| Rylan pulled Silivran up sharply to keep her from bolting. The mare tossed her head and pranced in place, but didn't fight his control any more. Rylan sighed, and turned around in the saddle to see how the rest of the runners were faring. They were less nervous, they were generally just luggish, stupid creatures anyway. Despite whatever was setting Silivren off, they remained calm, and one was even munching on a nearby bush. Rylan rolled his eyes and jerked them to attention. "Come on you brutes, we've gotta hurry up and get going." And ignoring Silivren's protests, he kicked her into a fast trot down the trail. The larger runners had no choice but to follow, not that they minded as the plodded along after Silivren anyway. But Rylan's grey mare kept getting more and more frightenend, and harder to control. Rylan didn't know what was wrong with her, and so he pushed her on. There was no reason for her to be upset, it wasn't dark yet, there was nothing following them, Thread wasn't due to fall...... Rylan shook his head of ominous thoughts of Thread. It did no good to think about that now, especially when he knew Thread had been falling out of pattern lately. To keep his mind on other things, he began to think about next spring's group of foals. It would be a good one, and the first group ready for sale..... But I won't receive any of the profit, or the credit. Rylan thought angrily, and spurred Silivren to go faster. I did all the work, but Father will get all the rewards. I can't stand it! I should just leave now...take my runners with me. Father won't miss 'em, not when he spends all his time with the uglies anyway. Rylan thought of the runners trudging along behind him, and smiled. Uglies they certainly were. Oh sure, they looked good enough, but they had no real personality or ability to speak of. "Not like you, ey Siliv." Rylan murmured to his mare and patted her neck. She ignored him, and tried to take the bit in her teeth. "Well, what's bothering you then?" Rylan asked her, exasperated. She normally wasn't like this, she normally didn't act as if she was being chased by dragons.... Dragons! Wing overhead, beating loudly, interrupted Rylan's thoughts. A dragonish trumpet could be heard, as if on cue, and that set Silivren off even more. The mare reared and fought and tried to bolt, but Rylan wouldn't have it. He dropped the leads of the other runners, unphased by the dragon above, and concentrated on keeping Silivren in place. How did the mare know there would be a dragon? Rylan wanted to look up, to see what kind of dragons (s?), were passing overhead, but he didn't dare. Assuming they were headed for Grefondle Hold, he'd see them there. They have to be going there. There's no other place for dozens of miles. And without a reason, a small spark of anticipation lit itself in Rylan's heart. Maybe they'll Search me, and I can leave the runners to Inara. Rylan almost laughed as he got Silivren under control. He didn't know how the mare had sensed the dragon (already havving flown out of view), but she did. Rylan turned her around to go pick up the runners he had let go. They were quietly standing, confused, right where he had left them. Rylan rolled his eyes as he hopped from the saddle to collect them. But as he remounted he couldn't help but look to the sky for signs of another dragon, and Rylan thought ruefully, Searched indeed! "Thirty marks for the runners lad, and the Holder says there's an extra five for your prompt delivery." The old man sniveled at Rylan. The boy had expected to meet with the Holder directly, and inform him of the rising cost of raising runners, and how his father had wanted six extra marks for this lot. Instead, Rylan was greeted by the old attendant and hadn't been able to mention the price increase. Rylan got the feeling if he mentioned it to this man, he'd be flatly refused and sent on his way, never to return. "Thank you sir," Rylan told the man, who was obviously hinting that it was time for the apprentice BeastCrafter to be on his way. Rylan did his best to ignore the rude behaviour, and continued on. "But as you know, it's been a difficult turn. Too many crops have been lost to Thread... "Foul dragonrider excuses!" The old man screeched. "That lazy lot can't produce enough decent riders to take care of our fields." And he sneered in the direction of the courtyard, and Rylan's heart jumped. Was the dragonrider still here? Was there a way he could sneak around to take a good look at the dragon? The old attendant seemed to guess Rylan's thoughts, and warned against them. "You'd do well with some manners lad, Grefondle Hold's not a place for your rebellious type. It's well and good to watch a passing dragon, but don't go out of your way to admire them lad...Gives the riders a false sense of arrogant pride. Too much of that in the Weyrs now, and not enough hardworking men." "And women..." Rylan muttered, for no apperant reason. The old man looked at him sharply. "Women? In the Weyrs? The only women there should be are the goldriders and the headwomen. Female greenriders indeed! No wonder we lost so many crops this turn, with hysterical women on the backs of fighting dragons.....Shame really." And the old man shot one more warning look at Rylan before turning to go back into the Hold. The man was almost gone before Rylan thought to say something. "But sir! The hard turn...my father requested six extra marks for...." "Your father would also do well to plan ahead, lad." The man said without turning around. "It was agreed upon, and I witnessed this, that thirty marks would be payed at the time of delivery of the animals. Sacrifice your large prize for your father if you wish....I'm not authorized to pay any more." And the man was out of sight. Rylan fumed. The nerve of that man! Old fardling dimglow! Hating dragonriders....Without riders none of the crops would have survived! And not even considering the extra marks..... Rylan fingered the pouch in his hands, it was a good price for such poor beasts. Perhaps he should just leave it and go back home? He'd make it home by morning if he rode the rest of the night. He surely wouldn't be allowed to stay here, and Silivren was in good enough condition to go without sleep. But what about the extra marks? Rylan pestered himself. Father will be angry if I don't get them, and he'll take it out on me! I told him I'm not meant for this traveling thing, he should let one of the Journeymen do it! And it was at that moment Rylan realized he didn't really want to become a Journeyman afterall. continue..... |