Going on Search

Writers: Sia, SirAlain
Date Posted: 25th October 2025

Characters: E'tariax, O'rosin, Sakor
Description: Sakor is searched at White Hollow Hold
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 2 of Turn 12

O'rosin

Lord Obriel was on a tighter leash these days, and it meant E'tariax had to bear the brunt of that inconvenience. An easy bit of passive-aggressive behaviour on the part of the Weyr, certainly, though Panitath and Jossenth's latest clutches meant a significant chunk of their candidate pool had been depleted in the past turn. Though it was mandatory for all Holds to accept a Search and Searchrider, he had been more than happy to avoid the holds that were…less than welcoming to Weyrfolk.

Perhaps a more frequent dragonrider presence would help get folks used to them. Perhaps it'd make it worse. Maybe the second dragonrider posted to go with him would discourage anyone with an agenda, but E'tariax expected anyone sufficiently riled up would do it regardless of the kid assigned to him.

O'rosin didn't, at least, make it all _worse_. A proper holder's son if there ever was one, his riding leathers crisp and clean and his posture polite, if tense. Barely older than the young ones they were there to Search, an image of what could await them back at the Weyr. His brown, Aeoluth, did his best to keep close to the green he was supposed to be 'guarding', though he shifted eagerly from foot to foot to contain himself in the rocky gravel in the center of the hold while the green looked over the group of youths presented to her.

"I appreciate making it as quick and painless as possible." E'tariax said mildly to the Hold Steward, a dour looking man approximately his age and showing it about as poorly. "We do the rounds more frequently these days, in the midst of a Pass. We could come more often, you know-- I am a Journeyman Healer as well, and can come quickly to assist in an accident."

"Just do what you came to do." The steward said sternly.

Sakor sighed inwardly. Truth be told he’d rather have dodged Search like before. It was not complicated on Holder Obriel’s land, with the few times he’d even allowed Search on them. And the mines were a great place to hide. Except for today.

The betrayal still stung. His own mother no less! Apparently, she’d notified the foreman beforehand that he had not Stood yet. So when it became apparent that they’d need to get more folks to Stand or take them from the Hold itself, the Holder was more than happy to seize a few lads and cart them quickly to the Searchers.

He could have refused. The Weyr did not take people by force but his mother had played him dirty: she’d used his father's memory. “You know how he felt about duty to the Weyr. Don’t disappoint his memory by refusing if you are chosen!” Mothers really did not fight fair!

He'd cleaned himself up as best he could, but he had to admit that the riders must be very disappointed in the stock. The Hold folks were too spoiled for real work and the miners were mostly dimglows. And those that weren’t were either too violent or too scared of dragons to be candidates. One he was sure would wet himself if any dragons came nearer. Still while he waited he could at least admire the dragons. **Shells they’re big! And bronzes are bigger?!** For a moment he wondered what was bigger to a dragonrider, because the green and brown were plenty big! Then he noticed something. **Interesting** he thought as he tilted his head one way then another eyeing the dragons from different angles.

Aphirith turned her big head so she could focus one big whirling eye at him, bright green against her dark hide. She didn't like to be here any more than her rider did, though that assumption was made based on his own thoughts upon the assignment and the decided lack of pets and scratchies she received from the little ones presented to her. E'tariax made jokes about it in better company.

}: This one, maybe. :{ She said as she shifted closer, nudging him with her snout and blowing hot air in his face.

When the green dragon made her way in his direction Sakor was expecting anything except the panic it caused in the row. Or that his prediction would be right; the guy had wetted himself. He rolled his eyes **She’s not even charging you, dimglows! It’s more like she’s curious.**

He should be a little scared but in Faranth’s name he just couldn’t be. **I do see them differently.** he guessed as he compared himself to the others.

“Hello. Do you know you’re very pretty? You’re like a big dark green emerald gemstone.” He tried to speak softly but his timbre still made it sound loud.

Aphirith snorted an agreement. She was very pretty. Her rider told her that all the time.

}: So what makes him good?:{ Aeoluth asked. He craned his neck sideways so he could get a good look too, though hesitated getting any closer. This reaction was much different than all the littles in O'rosin's family. O'rosin didn't think he should try and get too close.

}: Because I say so. :{ Aphirith answered matter-of-factly, and the answer was enough for the younger brown.

"See? That didn't take long at all." E'tariax said. He left the Steward without another word and approached the group of skittish children. Perhaps the more frequent searches would do them all some good after all. "Aphirith, get out of everyone's space. You're causing an upset."

}: No I'm not. :{ Aphirith protested, though she politely stepped back as ordered.

"Lucky you, young man. Aphirith thinks a dragonet might like you." E'tariax continued pleasantly, "She's got a pretty good record, too. We've had at least one in every hatching the last few turns. O'rosin here was one, just last turn. There's no pressure to come away with us right now; I'll give you a Search token for you to present, and your hold can flag down a dragonrider at any time for you."

He said that part loudly, just so the steward would hear him. Lord Obriel never called for dragonrider aid, and it would do well for them to know the Weyr noticed.

At first he’d been taken aback by the older rider’s comment. So much so that for a moment he’d glance over his shoulder to see if he was addressing another boy. No risk about that considering the distance the group was keeping. Well, that was rude to the poor dragon. Aphirith was it? It was a nice name. **I hope it does not make her sad.**

And then the rest of the message sunk in. Search token? That means they wanted him as a candidate! It shocked him enough to make his eyebrows decide to move behind his head. Or at least try to.
He grabbed his head with both hands and tilted his head back. He wanted to say no but his mother’s words were too fresh. “Argg! Shard it!”. He quickly offered an apology to the rider. “Sorry Rider. It’s not about this. Don’t you have the feeling that parents have the amazing skills to say the most annoying things at the most annoying times? I’m Sakor by the way.”

"Greenrider E'tariax." E'tariax said mildly. The dramatics of children were similar no matter where they were. "I believe that's a universal experience. My children say the same thing."

Then instead of the rider he turned to the green dragon “Yes Aphirith I’ll join the eternal pledge!” He fixed his gaze intently into the man’s eyes trying as best he could to convey his message. “Sorry, I mean I think I’ll accept Search! even if it’s completely too small for this.” The last was said more in a mumble. “But we shouldn’t bother the Hold this much just for me. I can be packed and ready within the candlemark.”

"We can wait if you're intent to go now." E'tariax said, "The sooner the better, of course, so we don't overstay our very warm welcome. I'm sure Aphirith has more kids to look through, just in case."

Sakor nodded and smiled. “Thank you Greenrider E'tariax. I’ll be right back. I wish you luck.” Then he was off. It did take some time to return home but a bit more to explain everything to his mom. Inexplicably, she only protested even when he told her to keep the marks he’d made. “Mom, you know as well as me that the Weyrs take care of everything. You need to care for the rest of us. But if I have a chance, I am taking you out of here.”

Saying goodbye to the rest of the family was harder than he’d imagined. Some were old enough to understand that he would be away for a long time and that started the tears. Only his mother’s explanation that he was going to go help the dragons and their people stopped them. Which in a way did not help because now they were wide eyed and awestruck.

After the hugs and the reassurances, he was off again. His last look back was of his family seeing him off and ushering them back in. He never heard her message nor the sadness it carried “Fly and be free! This place is much too small for you, my dreaming boy. And at least there you will see the knives coming.”

Meanwhile the ‘boy’ in question was rushing back with haste. At least when he got back, he may not have been early but at least he was not noticeably late by any means.

Aphirith had searched one other person while Sakor was gone, a young woman who arrived around the same time Sakor did. Her pack was small and tied to Aeoluth's riding straps.

"I'll take your pack, young man." E'tariax said as he lifted it from Sakor's hands. "You'll want to climb aboard Aphirith, between her neckridges there. Use this strap here to pull yourself up." E'tariax tugged on the correct riding strap for emphasis. Aphirith lowered herself and offered a foreleg to help-- a well-encouraged habit by now, since E'tariax's leg didn't often let him climb from standing these days.

He nodded as he handed his pack to the man. He wondered briefly who the girl was as, try as he might, he did not recognize her. Was she a Hold girl maybe? He was soon distracted by the rider’s instruction and Aphirith’s kind help. “Ah! I see. Thank you both.” He took the time to settle in as correctly as he could. “Fair warning Sir. This is my first dragonflight. I am used to heights, so I don’t think I’ll panic but I make no promises on the yelling. Especially when we go /between/.”

He may seem calm and collected but on the inside Sakor was doing cartwheels. A dragon! He was actually going to fly on a dragon! It was only because he didn’t want to appear like a kid that he was on such good behavior.

"That's usually the case." E'tariax said. "We aren't exactly giving runnerbeast rides at gathers."

"I almost threw up the first time." O'rosin confessed sheepishly from where he sat atop Aeoluth, double and then triple checking the straps while the brown shifted excitedly below him.

"See? Completely normal." E'tariax said. He climbed aboard to sit behind Sakor, gently correcting incorrect posture with a nudge as he tucked his cane into a little holster on Aphirith's straps. "Important thing to remember is that you can't fall. Aphirith's harness connects to mine here, and I'm going to take these and tie them to you, which means I'm going to touch your waist. We'll be in the air a few minutes, and then we'll /between/ to Dolphin Cove. Aphirith, if you will."

Aphirith rumbled an agreement. She leaned back onto her hindquarters, spread her wings, and leapt into the air.

Last updated on the November 2nd 2025

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