Young Riders (3/3)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Aaron, Corrin, Francesca, Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 21st October 2024
Characters: K'lvin, R'bain, Kailis, A'lin, V'dryn, L'rin, N'kayden
Description: The Barrier Lake Weyrlings go on their first flights.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 12
"Okay, R'bain, you and Brinolth are up!" The Weyrlingmaster gestured to the blue Weyrling.
**Alright, Brin. Here we go!** R'bain double checked his straps one last time, and sent the all clear to the blue. **Now!**
There was nothing slow about their launch. Brinolth galloped into the air, wings beating furiously to get and stay aloft while R'bain whooped for the joy of it as they surged into the air. It was everything he'd hoped. It took until they were half way through their lap before he remembered their plan. Hastily he reminded Brinolth and they spent the last length mostly on a gentle glide, savoring the flight.
Their speed, or lack thereof, had another benefit. Brinolth landing was remarkably smooth and controlled. R'bain beamed with pride as the blue practically pranced back to the sidelines.
"Nice landing, R'bain. Kailis, it's your turn." K'lvin motioned the greenrider forward.
Oh. But now it was her turn. Hm. Now, the straps they made had to be good enough for them. Chordath had to trust the straps to keep her rider safe. Well. If they had kept Varinth's rider safe.
**You trust me?**
Chordath trusted Kailis. Of course, she did. They would fly. And they did. Following the instructions was easy. And trusting was easy. Chordath had already seen the outcome.
N'kayden watched Kailis' flight with interest. She was always busting his chops, but he couldn't find a single thing about her flight that he could tease her about. He settled for giving her a nod when she landed, instead.
"A'lin," K'lvin announced.
A'lin had been worried by J'cello and Bairelth's rough landing, but seeing the other weyrlings do all right had helped calm him down. By the time he was called, he was as ready as he would ever be. He was even a bit excited. He remembered J'nic giving him a ride on Raileth months prior and hoped riding Oberlith would be even better.
}:Of course it will be better:{ the blue said as A'lin mounted. A'lin didn't reply, focused on strapping himself in and checking everything over. He noticed L'rin looking at him intently, and the brothers exchanged an awkward smile. Their relationship was still strained, but in this moment, they wished each other the best.
Once they were ready, Oberlith took off, leaping exuberantly into the air.
A'lin felt the unpleasant sensation of his stomach dropping, which luckily went away when the blue beat his wings. While his hands and legs continued gripping the straps and the blue tightly, after a few moments he allowed himself to look around.
}:We're flying together!:{
**We are** A'lin replied, a small smile on his face.
Oberlith turned more tightly than his rider would have liked, but made it around the Weyrbowl and back to the ground without any mishaps.
A'lin didn't relax until he was on solid ground, but then he gave a big smile and patted Oberlith's side with affection. **You were amazing.**
"Well done!" V'dryn shouted from the sidelines at A'lin.
Following his brother, L'rin's name was called next for his first flight.
L'rin's stomach had been tight the entire time he watched his brother fly. When his own name was called, he just felt excitement. With a thumbs up to A'lin, he quickly mounted Yasanth and strapped in. **Let's show them how it's done. We're the best pair.**
Yasanth, feeding off of his rider's confidence, leapt into the air with all of his might and beat his wings strongly. L'rin gave a whoop of joy. Classes and drills were not terrible, but _this_ was what being a dragonrider was all about. He looked down on the weyrbowl, feeling like he was on top of Pern.
}:I'm supposed to turn back now:{ Yasanth said, regret in his tone.
L'rin almost told the brown to keep going until his wings got tired, but knew that would just get them in trouble and they probably would not be able to fly again for a while. **That's ok. We'll be back in the air soon.**
In his excitement, Yasanth gave a final burst of speed as they approached the end of their loop, which did not set him up for a smooth landing. He ended up awkwardly flapping his wings in an attempt to slow his descent. It was not pretty, but then he was down, with L'rin just managing to avoid J'cello's situation. Refusing to show any embarrassment, L'rin unstrapped himself and slid to the ground, a smile on his face. **We did it! We'll work on the landing.**
N'kayden whooped a little when L'rin landed. "Nicely done. Browns' looking the best, as usual."
Up on the ridge, the adult dragons who had been watching lifted their wings and bugled. Beside them, their riders could be seen standing and applauding.
"Take it in," K'lvin said with a little grin to the Weyrlings. "You won't get a lot of applause in this life. You all did well today. Now that you've felt what it is like to be in the air, you've no doubt already begun to plan what you'll do differently, what you'll do better, next time. I'm proud of the hard work that you have all put in. Even if you did glue me to a chair." He cocked an eyebrow at them.
"You're all dismissed for the rest of the evening. Go celebrate and enjoy. I'll see you bright and early in the morning."
Last updated on the October 28th 2024