Junior Weyrling Lesson - Firestone Chewing

[Skye]

A'idin leaned lightly against Gaelrith's leg as he looked over the piles of fire stone he had set out on the ground. They stood near the lake, a precautionary step on his part since he was going to be teaching the junior weyrlings about the proper way to chew firestone and he knew a dragon could get thirsty as well as singed hide or clothing might want a dunk in the water to cool it off. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he remembered his own lesson and the burned seat of his pants.

Gaelrith rumbled with soft laughter as well as he looked down at his rider. Shall I call them now?[/color] the brown asked. A'idin nodded after a long thoughtful moment, still wondering why B'kay wanted him to teach the juniors. He knew the man had his hands full with the Seniors, drilling them harder on the lessons after such a horrible display with the 'Fall. In the back of his mind he hoped that the older bronze rider would berate M'kel too. Oh, he was loyal to the weyrleader, but still the man should have done better, been a better example to the riders of this time. He shook his head and tucked his gloves into his belt.

All junior weyrlings please come to the lake, it is time for your lesson,[/color] the brown called to the juniors. A'idin leaned against Gaelrith's leg again, waiting for the young ones to arrive. He was pretty sure his appearance would shock some of them, especially the patch over his eye and the scar running down his cheek, but he didn't care. He was who he was and they would learn what he could teach them. The weyr was lucky that none of the injuries had resulted in death, but it was a close thing for some of the injured.

He made a slight face at the thought of some of the juniors may have chewed stone during the fall in th attempt to help with the ground crews. They were probably lucky that they didn't hurt them selves. There was a proper way to chew stone and the dragons had to becareful or the could really injure themselves in the process. A dragon who bit his tongue while chewing the stone could not fly against Thread, that small injury made it dangerous for them the belch flame.

With another shake of his head and turned his attention to the piles of stone as he and his brown waited for the juniors to arrive. Again thinking about why B'kay had asked him. He gave a soft laugh at the thought of Skye teaching the lessons, figuring that she would probably be a distraction to the boys and possibly some of the girls. He chuckled and shook his head again.

[meah]

minath--darkgreen
silvrith--2369A3

Rhea was sprawled across her new bunk, grinning stupidly at Minath when the call came. And of course the little girl wasn't listening until Minath spoke up. Mine. It is time for lessons.

Lessons. Rhea hadn't had lessons in a long while. If they could have been called lessons at all. Just to learn her letters, really, and she didn't know them very well. Maybe this lesson would actually teach her something fun! Something that she and Minath could learn together. Mina...let's go now!

She smiled at her dragon lovingly and took off running, leaving poor Minath to chase after her as daintily as the young dragon possibly could and keep hers in sight.

When they arrived, Rhea skidded to a stop. She'd been expecting the man she'd been told was the weyrlingmaster. But B'kay wasn't there. And it confused her. "Am I in the right place?" she asked the apparent teacher softly, feeling rather silly and small.

---

---

I'nk flinched when he heard the alert. The thread-droppers were teaching lessons now? It was probably all a ruse to get him away from a place where he was safe. A voice interrupted his thoughts. I'nk, they are lessons. It is no ruse. I have heard that I am to learn to chew a substance which will protect us. It is alright, Mine. If you must fear them, this may save you.

I'nk looked at Silvrith and nodded slowly. Sill seemed so knowledgeable about the thread-droppers plans, and he was always right. Always. Without fail. I'nk couldn't think of a single time when Sill had lied to him or been wrong about anything. He must be right about this.

And so the pair made their way out to the lake, every so slowly as I'nk checked every corner and stone along the way to make sure it wasn't a trap that would bring a hundred thread-droppers to destroy he, Silvrith, and Sidhka alike. Of course, there weren't any, and they eventually found their way to the grounds where a man stood, with a brown dragon. A little girl was also there, with a green dragon. Those two were obviously not a threat. They simply looked too frivolous. The man and his brown, on the other hand...

[Kitari]

"There!" Brinne cried in triumph, standing back to survey her handiwork. Elinth's mossy hide was nearly rippling in the rays from Rukbat, scrubbed to a glistening sheen. The silvery collar that encircled her slender neck nearly sparkled, or at least it did in her proud rider's eyes. The green dragonet flexed her wings experimentally, as if checking them over herself, then butted her rider playfully in the stomach.

Perfect! It's time to go! And with that, Elinth marched out of the Lake, giving herself a firm shake, and proceeded to romp playfully around the shoreline to the brown dragon waiting some distance away.

Confused, Brinne stared after her dragon. Her hair was tied mussily back in a bun, loose strands trailing down her cheeks and neck (a reminder that she still needed to get it cut!), her tunic sleeves were rolled up but drenched anyways, and her tunic front now had a large round circle of wet from Elinth's headbutt.

"Go where?" she called feebly after her departing dragonet.

A lesson! Elinth replied, the excitement bubbling over in her voice.

And that was all her rider needed. Brinne hurried after her dragonet, trying not to appear too frumpy upon arrival. Absently, she noted that the Weyrlingmaster appeared to have been replaced. ...Which made sense, with B'kay so terribly injured in the Infirmary.

Equally absently, she nodded to the other Weyrlings already waiting.

------------------------

Across the Weyr, in the Weyrling Barracks, an entirely different exchange was taking place.

"No!" T'ryis exclaimed once again, arms crossed in a fierce stance as he stared down his brown dragon.

We have to! Wickhath replied for the fifth time, experiencing a glimmer of doubt now, as his typically charming wiles appeared to be failing on his rider. How will we ever fight Thread if I do not learn to chew firestone, mine? The appeal in the colours of his tone also held a hint of hurt. Did his mine doubt his abilities?

A muscle in T'ryis's brow twitched, as he fought to retain the determined furrow of his frown. Nonetheless, his voice was softer as he replied. "I know you could fight Thread, Wickhath. I don't doubt your bravery, nor your strength, for a moment. That's...why I don't want to go."

The concession took a lot out of the former Lordling. He took a breath and gazed downward, as the frown began to slip into a flicker of his true fear. Instantly, Wickhath was there, as he always was, his velvety snout burrowing into T'ryis's hand, which had fallen to his side. Automatically, the young man stroked his dragon's soft hide, however refusing to meet those whirling eyes.

It is only a lesson, mine. We are a long way yet from fighting Thread. That decision mustn't come for some time. Finally, Wickhath understood his rider's reticence. Finally, he knew just what to say to make it better.

With a great sigh from his rider, Wickhath knew he had succeeded, and his whirling eyes sped up to a cheery blue as he bounded to the corridor. Now come! he cried for emphasis, making a point of waiting just in sight.

"All right, all right..." T'ryis replied, following his dragonet. He had thought the pain of living in this Weyr would end with Impression, but it had only worsened. Now he was a dragonrider, a formerly hated persona, with a dragon that he couldn't allow harm to come to, in a role that demanded danger. But Wickhath was right...there was still time to come up with an excuse to save the wonderful brown.

[Skye]

A'idin straightened up as the first of the weyrlings approached. He nodded to Rhea and I'nk, looking them and their bonded over quietly for a moment before speaking.

"Yes, you are in the right place. Weyrling Master B'kay asked me to conducted the lessons until he is healed enough to continue them himself. I hope thats alright?" he tilted his head and smiled slightly, not really caring if the girl said it was alright or not. He looked toward Brinne and her green as the approached, noting the greens shine. He chuckled and shook his head.

"Just to let you know girl, you'll probably have to bath your green again, firestone lessons are messy," he said, ignoring Gaelrith's rumble of disapproval of calling Brinne girl.

He puts his hands on his hips and looks the small group over silently, measuring them each up. He shook his head and stepped forward to the piles of firestone.

"If the others haven't arrived by now then I will repeat my instructions, but for those of you already here we can begin. When giving your dragon stone to chew you must take care to give them the proper size and to make sure its not too jagged," he said, bending down to pick up a lump of firestone. He holds it out for them to inspect as he walks by them.

"You want to make sure there are no impurities in it such as a vein of regular rock, this can cause harm to your dragons teeth and stomachs. A dragon must be careful when chewing firestone, taking care not to bite their tongue. If they do that can be harmful when the belch the flame that develops in their stomach," he walked back to the piles of stone and turned to face them again, looking them over slowly, letting his words to sink in.

"After your dragon has finished producing flame they can make quite a mess and it is rather smelly. You'll want to make sure you take them away from your quarters or the smell will last for a long time. Thats one of the reasons we are holding the lessons here at the lake. We are far enough from the Weyr to not catch anything important on fire and the water is close by if someone needs a dunking," he explained, picking up a larger chunk of firestone and walking over to Gaelrith.

The brown lowered his head and opened his mouth to take the offered stone. "Have your dragons watch how Gaelrith chews the stone," he said, motioning closer to his brown.

The brown began to carefully chew the stone, taking care not to bite his tongue or otherwise pinch it between pieces of stone. When first starting out chewing, remember to chew slowly so that you can learn how it is best for you to chew,[/color] Gaelrith told the gathered young dragons.

[B'kay]

But I could, C'train-mine, I am nearly as big as the older greens already. I am almost as big as Igrainth!

C'train, who was bent from the waist, holding a runner's rear hoof between his knees, chuckled. He rasped at the hoof wall, and set the animal's foot down on the level stone to check it for balance, then lifted it again.

You are not nearly as big as Igrainth, my love, though you are growing quickly. And no, till the Weyrlingmaster gives the okay, I'm not about to climb on your back and go flying around Weyr Island!

But I am big enough to carry you, Mine. You are very little, after all.

The Junior Weyrling /slash/ Beastmaster laughed out loud this time. Had anyone else said those words, C'train would have been insulted, and in fact the very insult had gained him many a black eye in his younger days. Rhobith, however, never spoke to him with anything but intense love behind his words. He set the runner's hoof down, satisfied, and led the animal back to its paddock. Rhobith was sitting at the end of the split rail fence, a respectful distance away, as he understood that his presence made the runners spooky.

Yes, I suppose I am little, but we still need to await permission, Rho'. After all, I've already gotten special compensation to expand my quarters over here so you and I can spend some nights in the Beasthold.

That is only because no one else wants to sit midnight maternity watch while the beasts are birthing, the brown teased, and glided gracefully to his rider's side. See how well I fly?

You do fly well, and you are very well grown, C'train admitted, for certainly, there was not much difference in size between his brown Rhobith and the smaller bronzes of their clutch, But--

It was then that the little crooked man noticed A'idin and Gaelrith, and several of the other Junior Weyrlings, gathering at the lake.

"What's going on over there?"

Oh, that is just our Weyrling Lesson. As I was saying, I really do--

"Rho'! Weyrling lesson? Why didn't you tell me?"

Well, I was going to eventually, but we had something very important to discuss! The brown puffed his chest proudly.

C'train broke into his characteristic lopsided jog, which covered distance quickly despite its awkwardness, and was already heading down the lakeshore.

Rhobith snorted in annoyance and hop-glided beside him. You're avoiding the issue!

"I'm LATE for a lesson!" C'train huffed, but cast a teasing grin at his dragon. After all, who could be angry with Rhobith? Even at his most perplexing, the young brown was always doing what he believed was right.

The pair arrived beside the others, just in time to catch Gaelrith's warning about chewing slowly, which Rhobith passed along to his rider.

[D'gellin]

Eyes eased closed against the dim light of the glows, Fallen lay propped up against Vicroth's warm belly, a leather-bound book slipping from his sleepy fingers onto his lap. Despite his reservations about leaving himself exposed, even in the safety of the weyrling barracks, the young rider had found himself dozing off to the reassuring sound of Vicroth's breathing. Even the generally grouchy bronze firelizard was curled up on Fallen's lap, the book propped up against his rust-colored hide. At Gaelrith's announcement, however, Vicroth shifted in his sleep, tugged away from unconsciousness. Eyes blinking tiredly, he yawned, stretching like a cat so that Fallen was jolted awake. The book slipped to the ground with a loud thunk and Kaine was dislodged from the young man's lap with a hiss of distress. How unfair of Fallen to wake him up when he was so comfortable! "Hush you." Fallen muttered, running a hand over his face with a stifled yawn of his own.

Weyrling lessons, Fallen. Vicroth announced, coming around quickly at the prospect of a new lesson. He nudged the weyrling with his snout, urging His to his feet. "I'm quite capable of standing on my own, Vicroth." Fallen admonished with a half-grin, patting the handsome bronze snout affectionately. "And quite awake as well." He added as he ruffled his short hair and reached for his tunic. He never had been slow to wake, and now was no exception. All the same, we mustn't be late. Vicroth insisted eagerly as he stood. Before either could be off however, Kaine gave a sudden, prolonged and shrill cry of distress, flapping his wings indignantly. With a groan, Fallen realized it wasn't his own hunger he was feeling but the flitter's. You were not hungry a moment ago, little cousin, and you can quite wait until lessons are finished. Vicroth said with a snort, sending Kaine into a whole new fit of distress.

"Please, Kaine." Fallen offered his arm for the fire lizard but, peeved and hungry, the flitter jumped back with a hiss. Fallen sighed, rolling his eyes. "It can't be helped. He won't stop until he's fed." The young man recognized this mood, one that wouldn't be quenched with words alone. He'd be just as soon to let the fire lizard go without until afterward. It wouldn't kill him. But Kaine had an irritating habit of following him around, shrieking and complaining until he got what he want. There was simply no reasoning or end to it. "I hear you, Kaine!" Fallen snapped as he marched across the room, agitated bronze firelizard fluttering close behind. "We'll just be a moment, Vicroth!"

Some time later Fallen and Vicroth were trotting over to the lake, torn between running to make up for time and walking in their usual unruffled manner. They stood at attention shortly after the lesson had begun, Fallen listening carefully with the hope that he and Vicroth hadn't made any mistakes when they'd helped the ground crew during Threadfall. Despite Vicroth's initial distress over not being first, he was quick to cheer up at the sight of Elinth, whom he'd discreetly positioned himself next to. Good day, Elinth! He greeted her, nosing her with his snout in a mixture of play and greeting. Then, remembering why he was here Oh, I apologize, I do not mean to distract you from the lesson. He guiltily ducked his head and directed his attention back to Gaelrith and the brown's rider.

[Kitari]

It was very begrudgingly that T'ryis studied the firestone example as A'idin strode past. Even more begrudgingly that he picked up a stone of his own. After turning it over in his hands at least three times, he finally decided it was suitable and set it down again, picking up another. He wanted to have a pile ready before starting.

Wickhath watched the laborious movement of Gaelrith's jaws with apparent interest, then turned to his rider with excitedly whirling eyes. His gaze shfted downward to the pile of, now, two stones, then back up to T'ryis who was carefully peering at a third, then down at the pile once more. The whirling of his eyes began to slow.

T'ryis ignored the indignant look he was now receiving. Ignored the impatient flicking of Wickhath's tail. Even managed to ignore the probing tendrils of Wickhath's thoughts in the brown's attempt to wheedle his rider into greater speed. The pile grew to 5, 7, and then 10 stones.

"Okay," T'ryis murmured, picking up one. He really had no idea how many stones it would take to produce flame, but he wanted to be ready.

Finally... Wickhath grumbled, opening his jaw wide.

The first few stones went down easily, with Wickhath chewing carefully and slowly at his rider's insistence.

It wasn't long, though, before...

This is easy, Wickhath scoffed, beginning to lose focus already. Absently, he glanced around at the other dragonets. At the sight of Minath, standing not far away, he positively lit up.

Hello, Minath! he exclaimed, putting on his utmost charm and chewing as if it was the easiest task in the world. Would you fancy a swim after this distasteful labour?

"Wickhath!" T'ryis hissed, moving to stand in front of the brown dragonet. "Focus! You're going to--"

OW! Wickhath cried, and his mouth opened, the half-chewed stone tumbling out. T'ryis's heart spasmed. Wickhath's tongue worked for a moment. Ah, there, he murmured, as another small piece of rock fell out.

Satisfied, he looked up at T'ryis. And started at the sight of his pale-faced rider. A piece got stuck between my teeth? he informed T'ryis meekly.

-------------------------------------

It was with equal intensity that both Brinne and Elinth absorbed every word A'idin, and then Gaelrith, spoke. Both paid careful attention to the example the brown dragon gave, as he chewed methodically, and then both turned their attention to the firestones laid out in piles.

Carefully, Brinne picked over the pile and selected a fist-sized stone, holding it up for inspection. "What do you think of this one?" she asked, glancing at Elinth.

Yes, that looks fine, the green responded, nodding her head in the human habit she'd picked up. Just then, a bronze nose nudged against her, and Elinth turned, eyes whirling excitedly with greeting. Hello, Vicroth! It is a lovely day, isn't it? At his apology, she tilted her head thoughtfully, before adding, Perhaps a small distraction, but a pleasant one.

She turned eagerly back to Brinne, gazing at the firestone held in her rider's hand.

"Okay, so, um," Brinne spoke hesitantly, then glanced up to see who had come to stand beside her and Elinth. "Oh! Fallen! Hello!" A bright smile immediately lit her features. "It is still Fallen, right?" She winked, grinning now, and held out the piece of firestone for Elinth.

And Elinth gazed at it with great interest, then looked back up at Brinne. Yes, I still think it's a good piece.

"You're supposed to chew it, silly," Brinne replied, her brow furrowing slightly as Elinth continued to stare up at her.

Suddenly, Duke, her little blue fire lizard, burst of between, landing neatly on the ground beside Elinth. With a huge, elaborate yawn, the blue folded his wings and gazed about boredly. He studied the other dragonets proceeding through their firestone with varying degrees of success, then returned his gaze to his own big cousin. Her motionless stance piqued his interest, which was saying a lot for this unanimated flitter.

Chittering loudly to get her attention, Duke waddled over to a pebble that had fallen away from the larger firestone pile, scooping it up and beginning to chew carefully, adding another sharp trill from time to time to make sure she was paying attention.

Brinne watched the fire lizard's progress, glancing hopefully at Elinth. Maybe his example would help? The green dragonet watched Duke with equal interest as before, sending thoughts of love and appreciation for his assistance.

Yes, I think I've got it, she murmured, settling back on her haunches.

"Okay!" Brinne cried in relief, extending the piece of firestone again.

No thank you, Elinth replied. I wanted to know how, and now I do, but that is all. I'll watch the others now. She turned, gazing around at the progress of her Clutchsiblings.

[B'kay]

Caltrain was so busy observing A'idin and Gaelrith's demonstration, that he hadn't noticed the two brown forms ... one large, one quite small, who had moved from his side toward the itinerant Weyrlingmaster and his dragon. It was only when he realized that something was blocking his view of Gaelrith's jaws that it occurred to him that the "something" was the head of his own dragon, with Rapture sitting on top of it.

Rho', get back here! he sent to the young brown, for he was certain that if he couldn't see, those nearest him might be having trouble as well.

But Mine, I must get it right the first time, for I wish to be top in my class! the reply came indignantly, echoed by an equally haughty 'schweerp!' as Rapture turned and glared back at hs human.

The brown firelizard had taken to the young dragon, and considered himself Rhobith's very own cheering squad. While the bond between them was endearing, it did tend to encourage Rhobith along on things that Caltrain might rather not be encouraged.

You're in the way, you can see fine from back here!

Reluctantly, head still lowered and neck stretched out in effort to see inside the massive jaws of his instructor, Rhobith backed up with rather surprising grace (he only almost tripped over his tail once) to his rider's side. He turned and cast a disappointed glance at Caltrain.

As the brown's long neck snaked forward again, Caltrain thought he would simply be returning to the observation. Instead, Rhobith darted toward a pile of firestone, and returned with an enormous chunk between his teeth.

"No, Rho--" the little Beastmaster whispered, and lunged forward. Without thinking, Caltrain reached into Rhobith's mouth.

The dragon chomped down.

The firelizard screamed.

Caltrain yelled, "YOW" and yanked his hand, clutched around the firestone, back out. A tiny trickle of blood drizzled down the edge of his palm, and Rhobith's eyes whirled yellow-orange with concern.

I Bit You!

Rapture, still perched on Rhobith's head, fluttered his wings, crooning loudly.

It was an accident ... and just it's fine, it's just a scrape. What were you thinking? Caltrain both soothed and scolded his dragon, while the non-injured hand flailed about, reaching for the noisy flitter before he disturbed the entire group. That chunk was way too big for you!

It was the same size as Gaelrith's! I could have taken your hand off!

You're no where NEAR the size of Gaelrith, my young heart! You'd have choked! The image of his dragon stretched out on the ground, a huge chunk of firestone blocking his airway, totally drove away the fact that he had probably just done a Very Stupid Thing.

Rapture chortled and warbled, sending out soothing thoughts that alternated with worry and fear. Finally, Caltrain's reaching grasp caught hold of the firelizard, and pulled him quickly and gently against his chest, where the little brown settled and sang more softly.

I am sorry, I thought I could chew that one.... Rhobith's voice was soft with concern, as he reached out his muzzle to give the wound on his rider's hand a sniff. I made you bleed.

Caltrain took a deep sigh, and smiled. It's okay, I love your confidence ... but we have to learn to temper it with common sense, my love! Dropping the large stone, he bent for a more manageable chunk. As he stood, it occurred to him that Rhobith's and Rapture's eyes were not the only eyes on him....

The little man's face turned the color of a ripened redfruit, as he stepped back to the side of his dragon, and attempted to vanish into the shadows.



[ooc: I thought I'd give A'idin someone to yell at <G>]

[Skye]

Gaelrith chewed carefully and more slowly then he was used to as he demonstrated the proper way the chew the stone, pleased that the weyrlings were paying close attention.

A'idin walked along the line as he watched as the gathered young men and women began to choose stones for their partners, nodding, pleased that they were paying attention to the lesson. He looked over each small pile that the weyrlings were sorting out, nodding to them in approval.

He stopped beside T'ryis as his face went pale and looked at the boy's brown. He tilted his head slightly and knelt down, looking at the two of them, Gaelrith informing him of what happened. "It does happen for the stone to break off like that to put a stone between the teeth. Gaelrith has had that happen a few times," he said as he patted T'ryis' shoulder before moving on.

He stopped by Brinne and her green and crossed his arms, brow arched. "The only way to properly learn how to chew is to do it you know," he said, looking at Brinne. "If she doesn't learn to do it she will be a hazard to her fellow wing mates and to herself. I doubt the Queens will welcome a green into their wing," he said, looking hard at the green before moving down the line.

A'idin stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a human yelped in pain. He spun to look at Caltrain and stalked toward the boy. He knelt down and grabbed the young man's hand, looking it over. He looked at the young brown then back at the boy. His eyes got that distant look as his own brown informed him what happened.

A'idin sighed and shook his head, letting go of Caltrain's hand. "Never reach into a dragon's mouth!" he snapped as he stood up straight, looking at all the weyrlings.

He turned his full attention back to Caltrain and put his hands on his his, frowning down at the boy. "Why did you do that?" he asked softly. He pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to the boy. He hadn't though he'd need a healer, but maybe he would have to call for one after all.


~~~

Kimber and Emberlyn nearly ran into each other in their haste to get to the lesson. The stared at each other for a long moment as their dragons came to a stop beside them. Kimber laughed and grinned at her twin. Emberlyn rolled her eyes and moved past her sister to get to the lesson.

Kimber shook her head and looked down to her brown Ferth. The brown nudged against his rider's legs and urged her toward the lake.

We are already late Kimbermine[/color] he told her gently as the made their way to the lake, reaching it just intime to see A'idin standing in front of Caltrain.

Emberlyn and her green Emmith hesitated as they noted the rider snapping at a fellow weyrling. The moved farther down the line and turned their attention to Gaelrith.

[Shikai]

F’rallen?

“Just a minute Dacrith…hold on one second…”

But F’rallen-

“Almost done!”

Fine.

“There!” F’rallen exclaimed as he finished stitching a tear in an injured blue’s wingsail, and began putting his supplies away. “Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?”

Weyrling lessons started ten minutes ago.

“What?!” The weyrling’s expression turned to shock as he whirled around to face the bronze dragonet, who was seated patiently beside him, tail curled around his forepaws like a feline’s. “Shards! Let’s go!”

F’rallen barely managed to keep his pace restrained enough for Dacrith to follow as they made their way through the halls and out toward where the lessons were being held, although he was careful not to walk too fast for the still young dragon. “I hate being late,” He sighed, casting a pained smile at the bronze, who snorted in response.

I tried to tell you.

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. Hard being a weyrling and a dragonhealer at once, I guess…but after last ‘Fall, I can hardly just stop helping.”

And F’rallen hadn’t stopped helping, rather, he had struggled to keep up with his previous duties as a dragonhealer with what little time was left over from taking care of Dacrith and attending lessons. It showed in his appearance, hair and clothes more tousled and in a state of disarray than was normal for even F’rallen, and his amber-colored eyes were starting to look bleary. Regrettably, this meant he had been able to see his friends, and especially Brinne, less than in his dragonhealer days, but…he wondered if that was really a bad thing. True, he enjoyed his time with her, but as he caught sight of her standing beside F’len…well, Brinne could spend her time with who she chose, and there was no reason for him to object in the least.

He slipped into the group of weyrlings, hoping he would not be noticed, and, as they had already begun, went about selecting firestone for his dragon. He had seen weyrlings and riders attend to the task often enough, Faranth knew, to manage.