Dragonriders Must Fly When Thread is in theSky
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: Clancey
Date Posted: 31st March 2007
Characters: J'darin
Description: J'darin watches the Senior Weyrlings graduate.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 8 of Turn 4
J'darin watched Y'sani with the group of Senior Weyrlings, giving them their last 'speech' before their official graduation, and the choosing of the Wings that would come this evening.
A smile crossed his face as he recalled his own choosing, and the last Clutch that he had seen graduate. A little twist to his lips was evident as he remembered that at least one of the Weyrlings he'd chosen had _not_ been happy to fly in his Wing.
He and Hasaarth were far enough from the scene that they were not intruding, but close enough to count each line of worry, each clenched fist, and each slight shudder as one and all those who had been Weyrlings become .. more.
Dragonriders.
In a time of Thread falling, every one of them would be needed.
Every last one. He only hoped that every last one would survive their transition to a full member of the fighting wings.
He had watched many as Weyrlingmaster Second, and more when he filled in as Weyrlingmaster. Yet, it was as Weyrleader that his pain was fiercest. It was his decisions that could give life .. or death ..
to these young riders. It was _his_ job to take them into danger each and every time Thread fell onto their Pern.
Yet he knew that it was Y'sani who bore the heaviest burden. J'darin decided how to use them, but Y'sani taught them how to be used. If either of these men failed, young people and dragons died.
Overcome, he looked away for a moment. Hasaarth - as ever - intruded upon his melancholy with the blithe disregard dragons always had for their lifemate's emotions.
}: They will do well. They have been trained well, even by the blue and the green.:{ Hasaarth offered, attempting to understand why his rider worried so each time he saw another group leap into the skies.
A smile surfaced, then he made himself say their names out loud, knowing his was not the only pain right now.
R'mer, rider of bronze Hanunth. Would he become a Wingleader or even a Weyrleader someday?
L'kbren, rider of bronze Zigarth R'alt, rider of brown Tieranith. Would he become a Wingsecond someday?
C'bal, rider of brown Dorentath E'net, rider of brown Gryssith T'jan, rider of blue Sajaneth V'con, rider of blue Cacholetyth L'diyn , rider of blue Jasterth M'nic, rider of blue Astinyth And the greenriders – so small, but still important in the business of fighting Thread, he lost more of them by the count than he did any other color.
Cortana, rider of green Anath F'lian, rider of green Gramth Isaline, rider of green Thanatath S'ric, rider of green Lemintrith Zolay, rider of green Sharstith Teanye, rider of green Kaarsath D'lik, rider of green Timblath And there were more.
His evening last night with Y'sani had revealed that the two bronzeriders were more alike than either would _ever_ care to admit.
They both cared far too much about the health and safety of the younglings below, and neither gave up caring even after they were sent into Wings to become the care of their Wingleader and Wingsecond.
From his belt, he took a small flask of strong drink, stronger than wine and ale both, and took a long, steadying sip.
He sank to the ground and counted as one by one the former Senior Weyrlings took off into the sky to celebrate their graduation however they chose; with others or alone.
His back warmed by Hasaarth's strong and unwavering side, the Weyrleader got quietly, and quite seriously, drunk.
Last updated on the March 31st 2007