Rather Beautiful

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 26th October 2019

Characters: Ashela, N'call
Description: The morning after her arrival, Ashela meets N'call
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 12, day 24 of Turn 9
Notes: The morning after her arrival, Ashela meets N'call

Ashela

N'call

Aglayath woke early and left her couch for the warm, sunny ledge that
overlooked the waters of the lake. For a while she lay there in the
morning light, watching in satisfaction as the weyrfolk emerged from
their shelters to begin the day's work. They would make this Weyrhold -
_her_ Weyrhold - beautiful.

Feeling her rider waking, she rose to her feet, spread her wings and
glided down towards the cove, where she immersed herself in the clear
blue water and re-emerged in a shower of sparkling droplets, her hide
gleaming in the sun. }:I think I will swim for a while before I'm bathed.:{

Even Ashela couldn't help but smile as she shared her dragon's delight
in their new home. She sat up and slid her legs over the edge of the
bed. Making Aglayath look her best would not be a bad way to start the
day. As she dressed and gathered scrubbing brushes and sweetsand, she
sensed through her dragon that there were bronzes watching as the gold
dived and played in the waves, and wondered who would be the first to
join her. Perhaps one with the boldness and daring to be a Weyrleader?

She descended from the weyr and walked down to the edge of the water.
**Be careful, dearest. There are boats.** Already, the first trader
craft was making its way out of the bay to fetch more supplies, keeping
a respectful distance from the gold dragon.

"Over here," N'call called from the Weyrbowl side of the cove. "We let
the boats have that side over there," he pointed at the opposite side.

"Oh - thank you!" Ashela shaded her eyes to see the man who'd called to
her. A bronzerider? She quickly passed the message on to her dragon, and
watched as Aglayath reluctantly swam towards the indicated side of the
lake, with an affronted flick of her tail at having to make way for the
trader vessels.

**We need them, my love. They bring what's needed to build our new
Weyr.** Ashela began to walk, casually, along the shore towards the tall
man who'd spoken to her. As she approached, she recognised the knots
with an inner glow of satisfaction. He was, indeed, a bronzerider.
"Sorry. We're new here." She offered a hand. "I am Ashela, and out there
in the water is my Aglayath."

"Well met Ashela," N'call smiled broadly. "My Haloth is up there," he
pointed to where a crew of workers were installing the star stones at
the top of the cliff. "I think he's trying to supervise." He turned to
look at the lovely gold and bowed with a leg forward and sweep of his
arm. "Well met Aglayath," he said.

The gold dragon raised her head from the water and dipped it in his
direction, acknowledging the greeting with dignity before returning to
her swimming.

"I think she likes you, bronzerider. She says you're very courteous,"
Ashela said, her voice tinged with amusement. She set down the cleaning
supplies, since it was clearly going to be a while before Aglayath
emerged from the lake. "Have you been at the Weyrhold long?"

"Not very long," he smiled. "Just getting the feel of the place
really," he said. It is rather beautiful, don't you think?"

"It is." She looked out over the bay, the lovely view out to the vast
lake enhanced by the sensations she shared with Aglayath, of sun and
rippling water on her hide. As if unconsciously, she leaned back and
shook out her golden-brown hair, running her fingers through the
strands. "And exciting, to think of being here at the foundation of a
new Weyr." She turned back to him. "Where were you before you came here,
N'call? I don't believe we've met before - I feel sure I would have
remembered you."

He was suddenly distracted by the wealth of her hair but shook himself
enough to smile and agree with her. with only a momentary lag in the
conversation. "Yes, um... I'm from Dragonsfall," he smiled. "Came
here with Teseada. Haloth is Onnyth's current mate."

"Oh, how lovely," Ashela replied warmly, though there was a moment's
stillness in her eyes. "It's so nice to hear of a bronze pair
accompanying their mate. Settling in to a new place is much easier when
you have someone near that you know and care about." She sighed, as if
in regret.

He smiled warmly back at her. She seemed quite as nice as she was
lovely, though his brow creased when she sighed. "Did your Weyr not
send your mate pair with you as well? I know D'hol's Yumath is
Riyanth's." But then he smiled and tried not to appear too interested.
"It is rather an exciting time isn't it?"

"It is. And I'm determined to be glad for the beautiful new home I have,
rather than brooding over what might have been. Aglayath's mate and his
rider may have chosen to stay at Dream's End - well, what does it
matter?" She gestured towards the lake, though her gaze, bright and
knowing, stayed fixed on him. "Look what they're missing."

He rocked up on his toes for a moment taking in a deep breath with a
smile. "Yes," he agreed. "It's beautiful and we should be glad. "Would
you like to go over for breakfast," he asked holding out his arm.

"I'd be delighted. You can show me the way," Ashela said, taking his arm
with a pretty smile, despite remembering perfectly well where the dining
hall was. He was very promising, she thought. Although he didn't have
the rank of K'ran or D'hol, he looked good at her side and appeared to
have the type of friendly, open personality that was most easily
influenced. "We can get to know each other better over our morning klah."

He smiled in happy acquiescence and proceeded up the path to the
dining hall chattering about what they might expect on the menu.

Last updated on the December 18th 2019

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Rather Beautiful