Christmas Weyrlings (Lesson 8)

[weaving]

Lesson Eight:
Classroom: Second Fighting Strap Inspection
Training Field: Individual Take Off from Level Ground; Flight Training Replaces Ground Drill; Learn Weyr from the Air

He was nervous about today’s lesson. Sure, they’d been practicing gliding and the like, but today would be the first day that any of the weyrlings would actually get to fly. Almost all of the dragons were big enough to carry their riders, even the greens, except Peppeth. He’d worried about the tiny green’s size, but had figured that she’d hit a growth spurt soon enough. Instead, she’d stayed much smaller than her clutchmates and was dwarfed in comparison to Jaymith. She could probably fly on her own and in fact that was what he would suggest to Farryl today, but she was still too small to carry her rider. Still, it seemed as though the green hadn’t finished growing yet. Within the next two months she’d be large enough to ride, but he doubted that she’d ever be able to carry more than two people and even then they’d have to be small. At least Farryl was a rather small girl herself and so wouldn’t put any strain on Peppeth.

Please meet I’fael out in the field today for class. Bring your straps and don’t be late. I’fael would be doing a strap inspection right at the beginning of class. Those who missed it wouldn’t be allowed to participate in their first flight and they’d have to take time out of their schedule to have a make-up lesson with either he or Sel’n. He doubted that any of them would very much appreciate that and he certainly wouldn’t enjoy it interrupting his free time. He wasn’t too worried though. None of his weyrlings had a problem with showing up, unlike Sel’n’s. Poor man.

“Good morning. I’ll be inspecting your straps to see that you’ve made any adjustments necessary and then I’ll be going over your first flight, which we’ll be having today. Line up however you want and have your flight straps ready for me to inspect when I reach you.” Seeing that most of the weyrlings had arrived, he let out his usual speech and then stepped back to allow them to arrange themselves how they saw fit.

Roll Call
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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[nightingale]

Saeo was first to reach the training field, which was exactly what she had been aiming for.

"And high she shoots through air and light, above all low delay! No worldly power binds her flight, nor shadow dims her way!" The final notes of the melody mingled with a croon of approval, and the girl dismounted her blue with a small giggle of delight. She was getting quite adept at swinging in and out of her flying straps, and the fact was becoming more and more evident in the way that her muscles showed beneath her freckled skin. The weryling ran an admiring hand along her dragon's flank, watching the sunlight play across his freshly oiled hide. Today was the day they had been waiting for.

'n high she shoots too air 'n...'n what sing mine? Baby nibbled on the girl's ear in an attempt to draw her attention back to the waking world. Saeo winced in annoyance and tried brushing him away with the tip of a gloved finger, but the tiny blue only stubbornly latched onto the fabric with his baby teeth. "'Air and light' my love, 'air and light'." She murmured dismissively, hoisting the dangling creature from his perch. "You can practice it while we're flying." Oh mine, isn't it just so exciting? Cherilith crooned happily as his rider set her infant salamandyr down in the grass and allowed him to scurry up the trunk of a nearby tree. We are going to fly! And once we learn how to fly, we can start practicing for when Hepticath next rises! Hepticath? Cherilith you do know that Hepticath is a gold, do you not?

The apologetic smile Ke'rin offered Saeo as he and Jaymith stepped onto the training field was almost a wince. Let him be Jay. He can chase anyone he wants. But mine, Hepticath is a /gold/! Cherilith must understand that he is far to small to ever catch her. And you're too young to be chasing greens, but that certainly didn't stop you from stirring up trouble when Oquith rose. Now be polite. The young bronze snorted his irritation, but refrained from making any further commentary. He dipped his head low to the ground so that his rider could remove the riding straps draped haphazardly around his neck.

Don't listen to that great shining dimglow darling. Saeo reassured her dragon, kissing him tenderly on the nose as she spotted a hint of gold rimming his expressive blue eyes. You can catch any female you want, green gold or salamandyr. The blue snorted with sudden amusement, a chortle bubbling up from the bottom of his throat. You are silly mine. Why would I ever want to catch a salamandyr? I'm only saying that you could darling, not that you should...because you really shouldn't.

[topaz]

Mallowth bounded onto the fields, C'vin on his back, and slowed to stop gently behind Jaymith. C'vin quickly dismounted and stood next to his blue, stroking him affectionately as they listened to I'fael. Flying! The blue exclaimed, wriggling in his excitement. Mallowth instinctively flapped his wings and flexed his shoulder muscles as he watched I'fael begin the strap inspection. Oh Mine! We can fly today! /Really/ fly! I cannot wait! C'vin grinned wholeheartedly, sharing just the same amount of excitement and anticipation as his dragon. Yes love! We'll finally be able to fly together. We can go anywhere now. Contemplating the possibilities, C'vin reflexively looked to the horizon as Mallowth nuzzled his shoulder. If all goes well we'll be starting with firestone too. Before you know it Mal we'll be fighting Thread. The thought temporarily sobered C'vin's elation, and a more serious look came over his eyes. However, with some prodding from Mallowth, he came out of it quickly. We will be great flyers Mine. And Thread won't stand a chance once I can hold a flame! With that, Mallowth snorted, pretending his meat scented breath was in fact searing hot burst of fire. C'vin chuckled lightly. Yes Mal. I know. Let's just take one thing at a time though.

The pair waited in line behind Saeo, Cherilith, Ke'rin and Jaymith as they had their straps approved. As I'fael came to Mallowth, the blue stood up straighter, arching his neck, and trying to look as impressive as possible. And the blue was quite big now. Not as big as his brown clutchbrothers, and nowhere near Jaymith, but certainly large. The blue folded his wings to his sides to make sure I'fael got a good look at the straps. His C'vin worked hard on all those little stitches, he did. They were a proper work of art! In Mallowth's jewel faceted eyes they were anyway, but he was biased.

[dragon]

C'oar and Frosstyth were not far behind in arriving to lessons. However, unlike the ones before them, C'oar was not riding Frosstyth. Instead, he was walking along the path, picking at his straps. He had worked tedious hours on his straps, intent that they be in prime condition. Thier nearly failing grade at the last lesson had been more than a little frustrating.

So he had spent hours and hours on his straps, between chores. Using the strongest threading that he could find, and making the close, even stitches. Pulling them all quite tight, to make sure there was no slippage at all. And all the knots were done neatly, securely, and tucked in places where they would no aggrevate Frosstyth's skin, nor his own. Never mind when he was liable to really be relying on them, he would be clad from head to toe in fleece lined flight leathers.

If his straps failed to garner anything beneath a passing grade this time around, C'oar would start fresh, with whole new set of leathers. Because there was nothing more he could do to these, to make them any better. And with this grim determination in mind, the smith took his place in the class line up and awaited the inspection.

He rather hoped that the leathers would pass ... not only did he not want to have to sit and make a whole new set, but he definitely wanted the chance at flying today. Not far away, Frosstyth was fidgiting with raw energy and excitement. Flying! They were going to fly! But instead of prodding his about it, Frosstyth kept a lid on it and fidgited in silence, nerves aflutter.

He still had his self confidence. But at the same time, he was afraid. What if he didn't measure up? What if he, the self-perceived best of the lot, failed to even make it into the air from a dead stand? Surely not! But what if ... ?? ? The idea was making the brown dragon's stomach roil and growl, threatening to get upset. No! Don't think that! He would out fly them all! Even that upstart Jaymith! Yes! He would! Not that he had anything against Jaymith. No, not at all. But to be perceived as best by everyone simply because his skin was bronze? ....

[Rowana]

Farryl trotted onto the practice yard with an excited Peppeth on her heals. Do you think we will fly today! the little green asked. Farryl patted her fondly. "Maybe." I am sure I can carry you this time. I have gotten bigger. Do you think I am big enough? Farryl frowned. "We'll see what I'fael says." Peppeth had gotten a little bigger, but she was still tiny compared to her siblings. She doubted she had the strength to fly and carry a rider. Farryl would have to hold out the hope that her dragon would grow just enough by the time she was mature. So far Peppeth was taking the news of not carrying her in lessons well, but if this ending up being permanent, Farryl didn't think she could keep either of them happy for long.

Farryl got into line behind C'vin. She tried to put her worries behind her and concentrate on the lesson at hand. Learning to make and fit her straps well was just as important. So long as Peppeth grew large enough, they would have plenty of time to practice together then.

T'ke snuk into the back of the line. He wasn't yet sure if he liked flying, but Garaeth loved it. His blue was humming happily in his mind and listing all the wonderful places they would see when they could fly far together. T'ke was just glad that so far with gliding, he hadn't fallen off or gotten sick. He still wasn't betting that he luck would hold however, especially once they started doing more complicated maneuvers. At least Akyo stayed away in lessons. Having so many dragons around protecting "worms" annoyed him enough to entertain himself elsewhere.

[Rei]

Raylin and Ebolath arrived slightly after Farryl and Peppeth. The green crooning a hello to her smaller clutch sibling. Peppeth was quickly forgotten as I'fael spoke however. The Weyrling Master’s small statement had the green prancing excitedly in place. Oh Raymine we will fly today! The dragon nuzzled hers affectionately. Do you think they will let us go first this time? It is not fair if Jaymith always goes first. Raylin stroked her dragon’s neck and after I’fael had finished speaking she moved away to get in line behind Farryl.

I am not sure if he will let us go first or not. We will just have to see. First we have to make sure my straps are properly done. Raylin shifted her hands over the leather nervously. Oh mine I am sure they are wonderful. You and Saeo have worked ever so hard on them and you are good at making neat stitches. I hope your right love. Now settle down. I will be back shortly. The green obeyed and stopped her prancing but her tail tip still twitched back and forth, sweeping the grass to and fro.

Raylin could hardly fault Ebolath for being excited, because she was also anxious to begin flying. This was the day they had all been waiting for ever since the dragons hatched. The day when they would finally become proper dragon riders astride flying dragons. Soon they would be learning to fight the deadly thread. That thought made a shudder pass over the young girl. Dangerous though it was, it was the purpose for which Ebolath was bred. Finally they both would be able to make a difference, by protecting their home and those they loved.

[ladybug]

We get to fly today, mine![/color] Rudolth exclaimed happily, following his rider to the lesson. He was tired of lumbering around after A'fyr. Today he would finally get off the ground! I'm excited too, Ru, A'fyr said, smiling. He had been looking forward to this for a while.

He got into line behind Raylin, a little impatient to have the inspections over with so they could get to the good part.

((Sorry it's so short...all of my muse is on the attack. >.>))