|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The two browns burst out of the cold of between into mountain air nearly as cold. By leaning to one side and peering around the edge of Rebeth's wide, beating wing, Ibanu could see a shimmering blue lake below, with cave openings to one side. This must be it... Despite the fact that he knew this wasn't Pernsey, he still had trouble believing he'd just gone between and come out above another world. The trip hadn't been any longer than usual, had it? As Rebeth tucked his wings back and began a diving descent, the boy thought back to all the trips he'd made riding behind Maleka on Seuth's broad neck. No... the elapsed time was the same. Odd. Very, very odd.
The... hangar, he supposed... was larger inside than it had appeared from the air, with room for at least three full wings of dragons, supposing most were duns or greens. Only a few were present, including a big gold (but not as big as Seuth, the boy noted with Weir pride) whose rider slid down and ran to meet the arriving browns with a pleased cry.
The Weira?
"Oh, you've finally arrived! it's a horrible bother, trying to find candidates that are willing to come alll the way up into the mountains. Maleka said she'd send someone... there's two of you? Good, good! Oh! My name's Terena, rider of Gold Samth. I'm Senior Queenrider here, that would be like your..." She paused, trying to bring the word to mind. "Weira, that's it. And you all are?"
"T'gan, Wingsecond, rider of brown Rebeth, with L'miurry, Wingthird, rider of brown Tsanth. We come from Dasmalenra Weir with youngsters, as requested. The Weira sends her greetings, and regrets that she could not send more. We, too, have a clutch upon the Hatching Grounds." The brownrider's speech was formal, as if he was not quite sure of himself. Ibanu didn't blame him. No matter how relaxed and casual a Weira might be in private, meeting with riders from another Weir was usually a formal occasion. But this was a different world, and maybe they did things differently here...
"And the two lucky lads are?"
"Ibanu and Ponevi. Weir born and Weir bred, milady."
"Very good! Ibanu, Ponevi, the headwoman will show you where to put your things, and then you can wash up before you meet the other hopefuls. Brownriders, might I invite you to luncheon at the Aurie? You've come a long way, and the herds are large enough to feed two extra dragons."
"Thank you, but no. We have scheduled manuevers over Kahrain this afternoon. Threadfall practice."
She gave him a blank look, as if, Ibanu thought, she didn't know what Threadfall was. After a moment, the Weira-- no, Queenrider, he reminded himself--shrugged. "Well, if duty calls... give the Weira my regards and thanks, would you, T'gan?" She turned to the two boys, who had dismounted and now stood nervously, shuffling from side to side and clutching their packs. "Rashani will see to you two. RASHANI!"
The woman arrived with a rapidity that made Ibanu suspect that she'd merely been standing behind a dragon, waiting for the summons. "Yes, Terena?"
"These two lads need room, robes, probably soft shoes--Samth will not allow heavy clunking boots like that near her eggs--and some lunch. The other candidates haven't finished theirs yet, have they?"
"No, but they're nearly done. Shall I show them to their rooms, and then the two can have a late luncheon in the kitchen. Afternoon classes don't begin until two."
"Yes, that should about do it. Follow Rashani, you two. She knows where you need to go."