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Lesson 4:
Time Lasted: Months 10-12
Topic: Flight (Solo glides)/Beginning to Hunt
You Should Know: Knowledge of mating flights and their repercussions; dragons can begin to practice their gliding (without a rider on their back) and are expected to practice in their spare time; strap making continues; dragons may learn to hunt by themselves or be taught by an older dragon
Dragon Notes: Lineart change (Sr. weyrling lines)! Dragons are now large enough to hunt for themselves, whether on the ground or with the help of short glides; they are not, however, large enough to carry passengers; the no sex rule has been lifted but it is not a free for all! Some dragons are more sensitive than others, so it is always expected that the rider will respect his or her dragon; riders are allowed to drink but discouraged from getting drunk
Previous Knowledge: (Covered in 'previous lessons') Basic knowledge of Weyr history, all Weyrlings will be caught up on Harper-taught skills (reading, writing, arithmetic); physical "games" or sorts will begin for this period (tag, swimming, tug of war, relay, etc) to prepare for flight; ground drills, flight formations with practice on the ground as well as learning in the classroom; strap making and maintenance of leather; self defense; classroom lectures on riding gear and its maintenance.


F'sey hated the first time the riders joined their dragons in flight. Of course, today they were simply having the dragons glide by themselves, but it was still a heart-stopping experience. They weren't all graceful, after all. There was always one or two that bumbled into the sky and the entire time aloft was watched through one big cringe. It was rare anyone actually got seriously injured, but there was always the possibility of a young dragon panicking if something went wrong. And that was rarely a good experience.

Waiting for the riders and the half-grown dragons to gather, F'sey sighed and reached out to mentally tap his green. Ialluth crooned softly, responding immediately with warm thoughts and reassurances. Every dragon must learn how to fly, after all, it was only natural! Unlike her rider, the pleasant green had every faith in the weyrlings about to glide today. It was something they were born to do! As long as everyone stayed positive, they'd be fine! She crooned and ruffled her wings, eager to start the day.

This will be so much fun!

Now here was something unusual; in came O'asis and Uktenath for one of the most pivotal of lessons that a Weyr could offer, the first flight for the dragon, but for some reason, it was only the rider that seemed anything even nearing excited!

"C'mon, Uk," O'asis crooned to the Death Adder bronze, trying to pluck up some enthusiasm from the dragon. "Brighten up a bit! This is a big step, right? This is important to learn! You ought to be lit up like a fresh glow - why are you so quiet?"

The bronze's chest heaved as they crossed the room the rest of the way, purposefully settling in a place that kept distance from his brother already arrived. Seating himself beside his, head drawn up and shoulders held straight as always, Uktenath seemed not to notice the other pair in the room, concentrating instead on his own matters. He knew that His was very eager for this particular lesson, but to Uktenath, it was simply another step. A very poignant step, perhaps, but not one that would teach him anything more than he already knew. It is important, Uktenath agreed mildly, and I will learn it and excel. But I have no reason to waste my energy before anything's even happened.

Absorbing this, O'asis barked a sudden laugh. "Ah, you cocky b*****d! Just so long as you're taking it seriously, though."

Of course I am taking it seriously, Uktenath answered, slightly affronted. And I am not cocky, only realistic. This might have sounded even worse than his previous assertions, perhaps, but the bronze knew it only to be true. After all, he had been performing well in all other things that he set his mind to. He and His exercised every day. The hikes around the Weyr had been short at first, when he was still young, but they'd grown longer every day. He'd learned to swim in the lake, using legs and wings both, to push against the resistance of the water. He'd grown strong and large and graceful, and was unafraid of losing control in the air. And finally... the most difficult thing he'd had to do to prepare... he'd asked advice. Just like Yansanth had told him all great bronzes must, he'd sought out Galliath and learned from him what flight was like, the way to glide, all the things one ought to know before taking that jump.

Uktenath was prepared - this was certainly so. And because he was, there was no cause for excitement. This glide might test him, but he was going to succeed at it, just as he would succeed at all other things he set his mind to. He knew it - and because he did, His felt that same quiet confidence, that knowing without having to display it, and was comforted.

With a bit of a rueful smile, O'asis laid one hand on Uktenath's side - his hand was seeming smaller and smaller all the time, next to that hulk - and nodded. "Yeah, I know. You're going to do great, Uktenath." The bronze's tail twitched at that word, and his eyes lightened to a new-leaf green. Yes, he knew - he was going to do great.

"Gooooood morning Weyrlingmaster F'sey!"

Only one person would ever address the grouchy old greenrider in that way, at this time of the morning, and before a very important, stressful lesson. Nandeli practically bounded towards the small gathering of weyrlings, clearly eager to begin. Though she had stopped giving the redhead hugs every morning – for his safety rather than her own – she hadn't stopped flouncing past H'dra and pinching his cheek. It pleased her endlessly that this morning, like every other, he turned beet red as she gave him her usual welcome. That boy was far too cute for his own good. It seemed that F'sey had taken her up on her advice and moved him to a position where he could better keep an eye on the bluerider. Not that she blamed him. Who wouldn't want to protect their cute ickle H'dra?

She finally slowed her pace as she came up alongside O'asis, but her smile didn't falter for a second. "Good morning O'asis! And C'mor, I see you standing over there. Nice weather we're having eh? Perfect for flying." Nandeli gave the other bronzerider a cheery wave before turning her attention back to her favourite sleepover buddy ever/awesome friend. "Fancy flying already! It barely feels like we've been around long enough for that sort of thing, you know? But look at this guy here! You're getting awful big, Uktenath. Still fit on your shelf?"

Mine is in a good mood this morning, Uktenath, do not mind her. Reneneth had finally caught up with her excitable rider, and moved in to settle neatly at her side. She tilted her head and offered Naedreth a nod in greeting, quietly pleased that the two of them were minding their manners. Today, of all days, was a good day for there to be peace. The young gold did not want any collisions.

She'd timed her arrival carefully, as she always did. Never the first to arrive for a lesson, nor the last to pitch up, Merya blended into the middle of the crowd and quietly eyed the metallics. There was little point in examining anyone else too closely; likely none of them, save perhaps the brown, would ever effectively outrank her. She knew enough about them to get by. Her future fearless leaders, though, she needed to know inside out.

The two bronzes weren't bickering today. That, at least, was a blessing. Naedreth and - oh, whatsisname...Uktenath, that was it - had been rivals since day one, and the last thing she needed was for their posturing to disturb the clutch's first flight. Perhaps they were finally growing out of it. On the one hand she hoped so, but on the other it was a wasted opportunity: if they'd finally learned to tolerate each other and work together, it would be much more difficult to play them off against each other. With luck, a shred of their childhood rivalry would always remain - just enough, Merya thought with a hidden smile, to make them malleable.

And then there was Nan the Nose, of course, and quiet, dignified Reneneth as her golden foil. She hadn't managed to get in with the pair as well as she'd originally hoped: aside from being as busy as all between with learning and training and taking care of two green lizards, she'd been distracted by all the fuss and drama of Ista at large. Something had better come of this business about a new Weyr, and soon. There were folk stirring up trouble on both sides, and Merya - not knowing who was going to come out on top - didn't like it one bit. It was much easier to be in the middle of a vast conflict if you knew who to back.

Must we stand so close to the Queen, rider-Mine? That was Anidanth, a soft feeling of worry at the back of Merya's mind. She frightens me. I do not understand her.

"She won't harm you," Merya murmured under her breath, having still not quite shaken the habit of speaking aloud to her dragon. Catching herself, she added silently, I promise. Besides, if we are to better understand her and Hers we must observe her closely.

Yes. But surely that does not mean we must be close - unless your eyesight is worse than you pretend.

Merya gave a little snort, turning towards Anidanth and swatting her fondly. Cheek! My eyes are just fine, thank you. I'm only standing here in case I get a chance to talk to the Queen's. ...You don't have to join in, she added wearily as Anidanth visibly shrank back. I won't make you.

Anidanth had the decency to look a little ashamed. I am sorry, Merya-Mine. I do not trust her. She treats me strangely, in a way I cannot explain, and until I know why I will not be at my ease around her.

Resting a comforting hand on her dragon's head, Merya sighed. "I know, pet," she said softly. "I know. It will get easier."

Anidanth buried her green face in the front of Merya's tunic with a little whine. When?

...I don't know. But it will. Trust Yours, sweetheart. It will get better.

The nudge of the dragon's head was far stronger than it used to be. They had come a long way already. I trust you, Mine. I want to be brave for you.

"You already are," said Merya, offering her lifemate the first genuine smile of the day before returning her attention to the Queen's rider. Anidanth, comforted, moved to sit beside her, lifting one wing to shield her partner from the sun.

He hoped nobody actually did ask F'sey the point. For his part, C'mor shook his head and watched the Weyrlingmaster intently. He didn't think there was anyone that dim here, but maybe there were one or two who'd do it for a laugh. Personally he just wanted to get on with it. Naedreth's first flight. This was going to be one of those moments he remembered for ever no matter how well or badly it went. He could feel how badly Gilden wanted to join them, but he had persuaded the golden flitt to stay on his foster mother's shoulder. Last thing anyone needed today was distractions.

"I will be better than Uktenath," Naedreth said to his rider, not troubling to turn and regard the other bronze. "You will see, I will do very well." He was Naedreth, he wasn't going to fail at something so very natural to a dragon. He was going to shine... as much as possible without taking any risks. His didn't like the idea of him pushing himself too hard today. He wanted to shine, but he wanted to keep His happy more.

Well, that was reassuring; Naedreth did tend to forget promises to take care when he wanted to show just how excellent a bronze he was. One day it would get the foolish dragon hurt, but C'mor knew the lesson wouldn't stick. He was just too sure of himself to ever hold back and wonder if maybe he ought to take a bit of care. At least he had enough sense for both of them, he supposed.

"I hope everyone does well today," Naedreth added, now glancing about at his clutchmates. "At least," he turned back to His, "everyone except Uktenath" That one thought much too much of himself, he was not great, not in the least.

I... I will not let you down today, mine. I will fly well so that when I can carry you, you will be proud of me. The green said humbly, trying to not let her nerves get to her. Unlike her bronze friend (she had spotted Uktenath as they approached), she had no idea of what to expect, no prior knowledge or tips on how to fly. But, though slightly terrified that she would let Hers down in front of everyone, Ianquith was determined not to shy away.

J'riar couldn't quite believe how fast his not-so-little love had grown, but only scoffed loudly at her statement. "None of that, you're going to do just fine. I have faith in you, eh?" And he meant every word of that! Of course, when he realized the Weyrling Master was speaking, he swore privately to himself and lengthened his stride to carry them closer. At least he was able to catch most of the instructions. If he salvaged the situation, there was a chance he wouldn't get hissed at for being not really late, right?

I told you we should have left earlier. Ianquith reminded with a soft sigh, and her rider had to bite back a grin of utter amusement.

"Strengthen their wings? Get them used to controlling themselves in the air so that they'll only have to get used to our weight when they're old enough to ride?" He suggested idly, laying his hand on Ianquith's neck even as she quietly tried to lean against his legs. She was too big to really do that now, but he still scritched at her eyeridges. The goldrider, Nandeli... and Shards, a lot of other people he should know, but didn't.

Which you should have. Ianquith sighed again, but her tone was more timid and less scolding this time.

How about to see if they can get off the sharding ground? Merya thought to herself, quirking an eyebrow at the boy who'd spoken up. He talked like they'd done this before. This wasn't practice. It was a first attempt - a leap into an absolute unknown. Today's exercise was about far more than just wing strength and "getting used to" the act of flying.

"Perhaps today is partly just about seeing how our partners handle themselves," she suggested to the group at large, but mostly to the Weyrlingmaster. "To see which dragons are naturally good at, say, manoeuvring, gliding long distances, taking off and landing...and see who's going to need more help."

The fact that her eyes turned to Ariaen and Sikatcuath at this point actually had nothing to do with her last statement - Anidanth had been preoccupied with staring mistrustfully at her vicious clutchmate, having still not forgotten the chaos of the Hatching - but Merya was pleased with the result nonetheless.

You want them to think that, Mine?

Merya quirked a little smile, completing the effect. Yes. Let Ariaen think I expect that hissing ball of hate she calls a lifemate to drop out of the sky like a rock. Maybe it'll spur them both into some positive effort.

Just so long as it does not cause Sikatcuath to turn on us. If she raises so much as a claw to you...

I trust you'll handle her appropriately, my love, Merya sent back, barely swallowing the smirk of twisted satisfaction. As much as she hated to think of Anidanth getting hurt, she was also certain - absolutely certain - that her bondmate would not only win the ensuing fight, but win it decisively.

She'd got a good morning from F'sey? Haha! Score one for Nandeli the Nose! It seemed the greenrider, grouchy as he may be, was beginning to be won over by the incredibly likability that was Nandeli. It didn't surprise her in the slightest, but nevertheless it was very pleasing. She did like him, in a platonic "you're sleeping with C'ren and thus creating delicious drama" kind of way, but a good mark in her book was a good mark no matter how it had come about.

"No actually I haven't had any! Not since the klah off. The kitchen staff just doesn't know how to make it." Her grin had turned cheeky at the mention of the klah off, remembering how that had gone down in the end. Still, it had been fun (and well worth her efforts) and thus it was remembered fondly. Besides, she hadn't been given any trouble for her participation, unlike O'asis. The goldrider laughed when the bronzerider in question spoke about his dragon's worries about embarrassment. O'asis be more embarrassing than Nandeli? Never! "Oh nonsense! We're all friends here, so nobody's going to be embarrassing anybody. Besides, this is going to be a fun lesson, I just know it." Any lesson from F'sey was a fun lesson in her books, but nobody needed to know that small detail. Besides, she had a feeling Uktenath would perform admirably even if he wasn't nearly as excited as his rider.

Reneneth rumbled softly, sounding amused. I do not know. Perhaps they will calm down when Ialluth's begins speaking and they focus on their lessons. Their excitement is welcome, though. I believe there will be several whose worry will hold them down. Her gaze drifted to Anidanth as she spoke, watching the little green out of the corner of her. The gold did not forget as fast as her fellows, but she would not forget the green who had hatched with her, poor, frightened dragonet that she had been. She looked a little better today, but Reneneth still could not help but worry a little for her. Hopefully her rider would steady her.

Nandeli paused to survey the group as more arrived, making note of Merya who stood close to her and Ariaen who stood much further away. Oh and there was J'riar and little Ianquith arriving not quite late but cutting it close, ooh and N'tos! She remembered him very well. One of the few survivors of the E'si Hug Challenge. Remembering that F'sey was speaking and thus she couldn't cause too much of a distraction, she managed to give a small wave to both N'tos and Jessmet. Reneneth sent back a greeting to Ailurath, pleased that the green had arrived.