Running Errands

Writers: Avery, Mirren
Date Posted: 18th August 2015

Characters: Elona, Talwynn
Description: Talwynn borrows Elona for some errand-running.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 17 of Turn 8

With Lissath's clutch on the sands now, Talwynn felt like she should
spend more time with the candidates who were going to become new
weyrlings, especially if she was going to become an official
assistant. It always interested her what the new ones would think of
her scarred arm and leg. She felt like that told her something about
what they'd be like when they Impressed and had to face that risk
themselves.

So it was that she took advantage of the fact that riders could borrow
candidates to help with errands and dragonwashing, and she went down
to the barracks. She pushed open the door to the girl's side. "Anyone
want to help out a rider and get some hands-on experience?" she
called.

Elona glanced around before tentatively raising her hand. She liked to
help, but suspected she didn't get chosen too often because of her
son. Dragonriders had to be focussed and she guessed it was fair
enough that people would assume she wasn't. Her son was important to
her, but so was impressing.

"Come on over," Talwynn said with an encouraging smile. She recognized
Elona as someone who had Stood several times before, so she wouldn't
have to explain how dragons worked.

"How's your son doing?"

"He's doing well, thank you ma'am," Elona replied politely. "He had a
sniffle, but he's over the worst of it." It was never fun when he was
sick, he got clingy and grumpy. It always worried her that she'd be
disallowed from standing if her son couldn't be fostered full time.

"Good to hear he's doing better." She'd never wanted children, but
they were important to others, she knew.

"How adventurous are you feeling today?"

"Oh." Elona wasn't sure how to respond to that. Being holdbred, she
was used to all sorts of tasks, but dragonriders often had ideas she'd
never have known existed if she hadn't come here. "I suppose I'm ready
to face whatever's needed of me," she replied uncertainly.

"I've got a couple different tasks you could help me with today. The
easy one's just bathing my dragon. The more fun one is delivering a
couple messages. But some people are a bit afraid to ride with a
scarred pair."

As though damage to her hand and leg meant damage to her mind. She
could strap her own dragon, and any guest who knew how to ride could
help secure their own straps. But every so often a total ninny was
searched.

"Many riders are scarred," Elona replied. "I doesn't make them less
capable, just - changed a little." She knew a rider wouldn't endanger
her, at least not on purpose.

"We won't let you fall. I can tighten straps enough for that," Talwynn
reassured. Elona's confidence pleased her, though.

As they walked out towards the weyrbowl, Talwynn started explaining.
"I've been given some messages to run out to a few local Holds. Opal
Cove, the Tannercraft, and Amber Hills. Seen any of those before?"

Elona's expression clouded somewhat. "I came from Amber Hills, ma'am.
I haven't been back since I was searched. I haven't been to the other
though."

"Will it bother you to be there long enough to pass a package off?"

Elona didn't particularly want to go there. She swallowed. "If I
impress, I'd have to go there a lot more, so I should get used to it."
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

Talwynn tried giving her an encouraging smile, but she wasn't sure if
it worked. She'd been the tough type, not the socially skilled kind.
"Want to do it first or last? Opal Cove will be a treat though, you
should see the building design."

"Can we go there first please?" If she had to go there then she'd like
to get it over with.

"Sure," she said.

Riveth waited for them right by the entrance. She was already strapped
up to go, and she laid down flat on the ground to make mounting easier
for them both.

"I can give you a bit of a lift if you need," Tal offered.

"Thank you, but I'd like to try." Elona might have to get used to
climbing onto a dragon of her own some day. "Good day," she said
politely to the waiting dragon.

Riveth looked over and sniffed, interested, her eyes whirling happily.
}:She is polite. I like.:{

Talwynn stepped back and let Elona go. She seemed a smart cookie.

Elona stood still and let her sniff, then carefully climbed up and got
into place. She was always worried she'd hurt the dragon, although
she'd been told she wouldn't.

Talwynn hopped up behind her and strapped herself in, pleased to note
it was faster than before. She checked Elona's straps, then said
"We're off."

Riveth leapt up to the sky and her wings beat steadily. She showed off
by bringing them high above the weyrbowl and circling, letting the
candidate have a look at the avian's eye view of the Weyr. Then
Talwynn tapped her twice to signal they were going /between/.

Three breaths then they burst out above Amber Hills, circling high
over the main Hold for the breathtaking view before slowly spiraling
down for a landing.

Elona swallowed her trepidation. At least the view was nice. She'd
only seen it from the air once, when she'd left. She hadn't known then
how long it would be until she returned. Truthfully, she hadn't given
coming back a single thought. She could handle this, even if people
gave her hostile looks for having a dragonrider's child.

Once Riveth landed, Talwynn slid down and unhooked the parcel marked
"AHH - Sendarus". She looked up at Elona. "Five minutes, and then the
Tannercraft" she promised.

- - -

The package deliveries had all gone smoothly. No one had said anything
to either of them beyond polite thanks. It was rare for female
greenriders to be given grief when they were bringing important
packages and letters, but there were a few people who were rude
regardless. and the older man at Opal Cove had even offered them trail
bars as a snack. Elona had seemed to handle the trip fine.

Now they were back at Dragonsfall, and Talwynn was unstrapping Riveth.
"So what do you think of message duty?"

"Any chance to ride a dragon." Elona replied. She was feeling
energised by the experience and hoping more than ever that she'd
impress.

"I'm off for dinner and then crafting. Thanks for keeping me company, Elona."

"You're welcome ma'am. Thank you. Any time you need help-" she added shyly.

"I'll be sure to ask for you. And I'll cheer you on at the hatching," Tal added.

Elona smiled. "That'll be nice, thank you." Maybe she's have some luck
this time.

Last updated on the August 20th 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Running Errands