A Young Runaway

Writers: AL, Eimi
Date Posted: 29th May 2008

Characters: M'galec, Talvan, Fontaila
Description: M'galec finds a young runaway!
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 8 of Turn 4

He had managed to slip away from Fontaila without her noticing, taking advantage of the distraction that one of the children had provided in an accident. Crying and sobbing had ensued and Talvan had slipped away. Gerile would have never allowed such a thing to occur, she was far too observant. Gerile was, however, sick, and Fontaila had volunteered to take the her charges, including Kitali's own two sons. She was not wise to Talvan's slippery ways the two turn old had clamboured away.

He had managed to make his way out of the halls and into the bowl itself and blinked at the bright sunlight. Something moved further off and he thought he caught a glimpse of his mother. His little legs began to work, his body tottering forward as he began to chant, "Mommy, mommy, mommy..." But when he got further into the bowl, she was nowhere to be seen. He stopped, looking around and whimpered softly, "Mommy." It was then Talvan realised he had stopped at the feet of a rather large bronze dragon. He looked up...and up...and up, his head tilted back as far as it could go until he could see the great head that was bigger than he was. He paused, as if contemplated for a moment, then stated firmly, "Dagon."

The bronze lowered his head and inspected the tiny creature with a large, curiously swirling eye. }:M'galec, there is a tiny hatchling looking at me.:{ His lifemate paused with his hands still on the riding strap buckle. That seemed a rather odd statement. **Dragon, flit or human?**

}:Human.:{ The bronzerider forgot the buckle for the moment and walked along the great neck trying to look over and see what his dragon was one about.
**I don't see anything...**

"Dagon!" The child squealed, though it was one of delight rather than fear. He pounded his feet up and down as if he were trying to dance in place, then rushed closer to the dragon. He stopped, then very carefully reached out and slid his hand over the warm hide, petting gently just like his mother had taught him to do with felines and canines.

M'galec still couldn't see the child, but he certainly heard that voice!
Standing up on his tiptoes he still couldn't see where it had come from, though. **Where is it? I cannot see a child, but I heard one...**

}:I told you, it is a very tiny hatchling. It is trying to scratch my itches, I think,:{ Dwarkanath replied, rather amused at the little thing.

The bronzerider made his way around the head and peered down along the bronze neck. Ah ha! "Well, hello there."

Talvan looked up at the bronzerider, his hand pausing in its short path along the dragon's hide. He stared at M'galec for a moment, then stated decisively once more, "Dagon. Dagon!"

"Yes, that is a dragon," M'galec smiled coming closer. The child couldn't be more than two turns. "His name is Dwarkanath."

The child stared at the bronzerider for a moment, as if trying to process what he had been told. All the answer M'galec got, however, was "Dagon!" and Dwarkanath got a hand tapped upon his flank.

"Yes, a very pretty dragon," the bronzerider conceeded as he walked over and squatted down next to the child. "What is _your_ name?"

"Dagon!" Talvan patted the bronze again, then leaned forward and placed a big, sloppy kiss on him.

}:What is it doing?:{ the bronze asked curiously.

**He likes you. That is the way humans show other humans they like them,** his rider replied indulgantly. }:It's rather silly,:{ the bronze snorted.

M'galec decided to ignore that commentary on human behavior. "Where is your mama, little one?"

"Mommeeeeee!" The child seemed to instantly forget the 'dagon' and turned around, a bright, warm smile ready to welcome his mother. It faded when he didn't see her and he said softly, "Mommy?"

"Yes, that's right, Mommy. Who is your mommy?" the bronzerider asked, though he suspected he knew the answer - the child's mother was named 'mommy'...

The child didn't answer at first, his gaze darting about the bowl, searching. "Mommy..." He wined, then suddenly sat down, his face screwing up as tears pooled in his eyes. "Mommy!"

M'galec crouched down next to the child and gently patted his head. "It will be all right, little one. We will find your mommy." **Do you see anyone looking around the Weyrbowl for a child?**

}:I don't know, my eyes are closed,:{ his bronze said with a sleepy snort. }:The sun is warm.:{
**Well, open them for a moment, love, and look around the bowl. I need to find 'mommy' before he starts wailing.** Though that might actually help someone find him...

Unfortunately, Talvan didn't give M'galec's lifemate much of a chance to look. His face scrunched up even more and he let out a long, low howl, punctuated with a "Mooooooommmmyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!"

Well, if she was anywhere about, that ought to bring her running, M'galec thought as he picked the boy up in his arms. "There there, I am sure your mother is coming."

}:What did you do? Why is it making that noise?:{ his bronze asked with a little annoyance. It was not a pleasant sound.

His rider snorted. **Go back to sleep.**

Being in the rider's arms, being close to someone, even if it wasn't his mother seemed to help somewhat. The cry dwindled down to a whimper and the boy kept repeating, "Mommy" over and over again.

Well, there didn't seem to be any 'Mommies' anywhere about. The bronzerider decided to take a shot. **Before you fall back asleep, could you ask if anyone's lifemate is looking for a small child?**

The bronze snorted his response, but it seemed important to his rider, so he did as he was asked.

Fontaila had discovered Talvan's absence quite some time ago and had frantically began to search for him. She had managed to find someone to take the other children which left her to be able to concentrate on finding the boy. She had gone from person to person, hallway to hallway, calling out for him and asking if anyone had seen him. What would Gerile say? Or even worse, Kitali? Oh Kitali would kill her! She was just about to give up after questioning so many people the faces were beginning to blur when a greenrider she had questioned just a few moments before tapped her upon the shoulder. Fontaila turned and the greenrider smiled. "M'galec evidently found a young boy. Perhaps you should see if that's the one you're looking for."

"Where?" Oh she hoped that the boy was Talvan! Fontaila was on the verge of tears. "Out in the bowl. He's a bronzerider, so that should narrow it down." "Thank you!" Without waiting for the greenrider to respond, Fontaila turned and ran. Ciara shook her head, then had her lifemate contact Dwarkanath. }:My rider says that she found someone looking for a boy and has sent her to the bowl. She has blonde hair in a tail and she is wearing a purple dress.:{ Dwarkanath decided that was all unnecessary information since he was tired and ready for a nap, so he simply passed along, }:She comes.:{ His lifemate felt relieved as he bounced the boy in his arms, looking around for who "she" might be. "It is all right, little one. Your mommy is coming."

Fortunately, it wasn't so hard to spot the bronzeriders. Fontaila just looked for the one holding a small boy and, sure enough, there he was, Talvan cradled in his arms. She ran over to him as quickly as she could, gasping out breathlessly. "Oh thank you, I've been looking all over for him."

Talvan took one look at Fontaila and began to cry again, clutching at the bronzerider's shirt. "MOMMY!!"

M'galec patted the child's back, rather confused. Obviously this was not 'Mommy'. "I am sorry, it seems you have the wrong child."

"Talvan." Fontaila opened her arms out to the boy. "No, this is Talvan. I'm afraid I'm not his mom, nor am I his normal caretaker. She was sick and his mother is a crafter and in classes at the moment." The young woman hastily explained. "He somehow managed to slip away from me. He's just not used to me."

The bronzerider stood undecided as the child turned away from her and buried his head in M'galec's shoulder. It was obvious the boy was not used to her, and he believed she seemed honest and earnest, but the child seemed to want none of it. Should he just hand the child over to the woman and be done with it? Or should he take the time to confirm her story before just trustingly give the child to her? "His mother is a crafter, you say?"

"Yes, Kitali, a harper." Fontaila let her hands drop when she realised the bronzerider wasn't releasing the boy. "Gerile is his normal caretaker, Kitali's cousin, but she's sick. He's used to her." "Gcheri!" Talvan's face brightened with recognition at the name. Hmmm. Well the story sounded right, and the boy did seem to brighten up at mention of his supossed fostermother. "What is your name?"

"Fontaila." The girl admitted, flushing a bit. "I didn't mean for him to get away. We're not used to one another."

"Yes, all right. Well, I hope not to hear that believing your story is a mistake. Next time please keep a better eye on your charge. He could get hurt out here." The bronzerider gently lifted the child off his shoulder and held him out for her to take.

"Come on Talvan," Fontaila soothed as best she could, her cheeks pink in embarrassment. Talvan whimpered and clung to M'galec for a moment before finally relinquishing his hold. "I assure you, bronzerider," Fontaila stated, feeling annoyed at his hinting that she had been careless, and frustrated with herself for losing her charge so easily, "It will not happen again.

Talvan sniffed, looking at the rider, then up to his lifemate. He lifted his hand and pointed at the bronze. "Dagon."

"Yes well..." M'galec waved at the boy, his face softening a bit. "Bye bye, Talvan."

"Bye bye." Talvan bobbed his hand up and down as Fontaila turned and began to walk away. Before he was out of earshot, M'galec could hear him exclaim, "DAGON!"

Last updated on the June 1st 2008

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A Young Runaway