Running Scared [beastcrafter]

[nightingale]

But Ke’rin-mine, these poor holdfolk may never see another bronze dragon in their entire lives! How can you deny them the pleasure of seeing me? They can see you just fine from the river. I only want to be sure that you neither crush anything, nor scare the runners to death. He received the telepathic equivalent of an irritated snort. I still don’t know why you want to buy one of those silly things. What kind of person wants a pet that smells like food? Ebolath will eat it. This I promise you Ke’rin-mine.

They boy chose to ignore his dragon’s opinion, and brushed Farryl’s arm gently. “I think I see them over there.” He said, gesturing with his head toward what appeared to be a corral with animals inside. He was glad that the greenrider had agreed to come with him to the gather. He knew little to nothing about runners, and the last thing he needed was to get cheated out of the marks he had been painstakingly earning over the last few sevendays. While sewing dresses was not usually a hardship for the young waver, finishing six of them in time for the gather had been…well, excruciating was a good word for it. His fingers were still numb from having pricked them so many times.

Still, if a runner was what it took to put a smile back on Raylin’s face than a runner it what he would go home with. He only hoped that Saeo was right.

Approaching a man whom he thought might be in charge of the animals prancing about inside the large wooden corral, Ke’rin offered his hand in greeting. “Good afternoon.” He smiled politely. “We were looking into buying a pair of runners. Farryl is looking for a mare I believe…” He glanced back at the girl for confirmation before returning his attention to the beastcrafter. “And I’m not really concerned what gender it is, so long as it’s a good riding animal. Could you help us out?”

[Rei]

Sena turned around as someone hailed him. Checking the boys knots he pegged him as a bronze rider and his companion a green rider both weyrlings. “It is a pretty nice afternoon. Actually my father usually deals with the runners but he’s busy helping the senior weyrwoman out so I get to help you guys.” Smiling as he turned toward Farryl he bowed slightly. “Hello miss and your looking for a mare? Any color or temperament preference? Also what are you planning on using her for? Not all of our mares are broke to ride you see.” Smiling at Ke’rin he gestured to the pens. “Since you only want a good riding animal you might as well take a look around and ask about any that catch your fancy. A few of the mares are not broke and a few of the stallions as well. All our geldings are broke.”

[Rowana]

Farryl trotted after Ke'rin. She was alive with excitement. She had always loved runners and dreamed of having her own. Carrying for the ones that the caravan owned had been one of her favorites tasks. It had taken a long time, but she finally had enough marks that she thought she could haggle for one. Even if she didn't have enough, it would still be a joy to help Ke'rin. Raylin really needed something to lift her spirits and a runner might be just the thing.

Farryl smiled and hers eyes lit up at the sight of the runners. They were all so lovely, how would she ever choose. "I'm not sure if I could break one myself," she admitted sadly. She did like a challenge though. "A spirited girl would be just fine though." She surveyed the small herd critically. Most of them were fine animals. It didn't look like they would have trouble finding a good animal for both their needs. She moved closer, careful not to startled any of them as she examined some of the mares. "How's this one for temperament and training?" she asked. She nodded to a dark liver chestnut mare with a striking flaxen mane and tail.

[nightingale]

Any chance you know what a gelding is? It probably tastes the same as any other runnerbeast, Mine. Jaymith did not seem the least bit inclined toward being helpful.

Ke’rin moved over to the fence, trying his best to pick out a runner that looked…well, actually he hadn’t a clue what he was looking for. He knew which ones he thought were pretty –not that he had much of an opinion on the beauty of animals- but if the thing turned out to be pretty and unrideable then he may as well have not bothered at all…come to think of it, was having a ‘broke’ runner a good or a bad thing?

“Which do you think Raylin would like?” He asked Farryl, trying not to make his ignorance any more obvious that it already was. “I was thinking the dark one back there, with the one white foot.” He pointed toward a small mare far on the other side of the paddock. She wasn’t a particularly striking animal, but she was healthy and had obviously been bred by someone who know what they were doing.

[Rei]

Sena had begin to answer Farryl’s question but then Ke’rin spoke. The young man froze and turned to Ke’rin eyes widening. “You know Ray? My baby sister? You know her? How is she? Is she ok?” He kept his voice low and took a searching glace around. “Shards I didn’t know you knew my sister. I haven‘t seen her since I got married. I heard she ran away from home. I had no idea she went to the weyr. Dad refuses to talk about her.” The young man ran his hand through his hair and stared at the two weyrlings.

[Rowana]

Farryl turned to stare at the man, runners completely forgotten. "You're Raylin's brother?" she asked in surprise. She tried to remember if Raylin had ever mentioned a brother. She didn't talk about family much. "Well, uh." For once, Farryl was lost for words. What could she say? Raylin wasn't exactly in the best of state of mind right now. Hobbs cocked his head at the man curiously. What was he babbling about? Humans were boring anyway, the little blue was far more interested in the runners. He had never seen one before.

Farryl recovered at last and smiled. "She did impress a green dragon," Farryl pointed to her knots. "Like me. We're in the same class in fact." Her face fell a little. "She's been a little depressed since the attack. We all have to be honest." That was probably an understatement in Raylin's case, but Farryl didn't want the brother to worry too much. Maybe if he came to visit though. "Ke'rin was going to buy her a runner to cheer her up," she explain, nudging the boy's shoulder. "Maybe if you came to see her that would help too?" Farry suggested hopefully.

[nightingale]

Ke’rin was more than a little bit alarmed to find that the crafter they and been talking to was acquainted with Raylin. Her brother? Raylin had never mentioned having any siblings…then again, he supposed she didn’t tell him a lot of things. He gave the young man a hard looking over, trying to spot some family resemblance. Their colouring was similar…but even disregarding that and the fact that there were only so many Raylins who came from beastcrafting families at Selenitas Hold, he was tempted to ask some sort of skill-testing question to make sure they were actually talking about the same girl.

His attention turned toward Farryl as she began answering the young man’s questions, and he nodded his own affirmation. “Umm yeah. I could give you an extra mark or two and you could bring the runners back to the Weyr for us.” He offered, shrugging lightly. “That would give you plenty of chance to see her. I bet she’s been missing you like crazy.”

[Rei]

“She impressed? A dragon? Wait did she get searched? Father said she just up and ran away. I am afraid I am a bit confused. She was involved in the attack is she alright? Hold on a second I think I need to sit down.” Sinking to the ground Sena rubbed his temples. “Ray my baby sister a dragon rider. Who in a million years would ever think that.” Shaking his head he gave a small smile. “I am afraid I wouldn’t be able to visit. My wife is due to birth our firstborn in a seven day or so. I couldn’t leave her. But you could give my baby sister my regards and let her know she’ll be an aunt soon?”

Standing up he smiled at Farryl and then turned to solemnly regard Ke’rin. “What are your intentions with my sister exactly? Raylin is far from a normal girl. I suggest you hold yourself carefully around her. If you hurt her and I find out, your going to have more than me to worry about.” Warning sufficiently given he turned to the runners. “My sister’s runner Tak is for sale. If you want to cheer he up I suggest you purchase him.” The man gestured to a temporary pen far away from the others that held a single grey stallion.

“As for you little miss the runner you pointed out is indeed well trained. Her name is Lyleeka. You are welcome to change it if you purchase her. We are selling her only as a riding animal. She has no temperament problems but she does have a problem foaling. None of her foals ever make it to term. She miscarries them all at about 20 seven days. Although we have had her checked out, no beasthealer is able to figure out her problem. As a riding horse she’s perfect but she could never breed so we are selling her.” Sena turned back to the two to get their reactions and answers. Keeping an even and unreadable eye on Ke’rin as he did so.

[Rowana]

Farryl gave a friendly smile. "Don't worry. We're all looking out for Raylin and I'm sure she'll be happy to hear she'll be an aunt." She raised an eyebrow at the tone taken with Ke'rin, but didn't comment. If she'd had a brother, no doubt he would be protective too. It many ways she was glad that at least Raylin's brother seemed to care about her so much. If they could just drag her out of her weyr long enough to see him again.

Her face lit up. Raylin's horse! That was perfect! If any beast would cheer her up, he would. Farryl nudged Ke'rin in the arm and nodded to Tak. "He certainly is handsome," she pointed out. "And Raylin would feel so much better if he got a good home." She grinned and winked before turning back to the mare she had selected. She rubbed the runner's nose fondly. "Lyleeka," she whispered. "What a lovely name." She certainly was nice and if she was well trained as he said, she was perfect for what she wanted. That she could not foal was sad, but it wasn't like she intended on breeding. Maybe she could get her for less. A good runner could cost 15 to 20 marks, and she only had 10.

"How much are you asking for her?" she asked tentatively. She didn't want to see too eager or he might put the price higher. She probably didn't have enough anyway. Even geldings were more expensive than what she had. She had mostly come to help Ke'rin after all. Getting one for herself was probably too much to hope for.