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So much searching, yet so little to be found. It was a bit discouraging really when it seemed that the very future of dragonkind may well rest on their success. Yet if there was enough of this plant to keep Trine and Malvren flourishing and strong, why was it so difficult to locate? Truly a mystery.

Do not worry, Mine, Laith said, nudging hers gently with her snout. We will find enough, in the end. With the combined effort of all of Pern's Weyrs, we shall not fail.

True, he replied silently, reaching up with a hand to pet his dragon's snout. There has not been a trial yet that draginriders and dragonkind have not overcome. This is simply a small bit of turbulence in comparison. Currently they were waiting for a pair of Sr. Weyrlings they would be performing today's search with. It was only a short Turn ago or so when they themselves were Sr. Werylings, so S'koi could empathize with any feeling of frustration the current group might have on not yet being able to travel between. Still, the area around Trine was vast, and flying to a decent search spot would not be difficult.

They come, Laith remarked, spotting the incoming duo while they were still a long ways off. Of course, even without dragon sight it was rather difficult to miss the crimson flying above in the air.

And so they do, he replied, brown eyes watching the pair as they neared. He had to admit, it was still rather odd for him to be addressed as 'Sir', considering that even now as a dragonrider he wasn't greeted as such very often. At the crimsonrider's apology, S'koi simply smiled and shook his head. "There is no need to apologize. We have not been waiting long." It seemed that the older teen leaned toward the overly apologetic side, which was only confirmed when, after a brief silent conversation with His (the familiar zoning was impossible to miss, as well as the look given to the crimson afterward), he proceeded to apologize yet again by way of explaining what had happened. "It is fine. We are here now, and there is still plenty of time left in the day for our search."

Rather nervous seeming fellow, isn't he, Laith remarked privately to Hers, faintly amused by the other. At least he has the sense to respect you as his senior. Many did not always remember to offer Hers his due, and the green was always quick to put them in their place. To the younger crimson, she offered a polite nod of greeting, but said nothing.

Laying a hand against his dragon's leg, S'koi asked, "Shall we be going then?"

S'koi gave a small nod before turning to mount his green. Once he was settled and their companions were likewise ready, he and Laith took off into the sky, expecting the crimson pair to follow. He had studied the maps thoroughly earlier that morning, and knew well where they were to be searching today. Perhaps we will have more luck today than we have previously.

We can only hope, Laith agreed, gliding along easily on her unusually long wings. If we happen to find a spot with one or more of the plants, we can take notes of the habitat in which it was found and compare it with the rest. Perhaps there is a key to locating them which we are missing.

That may very well be true. Also, perhaps Mystweed is not the only plant of importance that the Old Weyrs are now missing. After all, if this plant was truly so rare, he had his doubts on how much it was truly affecting dragonkind. There had to be some other piece to the puzzle. But what?

Though they kept a good pace, the flight out was a rather peaceful and leisurely one. It wasn't too often that he and Laith fly about like this without simply traveling Between, and it was rather a nice change of pace. Of course, in the end, instantaneous travel was still most preferable. This is the area, S'koi said, recognizing the surrounding landmarks from the maps. Head for that clearing down below, and do let the other two know. Not that they wouldn't have figured it out on their own, but it was polite to at least keep them updated.

Of course, she replied before addressing the other dragon for the first time. Mine says that this is the area which we are to search today. We will be landing in that clearing down below. The green angled downward for decent as she spoke, making clear which clearing she spoke of. Once the Laith and Hers had landed, they moved out of the way to make more room for the crimson pair.

I will search from above, Laith told Hers once the other two had landed and the crimsonrider had dismounted. Perhaps this sweep may yield something.

Take it slow, he advised as his green leapt back up into the air. Once she was airborne again, S'koi turned back to the other two with a polite smile. "I'll start searching over here then," he remarked, gesturing to the foliage growth nearest him. "Best of luck in your own search."

At the latest bout of 'Sir', the teen shook his head lightly. "Just S'koi is fine." Even if not a full-fledged rider yet, having a crimsonrider addressing him as such was rather unusual. Actually, for any fellow dragonrider really. Pulling long black hair out of his face, the teen began his own search among the plant-life for the elusive weed. No such luck yet however.

"Not so far," S'koi answered when the other asked him a question on his progress a little while later. And from that question, he gathered that the other teen hadn't found any either. nor their dragons for that matter.

"Benden is not the only Weyr who is searching or in need of it," he reminded the other, eyes not leaving a trail of plant formations that he was following. "It is a venture which will affect all of Pern's Weyrs." Again, provided that Mystweed was the only puzzle piece. He still had the feeling that there was more, but for now they had no proof. All they could do was keep searching.

Speaking of searching... Brown eyes went wide as S'koi spotted the elusive plant. "I have found some," he said, just loud enough for the other teen to hear. Laith, come down quickly. I will need to transfer the specimen to your pouch.

Of course, Mine, the green replied, turning on wingtip to head back to where they were.

It was a relief to finally have some success. He began digging about the plant with the utmost care, wanting to keep it in perfect condition for the transfer.

Laith landed nearby, and while working to dig out the plant S'koi's eyes glanced about occasionally for any more. It looked as if this was the only spot. "We must quickly return to the Weyr," he said, as he finished digging the plant out from the ground. "Go with Yours and get a head start. We will catch up quickly." He didn't want to chance Between harming the delicate plant when they were within such close flying range of the Weyr, nor did he wish to abandon his Weyrling partner in the return.