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 Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:13 pm
As the late afternoon sun began to commence it's slow, steady fall from the sky, Rohanth spiraled down to the front bowl, her great wings spread from the shoulder in an easy glide. Rafi clutched her harness straps tight as the Blue escort dragon and his rider grew larger and larger as the Queen descended. Rohanth made a fair landing at the foot of the bowl, settling down beside the smaller blue.
"Greetings, weyrlady." The bluerider called from atop his dragon. He dipped his head at Rafi in a formal nod. "I am K'larn."
"Hello, boy." Rafi said breezily, scratching Rohanth's neck lightly as the Queen tilted her head towards the Blue. "I'm Rafi and this is Rohanth. You'll be leading us to Rias Weyr?"
"I will be." K'larn affirmed.
"We're ready when you are." The old woman leaned back in her harness slightly, turning grayed hazel eyes upon the younger man. K'larn jostled to attention, gathering his straps. "Stay at our wing if you can. If you need to slow the pace, have Rohanth tell Garneth."
"Oh, I don't think that will be necessary." Rafi said quickly, her tone a touch sharp. Rohanth's eyes swirled a light orange of slight annoyance.
"Of course," K'larn agreed quickly. His Blue bucked up, leaping into the cool air, and Rohanth followed, beating her large wings thrice to pull up even at the Blue's side.
*
After an hour's cold flight, Rafi was shivering in her layers of shawls.
I could certainly use a mug of klah just about now. The Queenrider relayed to her dragon, a yearning note in her mind.
You are fine. Rohanth diagnosed matter-of-factly, her tone amused. The chill is leaving the air now. Garneth tells me we will be there soon.
The old woman hunched low in her harness, her large Queen's neck providing an effective barrier against the cool air rushing by. The land was dark now, bathed in the fleeting orange light of the dying sun. Rafi glanced over her ride, noting fondly the way the ruby colored light twinkled off the dragon's shining hide.
How are your wings? The old woman asked her dragon a few minutes later, having returned to an upright position when the temperature of the air had noticeably shifted a few degrees. Rohanth's wingbones were still strong, but the finer joints on her finger joints were undeniably wearing down. Rafi wanted to make sure that the long cold flight might be straining her wings.
They are well. Came Rohanth's calm reply. And we are nearly there.
If we ever feel the need to return 'home--' The word had a bitter aftertaste in her mind. --we'll certainly travel between.
Between is even colder. Rohanth's mental chuckle made her rider smile.
But it's all over in a matter of seconds. Rafi elaborated.
This is true. Rohanth glanced to the Blue beside her who had shifted his flight ina downward direction. Garneth and his rider descend. The Queen tilted her wings accordingly.
"Ah, look, there it is!" Rafi exclaimed aloud, scanning the ground as the pair of dragons circled around the bowl and swept in for a landing.
Rohanth settled on the ground with a flourish and Rafi grinned, realizing her dragon was showing off, trying to make a good impression on anyone who might be watching.
You! Sitting pretty, are we? I guess I'll have to do the same. Let's try to keep our heads low for now... Rohanth rumbled in agreement as her rider made her way down her straps carefully.
"Welcome to Rias Weyr, weyrlady." The sturdy bluerider called from the ground as Rafi stepped lightly onto the ground. That said, the young man moved back to his dragon, mumbling about Garneth needing a good scrub down.
Rafi steadied herself with a hand on her dragon's shoulder, eyes sweeping around the bowl.
"I wonder if this Senior Queen knows we've arrived?"
(( Sorry for NPCing the escort, Kolina! I can change the name if you'd rather it was an official member of the weyr. <3 ))
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:17 pm
Ariath had been roused from her sun bathing as a blue followed by a large gold dragon appeared on the horizon. The young queen picked herself up and moved back into the weyr where her rider was busy pouring over tithe informatioh. Craning her neck the gold settled herself on the cooler stone, her eyes whirling a blue-green. The older queen and her rider have arrived.
Ephia looked up from her work a bit startled. She hadn't expected the new queenrider to arrive so early. "Alright dear one. Tel Garneth to let K'larn know that we will be right down to greet the newcomers." With that Ephia rose from her seat and deftly braided up her black locks tying it off with a green ribbon.
Ariath had moved back onto her ledge where Ephia met her mighty gold. Using one of Ariath's legs as a boost Ephia mounted onto her queen and tied the riding straps. She usually would not bother with such things when only going to the Weyrbowl, but knowing Ariath, the queen would not give up a chance to show off.
"Well, let's greet out partners, shall we?" Ephia patted the soft hide.
A rumble moved through the queens body as she vocalized her agreement before dropping off her ledge. Pinions unfurled and glidded gently through the sky as she descended in lazy spirals.
The queen landed with a great display and Ephia just shook her head. Always the show-off, aren't we? Unfastening her straps Ephia dismounted, using Ariath's foreleg once again before reaching the ground.
Green orbs danced over the woman in front of her, taking in the queenriders features and stance to try and get an idea of what she was like. The last thing Ephia needed was another traditionalist in the Weyr so her hopes were that this Weyrlady would not band up with M'xan's group.
Moving forward Ephia smiled. "Welcome to Rias Weyr, Lady Rafi and queen Rohanth. I am Ephia and this," she gestured with her hand to the queen who was childishly craning her neck to look over her riders shoulder. "is Ariath. I am pleased you could join us."
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Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:35 am
Rafi's eyes sparkled with mischief as the younger Queen landed with a flourish as well.
Look at that, Rohanth. It seems you two will get along well. She sent to her dragon with a wry smile.
She could feel Rohanth's good humor and she recognized another emotion, too. Hope. Rafi's heart went out to her old dragon as she realized Rohanth wanted to like this younger Queen. She wanted Ariath to like her. Rafi patted a velvaty shoulder with affection as Rohanth spoke to mask her emotion.
Look! Her rider dismounts.
As Ephia paced towards her, old Rafi moved forward to take the young woman's hand in her own two frailer ones. She squeezed it slightly in the way that old women tend to do, as if she could transmit her good intentions through the palm of Elphia's hand. Rafi scanned over Ephia's face, the pale skin, the raven locks, the striking green eyes; as if memorizing it.
"Greetings, Ephia, my dear. What a lovely name." She mused in a grandmotherly tone with a tired but warm smile. "Give my regards to Ariath, it seems that she and Rohanth are not so far from being kindred spirits." Rafi chuckled softly, speaking of the two queens' similar landings.
"I am pleased I could come. I didn't realize how much I needed a.. vacation. That is until Rohanth convinced me." The old wizened gold shifted her weight, appearing pleased. She craned her neck towards Ariath curiosly, eyes aswirl with a soft aquamarine.
The old woman looked about her surroundings, as much she could see in the dark light of dusk. "So!" She said animatedly. "You must show me how you run Rias Weyr! How do you do it, child?" She tilted her head, an impressed expression lifting her brow. "At your age I wasn't fit to lead for over a decade."
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:45 am
As it was the Weyrleader was tightening the riding straps about the base of Tallith's neck when the mahogany beast curved his head upwards expectantly, eyes whirling slowly with anticipation.
Someone comes. There was an excitement in the brown's voice that caught L'cian's attention and with a curt tilt of his head he moved up to stand at the verge of the dragon's ledge.
"Anyone we know?" He raised one hand to try and catch a glance of who Tallith was talking about, lowering it only when his brown spoke again.
No. A newcomer to the Weyr. The dragon moved forwards suddenly, wings slightly extended as he craned his neck upwards just in time to see two shapes appearing on the horizon. L'cian squinted his eyes, and it wasn't long before he made out the shapes of the dragons, one a blue and one unmistakeably gold.
"A queen rider, here?" He racked his thoughts and then remembered. Perhaps this was the older rider who had been sent to aid them?
Ariath and Ephia go to meet them. L'cian gave a start of surprise, turning to gaze at his beast. It was the first time he had heard his dragon call the Weyrwoman by name.
"Then let's go to, it is only proper." He stepped up on the offered foreleg, positioning himself at the base of the great brown's neck. His beast may not be a bronze but his size and stature certainly mimicked one! Giving the dragon a playful thump on the neck he gave the sign for him to take flight.
They arrived in sight just as the two queens settled, Tallith giving each a bugle of respect with a whirl of blue-green in his many-faceted eyes. "Take us down Tallie my old friend." L'cian spoke and felt the tension in his beast's muscles as he backwinged down to the ledge.
Well aware of being in the presence of two queens, the brown swept his head low in a sort of draconic bow, sweeping out his wings and lowering his shoulders so L'cian could make a quick descent. It was his rumbling croon that over-lapped the Weyrleader's greeting as he approached.
"Hello there Queen rider. Weyrwoman." He turned to give them a curt bow, turning his head back to glance in amusement at Tallith who was slowly edging towards Ariath.
"My dragon informed me of your arrival," He held out his hand to the older rider, a amiable smile on his face, "I'm...Weyrleader L'cian." He watched her face for a reaction to his title, a nervous flutter in his stomach.
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 6:14 pm
Rohanth regarded nearing Tallith with an officious air. Though he trumpeted respectfully, the Queen was still unsure as to why a brown was approaching.
Whether Ariath then told her that this male was her mate or whether Rohanth simply sensed the affection from the younger queen, Rafi would never know. Either way, Rohanth's attitude softened only slightly as the rusty-colored beast landed by Ariath's side. He seemed large for a brown, though he was markably smaller than the two queens. Rohanth clacked her jaw together in a polite enough greeting as Tallith bowed to both Ariath and herself, though her manner was still riddled with that regal air that could never leave the demeanor of a queen. A brown catching the queen of the weyr! Rafi could feel her dragon's shocked surprise.
Patience, dear heart. It had to happen someday. Rafi sent. There was a pause on the other end.
Why was he not born a bronze? He could pass as one with his size, save for his color.
Who can tell darling? Not even you could know your children 'til they were out of the egg.
At that, the old woman bowed her head to L'cian, once again, her hazel eyes clouding with a subdued respect. "Hello young man." She said slowly, still looking him over. Not only did this weyr have a young weyrwoman, but an almost equally young weyrleader! And a brownrider at that! It was almost inconcievable. Rafi took a moment to imagine what Ariath's mating flight must have been like for such a circumstance to occur. This brown must certainly be a skilled flyer.
"Never mind Rohanth." She said of her queen's hesistant greeting. "We were raised in the old ways but we're certainly not adverse to evolution of ideas." The old queenrider paused for a moment. "Are we Rohanth?" The queen gave a short, ruffled bellow as her rider called her out. Rafi grinned and continued.
"Is Rias Weyr full of prodigies? Or are all the titles equally falling to the young?" She chuckled, a smile tugging her lips.
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:59 am
Ephia smiled warmly to Rafi as greetings were exchanged while Ariath changed her attention to the older and larger queen. The golden dragon's eyes whirled of blues and greens as she regarded Rohanth, but nothing of her stature held hostility or jealously of the other queen. In fact, Ariath was much relieved that she would have another queen to speak to. The greens were fine for casual chatter but they tended to be a bit high-strung and sometimes quite annoying. Ariath could only take so much.
Before the young queen or Weyrwoman could utter another word to the new pair the sound of Tallith's trumpet caught their attention. Ariath quickly informed Rohanth whom Tallith was when she saw the hesitation the other was exhibiting and when Tallith took his place at her side she crooned gently to him.
Ephia smiled as L'cian joined her. His formal introduction something she was still not quite use to from the brownrider. Only in public affairs did he ever use her title in such a way. The flickering of his eyes to their dragon thought had her changing her line of vision to see the brown inching towards Ariath. She suppressed a small chuckle at sight. It looked as if Tallith was unsure whether he should approach his queen or not with Rohanth around. Poor fella.
Turning back to Rafi her smile slightly diminished at the mention of the older ways and her heart sunk, but Rafi was quick to state she wasn't adverse to changes. That relieved the woman somewhat and helped her to relax once again. "Yes, well, I wish everyone was willing to adjust to new events are you and Rohanth are, Rafi." She smiled again.
"Well, when our Weyr was struck by a horrible sickness, a lot of the older riders didn't pull through. Mind you, there were a few who managed to fight their way through, but the Weyr took a heavy toll. With the passing of the Weyrwoman I was next to take up the position, even with how young I am. I really had no choice, but I am pleased with the way things have turned out. The Weyr is doing well and Ariath's first clutch has hatched not long ago so spirits are high once again in the Weyr." She looked at L'cian. "L'cian here has been proving to be a wonderful Weyrleader, even with the animosity that some people show him for his dragon's color. Tallith had been the best out of the group but I must say I think he took us all by surprise when he caught Ariath."
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 8:12 am
The Queen is surprised but not angry. Tallith crooned softly in the mind of his rider as L'cian listened to the women converse. The old Gold rider did seem to be of the kindly and understanding sort and that set relief in his heart. This was one of the occasions where he felt considerably inadequate, especially when he stole another quick glance at his brown who was busy folding his wings to his sides.
At Rafi's greeting and calling him a 'young man' he couldn't help but smile a little, breaking the formality of his posture briefly.
Then as Ephia began to speak of the happenings at the Weyr he fell silent, thinking back to their dear departed Werywoman. Was it really over a turn since her death? Would she be upset with him taking over as Weyrleader? It hadn't been his intention to disrespect anyone, but somehow he had.
Suddenly aware that conversation had turned to himself he let his eyes meet Ephia's and agreed. "Yes, I won't deny that my brown was taking a very keen interest in Ariath many days before the flight. I put it to admiration and it wasn't until the Queen rose to mate that I realised the extent of his feelings. Perhaps it was wrong of me to let him give chase that day, but I truly didn't have the heart or the strength to deny him."
Tallith snorted noisily through his nostrils, aware that he was being spoken about. Why would you deny me? I did nothing wrong?
Of course not Tal, you did what you felt you must.
Brown is only a shade different from bronze. The beast reminded with a tilt of his head as he shifted once more towards Ariath, glancing at Ephia as he did so, picking up on her compliments. Ephia likes me. I like Ephia too. His eyes whirled cheerfully as he spoke in a rather child~like way and L'cian smiled.
"There have been a lot of changes in the Weyr since Ephia took her place as Weyrwoman, and though she is young she is strong and determined. It is true that there are a few who disagree with the changes it is only to be expected. In time they will all come to see that things work better if they change with time instead of fighting against it."
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Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:52 pm
"I'm sorry, child." The old woman dipped her head slightly at Ephia's explanation. "I remember the plague all too well. Luckily, our weyr came out mostly unscathed. Our hold was not so lucky, but the healers managed to contain it."
"Tsk." Rafi waved her hand dismissively. "If you can think of a more efficient way to have things run, than who is anyone to challenge you, my dear? The old ways may be more familiar to some, but we must not depend on them. Would the Ancients ever have come if they'd stuck to old traditions? I think not." She clucked her tongue. "Our technology fosters change. Our living should as well."
I will say this brown is polite. Not so unruly as Flirth and Goluth. Rohanth butted in after Rafi's speech.
It certainly seems that way. But look, he is proud in his own way. A hidden smile crossed the old rider's lips as the brown snorted through his nostrils. She wondered to herself, had this brown's victory been a stroke of luck? If so, what would happen next flight? The old woman's spirits sank slightly as she remembered the succession of three disagreeable weyrleaders in a row. The job of a weyrwoman was a hard one.
I do think I will like this Queen. Rohanth interjected cheerily, sensing her rider digressed. She seems wise for her age.
Perhaps it comes from her rider Rafi sent sagely. I wonder which has influenced the other more?
They have grown together. Rohanth ended all-knowingly, making the woman chuckle as she quickly pulled herself back into the human conversation.
"I couldn't agree more, my boy," The old queenrider said, going so far as to grasp L'cian's hand reflexively. She turned to face both of them. "Oh, but it is nice to be around like minds." She said growing slightly more animated as she adjusted her shawls.
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