From:
"Arlene E. Jacobs" <wondermom@ij.net> Date: Tue Oct 29, 2002 12:13
am Subject: [DL-T] Don't tell me...
Day 6
MORNING
"All Right, You Sluggards!" Eth'n bellowed at the trainees. The older
dragons were close to flying and he wanted their wings nice and strong... he
had lots of activities planned for working those muscles. "Form up in a
straight line!" As he counted off, he paused and looked around, "Who's
missing? Soucivi?" He looked around a moment before asking Dargen where
his rider was.
"In a CAVE?" Eth'n groaned. "Not again... ?" He spoke this out loud as
his frustration with Dargen's rider mounted.
The other trainees exchanged glances, wondering if training would again be
canceled.
They were not so lucky, however, as Eth'n decided to take out his
frustrations on them, and set them to an impossible task of having the
dragons, divided into two teams, attempt to move a huge ball across the
Training Green using only their wings to fan the air -- of course in
opposite
directions. They were not allowed to touch the ball in any physical way or
their *rider* got a penalty task to perform.
***
While he set Warton to oversee the game, Eth'n went to check on the newly
joined riders. He called for them to assemble as he counted them off, he
paused noting one of the smaller dragons was missing her rider.
Sighing, he asked Katlia first why her rider had not shown up for training.
Eth'n's eyes widened as her heard that Foxglove was in a cave... then he
turned to the remainder of the dragons... [Anyone else missing a rider?]
Shaking his head when he learned that no one else seemed to be missing one,
he began to visualize what form the two wayward riders' punishment would
take. Maybe washing dishes in the warren's Dining Hall -- for a month --
for all meals -- with no help -- might remind the two wanderers of the
importance of training!
Furious, he found himself snapping at the newly joined riders which he later
regretted, but his anger could hardly be contained. Those two would
jeopardize their bonds and neglect their training for a tryst in those darn
caverns.
<Rider? You are wanted in the warrenlady's office....> Warton hesitated
telling Eth'n this, knowing how it would make him feel.
Eth'n stopped in midsentence and the nervous trainees looked on, wide-eyed.
<*Is it Mae? Has she returned?*> Eth'n asked, holding his breath.
<No... the request comes from the other queenriders.>
<*Oh... I'm on my way.*> Eth'n's eyes refocused and stared at the worried
newly joined riders. "Sorry, something has.... come up. We'll continue
this later. For now I want you to go to the Dragon Healer -- Dalmar. He'll
be expecting you. He'll give you a brief description of dragon
physiology -- and make sure when you leave that you have an ample supply of
dragon-oil! Your sweet little hatchlings will be growing fast, and healthy
skin is maintained by proper oiling."
Eth'n abruptly turned and hurried off toward the warren offices, leaving the
trainees to wonder what the emergency could be to pull their trainer away.
***
Tag: Sam and John... what will the newly joined riders think?
***
Warren Offices
He tapped lightly on the door, and then pushed it open since he was
expected. Mari and Ann were each sorting through various piles of papers
and items that had been dislodged during the tremors of the previous day.
They both looked up with warm greetings at Eth'n's arrival.
"What can I do for you, ladies?" Eth'n attempted a warm smile, and if
someone hadn't looked into his eye, might have been fooled. But his eyes
held no mirth, only a deep sadness upon entering the room that had once been
alive with Mae's laughter.
And as if reading his mind, the new young queenrider blurted out, "How's
Mae? When is she coming back?"
Eth'n's face tightened, as he attempted to find his voice to answer the
girl, "To be honest, Ann... I don't know. When I got your summons part of
me was hoping that Mae had returned. But, with a head injury... even the
healers at Tinobal couldn't give me an answer."
Ann began to wring her hands, and Mari's face fell as they realized that Mae
was likely not going to be returning soon... and quite possibly not at all.
"So... who will be running the warren?" Ann's eyes were dark with fear.
"No... don't tell me..."
"OK, I won't tell you," Eth'n sighed. "But if you need any help... all you
need do is ask."
****
Tag back Jason!
***
Afternoon
Eth'n had taken a long walk after leaving the warren offices. He needed to
put things into perspective. He had a job to do at the warren, and he
certainly wouldn't be able to do it unless he came to grips with his loss.
Attempts to rationalize that Mae wasn't his mate didn't help. He might not
have asked her, but she had become a very important part of his life -- one
that he couldn't easily replace, not that he even wanted to.
The path wound away among the trees around the outskirts of the warren
proper, and Eth'n's feet followed it without giving much thought. He wasn't
looking where he was wandering and was surprised when he came upon a lone
figure who seemed as lost in his own thoughts as Eth'n had been. Not
wanting to disturb the old warrior, Eth'n began to back away
"You don't have to go," The oddly accented voice spoke clearly.
"I didn't want to bother you, Darius," Eth'n responded.
"You didn't. I heard you coming and could have left if I'd chosen."
"But you decided to stay? Did you know it was me?"
Darius turned and looked at the young trainer. "Yes, you have a way of
shuffling your feet -- very distinct -- a man with a heavy heart."
Eth'n sighed, "A heavy heart? Yes, I suppose that I do. I didn't realize
how much Mae had come to mean to me... and now I may never be able to tell
her."
"Yes, .... but life goes on, and all one can do is learn from one's
mistakes."
"Learn from my mistakes?"
"Don't wait so long to tell the next one."
"Next....?"
"Well, since it is doubtful that Mae will recover, I'm assuming you aren't
planning to jump off a cliff and join her? No, then there will be a next
time."
Eth'n glared at the older man who stood their patiently, arms crossed.
Slowly the anger drained from him. Darius was right, of course, though what
he'd said was not something Eth'n had wanted to hear. His head bowed in
acceptance. "Next time... I won't hesitate to tell... her... whoever she'll
be... how I feel."
"Good... now... I was watching the training earlier....and I've some
suggestions."
Eth'n smiled and nodded.
***
TAG: Andrew - what suggestions might Darius have?
***
summary:
Day 6
Morning
Eth'n gets a few shocks. During the older trainees' session, Eth'n learns
that Soucivi is missing, and during the newly joined session, that Foxglove
is also missing -- and with Soucivi in a cavern. Eth'n can only imagine
what they are exploring, and is not pleased.
During the Training Session, Eth'n is summoned to the Warren Offices -- to
the Warrenlady's office in particular. Hoping without reason that it is Mae
returning, Eth'n is disappointed that it is Ann and Mari. The tow
queenriders worry about who will be "in charge" with Mae gone.
Afternoon
Eth'n takes a walk and runs into Darius, who offers advice.
---
Respectfully submitted by:
Arlene Jacobs
AKA
Eth'n, Trainer, rider of Warton, of Telnor Warren