Blooding

Writers: Chelle, Paula
Date Posted: 2nd July 2014

Characters: B'jon, D'lorn, U'das
Description: The senior weyrlings are Blooded.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 7, day 23 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: H'vack

The greenrider sat atop Villith, watching the rest of the Wings. Today's Threadfall could possibly be cut short due to the rain they were expecting which he was
grateful for. That could mean less flying time and less injuries. Today, the senior weyrlings were going to be Blooded. It was the first time with H'vack as Weyrlingmaster and they were all waiting to see what happened and if he could handle it. As it was the greenpair had already chewed their first bit of firestone and Villith was digesting the rock, watching the young dragons around her.

When the Weyrleader gave the signal, they all went /between/. The Weyrling Wing came out above the Queen's Wing in the formation and D'lorn couldn't help but look down to see them. Vilarth and Orlaith created such a picture with the other dragons. The senior queen was large and radiant and their presence heightened everyone's awareness and instincts. The dragons would rally to protect them and Pern. As they all fanned out and took their positions, the riders on point began to yell. The Leading Edge was coming. And as one, the Weyr's fighting wings prepared to meet the enemy. **Let them all make it, please Faranth**

Bulking firestone sacks were attached to Denenth's straps and they were just waiting for the call to deliver the sacks to the Fighting wings. B'jon kept patting and caressing Denenth's neck, while the green quivered with excitement and the need to go and destroy Thread.

}: Your turn will come, very soon. It won't be long now till you're in a fighting wing,:{ Zack talked to the young green.

}: I can hardly wait, :{ the green said impatiently.

}: Don't do anything rash or stupid. Do only as your rider tells you to do. That way you don't get hurt or killed and actually make it to the Fighting Wings, : { Zack instructed with cautioning tone.

As Threadfall wore on, D'lorn found himself listening through Villith for any injuries. Minor ones weren't a problem. That was just business as usual. The greenpair were ready to give guidance to their charges even as they continued to flame the thread out of the sky that got through the fighting wings to them. The oldest weyrlings and the staff members fought bravely, doing their duty for the Weyr. }:Stay close!:{ she warned one of the young dragons as they drifted to the left.

B'jon's and Denenth's turn came up and they received the signal. Denenth was quick and agile and weaved her way to the fighting wings. B'jon pulled a cord that released the firestone sack and lifted it up. Aim and toss, the brownrider caught it and waved in thanks. They had to repeat this a few more times with different dragonriders. Most tosses went perfectly but once B'jon nearly hit a green to her wing and she was out of balance for a brief moment. A moment that made B'jon's heart leap to his throat.

The dragon lurched to the left to avoid the sack. She bumped into a wingmate who had been flaming and missed a clump. They got themselves together and the clump went down to the wing below them. The problem was, the firestone sack she had missed had kept falling. And it was headed for a bluepair that hadn't seen it.

B'jon swore when he spotted the falling sack. It was full and could do damage if it hit the dragon and rider. With a quick thought, he directed Denenth to warn the blue and then they went /between/, appearing below the sack. **It's like we've been training, to catch falling riders except this is a sack, ** B'jon told her, **brace yourself.** He reached and Denenth turned almost sideways. Good thing she was agile in the air. B'jon got the sack and the pull when sack's kinetic energy came to a sudden stop nearly dislocated his shoulders.

The bluepair told the green weyrling thank you before going back to their work. The wings were almost halfway through with the Fall. Back at the Weyr, the junior weyrlings were throwing the sacks up to the seniors, sending them out to refuel. When the Fall was over, the Weyrlingmasters would be counting their dead. And the dragons would keen.

Sighing with relief, B'jon and Denenth returned to ground, for a brief rest and to get new, full sacks.

When it was all over the wings landed and the counting began. It was a somber time and not all of the weyrlings survived, of course. D'lorn saw the names the harper added to the list. Each one was a reminder of what a Pass meant and how many would never make it to the next Interval. His head came up, though, and he saw B'jon. **Some of them are allright.** And that made it worthwhile sometimes.

Last updated on the July 13th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Blooding