Lesson 4 (Desert Weyrlings)

[Requiem]

Lesson 4 (16 Apr 11 - 13 May 11)

Desert Weyrlings

Gold Nitrath ::: Impressed to Caden - 100/65/75/0 - 60 + 2p = 100/85/75/0 - 65
Bronze Epifayrmuth ::: Impressed to Mo'rya - 100/65/95/0 - 65 + 2p = 100/85/95/0 - 70
Brown Tenloceth ::: Impressed to M'ze - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5
Blue Lketh ::: Impressed to Er'ani - 100/65/85/0 - 62.5 + 3p = 100/95/85/0 - 70
Green Sprith ::: Impressed to Ashlyn (Current Absence Thread) - 100/75 /75/75- 81.25
Green Katearath ::: Impressed to Leilani (APC) - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5

***Extra 'posts' were added from the thread you all threaded in as a class, and any other thread you all decide to participate in will be treated the same ^^

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]

"They say that at Selenitas, the wherry's mighty fine.
One jumped off the table and started marking time.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the pay is might fine.
They give you thirty marks and take back twenty-nine.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the klah is mighty fine.
It looks like muddy water and tastes like dirt and brine.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the rolls are mighty fine.
One rolled off the table and killed a friend of mine.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the meat is mighty fine.
Last night we had ten puppies, this morning only nine.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the boots are mighty fine.
You ask for size eleven, they give you size nine.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the wheatcake's mighty fine.
You can try to chew 'em, but you're only wasting time.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the beds are mighty fine.
But how the shells would I know? I've never slept in mine.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go.

They say that at Selenitas, the hours are just right.
Start early in the morning and work on through the night.

Oh, shards I wanna go
But they won't let me go."

As little Terilyn's voice (augmented by Devon's loud shout of the rhymed words) trailed off into silence, M'ta rounded the drum tower high on the hill they'd just run up and finally came to a halt. Ever since he'd recovered from his twisted knee, the class had been running in step. The Weyrlingmaster shifted his hold on his little daughter. The energetic three-turn-old loved riding on his shoulders while echoing the jodies along with the train of weyrlings at their back. Naturally, it was still early morning. Faranth forbid their daily runs take any time away from actual lessons.

The running in step thing was actually to help those weyrlings still having trouble controlling their breathing. After six months with him (the first two of the eight in lessons had been with a temp) they were all in shape. So any still struggling just didn't know how to run.

At any rate, the candlemark had passed and it was now time for lessons. M'ta was oddly merciful this morning, though, loosening his flask from his hip and sipping at the water. Giving them a few minutes to recover. "Maman, look! 'Ruth!" The child pointed at the mahogany-hued dragon briefly appearing above the trees in the glade below. He smiled briefly, squeezing her ankle and swinging her down, then turned to the (hopefully) recovered teenagers. "Got a lot to do this morning." Danglies, fun game, fun! Devon interjected helpfully, gliding down to nestle in Teri's hair. M'ta ignored him.

He stepped over to what looked like a harness, quickly securing straps and buckles until the straps couched limbs and chest. He dangled a second such contraption from his fingers. "Any volunteers before I start volunteering you?" They were entering into their most bittersweet training; pre-flight lessons.

Ruth had flown above the weyrlings making their way over land to the training field that clutch after clutch of Selenitas dragons had used to begin their initiation into flight. Behruth himself had made his first glide off this hill, and taught his first dragon - Feyrianth - to glide from here. The brown twisted into a brief aerial display of casual twists and turns, setting down gently in the center of the glade. Watch carefully, my not-so-littles. Today we glide.

The blue-sized brown walked up the hill, coming to the edge and jumping off. His wings spread. Though they looked so frail, thinned in places, missing wingsail in others, the male's glide was smooth. He kept his angle shallow and backwinged a couple beats, hind legs touching ground a moment before his forelegs. Remember, keep your nose pointed straight. You'll lose height without pointing at the ground. Backwing at the end, hinds first, or you'll go tumbling. Go when you're ready to try, but wait until the dragon before you has landed. No collisions.

**The jody is adapted from one of the ones we called at basic training in Lackland called 'They Say That in the Air Force'

[Tashe]

She'd long gotten used to the shimmering reflection that was cast of her Dragon's hide, learning swiftly to ignore it and concentrate on everything else. It had taken a while in truth, but it was worth it. Your neck could get quite sore flinching to look at something out of the corner of your eye only to find out that it was the shiny tip of your dragon's wing. Running a gloved hand along a small portion of Millieth's neck the Senior Weyrwoman smiled. They'd survived for so long, which in retrospect was a pretty impressive feat for a Weyrwoman in a war. Nine Turns. And yet it almost felt like they had impressed yesterday. Replacing her hand on the flight straps, she leaned into the steep turn her Gold took, watching the horizon as it tilted diagonally.

It had been a while since they flew like this with freedom from her duties of the day (she'd ceremoniously dumped them onto her Headwoman to do). She'd dropped Kai off with his nanny and left swiftly. Leaning the other way as Millieth circled counter clockwise, Kaegan looked downward as the Queen prodded her. Ah there they are. Heading for the practice grounds. My children are old enough for flight now. I bet that is what they will be working on today. I am interested to watch. I am glad Nitrath invited us to attend. I'm just happy that we had a super light work load today, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to come at all. As the large female spun into a dive, Kaegan pressed herself against her neck, making herself as aerodynamic as possible.

Snapping her wings open, Millieth immediately began to slow and level out passing over the Waterfall and where the Weyrlings were gathering before wheeling around to locate a place to land. Dropping down a dragon's length from the Weyrlings, she crouched so Kaegan could slide off. Rumbling she walked toward the edge of the Drumheights, laying down so that her tail spilled over the clif'fs edge. She was near the humans but far enough to give them distance so they wouldn't feel cramped. The cold of the morning felt nice, the crispness was a welcome change from the humid warmth of the day.

Meanwhile, Kaegan set out for the knot of people off to the side. Her flight harness jingled faintly as she walked, the metal rings hitting against each other like chimes. Removing her helmet and goggles Kaegan tucked them under her arm and smiled at the short, albeit important Brownrider who taught the Desert class. "M'ta." She stopped at his shoulder. "Forgive the intrusion, we'd hoped to get here before you arrived so we didn't have to interrupt. Let me say Millieth is excited to watch your lesson today." She paused at the look on the Brownrider's face. "They didn't tell you?" Kaegan looked out to the Weyrlings singling Caden out and then Er'ani with her gaze, there it remained for a moment before turning back to M'ta. "I was invited to watch the lesson, I assumed your Weyrlings had the sense to ask or at least tell you before hand... I suppose I was wrong." Propping a hand on her waist she sighed. "Well, since I'm already here, with your leave I will stay and watch. Unless you wish me to leave. The decision is yours."

Millieth, who had been listening to Kaegan, turned to look at the Weyrlings. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she huffed in disapproval. Humanlings. Apparently they needed more instruction on respect...

[Rei]

Er’ani had tied a scarf around his head. A bright white one. Mostly to keep the sweat out of his eyes as he ran but also because his hair was getting too long again and kept falling in his eyes. Annoying. Still even his unruly hair didn’t keep his mood down for long. Today was the day. It all came down to this. Millieth and Kaegan had already been invited and should be arriving shortly. Probably after their morning run. As he ran the blueweyrling shot looks at his classmates. They had met before the morning run. To remind themselves of what was at stake as well as prepare themselves for the task at hand. They had to show the Weyrwoman, without a doubt, that they were serious about their teaching. That M’ta deserved to keep them. Needed it really. A glance was spared the others as they finally slowed and came to a stop. A flash of gold at the corner of his eye and a welcoming bugle from some of the weyrling dragons announced her arrival. Er’ani smiled slightly at M’ta and raised his hand. “I’ll go first but I think you might want to greet our visitor first.” Trailing off he turned to regard the approaching Kaegan, straightening his posture almost without thinking.

Lketh trailed behind the rest of them. His pale hide had been covered in the protective balm, before the run had began, and the specially tinted goggles had been fixed over his eyes. It had taken the albino awhile to get used to them and he still hated them. Just because he did. But he wore them because it was needed. Although he was quick to request them removed whenever it was possible. As they stopped at the bottom of the hill he regarded Behruth with calm whirling eyes. The performance was easy enough to break down into steps. Seven steps in total. Lketh crooned softly then as he waited for his turn. Before it came though he felt Er’ani brush his mind. Backing up the albino tossed his head and gave a call of welcome to Millieth. No he didn’t remember his dam but Er’ani his did, and so he was reminded. Welcome Mother. He said gently, brushing her mind with soft gratitude for her presence.

Stepping forward toward so he was even with Caden, Er’ani waited for the Weyrwoman to finish before he quickly interrupted whatever M’ta was going to say. “With all do respect Ma’am. It isn’t up to M’ta. We called you here because we have a plea to make to you and Millieth.” Glancing at the rest of his classmates he gestured for them to stand by him. “We want to keep M’ta and Behruth as our teachers till graduation.” Stepping forward he smiled. “I know it’s not an easy request to grant. But you don’t have to give an answer now. Instead we ask that you to witness this lesson. Judge us based on our performance and M’ta on his. You can ask any questions of us that you might have. At any time.” The weyrling smiled at his comrades. “Neither M’ta nor Behruth have a hand in this. Or even knew we were going to appeal to you at all. It was us as a group that decided that this is what we need. All we want is a fair shot to prove some things to you. Will you give us that chance?” Eyes fixed on Kaegan’s face Er’ani waited. The Weyrwoman always had come across as a fair woman to him. Surely she would at least entertain the idea?

As his turn came Lketh climbed the hill and arched his neck. Creamy red eyes planed out his flight path before he even left the ground. Wings twitched slightly before hind muscles bunched and the young male sprang from the hill. Wings snapped open and steadied as he glided down towards his target destination. With confidence the albino back winged, copying what he saw Behruth do. With synchronized precision both hind feet touched the ground, Lketh’s forelegs following as soon as he was steady. Without further fanfare or celebration he quickly moved out of the way for the next to take their turn. Easy.

[Kisha-Ra]

Mo’rya would admit that he still wasn’t quite sure what the point of running in time with other people was, but he didn’t like to ask in case it was blindingly obvious and he’d just overlooked it. Wasn’t the whole point of running to go places faster than just walking? That had always been why Mo’rya ran, on the good side that meant by the time he Impressed Epifayrmuth, he was pretty good at running, and after six months of training with M’ta this kind of exercise was both fairly easy and kind of jolly with the chanted rhyme to accompany it. Of course Mo’rya would be the very first to admit that he was a morning person. I wanna go. But they won't let me go. Mo’rya turned his head slightly to look at the salamandyr, Wit was not a morning person, or much of a one for exercise, but he nevertheless insisted on coming along practically anywhere Mo’rya went. At least if placed somewhere out of the way Wit didn’t move much.

Mo’rya stretched up onto his tiptoes as the run came to an end and paced around a little, tugging on the end of his hair (plainly braided again, as had become his custom for lesson work), although he did his best not to show it Mo’rya was nervous. He really hoped they, working as a class, could convince Keagan, either through their words or their actions, that they should keep Behruth and M’ta as their teachers. Sure, Mo’rya would be the first to admit he found the brownrider annoying at times, but who didn’t find their teacher annoying sometimes? Before Mo’rya could really get introspective M’ta called for their attention, but he didn’t get it from Mo’rya, mostly because the bronzeweyrling’s attention was captured by the sound of the weyrling dragons greeting their mother. This was it then. Unconsciously the boy straightened up, dropped his hair and scanned around for a convenient place to put Wit down when his turn came around.

Epifayrmuth trotted along in a cheerful frame of mind, like his bonded the bronze was just a morning person, and unlike his bonded he wasn’t too concerned about the outcome of the day. Once things were properly explained the queenpair would see that Behruth and his rider really were the best choices to teach, and that they should continue. So it was without concern that the small bronze stopped with his siblings and watched Behruth most carefully as he was bid. The bronze was aware that he probably wouldn’t grow much bigger than Behruth (no matter how big he got his siblings all grew at a similar rate and he still stood between Lketh and Tenloceth in height), therefore this would be very applicable to him. As Millieth arrived Epifayrmuth lifted his head and gave a call of welcome to the gold. Good morning mother. You are welcome indeed.

Mo’rya moved up silently to Er’ani’s side, the older boy was pretty much their spokesperson right now, and he didn’t need Mo’rya interrupting. Rather than say anything (he was learning that there was a time not to speak) Mo’rya simply fixed his eyes on the goldrider, trying hard to look serious and sincere.

As his turn came around Epifayrmuth calmly surveyed the view from the hillside, as many weyrlings had done before him. The small bronze flared his wings once, as if to be sure of their readiness, then kicked away from the ground. It wasn’t the most graceful of glides, but Epifayrmuth managed well enough, picked a level spot out for his first landing and backwinged neatly, his hind legs stretching out for the ground, finding it, and guiding his body down to what he thought was a fairly good landing. Though his eyes whirled a myriad of cheery shades over his achievement the bronze was quick to move himself out of the way of his clutchsiblings.

[Requiem]

Lesson 4 (16 Apr 11 - 13 May 11)

Desert Weyrlings

Gold Nitrath ::: Impressed to Caden - 100/65/75/0 - 60 + 2p = 100/85/75/0 - 65
Bronze Epifayrmuth ::: Impressed to Mo'rya - 100/65/95/0 - 65 + 2p = 100/85/95/45 - 81.25
Brown Tenloceth ::: Impressed to M'ze - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5
Blue Lketh ::: Impressed to Er'ani - 100/65/85/0 - 62.5 + 3p = 100/95/85/45 - 81.25
Green Sprith ::: Impressed to Ashlyn (Current Absence Thread) - 100/75 /75/75- 81.25
Green Katearath ::: Impressed to Leilani - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5

***Extra 'posts' were added from the thread you all threaded in as a class, and any other thread you all decide to participate in will be treated the same ^^

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]

Such perfect timing Millieth had. The brownrider had seen her pass overhead, of course, but it hadn't occurred to him that she'd choose to make a landing here. M'ta's eyes narrowed on Er'ani. The weyrling expected her appearance, then? He tossed the harness at the boy's chest with enough force to give it a stinging slap if the blueweyrling didn't catch it skillfully (or quickly) enough. Anything he might have said to the teenager, however, was truncated by Kaegan's presence.

M'ta, annoyed already that something was going on which seemingly everyone but him knew about, felt a small prick of resentment at having her standing so close to him that he was forced to look up. At least, if he wanted to be polite and actually look at her face when she spoke to him. "Kaegan." There was a distinct chill behind the name. The reasons were myriad. Millieth had an uncanny habit of endangering Behruth, for one, but if he was honest...he retained a wholly unreasonable jealousy toward her because of R'wign's continued crush on the goldrider. Even after they were joined. (Strangely, it had bothered him less when his weyrmate was alive. No one ever said that M'ta's emotions made a ton of sense, least of all him.)

"No, they didn't." His eyes swept over the weyrlings, lingering an extra second or two on Er'ani. Which the blueweyrling apparently took as permission to put in his two cents. Waiting for the teenager to finish, M'ta turned toward Kaegan. "It seems they brought you here under false pretenses. You hardly need my permission, Weyrwoman. I'd just request that you stay out of the way." Or he might just puke on her boots again to be contrary.

"Get the harness on, Er'ani." If he'd been cold to Kaegan, there was some definite heat in the clipped bite to his words now. It wasn't that he wasn't touched by this odd gesture. If anything, concern fueled the irritation evident in his brisk movements. Why were they drawing attention to themselves as a class? M'ta had already gone through the proper channels...and been turned down. He doubted they'd care to change their position, if only for fear of appearing weak. Northerners did not much like 'losing.'

M'ta swung himself down to a walkway cut into the edge of the cliff, not far from a second walkway. "Your lives will depend on the others in your wing. You can't work together if you can't trust each other." He clipped two straps to either side of his harness, tossing the ends to two weyrlings other than Er'ani. "The rest of you have your ringleader. We're going to scale the cliff down to the Main Hall. You will fall and if they don't keep you safe..." A shrug of a shoulder. He glanced at his own two spotters. "Wrap them around your waists and find a good place to brace, if you please." He didn't wait for them to comply, instead dropping from the ledge and catching the edge with fingertips, before he began descending the side of the cliff.

Behruth was pleased by both Lketh and Epifayrmuth's glides. It wasn't a difficult thing, no, but landing was one of the more dangerous parts of flight. So it was pretty important. Good, both of you. Move over to the other end of the glade to wait. I'm going to pass Epifayrmuth an image now, and he'll pass it to Lketh. We'll see when I receive Lketh's image if it's the same one I passed. He then flashed Epifayrmuth a brief image of the falls. They'd have to wait for the rest of their classmates to finish the glide before they could move on.

Meanwhile, Terilyn walked over to Kaegan and tugged on her pantleg. "Who're you?"

[Ruby]

Caden reached up to wipe a trail of sweat off the side of her face - the running wasn't hard, especially with Teri's jody to motivate them, but Selenitas in summer was hot and humid, even in the early morning if you were running. Sel and Blossom ("The Girls" in Nitrath's, so Caden's, mind) settled in on the Goldweyrling's shoulders as soon as she slowed and stopped with the rest of the class, the Greens chattering back and forth until Caden waved them away with a mental command to shoo. Once the'd relocated to a nearby tree, fluttering and re-locating every second or two like a flock of birds, Caden took a few careful sips of water, allowing her breathing to return to normal and turning her attention to their teacher.

She tried to shrink back into the little crowd of Weyrlings when M'ta held the harness up; none of them knew (although the smarter ones would suspect) that she'd been a rider before, and it was moments like this that made her wish she could turn invisible. Of course, she could harness a dragon for flight in just a handful of seconds - maybe slightly longer than M'ta, but that was only because she was out of practice - so she was certainly able to harness herself in just about the same amount of time. But how to hide that, and look like she'd just learned? She hated lying, but she wanted to explain Smath even less.

Luckily, Millieth and Kaegan made their entrance before Caden could figure out how to hide behind her gold, lengths away. Kaegan's accusatory glance was far preferable to being the first person to sort out the straps. Caden's eyes sought out Er'ani - he was their 'wingleader' of sorts in this, he could speak for them. The Goldweyrling knew if she opened her mouth she was likely to screw it up, so she'd wait until she was called upon.

Nitrath, however, had no such reservations. The gold bugled in concert with some of the others, adding a mental Millieth! I am glad you could make it, to her vocal call. Flared wings flashed in the early sunlight, appearing to reflect the older gold's light back at her. Letting Lketh and Epifayrmuth go first, Nitrath glanced at Tenloceth and Katearath, and moved into position when neither seemed eager to fly. Well, she was ready!

Stretching her wings as far as she could, the gold got a running start, the whirling of her eyes picking up speed as the air made her wingsails billow. Yes, this felt right. She lost height faster than the others had - she was bigger, and heavier, and while she had plenty of wingspace she also had a hard time keeping her eyes off the ground. It went by so quickly! Soon, she found herself too close to the earth, backwinging once, twice, and then stumbling to a landing a few lengths away from the others. Her landing wasn't nearly as smooth, but at least she hadn't fallen on her nose. Trotting the rest of the way, she joined Lketh and Epifayrmuth with Behruth.

Caden, meanwhile, had found her courage. Well, more accurately she'd found her role. Er'ani was their 'wingleader'; she'd been the one to stand up in support of him and make everyone decide if they were in or out. Wingsecond, perhaps, or point position of some sort. Either way, it seemed quite poetic that M'ta was calling for people to physically support Er'ani now. So the Goldrider snagged one of the straps as it flew through the air, quickly finding a secure rock to brace herself against. Assuming her counterpart didn't do anything stupid, Er'ani would be just fine.

[Kisha-Ra]

Without really thinking about it Mo’rya raised one hand to run his fingertips across Wit’s hide while he observed the reactions of those around him. First off, even though this was technically for his benefit (alright Behruth’s benefit if you wanted to get really technical about it, but what benefited Behruth also benefited M’ta) their weyrling master seemed somewhat less than thrilled by their initiative. In fact he was downright icy towards Kaegan, and then, naturally, fairly heated in his words to Er’ani, who was the unlucky victim (again!) since he’d been doing the talking. Mo’rya resolved to get more vocal about whatever the next scheme was, so he could maybe keep his classmate out of trouble for a while. Although if M’ta did get to stay on Er’ani would probably always be in the firing line now.

Oh well now, wasn’t that jolly? It seemed Mo’rya was getting a slight grip on sarcastic thought, possibly through all the early starts, despite his intrinsic naivety and blithe ignorance of anything he didn’t feel like thinking about too much. Things such as what shape splashy pattern Er’ani might make on the ground if he fell. The answer to avoiding that thought was very easy, easier than pie, which could often be hard to acquire. It was, of course, to make sure that didn’t happen, so Mo’rya took up the other strap that emanated from their ‘ringleader’ and trotted over to a rack he doubted even Epifayrmuth would be able to move, that should do the job. Wit was removed from his accustomed perch and placed absent mindedly on top of the rock, from which the salamandyr instantly fled of the relative safety of a tree branch. Whatever the humans were up to they could do without Wit, he’d just be basking here until it was over, thank you so much.

Epifayrmuth bowed his head briefly in acceptance of Behruth’s praise, there was no point in false modesty after all, but next time he meant to do better if he could. The bronze analysed the image of the falls he was sent briefly, recognised it, and passed it on as sharply as he could to Lketh, concentrating on sending only what Behruth had sent him, rather than some attached images of his own, which had sometimes happened in the past. With that done the bronze turned his attention to his other siblings and their gliding.

[Tashe]

Hello my Children.

When Er'ani called her Ma'am Kaegan perked an eyebrow, she didn't look that old did she? She certainly might feel like it sometimes but the Goldrider was almost certain she still looked like a younger woman, ah well, at least he was using respectful titles. Putting the side of a crooked finger to her lips, Kaegan partially obscured a small amused smile. What they needed? How did Weyrlings know what they needed? If they were to survive the joint regime they would need aerial battle training, at least the basics. And yes, she knew 'Ruth could fly, but the question was could he fly well enough to do that? Her eyes wondered across the Weyrlings' faces as the AlbinoWeyrling spoke, each one had such determination that her interest was sparked. They were being gutsy. Drawing attention, not just her's but soon enough, Ja'kin's.

"Apparently." She paused. "I asked out of courtesy. I don't want to tramp all over your authority unwarranted unless its absolutely necessary." At the mention of 'not getting in the way', Kaegan flicked her hand as M'ta tossed the harness at Er'ani. "I wouldn't dream of it." Glancing over at Millieth she sent a questioning tendril of thought, what did she think of it. I find it amusing. Of course you do. But do you have any actual input in the matter? I prefer Behruth over a Wastelander Dragon and his Rider over a Wastelander counterpart. As I suspected. I'm not entirely convinced having M'ta continue their training through to the end would be a good idea. There may be friction in that regard. Perhaps.

As M'ta began to descend Kaegan felt a tug on her pant leg, which from Turns of practice, stopped her mid-stride. Instead of finding a spot on one of the pathways to watch the Weyrlings descend, she crouched and smiled at the little girl. "You must be Terilyn. I'm Kaegan. I think you might know my son, Kai. He likes to play with Riaren." The Weyrwoman tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Do you help your daddy teach these silly Weyrlings?"

[Rei]

Er’ani almost ruefully rubbed the spot on his chest where the harness struck. Sour puss. M’ta at the very least didn’t have to act like a dick head when all he was trying to do was help. The albinoweyrling gave a soft snort. One that likely only Caden and those close by would hear. He booked no comment when Kaegan and M’ta exchanged words. He did however lift his head to catch the Weyrwoman’s gaze when it was turned on him. His dark eyes meeting hers unflinchingly with silent request. Stay. Hear them out. See. Even if at the end all she offered was a trial basis the teen was more than confident that it would be enough and that his teacher would not disappoint. Call it blind faith. But it was more than that. Er’ani had complete faith in his teachers. Complete faith in their class as a whole. One unit. Unbreakable.

The heated and clipped words from M’ta were taken with a broad smile. The teen defaulting to a tactic that had always got him in trouble at Benden and here too. But it was an automated defense to anger. Clowning. He only barely resisted the urge to salute instead giving half a goofy grin before speaking. “Will do chief.” Thus spoken the albinoweyrling untangled the harness and quickly set to fastening it about himself. He’d tacked up dragons before for practice at Benden. Even had helped E’rro when he first got Ismaroth into the air. Although that was more little brother begging for attention from his older sibling than anything else. At any rate Er’ani quickly had the harness snug and fastened correctly and put his hands behind his back the picture of a good student as M’ta started speaking.

Cliff scaling. Down to the Main hall, tethered to his comrades with them to rely on if he slipped. How more perfect and poetic could it get? Er’ani turned and watched as both Caden and Mo’rya grabbed his lines. A grateful glance and smile was given his ‘wing riders’ before the youth walked to the lip of the cliff. With a final salute he dropped off the edge and started to make his way downwards. It was… a lot harder than it looked. Drawing closer to M’ta he slipped but with Caden and Mo’rya’s help he was able to reestablish his grip and continue. Maybe it was a good thing he was practicing with the bow so much. Glancing over at his teacher the teen cleared his throat before speaking. “You shouldn’t look so put out. It doesn’t help us out much.”

Lketh watched his siblings make their own glides. Noting how each one was different but in the end they all seemed like they were doing just fine. As Behruth spoke he gave a soft chirp and simply waited for the image to be passed by his clutchbrother. When Epifayrmuth finally passed along the image of the falls the albino seized it and held it in his mind before passing it on to Behruth as he was told. As Nitrath moved to join them a soft and affectionate croon was offered his large golden sister.

[Requiem]

Lesson 4 (16 Apr 11 - 13 May 11)

Desert Weyrlings

Gold Nitrath ::: Impressed to Caden - 100/65/75/0 - 60 + 2p = 100/85/75/45 - 76.25
Bronze Epifayrmuth ::: Impressed to Mo'rya - 100/65/95/0 - 65 + 2p = 100/85/95/55 - 83.75
Brown Tenloceth ::: Impressed to M'ze - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5
Blue Lketh ::: Impressed to Er'ani - 100/65/85/0 - 62.5 + 3p = 100/95/85/55 - 83.75
Green Sprith ::: Impressed to Ashlyn (Current Absence Thread) - 100/75 /75/75- 81.25
Green Katearath ::: Impressed to Leilani - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5

***Extra 'posts' were added from the thread you all threaded in as a class, and any other thread you all decide to participate in will be treated the same ^^

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]

M'ta concentrated on the rock face, moving as quickly as his smaller limbs allowed. Some things within reach for others were not for him, after all. Fortunately, he'd been climbing since he was a kid. The venue might be different, but the basic principles were the same. He slipped once, grasping for the rock with his fingers, and paused to catch his breath. Which allowed Er'ani the chance to overtake him.

"If you'd just asked, you would have known we've already been turned down. I doubt Kaegan's input could change that, assuming she'd even put in a word at all." The words came out through his teeth, the brownrider moving down at speed again. He lost grip near the bottom, falling clear to the platform - or nearly so - before his spotters finally arrested the downward motion.

M'ta wasted no time in unstrapping, dropping the last couple of feet and turning so as not to end up stuck in a conversation with E'rro's kid brother. There were others to get down the cliff. He removed the harness and handed it to Caden, displacing one of the girls so that she could go help Er'ani with the smaller Mor'ya. "Go ahead. We've got you," he told bronze and goldweyrling, looping the leather supporting Caden twice about his waist before anchoring it around a rock.

The brown dragon crooned approval to the gold who would soon be larger than he was. We'll keep working to get that smooth, the male told her privately, before returning his attention to the rest of the weyrlings making their glides with various degrees of success. The male was quite pleased that they all seemed to be managing without any real mishaps.

Very good, you two. Now... he said, this time addressing all the weyrlings instead of just Epifayrmuth and Lketh. Since you all are gliding well, we're going to add the picture game.I will start the image, then whoever glides next will pass that image and one of his own to the next in line while he glides. Whoever breaks the chain of images or doesn't make a clean landing will be out.

Behruth trotted for the hill, gliding off it and passing an image of Nitrath to the next dragon in line.

"Oh!" Then Terilyn giggled. "Puke lady!" (No, M'ta had not told her that story, and neither had Roo. But there were advantages to talking to dragons and other mindmates. She recognized the Kaegan name! It had made Roo get all flippy floppy in the tummy.) Her mood abruptly changed at mention of Riaren, eyes welling up. "Maman took him away," she returned. With enough bite to show that was one thing her father had done that she did not like. "You are Kai's Roo?" (Kaegan wore skirts and Roo sometimes did. Maman never did. This made Kaegan the Roo.)

Daddy she recognized too, though. They usually were talking about Maman when they said that. "Uh huh." The girl nodded vigorously. "I am Jodie-master!" Terilyn beamed proudly at the goldrider.

[Rei]

Er’ani found himself struggling a little as the descent continued. His feet just couldn’t seem to find the holds they needed. He was immensely grateful to his spotters at this point. Gritting his teeth the albinoweyrling closed his eyes and began to go by feel, using his arms more than anything else. They, at least,were starting to gain some substantial strength from all the practice he had been doing with his bow. Candlemarks daily. He’d show them he would be good at archery.

Finally the teen looked across at M’ta. For a moment he gathered that he probably really wasn’t going to get a response. When one came the boy’s eyes widened. Already turned down? Even if she would give input it wouldn’t change? No. No. That wasn’t true. For once his teacher was wrong. Kaegan controlled all domestic aspects. This technically was one. These were her dragon’s children and besides it wasn’t just this class making waves and putting in input now. This thing had grown. As Er’ani had hoped it would. Before M’ta had pulled too far away he shot down at him with a bit of heat. “You’re wrong!” He left it at that. For now.

As his teacher descended below him Er’ani wrinkled his nose and started to pick up his pace. They’d show them. Show Kaegan. They’d get their way. Even if they had to keep fighting till the very end. With determination Er’ani completed his climb and unstrapped himself from the harness. Quietly he made his way back up to the others, every step broadcasting his determination. M’ta would see in the end. Let him be a grumpy ass for now.

Moving to Mor’ya he handed his classmate the harness and griped his arm with a smile before pulling him into a half embrace. “Your turn Mor. I got you no worries.” That said Er'ani left his friend and classmate to get situated and fixed the tether around his waist. Giving a light smile to the green riding classmate that approached him, he braced himself by a rather sturdy looking bush. There he waited for the bronzeweyrling to start his climb. Every once in awhile the albinoweyrling would give Kaegan a glance and if she noticed him a light smile.

Hard to tell what she was thinking currently.

Lketh chirped softly at Behruth and then moved to comply with the teachers wishes. It sounded like a good exercise. Imagery complied with gliding. A bit more challenging. The albino liked working his brain and this seemed like it would do just that. Physical and mental coordination combined. Finally. Something that wasn’t completely boring. Falling in line Lketh awaited his turn, carefully counting his sibling’s wing beats in an almost unconscious need to keep his mind active.

[Kisha-Ra]

As Er’ani descended, probably faster than the other weyrling intended at times, Mo’rya was glad he’d chosen this rock, it was, he reflected, the right rock for the job, solid enough not to shift even when Er’ani’s weight slammed against the harness. He might have thought on more varied topics but making sure everyone didn’t end up at the bottom of the cliff was quite high on his priority list. If he died M’ta would never let him here the end of it, and nor would Epifayrmuth. In fact he should probably worry more about his dragon than his teacher.

Well, it was finally over, now for something even worse than being responsible for other people’s safety, doing the climb himself. Mo’rya didn’t even bother with an appealing look towards M’ta, mostly because he knew damn well what kind of look he’d get in return.

After a doubtful look at the cliff the bronzeweyrling shrugged, he’d climbed before although not anything this hard, and he was pretty sure his classmates wouldn’t drop him, not on purpose anyway. ‘Yeah you’d better not drop me or I’ll haunt you.’ Mo’rya joked as he buckled himself into the harness, even worse I might make Epifayrmuth do it, then you’ll have no space at all. Once he was sure his spotters were in place The weyrling vanished over the edge of the cliff.

At first it was easy going, in Mo’rya’s eyes anyway, but pretty soon he found he was running out of handholds he could reach, and he didn’t dare look down to see how far he had left to go, he just knew he wasn’t going to like the answer. Mo’rya indulged himself by muttering a few phrases from his father’s vocabulary that he wasn’t supposed to know existed, one of which he was sure was impossible, while he looked for places to shove his hands and feet for a few seconds. What was the purpose of the exercise again?

Epifayrmuth didn’t comment at all on what he was instructed to do, he could see the purpose in it, and unlike his bonded the bronze tended to take it on faith there was a purpose to these exercises, so he just took a place behind Lketh, waiting for his turn to come around again.

[Requiem]

Lesson 4 (16 Apr 11 - 13 May 11)

Desert Weyrlings

Gold Nitrath ::: Impressed to Caden - 100/65/75/0 - 60 + 2p = 100/85/75/45 - 76.25
Bronze Epifayrmuth ::: Impressed to Mo'rya - 100/65/95/0 - 65 + 2p = 100/85/95/65 - 86.25
Brown Tenloceth ::: Impressed to M'ze - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5
Blue Lketh ::: Impressed to Er'ani - 100/65/85/0 - 62.5 + 3p = 100/95/85/65 - 86.25
Green Sprith ::: Impressed to Ashlyn (Current Absence Thread) - 100/75 /75/75- 81.25
Green Katearath ::: Impressed to Leilani - 100/75/75/0 - 62.5 + 2p = 100/85/85/0 - 67.5

***Extra 'posts' were added from the thread you all threaded in as a class, and any other thread you all decide to participate in will be treated the same ^^

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]

After scaling the cliff - with no injuries more serious than scraped skin and bruises - the lesson continued throughout the morning with activities that proved no less physical than the first two. M'ta welcomed Kaegan to accompany them deep into the jungle, discussing and demonstrating various survival tactics should the weyrlings ever find themselves on their own. The weyrlings were then required to imitate whatever he'd shown them until the brownrider was satisfied.

In the glade, the gliding practice continued apace, until even Behruth was feeling the strain. It was a relatively simple manuever, but even lifting a foreleg could be tiresome when it was done over and over. The same could be said for the practice glides. He was well-satisfied with the performance of the hatchlings, however, for even the shakiest of them had mastered the finer points of the landing by the time the day approached the noon hour.

The morning ended with the weyrlings rejoining their bondeds in the glade. M'ta glanced around at all of them. "You've a minute to secure your dragons' straps and present yourselves for inspection. After which you will mount and complete one last glide." Arms settled over the chest sporting his twin bandoliers of throwing knives. "Go."

[Ruby]

Caden caught the harness by instinct (no matter that M'ta had handed it to her rather than tossed it like a firestone sack), snagging it out of the air with a competence that she didn't even notice. Strapping herself into it was simple enough, and without a moment's hesitation she was on the cliff face, climbing quickly and confidently. She'd been told to, after all; she liked this world where she was given tasks she could complete. Convincing the Weyrleader to let them keep M'ta was one thing; scaling a cliff quite another. She preferred the latter, the former was all Er'ani.

Nitrath, too, was confident in her exercise - while her landing hadn't been exactly clean, she'd found her memory for images was excellent, as long as they were real. Still, it made her laugh a little when Sprith passed her an image of herself, followed by what had to be the room shared by Sprith and Katearath, complete with neatly made beds and tangles of riding straps. Nitrath herself added a mental picture of a pretty cloud that looked something like a flower, sending the pictures on to Lketh just after leaping from the hilltop once again. Her landing was marginally better this time - she got as far as she intended to this time, stumbled somewhat less.

The morning continued, and both halves of the pair acquitted themselves well enough. When the humans re-joined their dragons, Caden couldn't help but go give Nitrath a scratch on the shoulders - the Gold had much better stamina than most of her siblings, but even she was feeling the strain. Luckily, it sounded like the lesson was near over... oh, except for that little detail that they would be flying together for the first time. Caden's eyes went wide, her face split into a grin - I'll have my wings again, she commented privately to Nitrath. Better get my straps on fast then, girl, I do not think I will be able to wait another second, the Gold answered, affection absolutely suffusing her mindvoice.

Caden complied, not bothering to hide her skill with the riding straps, this time. After all, they only had a minute, the rest of them would be too busy with their own to worry about her. This part here, that buckle there - she'd done this a million times now, including strapping up for emergency threadfall coverage and sudden battles. If she was going to get it wrong, she would have died years ago. Finishing with near thirty seconds to spare, she checked her work, then checked it again. Anything to look busy, until some of the others started finishing up. Then she went to stand by Nitrath's shoulder, waiting impatiently for M'ta's final check.

[Rei]

Er’ani kept close to Kaegan throughout the rest of the lesson. Quiet was his presence unless she asked a question. Then he did his best to answer her. He was proud of all his classmates. They were doing so well, and even M’ta’s previous terrible mood didn’t really effect things to much. Lessons were still lessons and he and Lketh still learned. Still tired like all the rest of them. But their weariness was marked by progress and if anything the continued desire to go for as long as their teacher requested of them.

When they finally met up with the dragons in the clearing Er’ani made haste for Lketh stroking the albino’s head affectionately as the young male gave a soft croon. “You had fun.” There was no question in the tone. It was a statement. The albinoweyrling never had any trouble with connection to his mindmate. There was no need for Lketh to answer as he nudged his bonded, goggled eyes falling to the riding straps he was carrying. The teen gave a rare full smile giving his dragon’s muzzle a final stroke before moving to tack the beast up. Finishing in decent time Er’ani steeped back and awaited inspection with his classmates.

After passing the inspection the weyrling stroked his dragon’s pale hide for a moment and then closed his eyes. Come Ermine. We will show them. Moving to obey as the male crouched, Er’ani neatly swung into place. As he settled into his seat it felt so right. Suddenly he swallowed blinking back tears. Waited and fought so long for this moment. Yet there was so much more to fight for. And we will fight and keep winning together. It was an echo of his own thoughts and the weyrling smiled through his tears. Yes. Ready Buddy? Always. With that Lketh stepped forward ignoring the weariness in his body. This would be his best glide. With that thought in mind he finally gained the top of the hill.

With a sudden bugle that expressed a rare emotional spike for the albino and an answering cry of jubilation from Er’ani, Lketh leapt from the hill. The albino’s wings carrying him with effortless precision into a smooth landing. As he landed he held his head high. And that is just the beginning.