Christmas Weyrlings (Lesson 2)

[Rei]

Lesson 2:
Classroom: Bonding Exercises; Advanced Care for Growing Dragonets
Training Field: Firestone Familiarization (Riders); Chain & Toss Empty Bags (Riders); Endurance, Strength & Wind Exercises (Dragonets)


Sel’n snorted as he went over the lesson plan for the day. “I wonder how this class behaves” He mumbled to himself as he went over the list again. Kaaoloth’s amused voice filtered through his annoyance. You are just unhappy that you have to actually work a bit. Sel’n glared at the wall and prodded his beast. Why don’t you make yourself useful and call the class please. Kaaoloth snorted and called to the weyrlings. Good morning Christmas Weyrlings. I am Kaaoloth and mine is Sel’n. I’fael and Morendoth are not able to attend today’s lesson and so we will be instructing you instead. Please make your way down to the classrooms and do not dawdle. Your graduation depends on your attendance to class and performance. He severed the connection and settled down to warm himself in the mid morning sun. Sel’n sat in the desk and brooded silently. This class had better be on it’s best behavior. He turned his head towards the door as the first weyrling entered.

---

Having just finished with their morning walk, Ebolath and Raylin were the first to arrive to Kaaoloth’s summons. Ebolath hopped over to her mat and plopped down with a contented sigh. Raylin arrived behind her and gave her dragon an exasperated look before turning her attention to the new Weyrling Master. He looked a bit rough around the edges. “Good morning.“ She said nervously as she sat down next to her dragon. She hoped the others didn’t take too long. The new master didn’t seem to be in the best of moods.


Christmas Weyrlings
Ke’rin of Bronze Jaymith
C’oar of Brown Frosstyth
A’fyr of Brown Rudolth
N’lai of Blue Kyssith
C’vin of Blue Mallowth
Saeo of Blue Cherilith
T’ke of Blue Garaeth
Za’x of Green Irylth
Raylin of Green Ebolath
Farryl of Green Peppeth
T’rea of Green Rioth(APC)
Morea of Green Heith(APC)

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[topaz]

Mallowth, now fully aware of the Weyrling lesson times, and was already wide awake before Kaaoloth's booming voice reached his mind. Pouncing on an already rising C'vin, the blue hatchling smothered His, effectively pushing him back down into bed. Hurry! Hurry! Get up! We have another lesson! He yelled cheerily into his weyrling's mind. "For the love of Faranth Mal, I know! I can hear him too!"He growled, shoving the excited dragon to the end of the bed. Well I don't want to be late. We have a new teacher and I want to see if he is as big as Morendoth. The blue announced, unaffected by C'vin's grumpy tone.

The weyrling sighed. Alright Mal. Just don't jump on me next time, huh? It's hard enough waking up without a dragon laying on top of you. Is it? I wouldn't know. C'vin laughed. He could never stay mad at his dear Mallowth. The blue was just so innocent. Pulling on a light blue tunic, some tan pants and his good pair of boots, C'vin was just able to close his trunk lid before Mallowth ushered him out of the barrack and towards the classroom.

Arriving earlier then expected, Mallowth trumpeted a happy hello to the entire room and hurried straight over to the green weyrling pair already seated, plopping down in the spot next to Ebolath. Good morning Ebolath! Are you excited for the lesson? I hope it's like the last one. If we get a bath every time, then I'm definitely not missing any of these. The blue rambled, a soft rumble of amusement vibrating in his chest. C'vin entered slower, but was now quite awake, making sure Mallowth was behaving. "Good morning sir." He said politely to Sel'n, before sitting down next to his dragon. Noticing that his blue was already greeting the other weyrling, C'vin grinned, almost apologetically, at Raylin. "He's very excitable." He said, chuckling softly as he pat Mallowth's side.

[nightingale]

"Excuse me C'vin, but that's our greenrider you're cozying up to."

Saeo teased, plopping her mat down slantwise between the boy and her roommate. Freshly washed and chipper despite the hour, the blueweyrling grinned broadly at both of her classmates before taking her seat. She slipped an arm around Cherilith's neck as the little blue settled his head onto her lap, creasing her pale tartan dress into a makeshift pillow. Good morning Ebolath. Good morning Mallowth. He murmured sleepily, second layer eyelids fluttering open and shut as he hovered somewhere between dreams and the waking world. Do you suppose today's lesson is on sunning? I would quite like to go sunning...I wonder if I've been doing it right...there must be a right and wrong way... The girl cast a cautious eye toward their substitute teacher. She recognized him well enough...but was loathe to greet anybody wearing a face like that. Perhaps he wasn't a morning person? She briefly considered asking when the unmistakable sound of someone coming downstairs caught her attention.

"Brownrider Sel'n, good morning."

Ke'rin greeted the older rider with a smile and polite bob of his head. Kaaoloth's summons had come as a pleasant surprise to the young bronzeweyrling, as he hadn't seen the man or his dragon for more than a passing moment since before the hatching had taken place. See him again was nice, especially considering that he would be teaching them. He followed Jaymith with invisible reluctance as the little bronze plopped himself directly in the middle of the classroom, neck arced with regal self-assurance. Good morning! He rumbled in pleasant greeting to all present. Ebolath, you are looking very thin today! Oh, Kaaoloth's? Is today's lesson going to be about flying? I have been practicing very hard and I believe I might be able to do it if I jump off of something.

"Jaymith..."

Ke'rin sighed, plopping himself down next to the dragonet with obvious embarrassment.
"You're too small to fly yet. Don't bother the instructor."
Oh, I am bothering him? The little bronze seemed genuinely startled by the fact. He turned his attention immediately back to Sel'n, his eyes wide and yellow-green with concern. I am sorry if I am bothering you Kaaoloth's. I simply wanted to know if we would be learning about flying today. Maybe next time? Mine, we are flying today? Cherilith's whirling blue eyes narrowed with confusion. Saeo clapped a hand over her mouth in a desperate attempt to keep a snort of laughter from escaping. She failed. Ke'rin glared in the girl's direction before dropping his eyes to the floor. Well, embarrassment built character, right? Character couldn't do you any harm...

[dragon]

Frosstyth wasn't far behind Jaymith, and for a change was suitably subdued. Instead of bounding all over the place, excited, he was just sedately padding into the room. C'oar followed along behind him, a very slight smile on his face. He had figured out the secret to keeping his dragonet from being an utter horror of a nuiscance ... at least for a little while.

Wake him early, feed him lots ... and then when classes started ... sleepy dragonet. It worked like a charm. C'oar took the brown dragonet over to an unoccupied spot to one side of all the others, and had himself a sit down. There next to him, Frosstyth curled up, and rested his nose on his front feet. He almost looked like he was going to zonk out any minute now, but C'oar himself was alert and ready.

Frosstyth wouldn't actually sleep ... not until C'oar told him it was okay. Not after the last class. But he wasn't inclined to look perky, either. Storm climbed down from C'oar's shoulder, and perched on the back of Frosstyth's head, and peeped a very small but attentive peep. The young bronze flitter struck an interesting yet regal seated pose, perched on the back of the brown dragonet's head. The whole affair looked silly, but C'oar wasn't inclined to stop them from looking silly. That was thier perogative. At least they weren't being disruptive this time.

[Rowana]

With dragon and fire lizard in tow, Farryl made it to class behind C'oar and Frosstyth. Mikka was safely locked in her room and she hoped the kitten wasn't yet smart enough to find a way to escape. Tille seemed to be growing mature at last, though she still grew excited over the smallest things and tended to be distracted easily. At least she was growing accustom to staying on Farryl's shoulder during class time. Peppeth was still as bright and bouncy as always. Keep her still during class was still a far greater effort. The little green was still the smallest of all her siblings, but that didn't stop her from being just as much work.

"Good morning!" Farryl smiled at her classmates and bowed slightly to Sel'n. She hadn't really had a chance to meet him before and she was interested to see how this class would run with him in charge. Peppethn bounded in front of her and led the trio to their usually spot next to Raylin and Saeo. <Good morning!> Peppeth echoed her rider to all dragons present. <What will we learn today? Will it be fun?>

~

T'ke was getting better about rising in the morning and this time he managed to make it to class on time. He slipped into the back of the class and found a seat near C'oar. As much as he didn't like to attract attention, Garaeth could not possibly enter a room without announcing himself. <Good morning!> he declared brightly as he dutifully followed behind T'ke. The blues eyes were bright and happy as usual, while T'ke looked like he would much rather be sleeping.

T'ke sighed, but patted Garaeth's head as they sat down. <Do you have to be so cheerful in the morning?> he asked, though he knew the answer. <Of course!> Garaeth nuzzled him. <The morning is the best part of the day!> He paused and cocked his head. <In fact, so is every part of the day!> The comment manage to bring a small smile to T'ke's face and Garaeth purred loudly in triumph.

[topaz]

C'vin raised an eyebrow at Saeo's comment. "Well! My apologies. I didn't know she was already spoken for." He teased back, grinning broadly. Mallowth was confused. Do we need partners for this lesson? Why didn't he tell us? The blue looked around the room anxiously. Who else has one already? What happens if we can't find a partner? C'vin tried to stifle his laughter as best he could. Mal! That's not what she meant! The hatching turned to His and stared at him seriously for a few moments. We don't need partners dear, don't worry. The Weyrling smirked, scratching his dragons soft, leathery head affectionately. What a silly thing he was.

Mallowth sat stupidly for another moment or two, and then snorted indignantly. Well good then. Turning to Cherilith, Mallowth crooned a happy hello to his fellow blue. Oh I hope so. Sunning is lovely. He nodded.

Listening to Jaymith as he talked about flying that day, Mallowth became excited again. Flying? Really? I can fly! He said, flapping his wings happily. C'vin sighed, still smiling. Mal, jumping off of a rock and flapping your wings until you hit the ground is not flying. I was close. He replied proudly. I just need to jump off something higher. But you won't let me. He snorted. C'vin just shook his head.

[binker]

"Come on, Kyssith..." The little Blue snorted, but he was feeling quite content with the world today, so he followed his bonded's instructions. He was full, no one had bothered him today... He was feeling quite agreeable. However, when N'lai moved towards their usual spot in the corner of the room with Irylth and Her's, Kyssith decided he wanted more company than just his no-nonsense sister.

N'lai turned when he heard Kyssith move away, eyes widening when he realized his Blue was heading right towards Farryl and Peppeth. Without a single word Kyssith nudged his smaller clutchsister, curling up beside her and resting his head on her shoulder. Well, he couldn't have shocked N'lai more if he had charged over and started mauling her... Sending an apologetic glance towards his brother, N'lai sat down beside his dragon, keeping a wary eye on him. You never knew when his mood would change...

[Rei]

Sel’n watched all the weyrlings enter with an unreadable expression. He returned greetings with polite nods and after everyone was settled he strode to the front of the room. “Good morning class. As Kaaoloth told you I am your teacher for today. If you have brought flitters or mandyrs to class you need to send them back to the barracks. I am afraid the creatures could help you cheat during today’s lesson and that will not be acceptable.”

The brown rider fixed each weyrling with a hard look and waited until all the creatures were dismissed before continuing. “Today’s lesson will be a bonding exercise.” The rider explained, as he held up strips of dark cloth. “You are going to be blindfolded and you will have to rely on your bonded’s directions to get you to the other side of the river where Kaaoloth is waiting.” He smiled as he saw the reactions to this statement. “Your dragons will have to direct you out of the classroom, and outside to the boats where they will then direct you across the river. Remember they will be giving you instructions on where to row. They are not allowed to pull you across the river.”

He fixed the students with another stern look. “Anyone caught cheating will be made to repeat the exercise. There will be no cheating of any sort. Kaaoloth will ask your bonded about it and he will also be watching closely so do not think you can lie. When you reach Kaaoloth he will let you know what the next part of the lesson is. Do not remove the blindfold until my dragon instructs you to. This lesson is designed to help you learn to trust your dragon. Until now you were in the easy, comfortable stage of your relationship. This exercise will help you with the trust and dependability issues you will be confronted with, and help you gain a better understanding of your unique bond with your dragon.”

Sel’n waved the strips of cloth in the direction of the students. “If there are no questions please come up front and I will fix your blindfold in place. After you are blindfolded the exercise starts. Your bonded will direct you back to them, and then continue until you have reached the other side of the river. I will wait here for a bit in case Rudolth’s rider decides to join us. Then I will join you at the riverside.” You ready Kaao? Sel’n asked his beast privately. Of course Selmine this will be amusing. The dragon returned amusement evident in his tone.

----

Raylin breathed a small sigh of relief as C’vin and his dragon entered and Ebolath crooned a welcome as her clutch brother bounded over to her. Good morning clutchbrothermine. The green dragon said happily, giving him a affectionate nudge. I am very excited. Mine is nervous though. I do not see why. She is silly. The green weyrling gave C’vin a smile, she was getting rather used to him since they chored together. "Don’t worry about it.” She said in a polite tone. “I don’t mind and Ebolath adores him.”

Raylin turned as Saeo’s voice echoed across the room and she rolled her eyes at the younger girl. “Nice Saeo.” She replied smiling at the other girl to take any sting out of her words. Morning Cherilith. Ebolath said brightly. I do hope your right. Sunning would be a good lesson. The green snorted as Jaymith hailed her, but her eyes still spun a merry blue. Good morning clutch brother Jaymith. You are looking quite bright today. She then turned to her bonded. See I am thin, clutch brother Jaymith says so. Does that mean we do not have to exercise anymore? Raylin rolled her eyes and stroked her hatchling. We will see love.

As Sel’n explained today’s lesson Raylin’s eyes widened in surprise. Surely he was joking? But no he was completely serious. She held in a groan and cast an eye at Ebolath who seemed unfazed by the news. This was going to be a disaster. Do you understand what he is asking sweetheart? The green hatchling turned her head towards her bonded and gave her a nudge. Of course Raymine! Do not worry, will be the best team ever. You will see. I will make you proud. The girl smiled as she reached down to stroke her hatchling. I am sure we will be love. Are you ready? At the affirmative from her dragon, Raylin rose and made her way over to Sel’n.

After the blindfold was fixed she reached out and seized her dragon’s mind. Ok Ebolath where am I going? Across the river Raymine. Weren’t you listening? Came the reply from her little green. Raylin sighed this was going to be a long trip.

[Rowana]

Peppeth was surprised but delighted by her clutchbrother's approached. She purred happily and gave him a small nuzzle of welcome. <Hello, Kyssith> she welcomed willingly. That her sibling was moody and possibly even violent did not bother her in the least. She saw all of them as friends and the more friends the better. Farryl was startled at first and momentarily concerned by the blue's arrival. She had heard the story of his violent mauling of Pasine and for a terrifying second thought he meant to repeat the act on her tiny dragon. But he was surprisingly calm and Farryl smiled welcoming at him and his rider, N'lai. "Looks like Kyssith may have found a friend," she said with a smile.

Her smile did not last long. As Sel'n outlined the lesson, it quickly turned into a frown and then a wide eyed look of fear. He couldn't be serious. The river?! Boats?! She couldn't do it. She wouldn't do it! Bad enough that she had to cross in them until Peppeth was bigger. No way in all Pern was she getting in one alone and with her eyes covered! Peppeth nudged her bonded with concern. <Farryl is afraid?> she asked sadly. Farryl laid a shaking hand on her dragon's soft hide. <Yes, Peppeth,> she admitted. She knew it was a stupid thing to be afraid of, but it was true. <I'm very afraid.> Peppeth stood up to her full hight, which wasn't much, and declared boldly. <Farryl not be afraid! Peppeth lead her to safety!> Farryl smiled and hugged her close. <Thank you! I know you'll try your best.> Peppeth's confidence did not, however, stop Farryl from quivering when the blindfold went over her eyes.

~

T'ke groaned allowed. The assistant Weyrling master was crazy! He was sure they would all drown before the day was out, if their dragons did not just lead them off cliffs by accident. This would be a disaster! Garaeth did not seem to see it that way. <This will be fun!> he decided. <I will be a good leader.> T'ke made a face at him. <You realize that if you mess up, I'll fall in the river and drown?> he asked sourly. Garaeth cocked his head at him. <T'ke will not drown. I will save him!> He spread his wings in delight and added. <Then we will get to swim!> T'ke covered his face in dismay. He was surely doomed.

[topaz]

Mallowth was excited. Of course. Oh this will be so much fun! These lessons are more like games then work. It doesn't seem hard at all! He said cheerily. C'vin smiled and rose from his seat to receive his blindfold from Sel'n. I hope it won't be Mal. We'll see how good you are at giving directions. C'vin wasn't afraid about falling in. He was a strong swimmer and had crossed that river an infinite amount of times before. It couldn't be that hard doing it blindfolded, right? You just go straight!

After the Weyrlingmaster secured the blindfold, C'vin was truly in darkness. Alright Mal. Which way do I go? He had calculated his position and how far he was away from the door as Sel'n was readying the fabric, so the Weyrling tentatively headed in that direction so as to get out of the way of the other Weyrlings. That's good. I'm over here, by the door. Keep going that way. Uh...like, three more steps and you'll be next to me. Sure enough after a few more steps, C'vin bumped into his dragon, and laughed. Sorry about that. Feeling around for the door, his left hand felt the frame, and he began shuffling his way around it to stand in the archway of the door itself. You're doing good Mal. Where do I go now? He soon felt his dragon bumping up against the side of his leg, indicating he wanted to get through the door ahead of him. Once out in the hallway, Mallowth looked around critically.Okay, now go to your right, and keep walking for a while and then you have to go right again, and go out the main door.

Accomplishing that rather quickly, C'vin could feel the warm sun on his face, and soft grass beneath his boots. He smiled and continued to walk slowly forwards. He could remember the layout of the river fairly well, so he knew there were a few more yards before Mallowth needed to give him any real direction.

This lesson was turning out to be pretty fun. Luckily, and to C'vin's slight surprise, Mallowth was a pretty good leader too. Maybe he wouldn't even get wet today!

[nightingale]

The sudden alertness in Cherilith’s yellow eyes mirrored his bonded’s gasp of alarm as she saw Kyssith approaching. Her first thought went to what could have possibly set the creature off -Farryl hadn’t gone near him, had she?- but when he just flopped down next to Peppeth as if it were the most normal thing in the world...she found herself unable to react.

“Wow Neiko...”

She murmured after a moment’s pause, a tentative smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as she glanced toward the blue’s rider. She wanted to ask when His had shifted from candidate mauling sociopath to cuddly lapdog...but at the same time she wasn’t willing to put herself, Peppeth or anyone else in the front Wings should he choose to take offence.

“It’s good to have the both of you with us.”

She finished, giving her head a sincere nod. Peppeth? Is he frightening you? Cherilith pressed gently, yellow-green eyes flickering with concern for his tiny green sibling. He hadn’t seen any of the maulings take place on the day of his hatching, but the anxiety that rippled from his bonded any time Rioth or Kyssith came near had given him the impression that they must dangerous in some way.

Kei tugged one knee up to his chest and rested his arm atop it, listening intently as Sel’n explained what the day’s lesson would be. A bonding exercise? What good could that possibly do them? They were already linked at the deepest, most fundamental level after all -how could such a bond be strengthened...with blindfolds? He could almost hear the rush of dismay settling into the minds of every weyrling present as the lesson structure was laid out for them. Rowing a boat he could handle. Allowing Jaymith to lead him along blindfolded he could probably handle as well...but both at the same time? Sel’n had to be out of his mind!

Do not worry my Saeo. Cherilith will protect you. The little blue crooned reassuringly as his bonded placed a hand to her forehead and tried to hold back a groan. Boats. Why was it ALWAYS boats? Without C’oar to help her, she was doomed before the lesson had even begun! The girl watched with a disheartened lack of interest as the others began filing to the front of the classroom to accept blindfolds.

“Dragonshells...”

She sighed, then rose to join them. Okay Ke’rin-mine, now come just a little bit this way. Jaymith, I can’t see remember? Which way is this way? Toward me. Where are you though? I’m over here Ke’rin-mine, come this way. The boy sighed, taking a tentative step in what he assumed to be the right direction. This way? No, over here. Where? The other side -just turn a little...no, the other way..okay, now go straight -but don’t step on Garaeth! He’s just in front of -okay, he moved. NOW you can come over here.

Alright my Saeo, now just walk forward until I tell you to stop. Cherilith crooned encouragingly to his rider as she moved down the hallway, one hand trailing against the wall to keep herself from falling over. Staying balanced when you couldn’t see the ground was far more difficult than the blueweyrling had expected. On the plus side of things though, Cherilith was proving himself to be quite the guide.
Slow down now because there is a step coming up.

“Right here? Oh, I have it. How many steps are there?”

Just one. You are outside now. Doesn’t the sun feel lovely? C’vin is on your left and Ke’rin is in front of you. Please take two steps to the right now Mine. You are blocking the doorway.
Well, so far so good...but even if she did manage to get into the sharding boat, how was she going to row it all on her own? Well, she’d have to find some way...she doubted that ignoring half of the lesson was an option. Surely Sel’n had to have taken into account that one third of the class was made up of hinderingly feeble girls? Maybe they were very small boats...she hoped that they were very small boats...

[dragon]

C'oar nodded, when the order to send flitters away was issued. Thankfully, Storm had no issues what so ever with being alone. C'oar just hoped that the flitter wasn't going to go hunt down a certain brown mandyr while he was absent. Storm puffed up, and huffed at C'oar, and then dutifully flew back to thier quarters. Curling up on C'oar's pillow, the bronze huffed again, and laid his head down. Booooooorrrrinnnggggg.

C'oar paid attention as the lesson was lined out for them, and then he sighed. Not because of the nature of the lesson, but because his dragonet was mostly asleep. How could a sleeping dragonet issue instructions?! He nudged Frosstyth, then, trying to wake the brown. Hey. Wake up. My life depends on your alertness, kiddo. Wake up.[/b] He informed his dragon.

Frosstyth grumbled, and blinked. He hadn't actually been asleep, though he had been strongly considering it... I will keep you safe. What are we doing? he asked.

C'oar sighed at the brown, and explained to him what they would be doing. Rowing a boat was easy enough. But doing it blind folded was something he'd never done before. Rising, he went to get his blind, and then listened dutifully as his brown directed him out the door. Frosstyth was worried the whole time, unusually so. His couldn't see!! That was a new sensation for both the lad and his dragon. Frosstyth stayed close the whole way, though not touching … he didn't want to knock C'oar over. Following him out of the door, he started directing him toward the river.

Under pressure as he was, Frosstyth was wide awake and completely aware of everything around him and his. And there was not a single hint of his sometimes playful natures. It was all serious business for the brown, in directing his toward the river. Which he really wasn't too sure about.

Getting to the river was no big deal … back at his father's forge, C'oar had spent a lot of time wandering around at night. Which meant he was steady on his feet without being able to see. But once he reached the river, things changed. Negotiating the slope where the river used to be, down to the current water level, where the boats were waiting. As he clumsily tripped over the edge of the boat, C'oar wondered how Saeo was going to get across … she couldn't handle a boat very well when she could see. He managed to get into the boat without killing himself … or falling out the other side, either one. Thankfully.

And then he had to restrain Frosstyth from trying to climb in the boat, too. "No! You can't get in, you'll sink the boat!!" C'oar protested. "Swim. You know how to swim. And it's not that deep." C'oar gestured at what he assumed was the river. "Just tell me which way to go, alright?"

Frosstyth grumbled, but paddled into the water. Going to the other side, he crawled out of the water and turned to see his on the far shore, and sat down … all before issuing the first orders to get his going. This was weird. Why were they doing this?
And truth be told, C'oar was a little nervous about this part. He'd never rowed a boat while blind, before. Or even in the dark without any glows. So he placed his oars by feel, swallowed his butterflies, and waited for the first directions from Frosstyth.

[binker]

Kyssith hissed when his pillow decided to stand up, eyes taking on a few tints of unhappy yellow as he peered at Sel'n. Where were the lessons that allowed them to sleep? He didn't like this weyrlingmaster at all, with his stupid activities... Still, he stood up when N'lai did, watching as he moved to get his own blindfold. Hmnph, he didn't like this at all...

Calm down, Kyssith. I'll just have to depend on your eyes. He reached forward to place his hand on his bonded's head, and Kyssith snorted. |It is still stupid.| That earned a small laugh from N'lai, before he focused on his dragon. He had read that a rider could use his dragon's eyes, and he had practiced a few times... This would make for good exercise of the ability, right?

Kyssith's vision was a bit blurry at first, but there was the door, and all the exiting weyrlings. Confident that he could walk without harming himself, he let Kyssith take the lead. The Blue glanced once at him- Wow, seeing himself was wierd- before diligently leading the way, hissing when someone got too close to his unsteady bonded. Still, N'lai managed not to trip the whole way; something his brother couldn't say the same of. Irylth wasn't a very good guide, often overlooking things that sent Z'ax toppling. Silly clutchsister...

Kyssith paused in front of one of the boats, keeping his gaze clear on the bobbing wood as N'lai unsteadily sat in it. A few gropes for the oars, and he was paddling out in to the river, Kyssith bobbing at his side like a oversized blue cork.

[Rei]

Sel’n watched as each of the weyrlings accepted their blindfolds, and began the trek to the other side of the river. He chuckled at the reactions a few of them gave to the lesson but otherwise stayed quiet. They seemed to be getting on well enough. As of yet there were no major problems to report and if anyone got dumped out of the boat Kaaoloth would be there to be sure everything was ok.

He mentally prodded his dragon and received an grumble in return. I am watching Selmine. I would not let the children drown. No Kaao I am sure you wouldn’t. I just wanted to make sure that you weren’t asleep. Kaaoloth snorted and turned his whirling eyes back to the river.

---

Having Ebolath as a guide had been rocky at first but she was quickly getting the hang of what hers was and was not capable of understanding. Humans had funny ways of thinking according to her dragon. Raylin managed to make it to the boat with just a few stumbles and no major falls, although she did rap her knees getting into the boat.

The green weyrling sat in the boat for a few minutes to steady herself and then picked up the oars. Ok Ebolath I‘m ready. She said softly, trying to swallow her nervousness. Raylin had boated by herself before and found it not to difficult, however boating blindfolded was another story. Quite frankly she was terrified she was going to end up bumping into someone or dumping herself into the water.

Ebolath gave hers a reassuring croon and, making sure everyone else was out of the way, she began the task of guiding hers across the river. As she paddled beside the boat she felt hers nervousness begin to recede as no catastrophes happened within the first few minutes.

Sel’n had said no pulling the boat but he had said nothing about bumping it with your head to correct your bonded’s horrible steering. So Ebolath occasionally gave the boat a gentle nudge when hers began to turn it the wrong way. Careful mine you need to row straight. You are relying to much on your left side. Raylin nodded. Thanks Ebolath. The weyrling concentrated on trying to keep her oars equal in force and position.

Finally after what seemed like hours they had made it to the other side and Ebolath gave a welcoming croon to Kaaoloth. We are here Raymine! The dragon said excitedly. They were by no means first to arrive but they weren’t last either. Kaaoloth may mine take off her blindfold yet? The little green asked nudging her bonded gently. Kaaoloth rumbled. Not yet. No one may take off their blindfolds until the whole class is present. Ebolath relayed the information to her bonded and they both sat to wait for the rest of the class.

Ebolath spread her wings to absorb the sunlight and lay her head on her bonded’s lap. Did I do good Raymine? She queried a slight edge of worry coloring her tone. Of course love. You did amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better guide. Raylin replied sincerely giving Ebolath’s eye ridges a scratch and earning a happy snort from the dragon.

[ladybug]

A'fyr stumbled around, tripping over himself several times. This was not going well. To the right! Right! Mine![/color] A'fyr grumbled as he turned around again. He was dizzy and had no idea where he was. Fortunately, Rudolth was being very patient with him.

It's okay, mine. Okay, step until I tell you to stop.[/color] Slowly, carefully, A'fyr stepped forward. Miraculously, he didn't run into anything this time. STOP! Turn right. You're almost there![/color]

A'fyr sighed and kept going. This was going to be a long lesson.