As soon as Savaai and Lioslaith exited the hatching grounds, the rusty-brown Kerlin came racing across the weyrbowl barking. Lioslaith threw her wings up as a shield. Kerlin suddenly became confused and sat down on his haunches. What was this terrifying thing? And why was she doing that? (At least, that�s what it seemed was going through he canine�s mind, but who really knew?)

Savaai called her canine, and the half-grown creature crept over, wary of the winged green. Though Lioslaith was merely moments old, she outmassed the canine, and always would.

�Lioslaith, this is Kerlin, my pet canine.�

Hello Kerlin. The green said, eyes whirling in pleasant tones of happiness. The little canine licked Lioslaith�s muzzle. Eeeeeeeeeeeew! The green squealed, He�s eating me!

�Stop it Kerlin.� Savaai laughed, and the canine promptly obeyed, though his tail still wagged at an unbelievable pace. �He�s just excited to see you, right Kerlin?�

�Rrark!� the little canine barked.

Now my face feels funny. The green said, opening her mouth and stretching her jaw, exposing wickedly sharp teeth.

�That�s why my mother called canine drool �face stiffening.�� Savaai laughed. �Let�s get you some dinner, and then a good scrub...� She paused to yawn. �.. and then off to sleep. I didn�t think I was so tired...�

�You�re not.� An older rider said from behind her. �You�ll start to feel more awake once she goes to sleep. You�re feeling her exhaustion through your bond.� She said.

�Really?� Savaai asked.

�Really.� The rider responded. �See you at the feast.�

Into each life a little rain must fall � and Savaai knew it. It had been raining for days, and everything was coated with slick slippery mud. �Lings who hadn�t mastered their landings were grounded to prevent accidents; and Lioslaith was restless. However, this gave time to Savaai for learning how to mend things that weren�t made of cloth and leather.

Present at Artaq, for an extended stay due to unfavorable weather conditions, was a mind healer � a woman with silver-streaked black h air who could cure things ordinary healers with potions and herbs could not.

She found Savaai dozing in front of the main hearth with a full-grown canine sprawled across her legs. It was the rusty-pelted canine that drew the healer�s attention. His mind let off a distinctive aura � one that had been Touched; healed. Kerlin growled as the healer lingered a bit too long. Savaai�s eyes opened, and she smiled sheepishly as she rubbed her eyes. �I�m sorry� I must have dozed off.�

The healer smiled. �No problem; is this your pet?� she asked of Kerlin.

�Yes, he�s mine. I found him injured as a pup��

The healer smiled. �Did you ever take him to a healer?�

Savaai shook her head, childish innocence beaming from her smile. �No, I took care of him. Mama told me love would heal anything.�

The healer nodded. The girl had no idea what she was.

A few days later, the rains let up. Savaai and Lioslaith were asked to convey the the healer to Falas � a �ling rider had suffered a deep trauma. While they were there, Lioslaith took a liking to a blue named Dezinith � and that was just the beginning.

Read here for the next saga of Savaai and Lioslaith!

Savaai Impressed at Artaq Weyr. Background from Peeling Pixels.