The Sea and Beach

[Cherished Strawberries]

M'ris smiled openly now as he got the hang of K'tan's speech. It was a good tale, though M'ris was a bit surprised that a Weyr would sell an egg. And though that egg had hatched late, Midiath had grown quite well in M'ris's eyes.

"Thanks," he said. "People tend to think blues are less important than the browns and bronzes, but they're quite talented. Eyesight is only part of it; they're excellent flyers." He sent a proud look at Forth before glancing back to K'tan. "That's a nice story; sorry you haven't found that island yet. Any idea what the island means? Perhaps it's where he's from? The only island Weyrs are Ista and Ierne, though. Any resemblence there?"

Forth, upon being spoken to by Midiath, immediately ignored both riders and set his gaze full upon the larger bronze dragon. Weyr life is...Weyr life. It is good to be with other dragons, to fly and hunt with them. The greens are getting older now, too. Not much trouble, but...hmm, it seems that bronze Ellorth's rider was poisoned not long ago. Talth, one of our queens, will likely be sent to Fort Hold to deal with it. The Weyr will be in an uproar when they learn of it, so that will be quite enough trouble. Forth's eyes whirled a little bit faster, the reds and oranges of outraged anger and excitement tinging the outer edges a bit; he was not at all happy that a dragon's rider was in distress, nor that retaliation was not swift. Slowly, he let the anger fade as his thoughts returned to the conversation at hand. My rider was born in Bitra, and he has a temper. Not long ago, he probably would have hit yours, but he has gained respect and a sense of humor lately. He was only last Turn allowed to carry a dagger with him again, due to the trouble he had been in when he was young. Yours seems to be quite...adventurous. Your search for an island intrigues me, as does both your and your rider's devotion to it. Is it very important?  

[Namathorn]

K'tan smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "Well we grew up no farther than a village no far off. Could be tha Ierne weyr you be saying. Oh and I saw, nearly took ya in two if'n tha fine blue o yers hadn't cut away like he had."

Midiath grumbled an agreement to Forth's words.I am beginning to see the fruits of staying somewhere like this. My rider will do good for something important, instead of gambling his life. Although he does not have it now, my rider trains himself to match my own strength. He uses a pair of blades he trains with when alone. Midiath snorted and added Although his pride gets in the way of his manners, maybe it would have done him good to be taken down a notch. Humility would do him good. What about the weyr's wings? Do they need another dragon?"  

[Cherished Strawberries]

M'ris chuckled. "Dragons have a wonderful ability to avoid running into each other, I've learned," he said. "Forth flies as close as he can, but he's assured me the only dragons he'll actually touch while in flight will be greens." He smiled in anticipation of that event, which he both longed for and dreaded. "So, you really grew up here, eh? Trained for a seaman, I'll wager, and here you are sailing the skies."

Forth gave a short, cough-like growl which was actually more bark than growl: his version of M'ris's short laughter. Our wings always need another dragon. He snaked his neck higher and unfurled his wings a bit for emphasis. Especially bronzes. We have very few; only four, with you. That he added almost as an afterthought, but it was true. The Weyr needed bronze dragons and riders desperately. Glancing at his rider, Forth barked his laughter again, this time a little quieter. So your rider also is attached to his blades. Perhaps they can keep each other from getting into too much trouble...or least help each other out of trouble. Why do knives always make men into such foolhardy creatures?

M'ris glanced up at his dragon and groaned. "Shards, dragons are worse gossips than women," he muttered good-naturedly. "Is your Midiath as forthcoming about your deepest secrets as Forth is about mine? He simply won't shut up, the great lug." He was smiling as he said it, so Forth didn't worry that his rider was truly upset. Someone needed to be forthcoming, after all was said and done.  

[Namathorn]

K'tan nodded and smiling as he looked up at the sky. "Aye, the sky be a more citin sea to sail." He looked over at the dragons when he heard Forth make that noise he made. And laughed when Midiath sent him a vast assortment of colors. He knew he was having a good time then. Truly.

My rider will be glad to know he always has a sparring partner to keep his skills as sharp as his tongue. I would very much like to fly in a wing. I heard stories past down in my rider's village, and now desire very much to maybe one day lead a wing, or at least have my rider be a wing vice captain. His 'Luck' needs to change for the better. He must start bettering his sense of duty and honor. A couple thread scars would do just that. Midiath concluded with a grunt and a snort aimed at K'tan.

He laughed at his comment "Yes Midiath had a tendency to gossip with everyone who is able to listen. Though the big lovable beast thinks his ideas of my future are right, I will be the final judge as to what is best for me. Is yours as blunt about what is 'best'?"  

[Cherished Strawberries]

M'ris grinned. "He used to be," he replied. "When he was still a hatchling, he was always trying to browbeat me into what he considered a 'respectable rider.' Now that he's grown up some, he's trying a more subtle approach. The silly beast has gotten clever, I'll admit, but he's as stubborn as ever."

I am certain that you will be highly placed in a wing. As long as you stay on the Weyrleaders' good sides, that is. Forth's eyes shone mischieviously. It wasn't often that he was on their good sides. He and his rider were always in too much trouble. Well, if nothing else, he will gain a sense of duty here at the Weyr. It is what we live for, after all. And our scars will be a sign of our honor, if nothing else.

"Uh-oh, there he goes again," M'ris groaned as he caught the tail of Forth's words. "Whenever he gets started on the duty and honor of the Weyr and dragonriders in general, he simply won't shut up!"