]


****


Submitted by:

Dana Zuhlke

Maedralyn (Mae) and Zareena
Marla

Telnor Warren





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