The Black of Dawn

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 4th January 2026

Characters: Harki, H'run
Description: Harki catches something amiss with H'run the Threadfall day after Dolphin Cove's Hatching Feast
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 16 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: L'val, I'serin

H'run

Harki edged toward H'run in the weyrbowl until she stood beside him. Dawn was still at least a candlemark away and the air was brittle with frost. Heavy bellied clouds hung fat with snow above their heads and reflected the light from the busy Weyr. It was a Threadfall day and the Wings were preparing to meet it, and technically she was supposed to be with the rest of Summit, but she'd caught sight of Calcifeth flying low to meet his Wing and something made her seek the bluerider out.

"New straps?"

H'run's eyes were a flash of green hidden between layers of dark wool and leather. He glanced at her, then back at Calcifeth, whose entire set of leathers had been dyed so dark they looked black in the scattered light from the millions of glows and torches. "No."

Harki frowned. "I don't remember them being black. Doesn't seem like your colour."

H'run shrugged a black-clad shoulder. He'd dyed his flight jacket black as well in a manic episode fuelled by a combustible mix of sleeplessness, alcohol and despair. His flight gloves hid fingertips dyed as black as the straps. "People change."

"I liked your old straps," she said mournfully. They'd been a riot of colours: purples, crimsons, and tawny golds.

The bluerider shrugged again. "Aren't you supposed to be with Summit?"

She glanced toward her own Wing, which was gathered next to Alpine. Both Cerillith and Calcifeth lingered at the edges of their Wings to watch over their errant riders. "Close enough."

"I'm trying to listen to L'val," H'run told her. "Go away."

"Don't be cranky. I just wanted to say hello and then you're dressed like _that." She gestured at H'run's inky riding leathers. "You're not going to run away from us again, are you?"

"I don't run away," H'run said, blithely ignoring all the times he actually had run away - including the previous evening. The stares from his wingmates and friends at breakfast that morning had felt like being pelted with stones. Judgemental ones. "I've just not been in the mood for company."

"Are you sick?"

"No."

"Wait-- I get it! You went to Dolphin Cove's Hatching last night and now you're hungover!" Harki said triumphantly.

H'run sighed, his breath a frosty puff in the chill air. "No. For Faranth's sake, Harki. Go back to your Wing or I'll report you."

She stuck her lower lip out in a pout. "Did you miss your klah this morning? I just wanted to see how you're doing." When her only response was a glare, the greenrider sighed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Fine. Good luck today. Maybe I'll see you in the baths later?"

"Go _away_, Harki," H'run muttered. "Honestly."

"Sucks to have friends, doesn't it!" she said cheerfully, then returned to Cerillith's side to load up her firestone sacks and catch the tail end of I'serin's lecture. Wing speeds, chance of snow, formation they'd flown a million times before. The Weyrleader had a way of making Threadfall seem very dull.

By the time the Wings rose into the sky in a thunderclap of sound and colour, she'd forgotten her concern, and she forgot to find H'run in the baths later too. She'd only remember late that night, after she'd tucked herself into her warm bed, that she'd forgotten, but by then it was too late to seek him out. **Tomorrow,** she promised herself, but she was already mostly asleep and the thought had fled entirely by morning light.

Last updated on the February 8th 2026

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

The Black of Dawn