Lesson 3 (Desert Weyrlings)

[Kisha-Ra]

A candlemark every day? Well that wasn’t such a bad punishment, Mo’rya supposed, Er’ani could have gotten something worse, although he doubted the blueweyrling would see it that way. He did note that M’ta hadn’t said for how long but Mo’rya supposed that the punishment would continue until Er’ani was miserable, such things normally did. Was getting arrow shafts supposed to be a punishment too? Wouldn’t Er’ani have to do that anyway? Ah, apparently Mo’rya was helping, that could a problem since what he knew about arrows could be written on one. for a moment he wondered if he’d have to make some, he hoped not, because he’d need a real one to take apart and look at, and the weyrling master seemed in no mood to let him have one.

Mo’rya sighed and tugged thoughtfully on his braided hair again, personally he didn’t think it was all that moronic at all, no one was hurt so where was the harm? They were supposed to help each other after all. Still he’d better come up with something since everyone was waiting, and saying he wouldn’t mind too much if Leilani got in the way wouldn’t help. With a shrug and another tug on his hair in case that got his thoughts moving Mo’rya decided that he’d better get on with it. ‘Well I suppose we were all moving around quite a bit there, he could have actually hit someone.’ Mo’rya offered, avoiding mentioning how close Er’ani had come to hitting M’ta.

Epifayrmuth listened politely to Tenloceth’s answer then dipped his muzzle in a gesture very similar to a human nod. I concur. It seemed the best way to avoid being hit by our thread ropes was to be where they could not go. However in my enthusiasm to race my siblings I found myself running short of air. Is this then why threads must be fought and not hidden from?

[Requiem]

Lesson 3 (13 Mar 11 - 16 Apr 11)

Desert Weyrlings

Gold Nitrath ::: Impressed to Caden - 100/65/65 - 77
Bronze Epifayrmuth ::: Impressed to Mo'rya - 100/65/75 - 80
Brown Tenloceth ::: Impressed to M'ze - 100/75/55 - 77
Blue Lketh ::: Impressed to Er'ani - 100/65/65 - 77
Green Sprith ::: Impressed to Ashlyn (Current Absence Thread) - 100/75 - 87.5
Green Katearath ::: Impressed to Leilani (APC) - 100/75 - 87.5

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How Grades Work:
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4 posts - 75
5 posts - 85
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"Killed someone," M'ta corrected gruffly. It didn't take any special talent in mindreading like his daughter seemed to have to see that Mor'ya was just trying to answer the question the way he thought M'ta wanted it answered. "Doesn't matter if it's blunted if something going at that velocity were to strike certain places." A gesture to the throat was his example, though he didn't voice it aloud. Just because it was unlikely didn't mean it couldn't or hadn't happened. The brownrider turned from them both with a snort of disgust. "Just get your weapons before I change my mind. Er'ani, show Mor'ya how to make the arrows if you want his help."

His eyes narrowed on M'ze. Kid seemed like he was willing to go toe-to-toe. The weyrlingmaster could credit him with that if nothing else. He cast aside the reeds and stepped toward M'ze, then past, gesturing for the boy to follow. Giving M'ze more of a handicap than the brownweyrling was likely to realize. Unarmed fighting was not M'ta's specialty. He'd only learned after joining Ka'rys' wing. The man was nursing a couple injuries of his own, and M'ze had about ten pounds on him at a guess. It was doable for the weyrling.

Not that M'ta was going to point any of that out.

The small man turned, waited a second, then darted toward M'ze without any further warning. He didn't intend to truly fight the weyrling more than testing defenses and keeping up his own. It was on M'ze to get a hit in. M'ta didn't expect a sudden transformation in two months from ignorance to expertise. That was silly. A series of light jabs to the shoulders and torso to see how M'ze would handle them, before he stepped past the brownweyrling and swung his leg low in an attempt to sweep the legs out from under him.

Behruth crooned to Tenloceth and Epifayrmuth. Very good. Swimming with painted ropes is not the same as flaming Thread, but you figured out how to avoid them. And you are right, Epifayrmuth; part of the exercise was to show that you can't always run and dodge. Today you could not fight them. It was hard, wasn't it? Later, you will be able to flame Thread. The people and holds cannot hide well from it like you could.

The brown stretched his frame a little. You are tired. Once Mine finishes the testing, we will go back and you can have the rest of the day to rest. And tomorrow as well. We will begin gliding and Yours will fit you with your first riding straps here shortly. There was a note of regret in the brown's tone. When they started gliding...it meant that the weyrlings would not be his to teach for much longer. Do you have any questions while we wait for Yours'?

[Rei]

Er’ani didn’t take his eyes off M’ta. Not because he didn’t trust the Weyrlingmaster but because he wanted to be ready if a strike was thrown his way. He was used to that kind of treatment at Benden. It didn’t occur to him to think it would be any different here. Instead what he got was a demand that he stay after lessons for a candlemark from here on out and arrowheads tossed at his feet. As M’ta snatched his practice arrows away and snapped at Mo’rya the blueweyrling tried not to look a little confused. Sure a candlemark after lessons might suck depending. But he had been expecting something far more physical as a punishment. Arrows and staying after class he could do. He wasn’t sure what his teacher meant by doing whatever he wanted and making damn well sure that was true but hey. As far as Er’ani was concerned he’d take that over a public beating any day.

When M’ta continued to talk Er’ani had to bite his tongue to keep from speaking. It wasn’t Mo’rya’s fault. The weyrling himself had orchestrated the whole thing not the bronzeweyrling. But oh well it looked like they were stuck making arrows together anyway. The teen decided he would show the bronzer how to make a couple, let him play around with them and then call it even and finish the rest himself. Not because he minded Mo’rya’s company at all but because punishing his classmate as well hardly seemed fair. Er’ani also felt a tad bad for M’ze because had he not pissed M’ta off it probably could have gone better for him. Ah well no helping that now.

Er’ani turned to comply with M’ta’s demand and grab his new bow out of the chest. Kill someone? Come on he wasn’t quite that stupid. He had made sure that the others were well out of range and that M’ta was rather alone before he had fired. With a little help from Lketh it wasn’t hard to make sure the others stayed still for a second. But he did suppose that the teacher had a point. What was done was done however. “It really isn’t all that hard Mo’rya. I can show you how to do it.” He said softly to his classmate before briefly examining his new bow. It was a nice weapon. Felt well balanced at least but the weyrling still wanted to try making his own. He had perused the archives for scrolls on the topic and it looked hard but not impossible. Lketh had loved reading the instructions out loud to him as well. It was a project they could probably work on together anyway if Er’ani wanted to give it a shot. But he was grateful for this new bow as well. Very grateful. He could even use this one as an example for how to make one. Not that the teen would ever consider tearing his new weapon apart. But sight and examination could be telling as well. Hmm.

Er’ani’s eyes automatically defaulted to watching M’ze and M’ta as they began. Never knew when you could learn something even if the weyrling was quite hopeless at anything remotely resembling hand to hand combat. He could follow movements and easily develop counters but applying them from brain to physical extremities is where he failed.

Lketh returned Behruth’s nuzzle happily and then listened with patience to his siblings. Although to many it probably looked like he was napping. Curled up tightly against Behruth’s chest with eyes tightly lidded against the light. It wasn’t so bad here in the shade and the pain in the albino’s head was rapidly receding now. It was nice not to have the harsh sun beating down on him anymore. Especially since the sun balm his had so painstakingly applied had long been washed away by the river. He would have to stick to the shade from here on out if he wanted to keep from burning. Comfortable he was currently and it would be easy to nap but Lketh resisted the urge.

The note of regret in his teacher’s tone was easy to pick up on and small head lifting he nuzzled at the brown’s chest. No questions. He said simply, his tail draping over the older brown’s foreleg and twining loosely about it as he exuded calm towards the brown. The albino wasn’t sure why the regret was there but he was sure that he didn’t liked it. Still the little male offered no words. Just wordless calm.

[archenstone]

M'ze followed M'ta as they began walking. Where were they going to spar? The walk from the training ground threw him off guard. He hadn't thought they'd go somewhere else. No one spoke as they walked, M'ta walking ahead. M'ze kept a wary eye on M'ta and where they were going. When M'ta stopped suddenly M'ze paused, thinking that perhaps M'ta had something to say. So when M'ta rushed him and started swinging M'ze reacted by instinctively drawing his arms up to shield himself.

He stepped back, taking the jabs to his left shoulder and throwing his right arm down to deflect the punch to his gut. Using the momentum he gained from blocking he twisted his shoulders to add power to a right hook. A right hook he hoped would make contact with M'ta's momentarily vulnerable side. M'ta moved fast though so M'ze didn't know if he succeeded as M'ta's foot tangled with his and he lost balance.

He hit the ground, throwing an arm out in the breaking impact technique learned back in Benden and rolled sideways to regain his footing. As he stood he held his fists up, elbows tucked in, ready in case M'ta had followed him. He eyed M'ta, looking for a possible breach in the man's defense.

Tenloceth gazed up at Behruth. Some tone in Behruth's mind voice worried him and he hoped he wasn't the cause of it. He decided to move closer, curling up against Behruth. He was trying to think of a question but none came to mind. So he simply rested against Behruth and radiated contentment.

[Kisha-Ra]

Mo’rya wisely decided to keep his mouth shut on the comment that they’d been given these wooden weapons to stop them from being able to do more than a little damage to each other. Instead he nodded solemnly and let his attention drift onto something else. Like his new weapon.

Mo’rya looked at the chest like it was a live tunnelsnake but complied with the instruction and fetched the dirk out of the chest once there was space for him to get in there. It was ironic, he reflected as he exchanged to wooden weapon on his belt for its more deadly counterpart, that he should want to pass the test but not want the reward for doing so. At least he’d be able to defend himself better with this, perhaps next time he wouldn’t need any help, Mo’rya knew that if anyone made an offer like that again he should refuse it.

Mo’rya nodded in response to Er’ani’s comment, feeling quite relived that he wouldn’t need to ask for an arrow to disassemble after all. Making arrows couldn’t be harder than this test, and maybe he could make them look slightly interesting, would some embellishment affect how they flew at all? Er’ani might know but the blueweyrling seemed absorbed in examining his new bow so Mo’rya decided he’d save the question for later.

Epifayrmuth’s eyes whirled just a little faster to show his pleasure in the perception that had earned him a compliment from his teacher. Yes, if thread behaves like that there is little hope of everyone being able to hide.[/color] he agreed with a decisive nodding gesture. The bronze quite looked forward to learning to fight thread, not only would he be able to assist in protecting the unbonded humans (according to the mind of his rider this was a most important function) but it would also be a wonderful tactical exercise to learn and perform.

Epifayrmuth wondered why the brown sounded so regretful about them learning to glide, he knew Mo’rya would like that more than weapons training. Ah well, a question for another time. I have no questions at this time.[/color] The bronze added his comment in an assured tone and fixed his sincerely whirling eyes on the older dragon.

[Requiem]

Lesson 3 (13 Mar 11 - 16 Apr 11)

Desert Weyrlings

Gold Nitrath ::: Impressed to Caden - 100/65/65 - 77
Bronze Epifayrmuth ::: Impressed to Mo'rya - 100/65/85 - 83
Brown Tenloceth ::: Impressed to M'ze - 100/75/65 - 80
Blue Lketh ::: Impressed to Er'ani - 100/65/75 - 80
Green Sprith ::: Impressed to Ashlyn (Current Absence Thread) - 100/75 - 87.5
Green Katearath ::: Impressed to Leilani (APC) - 100/75 - 87.5

[/color]

How Grades Work:
0 posts - 0
1 post - 45
2 posts - 55
3 posts - 65
4 posts - 75
5 posts - 85
6 posts - 95
7+ posts - 100[/size]

The young weyrlingmaster had never been much for sparring. He was a finisher. But that was not how a man taught weyrlings, not at all, and these spars were becoming more normal for him. Resisting the urge to verbally coach M'ze, he instead shifted to broadcasting his movements by exaggerating them a bit, easily evading the hook with a twist of the torso. The brownrider rose high on his toes and bounced on the balls of his feet a little as M'ze regained his feet, silently drawing attention to the stance, bringing his arms down and back up with elbows relaxed. Not so tight. Up on the toes. The directions he wanted to give but shouldn't in a test.

His leg shot out in a kick meant to sting, just above the knee. Had it been a real fight it would have been a touch lower. His arm followed with a blow to ribs that he pulled, anticipating the natural move to block the kick from that arm - not that a bare-knuckled jab from a man his size was likely to crack any, but M'ta preferred not to risk it. He finished with his shoulder to M'ze's chest in a thrust backward, bending slightly into his knees. "Come on, kid."

It seemed there were no questions after all, but Behruth made a mental note to not let his sadness at passing his class on to Viaqueth and His show; he did not want to disturb the little ones. The brown took the time to look over his small class again and set firmly in his mind that they still had time together. Well, then...since Tenloceth's is still testing, why don't we play a game?

Yet he wasn't sure what that game should be. They'd timed the swim to take about as long as the test was supposed to, so he hadn't planned for anything afterwards. Time to get a bit creative. It didn't necessarily have to be training related this once, did it? Why don't we make a story? We can all take turns telling part of it...I'll start. Once, before the Red Star, there was no ground and everything was ocean and air. A dragon could fly or float, but he had no land to walk on, and he must eat fish. This first dragon was very lonely, for he had no mindmate and no other dragon friends to speak to. Mindmates cannot live where there is no land. So one day, he looked up to one of the sparkling stars high above and... Behruth glanced around, waiting for one of the young ones to pick up the story.

[archenstone]

M'ze eyed M'ta as he bounced on his toes. The fact that M'ta had been able to trip him so easily bothered him almost as much as realizing he couldn't even be fast enough to punch the man. He resisted the urge to rub his shoulder from the earlier jabs.
There! M'ta went to kick him. Instead of blocking the blow he slid his forward leg closer to M'ta's other side. The move placed him too close for the kick to be effective but placed him in line for a follow up punch to the ribs and M'ze tried to deflect it with his elbow. It wasn't a total success, the man's fist hit his elbow and slid into his lower ribs, causing him to hiss in discomfort. The shoulder strike was unexpected and caused him to step back.

His eyes narrowed in annoyance as he felt his chances of success slipping away. He wanted to pass and M'ta's quick reflexes and skill where in his way. He took a good look at the slightly smaller man and realized the only kind of hope he had was to take the fight to him. He shifted his stance slightly, distributing his weight evenly between the left foot in front and right in back. Moving fast enough that he hoped his eyes didn't betray him, he feinted a kick with his forward foot then twisted his hips, snapping the right foot forward with his foot arched and stiff. He was aiming for the bottom of M'ta's sternum, below the heart. He followed the snap kick with a right hook, only to swing his right arm back in an elbow strike. Hoping he'd overwhelm M'ta enough he tried to grab hold of M'ta's shirt in his left hand so that he could maneuver M'ta into a take down.


Tenloceth glanced around at the others and realized no one was too eager to venture into the game. So he looked over at Behruth, trying to picture this lonely dragon in the story. wished that he would no longer feel the soul deep pain of loneliness. The stars took pity on the dragon and saw that his heart was strong. So they gave him a mind picture of dirt beneath the water then another picture of him dragging the dirt upwards to make land. The dragon.... and there he paused, glancing around at his siblings.

[Ruby]

Real weapons. That made Caden smile - she hadn't expected not to pass the test, but she hadn't made a note of what the prize was, either. It had never been for real steel that she improved her form, but for M'ta, and Ur'h. They'd asked her for it, so she had done it. If she got real knives in the bargain... not a bad thing. Not at all.

The chest was close enough, so she strode over, sifting through piles of steel and leather - what she wouldn't give to have this whole chest to play with, some day - until she found a leather satchel with several of the light, perfectly balanced knives. Nothing fancy, that was certain, but still far more steel than she'd had since Fort captured her wing and took her paired knives, the ones that looked far more like kitchen implements than anything. She'd loved those. These were different, but no less deadly, and Caden figured she'd love them too... or maybe she was older now, and smarter, and scared her a little.

Nah, that probably wasn't it.

Not worrying about the killing she might have to do with these (it wasn't like she'd never killed anyone before), she started secreting them about her person, which took longer than she would like. Maybe she'd just put them all on her belt, or make herself a bandolier of sorts. For now, though, boots and belt were covered; good enough. She stood to the side as the others armored themselves, watching M'ze and M'ta duel impassively. She hoped the Brownrider passed for his own good; it would be unpleasant to keep drilling with wooden weapons while the rest of them had moved on, but of course M'ta would be fair, he always was. No one would pass unless they were ready to do so.

Nitrath reached over to lick the paint Epifayrmuth had gotten from her back off, silvery, bubbly laughter spilling over for her bronze brother alone. Once it was one, she laid her head across his back, ignoring the paint on her own hide. Nitrath wasn't a vain creature, and it wasn't hurting her. On the contrary, it was rather pretty, she though, scattered across them all as it was. It could stay, for now. I believe I understand, Weyrlingmaster. No questions,[/i] she said, jaws cracking in a wide yawn. All that swimming was tiring!

The idea of telling a story, however, perked Nitrath up enough to make her lift her head again. She liked stories, especially the kinds with happy endings. She debated waiting until all the others had gone, to make sure that it would end happily, but once Tenloceth told his part, she couldn't resist. Dove! But it was a long, long way to the bottom, and for a time, the dragon did not think he would make it. Just as he was about to run out of air, though, he was able to reach the dirt at the bottom of the water. He managed to dig some of it up, making a small mound. It took him days to build the land up high enough to break the surface of the water, and it was very difficult until he found a shallower place to dig dirt out of, but eventually he did. He had not eaten or slept the whole time, so as soon as there was a flat place, he climbed up on to it and -[/i] Nitrath had planned to go on - there was a whole story about how there was a beautiful dragon waiting for him when he awoke, and a mindmate for both of them, and all of their wonderful adventures in this strange, watery world - but that seemed unfair to her siblings. She would give them a chance; their story would be different, but also interesting.

[Rei]

Er’ani kept most of his attention on the duelists. Eyes flicking from one to another and cataloging the fight in as much detail as he could. M’ta moved fast. Hmm. The blueweyrling gave a silent smile as M’ze sought to press with a sudden volley of blows. That was good. Best defense was often a good offense right? Don’t give him time to run. Or something of the sort. The teen found himself silently cheering on his classmate. Come on M’ze….You can do it..

Lketh was quite comfortable sprawled with the teacher and his siblings in the shade as he was. But the offer of a game had him interested enough to crack open one whirling red pink eye. The explination of the game drew a rather excited croon from the albino. He adored stories of all types. Er’ani had many wonderful books to read but sometimes the pale dragon made up stories for Snowdrop, his, or the Terione. He waited with his typical silent patience as Behruth started and then two of his siblings took a turn. He would be number four. As Nitrath trailed off Lketh spoke his tone narrative an undercurrent of excitement in it.

And tired and weary he looked up at the lengthening shadows. The first twinkling stars just making themselves visible in the wan light. With a sigh he laid his head down and thought to rest on his new little island. But a bright glimmer of light soon made sleep impossible. Turning his head towards the source of the new light the dragon crooned, for before him glimmered a dragon made of starlight. With tenderness the starlight dragon touched her muzzle to his and…

The albino trailed off. Looking around and wondering which of his siblings would continue the story.

[Requiem]

Lesson 3 (13 Mar 11 - 16 Apr 11)

Desert Weyrlings

Gold Nitrath ::: Impressed to Caden - 100/65/75 - 80
Bronze Epifayrmuth ::: Impressed to Mo'rya - 100/65/85 - 83
Brown Tenloceth ::: Impressed to M'ze - 100/75/75 - 83
Blue Lketh ::: Impressed to Er'ani - 100/65/85 - 83
Green Sprith ::: Impressed to Ashlyn (Current Absence Thread) - 100/75 - 87.5
Green Katearath ::: Impressed to Leilani (APC) - 100/75 - 87.5

[/color]

How Grades Work:
0 posts - 0
1 post - 45
2 posts - 55
3 posts - 65
4 posts - 75
5 posts - 85
6 posts - 95
7+ posts - 100[/size]

Seemed like M'ze would be bruising. Good. Pain was one of the best ways to teach people. If you didn't like it, you learned how to avoid it quickly. Ah, now there was some actual fight. Aggression. One of the best tactics, especially for someone whose defence wasn't perfect. As long as you didn't get too wild with it. And M'ze's technique wasn't bad at all.

In fact, the combination was well thought out for the most part. Feint, strong kick...went for too high a target, though. A step back was all that was necessary for that, a duck for the hook. The elbow actually surprised M'ta enough to force him to use an arm to block it. M'ze's hand fisted in his shirt, but the weyrlingmaster's hand was already controlling the pressure points just above the elbow of the other arm, sweeping the legs out from under the weyrling.

Then he extended a hand to the boy on the ground. "You touched me. It's adequate, but you need a lot of work." M'ta helped the kid up. "Everyone else gets a day off tomorrow, but you're mine. You won't be late again." His eyes narrowed on M'ze before he turned to address the rest of the weyrlings. "Once you've collected your weapons, also take a set of old straps from the pile over there. You'll make a set of your own for your dragons by our next lesson...during your two days off. Any resource you use, including other riders, is allowed, but you must make the straps yourselves. Questions?"

Sensing that lessons were just about to wrap up, Behruth brushed the mind of the dragon that had yet to tell part of the story. End our story for us, Epifayrmuth, the brown coaxed with a soft croon. Then we shall go rejoin Yours'. The lesson is almost over. Behruth was actually glad for it, too, if only because the little ones seemed so weary. Though...he and His would have to go to the smelly place soon, as they always had to after lessons. Behruth didn't much like it, even if there was a Feyrianth and a Phremath to keep him company.

[Kisha-Ra]

Once he had himself sorted out Mo’rya allowed his attention to wander a little, his classmates all seemed immerse in what they were doing so he allowed his roving attention to move one. The match between M’ta and M’ze didn’t interest him much, Mo’rya only ever paid as much attention to weapons training as he had to and he felt he’d paid enough for today. What was Epifayrmuth up to? Oh a story! Mo’rya instantly tuned in to what his dragon was hearing.

Epifayrmuth snorted softly in response to Nitrath’s amusement, his largest sister was sometimes easily amused he felt, but was careful not to share the perception, she’d only be hurt by it Epifayrmuth was certain. He turned his attention back to Behruth as the brown began a new game, this one of making stories, or one story anyway, to be told by all of them.

In truth Epifayrmuth wasn’t sure how a story should go, hopefully by the time his siblings had all told their part he’d have some ideas at least. The bronze listened dutifully to each of the other dragons in turn, rather enjoying the tale of how the land was created by the first dragon. When Lketh was finished with his part of the tale the bronze looked around eagerly to see which of his siblings would take up the thread next. Ah, apparently it was his turn. The bronze thought for a moment, brushing Mo’rya’s mind for ideas, how fortunate that Mo’rya was listening.

Though he was weary from his efforts in making the land the first dragon took to the sky in a great effort to Fly with the starlight dragon. Fortunately for both of them the starlight dragon was strong and never seemed to tire, for in the end she had to hold her mate aloft until they returned to the land.[/color] Epifayrmuth rumbled just a little at the idea, all knew it should be the other way around. In the days that followed together they built up the land, and in time the starlight dragon clutched. Some of the eggs were very small however, and both of the dragons worried over them. It was only when the time came for the eggs to hatch that they found out why the small eggs were different. The large eggs hatched dragons, but the small ones had people inside them! Enough people for all of the hatchlings to have their own mindmate, and two more. The largest two humans bonded with the grown dragons, so everyone could have a mindmate to share their life with. Much more happened too, back in the first days, but I cannot tell you of that now.[/color] He thought the story ended quite well, although it was fairly simple and lacked slightly in detail, at any rate Mo’rya was pleased that things had ‘gone right’.

Mo’rya’s attention returned to the lesson briefly, although Epifayrmuth’s ending to the dragons’ story was bound to be more interesting. Oh making some straps, apparently they got an old set to examine and there was bound to be instructions on how to make them in the archives. That was easier than all this sparring!