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They'd done it right! Exultation surged and most of the nervousness was banished with that nod from G'yur that signaled everything was alright. Like Ianath had said, they would have the three candles' worth of flight time. The pride in her tilt of head was unmistakable, and even Inaari was all but glowing with success, shooting smiles like sunshine backwards at T'ron and her friends. She had opened her mouth to speak, but Ianath started moving forward, closer to the edge of the weyr. "Ianath? What's going on?"

I like Fivranth's rider, he understands. We go up first, because I am the largest. I do not think he wants me to hit anyone, and knock their rider off, but I would not do such a thing, mine. Do not worry! Hug my neck until I say to let go, and we will be fine! It was really not the most specific of instruction, but she had studied and planned for this. Inaari knew what to do, and forgetting all about the thick brown braid at the back of her skull in favor of the riding straps, simply clutched her dragon in suspense.

Great golden wings spread to either side, and with a bunching of muscles, gravity tried its very best to haul Inaari off of her queen. Wind whistled past the girl's ears, and then, it was almost as if the massive force of Pern gave up its fight against the pair, and let them go. Slowly at first, Inaari relaxed her grip and eased herself into sitting as Ianath's massive wings spread to catch the updrafts off the weyr, flapping idly to keep them aloft. You could see for miles, all the smaller islands that made up the Holds around Malvren, the whole weyr. Everything.

It was enough to make Inaari forget how to breathe entirely, her entire being captivated by the sensation of being in the air, being free. She had gone from being chained to her Hold, desperately trying to escape, to flying a-dragonback. On her dragon's back! She didn't even know she was crying until tears splashed onto Ianath, and the queen startlingly tried to look back and fly at the same time. It was somewhat of a mistake, and the pair lost altitude almost daringly before she regained her graceful moves in the air. "Oh! Oh I'm sorry Ianath! It's just that...well. We're free now. We did it! It's going to be us forever, and nobody will ever separate us, and you will be the very best queen!" And I'll be the best weyrwoman I can, just to make up for this.

Somehow or another....Tiepet had managed to get it done right. Filanth had been at her side the entire time coaching her with soft words of encouragement, but it was the Shepherd's own memory that lead her through without too much difficulty. She had a small bit of pride in herself for being able to remember even the most trivial of details that most others might have overlooked, so when the Weyrlingmaster had told her she was good to go she managed to stammer out some form of thanks before attempting to mount her lifemate.

Filanth's size made it not that difficult, it was good that greens were small for such small riders, and Tiepet cursed having to wear shoes as she scrambled onto Filanth's waiting leg to be helped into the saddle. Once in she strapped herself down and put her feet into the stirrups the best she could, her heart nearly in her throat. Her stomach was giving her all kinds of mixed signals about wanting to be full and empty at the same time, and likely her face was a shade of green to rival the hide of her dragon.

Please do not throw up on me. You can do it in the air maybe, or when you get off?

Filanth's words were marred with a chuckle, seeing as the dragon could sense Hers and know that everything was somewhat alright. It really was just nerves, they'd be doing fine, and as soon as the Golden queen was into the air that feeling did vanish entirely. It was amazing to see a creature that one had grown up alongside take to the skies in pure radiance, and both members of the greenrider pair felt their hearts soar with her. Soon they would be in the skies alongside them, soon they too would take flight and fight for their Weyr.

. . . I still feel sick.

A'urel had remained quiet throughout everything that had been said. He had studied hard for this day and as usually deduced all his possible pitfalls in performing the task before him. As long as Pumuth did his part, everything would go fine. Fortunately, Pumuth's part in the preparation was mostly a matter of standing and shifting. Leaving the rest to A'urel checks and balances.

The amount of time had been sufficient as far as A'urel was concerned to prep Pumuth and triple check his work. Yes, there was something to be said about all the previous practice in preparation for this day. He really wanted to fly and well Pumuth really wanted to show A'urel he could do it. Even if Pumuth weren't the greatest thinker, he was very big hearted and wanted their success as a team.

As A'urel finally settled against Pumuth, he awaited the inspection and smiled patting Pumuth's neck, "We're on our way, Pumuth." Once he heard the good result, he pulled himself up to the saddle and started hooking up to the flight straps. He took note of everything that was said by G'yur even though they had heard it probably a 100 times already. A'urel muttered the words under his breath making sure that he had them memorized.

Now its going to be my turn to show you what I can do. answered Pumuth as he stretched his wings and looked under each one. All of A'urel's perpetration and hard work left Pumuth considering if he were prepared. It wasn't that he doubted he could fly - All dragons did. It's just after A'urel had made sure his end was perfect, Pumuth hoped that he could be his own sense of perfect. Physically, he had grown into quite a muscular blue with comfortable size, decent wing span...at least in his own opinion. Speed well, that was the next test.

Although, Pumuth might not have cared so much to consider these things had it not been for A'urel's constant dedication. But A'urel sometimes over worked his brain on these matters. So at times Pumuth at his now larger size could actual make a few demands...like rest and relaxation...and play. It took a bit to coax A'urel to do these things but a pouting dragon seemed to trigger the weak spots in his rider.

He was waiting for his turn, impatiently, but still...waiting. He figured that if G'yur wanted him in the air, he or His would give them the call to do so - but he was chaffing at the proverbial bit so that he and Cavenath could get up into the air, where they belonged. At least he could watch his girl and Ianath being amazing and glorious up in the air - the queenlet gleaming beautifully in the sunlight: Cav was right, she was the sun!

'Mine, Fivranth says we go after Pioth. Get ready! We will join Ianath and Pioth!' He was terribly excited and stomped his feet a little bit, but waited for S'dekai and Pioth to get up into the air before joining them, wings beating strong and steady.

T'ron had listened carefully to G'yur and his instructions, but he still wobbled a little bit on the take-off - it was so much different than on a runnerbeast! - but he steadied himself in the saddle and kept his body forward until it felt right and Cavenath leveled out, then he was able to sit up and look around - metallic hides glittering brilliantly in the sun light, and if he looked down? He could see Cav's gleaming silver hide reflected in the water beneath them. "Let me know if you get tired. We've got three candlemarks and the rest of our lives."

He said it, but inside he never wanted to stop. Ever. Flying was amazing. Exhilerating. T'ron felt the beat of his dragon's heart with his own, the muscles under his thighs and under his hands. He patted Cavenath's shoulder and then looked for Inaari and also L'tan. Giving both a fist-pump of "YEAH!". Best moment in his life - after Impression.

On the ground, Bree watched for Capeth and L'tan. She had been specially bringing the pair fish she had caught and though she did want to see all of the Sr. Weyrlings in flight, she did have some special attachment to L'tan.

Our turn.

S'dekai was a good bit more comfortable in the motion of getting into the saddle the second time around, even knowing that this time was for real. Straps fastened, checked, double-checked - then he gave Pioth the nod.

The instructions that G'yur gave sounded simple enough. Somewhat like riding a runnerbeast. S'dekai recalled watching one of his older cousins astride a runner, the shift into the gallop and the way the rider leaned forward to better ride the motion of the racing beast.

He felt Pioth's weight shift beneath him. The bronze gathered himself, flexing his powerful haunches, then surged into the air in one smooth motion. Of course, it was S'dekai's first time, but it was familiar to Pioth. His wings extended, caught the air, carried them upwards with a strong downbeat. S'dekai leaned forward, pressed himself nearly to his dragon's neck, until he felt them level off.

Then they were aloft, following Ianath. Pioth trumpeted joyfully to the others in the air, and S'dekai replied with a whoop of delight. The bronze angled gently into a wide circle, and S'dekai spotted L'tan's raised fist, responding with one of his own and an equally broad grin.

Ralae and Zabreth were one of the last ones to be called. She chalked it up to them being so young, well... Mainly her being so young. Zabreth thought that everyone was waiting to see how artistic she could be in the air. Holding on tight, Ralae felt Zabreth build up for the jump and then WHOOSH!

Ralae squealed the whole time with her eyes almost closed until the wing movements became steady and then suddenly, they were flying! In the air, no less! The wind ruffled at her and Ralae whooped with joy. "We did it! We are in the air and not crashing or anything. Go Zabreth!"

They were near the others of their clutch and Zabreth wanted to show off. But Ralae for once did not go along with Zabreth's impulses and kept a firm mental rein. "There will be time to do fancy stuff later. Look at the others behaving! If we don't want to get grounded, do as G'yur and his said to do!"


Zabreth's eyes were a slow whirl of happiness though she disliked not being able to do twirls and loops. The green pumped her wings and brought them up a little higher up. The people looked so small! So did the herd beasts. It was pretty amazing. She would have to play with her colors later and try to make a picture. This is where we belong. I have done good, yes?

"Yes, Zabreth. Yes."

Once everyone was up in the air, G'yur and Fivrath circled around in a wide arc, cutting smoothly across the sky as the brown bugled to get the excited riders' attention. You know how to fly on your own, but Yours do not know your movements. Always warn Yours and never bank hard without telling Yours. Feel each other out and learn to move as one. When flying in formation, form a V with the largest at front - gold, or bronze - and use the air that kicks off to help you, it is easier to fly and faster that way too. Now fall into formation! the brown broadcast to all the adolescent dragons and let them sort themselves - the group was intelligent, it would get done, Do not touch wing tips and fly a little behind and below the one in front to prevent collisions, follow the point's movements..

It was a more practical application of Wing Formation theories they'd learned in ground school and the brownpair continued to circle, ordering a few of the weyrlings into proper place with firm but not cruel words.

The next candlemark was spent learning how to fly in crowded space and wheeling and turning without throwing their rider off. After that, there was a brief break - the air was thinner higher up - and the rest of the time was spent as free time so long as the dragons remained within sight of the brown.

At the end of the lesson, G'yur declared them all capable and informed them that future lessons would be more demanding, both mentally and physically as time constraints and more complex formations were taught, and executed. Class was no longer simple figures written on a chalkboard - it was practical and their lives depended on it.