The Golden Arrow, part 2
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin, Emma, Heather, Miriah, Paula, Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 18th October 2019
Characters: Dessa, G'ran, F'lin, R'nar, J'ackt, Y'gel, L'cor, K'deren, Z'ku
Description: Santhiath Rises for the first time.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 15 of Turn 9
Mareloth hesitated and slowed down. Should he follow her in or stay
out of the clouds, trying to anticipate where she came out? The cloud
bank wasn't large, she couldn't hide there long. It was gamble either
way.
He knew she was young but that didn't mean she wasn't wily. Aughashyth
rose on an updraft over the uppermost reaches of the cloud bank where
they were thin and he might catch a glimpse of glowing gold as she
shot up again.
Tonuth swerved in what he thought might be the right direction then
wheeled in an attempt to gain sight of the prize.
Donneth had relied on experience to follow the gold as she raced through the
clouds. He gained a little height, even as he raced in her direction, trying
to predict where she would reappear.
Though he was young, Zith had seen this trick many times with greens and he
held back. He didn't enter the clouds but flew under the bank, eyes
scanning the mist for any shadow that might reveal the gold's presence.
The gold would have to climb, so Xemroth surged higher. As he did, he
scanned the clouds, hoping to spot Santhiath. The pack of chasers had
split, giving him more room, a better view, and he hoped, a better
chance. }:I will give you a fine first clutch.:{
Santhiath had her own ideas. Once she reached the center of the cloud
formation, she did a 180 degree turn and dipped even lower.
His hesitation had made Mareloth to fall to the back of the chaser group. He
was quite surprised to see her re-appear right below him, heading for
opposite direction. The bronze turned quickly too. A little surge of speed
and he could have caught her...except she was dangerously low and not ready
yet.
}: Wrong way, boys! :{ she laughed mockingly.
}: You need to fly high for a good clutch, :{ Mareloth told her while he
settled to follow her close, matching speed, not gaining but not falling
behind.
}: It's not time yet,:{ Santhiath replied.
Iorath had nearly collided with an older brown who had not anticipated the
sneaky young queen's trick. Fortunately he had dodged just in time to pass
beneath the brown and not lose too much ground with the rest of the jostling
pack.
Zith banked as sharply as he could, backwinging to adjust to the new
direction. Though it did set him back, Zith recovered well, his leaner
build allowing for better maneuverability. Crooning his adoration towards
the young gold, he chased, eyes locked on her glowing hide. }: Our clutch
will outmatch them all, my beauty. :{
Seneth had kept some altitude, although the temptation to follow Santhiath
low was strong. He flipped neatly on his wingtips when she changed direction
to follow her eagerly. As he did, he couldn't help but bank a little so that
the sun glittered off his fine bronze hide in the hopes that she'd notice
how well he flew in her wake.
Donneth had noticed Seneths actions even as he made his own turn, the height
had helped a little, meaning he could position himself to arrow in on the
glittering prize that awaited one of them - no. awaited him, because he had
the experience to show this golden girl exactly what she needed and deserved
from this flight.
Santhiath took another sharp turn and started gain altitude. She put out
more speed, trying to shake off the males. Twisting from left to right, she
climbed upwards. She was starting to feel the strain from the extended
flight, her wings were beginning to ache.
}:Let me ease your way,:{ called out Donneth. }:I will help you,:{ he called
as he tried to match her altitude.
Aughashyth bellowed his joy as he watched her come back toward the
tops of the clouds where he had awaited her twisting and turning chase
below. He welcomed her back into the sun even as he angled to catch
her.
Tonuth, wasn't quite as experienced and his wings were very tired as
he chased her back up but he crooned to her. }:Be mine lovely
Santhiath.:{
Excitement pounded through Xemroth as the gold flew higher. She must
be tiring now, climbing as instinct drove her to gain enough distance
for a long fall. }:My strong wings will carry us well. I will give you
pleasure and many eggs:{ He kept up with her as others fell away.
}: We can fly far and long together, Santhiath.:{ Zith offered with a
sultry croon of desire. }: Letting the sun gleam over his wings to
attract her gaze, he turned, wings straining to keep pace with the
older, more experienced bronzes.
For the first time, Santhiath started to seriously consider her suitors when
the urge for consummation was winning over the pleasure of sheer flying and
out smarting them. So many fine bronzes! Who should she go for? The
experience and wisdom of age or the vigor of youth?
In the the end, it was Senenth who had impressed her most. She avoided
Mareloth's eager attempt to grab her and flicked her tail invitatingly to
the young bronze.
Mareloth roared with disappointment, it was obvious that she had chosen and
it was not him.
Seneth pushed forward and caught Santhiath with a triumphant cry. He twined
his neck around his golden mate as they fell from the sky. The dragon's
triumph was echoed on the ground as F'lin pulled Dessa close to claim her as
his own, his heart beating with the same euphoria as his dragon's as he
picked her up and stumbled toward the nearest cot.
Donneth cried out in frustration even as he began the journey back to the
Weyr. On the ground, warm soft arms enveloped K'deren and began to lead him
off to an empty flight room. "This way, brownrider," was what he heard.
Zith cried out in dismay as the gold moved away from him and was
caught by another. Diving back to the Weyr, he dove into the lake to
cool his heated blood. Stumbling away from the circle of men, J'ackt
was tugged away by a feminine figure without complaint.
Aughashyth wheeled on a wingtip then dove into the sea below to cool
down. His rider turned into waiting arms and was led into a room and
oblivion.
So close! They'd been so close. L'cor stumbled backward and away from
the group brushing past the grasping hands to find his weyrmate.
Tonuth bellowed in frustration and found an isolated beach to sulk for
a few minutes before heading back to the Weyr.
Last updated on the November 1st 2019