Dr'lum stood with Ajaminth in the crowd of dragons and rider. Weyrlingmaster D'lrik grinned at the newest full-fledged dragonmen standing around in the snow in Ryslen's Weyrbowl. Men. Every one of them.
"Men," he said with an honestly pleased laugh,
"Time was when every weyrling class of a clutch without a golden egg was all men. Those times, to the dismay of some, are long gone. There are as many women riders in some places as there are men - sometimes more. They are your equals - as you greeners know fully well. Treat your sweet green like she's lower than dirt, and she'll leave your sorry self sitting alone, won't she?"
Someone laughed. D'lrik grinned. "I'm glad you understand. A dragon-bond should be forever. Though there have been many abandonings, we'd like to see that NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. You hear me?"
And the soon-to-graduate weyrling class chorused, "WE HEAR YOU,SIR!"
D'lrik nodded somewhat smugly. "Good. Dragonriders, you are dismissed. See you around, guys."
With that, D'lrik headed into the dining hall for a nice hot mug of klah.
Okay then. We've graduated! Dr'lum, we've graduated! Dr'lum was exhausted. He did not know how Ajaminth could possibly have so much energy...Was she never sleepy?
"Yah, I noticed, Aja. You've only told me every few minutes since this morning."
When are we moving to Keandyn Weyr? Dr'lum sighed.
"As soon as I get some sleep!"
You filthy males! Get AWAY! Dr'lum started. He hadn't realized that he had been dozing. Ajaminth's uncharacteristic roar of rage woke him. He stretched, and called menatlly to Ajaminth.
"Aja, where are you? And what is the matter?"
I'm at the Hunting Grounds and these wherry cocks keep trying to STEAL MY MEAL! Dr'lum sighed, and started for the Hunting Grounds. When he got there, he saw Ajaminth, tail flicking irritably, long neck swinging to and fro, roaring at the males. He saw some blues, Aerski's brown Trazoneth, and the few strange dragons from the Healing Den. They were watching Ajaminth with interest, and she was getting more frustrated by the minute.
Go AWAY! she shrieked, and Dr'lum winced. WIth a sudden quick movement, she launched herself forward, jaws snapping and tail swinging angrily. The blue that was closest jerked backwards, and then retreated to a farther corner of the Hunting Grounds. The others took the hint and slowly parted. Ajaminth sighed, and then began devouring her meal.
"Aja, there's a side of you I've never seen." Ajaminth looked up.
They were trying to steal my meal. I worked hard for it! she pouted. Her hide shimmered in the sunlight.
"No, hon. They just were trying to get closer to you... You're going to rise soon, you think? You're very proddy lately..." Before she could answer, a hand landed gently on Dr'lum's shoulder. With a loud cry, he whipped around to be face to face with Zhlae, his sister.
"Zhlae! Don't EVER sneak up on me! DOn't ever do that again!" he shouted. She just stood there, smiling slightly.
"Speaking of proddy," she said playfully. Dr'lum's eyes leapt. Zhlae took the hint and sauntered away, walking backwards and watching him and his dragon.
Well, that was uncalled for, said Ajaminth. Dr'lum was at a loss.
"You want to fly?!" asked Dr'lum. He was staring at Ajaminth, who was reclining in the sunlight, flicking her tail.
Well, yes. I believe I should, don't you?
"Well,...yes, but... I... You're...You're a girl!"
You're just now noticing this? Very observant, she said sarcastically.
"That's not what I meant," Dr'lum snapped.
I know that's not what you meant! And for your information, there's a frenzy at the Healing Den that is for cross gender pairs. They are in need of male riders with female dragons... Dr'lum sighed, grumbling. But he agreed, just as Ajaminth knew he would. He could never say no to her.
