Christmas Weyrlings (Lesson Six)

[weaving]

I’fael had set up the classroom differently for this lesson. Instead of individual desks, he’d pushed them together to form groups of four. A roll of charts was in the middle of each grouping. He stood at the head of the classroom for a moment, surveying the room to see if there was anything he had missed. Nope, everything looked good. Go ahead and call the weyrlings to lessons. Have the dragons stay outside with you for warm up exercises though. The hatchlings were getting too big to fit inside such a small space comfortably. It would be only a few more months till they were assigned their own weyr.

Riders, please report to Weyrlingmaster I’fael in the classroom. Weyrlings, you’ll be meeting me outside in the training field to begin warm up exercises. The brown didn’t even bother to add a warming about being late. This class had exceptional attendance, perhaps the best of any class that Selenitas had ever had. He personally took great pride in that. After all, this was the first class that he and His would be teaching from start to finish, minus a few weeks for illness.

“Good morning,” I’fael called out as his students began to file in. “I’d like you to get into groups of four. Please try to pick people that you do not often socialize with. As a rider, knowing everyone well is a necessity and knowing those in your wing is crucial.” He gave them time to find their seats, keeping an eye out for those who might still try and stick together with their best friends. Once it seemed that everyone was grouped properly, he continued.

“In front of you are Threadfall charts. We’ll be learning how to read these and later memorize them. There aren’t enough charts for every weyr of Selenitas, which makes it very important that you keep this knowledge stored in your head. Doing this will ensure that you’re always prepared for threadfall. So, open the first chart and we’ll go over it together.”

He unrolled a copy of his own, clipping it up to the blackboard. After a glance over his shoulder told him that everyone had followed suit, he began the explanation. It was a long one, filled with many pauses for questions. Chart reading was no simple task, especially for those who had never learned to read or write.

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 (excused)
Farryl of Green Peppeth
T’rea of Green Rioth(APC)
Morea of Green Heith(APC)

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[dragon]

C'oar and Frosstyth were, oddly enough, the first ones to the class this time. C'oar found that highly odd, and simply nodded to I'fael before taking a random seat. Any seat was the same as any other, so there really wasn't any thought put toward picking one. Whichever was convenient.

Frosstyth, for his part, walked around the outside as instructed, over toward Morendoth. Hi. What are we warming up for, today? he asked, before gathering himself up into a sit near the older dragon and looking up at him expectantly.

((sorry, blah post. I have a major headache that's making it hard to see >.< ))

[topaz]

Lesson's mine. We are to split up again. The blue nuzzled against his rider's side as the boy began dressing. C'vin's hair was wet from the bath he had just gotten out of, but he toweled it dry as best he could; it was damp, but at least not dripping all over his clothes. Okay Mal. You can go ahead. The weyrling took a hand to scratch his dragons eye ridges before Mallowth happily trotted off.

Finding an old red tunic after rifling through his trunk of clothes, C'vin donned the garment, as well as brown hide pants and boots. With a quick ruffle of his had through his damp hair, the blueweyrling exited the barrack and headed for the classroom. "Morning." He said softly to the room as a whole. C'oar was the only other weyrling in the room, so he sat down across from him as the rest of the class filed in. He listened to I'fael's instruction intently, and when instructed, unrolled the scroll in front of him, spreading it out across the desk so the other three could see it.

Growing up in Selenitas Weyr, C'vin was taught to read and write at a fairly young age, since harpers and other teachers of that nature were readily available. That chart did not seem too complicated, and it was perfectly legible, which was always good. Basically it was a map of Pern, which C'vin was vaguely familiar with; the clearly written Weyr and Hold names helped a lot. On top of the black, brown, green and blue ink that showed the lay of the land, there were different colored lines that marked where Thread fell and when.

C'vin listened carefully to I'fael as he went on about reading the map, referring to the pice of parchment often, making connections needed for memory.

- - -

The blue exited the barracks and went to stand next to Frosstyth, flexing his wings slightly. A light croon and a tilt of the head served as a hello to the two browns. Mallowth, hearing his clutchbrother's question, looked up to Morendoth for the answer.

[Rowana]

Today Farryl managed to get to class early. As always, she was intrigued to see what they would learn. She had almost forgotten that I'fael would also be teaching them, but she was glad to see him. At least that meant no more surprise trips across the river like Sel'n's first class. Unfortunately, this lesson didn't look much better. Farryl knew geography pretty well, but reading and writing were still a struggle for her.

Glancing around the room, she found a group with C'vin and C'oar. She knew the brown weryling a little, but had never really talked with the blue before. At least that part of the lesson should be enjoyable. "Hello," she said, a little less cheerful than normal because of her apprehension of the task at hand. She took a seat and frowned as she watched I'fael explain the chart. The map made sense, the rest turn to mud in her head. This was not going to be an easy task.

~

T'ke slipped into the back of class. He was looking, if possible, more gloomy than normal. It was not the lesson that bothered him. Intellectual exercises like this came much easier than the leather crafting they had been. No, it was the grouping that bothered him. He barely knew anyone anyway, except maybe Ke'rin, his roommate. So it probably didn't matter what group he joined. He just hated having to chose, and in his experience, he usually got left out of such things. At least they divided evenly. T'ke eventually took a seat at an empty table. Some of the other weyrlings would join him if they wanted. Dismissing the nerves, he turned his concentration on the lesson in charts.

~

Peppeth and Garaeth unintentionally arrived outside at the same time. {Good morning!} they chorused in unison, earning a surprised look from the other. The pair's eyes lit up with amusement before moving to join the others. They were a little disappointed that more of their siblings were not yet up, but they were sure to have a fun exercise anyway. Someday soon they would learn to fly!

[weaving]

“Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything just yet. We’ll be revisiting these throughout our lessons. I also encourage you to visit the archives and study the charts found there or speak with any of the other riders at Selenitas. Many would be more than happy to spare a few moments to help you.”

That part of the lesson completed, I’fael gathered the charts, rolling them up and setting them aside. From a large bag on his desk, he pulled out a smaller one, which from the looks of it contained several things. He emptied it’s contents on his desk, spreading them out and motioning for the weyrlings to join him up front. Surprisingly, not many were in attendance. Raylin was sick, or so he’d been told. Perhaps her roommate, Saeo, was sick as well? Of course, that didn’t explain the absence of any of the others. Well, he’d have more time to ponder this later. For now, he’d focus on teaching those who had the sense to attend lessons.

“Alright, for the second part of this lesson, we’ll be covering how to treat stress and fatigue, both for yourself or for your wingmates. Threadfall can be a very stressful time, especially for those in the upper altitude wings or for those in command of a wing. In the event of injuries or death, the stress can multiply tenfold. Also, as some of you may have noticed, threadfall can last for quite a few hours. While wings are built in with alternates, there may come a time where you will have to fly an entire fall.” He let that sink in for a moment, glancing at each of their faces before continuing. “I usually carry a small bag around me with items such as these,” he gestured to the things spread out on the desk. “in case something happens.”

He pointed to each listing their uses. “Dried fruit to keep blood sugar levels up and give you a slight energy boost. Most foods can do this, but it is best to have something that will not go bad and is light. No packing full meals please.” He smiled slightly at his own joke. It was funny. Ha ha. “For stress relief, I would suggest going to the infirmary. They can give you a small amount of herbs meant to aid in calming the nerves. I recommend making sure that you aren’t allergic though.” He continued on for some time before finally concluding with: “Any questions? No? Good. Meet me out in the training field in fifteen minutes.”

Good morning Frosstyth, Mallowth, Peppeth and Garaeth. I hope that your morning has been pleasant so far. Morendoth rumbled pleasantly as he greeted his students. Today we’ll be warming up our wings and our legs. We’ll be practicing ground formations with your riders on your backs and then we’ll begin leaping exercises. We need to make sure that your muscles are nice and strong for your first flight in a few months. Surely that information would excite them if they weren’t already.

With that, the brown began demonstrating the exercises one at a time. First the wings, then each leg, and finally leaping exercises. The older dragon must have looked rather odd bounding around the field, though he seemed not to mind, taking great pleasure in the activity.

[dragon]

Oh boy! Frosstyth remarked, happily, before following along with exuberance to Morendoth's guidance in excersizing. They would be flying soon! That was exciting. He did a lot of the excersizes, and then a few extra just for good measure, to make sure he would be able to fly when the time came. Yes, he would be the best brown ever, he was sure of it! He just had to work hard, and keep from getting fat...

~~~

C'oar contemplated this new lesson. So, they would be packing a lot of stuff on Threadflights, then? A med kit, a snack/stress kit, bags of firestone, a rider in full gear ... was there anything else? "Ah, sir? How much stuff, exactly, is a dragon expected to carry around, during threadfighting? This is a small thing, but ... piled on top of everything else that we've already been informed we'll be carrying ..." He shrugged. "It seems like a lot of stuff to have to fly all over the place. And some of it is weighty."

He wasn't really concerned about whether or not Frosstyth would be able to carry it. A burlier brown he couldn't have asked for. But, what about the smaller dragons? This had to seriously take a big bite out of how long they could stay in the air.

[ladybug]

Socializing? A'fyr didn't do much of that, so it wasn't a problem to find someone he didn't know well. He slid into one of the empty seats at T'ke's table, a blush still coloring his cheeks because he was embarrassed at being late again. (It was like some higher power kept forgetting about him...hmm.) He smiled at the other weyrling, then turned his attention to the Weyrlingmaster.

He eyed the items I'fael laid out on the desk. It looked like what he used to pack for a long hike. The herbs were different, though. A'fyr wondered how dragonriders dealt with all the stress, especially now, with the poisoning. He'd find out soon enough, he supposed.

Rudolth joined the other dragons in their exercises and focused intently on Morendoth. He was getting better at the exercises every lesson. Those who looked closely would see that the brown was starting to fill out, not as gawky as when he had hatched.

[weaving]

“Good question C’oar,” I’fael responded, smiling slightly. It seemed that at least someone was paying attention this morning. “They’ll be carrying between two and three bags of firestone to start with, depending on the size and strength of a dragon. We run supply trains during the fall to replenish firestone for the riders who need it. This makes it so that no dragon becomes over-burdened with too many bags. A small med-kit is recommended, though 99% of injuries that occur during threadfall are severe enough to require returning to the weyr, and a stress kit which shouldn’t weigh more than a few pounds. Smaller dragons, like the greens and blues, also rotate through the fall so they aren’t flying more than half of it. Of course, each dragon is different, and so the amount of things able to be carried varies greatly. Ultimately it is up to you, as the rider, to do what you feel is best for you and your dragon.”

Mini-speech complete, the Weyrlingmaster looked around to see if anyone else had questions. Seeing no raised hands, he began picking the things up from the desk, signaling the end of that lesson. “Meet me out in the training field please. We’ll be going over flight formations on the ground today and begin leaping exercises with you on your dragons so I’d suggest putting on fighting straps. If you haven’t completed those yet, I suggest you hurry. The Weyrleader will be coming to our next lesson to inspect them himself. It also means that you’ll be going through the rest of this lesson bareback. Good luck staying on.”

With that, he made his way to the exit, smiling at the sight of Morendoth leaping about with the weyrlings. We’re ready for the next part of the lesson when you are, he told the brown, who ceased his jumping. Weyrlings, find your riders please. We’re moving on to the next part. Morendoth made his way over to I’fael, proudly watching his weyrlings go about preparing for the next part.

“Alright, so you’ve studied some formations and we’ve walked through them, but today you’ll be forming them while mounted on your dragons. Once you’ve mounted up, I’d like you to form a classic Vee with C’oar and Frosstyth at the head. A’fyr, you’ll be on his left flank and T’ke will be on his right. We’ll have Farryl behind A’fyr and C’vin behind T’ke. You’ll notice that everything looks different from the back of a dragon. Get used to it.” I’fael remained on the ground, supervising them as they moved about and calling out suggestions as they saw fit. He had them run through several other formations before calling an end to that portion.

“Good, good. I would encourage you to go over these outside of lessons as well, but for now, let’s move on. We’ll be doing leaping exercises for the rest of this lesson. It doesn’t simulate flying, but it will give you an idea of what take-off and landing will be like and it gives the dragons an idea of what it’s like to have a rider on their backs.” He went silent after that, allowing Morendoth to finish giving instructions. Remember the leaping exercises we did earlier? You’ll be doing them again, but with your rider on your back. Make sure they are ready for you to jump before you do so or else they may end up getting hurt. After speaking, the brown curled up, happily watching the weyrlings hop about.

[dragon]

C'oar listened to the answer to his question, and was glad to have that cleared up. It made more sense, now, put that way... he guessed maybe it had sounded like a lot more than it really was. But then he hadn't gone around weighing everything, either. He moved out of doors, and couldn't help but grin slightly at the silly sight of dragons leaping all which ways. Even big old Morendoth hopping around like he was trying to catch grass hopping bugs.

He moved to Frosstyth when the thick brown stopped jumping, and fastened the riding straps securely to him. And then he clambered aboard, settling in place. It felt good, being atop his dragon and it being legal. The weyrling pair had been sneaking a few rides around the Weyr on occassion, when no one had been looking. And it felt different, to have the straps in use. C'oar couldn't help but grin. It felt good.

And then Frosstyth proudly walked to the head of the class, to take up his point position, thrusting his chest out as he walked. He was important! He was leading the wing! But C'oar didn't let the silly young dragon go too far with those thoughts, as they co operated in the changing shape of the wing as they tried different formations.

And then came the leaping. This, was something that they hadn't done before. For noticable reasons. But now with straps, Frosstyth took a measured, shallow leap. And despite thinking he was ready for it, C'oar still bounced off the ridge behind him, and then the one in front, upon landing. He sat up afterward, grimmacing and rubbing his chest.

"Okay, that didn't go so well." He commeneted, wryly.

We'll get it! I know we will. We'll get it good. Frosstyth reassured him. And they tried again. It was better than the first time. As the two of them slowly acquired the ability to move together, and co ordinate thier thoughts for such things, Frosstyth started leaping higher and higher, until he was trying his hardest to leap as high as he could, wings cocked forward as if he really wanted to try flying. But he didn't.

Finally, C'oar called a stop to the excersize. He felt like he had been riding a bucking runner all day, and his insides were sore. Which, after his recent illness of being poisoned, really didn't feel good at all. Pulling a steadying breath, C'oar looked around as he rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, glad to be sitting still for the moment. He was more than content to stay atop his dragon, though, and remained where he was.

[topaz]

C'vin smiled at Farryl as she joined his and C'oar's table, but quickly turned his attention back to I'fael as the man brought the first part of the lesson to a close. Now the weyrlingmaster produced an array of items from his bag and C'vin leaned forwards to inspect them as he listened to each of their uses. The nerve calming herbs were vaguely familiar to the blueweyrling, as he had worked closely with his father in the Infirmary for a number of years. The package of dried fruit was a new concept to C'vin however, but now that he knew about it, it was obvious why it was used. Riders needed to be just as alert as their dragons and, with Falls lasting over two or three hours, one would assume they would tire quickly. After all, riding a dragon in flight was not like sitting on the back of a runner. It had to be much more taxing on the body and muscles especially, since the rider would need to balance himself squarely on his dragon's back so he would not strain his riding straps and possibly come loose. Yes, all of that supplies had a good reason to be there, and C'vin nodded along, satisfied.

C'oar's question was a valid one. Indeed his Frosstyth was a brown, who were notoriously strong, sturdy males, but C'vin knew that Mallowth would not be able to carry as much as said clutchbrother; although he would try to convince His otherwise. I'fael's answer seemed logical, but C'vin was slightly put off when he brought up greens and blues. He knew that it was only because of pure physical capabilities, but it almost felt as if they wouldn't be doing their fair share of the fighting. Of course it wouldn't make a difference to Mallowth, as long as they could fly, so the weyrling shrugged it off and continued to listen.

Given the fifteen minutes to meet Mallowth in the training field, C'vin hurried and retrieved his riding straps from the top of his trunk. He had oiled them well and their former stiffness had been soothed into a bendable, yet very strong material. Yes, these would do well, C'vin thought happily as he walked out with them over his shoulder and towards Mallowth.

- - -

Oh! More exercises! Mallowth loved his wing exercises. He did them every day, for almost an hour since the last lesson, and the blue was convinced he was strong enough to fly now. He followed the big brown's motions exactly, eyes glued to the larger dragon towering over him, whirling happy blues. And then there was jumping! But Mallowth was jumping around all the time; it was an exercise now? Brilliant! This could very well be the best lesson yet!

The blue was practically skipping towards an open stretch of land so that he would not be in the way of the other jumpers. gaining a few steps for speed first, Mallowth launched himself forwards, spreading his wings slightly to . . . maybe, let him glide a bit? Unfortunately no. There was simply not enough wind in the right direction for that to occur today, but Mallowth was not discouraged. He continued bounding all over the field until his attention was caught by an amused laugh. Spinning around, Mallowth rumbled happily at the site of His heading towards him with the riding straps. It was then that Morendoth's instruction went out, and the blue was writhing with excitement.

Calm yourself for a moment Mal. I've got to get your straps on. Oh but hurry up! I want to do the flying exercise! I don't think we're flying just yet. They just want to get us used to the feeling of being atop a dragon. Soon the straps were in place, Mallowth's fidgetiness only slightly subdued, and C'vin went to mount. The blue hardly needed to bend for His to climb on with ease, and the pair were secured and walking around in no time. Mallowth wriggled slightly in the straps, adjusting to the added weight of his rider. Mine, you are not too heavy at all. I like this. Can we go places like this? It would be so much faster with me walking C'vin chuckled at his dragon's eagerness and at the ease with which he made the transition. I don't know Mal. I suppose we could. If only to exercise your muscles some more. Oh yes. I like this exercising very much Mine. C'vin grinned and patted Mallowth's neck as the blue walked his way into formation behind T'ke and Garaeth.

Hearing the next set of instructions soon after, C'vin was slightly apprehensive. After all, Mallowth was obviously ridiculously excited, and he only hoped the the blue would be clear headed enough to warn him when he was abou . . . wh . . . oh! Oomfh. As soon as he saw the others begin to leap about with Theirs, Mallowth spun around, took a few quick steps, and lurched himself forward. C'vin, being mid-thought as this all happened, was jarred almost out of his seat, and narrowly missed ramming his face into a neck ridge, only a few inches away. Mal! You could have warned me! The blue's head swiveled around to level a gleaming yellow eye at His, as the dragon crooned his apologies. He was just so excited! It's alright. Nothing's broken. He said cheerfully to the blue. Just try and coordinate it next time, okay? A swell of affection and guilt washed over C'vin, along with an affirmative per his request. Okay. I'm going to do it the same as I did last time. Ready? C'vin nodded mentally, and braced himself for the impact. However this time, when Mallowth landed, it was much smoother and C'vin found that as long as he was aware they were taking off, he could stabilize himself rather quickly. That was perfect Mal. Good job. C'vin complimented, patting and scratching the blue's neck. The beast rumbled with pleasure, as much from the physical attention than the appraisal of his good work.

[ladybug]

A'fyr followed the other weyrlings out to the training field, carrying the riding straps. He was excited for the chance to ride Rudolth, even if they couldn't fly yet. And flying couldn't be too far off, could it? Rudolth ran to greet him, and he tied the straps securely, checking them twice just to be sure. Even though they weren't flying, he could still fall off and break a leg or something.

Rudolth extended a foreleg and A'fyr mounted, landing as gracefully as he could. He still couldn't vault his way up like some of the more practiced riders, but that would come with time. They got into position behind Frosstyth. This is kind of like being Wingsecond, isn't it? A'fyr thought to himself, shaking his head at the thought. He couldn't imagine having a leadership position, but that had to be turns away, if it ever happened at all.

Riding a dragon was kind of like riding a runnerbeast, in that you had to be an active rider. A'fyr had enough experience with runners that he was used to that, but riding his dragon was so much better. I like this![/color] Rudolth said, glad to have his rider on his back finally.