Ready About!

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 22nd November 2013

Characters: Rhosyn, Tamah
Description: The two of them have a little fun out on the water.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 4, day 5 of Turn 7

"Trust me, it's perfectly safe. I won't let you drown. You'll find it very relaxing," Tamah
said, holding out his hand, ready to help the pregnant Weyrwoman to his small
sailing boat. He intended to take her on a little trip around the bay.

Following the healers' advice, Rhosyn was trying to relax a bit more
and maybe a boat ride would be a nice diversion. And Tamah would do all the
work anyway so all she had to do was sit there so it would be hard to fall or
get hurt. She was large, but she could still move around-even to mount her
dragon. So she took Tamah's hand and quickly got herself into the boat,
settling into the open seat near to where he would be. "Well at least
the weather is cooperating."

"Yes, it's a good day for sailing," Tamah replied with a smile. There was enough wind to get his
little skiff to a good speed but not so much that the going would be rough. His flits flew to
land on their customary perches, Zenit to the top of the mast and Lee to the
bow. He untied the ropes, gave the boat a nudge outwards with his foot and jumped in.

It took her a bit of time to get used to the unsteady rocking, but Rhosyn kept herself balanced and
it wasn't much different from flying, albeit her dragon was a lot larger than the boat and was a bit
more steady. "So, tell me what all is involved in this?"

"Well... you know that question is going to land you with very long explanation," Tamah replied
with short laugh. He adjusted the sail and turned the tiller so they got a nice
crosswind. The boat moved more smoothly after she picked up speed. "The sail
captures the wind and provide us the momentum needed to move. Rudder
determines the direction of our movement and you adjust the rudder with the
tiller, here. Keel, in the middle, provides stability. Adjusting the sail also
affects our direction and speed."

"Hmm so a little like flying. Dragons use their wings for sails and their tail for the rudder. I sit in
the center which is what you call the keel since it's the stable part. Only they can flap their wings to get
farther, creating their own momentum." Rhosyn looked up at all the ropes and everything, considering.
Then she looked out at the water.

"Yes, the principle is basically the same. Only you can't flap a sail, so if wind dies, you're paddling
home," Tamah said and grinned.

"Ah right. The oars. Unless you could tie a rope to a dolphin eh?" She had thought about those creatures
more since having to see one about the baby.

"Oars, yes, never leave home without them. Ever tried to tie anything to a dolphin? They're slippery. I also
have a keg full of dried biscuits and skin of water under the bench you're sitting," Tamah said. "As well
as other emergency gear."

"Well that's smart. Of course if we get stuck out here, I can call us a ride." Sitting back, she enjoyed the
weather and the sun and the wind. It wasn't so hot when there was wind. Even when you were fat.

"Seaman's normal precautions. I don't have that luxury although I can send my flits for help," Tamah grinned.

"Now, watch your head, we are going to turn and boom will swing from side to side," Tamah
warned.

"What's a boom?" She ducked down, wondering just what on Pern
that could be. When she heard some noise, she guessed maybe that was it.

"The horizontal beam where the sail's lower edge is attached to. It
tends to swing," Tamah replied after the boat was settled to her new course.
"The vertical beam is called mast," he grinned.

"Hmmm...okay." Sitting back, she tried to get comfortable. "Tamah, how did you start doing this
anyway?"

"Sailing? My father was a seacrafter. His ship did regular stops here at River Bluff and he got hooked up
with my mother. She's a greenrider. As a result of that relationship, me and my little sister came to be. When
I was child, he kept visiting us and used to take me sailing with him. I learned
to love the sea and ships. I didn't Impress, so I became seacrafter instead," Tamah told her.

"Well that's sensible. What does your sister do?" Rhosyn hadn't realized he had a sibling. Maybe he had nieces
or something.

"She's a healer," Tamah replied, his attention shifting to the ropes and adjusting the sail.

"Hmm maybe I've met her then." Shutting up, Rhosyn allowed Tamah to do his thing, watching him
curiously. There was definitely some wind, but it wasn't overly harsh.

"It's quite possible," Tamah said.

Last updated on the December 5th 2013

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Ready About!