| E'ryk and Noni |
| Falling short of scandal, E'ryk and Noni managed to get away with sharing a weyr for several weeks before anybody said anything. And after that first airheaded greenrider spoke up about their "relationship", E'ryk and most particularly Noni were barraded with lectures from all sides. It wouldn't have mattered so much if they were both staying at Dark Moon, or even both going to the same place, but because they weren't... E'ryk heard that as a new dragonrider, he shouldn't be so eager to fall into the customs of the Weyr. He should learn first, fighting Thread was priority for him; willing females a side benefit. Noni was told that she shouldn't be so encouraging to a lad whose heart she had, afterall, she was leaving very shortly, and E'ryk wouldn't be going with her. Noni was going home to Rathlin, and E'ryk was heading east towards Dawn Sisters. They both felt the calling of these places, and neither would be persueded to give up their Weyr of choice. Noni heard the call of Rathlin deep inside, thrumming on her and pulling her home. E'ryk had heard about how, against all odds, Dawn Sisters Weyr had defeated a plague and moved half a continent away to ensure it's survival. He knew he had to go there, and Keroth insisted. People said the relationship wouldn't work at such a distance. E'ryk and Noni couldn't get anyone to believe their wasn't a relationship. Not a romantic one anyway. They had become very close friends before they Impressed, and weren't going to give that up for the sake of stopping a rumour. It wasn't as if either of them had a Hold to worry about disgracing; Noni was weyrfolk now, and E'ryk was getting there. E'ryk was still somewhat excited about Impressing brown Keroth, and was very indulgant with his now-flying brown. Noni, having lived in a Weyr for several years, accepting Kozuth's presence without the blink of an eye. Where E'ryk was easy with his dragon, and the two were partners in every sense of the word, Noni was protective of her green, and was more motherly than anything. Keroth himself was a mellow creature, and very apt to chatting. Kozuth was aggressive and proud, and wouldn't speak to anyone but Noni if her life depended on it. The four of them, together, made an equally balanced circle. It never occured to any of them that their personalities did not match, Kozuth and Keroth got along as wonderfully as Noni and E'ryk did. The only thing dampening their foursome was the thought of being seperated in a few short months, and Thread. Thread frightened E'ryk more than he imagined, and Noni was apprehensive of it. But they felt a determination to fight as do all dragonriders. Can't he get that wherry brained brute to go faster!? Kozuth demanded of Noni. They were at training this morning, and the entire group of practicing some short, but speedy, flights on their young dragons. Only two beasts weren't yet considered ready to fly, and neither of them were Keroth or Kozuth. It's not a race lovely, you should probably slow down. Noni didn't want to overrextend Kozuth; Noni didn't want to be responsible for hurting her own dragoness. Although many considered it blashphemy to refer to a "mere" green as a dragoness, Noni thought it very appropriate. Kozuth acted queenly sometimes, and even now Noni could only thank Faranth she hadn't Impressed a queen. If she had this much trouble with Kozuth, what would a huge golden snob be like? Noni was glad she'd never have to find out. Ha! Kozuth said, but slowed her fast pace some to let Keroth catch up. The large male was having difficulty learning to properly control his oversized wings-much to Kozuth's amusement. You clumsy flit! She called at her friend. I've seen wherries that'll fight Thread more gracefully than you ever will! Keroth rumbled from his place in the sky, and as if proving the green wrong, he shot upwards until he was in the air several meters above Kozuth's head, looking down and warbling teasingly. Kozuth roared a challenge, but Keroth's mind voice interrupted her. Noni listened as he said, The instructor says we're to land now. We're not to be playing games, and if we do we won't be able to fly. Without waiting for Noni's command, Kozuth turned on the wingtip and floated gently back to the ground where other weyrlings were anxiously waiting their turn. Keroth, however, seemed to have difficulty turning, and if E'ryk hadn't been wearing straps he most certainly would have tumbled off. I'm sorry. Keroth said as he bounced to a landing, ignoring Kozuth's snarling laughter. No need to be Kerry. E'ryk told his beast as he patted the brown's neck. Large dragons take longer to learn to be so graceful. You need to practice like that too. But it'll be worth the clumsiness now when we're against Thread. Hmmph. Keroth snorted. That's not what Kozuth says. Well, then, hang it on Kozuth! She's just a green afterall...E'ryk told his dragon jokingly, but Keroth, who immediately relayed his rider's remark to Kozuth, did not think so. Just a green? Keroth said startled, and angry? E'ryk had never heard his dragon grow angry before. "Just a green?" Noni said, coming up behind him, her face a blend of annoyance and humor. E'ryk turned to her and smiled, ignoring the menacing way Kozuth was looking at him. "Kidding." E'ryk mumbled, looking at Noni 'fearfully'. "No harm meant, honest." Noni smiled and batted at him with her hand while Kozuth rumbled approvingly. Their "playtime" was interrupted by their weyrlingmaster, who ordered them to quiet down and pay attention. First they race, then they ignore his teachings....What was the Weyr coming to when he couldn't instruct the weyrling properly? Noni got serious all of a sudden, remembering something. E'ryk didn't press her when a single tear came to her eye, and Kozuth nuzzled her rider affectionately. Do not worry Noni. Kozuth told her rider later, when the two were alone. Lanth and her rider are fine. The Weyrleaders there will not allow the girl to ruin her dragon. They are not allowed to fight Thread now, it is a waste. Kozuth crooned to Noni, fully aware of the distress her rider was in. During practice, something about paying attention had sent a vivid reminder to Noni about Lanth and Calina. Old pain resurfaced, and even Kozuth's presence could not fight down the tears that were flowing for Lanth. To Noni's surprise, Kozuth was not jealous or angry over Lanth's memory, and instead did everything within her power to reassure her rider over Lanth's safety. Noni was grateful. E'ryk knew something was bothering Noni, although he knew better than to ask her about it. If Noni was upset, Kozuth would be protective, and Keroth would take the brunt end of that green's anger. E'ryk wouldn't wish that on his brown for anything. Kozuth could be the worst dragon to cross sometimes. Still, he wondered what was bothering Noni so much.. Lanth. Keroth replied from his sleep. The pair was napping out by the lake with several other riders, and Keroth, after a good swim and oiling, had fallen immeidatley into a deep slumber. "Lanth?" E'ryk questioned. He'd never heard of her, him? A human or a dragon I wonder? Dragon. Keroth replied in his sleepy-one-word-sentence way. "Who is..?" She. Keroth said again, and then rustled to look into his rider's face. Lanth has a very bad partner for herself. She was coerced at hatching. Noni is concerned and upset. Lanth was.....Keroth paused, a signal that he was conversing with another dragon far off. "Yes?" E'ryk pressed, and Keroth shook his head and yawned loudly, smacking his jaws and flapping his wings lazily as well. Kozuth warns me that I shouldn't say anything. I don't want to anger her. She says if you want to know that badly, ask Noni. "Noni wouldn't mind if you told me Kerry." E'ryk told his dragon. No. Keroth said. But Kozuth would. And then he continued in a half-dreamy vocie that Keroth had never used before. And I don't want to make Kozuth mad at me. Kozuth.....Keroth's voice abruptly cut off, and E'ryk was left, sitting in apprehension of what Keroth was thinking. Why him? E'ryk thought. Why now? |
 |
 |