Carting Candidates About

[anhydrous]

Daisulyth glared ahead sullenly as his rider dismounted, the short glide down from their weyr having passed much too quickly for his tastes. Must you go in there? He asked fretfully. Really, the question was pointless. Daisulyth already knew the answer.

I’dalyn sighed, his posture wilting as he stood at the entrance to the weyrling barracks. He was all too aware of the apprehension lacing his dragon’s thoughts. It was a constant battle, and one that he generally tried to avoid.

Daisulyth’s large brown head was poised just above the rider’s left shoulder as he awaited the inevitable answer, his whirling eyes taking on the slightest tinge of yellow. You know I have to. I’dalyn replied dutifully, supplying the first steps of their continuously rehearsed tango. I’ve got to post their chores.

The brown ignored the logic, his mood twisting into a dark little knot. But… it’s so small in there. His tone was pitiful, but I’dalyn patted him on the nose and took a few tentative steps forward anyway. For you, maybe. Besides, I’ll only be in there for a minuet, I swear. Reassurance wasn’t getting him very far, the placid turquoise of Daisulyth’s eyes completely replaced with an uneasy yellow hue.

Do you promise? He demanded, humor sinking lower with each passing second. I’dalyn issued the standard reply, Yes love, I promise, and quickly made his way into the barracks before the brown could protest any further. All he had to do was tack the chore list up on the wall, and then Daisulyth could stop guarding the entrance to the barracks like a sentry.

[neopanther]

Inside the barracks, Ezieki was already waiting. He’d decided that if the Weyrlingmaster wasn’t to be found on the ground, sooner or later he would have to come to the Candidates rooms, after all there were various things that the candidates needed to be made aware of.

Ezieki had found his father – after a short debate, his father relented, but that was no surprise, his second son was of little or no concern to him, and they weren’t very close at all. Now all that was left for him to do before he returned to Telgar for the possible last time, was to sought out this I’dalyn, a brown rider – or so he had found out from some of the staff at the Weyr, who were being much more welcoming than that fool G’tet.

Standing between the divide for the genders was the common room. Here Ezieki waited for the weyrling master. He was beginning to get bored, and the temptation just to leave a note on the side, with his details, and what was occurring, was becoming all too welcoming. He sighed, his chin sunk to his palm. He sat on the floor between the two doors, legs crossed, leaning over himself, elbow against his knee, the palm of which supported his head. This was a less than desirable situation.

A flurry of wind entered the room. Two reasons could exist for this, either the wind was being incredibly random, or a dragon had landed close to the entrance. Ezieki found himself answering the question just as a man walked through the door.

Ezieki evaluated him instantly, comparing his more striking features to how one of the drudges had described him. Not too tall, blue eyes, dark hair. He mused over it for a minute, this could be just another candidate, he was perhaps two turns older than himself, and he knew for a fact the ages of riders was gradually tending upwards recently. But he caught sight of the man’s knot. Three sets of entwined chord, and a tassel, with gold thread. A Brown ribbon existing within it too, a brown rider weyrlingmaster. That made him of equal rank to a junior weyrwoman.

Getting himself up, Ezieki brushed himself off, “Excuse me, I don’t mean to intrude – however, I’ve recently been searched, and sent to find the Weyrlingmaster.” He looked at the shorter mans knot, “Judging by that, you would be he? Making I’dalyn?” He queried in an uncharacteristically mild fashion for such a brash teen.

[anhydrous]

Deftly attaching the note to the wall, I’dalyn was but a moment away from leaving the barracks when an unfamiliar voice hailed him. With a nearly inaudible sigh he turned, none too quickly, to see who exactly was addressing him.

The young man standing before him looked a bit old to be considered for candidacy, but I’dalyn shrugged inwardly and gave his best congenial smile. “If you were looking to intrude this wouldn’t be the place to do it. All candidates are welcome in the barracks. However, if you’re needing to talk you’ll be needing to walk.” I’dalyn inclined his head towards the opening of the cavern, where Daisulyth’s ominous presence still impatiently lurked.

His stride was long for a short man, lengthened perhaps by his dragon’s unease. In a few short seconds he was out in the air of the bowl, placid greens returning to Daisulyth’s faceted eyes as he folded his wings carefully along his back and regarded Ezieki from his decidedly lofty perspective. “There, you big brute.” I’dalyn remarked fondly, “Now you can stop blocking the door.” Daisulyth settled and crossed his forelimbs, tail twitching slightly in curiosity. Who is this boy? And what is that on his head? I’dalyn chose not to answer, biting the inside of his lip and turning to the aforementioned obligation.

“Sorry about that, Daisulyth’s a bit touchy.” The brown rumbled, eyes narrowing, but was otherwise still. “You obviously know my name by now, might I ask for yours?”

[neopanther]

Nodding curtly, Ezieki followed I’dalyn to the door, it seemed I’dalyn was incredibly reserved for one of his position, busy too seemingly, judging by the way he requested Ezieki followed him out if he wished to talk.

Obviously this was a taken, outside the entrance was I’dalyn’s dragon, a brown – as Ezieki had suspected, the dragon shifted, allowed them passage; the brown was rather much more intimidating than G’tet’s green had been. Ezieki had never really realised before now how different the dragons could be, and were. Diasulyth was the dragon’s name seemingly, and it was then that Ezieki was requested for him own. Exiting the door and back to the bowl, he faced the rider, “Ezieki, I’m from Telgar hold. My father was running an errand to see the Weyrleader, I came with him, and whilst on my own, in the weyrbowl I chanced across G’tet.” Ezieki paused, “He said that I would be a choice for a candidate, I accepted, I’ve informed my father, now you, and so I am looking for permission for temporary leave, so I can journey back to the hold, collect some of my belongings, and explain properly to my mother and sister.” He stopped, feeling he had given an appropriate amount of details.

“I have a runner tethered here, it shouldn’t take me longer than the night to travel home, retrieve some belongings and return in the morning.” He tried to suggest his thoughts in a manner that wouldn’t put the weyrlingmaster’s guard up. I’dalyn struck him as a man who wouldn’t take a great deal of reasoning from someone ‘lesser’ than him.

[anhydrous]

I’dalyn listened politely, rubbing his hand against his rough jaw in thought. More than a few days worth of stubble had accumulated there, his duties growing more numerous as the Weyr prepared for the clutch. In fact, the eggs were due to hatch any day now. It was doubtful that they would break shell before Ezieki returned, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

“Well met, Ezieki. You are more than welcome to make a trip to the Hold, but it would be best if your return could be a bit quicker. The clutch is due to hatch in a day or two, and it wouldn’t do to have you miss it.” He paused for a moment, glancing upward at Daisulyth. “We could get you there and back this afternoon, assuming that your father would be able to get your runner back to the Hold and you wouldn’t be averse to a jump between.”

Really he didn’t have time for this, but Daisulyth was always up for a flight. Besides, neither of them had been away from the Weyr for quite a while now. A change of scenery would be nice. Well love, would you like to go for a fly? I’dalyn’s silent question drifted up to Daisulyth, and the brown spread his wings in reply. We’ve been cooped up here too long… I’m not sure I like your new duties. I’dalyn fought the impulse to chuckle, resting a hand on his dragon’s shoulder and glancing back to Ezieki. You’re going to have to get used to it, he stated, waiting for the candidate’s reply.

[neopanther]

((ick dont like this post...))

Ezieki waited, his words not quite coming forth in response to the question. “Yes, my father could easily ride home, as to you taking me there and back, I’m not averse to a flight between,” He paused again, his mind quickly glazing over the topics, and general implications of this, “But, you must be busy, if it is putting you out at all, do not fret on my behalf, if the eggs are to hatch, then I shall journey by night if I must.” Ezieki felt oddly beholden to the man now, G’tet hadn’t offered this much – but then Kalpeth was a little worse for wear.

Also, if the brown and his rider were to take him home, and return him to the weyr, it meant this would be his first night away from his home. It was a sad fact that at the age off nineteen he had never spent a single night away from his home and his family. (because sneaking in mid morning was not included of course).

Ezieki marvelled as the brown spread his wings, he was such a greater size than the green he had met earlier, however seeing them in flight had been they were a long distance away and were far from as awe-some a sight as the one he was beholding now.

[anhydrous]

The smallest smile pulled at the corner of I’dalyn’s mouth as Ezieki stumbled slightly in his otherwise refined speech, and he dismissed the words with a brisk shake of his head. “A chance at Impression is too great to miss, especially at an older age. Besides,” he added effortlessly, “I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t think I should. Even dragonmen tire of being tethered to the Weyr.”

Quickly turning his attentions skyward, I’dalyn scowled at his dragon’s languid posture. “Come on, Daisulyth, make yourself more accessible for our candidate.” While the brown was distracted with situating himself, I’dalyn grabbed an extra riding belt from the barracks and returned to stand next to Ezieki. Meanwhile the dragon’s jaw stretched open in a yawn, rows of teeth exposed and gleaming as he shifted into a standing position. Snapping his maw shut and offering his forearm as a step, Daisulyth curiously watched his soon-to-be passenger.

“Here,” I’dalyn said as he offered the candidate the extra belt. “I don’t know how familiar you are with riding dragons, so I figured we should clip you in.” The brownrider expertly climbed and settled into position on his mount, pointing out the best places to step on the way up so that Ezieki could follow. “Don’t worry about hurting him. He’s used to it.” He offered another of his amiable smiles, and Daisulyth tried his best to make the distance from his neck to the ground as short as possible.

[neopanther]

Ezieki was still a little lost for his words, “Thank you,” Was about all he could manage before I’dalyn had left him momentarily – returning with a belt off some descript. He had been rather relieved to hear that even Riders tired of being bound to their weyr – maybe he would fit in better here than he thought he would. He felt a little embarrassed when the dragon was told to make himself more accessible for his sake, he knew it was something he could not help – not being used to dragons that was. But he still disliked having the dragon be told this.

Daisulyth stretched, his jaws opened and closed, a set of sharp teeth became very obvious as he did so, that reminded Ezieki that Dragon’s weren’t always as docile as they had been appearing before him this day.

Taking the belt from I’dalyn, Ezieki fastened it about him, and proceeded to follow I’dalyn’s instructions, trying not to look like an idiot, and trying not to hurt the dragon – despite being told not to worry about this – fortunately for him he was fairly agile, and found his way up to the dragons back with relative ease, and only a few minor embarrassments. And despite Daisulyth’s best efforts, the brown’s back seemed a very long way from the ground. Ezieki had only ever been used to a runner, and the dragon’s back was a great deal higher than one of those. A logical part of his brain decided to inform him that that back would be a great deal further from the ground soon. Pushing that far, far from his mind, Ezieki looked at his belt, and then wondered how he was supposed to attach that to the dragon... He was far to ignorant of dragon-customs.

[anhydrous]

It was plainly clear that Ezieki wasn’t exactly comfortable with his current situation. The boy’s face held a puzzled expression, his eyes darting to the rigging that was meant to hold him to the dragon. Perhaps this little excursion was a good thing. I’dalyn would be soon teaching things much more in-depth than clipping riding straps together, and practice could do nothing but make one more skilled.

Gathering up a handful of the straps that were dangling from Daisulyth’s harness, I’dalyn pointed out the clips that were to attach to the rings on the riding belt. “You just clip yourself in, and hold onto the ridge in front of you to make sure you don’t topple off.” He was speaking over his shoulder now, adjusting the foot straps so that Ezieki would have a place to brace his boots. “You can grab hold as tight as you wish; as I sincerely promise that Daisulyth won’t feel a thing.” Finalizing the adjustments and giving his dragon a firm pat on the neck, I’dalyn flashed Ezieki a reassuring smile and suggested that he brace himself.

Daisulyth rose fluidly, the ground steadily growing father away as his long limbs straightened. Stretching his wings out with a roll of his shoulders, a broad expanse of brown suddenly seemed to surround the two men. I’dalyn paused for a moment, keeping his mount still for one more round of questioning.

Looking back over his shoulder at Ezieki’s uneasy form, he furrowed his brow as a query sprung to his lips. “Is this your first trip between, then? No worries if it is, but there would be a slight bit you’d be needing to know.” I’dalyn sincerely hoped the answer was no. A quick jump to the hold shouldn’t cause a problem, but any trip between was a big deal if it was your first. It wasn’t the most pleasant of sensations, that was for sure.

[neopanther]

Ezieki looked up at I’dalyn as he spoke words like gibberish towards him. He ran over the words in his mind, clip in he looked between the clips in his hands and the rings that were somehow attached to the body of the dragon underneath him. He opened the clips attached himself, and then moved slowly onto the next part grip the ridge Ridge? Ridge being... what exactly? He looked around him, the only thing he could see that resembled a ridge was that protrusion from the spine of the dragon. He tentatively sought it out with his hands, trying not to pay attention to what I’dalyn was doing for a moment, for he realised the rider was most probably laughing at Ezieki’s own ignorance of what was going on.

A smile of reassurance was given towards the red headed teen; Ezieki found his breath swept from him as the dragon lifted swiftly from the floor. And he found himself gripping on rather tightly as he watched the floor get further and further away, his eyes widening in mild horror as he looked down. He resisted the urge to show his complete total and utter weakness and close his eyes; he simply placed his gaze upward.

In his mind consuming itself with thoughts other than flight – he barely noticed I’dalyn’s words about his first trip between, “Huh? Ohh yeah, first trip between, answer would be yes. First trip a’dragonback in fact.” He said the last part rather hesitantly, his eyes wanting to look down and see just how far they had moved from that solid heaven that was the floor. His feet dangled limply now, nothing to keep them, or him where he was except for a tight grip and a few lashings of wher-hide. He swallowed nervously, his mind racing onto how bad and awful between might be in comparison to flying. Apparently it eliminated your senses, elongated time, and made you live your life again through just three heartbeats! Or so he had heard from a minor few who had gone between in the past, but he had a feeling they were rather sensationalist rumours.

[anhydrous]

I’dalyn sighed inwardly as the candidate admitted to his inexperience, his face remaining as close to composed as he could manage. This kid had guts, he could give him that. Not many holdfolk were so inclined to jump between on an unfamiliar dragon.

The aforementioned dragon was itching to get airborne. He was growing tired of waiting and was making it rather obvious. I’dalyn implored Daisulyth gently; hoping to ease the brown’s twitching shoulder muscles. Please be patient. This is his first ride and I’ve got to explain the mechanics. Daisulyth seemed unconcerned, shifting the masses of muscle that lay just beneath the two human’s legs. I’ll treat you to an oiling later, I’dalyn bribed as he turned to explain what was going to take place.

Daisulyth seemed calmed by this offer, motionlessly waiting for his signal to take off. With a reassuring expression I’dalyn began to speak, carefully outlining the things that Ezieki would be interested to know. “The first thing to keep in mind is that you are not going to fall off. Riding a dragon isn’t like riding a runner. Daisulyth knows specifically how to carry a person, and he will not drop us.” The brown rumbled in assent, craning his neck to watch his rider educate the candidate. “The only thing to be wary of is the sensation of between. I won’t be able to explain it until you experience it for yourself, but I’ll try my best.”

Thoughtfully rubbing his jaw, I’dalyn called forth memories of the black void they would soon be braving. It was difficult to put in plain words… it was like telling a candidate what to expect if they Impressed. “As soon as we jump you’re going to become very cold, very blind, and very numb. This will only last a few seconds, but it’s an eerie feeling. All I can do is promise you that it will pass, and that you’ll arrive safe on Daisulyth’s back over the Hold.” I’dalyn checked all of Ezieki’s straps while he spoke, readjusting any that were attached incorrectly. His face was clear of judgment or exasperation, just masked in simple explanation and calm reassurance.

Daisulyth’s silence was broken with an eager query, Can we go yet? I want to be oiled before the sun sets. Perhaps that lovely new green will see how I gleam.. At this the brownrider rolled his eyes, firing one last question to Ezieki before he gave the order to fly.

“Are you ready?”

[neopanther]

He watched, eyes never tarrying from the back of the brown, save for when he watched I'dalyn adjust the straps that tied him to the dragon. He seemed pretty secure, but that meant very very little to him, because you could feel secure in a boat, and boats were incredibly easy to shift. Yes, Daisulyth do not look so easy to perturb but who knew? At least the brown was large enough to manage to keep him there - if anything did go wrong - he would have doubted the strength of a green at very least.

I'dalyn certainly seemed relaxed about it, but then it would be easy for him, just another trip between yet the prospect was making Ezieki rather nevous. However, he would not swallo his pride, nor would he admit it! He would just have to calm himself, and keep is mind occupied as the trip begn.

Ezieki grimmaced, but he nodded, the entire prospect was alien to him, he'd ridden a runner - but as I'dalyn had told him, Daisulyth was not comparitive to one. So between was set to be something awful. no sight, so sound, cold, and ruthless to the senses. Ezieki pushed all the ideas to the back of his mind. He did not care to thin of these thins when the time was so soon. He was sso very close to telling I'dalyn not to worry, that a runner trip would do to get him bacck to telgar. That it would not matter if he missed the hatching, he would hurry abest he could. But he had already given his permeission now. And - well it would rather rshoow him up. He sighed. Nodded agian, this time more determined and set towards the task ahead. "As I will ever be. The sooner we fly the sooner we are back I guess." His voice waivered slightly, but he was set now, his mind was set towards the task, and he would not falter now.

[anhydrous]

Although Ezieki didn’t exactly seem confident, he was agreeing to fly and that was enough for I’dalyn. Daisulyth rumbled happily as he was given permission to take to the air, his wings steady and unfurled to test the volatile air currents in the bowl. When he seemed satisfied with the conditions, the brown took a few smooth steps away from the wall of the weyr. In an instant all the muscles of his back legs threw them into the air, one simultaneous colossal downbeat of his wings putting quite a distance between himself and the bowl floor.

I’dalyn threw Ezieki a glance over his shoulder, voice rife with assurance. “You’re going to be fine. Now, take a deep breath.” Throwing his hand up over his head in a signal to the watchdragon, I’dalyn fed Daisulyth the mental picture of the skies above Telgar Hold. The brown beat his wings a few more times to gain the right altitude, and then promptly vanished into the bleak void of between.

Two seconds, no more. Then the biting cold was immediately replaced with warm sunshine as Daisulyth emerged above the Hold. His giant shadow danced across the tops of buildings while he took up gentle circling pattern, riding thermals as he arched across the sky. Again I’dalyn turned to face his dragon’s passenger, hoping that the boy wasn’t too horrified of his first trip adragonback. “Where do you live, lad?” He asked warmly, “Is it far from the hold proper? Daisulyth can fit in the gather square.” The brown seemed in no hurry, his leisurely flight almost effortless. He bugled to the two tall watchtowers that were meant to keep track of the comings and goings, light dancing happily in his faceted eyes.

[neopanther]

Ezieki drained of colour as the dragon spread its' wings, great brown wings beating down, lifting them from the floor with such ease, the upward jolt was huge, he felt like his neck were going to snap with the force of it. His mind was swimming again, thoughts, fears, apprehensions. He cursed quietly under his breath. The I'dalyn's voice broke through - telling him to take a deep breath, it took a moment to register, but the teen did just that.

And in the blink of an eye there was nothing. No sound, no light, no sense, no existence. Everything just ceased to be, and his senses shrouded entirely, three heartbeats felt like an eternity, like time slowed down, and your senses became sharper, despite their inability to sense. And cold. Bitter rcold that sunk into his very bones, and deeper.

Light hit, blindingly, and after a few blinks - readjusting his sight, they were above Telgar hold. The weyr long behind them. I'dalyn questioned again.

Ezieki struggled for his voice for a moment, his words sa little broken as he began to speak, "No, I'm near there, I'm pretty central, the gather square will be fine." He said, his words loud, trying to fight over the wind currents that blew about him.

[anhydrous]

Daisulyth had been eavesdropping on the humans’ conversation and wordlessly angled his flight towards the center of the holding. The gather square was empty at this time of year, stalls cleared away to reveal a blank scar on the face of Telgar Hold. All around there were buildings, careful stone architecture surrounding the empty space. The metal shutters that graced the windows of every building looked as if they had never been used, sunlight hardly glaring off of their tarnished surfaces.

The brown’s talons scraped audibly against the ground of the courtyard, his wings furled and beating strongly to ease his body out of the air. The landing was surprisingly smooth, and within a moment he was standing steadily in the gather square. I’dalyn turned to unclip Ezieki, the boy’s tone implying that he might not be able to handle the job himself. “You alright? That wasn’t too bad, was it?” the weyrlingmaster asked hopefully. Patting the boy roughly on the shoulder, he smiled and then demonstrated how to slide down Daisulyth’s side.

Make it a bit easier for him, would you? The brownrider requested silently. Daisulyth obliged, lowering his shoulder and offering his forearm again. “We’ll be here waiting,” I’dalyn said lazily, leaning up against the side of his dragon as Daisulyth curled into a comfortable position. His folded his wings carefully, nosing around his paws before glancing up to watch Ezieki’s retreating form.