There are 3 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-W] A Discussion of Dragons and the Past (JP) (Repost)
From: "Allen Veazey" <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-J] - Just a Training Exercise
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. [USS Calypso] Were Hereee!
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 13:00:09 -0000
From: "Allen Veazey" <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] A Discussion of Dragons and the Past (JP) (Repost)
Reposted due to posting problems with the last one:
[DL-W] Discussions of Dragons and the Past (JP)
Day 12
Mid Afternoon
Ash's Apartment
[SNIP]
Ari walked the path and enjoyed the day. She did miss the ability
to just
be in her beloved woods and hills and the freedom to bask in the sun
in the
heat of the day. As she looked up she saw the one everyone called
Monster,
Demon. All she saw was a man waiting to hear the news of his loved
one.
She waved to gain his attention, and smiled when she was closer and
caught
his gaze.
"Greetings!" she called out. "I have some news!"
[END SNIP]
Ash's jaw dropped. "Already?" he asked. "Come on inside."
He hesitated as she followed him; how would she see the things
inside? He
hadn't even started to clean up.there was dust and dirt on the
floor, the
mattress pushed up against the wall, the small clean spot where he
had sat
and slept.
Two bright spots to the side, Avid's eyes wide as Ari entered, a low
growl
again issuing. Ash gave him another sharp mental rebuke, a second
of anger
which made the mountain lion turn his head away and radiate a sullen
emotion
of his own.
Ash saw the Dragonhealer slow and flinch, raised his eyebrows in
response.
Perhaps.yes. No one would mind. It happened often enough in Telnor.
"Avid, hunt. Go hunt. Get the cattle." He moved to the side as the
lion
padded past them.
Avid forgiving him with a head bump that nearly knocked him off his
feet.
Avid would stalk along the edges of the warren's cattle herd, find
one that
would satisfy him. Wyndamenth, always attentive to the cat would
explain it
to the other dragons.
Ari studied the interaction between the man and his cat. She heard
his
command and knew that she needed to let the others know, so there
would be
no problems later.
*Az* she reached out to her bond mate *I need ya ta share with the
others,
that the mountain lion hunting the herds, he be with Ash and Wyn.
He is not
ta be stopped nor harmed*
<*Are you sure that is SO wise little one*> Again the soft rebuke
heavily
laced with worry and concern.
*Help me Az* she pleaded.
<*You know I can deny you nothing*> the soft words rumbling in her
head and
the love flooded her. She smiled and turned to find Ash watching
her. Their
eyes locked, and he was taken back with her eyes. Deep amber pools
of
liquid emotions; his first impression was the eyes of a predator. It
surprised him, yet roused his curiosity. Ash was no slouch as a
hunter,
had spent a large part of his life in the wilderness, yet, Ari had
the
appearance of one who was positively.feral.
"You felt that?" he asked her as he watched Avid saunter out the
door.
"Aye." She replied nodding her head slightly.
"I found Avid out in the wastes, close to Telnor..he communicates by
emotion. It greatly increases the range of what we can understand."
Ash
shrugged. "He's been around a long time."
"Emotion?" the Dragonhealer replied. "That be amazin." She said as
she
looked around the room. "Ya use ta live here?" she asked looking
towards
the back storage room.
"Yes." Ash said, noting where she was looking. "Most of the plants
were
taken out, Pav'lo said." The hint of regret appeared in his
voice. "I
should have expected it." He turned back to Ari. "You said you had
news?"
"Wyn be well enough." Ari began. "She be weak tho. We took
samples, some
blood. We will know soon." She said and reached out and touched his
arm to
show him her support during this time of grief and strife. She
hesitated,
almost said something, took a small breath and asked "I need ta know
more of
what happen."
Ash nodded. "There's not much to tell."His eyes grew distant. "You
saw her
scales, her wings. I thought it was red scale rot, at first.that's
worrisome, but it was a common enough malady. I did all the things
you
would expect, gave her dragonwort, and southern violet, scrubbed her
scales,
oiled her down.after a week or two her scales started lookin more
normal.
For a few days, she looked almost purple." He tried to smile, but
failed.
Ari sat and listened nodded and made mental notes to speak with
WindFree
about a few things. She knew all that Azhy knew, for he was the one
to
teach her everything. But..perhaps.Windfree might know of something
that
Azhy and her band of wilders had never come across. She just knew
there was
more to this than met the eye, and she knew from the sound of his
voice, the
way he spoke, he was not keeping anything from her.
"She recovered, all except her stamina. She was weak.couldn't fly
more than
an hour or so. That's improved, but normally she has fantastic
endurance.
We were way out in the wastes.I thought that maybe the lack of magic
had
something to do with it. Or, maybe it was the warping effects of
magic, out
there. Or maybe I was wrong about her problem." He looked away,
troubled.
Ari nodded, and squeezed his arm in support. She had some inkling
of what
he was feeling. How could she not? She did not know what she would
do if
she were in Ash's place. All she knew was she would help them both.
No
matter how long it took. She did not fear for Wyn at this time.
She was
here, resting, and altho she did have some fatigue, she appeared to
be very
healthy and in good condition. No, the nagging thought of that
plague she
had grown up hearing about, it was similar, and yet, different. She
wondered.
"There was no telling what else the bug might have affected.
Because of
my." he paused and looked at her, studying her yet again. "There
were few
places that we could go."
Ari looked into his eyes, noting the one that no longer showed signs
of
sight. "Ash, there be somethin else.." Ari said softly, not knowin
how to
bring up such a painful subject.
"Yes?" he asked.
"I had a visitor earlier." She began, trying to pick through her
thoughts,
to find just the right words and say them the right
way. "Tatiana...she
told me ta tell ya...ya only have 90 days."
"And, then what?"
Ari bristled with indignation at the memory of the altercation
between her
and the trainer.
"It be either ye or her." She answered simply. "She did say that
she's
killed wilder dragons..she didn't want a warren dragon's blood on her
hands."
Ash was silent for a moment. "How.magnanimous..of her." This time
he did
smile slightly as he looked at her with what appeared to be
controlled fury
written across her face.
"Mmm. Well, I wouldn't worry about that." He said.
"What?" Ari exclaimed looking shocked. "I be here ta tell ya what I
told
her. Ya both stay until I deem her healed and not a moment before
that!" she
blurted out.
Ash chuckled softly "You are right, Wyndamenth will stay, as long
as she
needs to. Not one minute more, or less. It is not up to Tatiana to
dictate
this time.
"Tis what I told her, But she was.."
"I have no desire to overstay my welcome, Ari. We will leave,
eventually.
But that welcome is left up to you, and Dalmar, and Merissa." He
paused.
"Whatever the consequences."
"Even if ya both die from it!" the shock of this situation was still
plain
on her face.
"I seriously doubt that would happen." He paused again, the
indicated a
place for Ari to sit, and sat down himself. "Let me see if I can
help clear
up a few details."
"Ash, I don't care about any of that." Ari tried to reassure
him. "Tis in
the past, tis over, aye the dead are still mourned, .." Ari bite her
lip
hoping she had not over stepped her bounds.
"I need to try to explain, so you will know what you are facing, and
up
against." He replied softly. Ari nodded. "I still want ya ta know
nothin
ya say will change my opinion of ya, I have already taken my measure
of ya."
Ash chuckled softly and nodded. "Noted, and thank you." He took a
deep
breath and paused. "Now, where were we? Oh yes, We left Telnor,
Laya and I,
not long after the battle of Geode. It was not long after that.
Tahlaya
left me, as well. It was just Wyn and Avid and me.for about 5
years, we've
been out in the wastes. I chose to do something, then.to work on
perfecting
the way of the sword. Five years, dedicating myself to the final
mysteries.
Five years, training for nothing else than the purity of the art.
It was
odd.the more dedicated I became, the more I pushed myself, the less
desire I
had to actually use the sword. I take it that this is a natural
progression
of learning." He nodded more to himself than to the one he spoke to.
"I took that knowledge to the masters.forged a set of swords, though
I still
prefer Master Tinkato's sword.became a Master of the swords guild.
They
never do that for dragonriders. Never." He emphasized the last
thought and
went silent for a moment.
"I no longer draw Viper in anger, or allow impulse to guide my
hand. I
fight to defend myself, my honor, my companions." He turned to face
her.
"I've lost the desire to fight for emotion, for money, for rage.
Tatiana,
for all her experience, still has much to learn." His eyes
hardened. "But,
I -WILL- fight for Wyndamenth."
"As will I." Ari softly whispered as she once again touched his hand
to show
her support.
"You trainer .."
"She be NOT my trainer!" Ari broke in hotly and then blushed when she
realized she had blurted her thoughts out loud.
Ash studied her for a moment and continued as if she had not said a
word.
"Your trainer has something.I can't explain it. At Geode, she
rushed in, as
if sure that she couldn't be touched. Over-confident. Perhaps she
thought
her armor would save her.it didn't." He frowned then. "Oddly
enough, her
anger is mostly about Geode, something that I should least be held
responsible for."
Ash looked to the young healer as she sat listening to him ramble.
He did
not know why it was so important for him to share with her this part
of him.
"I have a lot of sins to atone for, Ari. But not Geode.I was
possessed by a
hellspawn. It stayed in me to maturity; tore me apart when it left.
I
should be dead. My actions were not my own." He shrugged.
"As I understand it, that hellspawn is gone. Dead. The Dragon Lady.
both of
them.they understood, and pardoned me."
"I be hearin the others call ya Monster. They tell tales." Ari spoke
up
softly.
"Most of them are true." Ash replied and looked away. "I have
done..terrible things, awful things, in the name of retribution. I
have paid
the price."
Again Ari reached out and gently touched his arm. "Like I said
earlier, I
already have thy measure, tis all I need. I can see how ya feel
towards
Wyn, and I know how she feels towards ya, tis all I need ta know."
Ash did not look at her and nodded. "Many would say that I should
have
killed myself when Solaris was killed. They may be right." He
looked back
at her.
"To the west, there is a small lake.high up on the mountain. It
drains to
Dragon River. Sol's bones are still there, for everyone to see.
Since that
day, I have fought.fought myself, fought others, fought my own
demons. I
was insane, there is no denying it. And, when I returned, I was a
creature
of passion and violence. I've tamed those demons.learned discipline
that I
did not have before. But the reputation, that sill remains."
Ari felt the tears stinging her eyes and she closed them for a
moment to try
to quell them. She did not wish to appear weak before this man.
With all
that had happened to him, he still fought the fight, he kept to his
personal
code of honor and conduct and she admired him for it.
"Well Ash, ya have no reputation with me. I take ya for who ya are,
ya be
the bond mate of Wyn, and I'd like ta offer my hand in friendship."
Slowly he reached out his own hand, took hers. "I thank you
Arideregh,
rider of Azhgre." He said, his voice oddly formal. Inside, he
relaxed.
What emotions he could glean from the dragonhealer matched her
expressions
and words, she was on his side. He was careful to hold his own
emotions in
check, to avoid a repeat of what had happened at lunch, with
Eleanora.
"It appears that you're in strange company.there are a few who have
accepted
me, as you have. Merissa of course, the little one, I think Gob is
his
name, he was friendly enough.
Pav'lo remembers me from the old days, though I do not think he would
support me one way or the other. And then there is Eleanora, and
Xanthia
was pleasant enough.though, I don't think she knew who I was. Her
impression of me may have changed." He took a breath, decided to
risk a
secret.
"There is something else." He said. "Something that I did not
expect. The
stories were true.Wyndamenth and I were not joined. We still are
not.but
when I met her, we could not communicate. We could not read each
other's
thoughts. But now.since her illness.we can." He paused. "It feels
strange. Stranger, because she also can..never mind. But, since I
have
lived in Telnor, Wyn and I have been different. You understand.
Not like
the other riders. Now, I feel almost like I did in the old days. A
sense
of belonging, almost. Ironic, that we will not be able to stay." He
smiled, slightly, "Well, Ninety days is a long time. We will see
what we
will see."
"Ya have been welcomed by Lady Merissa." Ari replied simply. "She
hast
given ya sanctuary, and NO one can take that from ya." Ari cleared
her
throat to try to say what she needed to say.
"Ya also have my countenance." She replied. "Neither of ya will be
leavin
until I say so, and I be hopin by then, the others will see that
there tis
no reason why ya should not be allowed ta. If ya wish ta stay, that
is."
She added.
"Ya have much ta give the warren Ash, and I know ya don't see it,
but ya do.
I think that ye and Wyn are a gift to us." Ari replied.
"And ya be wrong about Wyn and thee, ya be bonded, just as Az and I
are.
Tis a wee bit of a different type, but tis a bond never-the-less."
She spoke
with earnest. "I know she feels the same way." she added for
emphasis.
"Ya have much teach us as well. I should like ta glean thy
knowledge of the
wastes." She smiled as she stood up. She looked over to the area
that had
once held various types of vegetation and she went to them and
studied them,
touching them lovingly and examined them.
"So that be what it looks like in its natural form." Ari whispered
softly in
awe. "I had wondered."
Ash watched her with interest and wondered just who she was. How
did she
know about those particular plants that he had learned of from the
wastes?
"Do ya have any more?" she asked as she viewed the devastation of
the little
greenhouse. "I know some of the properties, and I have seen it in
harvested
form." She replied.
"Sadly , no." He replied. "It seems that most of it was burned.
except my
favorites, back in the back. Very difficult to grow, but their
properties
are much sought-after."
Ari nodded in agreement and partial response. Her eyes roamed the
vacant
rooms and she suddenly smiled.
"Tis a nice place ya have here," she chuckled softly. "Tis a grand
open-ness ta it, makes ya not have that hemmed in feelin." She
looked over
his old greenhouse area and turned back to face him as he stood
watching
her.
"I have some herbs and other types of medicinals, should ya need ta
start
them up again, I can give ya some of my starts. And, if I don't
have what
ya need, ta help Wyn, me and Az can take ya ta the place where I
gather mine
from." She offered.
Ash nodded in response. "Yes, that would be very helpful. I have
walked
through Tris.Xanthia's garden, and though there are many plants
which I will
surely beg from her, some things are better gleaned from the wild."
He
tilted his head.
"I did not expect to see someone quite so knowledgeable in wasteland
flora.
I can show you some spots too, where the rarer plants grow. Perhaps
Wyndamenth
would enjoy a short hop, too, if you and Dalmar will let her stretch
her
wings."
"I be sure that in a few days Wyn will be rested enough for us to
try a
short trip, partly for the gatherin of the medicinals, and also to
test a
few theories on Wyn." Ari replied with a smile. "I be glad ta go
with ya,
tis always nice ta be able ta speak of things that most do not know
of, and
tis harder to explain, so one remains silent."
Ash nodded as if he too understood what she spoke of. Then the tilt
moved a
little deeper.
"That is, if you have time. Dragon-gossip is always confusing, but
what I
did hear was that you have some noble stature amongst the
landbound. I
understand that you have some kind of event in the near future? One
that
will take up all your time?"
Ari's countenance clouded over and she took a defensive stance. She
took a
deep breath and tried to breathe evenly. He was not to blame, that
was one
thing she had a hard time with was realizing that there were no true
secrets
in a warren. Not unlike the research settlement she had grown up in.
Except there, her mother ruled with an iron fist.
She looked back at the man who stood near her and did not even
attempt a
smile. He of all people would understand, he must. So many claimed
they did,
but no one seemed to be able to stop the rushing tide of the Prince,
of
court and of the battle she feared when her mother found out her
failure in
keeping the secret.
"I be a Dragon- rider." She spoke softly, her lilt heavily
pronounced as she
tried to hold back the anger and if the truth be told, her fear. "I
be a
Dragonhealer as well, and my place be here."
Ash studied her.
"NO one, not the Prince, not my mother, and certainly not the king,
can tell
me what ta do. I be free ta chose MY life." She reiterated as tho
she was
trying to convince herself of this fact.
"They can be makin ALL kinds of plans for me, but I won't do it!"
She hotly
declared. She looked up to see a slightly amused look on his face.
She
realized he had no idea of why she was suddenly so pissy, and the
thought of
all that was expected of her, and she had not even mastered the art
of
walking in a dress made her suddenly smile and then laugh out loud.
Again he stood there studying her.
"Ahh Ash, ya have no idea." She chuckled and shook her head. Altho
the lilt
was still strong and pronounced, the earlier anger, or was it
defiance, was
gone for the time.
"It appears that I be royal, aye." She agreed with his earlier
statement.
"That I don't give a rat's ass tis also true. I be raised ta be
free, not
confined in some golden cage with the trappins of happiness." She
confided
more gleefully than she knew she should.
"Tis not me, and I shan't give up Az, I'd rather disappear into the
wastes
and wilds than be trapped and live like a caged animal." She
admitted.
"The only job I could hold at court right now would be the court
jester."
She laughed at herself. "Ash, for all that be holy, I can't even
walk in a
dress!" She shook her head.
"So, don't ya worry about it, my first priority tis ta Wyn, and her
care,
and that comes first. Everyone else can stand in line and wait."
Ash'chenon was silent for another long moment. "Not just noble, but
a
royal." He said finally. "Well, well." He turned away from Ari,
then,
moving back towards the front chamber and his packed things, he
could feel
her eyes on his back, feel her sudden uncertainty.
But, all he did was to rummage in one of his packs and withdraw a
small,
thick leather pouch. He produced a pipe from one of his pockets,
tapped a
thick pinch of tobacco from the pouch and lit it with a wooden
tinder-stick.
He puffed, and the smell of cherry wood and tobacco was suddenly in
the
air.
Ari smiled as she watched the ritual of lighting his pipe. The scent
of both
flooded her with memories or her father and Abel as Abel sat puffing
on his
pipe and their long talks into the night. Ari lulled to sleep with
their
voices just outside of her sleeping area. His words drew her out of
her
memories and back to the present.
"If you weren't raised at court, then the chances are you didn't
know who,
or what you were." He said. "Now -THAT- is a story worth hearing.
Even
those pushed away from Ralengarde are usually raised with all the
social
graces. And you strike me as someone.."He puffed again. "Who is
not. No
offense, of course."
Ari chuckled warmly. "Non taken, I thank ya for the compliment."
She
studied him and liked the feel of him. She did not know why the
others
could not look past what had happened long ago.
"Tis true I did not know who I be, but it appears my mother did, and
it
explains the battles between her and the King for years." Ari
answered
softly. "I be hopin that the Prince finds me rather unsuitable for
court,
and they leave me in peace."
He smiled a little, a humorless smile. "You're right, you know.
I'm sure
you already know that. You no longer answer to the landbound. The
moment
you joined, you fell under Christalla's province. Anything else;
that's a
matter of your own preference. And, perhaps politics." He was
silent
another long moment, thinking.
"Ari," He said. "I'm going to level with you. This brings up
another
problem. If they know of you, have contact with you, then I'm
guessing they
send someone to check up on you regularly. They're not going to be
happy to
learn that I'm here." He puffed again.
"The Prince be comin to meet me and take me back ta court." Ari
replied.
"Sheldon told me they can't make me, and J'red.." Her voice dropped
off and
she went quiet.
"I have not been here long Ash, altho at times it seems like ages
ago I came
here. I never would have thought my mother would have let me go.."
He nodded and noted the hesitation. He wondered what other
mysteries she
held. He took another puff more to help him focus on that which he
would
share with her next.
"Ever heard of a Lord, named Patka?" After Ari shook her head, he
said, "He
was north of here.I happened to raise an army and overrun his
lands. I
broke his army, stormed his keep, killed him in a duel.if. you call
him
trying to knife me a 'duel'. I did it.well I held him responsible
for my
child's death. That's why." His eyes misted over, remembering.
"It was a political mess. A power vacuum in Patka's holdings, with
his
neighbors squabbling over the spoils. King Jaldor knew me, used to
retain
me. Reolden knows who I am. They both knew what I was capable of.
A trial
would be too public. I've soldiered and led troops for half the
lords in the
Realm. Then there's the fact that I'm a Dragonrider.bound to stay
out of
landbound affairs, by the Compact. But I wasn't really joined, you
see,
that was the loophole."
He half-smiled again. "They decided to keep it quiet, let it blow
over.
They didn't want to start something with Christalla, or with the
Swords
guild." He came back to himself and stared at Ari. His eyes were
white,
flinty, unreadable. "They will stay out of my way. But they won't
like me
being here. They may have something to say to you about it."
He puffed again. "More than that. They'll take advantage of you.
If not
your family; then someone at court. Whether or not you claim your
status as
a Dragonrider, if you're that high-born, they'll still be after
you. You
need political savvy, and fast. Someone to teach you what the
pandering and
the double-talk and the honeyed words really mean." He broke off,
then, and
gave the dragonhealer a weighing stare. "Perhaps there might be a
use for
me here, after all.."
Ari stood listening to everything he was saying. She was lost in
some of
the meanings he was trying to convey. When they begun to make sense
she
smiled and chuckled.
"I have no family at court, well except the King and his family.
They told
me the Prince be my cousin." She answered. "My family be at the
research
settlement, tis all I've known." She replied.
A sparkle of amusement appeared in Ash's eyes. "Cousin, hmm?" he
asked.
"Mother battled him for years eh? That's very interesting." He did
not
elaborate on the subject.
"Do, ya really think they wont ever leave me alone?" she asked
worriedly. "I
just don't understand these high-flauntin airs of these toffs!" she
exclaimed. "Full of air and rot!"
"Honestly, no." Ash said. "Not if you are.who they think you are.
Not if
someone in Ralengarde thinks they have use for you." He
paused. "The best
way to fight it is to be prepared.they may not leave you alone, not
for a
while, but at the very least the people behind this will slow down,
will
abandon this heavy handed coercion that's obviously happening, and
try
another tactic."
Ari took a deep breath and turned to face Ash once more. "Ya would
be willin
ta help me? To keep me here?" she asked half hoping he would agree
to her
pleas.
I think that your heart won't accept what your head may already be
telling
you." Ash said. "No one can make you go anywhere.well, perhaps if
the
Dragon Lady asked you herself, but she will not. She would not do
so, even
for Reolden." He hesitated.
"Yes, I will help you. We'll both benefit. I'll be
your 'advisor'. Yes,
that's a good enough title. I may be a barbarian to some, but I've
sat at
enough state dinners to know what fork to pick up and what manners
to have.
You'll need to learn these.and much more. The more urbane and
sophisticated
you appear, the more respect they will have for you. And, the less
you will
be bothered." Ash inclined his head.
"If I am around, chances are they won't be bothering -you-. And if
you are
around, chances are they won't be bothering me." He paused, and a
hint of a
smile appeared again. "It's been a very long time since I've had an
apprentice. There's much to teach. Much to learn, if you're
willing."
Ari listened to his words and nodded. He had made a few good
points, and
with what tidbits that Miss Meri had spoken of their desires for
her, what
Ash said only confirmed her worse fears.
She had hoped that J'red..no, she sadly thought, that door is forever
barred. Their life together that she had hoped for with her entire
being
sacrificed for what Ash had just gotten done speaking of.
As for her family, what could the King and the others do? Nothing,
her
mother had removed herself from court long ago. She had turned her
back on
that way of life and one thing Ari could say, her mother had trained
her
well to be self-sufficient. Her father had taught her the way of
nature so
that she could always make her way. With Azhy by her side she would
be ok.
Ash stood and watched as her features softened; as she looked within
to
ponder the offer and things he had just told her. He puffed and
waited for
her response.
Ari went through everything she had learned over the past few weeks,
almost
a fortnight now, and she knew deep within her heart she needed an
ally. One
that could help her ride the white water and avoid the rocks. One
who knew
things of a place that intrigued her. He had a connection to a
secret she
carried, and one she wished to learn more of.
She looked up and saw that he sat patiently waiting for her response,
happily puffing on his pipe. She smiled at the scene he wished to
create.
He would be a formidable ally, and a good mentor.
"I accept." She softly answered with her hand extended ready to seal
their
bargain.
And for the second time that day, he took her hand in hers. "Done,"
he
said, shaking it once. He took an extra moment to turn her hand,
examine
the calluses and the roughness that only came from hard
work. "Tomorrow,
perhaps," he said, "if you have time, we can take stock. See what
they've
done to you already... see what needs to be learned. Deportment...
court
manners... charm... courtly wit." He paused, tilted his
head. "Dancing.
Balance. Grace. Etiquette. How to use these to your best advantage.
How
to fight, when they are not enough. Everything that I can teach you.
Very much to learn." His expression fell, a little. "I almost hate
to teach
you sophistication, Ari. There is a wild quality I sense in you, an
innocence, almost. I would hate to see that changed. But better you
learn it now, on your own terms, than be used by others." He released
her hand. "Until tomorrow, then..."
As he watched her leave, Sol's voice rang in his head.
**Do you know what you're doing?**
*Yes, I do. She needs to be trained, or those jackals at Ralengarde
will eat her alive.*
**I saw the thought in your head. You intend to teach her more than
a few dance steps and the correct spoon to pick up.**
*Maybe.*
**You're going to teach her everything you know. As much as
she can stand. And to hell with the human royals or your guild
rules or even your own cautious nature.**
*Yes.*
**Why, Ash?**
*Because Solara could have been her. Could have been exactly
like her.*
**Ari's not your daughter, Ash.**
*No. But from the way she acts, she could have been.*
**********
Summary: Ari goes to Ash's apartment to ask about Wyndamenth's
illness and Ash's history. After much discussion, they discover
some common ground; he offers to coach her in the social graces, to
help Ari avoid being used by the royal family.
**********
Respectfully submitted by:
Carys Murray
Aka Ari the Dragonhealer of WhiteRiver, rider of Azhy
and Allen Veazey
Ash'chenon and Wyndamenth
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 09:52:38 -0700
From: "carys murray" <carysmurray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] - Just a Training Exercise
Day 20
Early Evening
On the Beach
Dylan stood quietly while Keer stood behind her helping her make sure
her
pack was ready for their new training exercise. Dylan was not sure
how it
would go, and she was not happy that Corwin had seen it fit to
separate
them.
Corwin had tried to explain that both she and Keer needed to learn to
work
and trust the others. Altho his words rang of some truth, Dylan knew
something that the others did not.
She was not sure it would change the outcome of this exercise, and Dru
was
almost dancing with excitement, and trying to get her rider in a
happier
mood.
Dylan did not wish to hurt her mate's feelings, and so she smiled and
kidded
with Dru all the while trying to quell the rising panic she felt.
She could not explain, but she had a bad feeling about this over night
adventure, and she could not tell anyone. Many spoke of feeling just
the
same and it was tossed up to first time nerves.
Dylan nodded silently and absentmindedly as Keer went over all the
steps of
this training exercise. She could sense he too was not happy with the
arrangements of how the trainees had been split and he was making a
good
show as to not letting the others know how he really felt.
The soft words of love and encouragement he whispered to her in his
language
helped calm the rising tide of panic within her. She dare not glance
his
way, for then all would be lost.
"Dru knows what to do" he counseled and touched her shoulder and
squeezed it
to show her it would be all right. "I won't be far, and you will be
safe."
He spoke again "Just remember.everything I taught you." He pleaded
with
her and turned her around to face him "Everything." He reiterated
again and
she looked into his eyes and nodded.
The call went to mount up and get into positions. Keer with his hands
on
her shoulders nodded to her and turned to get ready. Dylan made her
way
with Dru to where they were to be in the formation. She was surprised
that
so many had turned out to watch them leave for their practice in the
open
sea.
Once they had left the sight of the Warren and the cove, they fell
into
their formations and one by one followed Corwin and Syngnath beneath
the
waves.
Dylan was glad that she had practiced this as much as she had with
Keer.
Between his teachings, and Dru's constant chatter at how much fun this
was
going to be, Dylan slowly felt that perhaps this was not going to be
so bad.
She did wonder tho, if perchance that Corwin had deliberately
separated her
and Keer for more than the reasons he quoted. She felt it was to
teach her
a lesson and he had not forgiven her over the issue of Gus.
[SNIP from Arle's post]
They were then further divided at the discretion of their leader into
scouts, assault force and defenders-though any rider could be any one
or all
three if need arose. Each side was to find the other's home base or
detect
the movement of scouts/assault forces, and Corwin would monitor their
progress through the sendings of individual dragons and the two
leaders.
Ansel on Khamorray led Dakhrau on Rhone, Dylan on Dru, and Kalina on
Ryba to
the spot between the islands.
{END SNIP]
**later**
Once everyone was in their place Ansel had Dylan and Kalina be the
scouts
while he and Dakhrau hide in the tall sea grasses so they could catch
the
other team unawares.
With their instruction both Dylan and Kalina began the long process of
trying to scout out and detect anything in the dark murky waters. At
first
it was hard to see but with Dru's help Dylan began to make out small
objects, small schools of fish as they darted to and fro to escape the
monster that appeared to chase them.
Ryba and Dru enjoyed chatting amongst themselves and helped relay
messages
back and forth to their riders, so that they were aware of what else
was
going on.
For a while it seemed as if nothing was going to happen, and Dru was
rather
bored. She pondered on the bet she had made with Adas, and altho
hunting
was something she did rather easily and enjoyed it even more, she did
not
want to lose the bet to him. She would block him and her thoughts, so
he
would not cheat and find them first.
*Can Ryba see anything? * Dylan asked her bond mate. *Tis awfully
murky
down here*
<*Not much, hey wait a minute*> Dru replied then stopped in
mid-sentence.
*What? * Dylan asked worriedly
<*Not sure, but Khamorray told us to lie low*>
Dylan sighed and wondered if it was anything to be worried about. She
mentally went through the list that Keer had made her memorize, she
slowly
checked off what the probabilities were. What was left was not a good
feeling for her.
Both Dru and Ryba felt it must have been a school of large fish, or
perhaps
a pod of dolphins. The two moved slowly; cautiously as they rounded
the
rock formation they had ducked behind. They were stopped short by
what it
was they had sensed. It was not a school of large fish, nor the pods
of
Dolphins they had seen earlier.
<*KATAANI! *> Dru screamed out to anyone who could hear. <*ADAS! *>
She
cried to her clutch mate <*UNDER ATTACK! *>
*My Rider told me to tell you NOT to pick a fight, he is coming* Adas
tried
to calm his clutch mate. He did not want to worry her, altho his
rider was
very upset. Perhaps Panic was a good word, he thought.
*Don't Panic we are on our way, altho I am sure with that scream of
yours
everyone in the Warren is coming* he tried to tease her so she could
help
calm her rider.
Dylan took one look at the soldiers armed with their spears drawn and
felt a
sense of doom. Keer had told her many stories and tales of his time
with
his people before he chose to leave. He had told her they never
ventured
this close to shore much less the Warren. The few words she could
pick up
with the distortion of the water told her they were just as surprised
to see
them and they did not know what to do either.
The two held their position and did not move. Not, that there was
really
any where to go. The rock reef behind them was no place to hide, and
she did
not know if either Dru or Ryba could out swim them.
*Dru, tell Ryba to tell Kalina that help is on the way and they are
confused
as to what to do. Maybe the others will come and scare them away*
Dylan
said.
Waiting in the dark depths was not what Dylan wished to do. She did
not
feel safe, and the heated words between two of the soldiers did not
sound
good either. It appeared as tho perhaps she and Kalina had
interrupted
something.
Something that no one else was to know about.
She heard strange words and the formation moved out and now she could
sense
that they were in a defensive formation, and Dylan knew that they were
going
to attack. Dylan and Kalina looked at each other and nodded.
Dylan braced herself, for the onslaught. The onslaught never came.
She
heard the cries of a few of the enemy and she looked up to see Keer
there,
his spear glowing and the look on his face enough to quell any
uprising.
Their eyes met and locked and with the hand signals he had taught her,
she
knew that all was well. Even tho he seemed to be surrounded with
sharks,
they did not attack him. It appeared he controlled them! Dylan
wondered
what other talents or skills or even gifts he had that he had not
shared
with her.
The enemy leader had witnessed the look that had passed between the
two, and
his eyes glared with evil intent when he too recognized a form of
their
warrior hand speak that he, that brat had dared to share with a mere
human.
His blood boiled with rage that one that seemed to have had everything
handed to him would shirk his heritage and go to be with those
air-breathers
who contaminated everything they touched.
Keer and this leader appeared to lock eyes as well and it appeared to
become
a will of iron to see which one broke the connection. Keer's hand
moved up
and without breaking the connection lowered his hand and the first
wave of
sharks went to separate Dylan and Kalina from the reach of the
soldiers.
Keer wanted Dylan behind him where he knew he could protect her. He
did not
wish the other one to suffer either, but for now the only important
issue
here was Dylan and her safety.
The Kataani formed a tighter rank to protect themselves from the
sharks.
The leader never stopped his stare and he refused to be cowed or asked
to
step down, not by one he deemed inferior to himself and his people.
No, they had a mission, and it was a very important one. He was not
about
to allow it to be ruined by some land walking, air breathing mere slip
of a
human who had somehow bewi.an evil sneer appeared on his face.
Well, well, well, this he could use to his advantage. Not to mention
earn
him a few accommodations when he told the tale of this little
skirmish.
When he had finished with it, it would be of course a major battle.
Did not
Lord Oga himself hand pick him to lead this band to take out that
pesky
human who rode the waves and had taken their riches from the sea and
stolen
what was rightly theirs?
No, Octavia knew this fight was his. And he would enjoy reaping a few
extra
bonuses on some of these humans. As the sharks swam closer making yet
another pass at the team, Octavia drew his spear and called out to his
men
to prepare to begin to battle the intruders.
Keer hearing the command to stand ready and to prepare to fight sent
in
another wave of sharks while Adas talked both Ryba and Dru through
their
slow movements to safety.
A cry went out as one of the small sets of sharks slipped through
their
tight formation and attacked one of the soldiers. In that moment of
confusion and distraction, where everyone's eyes were riveted on the
soldier
who battled the shark, and the other sharks sensing a possible feeding
frenzy circled anxiously, a spear similar to Keer's suddenly was seem
streaming through the water directly at Dylan. Her attention drawn to
the
fighting and sharks she had paused for a moment to watch what was
going on.
'NNOOOOO!" Keer screamed out in disbelief as Dylan, transfixed as she
watched the spear speeding towards her.
The next moment a blood-curdling scream along with the mind scream of
a
dying dragon echoed and reverberated through out the entire Dragon
community.
Tanami just arriving to witness the unprovoked attack on one of the
new
trainees sat helpless on her dragon's back. Noticing the unusual
school of
sharks circling the Kataani, she wondered to whom they belonged. She
watched in horror as the body of the dragon and rider listed in the
water,
softly bouncing up against the rock reef where the spear of one of her
people protruded grossly.
She then looked to Keer and was stunned to see what happened next.
Keer shocked to his core that he had not been able to protect Dylan
turned
towards those he had once lived among. With a fury he had never
before
known called out what seemed to be an incantation and an orb like
manifestation appeared and hurled towards the sphere of soldiers.
Moments later the orb exploded into what looked like a ball of
lightening
and it covered and surrounded the soldiers. They appeared stunned and
shocked, buthad not taken any true damage or had been harmed.
Clowie gasped as she looked to Tanami and then back to Keer. She had
heard
of those who could call upon the magic of the sea. It was rare, very
rare
indeed, and she pondered just whom Keer was to have left such a life
behind.
For now tho, she was glad he was on their side.
Tanami studied Keer with intent, and knew that this issue would have
to be
discussed, and worked through, but for now they needed to handle this
situation and handle it fast. It was rapidly getting out of hand.
Dylan lay stunned on Dru's back and slowly came back into focus as the
urgent pleadings of Dru hammered at her consciousness and she tried to
shake
loose the groggy feeling and the cob webs in her head.
Her head hurt, and she still felt dizzy and nauseated. She managed to
open
her eyes to see what had happened. She had seen the spear hurling
towards
her and she remembered she had frozen not able to move. She heard
Dru cry
out and she felt herself scream as a pain in her head had caused her
to
black out.
Now she saw she was pinned up against the rock reef where just moments
before she and Kalina had been inching their way towards the safety of
Keer.
"Kalina!" she thought and moved slightly to try to see her. It was
Kalina
and Ryba that had her pinned against the rock, and then Dylan could
see a
spear oddly protruding from them both. I small rivulet of blood leaked
from
them and floated in and around them.
Dylan tried not to panic, for she remembered the sharks, and knew that
should they smell the blood, no one would be able to stop their
frenzy.
<*My Rider, relax, Adas said to stay where you are, you are safe now*>
the
voice heavily laced with deep emotion and loss.
*Is?.* Dylan tried to ask, already knowing the answer. Her heart
suddenly
heavy and numb.
<*Yes my rider, she placed herself in front of us, and took the spear
for
us*> Dru spoke reverently.
Dylan leaned into Dru, clinging to her and wept bitter tears.
[TAG- Ok Eddie let them have it! Also Arlene, John and Katie and
Alex- THEY
started it!]
[Summary]
Dylan begins the training exercise with foreboding but mainly because
she is
not with Keer, and she does not feel safe in the water without him by
her
side.
They are split up into teams and Dylan and Kalina are made scouts and
sent
out to see if they can detect and find the other team.
While on the lookout they come face to face with a force of Kataani
and
relay the message back to the others. Everyone begins to head towards
them
to help rescue them.
Keer angry that Dylan is in trouble and danger calls upon the sharks
of the
sea with his magic and rushes to her side. Once there he comes face
to face
with an old nemesis and he retribution he strikes first, killing
Kalina who
swerved in front of Dylan giving her life for hers.
Respectfully Submitted by
Carys Murray
Aka Dylan rider of Dru
&
Katrina - for help with and permission to use Kalina to be our first
innocent causality of war.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 03:38:37 -0700
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS Calypso] Were Hereee!
MD 4:0915
Brant watched the crew take their places as the call for yellow alert
sounded. Despite the fact that the starbase appeared quiet he wasn't
about to take chances. Considering the reports from Starfleet and what
they had just been through, he wouldn't be surprised if the Starbase
was an illusion too, or a trap of some sort. The hails of the
communications officer repeating her message to the base went
unanswered and the tiny hairs at the base of his skull began to
prickle. A definite sign that usually singled trouble. "Are you
getting anything on sensors?"
"Nothing Sir!" came the answer.
"Scan the entire area, check for any tetryon emissions, anything that
might even remotely look like a cloaked ship!"
"Yes Sir!"
"Captain, I'm reading only nine life forms on the station."
"Nine? There should be a hell of a lot more then that!" Brant asked in
disbelief, his brows furrowing together from a deep scowl.
"Number One, get your away team assembled and get ready to beam over!"
"Aye Captain!" The Executive Officer nodded rising from his chair,
"Ensigns Conner, Coltrane you're with me."
"I'll have the security detail meet us in Transporter Room 2,
Commander!" the Cheron said following the three men into the turbo
lift.
[..] Transporter room 2: 0930hrs
The Betazoid Doctor and two security people were already waiting when
the small group of officers arrived at the transport room. The crewman
snapped to attention when the XO entered and without a word watched
him step up onto the transporter pad followed by the others.
"Sir, Capt'n says to keep an open channel!" The transporter chief
relayed to the First Officer. Lorn nodded as he and his team
disappeared into the sparkling haze of the transporter beam.
{Tag: Well off you go gang on your first away mission! Let's make it a
good one! Hmmm, no blowing up the starbase though! :D}
[..] About the same time back on the bridge
"Chief Bradley, I want you to keep a lock on them at all times!" Brant
commanded into the com on the arm of his chair and glancing over at
the little redhead that had filled the vacant chair next to him.
Georgi stared at the view screen and fought the urge to rub her
shoulder. The darned dragon always had a way of twitching at the worst
possible times. Feeling the Captain's gaze she looked over at him with
a quirky grin.
Brant stared at her hard his amber eyes taking on a golden hue
narrowed slightly, "Why do I always feel like I'm on trial when you're
around?"
The Counselor's eyes widened in surprise, "Suh, ah know y'all doan
know me very well! An ah knows ya doan really cotton ta people like
me, but ah can be kinda handy ta have around!"
Brant snorted with a chuckle looking back to the view screen, "I
certainly hope so Counselor!" He didn't give a thought to the sound of
the turbo lift door opening until the large lupine appeared next to
his chair. His eyes widened as the Wolf sat then casually looked up to
stare back at him.
The whosh of the turbo lift door sounded again and a frazzled Angel
appeared. "There you are! Bad Dog!" The young woman exclaimed,
hurrying up to grab her wayward pet. She sucked in her bottom lip at
the hard gaze from the Caly Captain.
"I'm really sorry Captain, he just got away from me! I don't know what
gets into him sometimes!" Angel mumbled, stroking wolf's sleek fur.
Her eyes drifted to the view screen, "Wow, you've got a great view
from up here!"
Brant arched a brow ignoring the obvious change of subject, "So, I
suppose you're going to tell me the mutt here has taken to riding the
turbo lift now?"
{Tag: Carina}
Respectfully submitted,
Tree Deutscher
AKA
Captain Brant Reed, Commanding
USS Calypso
***Summary***
MD 4:0915
* The Caly arrives in orbit at the starbase [We're hereee]
MD 4:0930
* Lorn and his group meet the Doctor and two security men in the
transport room [We're hereee]
* Georgi takes Lorn's seat while he's away and then Wolf appears on
the bridge shortly followed by Angel [We're hereee]
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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