News that Nidus Ryslen would once again hold the winter Flurry reached Angeoria in excited speculations and word-of-mouth before the actual announcement did; she took a look at the number of rumors flying around Abri, and wondered wryly to Xhorieth whether she even needed to announce the frenzy. Surely those who were eligible already knew?

She felt Xhorieth's presence in her mind, looking through her eyes, and spent a brief moment trying to think how her golden queen had learned to read. She didn't remember teaching her, but now she thought of it, the sense that Xhorieth watched goings-on with her was not unfamiliar...

It's important that I know what goes on in my Nidus, Xhorieth pointed out, logically. And perhaps you'd better make the news official after all - there's a new rule, this time. Dragons who flew in the first two Flurries may not return...

I hadn't noticed, the Prima admitted, smiling at her bond's observance. That doesn't rule us out, though, Xhori'. Will you fly again?

No, the golden-white decided, I think not. We've been away often enough. But there are others who would doubtless like to attend.

As you wish, Angeoria agreed. She whistled a warbling call, and a blue flit appeared almost instantaneously, landing in easy reach and turning up his head for petting. She scratched him fondly for a moment, and then pressed the roll of paper into his claws. "Take this to the dining hall, Kuohan, and give it to Chiara or Akyla - make sure it's posted where people can see it. Some of our riders will surely want to go..."

Keylyn frowned at the notice; she could understand the reason for the new rule, but she didn't particularly like it - there was a nagging worry in the back of her mind. Sekayth, she requested, ask Elcayleth to get Damari for me, would you?

He comes, the Light blue told her. What bothers you, rider mine?

"Dragons who chased in both the previous Flurries may not attend this flight," Keylyn answered, reading aloud. "That rules us out, Se'."

I do not mind, Sekayth told her quietly.

The Singer grimaced. "It wasn't you I was worried about, actually, dear heart. Elcayleth can rise there if she chooses, but..."

"Elcayleth can what, Key'?" She turned to see that an elven rider had come up behind her; his smile faded when he noticed her concern. "What's wrong?"

In answer, she moved so that he could read the announcement; Damari scanned down it, and then laughed, hugging her with sudden affection. "Don't worry, love - 'Cayle tells me she's not interested in going if Sekayth cannot. There are several newer riders whose dragons could attend, though, aren't there?"

"I think so," Keylyn agreed, smiling in relief; she mentally scanned the inhabitants of the Nidus - a task that had become a lot more difficult since she and Sekayth had first come to Abri. There were ten times as many dragons, now...

Damari grinned broadly at her, smile white against his dark skin. "Then what say we go tell them? Someone had better go to represent Abri if we can't..." He grabbed her hand and Keylyn followed, laughing.

We could go and come back to tomorrow, Kelqasuth insisted, and they'd never know...

Syrj'raenen of Kaertel'yn smiled in spite of himself, and looked up into his bond's whirling eyes. I would know, he pointed out, but he didn't protest too much - he knew he'd end up giving in to Kelqasuth. I just don't like leaving them alone long...

Ttrae'an and Ts'yanos can cope for a day, the Twilight silver argued, and we needn't be gone any longer than that. Besides, it can't be mere coincidence that we came back just in time to hear of the Flurry. And I've never flown before - and this flight is just for light dragons.

"You're a Twilight, not a Light," Syrj pointed out automatically.

Kelqasuth inspected a pale wingsail fading from true silver to a shade so light as to be almost white. True. But I think I qualify.

The elven rider held up his hands in defeat. Arguing with you is pointless - I can't win. He gave his bond a considerative glance. So you really want to fly in this Flurry?

How'd you ever guess?

How is it, sunset-winged rainbow green Vesadmorth demanded, that you are allowed to fly in both the Dream and the Flurry and I'm not eligible for any frenzy?

If I ever hear of a flight for dragons who are painfully colorful, Derensaleith responded sweetly, I'll be sure to tell you, Vesa'.

Iroké sighed and reflected, briefly, that dragonriding wasn't quite what she'd expected. Not that Vesa' and Derensa' weren't gorgeous, not that she didn't enjoy the prestige and the companionship and, yes, the flights, but... Having two proddy dragonesses arguing viciously in her head wasn't quite pleasant.

I'm not proddy, Derensa' remarked, pausing her argument to frown at her rider. Iroké knew better; the ice-winged starry rarely snapped at anyone except prior to rising. 

Are you sure you qualify for the Flurry? she asked, diplomatically shifting the subject. Her tactic worked to a degree; Derensa's annoyance moved from Vesa' to Iroké. Well, that was an improvement; neither her green nor her starry would openly argue with her. Having Derensa' giving her reproachful glances would, at least, be quieter.

I should, Derensaleith answered. They're asking for light or wintry or pastel dragons - and I fit at least two of those requirements. She preened a little, spreading silvery-blue icy wings that faded into the rainbows that played upon her body.

Then we'll go to Ryslen, Iroké decided. And we'll find somewhere where you can fly, Vesa', if not Ryslen. She made a mental note to find out if any places sought risers - where had Rei' taken his bonds, anyway?

What is it, Hyperith? brown Taliphith demanded finally, a little concerned for his bond. It wasn't like bright, optimistic Hyperith to be so brooding; he couldn't fathom what might be troubling her.

The rainbow white ducked her head, looking torn. I'd like to fly, Tali'...

Taliphith blinked, surprised and rather relieved that the problem was so easily solved. Certainly, Hyperith. Shall we tell Calmith? He'd never chased Hyperith himself; though he adored his pretty bond as his best friend, his other half, he was interested in her mate's delicate green bond in rather a different way. Ygraith had never risen, but... 

Hyperith's answer brought him out of his reverie. That's the problem, she admitted softly.

The brown frowned, puzzled. I don't understand...

I want to fly in the Flurry at Ryslen, Hyperith explained. I'm rainbow-white - I can fly there. But Calmith...

Oh, Taliphith murmured, suddenly understanding. Oh, I see... He gave her a reassuring smile. Well, if that's what you want to do...

"You want to do what?" Dym choked, staring at Andethaxeuth. The pretty Light yellow Hathian halfbreed gave it a mildly reproving glance.

Fly, she repeated calmly. There's a Flurry at Ryslen for white and wintry dragons - and I doubt they have many like me. Quiet amusement tinged her mental voice; she raised a silver-sailed wing-arm in explanation.

"No, they wouldn't," Dym agreed proudly. "No one's like you, Ande'. But I doubt there'd be anyone like me, either..." It twitched its tail nervously, not at all sure about all this. It was, after all, a hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional being - and it didn't think frenzies sounded at all to its liking.

You don't have to participate, Andethaxeuth urged. Please, can we go?

... It had never been good at saying no to people anyway, Dym reflecting, sighing resignedly. Particularly not Andethaxeuth.

J'udas and blue-white Asarishitath

(story coming soon)