"Dweezel! Dweezel! Get yerself back here or I'll beat ye to within an inch of yer life!" Judoc stood out front of the stables, not aged well with eight turns. He's gotten wider, grayer and meaner. "I'm bloody coming, you fat wherry." Dweezel mumbled under his breath. "What is it?" "I've got a task for ye, Paramon's ran off again." Stepping from behind the stables, Dweezel glowered at Judoc. "And why should I go get him?" "Because if ye don't, I'll make yer life more miserable than it already is." "I doubt it..." Dweezel had hardened over his years at the runner breeders.

Stony is what Hannah called him, and he was. Never showed emotion and only did what was necessary to survive, no more. Unfeeling as well, he couldn't empathize with Paramon and knew he'd find him. The man had never been accused of being particularly bright and always went to the same place when he ran away. Saddling his racing runner, Demon, Dweezel glanced at Judoc. "I'll be back before sundown." "Ye better be." the old man grunted and returned to the house. "Why did I ever think that man intimidating.." Dweezel wondered. Now he was nothing but a lump, and Dweezel had learned just how you kill a lump. Kicking Demon, he set out at a gallop.

A half-days riding brought Dweezel to where Paramon hid. Stopping, Dweezel contemplated his present situation. Judoc had turned from something formidable to a fat, greedy shade of his former self. Dweezel could take off and never have to worry, all he needed was a way back up north. "But Hannah...I could never leave her with that man." All his life, it seemed that no one had ever care for him at this place other than Hannah. Two turns ago, when he'd been near death with fever she'd nursed him back to health, being severely punished by Judoc. If there was one person he cared for, it was her. "But how.." he muttered and nudged Demon into a trot. This he pondered until he'd come up with a plan. But first, he had to wait until nightfall.

"Where is he!!!" Judoc raised his hand and hit Hannah, sending her across the room. "I told you, I don't know!" she shouted back, sitting on the floor. "I know ye do, ye two are so bloody close, he probably told ye but ye won't say!" "I swear, I don't!" she insisted, touching her lip and looking at her blood-smeared fingertips. Glaring up at him she said, "Paramon might have gotten smart this time and run farther." she hissed. "You shut up woman, or I'll give ye the beating he isn't here to receive." "I'd like to see you try old man." The voice was unmistakable, it was Dweezel standing in the door. "Yer late boy." Judoc turned on him. "Ye said sunset." "I couldn't find Paramon, I guess one of those big cats got him." Dweezel shrugged. "I wouldn't doubt it." Judoc rubbed his cheek in thought. "That means I'm out one hand....ye two go to bed." he commanded and went mumbling into his room.

"Are you okay?" Dweezel offered Hannah his hand and picked her up. "I'm fine, he can't hit as hard as he used too. I just cut my lip on my teeth." She dabbed at her lip with her fingers. "Where were you really?" "We're leaving, I don't want to stay here anymore." Dweezel took Hannah's hand and pulled her to the door. "But what about Judoc?" she protested. "Him? You just said he can't hit as hard as he used to, and the only runner that can carry his load is a draft beast. They can't go as fast as Demon." Hannah looked around and then back to Dweezel. "This is all I've known..." she started. "This is nothing...when I was riding I over heard to dragonriders talking at the next hold over. They were Searchriders, for some where called Tripaldi up north. We could hitch a ride and then ditch!" Demon pawed at the dirt impatiently. "It's either now or never, Hannah."

The young woman stood there in thought. Searchriders.....if they did take them to the Northern Continent, that would mean that they would be eligible for Impression at this Tripaldi place. "If we did go, we could Impress!" she said happily. Dweezel shook his head. "I'm not worried about that now, just get on and we'll think about that later." he urged, and helped Hannah onto Demon, sitting behind her in the saddle. Demon lurched when Dweezel kicked and galloped hard and long into the night.