Shadowing Sweeps

Writers: Heather, Steel
Date Posted: 9th July 2024

Characters: M'til, Ki'ben
Description: Ki'ben, new to the Wing, is paired with M'til for sweeps.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 12 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentor Approved

Ki'ben

As a new member of the Weyrleader's Wing, Ki'ben had been assigned an
experienced wingrider to shadow in those first couple of months. The
young bronzerider didn't mind, he wanted all of the experience that he
could gleam from those who had been fighting Thread longer than him.

"Good morning, M'til," he said as he sat down beside of his mentor at
the breakfast table. "What's on the agenda today?" he asked.

"Good morning, Ki'ben." M'til greeted, with a nod and an approving
look for the younger man. "How fare you and your bronze today?" he
added. "Eat up-- we do have a sweep or two today."

"Setoth is good. He's currently keeping an eye on a green that was in
our weyrling class. He's afraid he'll miss out on the chance to chase
her." Participating in a mating flight was still the one thing that
Ki'ben had yet to do as a dragonrider. It honestly sounded a little
daunting." The bronzerider inhaled half his bowl of hot cereal. "What
areas are we flying over today?" he asked M'til.

"We'll be covering the area in and around Amber Hills Hold." M'til
responded. "It's better to fly straight and learn smaller landmarks as
well, so you're better equipped to tell if there are issues. If
there's time, we could also let our dragons do a little hunting."

Although Ki'ben had been living in Dragonsfall for a few Turns now,
since his mother became Weyrwoman, he hadn't been out on dragonback
often enough to learn the area. He looked forward to today's
assignment and seeing more of the territory. "Perfect. I've got a
map," he touched the front pocket of his shirt, "so that I can mark
areas of interest."

"Good thinking." M'til praised. "You can also use a map as a reference
point for the next sweeps of the area, to check on areas that may have
had trouble last time." He smiled at Ki'ben approvingly.

"You ready to go then?" Ki'ben asked, eager to get to the skies.

"Ready." M'til responded, and rose, motioning the other rider to
follow him. "Let's begin."

â€"

Even though it was something as simple as flying sweeps, Kiâ€™ben
enjoyed the sense of â€œadulthoodâ€ that carrying out his first Wing duty
brought him.

}:Thereâ€™s a flag up at that cothold,:{ Setoth relayed to Kiâ€™ben.

**Okay, let Mâ€™til know so we can stop and see what they need,** Kiâ€™ben
told Setoth.

}: Mine, Setoth says there is a flag there. We should see what they
need, shouldn't we? :{ Quilienth asks hopefully.

**Yes-- tell Setoth we're to do a circle overhead, to check for
anything obvious, and then land**, M'til replied.

Quilienth passed his words on obediently. }: I do hope it's nothing
serious.:{ he added to Setoth after the fact. }:Though Ours will know
what to do either way.:(

Setoth and Ki'ben circled as directed and then landed.

On the ground, a pair of holders and a man bearing the ranks of a
Master Healer stood patiently waiting.

"Thank you for stopping, Dragonriders," the healer spoke first, a
pleasant smile on his face. "I've been here visiting my family and
need transport back to the Healer Hall. I was sent a letter by the
Hallmaster stating that it was most urgent for me to return."

"I can take you on Setoth," Ki'ben said, even as Setoth lowered into a
crouch so that the Master Healer would have an easier time climbing up
to the bronze's neckridge.

"Oh, thank you," the healer said, clearly a little surprised. When
they'd decided on flagging down a dragonrider, he had never imagined
he might be transported by a bronze of all things. Normally Hayzriel
would have just traveled back via carriage as he typically did, but
the urgency of the Hallmaster's letter had made him think better of
it.

"Here is payment for the trouble," Hayzriel said as he settled into
place in front of the young dragonrider and palmed a mark into
Ki'ben's hand.

"That's not necessary," Ki'ben began.

"Then consider it a donation," Hayzriel smiled with a finality that
closed the matter.

Ki'ben looked over at M'til. "I'll just drop him off at the Healer
Hall, then, and meet you back at Barrier Lake?"

"Aye." M'til responded, easily. "Quilienth?"

}: Mine says to fly well, and that of course reach out if you have any
questions or need anything of us. :{ The blue told Setoth. }: Only I
am sure both of you will do very well and that we will see you soon.:{

Ki'ben sent the other man a jaunty salute in the air before Setoth
took them /between/.

Last updated on the July 21st 2024

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Shadowing Sweeps