Weyrling Training: 'We Hunt!'

[B'kay]

Something had shifted in the girl, and Ravyna thought quickly to mask her surprise, for the words Crown spoke had lost their drawl.

She turned aside for a moment, shadowing her expression with another adoring look at her dragon. This young woman was not born to servitude ... and yet, she was trying to hide that fact.

Curiosity rose in Ravyna, curiosity that she knew she must set aside for the moment. She, too, had been born to wealth, and left it behind of her own free will. She hoped she might meet up with the girl again, in a less public setting.

"Igrainth," she said softly, aloud and echoed through her mind. "May we interrupt your breakfast to introduce you to a new friend?"

The little green raised her bloody muzzle, and lifted her head proudly. It was no surprise to her that someone would want to meet her; Ravyna was always telling her how wonderful she is, after all.

I am sure I can chew and swallow while I say hello, she responded, tilting her head quizzically as she looked at the newcomer. You don't have to interrupt my breakfast.

Ravyna chuckled and relayed the dragonet's words to Crown, as she stepped forward and stroked the butter-soft hide. "Igrainth, this is Crown. She's been kind enough to bring your rider some breakfast, while you eat yours." With a genuine smile, Ravyna invited the young woman to approach.

Igrainth stretched out her neck toward the girl, snuffing gently the many scents she'd brought with her, curious and eager to say hello.

"She likes her eye ridges rubbed," she suggested.

Just then, Igrainth turned her head slightly, and Ravyna could feel her reach out a happy welcome. She followed her dragon's gaze to see another weyrling approaching .... it took her a moment to bring the young man's name to her tongue.


Gawyth and his rider, Igrainth assisted.

"Hello, H'run," she said, thanking her dragon for the help. "A fine hunt for your good Gawyth! Crown's brought us a warm breakfast ... isn't it funny how our dragons did all the hunting and we worked up an appetite?"

You and Yours are welcome to join us for breakfast, she said, reaching toward her clutch brother in greeting.

[.K.aci]

<sup>Crown, unknowing that she had slipped up and created awarness that she wasn't what she pretended to be, forgot that she was a drudge for a moment, eager to meet the Green, glad she had taken the job. Of course, who want's to clean tables?

'Igrainth. May we interrupt your breakfast to introduce you to a new friend?'

A faint smile along Crown's lips as the dragon's message was relayed, and she held perfectly still, not sure what to do for once. It was not a feeling that she particularly liked, unsure, not knowing what to do, but she didn't particularly care at the moment, to entrapped.

'Igrainth, this is Crown. She's been kind enough to bring your rider some breakfast, while you eat yours.'

"Hello Igrainth."

Smiling at the eager dragonette, Crown slowly streached out her free hand, tentitivly rubbing the eyeridges of the Green, who turned her head, allowing the girl easier reach. But she also allowed a new person in.

'Pardon me. Gawyth, ah…knows I’m hungry. Crown, right? Can I some food?'

The young woman leapt back, dropping her gaze, again the quiet drudge. She was ashamed and angry at the fact that she had been so blinded by the chance to pet the pretty Green, although she masked the feeling well, turning again the meek, timid girl to face.

"Certainly, sir."

A bob of her head, and she let the basket down gently on the ground, spinning around to hurry back to the klah pot, scooping up a mug for this H'run, handing to him with a bob of her head. Taking the basket up, she offered him it, eager for him to take his pick and resume talking to the other Greenrider. This was a Bronzerider, what she would be someday, and when he started talking to her, that meant Crown could watch the Bronze. Crown didn't care if it had not happened before; she didn't mind if it was unethical. She would be a Bronzerider.

She had to be.</sup>

[Kitari]

Nestled into soft dragon hide, B'rec was sleeping his most peaceful sleep since his arrival at Araelen Weyr. Every night since he had Impressed Dagonth had been as relaxed and carefree as this, in fact, and the lad wasn't even concerned about the other Weyrlings' potential reactions to his choice of sleeping locale. After all, who would choose a lonely cot over the warmth and softness of dragon hide? Of course, he knew that this need wouldn't last forever, and he would eventually be using a bed like normal people once again, but for the time, it felt so wonderful to have that constant reassurance that his dragon was real.

A gentle wheezing snore emerged from the dragonet's head which was tucked onto his rider's chest, while his tail curled about the lad to rest on Dagonth's own nose. Suddenly, a loud snort erupted from the blue snout, causing the tip of his tail to slip to the floor and his rider to cry out in surprise at the sudden noise. The blue head rose immediately erect, which was quite a sight upon his lengthy neck, swiveling to face the entrance to the Weyrlings' barracks. "What is it?" B'rec whispered, fear colouring his voice, as he too sat up to gaze at the entryway.

Weyrling lessons! We are to hunt today! replied Dagonth cheerily. His head shifted back quickly to eye his rider, catching B'rec's tone. Is that something to be afraid of? he added, eyes whirling in concern.

"No, no, of course not," B'rec murmured hastily, stroking the dragonet's smooth hide. "It's just unusually early, that's all. It surprised me." He gave himself a mental check, ashamed to have let his senseless fear take hold once again. The lad was quite aware of how easily his moods affected the dragon, and Dagonth seemed to amplify whatever B'rec was feeling. It didn't help that the blue seemed unusually hesitant to begin with. No other dragon insisted on dunking his tail in the lake water before risking a step in...

Well, then, we better hurry! I don't want Syth to be angry with me, Dagonth mentally whispered the last bit, for the bronze was a dragon who had easily managed to earn the blue's respect and deference, as well as perhaps a touch of fear. B'rec responded immediately to this uncertainty, as he always did, with an outpouring of reassurance and love, insisting that no creature could be angry with such a charming dragonet.

His confidence restored, Dagonth sprang lightly to his feet and out the door, checking over his shoulder a few times to ensure B'rec was following. The lad had hastily pulled on a fresh tunic before doing so and now proceeded to scrub at his face with his hands, clearing the sleep and serving to forcibly wake himself up. Eager, as always, not to draw attention to an unkempt appearance, the lad also ran his hands awkwardly through his chestnut hair in an attempt to smooth its flattened appearance.

Upon reaching the Feeding Grounds, B'rec's eyes widened at the elaborate assemblage of corrals and chutes, for the system appeared entirely complicated and did not bode well for the ease of this task. Dagonth eagerly relayed Syth's instructions, and B'rec was pleased to note that the blue was much more excited than frightened. His eyes drifted lovingly along the dragonet's form, delighting once again in the stunning sapphire of the blue's hide. It was not merely a rider's pride that brought B'rec to decide that his dragon was attractive, for he had been told that fact by other Weyrfolk.

The sudden loud screeching of wherries followed by the cries of a dragon immediately drained all thoughts of peace and affection from B'rec's mind. Positioned over by the blue and green corral, he had not paid attention to the first run in the other corral, but his eyes were drawn immediately to Igrainth's flailing form. His mouth dropped in horror at the sight of ichor on her green hide, for he had never expected the Weyrlingmaster to assign a task that would put the darling dragonets in harm's way. Against all odds, though, the young green managed to end the struggle, decisively mangling the wherry beyond recognition.

As B'rec continued to stare open-mouthed at the corral, a part of his mind barely registered the fact that a blue dragonet was marching over to the corral for larger dragons. Abruptly, he jerked in the direction of the departing form, terrified for a moment...but it was Griflith. What was the dragonet doing? Poor Igrainth had struggled enough to bring down one of the smaller wherries.

The young rider watched the ensuing battle without breathing, but Griflith managed to end it without coming to much harm. B'rec hardly noticed the following fights between dragonets and wherries, because his mind was racing in an attempt to solve his dilemma. The lad was terrified to force his Dagonth to endure such a dangerous challenge, but to do anything but would be to defy his Weyrlingmaster. Although he was a dragonrider, it didn't mean that he and Dagonth could not be punished, or even thrown from the Weyr.

Luckily, the excited blue hardly noticed the uncertainty pulsing from his rider, for Dagonth's whirling eyes eagerly absorbed the techniques of the others in anticipation. Finally, he could wait no longer and turned to B'rec. Is it my turn now? His rider's silence immediately began to dim the blue's mood, and he suddenly wondered if he ought to follow Griflith's example. After all, he was the bravest of dragons, and if his fellow blue could take on the larger wherries, he could too! Should I go over to that pen?

B'rec's heart nearly stopped as his dragon gestured towards the pen with the larger wherries. "No!" he managed to gasp, shaking his head desperately. "No, this one will be fine." As Dagonth's head began to droop in uncertainty, the lad quickly knelt before his dragon. "You are very brave, Dagonth, but you are also small. I know that you could do anything, but...I would feel better if you started with the smaller wherries. Can you do that for me?"

The blue thought about it for only a moment before his eyes began to whirl more excitedly once more. Of course! With that, he turned and marched boldly into the corral, his chest puffed out to show all of the other dragonets how confident and assured he was. B'rec lacked all of this outward calm, and he climbed partway onto the fence, wishing to be as close as possible to his dragon.

As the corral gate opened at the end of the count, both dragon and rider's breath caught at the flash of feathers that whirled into the open space. Loud screeching accompanied the frenzied movements, and the creature raced around in mad circles for a few moments before it realized that another being was in the corral with it. Its beady black eyes locked upon Dagonth, and it charged. The blue dragonet, prepared for such an attack, rose up on his hind legs to free his front talons and bugled in challenge.

What he didn't expect was for the wherry, maddened by fear and the sounds of death around it, not only to continue its headlong charge without flinching, but also to leap off the ground at the last moment, claws flashing wickedly in the early dawn light. Vulnerable, light sapphire belly was torn, and Dagonth cried out in dismay. B'rec's cry echoed his dragon, and he was nearly over the fence before he, too, was restrained.

All confidence vanished in an instant, and Dagonth, whimpering, scurried into a corner. The wherry, emboldened, began to make darting attacks forward, but the blue dragon seemed incapable of anything more than a feeble hissing and warning snap of his jaws. B'rec! The mournful plea tore his soul. What do I do?!

[B'kay]

Igrainth, after greeting her clutch brother, realized that the pleasant scratching on her eye ridges had ceased. Glancing around, she saw where Crown stood after having served H'run his breakfast, and, her belly too full to pack in any more mangled wherry, she sidled quietly over to the girl, and suggestively nudged her hand.

***

B'kay's attention was riveted on the little blue dragonet in the wherry corral. His scowl darkened as he saw the aggressive stance the prey was taking, and Dagonth's reaction.

I tried to warn you that they might be too young, Syth scolded, his eyes beginning to whirl every so slightly with concern.

Oh, nonsense, the rider snapped back. You were just as young, remember? The youngling simply doesn't trust his own strength yet. And I'm not sure whether its his own fear he's feeling, or his rider's. A victory now will help them both.

Either way, Syth responded, He's in a tight spot. He snorted audibly at B'kay, and turned to face little blue Dagonth.


Wherries act tougher than they actually are, he encouraged softly, And you are a strong fine young dragon. Have faith, for I have faith in you.

[Journye]

Griflith looked up from his breakfast, not even paying attention to the blood dripping from his muzzle. He watched his clutch mate in the smaller pen, seeing Dagonth's predicament Dont be afraid! Its just a bunch of feathers and tasty meat! You can do it Dagonth![/color] He cheered his clutch brother on

S'lem hurried over to B'rec and put a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder "You can help him B'rec, helping him be calm. The two of you can conquer this challenge together," he said softly, gently encouraging the boy to take a calming breath "You need clear thoughts or you'll confuse Dagonth," he gently squeezed the boy's shoulder and smiled encouragement.

~~~


Caylsta mine you must wake this instant![/color] Luneth insisted as she nuzzled at her sleeping rider. Calysta mumbled something and rolled over, tugging the blanket over her head. Luneth sighed and snatched the blanket, jerking it off the cot completely. Calysta cried out in surprise What on Pern was that for!? She asked as she sat up to glare at her green sleepily. Luneth looked at her rider for a moment before speaking Syth and his wants us out side now, we are to learn to hunt,[/color] she told Calysta who was rubbing sleep from her eyes. Calysta blinked then looked toward the door way But its not even day light yet! How can the Weyrling master expect you to hunt like this? She asked even as she got up to get dressed, brushing her long blond hair out. Luneth tilted her head I can see well enough and I want to learn how to hunt my own food,[/color] she informed her rider as she waited on her to get dressed, her posture regal.

Calysta sighed and nodded "Alright Luneth," she said out loud before heading outside, nodding to those up this sharding early as she made her way to the pens. She stretched and yawned as she took her place near the smaller pen once Luneth had informed her of Syth's instructions. Luneth looked around and Calysta could tell she was thinking things through. Even though Luneth was hers she was always a bit surprised by the green's cleverness, definitely going against the rumors she had heard about greens. She blinked and stopped her train of thought as Luneth turned slowly turning eyes toward her Am I not what you wanted mine?[/] she asked. Calysta sank to her knees and embraced her little green You are everything I wanted Luneth, you are perfect! I wouldn't dare dream of changing a think about you. I am glad you are who you are, hopefully we can change the way people view greens and their riders! she said with a bright smile, earning and nuzzle from her regal green.

Luneth turned her attention back to the pen as she heard Dagonth cry out in alarm. Calysta looked up as well, spotting her brother with the blue's rider. She frowned and looked toward the pen Oh Luneth! I don't want that to happen to you, She looked down at her green. Luneth was quiet for a long, thoughtful moment It will not mine. I am not afraid and I am hungry. Those are to be our breakfast and if I am going to eat it why should I be afraid of it?[/color] the little green turned whirling eyes up to her rider, happy with her own logic. Calysta nodded and reached down to scratch Luneth's eye ridges as she watched the blue in the pen.

[Kitari]

B'rec's eyes were fixed upon the whirling facets of his blue, his mind frozen in terror and uncertainty. He didn't know what to do, nor how to help his Dagonth from outside the corral. Yet that was what his dragon needed. The blue had come to him in a time of need, chosen him of all of the possible lifepartners; he owed Dagonth his strength and support now. He must not allow fear to rule his life, nor taint that of his young dragon. Because, as Dagonth was showing him, Pern had far too much to offer to allow fear to restrict them.

The blue dragonet did not swivel his head as Syth's words touched his mind, but he took comfort in them nonetheless. His gaze remained locked upon his rider, yet the whirling of his facets slowed a degree in the surprised realization that the mighty bronze, who was responsible for the training of all of the Weyrlings, actually considered him a worthy dragon. This touched Dagonth beyond all assurances of the weakness of the wherries, although he appreciated Griflith's attempt to raise his spirits.

However, it was B'rec's words that Dagonth waited upon most, for they were the ones that could strengthen him or break him. B'rec? His rider, too, was barely aware of the attempts to reassure him, the hand on his shoulder going unfelt. His mind raced through the possibilities, but there was only one option. This may hurt his blue, but it would not kill him, and Dagonth needed this victory to move forward in his training. In fact, B'rec realized, any injury would likely hurt him more, as a worried guardian, than it would his dragonet.

Dagonth, you can do this. His voice was calm, and he allowed only adoration and pride to permeate the mental bond with his dragon. You are both far stronger and far smarter than these feathered misfits. I know it hurts now, but the pain will not last forever. Show them that you can do far worse than they will ever be capable of. I will be proud of you, no matter what, but win this one for us. I know you can. This was accompanied by a firm nod, as B'rec's dark eyes blazed with fierce confidence and determination.

Dagonth felt the impact of these words and emotions, especially since they were ones not often produced by his rider. Slowly, the whirling of his eyes shifted from yellow to red, and he broke the eye contact with B'rec. His rider was right! This annoying creature was no different from the breakfast he had every day, except that this one was going to make him work for his full stomach. The pain was not really so bad as he'd first thought, coming now only in dull waves, and the wherry's feints were much more bravado than true danger.

As the wherry began another charge, its beady eyes flashed in surprise, for its meek quarry was no longer quivering in the corner. In fact, it was no longer in the corner. While the wherry had been rounding about, growing overconfident in the face of no immediate threats and momentarily losing sight of the dragonet, Dagonth had slunk to the opposite side of the corral, waiting for his chance. The wherry realized its mistake too late, cornered as it was, and turned its head only in time to see sapphire hide flash in the growing light of Rukbat. Dagonth had leapt, downsweeping his wings to gain better momentum, and landed full on the wherry's exposed back, clawed forelimbs wrapping around the creature in a deathlock and sharp teeth piercing its pathetically fragile neck.

The panicked wherry began to thrash, slamming itself against the sides of the corral in an attempt to dislodge its attacker, but Dagonth held on in his feline-like, killing grip. Gradually, the wherry was drained of its energy and blood, and it paused long enough for Dagonth to risk shifting his position and gain a better mouthful, chomping down with powerful jaws to end the bird's life once and for all. Stillness filled the corral, and neither rider, nor dragon, nor wherry twitched.

Finally, B'rec let out a triumphant whoop, clambering over the corral in his haste to reach Dagonth. "You did it! You did it! You did it!" he cried, racing to pound his dragon appreciatively on the shoulder and surveying the impressive kill. "I knew you could do it, Dagonth. That was amazing. You are amazing." He hugged the blue, ignoring the bloody snout that smeared red across his fresh tunic, and continued to whisper praise to his extremely pleased lifemate. Finally, he released the dragonet, and the pair made their way out of the corral, Dagonth dragging his prize.

"You did amazing in there. I'm so proud of you." Even as he spoke the words, B'rec began to worry about the Weyrlingmaster's response. After all, Dagonth had faltered quite obviously, and the lad doubted that the cold taskmaster would have any kind words to say. The last thing his dragon needed at this time was to feel badly because he had not performed 'to standard' at the beginning. As Dagonth began to enjoy a well-deserved feast, with Griffin appearing suddenly to join in the spoils, B'rec turned to the Weyrlingmaster, defiant. "He did well." His eyes dared the dark man to disagree.

[B'kay]

You're grinning, Mine, Syth's dark voice rang with teasing highlights.

He indeed was. B'kay wiped the smile from his face just before B'rec turned to face him, and forced himself to maintain what he hoped was a firm but fair expression.

Although most of the weyrlings received a nod and a notation on his tablet, B'kay heard the young rider's words of pride in his dragonet, and knew that this was a special situation. He'd watched this one peripherally for a while, wondering just how this young man and his blue would handle the dangers of Thread when it returned en force.

B'kay allowed the corner of his mouth to curve into half a smile, and the scar on that cheek turned white with the resulting pressure.

"He did indeed," he agreed quietly. "Fear is nothing to be ashamed of. Conquering fear is a matter of great pride. You both did well."

He gave the young rider a respectful nod, and, scribbling in his notes, turned to watch the next hunt.

Syth, as pleased with his rider as he had ever been, said to Dagonth, His words may be short, young one, but he is very proud of you ... of all of you ... today.

[Flamewolf]

Keldara.

The sound made the Weryling's head lift up. She'd been, yet again, sketching. Not very surprising, right? She twisted around to see the noble brown dragon stretching his limbs, eyes whirling in suppressed excitement. She blinked at him until he finished, then turned to her.

Syth's, the Werylingmaster, has decided that we shall be hunting today, he informed his rider in a slightly deep voice, even at his young age.

The girl smiled and stood, putting the drawings away before coming over to him. She was already dressed; she'd been awake for a little while. Normally, she'd still be sleeping. "Really. When did he tell you?" she asked.

Galahanth gave a shrug of his shoulders, claws flexing. A little while ago. But you seemed occupied, and I did not want to disturb you. His bonded shook her head. Just like him. She was concentrated on something, like drawing, and he wouldn't dare interrupt her unless it was something important. She didn't do it often; he just didn't like interrupting people. It was one of the things he went by.

"Well, let's go. We don't want B'kay to get too mad at us," she said. She couldn't be mad at him. They started off out of the Weryling barracks off to the training grounds.

A lot of the other Weyrlings were already there. Keldara winced inwardly but nothing seemed to show otherwise of her nervousness of being so late. She paused between the two corrals, and then turned to the Weyrlingmaster and dipped her head in hello. She glanced behind her to see Galahanth at the larger corral, with the larger wherries. "Is..." she began.

It's empty, Keldara-mine, the brown assured, looking over his shoulder with softly whirling eyes. Keldara sighed and nodded. The brown waited patiently for the herdmaster to let him in, then entered without hesitation. Keldara watched intently, no fear intruding on her.

The weyrling took a look around. A large wherry erupted from the entrance on the other side, looking with its harsh black eyes and squaking. Galahanth huffed and flexed his muscles slightly, unperturbed, focused.. The wherry glared and spread its wings, still squacking like mad. It lifted a gruesome talon and snapped its beak in the air. Keldara, leaning on the fence, watched with slight intrigue at the wherry's antics; was it trying to intimidate the bulky brown?

Suddenly, it charged, rearing at the last moment, wings wide, slightly off the ground with talons clawing at thin air. Galahanth stepped back sharply, and for a moment, Kel thought he was slightly afraid; but suddenly the dragon reared on his hind legs. He was going to show it who was bigger. Front claws out to protect his belly if the insane creature lunged, his wings unfurled and stretched to their greatest length. Then, Galahanth gave a roar; a small one, albeit, but still slightly deep and rumbly-like. The wherry squaked in startled surprise, then took a few tumbling steps backwards. Galahanth landed and charged back at it.

Keldara straightened as suddenly the wherry, in its retreat, whirled around and slashed at the dragon's face. The brown leaped back, stumbling slightly, becoming unsettled. He was a large dragon, frame-wise, and wasn't all that agile on his limbs. And, probably, in the air too. The wherry screeched in victory and started at the weryling. Galahanth rumbled in annoyance and backed up, flashing his wings. But the dumb animal kept coming back.

The brown was starting to get backed up into the fence. "Jump!" Keldara said suddenly and privately to the dragon. Galahanth, without glancing back, knew what his bonded meant. He leaped clear over the wherry, who whipped around to watch him sail over it. As the weryling landed, stumbling slightly, he finally caught his footing and turned around. The wherry was screeching madly; it whipped it's head around so fast that it had cracked a little. Keldara was laughing on the side, how ironic it was. Galahanth, without hesitation, charged and captured it under his claws. He pressed one down on its neck and it fell still.

Keldara stepped aside to let him out and smiled. "Nice job," she commented with a chuckle. The brown looked up at her with slight amusement as well; the wherry had doomed itself. Huh. How funny. He went off to the side to let another weyrling through.

((I might get another weyrling in soon if I can.))

[B'kay]

B'kay watched Galahanth's hunt with keen interest, and nodded in Keldara's direction when the little brown had captured his prey.

He jotted in his notes, holding them close so no one else would see: "Impressive control and coordination for a brown so young. Uncertain, but it's slightly possible that he may have actually glided slightly when jumping over the wherry."

All of the weyrlings and their dragons had shown him good qualities, most had surprised him in some way.

You are very pleased with our students, admit it, Syth teased, his eyes flashing with amusement.

Most show promise, was all B'kay would say, but the slight smile that quirked the corner of his mouth gave him away.

The dark bronze dragon rumbled with laughter.

[Journye]

Luneth was more excited then she was willing to show, keeping her posture nearly as regal as a queen's as she approached the entrance to the pen, ignoring the chuckle from the man who opened the gate for her. Calysta smiled proudly at her green as she positionedh erself in the center of the pen facing the chute. Calysta nodded to the man at the chute entrance and both she and Luneth counted down with him, Luneth, opening her wings slightly.

As the chute opened a wherry charged out with a scream of fear and anger. It looked around frantically then spotted Luneth. It froze for a moment from fear of the dragon standing there then began squawking as it searched for a way out. Luneth watched the wherry charging at the pen's railings, slamming its self into the wood. She slowly prowled behind the preoccupied creature.

It was Luneth who next gave a surprised cry of alarm as the wherry turned on her, slashing out in fear and anger, catching the green across the muzzle, dangerously close to her right eye. She back pedaled and hissed at the bird creature, striking out with her own sharp talons. Calysta cried out and pressed against the railing, her hand going to her own right cheek as if it was she that had been injured.

Luneth shook her hed and raised on her back legs, flaring her wings out to make herself look larger as she leaped at the wherry. She snapped her muzzle closed around the creature's neck and held on to its back with her front talons as it struggled. She closed her eyes to protect them from its thrashing until it finallt stilled, dieing from exhaustion and blood loss.

Calysta sighed in relief and hurried into the pen to help Luneth drag her breakfast out, trying to examine the damage done. Luneth allowed Calysta apply numb weed to the cut then set about eating break fast. It will be fine mine. Breakfast is delicious and I will do better next time,[/color] Luneth assured her rider. Calysta smiled softly and nodded "Alright love," she murmured.