Weyrling Training: 'We Hunt!'

[D'gellin]

Lancetoth was practically shivering with excitement as Gawyth secured his victory with a sickening crunch of wherry brains. D'gellin gave a small, unconscious flinch at the sound but was otherwise just as enthusiastic. Have any plans? D'gellin questioned, eyes riveted with morbid interest on the kill. Lancetoth was, for an uncharacteristic moment, silent. They do not think much. He noted at length. That makes them simple-minded but also more dangerous. They're fighting for their lives. D'gellin murmured, tensing as the moment for Lancetoth to take his turn approached.

Lancetoth nodded amiably in return to Gawyth. But I am fighting for my breakfast. He said quite simply, with a rather endearing tilt of his head to D'gellin. I will take the biggest one. He announced cheerily as he trotted through the gate, alert and excited. He took his place a little way off from the opening chute, crouched low and expectant. "Show 'em whose boss, Lancetoth!" D'gellin called enthusiastically. Lancetoth's eyes whirled with greater speed as a silent response.

Both dragon and rider mentally counted along with the man working the chute. And in a great flurry of wings a rather ruffled and unhappy looking wherry scrambled out, rumpled feathers puffing it up deceivingly large. Lancetoth rumbled anxiously in his throat, his adrenaline spiking as the wherry charged towards him. Surprised by the bold move, he skittered swiftly to the side, allowing it to pass. But with a bit of luck, his long tail was slower to make the move, tripping the frantic wherry and sending it squawking to the ground. Ha! Lancetoth cried with delight, standing tall to face his opponent afresh. I very much meant to do that, by the way. He added to D'gellin slightly indignantly; The weyrling had been chuckling at the lucky break.

The wherry, however, was far from being done. It's screeched noisily as it clambered to its feet again, a determination to survive making it all the more violent. It flapped its clipped wings in a vicious show, claws flashing. Lancetoth, in turn, bugled back and lifted himself to his hind legs and flapped his own wings. They were by no means matured enough for flight, but the strength behind the beats held him erect and startled the wherry further. Thus deterred from a direct attack, it scrambled to get away. Oh no you don't! We're not done yet. Lancetoth reprimanded the wherry.

But no sooner had it started running then the wherry was cornered, having darted to the end of the pen. Lancetoth, boldened by what he thought a victory, pounced at it. The wherry jumped and fluttered helplessly, scrambling over a startled Lancetoth and scraping at his back. D'gellin stood up straighter, hands clenching the gate with anxiety at Lancetoth's cries. "Roll over!" D'gellin called suddenly, struck by inspiration while faltering between going to aid Lancetoth and remaining where he stood.

Lancetoth glanced at his bonded then quickly did as he was told. The frantic wherry latched itself to his hide as the bronze tilted, securing it's own smash into the fence. Hearing the crunch of wherry bones, Lancetoth jumped away, his step somewhat agile, though his tail caught when he tried to turn, and stopped him from going further. The wherry lay stunned and twitching on the ground. Startled by the change from violent to helpless, Lancetoth stared uncertainly at the thing, lowering his head towards it cautiously. But after a leg jutted out, claw catching his face, Lancetoth lashed instinctively, latching on to the neck until the final movements ceased.

Having finished it, Lancetoth started walking back towards the gate, jaws still clenching his opponent's neck. He stopped occasionally, as though uncertain whether or not the wherry would try to attack again. But once D'gellin had joined him with an overflow of praise outside the gate his spirits were quickly restored. It put up a valiant fight! He noted approvingly as he dragged his kill off. But I'm not sure if I hope it's this exciting every time I hunt. He added as an afterthought as D'gellin eyed the open cuts left behind by the terrible feathered creature. I should hope not. D'gellin agreed, already digging through his pockets for some numbweed. Fortunately, the clothes were a day old, and he still had his emergency supply in his pocket.

Well, what do you think? D'gellin asked as he rubbed the salve over the cuts. Thankfully they weren't deep, aside from perhaps the ones bearing testimony to the wherry's clinging during the roll. Lancetoth, having checked once more to make sure the wherry didn't lash at him again, eagerly bit into the carcass. It is very rewarding! He announced, relishing the fresh taste. Though it is a great deal smaller underneath all these feathers...

[etoile]

Mine, mine, wake up! Syth says we're going to hunt today![/color] Even meek little Pellaeth couldn't hide the excitement from his mind-voice. He was so looking forward to killing for himself! Just the thought was enough to make his little bronze chest puff up in pride. I'm so excited, I'm going to catch the biggest, juiciest ones, and it's going to be great![/color] Pellaeth crooned, pulling himself over to A'do's sleeping figure. He had slept as hard as a rock ever since he Impressed, probably because of all the work that came with dragonriding. A'do simply wasn't used to it. At least he was beginning to build a few more muscles to his little frame. It might be harder to fit into dresses if he got any more bigger. No matter; as long as Momo would still think him as her little brother, he would be just fine. He stretched in his sleepy state, his blue eyes opening blearily. He didn't really comprehend Pellaeth's words at first.

"What?" he asked, suppressing a yawn. Pellaeth growled slightly.

It's time to hunt! Get dressed! The big ones will all be taken![/color] the bronze announced insistently. Sighing, A'do sat up, running a hand through his tangled bedhead. "Hunt?" he repeated stupidly, clambering out of bed. Pellaeth snorted, hopping over to butt his silly rider.

"Fine, fine," he giggled, running a hand through his hair. Hobbling over to his many piles of clothes (that were lying in a heap on the ground, of course), he pulled out a frilly red dress. Topping it off with his cap, he giggled. "How's this look?"

You look silly,[/color] the bronze pointed out lazily.

A'do giggled. It was like a tradition-- this was how they started off every morning. "All right, let's go!" he announced merrily, leading the bronze out. Plodding along only a step or two behind his happily bouncing rider, he led Pellaeth out to the fence. Still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Pellaeth looked at the beasts shyly, only just realizing that he wasn't alone. Other dragons were here, too...

((Doing Elkie later. She's uncooperative D:))[/size]

[.K.aci]

'Drudge!'

Ice blue eyes snapped up as she bared her teeth, freezing as she waited for her instructions. Even with order's flying at her every day, she still couldn't fight down the anger that told her she was better than any of these scum, to fight the orders. Staring firmly at the wall and still not bothering to see who had given the orders, she took a deep breath, trying to relax.

With a whoosh in, air expanded into the dirty ribcage, and she crossed her hands infront of her. As soon as she was sure her expression was meek and quiet, she turned around to bob her head at the taller man.

'You need to take a bucket of klah and a basket of meatrolls out to the Weyrling Lesson: their beast's are hunting, and the Weyrling's are hungry.'

She bobbed her head again, a silent agreement, and waited until he moved briskly away before heading off towards the kitchens. Any job was better than scrubing off the tables to get ready for breakfast, and while she would have used this as a reason to shirk from her chores and flee, she wanted to see the dragonet's, so she might just do her job for once.

"Conel!"

She snapped as she brushed past him, lithe fifteen year old body calling to the older drudge boy. He came quickly; she knew he was on his break, yet quickly she wasted no time in ordering him to finish wiping down the tables.

"One of those Beaster's called me to carry stuff down to the Weyrlings. They be ahuntin'."

So easy to slip into the accent, to convince them that she was one of them. The boy meanwhile shuddered. It was well known he feared dragons, and that was her ticket to getting him to finish the job for her.

'Alright, Crown.'

She patted him on the shoulder, and flew down to the kitchens, searching for the bucket she knew would be there... Ah! Dirty hand reached down to snap up the basket, but a wooden spoon hit her, and she recoiled, snarling up at the wielder. A kitchen helper by the name of Galla scowled back.

'Not a chance Mistress Crown! Ye'll wash yerself up first! And ye have both the basket's; Fredrick will carry the klah down fer ye. Yer to serve it though, so make sure'n' that ye be stayin' there.'

The warning was clear, and Crown nodded, smiling falsely up at her.

"I'm gonna stay, I apromise. Why wouldn't I?"

The slim woman snorted, turning away. She had a soft spot for the poor girl, sending out her letter to her brother's every week, but sometimes the spitfire girl needed to be ordered.

Bred properly, the poor speech was something Crown had slipped into. No longer Claudia of some Minor Hold, she was Crown, a drudge. She had lost faith in her eldest brother long ago, and with her twin brother's Apprenticing as Harper's, she was on her own.

Quickly scrubbing up and changing into clean clothes (which meant huge oversized tunic tucked into men slack's that needed to be belted to stay up on her), everything rolled up and rough page-boy cut strawberry blonde hair tucked underneath a piece of clothe. Fredrick, a huge mute, carried it down as planned and helped her set up, then she was left, ready to serve them. Although short and slim underneath the huge clothing, her arms were corded and lean, and her eyes glimmered with defience as she went up to tug on the Weyrlingmaster's sleeve.

"`Scuse me, Sir, but I have food for the Weyrling's."

Her tone meek, but still a rougish glimmer hinted through, a touch of a smile around her mouth that made it look as though she was inside mocking the man. Who knew, maybe she was? She took a moment to glance around, discretly. Her gaze froze on the lanky young man sipping klah and waiting for the next dragonet. She knew him... Puzzled, but aware of the large man next to her, she looked back down at the ground.

[B'kay]

B'kay was focused on the dragonets, growing more and more impressed with their inventiveness, making complementary remarks in his notes. He even had to stifle a chuckle when young Lancetoth crushed his breakfast by rolling on it.

So intent was he on the hunting, that when the drudge tugged his sleeve, he jumped slightly before turning to her.

For a second, he thought he saw a spark in those eyes that he'd never expect in the eyes of a servant, and then she was meekly offering food to the gathered weyrlings.

He frowned slightly and nodded, "Thank you, lass," he said, looking her up and down, wondering what there was about her that made him slightly uncomfortable.

He raised his voice, "Riders, there's food here for you, and hot klah, and a young woman to serve you so you can keep your attention on your dragons. If you need anything, just call out to.... " he looked at the girl. "What's your name, lass?"

[.K.aci]

Weather-worn cheeks twisted up into a smirk, she kept her eyes firmly on the ground. She was just a drudge here, after all. Nothing less, nothing more.

'Thank you, lass'.'

Aware of the scrutiny, she schooled her features into a quiet somberness, bobbing her head. She was the picture of the perfect drudge, but always aware of peoples emotions, his tightened limbs, the way he shifted away from her hand, she could tell that he wasn't liking her near. She was clean! Crown thought with a sniff, the mildest glimmer of distaste and unhappiness creasing her forehead.

'Riders, there's food here for you, and hot klah, and a young woman to serve you so you can keep your attention on your dragons. If you need anything, just call out to.... What's your name, lass?'

His attention off of her for a moment she lifted up her head to watch the comings and goings with a sharp eye, wonder and amazment at the dragonettes that were eating, and, dare it glimmer there, admiration. Not one to admire other's, perfectly content with being boss and better than them, she knew people who deserved respect, and these were it. Maybe not some of them, but the few rider's that glanced up and acknowledged her...

His voice brought her back down to earth and defience flooded her features as she swiftly looked back down at the ground. Stupid man, spooking her like that! She was just a drudge here, no one cared what her name was. They would one day, but not now. Crown was careful, she knew she had to work slowly up the ladder, and as one of the servents that did the most menial labor, that was a hard thing to do.

"Crown, sir."

She murmured, bobbing her head again, allowing the accent to twist her tongue around and make the words burly, thick. They needn't know she could read and write and do her numbers. She was just a tiny short drudge for fifteen, far to skinny for her own good, and an bright anger that burned hotter than it should.

[B'kay]

B'kay, nodding again, continued, "... Crown will assist hungry riders."

Then, skimming over his notes for a moment, he added, "Those whose dragons are sated are free to leave the feeding grounds. We've got a lecture scheduled today at the first hour past noon meal, so be on time."

Casting a muttered, "Thank you again," over his shoulder to the drudge, he moved toward the larger of the training pens to get a better angle of view on the next hunt. Syth was right, he admitted to himself ... the weyrlings were exceeding his expectations. All had caught their meals so far, with only a few minor scratches to show for their full bellies.

***

Igrainth was meticulously stripping tender meat from the breastbone of her wherry when a funny noise from her rider caused her to look up.

Ravyna's stomach had complained loudly at B'kay's mention of food and klah. She wasn't normally one to desire breakfast ... perhaps her dragon's appetite and enthusiasm had affected her.

One eye supervising Igrainth, whose dainty eating habits really didn't require that much tending, she glanced toward the drudge. She didn't remember seeing this girl in her time working in the lower caverns ... perhaps she was new to the Weyr. She raised a slender hand to catch the drudge's attention.

"Crown?" she called, trying to keep her voice down, as not to distract her fellow weyrlings from their dragons. "Your wares would be welcome over here."

[.K.aci]

He brushed her off, but she didn't even notice. New, even she had gotten used to being the bottom rung on the ladder. Ignoring the rest of the things he was announcing, his muttered words, soft as she had walked away, the thank you was appreciated, and startled, she bobbed a curtsy, although not wearing skirts.

This was a new tact. Most ignored the drudges, not people in their minds, quiet and dirty and those inhabitants of the Lower Cavarns that had sunk away long ago into the background. Shrugging it off, not really worrying about it, she went back to stir the klah, waiting for it...

'Crown? Your wares would be welcome over here.'

The voice, quiet and yet demanding made her look around, focusing on the Weyrling.

"Right away mum."

She muttered, filling up a mug and taking up the easy to carry first basket, with pieces of cloth on the top for easy holding.

"Here ya go, miss."

The delicate hand held out the mug, though her eyes never looked at the Weyrling. It was only admiration and wonder in her eyes as she gazed at the dragonette.

[B'kay]

The klah smelled wonderful, and as Ravyna peeked under the covering in the basket to discover meatrolls, her mouth watered. She took two decent sized ones, and accepted the mug that Crown held out to her.

The girl held the classic "try not to be noticed" stance that so many of the kitchen workers wore. Ravyna had spent much time and energy while working in the lower caverns trying to get youngsters like Crown to stand up for themselves a bit. Glancing over the girl, she wondered how things were going "downstairs" since she'd Impressed Igrainth. Though she hadn't bonded with any of the other weyrlings, Ravyna would always hold a soft spot for the lower caverns folk, and tried to treat them with the respect they rarely got elsewhere.

Keeping an eye on her dragonet, who was still picking the bones of her kill, she lowered her voice.

"I Impressed from the Caverns, you know," she glanced side-wise at the girl. "I was supposed to be simply hauling fresh meat for the hatchlings. It really surprised a few people," she chuckled, "Me not the least of them!" She took a bite of her breakfast, still warm from the hearth, and felt the pleasant heat slide down her throat as she washed it down with a sip of klah. "Are the heads down there still pushing the youngers around?" she whispered.

Then, catching the look the girl had fixed on the little green, a wave of warmth and pride flowed over her. "Isn't she lovely?" she asked, unashamed. "I think she's got the most beautiful shading. Her name is Igrainth ... would you like me to introduce you to her? I mean, if you don't mind bloody meat breath, that is."

[.K.aci]

Just like a rider, even a Weyrling to snatch first and talk after. Crown was the opposite of this girl, born to a Hold Lord, a proper girl. But a drudge she would be, to proud and angry to admit defeat. She would never steal, and because that stupid new Holder and his Regent has wasted their breath on such a petty grudge against her, she hoped the Red Star rained Thread on them a million times over.

'I Impressed from the Caverns, you know.'

The female spoke, and Crown guilty looked back at the ground before digesting what the girl said. Wide eyed, stripped away suddenly, she met the girl with her own bright and haughty eyes, listening.

'I was supposed to be simply hauling fresh meat for the hatchlings. It really surprised a few people, me not the least of them!'

The first plausible emotion was disgust. That low to torture a drudge by whispering of her own accomplisments, scorning those who were not lucky enough... Well, she'd show them. She'd be Searched, properly of course, and Impress a Bronze!

Then she realized that the girl was not doing that, only instilling hope into one she saw who could use a chance, and although Crown despised her pity, took that hope and tucked it safely away. If one did it, she could to.

'Are the heads down there still pushing the youngers around?'

"Mmhmm, but the Red Star doesn't change it's pattern." Crown muttered, her knuckles white on the basket handle as she remembered. Suddenly, the urge to tell, the urge to say that she wasn't just a simple-minded meek drudge hit her, and she opened her mouth to say that. But the girl had spoken again, and her words thrust everything else aside.

'Isn't she lovely? I think she's got the most beautiful shading. Her name is Igrainth ... would you like me to introduce you to her? I mean, if you don't mind bloody meat breath, that is.'

For a moment she could only stare at the adled rider, for she must be. Infront of the other Weyrlings? She knew what it was like, in this girl's shoes once, liking some of the younger, or lower children, but acting as though they were scum unless alone with them. But she didn't care, always one to act against the grain, and nodded.

"That would be amazing."

The burly accent dropped in a moment, proper once more, she only could see the green.

"She is very very pretty."

[Shikai]

Mmmm. I don’t know if it is because it is so fresh, or because I worked for it myself, but this is surely the best wherry I’ve ever had. [/color]

Gawyth crooned happily to his rider. Yet as his dragon’s stomach was filled, he couldn’t help but realize the painful emptiness of his own as it rumbled away. After a particularly loud noise, Gawyth tilted his head to look oddly at his rider. Your stomach’s making that noise again.[/color] Yes, I noticed. He replied wryly. You’re hungry. You should eat something. I’d offer you some of mine, but I don’t think you’d like it.[/color]

H’run looked at the bloody mass his bronze was chewing away at happily, now completely unrecognizable as the wherry he had caught not long ago. No, He replied. I think I’ll pass, Gawyth.

But it seemed someone had remembered that the weyrlings themselves were without food, for H’run looked up as B’kay spoke to see a girl holding what appeared, to his stomach’s excitement, to be food. While he wanted some, he didn’t really want to order her around. Besides, she appeared to be occupied with Ravyna.

Come on then, H’run! You need nourishment. I’m sure Igrainth and hers won’t mind. [/color] He responded, and picking up the remains of his wherry surprising grace, the bronze moved toward where Ravyna was sitting. “Gawyth!” H’run growled under his breath, as he quickly stood up to catch up to his headstrong dragon. What?[/color] Gawyth replied, without so much as a glance at his flustered rider. I’m just getting you food, as you do for me very often.[/color] H’run scowled mentally upon hearing the amusement in his bronze’s tone. It looked as though he would have little choice in the matter now, as the bronze had reached his destination. He dropped his wherry a few feet away, so as not to bother the others, but where he could keep an eye on it.

Good day, Igrainth! I hope you and yours do not mind us joining you. My H’run needs food, you see.[/color] He said apologetically.

You did an excellent job hunting! That is a fine wherry. I like being able to catch my own food.[/color] Added the bronze cheerfully, in the way of conversation.

H’run, meanwhile, was left to contend with the humans. “Pardon me. Gawyth, ah…knows I’m hungry.” He said, knowing how lame it sounded as the words came out of his mouth. He nodded to both girls in greeting, and turned to the younger girl. “Crown, right? Can I some food?” Asked H’run, and Gawyth looked up as well.