You walk into a weyr, and find that it's occupant is currently elseweyr. The bed has been freshly made, with somewhat rough but definitely warm blankets, and the rest of the space is equally as tidy. You wonder if this candidate is a compulsive cleaner. Other than the bed, the only other furniture in the room is a clothes press and a table with chair.

On the table stands a wooden runnerbeast, it's long thin legs carved as if it were prancing. It is a talented carving, and on closer inspection you notice a journeyman's mark on it. Bought, not made. It is, however, not a new toy. There's evidence of the candidate's love for it - some places are worn smoother by small hands, and the wood itself has been recently treated with a light oil to help prevent it from cracking. You replace the toy on the table, and turn to leave. No one appears from the hallway to startle you by demanding to know why you're in his or her room.

You wonder if the runner on the table was a hint as to the candidate's location - it would have been put carefully away like everything else if it wasn't, wouldn't it?

* * *

You walk into the stableyard and see a young man with an olive complexion and almond-shaped eyes. He's busy grooming one of the stocky runnerbeasts that belong to a recently arrived trader.

"Hi!" He says cheerfully as you approach him. There is a twinkle in his dark eyes.

"Aren't you a candidate?" You ask, a bit confused.

"I am." He replies. "I grew up around runners and I'm very energetic, so I offered to help out here until the clutch hatches. I'm Riken, by the way." You tell him your name in return. "A pleasure to meet you." He says, continuing to brush the runnerbeast's side.

"How old are you?" You ask.

"Almost fourteen." Riken says cheerfully. "I got searched out of the blue. Turns out the Searchrider is my uncle - well, sortof. Dragonriders don't get married like holder folk, but Mama's sister is the Searchrider's Weyrmate. Greenrider Maiahn."

You nod at this. Maiahn and J'rin are a well known and friendly couple at Ryslen. "What about the rest of your family?" You ask.

"I've got three sisters; two older, one younger. Ambyr is married and expecting her second child, and Lilli - she's the youngest - is home with Mama, helping to look after Alek and the twins." His smile becomes one of fondness. "Giera, she's a turn and a half older than me, she got searched too, but she went to Stand for another weyr's clutch - Aneris, I think. I've got six brothers, two older and four younger. Avry is an expert on runnerbeasts and he's only got 11 turns!"

Clearly this boy is proud of his family. "It's good of you to help with the runners. Most boys would be off making mischief." You say.

Riken laughs a little. "Naw. Pa taught us right. We all know the meaning of work and even the youngest know how important it is to get things done right There just isn't time for misbehavin' when you've got a job to do."

You nod knowingly at this. Riken's a good kid - he knows his duty. He'll make a fine dragonrider. "Tell me Riken, how do you feel about Thread?"

The boy gives the runner one last stroke with the brush. "It's a menace. One loose strand and you can lose an entire field before you can burn it out of the ground. I'll be glad to fly against Thread if a dragon chooses me."

You grin at the kid. Not only is he willing to fly Threadfall, he'll be determined to get all of it, and his dragon will be too. Not to mention he said 'if' not 'when' a dragon chooses him. He clearly has his head on straight and is, as they say 'down to earth.' "Glad to hear it, Riken. I'll see you around - and good luck!" You say.

Riken waves goodbye and takes the runnerbeast into the stable.