Flight3

Rayanth bulged loudly at the entourage of males that surrounded her. There were plenty of males to chase, but all the money was on Black Kakaroth, the largest and strongest of the chasers. Everyone was sure that he was going to win, all but Jasmi. She was hoping for another, but it was Rayanth’s decision. Rayanth leaped onto one of the herdbeast, and snapped its neck in two. The flung the served head back onto the Feeding Grounds and sunk her teeth into the decapitated herdbeast.
“That crazy Wher-dragon is going to kill us all!” One of the younger Weyrbrat screamed, ducking behind his mother’s skirt.
Rayanth and all her chasers glared down at the young boy. Rayanth screeched loudly and ripped a piece of meat from the beast’s shoulder.
“Blood it only!” Jasmi shouted, weakly, shaken by her dragon’s intense emotions. “Blood only!”
Jasmi winced at Rayanth’s protest – a loud bugle directly in her face. She had never seen her lifemate in such a way. It frightened her.
“Blood it only, please, Rayanth!” Jasmi cried, as she stepped away from the ledge Rayanth perched on.
She tripped slightly and fell back into En’der’s arms. He placed her back on her feet and whispered gently in her ear.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. She’s not a Wher, and you should know that by now. It may seem like she’ll rip you in two, but she won’t, and besides, if she tries, I won’t let her.”
Jasmi smiled and took a deep breath, “RAYANTH, BLOOD THAT SHARDING THING, OR YOU’RE GOING TO SPEND YOUR REMAINING TURNS IN THE ABANDON DEN WITH ONLY THE TUNNEL SNAKES TO KEEP YOU COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Rayanth whipped her head around to look at her rider. She crooned and spit the meat she had been chewing onto the ground. She sucked what remained of the blood from the beast and discarded it, going for another.

****

After six more herdbeasts, Rayanth finally launched into the air, followed by her five chasers. Brown Caryth immediately took the lead, followed closely by Kakaroth and Veranth. The others were changes orders so quickly that one second Tierneth would be ahead and then Bancarth would. Finally, Bancarth had had enough of being behind. He slammed Tierneth into one of the Weyr’s walls, bugling in triumph as Tierneth fell.
What’s he so happy about? Rayanth snorted. He hasn’t won.
No, but I intend on it, egg-mate, clutch-mate, and flight-mate, Bancarth sighed.
You still have to get rid of us! The other chasers shouted as Rayanth did a loop, confusing Caryth and sending him hurling to the ground.
Two down, and three more to go, Rayanth snorted as she flew through the eye rock. Kakaroth had to make a great detour in order to get around the eye rock, but Veranth and Bancarth flew straight through. Bancarth nipped at Veranth’s tail, and with the strength of his jaw, flicked the white to the ground. Bancarth growled when he noticed Kakaroth wrapping his tail around Rayanth’s. Bancarth shot forward, sinking his talons into the Black’s tail and ripping it off of Rayanth’s.
She’s mine you stupid black! Bancarth shouted. And I’m willing to do anything to make that happen. I’m almost sure that you aren’t.
Kakaroth bulged loudly as Bancarth bared his teeth and talons.
Next time, Bancarth, Kakaroth growled as he lowered himself to the ground.
Bancarth turned to claim his prize, but Rayanth wasn’t there. Bancarth glanced around furiously, searching for the Black/White. On the ground, Jasmi was panicking. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Oh, no, no, no. She wouldn’t have. She couldn’t have betweened. I told that was the only thing she wasn’t allowed to do! Oh, Fanarth!” Jasmi cried.
Suddenly, Bancarth bulged angrily, as he torpedo towards a cloud. Another bulged echoed through the air as the two Black/White dragon flew together. Rayanth struggled the entire way down, but Jasmi was the exact opposite. She gladly accepted the support of En’der’s strong arms as she was shaken by her dragon’s resistance to the mating.
“Don’t worry,” En’der sighed as he gently kissed Jasmi. “She’ll accept it…probably once the eggs have hatched.”
Jasmi giggled lightly as she sighed, laying her head against En’der’s strong chest.