There are 4 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-W] Following the Rejected
From: Allen Veazey <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-N] Age before Beauty!
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. [DL-C] Getting ones' Point Across (JP)
From: "Barbara A. Matthews" <carolyn@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
4. [DL-W] Ialir's Errant Rider
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 11:00:55 -0600
From: Allen Veazey <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Following the Rejected
Day 18
Morning
Ash'chenon's apartment
Ash'chenon stretched, turned so that his joints popped, and lay back.
He felt strange; it took him a moment to realize that he was happy. It
was even stranger to think back and see how long it had been since he
had felt this way.
[snip]
The next moment.....she lurched up as a call went out to all within
hearing.
"EGGS are Hatching!" she heard the call from the Queen as the news was
picked up and passed along by the others.
Ari winced as she bolted up as she realized she was needed.
"By the Powers!" she cried out. "Now?"
Ash chuckled as he slowly stood. "It is always like this. Shall we go
attend?"
Ari nodded and then looked at him.
"Uh....perhaps....after we dress?" she chuckled softly. "I dont think
we should be givin them anything more ta chat about."
Ash laughed and nodded. "Agreed."
[end snip]
As he dressed, Ash had a moment to think through what had just
happened. What did this mean for Ari? Nothing, he realized. Just a
mating flight. Another thing that had not happened in so long that he
had forgotten how to handle it emotionally. Things would be all right.
This changed nothing.
Right?
(At the Hatching)
Ash had his hand on Ari's arm, helping to guide her through the crowd;
there were enough people who loathed and were intimidated by him that
it was easy to move people out of the way- even though there was a
crush of riders to see what was going on. Or, perhaps it was the
presence of Avid, a mountain lion fully as long as Ash himself. No, no,
he caught a whiff of
their reactions. It was him.
And yet... he wouldn't miss this for the world. It was his first
Hatching as a rider since Solaris was killed. He had to be the luckiest
man in the realm.
**I told you that you were,** came Wyndamenth's smug thought.
Then he felt it. An emotion that was strong, was out of place.
Bitterness? Anger? Jealousy? Why? He looked around. Was it that boy
with the sour look on his face? Or... the girl!
[snip]
Most people passing past her refused to meet her eyes, and one or two
gave her pitying looks. Jilly bit her bottom lip. It was over. It
was over and she hadn't been chosen. She wasn't getting a dragon baby.
None of the dragons wanted her. She felt her chest tighten and burn.
Her eyes stung. She wasn't good enough. Too dumb to get a dragon.
Too tall or too stupid or too silly. Silly Jilly. Why would anyone
want her anyway. Jilly turned and bolted out of the cavern, shoving
people out of her way as she ran, uncaring as tears streamed down her
face. Her only thought was to run...run and hide. When it was dark
she'd find a way to sneak out of the warren undetected. She couldn't
stay. She was shamed. She couldn't bear those pitying looks. They
all knew she wasn't good enough for a dragon. Jilly ran and hid.
[end snip]
He knew that feeling, all too well. Ash moved through the crowd, trying
to catch her, but the girl had simply vanished. Where had she gone?
"Avid... go find that girl," he said, adding a mental command to go
with it. He pointed and touched the ground where she had run, and saw
the lion pick up her scent immediately. He followed as Avid bound
ahead.
[tag Bianca- how is Jilly going to react to Avid?]
Summary: Ash attends the Hatching, notices Jilly, and tries to follow
her after she runs away.
Respectfully submitted by:
Allen Veazey
Ash'chenon and Wyndamenth
--
Allen Veazey
veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"All your base are belong to us!" -- Zero Wing
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 13:57:52 -0800
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-N] Age before Beauty!
Day 9 Noonish
When Breezy had discovered Dizzi gone she could have gladly throttled
the child for disobeying, but it was an irritation born out of worry
for her little friend. Even though Dizzi was a child of the warren and
was good at watching out and taking care of herself, she was still a
child filled with that wondrous curiosity that always got little ones
in trouble.
After questioning several of the staff, the few that had seen her leave
assured the redhead that she seemed to be in good spirits and was seen
talking with Snow as usual when she left the building. Unfortunately,
one of the workers came in at that moment with some problem that needed
her attention or Breezy would have gone off in search of the little
wayfarer. Following the man out the door she sent a message through Coo
to let Link know that Dizzi was being Dizzi and out wandering somewhere
[..]
As the Sr. Wingleader looked upward she held her breath watching the
men on the scaffolding nimbly moving back and forth on the narrow
planks evaluating some damage when she was suddenly accosted by a
worried Aunt and Uncle.
"Have you seen Dizzi?" Amy demanded her voice frantic with concern.
Breezy's answered her eyes narrowing cautiously, "No, why?"
"No one has! Well, they have but it was in passing and no one has
talked to her or knows where she is!" Link answered. "Cloud gave me
your message so as soon as I was done with what I was doing, I of
course went looking for her, and she is no where to be found!"
The redheads chest seized up in fear, if anything happened to her
little buddy...
"C'mon!" Giving instructions to the lead man the trio was off.
[..] a while later
They had followed a trail of sightings all over the warren and Breezy
was amazed at how such little legs could go so far, amongst so many
without seriously being seen. Workers here and there had remembered
seeing the child but for the most part the little girl had wandered
unseen. Like a bloodhound on a trek the redhead snapped out orders to
those in passing and sending Amy and Link in different directions to
form a sort of a weaving web to find information about Dizzi's
whereabouts or to hopefully find the child, and in one piece. The
dragons that weren't involved with repairs flew aloft for a better
view.
Like colorful sentinels they lined the crater rim, their large heads
moving back and forth as they scoured the area for any sign of the
girl. The dragons loved Dizzi, but Coo was especially attached to her
and was growing frantic in her concern. Now that her own hatchling was
safe with her rider the disappearance of her 'human hatchling' had the
iridescent dragons complete attention. [Sister?]
*Don't worry, we'll find her!* Breezy answered sounding more confident
then she felt. *She's probably just curled up somewhere taking a nap!*
She knew Coo wasn't buying her answer, she could feel it. But it's the
only thing that she could come up with, and prayed it was true.
[..] A little later
"Breezy! What are we going to do?" Amy explained her voice breaking at
the worry she felt.
Link put a protective arm around his wife and gazed over her head at
Breezy, his eyes filled with worry. The Wingleader sighed starting to
walk on then suddenly stopped, "Just a minute! Whoa wait!"
"What!" Both Link and Amy exclaimed in unison.
The redhead spun around in a circle her eyes scanning the cliff walls.
"There are nooks and crannies and little caves in the walls all over
the warren. Dizzi knows damn near every one of them, most of the kids
do! I wonder if she ...I will strangle that child if she...."
"What!" Amy half yelled then her eyes widened. "Oh no, you don't think
she went in one, do you?"
Breezy knew must of the hidey holes mainly because Dizzi had proudly
shown them to her, and which ones were special to her. The redhead
sprinted off in the opposite direction a flicker of hope running
through her, with the couple hot on her heels.
[..] Near the cave
"I was sure she would be here!" Breezy exclaimed in a defeated tone
emerging from of one of the small cave like indents. With a sigh she
rubbed David's chubby cheeks. "Well big guy, do you happen to know
where your cousin is?" The baby gurgled happily, grabbing her hand and
trying to gnaw on the closet finger.
Breezy smiled and let out a long frustrated sigh her gaze scanning the
wall. Slowly she untangled her hand, now wet with baby drool. Making a
face at the baby she turned and wandered off trying to put herself into
the little girls mindset when suddenly an ear splitting scream came
from the crater wall and she was tackled by a very terrified 5 year
old.
A collective sigh of relief rippled through the warren as the dragons
on high spread the news.
It took several minutes to calm the frightened child enough for her to
make any sense and then the little girl burst out in tears. "I lost
Snow!"
<Snippets>
The four found themselves standing in front of the tunnel that Dizzi
said was haunted. Link was holding David as he was too tall to fit.
Breezy and Amy with touches lit where trying to dis side who is going
to go first.
"You can go first after all Dizzi tells me Snow likes you better." Amy
offered.
"Ha ha." Breezy replied sarcastically," She your niece. You go."
Amy though for a minute." How about Rock, Paper, Scissors. Lose goes
first."
Amy and Breezy went one round and Amy's rock beat Breezy's scissors so
Breezy went first.
*********
"You know, I still say that game is rigged! I could've stabbed you with
my scissors, then you would've dropped the rock!" Breezy snorted.
"We could've done the 'age before beauty one...." Amy answered with a
sly grin following the shorter woman further into the narrow passage.
"Don't be smart, Amy!" Breezy quipped with a chuckle. "Haunted caves!
That's just what we need!" She muttered under her breath noticing that
the torches weren't much help as she kept stubbing her toe on rocks
sticking out of the ground.
***********
The two cautiously went deeper and deeper. They did not hear anything.
Breezy's foot soon kicked some thing soft. The redhead looked down and
saw it was snow.
<End>
"Well hi there Snow!" Bending to pick up the toy she brought it nose to
nose with her and grinned. "You're a bad boy running off like that,
Dizzi is very worried about you!"
A faint giggle came from Amy at the Wingleader's silliness.
"Let's get out of here!" Breezy replied her voice growing serious.
**********************
As the redhead turned she saw that her blond friend was looking at some
thing on the wall. Her face looked very pale. Breezy then followed
Amy's gaze and saw something written on the wall that looked like it
was written in blood.
"Please get me out of here. Please get me out of here. Please get me
out of here." is what it said over and over again.
******************
"What the..." Breezy uttered under her breath. Reaching to touch the
writing Amy grabbed her arm pulling it back.
"That's not good we need to get out of here, now!" The blonde said
nervously.
"I just wanted to see if it's still we..."
A cool breeze whoosed towards them from the darkness and the torches
sputtered out.
"Breezy!" Amy cried out from the darkness.
Even though she shivered at the sudden chill instinct kicked in and the
Wingleader reached out to grab the blonde to steady her. "Amy! Don't
move!" Closing her eyes for a moment to help adjust she slowly opened
them. They were far enough in the tunnel that no light from the outside
seeped in, leaving them in total darkness. A hand landed on her
shoulder and she jumped, emitting a small squeak.
"Breezy is that you!"
"Well if that isn't you grabbing my shoulder Amy we're in deep shit!
Take a breath and calm down! You need to orient yourself to the dark."
She could hear the blondes ragged breathing and was afraid she might
pass out, "Deep slow breaths!"
As the rider behind her calmed somewhat, Breezy herself tensed.
*Sister, get Stretch and some of her boys over here asap, and tell them
to bring plenty of torches! We got a problem!*
At first the only thing that could be heard was the sound of their own
breathing, then something else. It was faint and at first Breezy
thought her mind was playing tricks on her in the inky blackness, but
after a moment she realized it was whispering. "Amy, please tell me
that's you doing that?" Shoving the stuffed dragon into her shirt she
gripped her dagger knowing it would be of little use in the darkness,
yet it still brought her a measure of comfort. The shake of the
blonde's head came through the hand now squeezing her shoulder rather
tightly.
"Amy," Breezy whispered trying not to let her fears take over. "You're
going to have to back out! Be careful!"
"But I can't se."
"Now!" Breezy ordered as the whispering started to grow in volume. The
whispers accompanied by the sound of footsteps coming nearer brought
the dagger from its sheath. "Who ever you are, you'd better identify
yourself!" The Wingleader commanded.
An inhuman snarl ripped through the air, echoing off the walls. the odd
vibrations were like a strange caress on her cheeks. The sounds grew
louder and the redhead was using her whole body to back the blonde out,
hoping upon hope that the woman didn't trip.
{Tag: Ok Gang I'll leave it here for someone to play with. Dropped the
ball on this and should've had it out before Halloween, but there's
still some fun in it }
Day 10
Mid Morning
Breezy slumped back in the chair her breath draining from the shock of
the news Coo had just relayed. Dargis, of all people. Sweet Dargis, the
gentle Gardner with an even gentler soul! Unable to get any firm
details from her bondmate other then both Dargis and D'lion were dead
the Wingleader stared in disbelief at the reports the desk. The words
swam before her as her eyes filled with tears. Brushing them away her
thoughts went to Jeneve!
[Sister, the watch says there is a stranger ...]
The little redhead blinked, rubbing her eyes fiercely in hopes of
holding back the torrent of sadness she felt at the loss of the
Gardner. *I'll be right there.*
{Tag Peter - Just a little shorty to get you going!}
Respectfully submitted by,
Tree Deutscher
AKA
Breezy and Coo
***Summary***
Day 9
Noon Amy Link and Breezy go looking for Dizzi
Early Afternnon. Dizzi is found and Amy and Breezy go into the cave to
find snow and find and hear some strange things
Day 10
Mid Morning Breezy learns of the loss of Dargis then is called about an
approaching stranger
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 16:25:11 -0600 (CST)
From: "Barbara A. Matthews" <carolyn@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-C] Getting ones' Point Across
Day 4
Late Afternoon
The air was tense. Reain didn't know what to do. Her Uncle was being a
royal pain in the ... well acting like Andahar on one of his *I be male
so I am king of hill* moods. She was getting pretty fed up with the
Nomad males' way of thinking.
Something she learned in the Warren was that no one was better then any
one else. A rider obeyed his or her Wingleader, but if they made a
mistake or spoke what was on their mind... Wingleader might say 'do
better next time,' but they did not beat the riders or say they lied
and leave them. Sometimes the Wingleader even said that what Reain
suggested was a good
idea and praised Reain for saying the words on her mind. Even if her
words were not right, her Wingleader was nice and never beat Reain. It
was good to be Dragonrider in Cleft Warren.
Reain did not want to be a 'Nomad woman' any longer.
Being a 'Nomad woman' hurt too much. Better to be Dragonrider and speak
what was on her mind. Lenna spoke and never got beat. Reain wanted to
be more like Lenna. 'Who care what Andahar and Uncle say,' Reain
thought, 'They matter no longer to Reain! Warren is Family of Reain
now.'
"Then will wait for Chief Andahar to return to the Warren before talk
again. Chief Andahar know how to deal with woman who brings dishonor to
male better." She heard her Uncle say when Kellie and Turner were
trying to explain things to him.
"Uncle will talk to Reain now!" Reain said and stepped in front of him
when he would have turned away. "Uncle is smart and brave leader.
Once," she quipped, knowing she was giving him an insult, but right now
she did not care. There were more important things going on than his
claim of dishonor. He had to be made to see that. "Uncle now act like
scared woman
who know not answer to what happening. Act fool in front of people
instead of listen to word spoken by people who know answer! Not smart.
Not brave. Some *big chief* you are. Reain now wonder why Reain never
knew what stupid man Tribe has for Chief."
Lenna let out a sharp sound that sounded suspiciously like a snort when
she heard Reain speak to her Uncle the way she had. She wondered where
the timid little nomad woman who used to be afraid of her own shadow
had gone and who this woman was taking her place.
She was not the only one who shifted her hand to lay it upon the hilt
of her sword. Turner and Kellie as well as a few other Warren residents
who had come to see what the commotion was all about did to. They had
not forgotten that Chief Reainen wore the two swords of the Warrior
Class of Nomads wore, and while they did not want things to break out
into a
fight... Reain was a dragonrider, and the Warren protected their own.
But Reainen didn't reach for his swords, he moved so quickly that no
one could have prevented his arm from moving until after his fist
struck Reain across the cheek.
Reain's head snapped back from the force of the blow, but she held her
ground and when others would have gone to her aid, she held out her
hand as if to motion them to stay where they were. She did not cower,
did not shrink away like a wounded animal, but held her ground and
lifted her head to face her Uncle.
"I do not know who man is before me. Not Uncle of Reain. For Uncle of
Reain was wise man who cared for people of tribe. Man before Reain acts
like back end of horse," she sneered and spit on the ground in front of
him. "Once Reain had respect for brave smart Uncle.. No more. Reain see
Uncle for coward he is. Women who serve food in warren kitchen have
more
honor then Chief of Nomad Tribe. Maybe Tribe do better with younger
Chief with open mind."
A young chief did step forward, though perhaps Reain wouldn't consider
him one with a more open mind. But he had certainly been learning a
lot of hard lessons, whether he wanted to or not. And one of those
he'd learned was that it was not all right to strike a woman -- and
though he'd been told he'd beaten Reain when he'd caught her trying to
kill Saleh's twins,
he didn't remember doing it, and would have been ashamed if he could.
But even if Reain was no longer his Chunor, she was still his family,
and no man was going to lay a hand on her with him there. Her words
would have brought another slap from her uncle had Andahar's
swift action not prevented it.
Instead of connecting again with the vixen's foul mouth, Reainen was
surprised to find his fist connecting instead with a firm grip of a man
used to wielding weapons. He followed that hand to an arm, to the
shoulder, and then to the face of the man who dared to interfere with
his disciplining of his niece. And his eyes opened wider as he met the
steely gaze of Andahar.
"You do not touch her!" Andahar's words were firm and a touch
threatening.
Reainen looked as if he couldn't believe his ears. "You defend
that...creature?"
"I defend any of my... family... all dragonrider are my family. You
will not touch her again!"
Reain looked at him, her dark brown eyes filled with the same shock
that she saw on her Uncle's face. Even Lenna's baby blue eyes were open
wide in disbelief. Reain could not believe Andi would defend her this
way after all they had said to each other.
"House of stone make Andahar weak," Reainen sneered and waved his hand
around the Warren. "You forget what like to be Nomad. Forget niece
dishonor Andahar speak words no female should speak. Yet.. Andahar
defend honorless one?"
Andahar's eyes flashed dangerously. He scoffed at his weakness,
proving his point by throwing off Reainen's arm which he still held,
causing Reainen to stumble backward a bit before regaining his stance.
"Reain is not without honor! She is..." He slipped into his native
tongue as if it gave more weight to that which he said, "Reain madeh
bahtna Kenziah o...
jassa benna!" Andahar stated pointedly and was gratified to see the
surprise in Reainen's eyes as he publicly acknowledged Reain's daughter
as his own.
Lenna who's understanding of the Nomad language had improved over the
last few years until she was almost as fluent as a native, was both
surprised and pleased by the tall Nomad's words. Maybe she had
misjudged him after all. She stole a glance at her friend and noticed
Reain was standing taller and looking more confident then she had ever
seen her look before.
As Lenna watched, Reain took the step that placed her beside Andahar..
not behind him and spoke.
"Uncle... Listen to people of Warren... Listen to what say about snake
thing... banish Reain if that is wish of Reainen... but show Reainen
wise brave Chief.. Listen to word Andahar say to save Tribe. Warren has
plan. Think, what is best for nomad people instead of honor for once."
Andahar was almost amused by Reain's speech, knowing that if Reainen
were to listen, then honor had everything to do with it. Andahar did
not glance in Reain's direction, but kept his eyes locked on that of
the chief's. "Nadusi cannot be fought by brave man with sword or spear
or bow. Nadusi must be fought be dragon, and not any dragon. Only
dragon that
breathe cold wind of tongparam." He immediately thought of the dragon
who took that name, the one ridden by Cholmon. He was thankful that
Cholmon had not yet returned from the battle with the Nadusi to witness
this interchange. If she'd seen Reainen slap his niece, Andahar was
sure that Cholmon would have been happy to hand Reain her Uncle's
head. Andahar shook his head, as much to clear away the image as much
as to accentuate what he said, "No man, no matter how brave, can stand
against Nadusi and win."
There was a slight change in Reainen's expression, but only those who
knew him well took notice.
"Word of Andahar has always been true, husband," another female voice
broke the silence, and Reain turned to see her Aunt had moved forward
and stood beside her husband. "You trust his word before, tribe
prosper, people happy. Why trouble by word of Andahar now? Does husband
not want same thing Andahar want: To save Nomad people?"
She turned her eyes to look at her niece, and Reain knew her Aunt
was... upset... with hope she had spoken to her Uncle, but she also saw
a small splash of pride with the censure. "Dragonrider Niece speaks
truth. Aunt not proud of way she speaks to Uncle.." she said, her lips
and eyes frowning slightly and Reain had the good graces to blush and
lower her eyes under the older woman's eyes. "But niece has good heart.
Heart of nomad who cares about tribe. Like Uncle that way. Stubborn
like Uncle, too... Open heart my husband. Listen to truth words."
When Reain would have spoken up in reply to her Aunts words, her dragon
spoke up to stop her.
>>Blanchie's rider says to let men speak now. Reain has done good job, but
now is time for leaders to talk and figure out best way to fight snake
thing.<< Sylois relayed the message she has received from the large purple
dragon.
Reain turned her head slightly to glance at her friend, and saw Lenna's
head nod slightly. The blonde dragonrider's lips were curved slightly
upwards in a smile that seemed to say she was proud of what Reain had
done and said.
Reain nodded back as if to agree with her friend. She had said all she
could say. Rest was up to not men.. but Leaders. Sometimes best to
leave ideas to people who know how to make idea.. not low dragonrider
who take order from wingleader.
When she went to take a step back to allow the leaders to hash things
out, Andahar noticed and turned to give her a questioning look.
"Reain ask permission of Wingsecond that she may step back with other
people," she said in her most respectful manner. She had used the title
of Wingsecond on purpose, so that he would understand it was his Warren
position she was deferring to and not because he was a nomad male.
"Talk of how to defeat snake thing better left to people who have
answer. Reain
not leader... yet.. (she couldn't help but add and saw a spark of
amusement in Andahar's dark eyes.) So Reain will leave to let people
who plan.. Plan. If the Wingsecond say Reain may go"
"Reain now *ask* permission"? Andahar voice was gruff, but as he was
facing her, others did not see the contemplative look he gave her.
"Reain free to say to *hanah* what need to say to put... point
across..." she shot a quick glance back at Lenna to make sure she had
used the right saying, before bowing her head slightly to Wingsecond
Andahar.. "Reain dragonrider now. Show respect for people who lead
Warren... Reain will do... for Warren business.."
It was not lost on Andahar that Reain spoke now in the dragonrider
tongue, though she had used the nomad word 'hanah' for family. His nod
was more in acknowledgement of her well chosen words than in dismissal,
but he answered her in nomad, "Take care of dragon. She must be tired
after brave rescue."
His words clearly directed for Reainen to overhear.
Knowing she had pressed her luck far enough for one day, Reain bowed
her head and backed away towards the others. She nodded to Turner and
Kelly for the help they had given her and turned to Lenna.
"Reain must go take care of brave dragon," she said in a voice only
Lenna could hear, and then grinned. "Before Reain say something wrong."
Lenna couldn't help but smile and waved the girl on. "I'll let the
sitter know you will be late getting home."
"Thank you," Reain nodded slightly, and turned to look back at the tall
Nomad speaking with her Uncle. "Please also tell Kinsi Andahar may
visit with Bennas if Andahar wishes while Reain is gone to clean and
oil Brave Sylois."
Lenna watched the young woman leave and then turned to give a
thoughtful look towards Andahar. He didn't Have to play the knight in
shining armor and defend Reain.. But he had *and* he publicly claimed
Kenziah not only to the people in the Warren, but to Reain's own tribe.
Lenna would have loved to have known what changed his mind about Kenzie
being his
daughter.. but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Instead she asked Blanchie to send a message to Bohoc to give to
Andahar. She didn't want to interrupt the meeting going on. The message
was simply <Thank you... it takes a man to admit to being a father. I
was wrong. Kenziah is a lucky girl.>
****Submitted by: ******
Barbara aka:
Reain & Sylois
Lenna & Blanchie
Mastersmith Turner
Arlene aka:
Andahar & Bohoc
Chief Reainen... Barb and Arlene
Summary: Reain speaks her mind to her Uncle in from of others telling
him he is acting like an ass for not listening to what the Dragonriders
from the Warren are trying to tell him.. and is saved from a beating
from her uncle by Andahar who shows up and stops Reainen from hitting
Reain a second time. He also scores some points with both Reain and
Lenna for
publicly admitting he is the father of Reain's daughter Kenzie. Lenna
thanks him for it through their dragons.
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 00:31:01 -0500
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Ialir's Errant Rider
Day 18
Morning
The second egg rocked violently, as if the little dragon inside were
wrestling before it suddenly split in several places that the tiny
white and blue-striped dragon fell into the sands. It took a moment
for it to slowly uncurl from its accustomed egg-shaped form, but as it
did, it was apparent that it was a rather thin and rather long
hatchling.
Breaths were held as everyone waited for the one voice that would call
out to it and run to join their new dragon. But no one came.
The little dragon looked around with unblinking eyes and then began to
make its way toward the open sunshine.
"Going wild." Whispers and shaken heads as they all watched the small
dragon pulling itself along. "Didn't join." "Not surprised, both
parents were wilders."
Merissa looked around the crowd and then watched the young one slowly
making its way to the entrance. Once there it would likely leap into
the air and teleport... that's what other unjoined hatchlings had done
in the past. Well, at least one of the two had joined.
<But Ialir has.> Chrysthal informed Merissa.
Merissa looked over at the large queen, who now was following the baby
dragon out of the hatching cavern. People scrambled to clear the way
for the massive queen dragon. Ialir was at the edge of the green,
searching; his head swiveling on an incredibly long neck.
<*But... where is his rider?*>
<Ialir said he was here. He felt him. He even has been talking to
him. But he doesn't know why he left.> Chrysthal relayed. <He is very
sad.>
<*Tell him... tell him we will help find his rider.*> Merissa
scampered out of the cavern, calling for Gob and Sheldon. The two
riders appeared at her side immediately, Gob a little faster.
"Gob, I want you to go down to the carnival... I want you to look at
every man or boy you meet and see if anyone has dragon affinity...
Sheldon, your dragon... Panzeree... he can sense affinity in people...
I want you to fly him over the green and the carnival... see if he can
spot anyone -- man or boy, because Ialir said his 'rider' is a he...
and bring anyone you find back here... at once!" Merissa ordered.
The two hurried off to do the warrenlady's bidding. Merissa looked at
the sad little dragon who was still struggling his way across the
green. "Where is your rider, little one? Why would he leave you?"
A few moments later Chrysthal announced that Sheldon believed that
Panzeree had found someone.... Merissa climbed up on her dragon and
the two took off to the spot where they waited.
The young man looked up at the large queen in a bit of awe as she
landed, and in surprise at the petite woman who dismounted. "We've
been looking for you!" Merissa smiled. "You wouldn't by any chance
hear a 'voice' in your head, would you?"
[TAG: Josh -- NRPG: a short one just to get Ialir and Matt together.]
---
Day 18
Morning
Everyone watches as the last of the two dragons leaves the hatching
sand, apparently unjoined. Chrysthal, however, informs Merissa that
Ialir has chosen a rider, but that he can't find him. Merissa sends
Gob and Sheldon (on Panzeree) to search for the missing rider. Panzeree
spots a likely candidate, and Chrysthal takes Merissa there to confront
him.
Respectfully submitted by:
Arlene Jacobs
AKA
Merissa & Chrysthal
|
