Pa'gan was running for all he was worth to get back to his Aradia. It was
dark outside as he approached the hatchling barracks, but the full moon lit
his way. Pa'gan could think of nothing else but Aradia and the scene he had
just left with Trinale, Derry and Daimon, but then something caught his eye
not far away in the darkness. A couple falling into a warm embrace as
Pa'gan ducked into the shadows. No matter how bad this night has turned out
for him and his loved ones he was not going to ruin it for others.......at
least not any more than his drunken mouth had done so far.

	As Pa'gan watched the couple he could not help but yearn for his Aradia
and also be amazed how much strong emotions can sober one up.


>Thorin sobbed into the dragonrider's chest allowing himself to relax a bit
>within his warm embrace. It was no wonder all the women loved him ..
>Thorin's sobs began to slow and he looked up into the man's deep blue eyes
>and suddenly had the urge to kiss him. He moved his lips toward Saul's ..
>and then realized what he was doing. He broke away, pushing Saul as he
>started running again, "Leave me alone, Saul!"


	Pa'gan could not believe it! It was Thorin that ran right by him. And it
was Saul that he almost kissed in the moonlight. Pa'gan stood there not
knowing what to do and just waited for Saul to leave.

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

	As Pa'gan burst into the room he saw Aradia laying on the floor with her
dragon. He immediately kneeled next to her and pulled her close and wrapped
his arms about her.

	*Reekor*, Pa'gan thought to his dragon companion, *tell Futhark that I am
taking Aradia a short distance away to help her calm down. I will have her
back before morning. Then meet us outside the hatchling barracks.*

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

	Pa'gan climbed up on Reekor and then lifted Aradia up and set her in front
of him and the two flew off on Reekor. 

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

	Shortly the two of them landed on a mountain top not far from the warren.
The flight in the light of the full moon did the priest and priestess a lot
of good and calmed their emotions tremendously.

	As they dismounted Aradia began to say something but Pa'gan gently put his
finger to her lips and then whispered to her. 

	"I will take care of things."


	Then Pa'gan gently kissed Aradia's lips.

	The two of them laid with each other for a couple of hours, making love
and watching Reekor in flight against the shimmering white moon.

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

	Aradia fell into a deep sleep and Pa'gan pulled herself from her and stood
at the edge of a nearby cliff. The moonlight shimmering off of his sweaty
skin as he stood the nude in the cool breeze. Several more hours had passed
and he knew the sun would be up soon.

	Pa'gan turned, his mind made up.......he knew what he had to do to set
things right and straight once and for all. He slowly approached the
sleeping Aradia and wrapped her in her clothing and his shirt. He summoned
for Reekor and in a moment had told the great black dragon of his plans.

	Pa'gan picked up Aradia and carried her to Reekor and with some effort
mounted the dragon without waking her.

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

	Aradia had been put back in her bunk at the hatchling barracks....among
those others that had joined earlier in the day. Pa'gan now stood on the
edge of the cliff that was the entrance of his and Aradia's home in the
warren cliff face. He was dressed in his full battle amour. His family
sword on his hip and his bow strapped across his back. His hair was pulled
back tightly and he sighed. The sun was coming up and he had done
everything he could to prepare for the honor that was to come. One way or
another he would save face, if not for him then for Aradia and his unborn
child.

Respectfully submitted by Keeper Journeyman,

the life breath and soul of Pa'gan and Reekor!