Benaret had begun to settle into life at Firael's cothold. The guest quarters in which he had stayed became his permanent quarters and he was quickly absorbed into the family quickly.
He somehow knew, however, from the moment that the shadow of a green dragon darkened the fields where he was working that this new life he had made for himself would not last long. He didn't know why, perhaps it was Lirri's idea that snuck into his mind, but he just knew.
He had never fancied himself as a dragonrider, what sane drudge did? There was very little chance of him being found acceptable anyway. Countless Searches had passed him over. Yet somehow he felt drawn towards the green and her rider, and went out with Firael to welcome her to the cothold.
The greenrider introduced herself as Blyzka and all the formalities were exchanged with the usual rythym. While they talked about various things, weather, Thread, crops, Benaret found himself stealing glances at the paitently waiting green dragon. She gazed back at him with what he guessed was mild interest, but nothing more.
A shiver from Blyzka caused him to look away from her dragon for a moment. "I don't suppose you have some klah to warm between-chilled bones?" she asked, drawing her riding jacket closer. "I don't know how the dragons stand it!"
The green startled everyone by giving a low rumble of laughter which Benaret felt through the ground like the earthquake that had happened many turns ago when he was barely five. Blyzka chuckled at whatever her green had added to her laugh, and Benaret felt a pang of jealousy despite the fact that Lirri was perched on his shoulder, talking to him in something of the same way.
"Phaysath doesn't understand how thin human skin is," Blyzka chuckled, gazing at her dragon affectionately. "Well? My cup of klah?"
"Is already made," Firael replied smoothly, giving her a wry smile. "It's very conveinent of you to drop by just after the morning meal. It is even still hot, actually."
"Lucky I found you now, I left Falas before the morning meal was even being made," Blyzka chuckled. "I guess I planned it just right."
The three slowly walked back towards the cothold, no one having enough energy to move very fast. Phaysath lumbered along behind them, looking quite annoyed to be on the ground.
Well of course I'm annoyed, a woman's voice that sounded much like Blyzka's grumped. Walking is so very slow. I don't know how humans manage.
Usually, Benaret would have been confused and probably scared by a voice coming out of nowhere, but somehow he knew it belonged to Phaysath.
Well, duh, who else would my voice belong to? Phaysath scoffed. I'm glad you know a dragon when you hear one, some people don't know what we are.
Suddenly, Benaret wondered why Phaysath was talking to him. What interest did a dragon have in a drudge? Former drudge, he reminded himself sternly. He was free.
Ah! I was wondering when you'd figure it out! Phaysath crowed mentally and did much the same thing vocally. I've just Searched you, Benaret. To Falas Weyr, to be specific.
When Benaret's stunned mind processed what Phaysath had said, he stopped walking and crumpled to the ground in a suprised faint.
When the blackness faded until it hung around the edges of his vision and then was gone, Benaret found himself looking up at Blyzka, Firael, and Phaysath's worried faces, though he wasn't sure if the expression on Phaysath's face was worry.
No, it's happiness! Phaysath drawled, voice drenched in sarcasm. Why would I be anything less than worried if a Candidate collapsed?
"Well, I'd tell you you've been Searched, but I'm guessing you've already been told," Blyzka chuckled, though he couldn't see her past Firael's examening hands.
"I'm fine!" Benaret told the healer, gently removing his hands. "And yes, Phaysath already told me. Before you ask, I accept. I really don't have anything to lose."
Half an hour later, Benaret's few possessions were packed and secured on Phaysath as he climbed up to take his place in back of Blyzka. With a last word of thanks to Firael, Benaret vaulted the rest of the way into his seat and was seated on a dragon. He grinned as he looked at the green hide underneath him. Who would of thought that he, the wierd drudge, would ever be riding a dragon anywhere, much less Searched to Impress his own?
Phaysath lept from the ground and went between...