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| M'rak hung on nervously to Hiveneth's neck as the bronze dove at a clump of silvery Thread. Hiveneth's mouth produced a large spout of flame. Too large, M'rak thought without thinking, and told his dragon to not overdo it. This was their first Threadfall, and he didn't want to be completely done before they'd had a chance to really start. Duck! Hiveneth yelled at his rider, and M'rak obeyed as Hiveneth swung completely around to sear another mass of the horrible stuff from the sky. M'rak shivered and looked about him. Most of the Thread was over the ocean today, so they only had a small area to defend. But this was enough to make M'rak wish he'd never have to do it again. He watched as a nearby brown winked between, hit and screaming. Uporith. Hiveneth identified the wounded. He's been leg hit, he will be fine. M'rak didn't believe his dragon, but didn't have time to think about that now. Wingleader orders all bronzes to fall below, and then rise to meet the Threads. Hiveneth relayed the orders as he backwinged to fall below the ranks of dragons. M'rak watched the suprised look on many faces as Hiveneth did such an elegant manuever, obviously trying to show off. Stop that Hiveneth. This isn't time to do that! Do what? Show the golds below my prowress and ability? Hiveneth! Thread! Think about that now! I assure you the gold's care less at this moment for you than for the Thread. Now go! Hiveneth rumbled with annoyance, but sped upward with the other bronzes, flaming and trying to shield his rider from anything that fell back. Then Hiveneth fell again, ahead of the other bronzes, so he was forced to wait a moment before they rose in unison. In that moment a particularly large clump of Threads came down directly in front of Hiveneth's path. Hiveneth screamed and ducked between. M'rak had given him no instruction. The utter loss of feeling still frightenend M'rak, more than their first Threadfall did, but he was more frightened he had lost them both between by not being prepared. He still didn't undestand his Wingleader's policies regarding graduated weyrling and their first falls. Most leaders had the Weyrling ducking in and out of the fall, delivering firestone and riding with the queen's wing to get the hang of it. But M'rak leader didn't believe that was a proper way to train the new riders. Stick them in and let 'em work it out. They'll be smarter for it, and better equipped to handle a variety of situations. M'rak's leader didn't know it, but he was about to be replaced as a wingleader for the terrible amount of loss his Wing suffered. But even Hiveneth seemed to sigh with relief as they appeared a few meters in front of the Thread that had just threatened them. And they appeared just in time to join the other bronzes, and a few larger browns, shooting upward to catch the Thread. "Hiveneth you're wonderful!" M'rak shouted at his bronze dragon, who replied, I know. |
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| Later that day M'rak was out in the Weyr's lake swimming with Hiveneth. Most of the riders had been out there at one time or another after the fall, scrubbing the firestone stink from their beasts and themselves; M'rak no exception. That Fall had been terrifying for him, but he and his bossy Hiveneth had come away with a scratch. They were the only "newbies" who had, and were rewarded with first choice on chosing their own weyr. Of course Hiveneth insisted that they pick one with a door leading out for M'rak, for Hiveneth was lazy and didn't enjoy having to ferry his rider about unless it was important. M'rak agreed with his dragon, for he didn't enjoy having to deal with a grumpy Hiveneth whenever he needed to use the necessary. We did well M'rak, you don't need to be frightened. I told you I'd take care of you. Hiveneth told M'rak matter-of-factly as M'rak climbed on his dragon's back to scrub it with sandsoap. Colla came along to help, and was chirping angrily at the dragon for no apperant reason. We did well Hiveneth, but next time don't be such a show off. If you're not careful, our next fall won't be so lucky. Hiveneth snorted, shooting water in all directions. Luck had nothing to do with it. I am good. M'rak sighed and slapped his dragon on the neck. "Whatever Hiveneth. Just don't do it next time, okay?" Hiveneth grumbled but accented to it. M'rak smiled with relief. "Now Hiveneth, I have a question for you." Another one? M'rak plagued the bronze with questions constantly, and Hiveneth liked to feign annoyance about it. "Yes you great wherry, another one." M'rak mimicked his dragon's tone, before asking. "Does anything exist between?" You've been told between is a dead space, nonexistant. That's why you won't survive if you stay there to long. Hiveneth seemed confused by the question. M'rak liked it when he could confuse Hiveneth. "I know what I've been told, but what's really there? Is that where you stay when you die? Like the Harpers say? Or maybe it's a hole other world that we can only reach on dragon wings......" I don't know. Hiveneth interrupted, upset that he couldn't answer his rider's questions. He crooned soothingly as M'rak smiled at him and continued scrubbing. "It's not a big deal Hivvy. I don't know whether I really expected you to know the answer or not. Don't worry about it." M'rak patted his dragon again and slid off into the water. Good thing he was a half way decent swimmer, otherwise with all the bathing Hiveneth required, he'd have been drowned a long time ago. No, Hiveneth stated, for no apperant reason. Colla then gave one last angry chirp before he left the arrogant bronze to his bathing. M'rak sighed as he watched Colla go. No what? M'rak asked his dragon. I don't know. It just seems..seems..wrong. Then, trying to elaborate on this Hiverenth added. I should know what's between. I'm there often enough, and I'm the only one of the two of us that can get us there. How come I don't know? M'rak laughed outright as his dragon's rare confused tone. "I don't think any dragons know what's between then love, if you don't. Maybe it's because there is nothing there? We'll settle for that one." M'rak continued to laugh as he swam towards the shore, only to be passed by Hiveneth in one gentle glide. We must go quickly now M'rak. Hiveneth informed his rider, forgetting completely about his confusion a few moments before. "Why?" M'rak asked, as he reached the shore, mouth full of water from Hiveneth's synchronized swimming attempt. There is a gold rising........ M'rak through his arms up into the air. Why did he bother? Hiveneth's mind was on one thing and one thing alone. And in an exasperating tone, M'rak asked, "Alright Hiv, whose rising?" |
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