Frilonkin giggled as he dashed across the fields of the minor Hold, Bigahomla, heading for the main part of the hold and his home. His features were both handsome and beautiful at the same time as his medium length black hair spread out behind him. As the beauty boy ran, he made sure his fancy green wher-hide pants were not ruffled and that his off white tunic wasn’t too splotchy. He’d found those two boys who’d caught his eye earlier in the day and what a night they’d had; even more interesting a fair looking woman joined them as well.
True Bigahomla Hold was very open about same sex relationships but the Lady Holder’s son, Frilonkin still didn’t want to be caught out of the Hold at night. His father, Jelon, may have been his bad influence as well considering it was he who would fondle both men and women before his marriage to Frilonkin’s mother, Panfre; Now he’d only look for men. Though not supposed to be public knowledge Panfre would at times accompany her husband when the men were found in the correct rooms. But then so was the way of Bigahomla Hold.
Frilonkin was like his father in his ways but became so without the knowledge of the ways of the Hold. There had been many a night were he’d spent it with a girl or another boy, on some occasions like this night both. The hazel eyed boy rarely had any feelings for his partners though, they were just another notch in his bed post; on occasion though, if asked, he would come back for another round. Those that knew of his habit thought it would be hopeless for him to settle down with someone. Frilonkin would have agreed if the fact had been stated to him, he liked the freedom the Bigahomlans had over other Holds.
“Whoa!” Frilonkin yelped as he suddenly tripped head over feet. Shaking his copper-toned features he looked to his boots and found them untied once again. Shaking his head again ruefully he quickly tied them up before dashing towards the Hold again. Frilonkin whispered reassuring words to the blue watch-wher as he snuck by and into the kitchens. He was nearly home now, he just had to watch out for….
Suddenly the wind was knocked out of Frilonkin as he doubled over from the blow to his stomach. He was quickly shoved into the cellars and the door shut behind him and his attacker. Frilonkin wheezed as he tired to figure out what was happening, he had many enemies in the hold by night and this was another reason he was trying to get in quickly. Who was it this time.
“I’s owe you’s, Frily,” Came the gravely, drunken voice of his attacker. Frilonkin went cold with fear at the voice. He lifted his head, though he could only see the inky silhouette of his attacker he knew what the man looked like in the light of day. The man was big, both in height and in muscle mass. He had dark brown eyes that seemed like daggers as he looked at you and you could almost feel him planning what he’d do to you if he caught you isolated. He wasn’t at all well dressed, even the holdless had better clothes that this man.
“Tranked!” Frilonkin finally was able to gasp out between trying to catch his breath.
“Dats right, Frily, I’s owe you’s one soes now your arse is mine,” he growled and leapt upon the holderboy. Frilonkin struggled his hardest to get out of his captor’s grasp. Tranked was not one he wanted to add to his set of notches that’s why he’d ignored him for so long. It now seemed that this hulk of a man was going to make him a notch in his own bedpost.
“NOOOO!” Frilonkin howled surprised to feel the slice of a sharp object graze across his chest. It was at that moment that the cellar door was flung open and nearly crashed against the shelves next to it.
“Frilonkin!” a voice yelled from the door and continued in a growl, “Tranked!” Suddenly the attacker became the attackie as the person at the door launched herself at Tranked. She made quick work of Tranked and in the light of the glow which had been set on the top step retched the piece of glass the barbarian had used to cut Frilonkin.
“Brother, are you alright?” she finally asked. She was much taller than Frilonkin, about the size of Tranked and just about as muscular. Her hair was as black as her brother’s and her eyes were hazel as well.
“Lonpa,” Frilonkin breathed as she helped him to his feet, “I think I’m all right he just…”
“Cut ya’ like a herdbeast, I see that,” Lonpa replied and quickly used the ribbons that were the remains of his tunic as a make shift bandage, “You were being more cocky that usual tonight at dinner I think or you would have seen as I did that Tranked was planning on attacking you the next time you went out to party with somebody other than him.”
“You figured that one out just from tonight?” Frilonkin asked slightly in awe by his sister though it was her usual thing. He’d get cocky and she’d figure out the one who’d be after him that night, they always seemed to be the grungy ones who’m Frilonkin wouldn’t even dare to have in the background of his dreams.
“He was drinking, Frilonkin,” his sister stated dryly as they went up the stairs and close the door, locking Tranked in for the night until their mother could punish him in the morning, “You and I both know he drinks when he’s up to something. He hasn’t been thrown out yet because we’ve been able to stop him before he causes that trouble and so don’t have proof to convict him. But now with him slashing you like yesterdays piece of meat he can get thrown out finally. Father’s been looking for a reason ya’ know. Mother’s good of heart that’s why he’s been here so long.”
Frilonkin snorted. He knew the story well, Tranked had appeared in Bigahomla Hold a short time ago and had offered to help in the hold herself. Though he had a dingy look to him Lady Panfre decided that he deserved a chance, after all, those who lived under her rule were living the chance of a lifetime that wasn’t in a Weyr; they were able to love freely and in public without being scrutinized for it. It was quite obvious after a few days where Tranked’s interests lay and it wasn’t toward the females. Their father had even said that he could have sworn that the man had some interest in himself.
“Let’s get you to bed, little brother,” Lonpa finally remarked as Frilonkin yawned, “It’ll do you some good with the long night you partly caused yourself.”
Frilonkin looked at his sister through quickly closing eyes. From the start he couldn’t fool her, true she was strictly heterosexual orientated but she knew things. She was a great companion yet like his other sisters and brothers he thought of her only as that, a friend and someone to confide in when needed. He soon was fairly asleep on his sister’s shoulder as they neared the next set of steps. Without skipping a beat, Lonpa swung her brother up into her arms and carried him the rest of the way to his room and to his bed.
Bright sunlight in Frilonkin’s face coupled with the sharp pain of someone’s hand touching his wound woke the young 19 turn old with a yelp. Strong, firm hands held him in place as numbweed was added to the slash numbing the pain instantly. Frilonkin’s eyes flashed open to see the Hold’s healer looking down at him with smiling green-blue eyes.
“Good morning, Frilonkin,” he smiled as he started to bandage the gash, “Lonpa told me of your misfortunes early this morning. I didn’t come till now because she’d said she’d dressed the wound. Pretty resourceful your sister, isn’t she?”
“She wouldn’t be the first to be thought of as the next Holder of Bigahomla if she wasn’t now would she, Healer Weldon?” he quarried back. Weldon nodded his slightly graying head chuckling at the statement and Frilonkin continued, “Has Tranked been sentenced yet?” Gravely the Healer nodded his head.
“Not a happy man that one,” Weldon replied, “Having a pounding headache and being banished from Bigahomla Hold all in the span of the first our of light is not a great wakeup call. The guards are seeing him to the boarders of the holding as we speak.”
“I’ve caused my Mother to double the guards on the Hold again didn’t I?” he winced as he could just see his mother’s annoyed features; There’d already been a few occasions where she’d had to double the guards at the gates because people had tried to attack or rape family members of the Hold, sadly he’d most often be the target.
“Tripled it this time, actually,” Weldon replied with a sigh and Frilonkin looked at him startled, “None of the others caused injury to you before. This one did it and he’s well built enough for him to get past some guards.” Frilonkin nodded absently at this, one of his fingers twirling a lock of his thick black hair.
“Well, Frilonkin, you’re all patched up. The wound isn’t too bad but don’t do too much strenuous activities for the next sevenday or so,” Weldon told him as he started placing his medical things in his bag. Frilonkin looked startled, he couldn’t do anything strenuous? That mean he can’t…
“That’s right you can’t go out gallivanting like you did last night and most every night,” Weldon replied some how reading the young man’s mind. Frilonkin instantly turned a bright red, he’d always thought it wasn’t common knowledge to the residents of the Hold that he’d sneak out for a night of making love. Weldon chuckled and ruffled the young man’s hair, “It’s not like Lonpa is the only one who knows of your exploits. I think it might be your cocky attitude that gives people the idea if they look. No get up and thank that sister of your’s, you could be a lot worse off if she’d not helped you.”
Frilonkin nodded not daring to look into the Healer’s friendly eyes and quickly slipped on a new shirt as the Weldon left the room. For a not so young man, Weldon was still quite dashing. When Frilonkin was only first starting to figure out his prefrence for partners he’d found quite quickly that he had a slight crush on the Healer, yet he knew well that Weldon wasn’t like that. Weldon already had a number of children out of his one and only wife, and it was said that Weldon had never loved another woman and had never loved a man like Frilonkin did him. On both accounts Weldon probably never would.
With those thoughts, Frilonkin finished dressing and walked out of his room. He really should thank his sister. If Lonpa hadn’t appeared, Frilonkin could have been more than scratched, brused, and raped… he could have been killed.
Frilonkin laid in bed after a night of love making, this time to a woman. Her hand rested lightly on the scar that remained from the attack two months back. Oddly the light scrape had healed into the light pinkish colored scar. At first Frilonkin had been distressed by the fact, copper-toned and he had a quite visible scar now crossing his chest. He soon found that a number of his lovers went wild over it causing him to have a few more partners as well.
The sun was starting to rise now, he found as it winked at him through the hayloft window. Frilonkin smirked as he looked down at the girl who’d just added another notch to his bedpost. It had been his first time with her but he could tell that like himself she’d been quite experienced in the area. I’ll have to see her again, the young man thought coyly as he carefully raised himself from their make shift bed. He was quick to find his clothes and left a note with the girl in hopes to be with her another time.
Frilonkin was out the door within minutes and started racing towards the Hold, making sure he was not seen by the family of the girl. Though things were loose around the Hold some families still didn’t like the idea of one night stands. One he was a safe distance away from the hold he made a dash for his home.
“Frily,” a voice suddenly seemed to sing on the wind. Frilonkin’s blood ran cold at that word. He felt like he was moving in slow motion as he turned his head hoping that he’d only been hearing things. A broken whipper escaped the holderboy’s lips as he found the huge form of Tranked a rotten toothed grin on his ugly features.
Without thinking, Frilonkin broke into a run. How did he get back into Bigahomla? There were posters all over showing residents that he was a banished man from the Hold’s lands. Frilonkin’s black hair whipped into his face as he glanced over his shoulder again. To the young man’s horror, Tranked was wielding an old rusted yet sharp short sword. Stolen more than likely, after all there was a small Smithing operation on the borders of the Holding. What made things worse was that he seemed to ever so slowly be gaining ground. Frilonkin desperately tried to run faster, the Hold wasn’t far now, just another few dragon’s lengths to go, he could possibly sprint that.
A dragon’s length from the gates, Tranked finally tackled his pray. Frilonkin gave out a girlish high pitched scream. He was going to die, even if Lonpa had heard his scream she wouldn’t be able to get to him in time, he was a dead man. Franth help me, if I live I’d cut down on my constant love making!
“You’s dead, boy!” Tranked’s rancid breath announced as he laughed gleefully and started to jab the sword downwards to make a single killing blow. Frilonkin lay flat, tears streaming out of his eyes, he was the most sought after person in the Hold to make love to by both women and men, why’d he have to die so horribly?
An outrage roar abruptly echoed off the hold and Tranked suddenly wasn’t on Frilonkin’s back anymore. Through blurry eyes, the young man could have sworn he saw his attacker fly across the ground and ended up oddly enough in the watch-wher’s den. There was an outraged scream from the wher as well as a human one when Tranked realized where he was; sadly nobody was able to get to him in time to save him from the territorial blue wher.
Frilonkin, still panting and crying, flipped over as he felt a gigantic wind start to caress his would be pincushion back. As the young man lay with his back on the ground, he watched as a trio of dragons descended from the sky. Do not worry he will not harm you anymore, little one. a voice soothed in his head. Frilonkin gulped and his tears stopped their cascading course down his cheeks. Instinct told him that one of the dragons had just talked to him directly, and common knowledge told him that that was a rare thing.
“W’son, go check on that man, see if you can help him,” a female voice called out on the wind and one of the blues veered off towards the watch wher’s den. So the green rider’s leading this group, were Frilonkin’s first thoughts. He carefully picked himself up as the other two landed. The bisexual Holder’s son nearly sat down again when he saw that the green was ridden by a male rider and the blue by a female.
“Are you alright, lad?” the green rider asked with a smirk on his features though his voice conveyed concern for his well being. Frilonkin finally rose to his full hight and dusted himself off, oddly his cocky nature coming back to him; as it always seemed to when somebody he didn’t know whom had seen his latest troubles confronted him.
“I’m fine, green rider, I was just about to throw that beastly man when you three arrived,” he replied flashing a somewhat dashing smile and tilting his head so his regal nose was turned slightly to the sky.
“As I’m sure somebody who’s screaming at the top of their lungs and balling up a storm could,” the blue rider chuckled.
“I was not screaming I was merely yelling what I would do to the man and I had a little dust in my eye,” he replied lamely, some how knowing that the riders had been there long enough to know that he was lying.
“More like a ton of dust young sir,” the green rider replied, his smirk seemingly fixed to his features.
“Enough of this,” Frilonkin sighed in defeat and brought a hand to his forehead, “I thank you for what ever you did to help me. Now as Lady Holder Panfre’s son, Frilonkin, I ask you your names and your business for gracing Bigahomla Hold so early this morning.”
Bowing, the female blue rider took control of the conversation, “I am, Nora, blue Mitanth’s rider, Head Searchrider from Talor Cliff Weyr. This is C’fron, green Trith’s rider, also from Talor Cliff Weyr. And the man coming up behind you is W’son, blue Imalth’s rider, from Dawn Sisters Weyr. We are helping Firestone Weyr out on search for candidates for the Senior Queen Lisanth’s first clutch.”
W’son walked up at this time and as they all looked at him he shook his head. Frilonkin sighed with a bit of relief. “It’s for the better, saves mother from asking one of you to exile him to one of the Eastern Islands,” he smiled wirily, “That was the second time he tried to hurt me, probably not the first time he’s tried to take my life.” Some how the three riders seemed to understand.
“Well,” the Holderboy continued after a moment of silence, “why don’t you follow me; I’m sure mother wouldn’t want you to stay out here in the morning air while we’re eating inside. Join us for our morning meal, it will be a nice surprise I’m sure.” With an elegant bow Frilonkin finally noticed that Nora was quite the beauty and offered his arm.
“Cocky aren’t you?” Nora chuckled as she shook her head and walked past the young man. This seemed to get Frilonkin’s attention even more as he dashed up and quickly made the blue rider put her arm through his.
“Natch,” he replied with a click of his tongue. Nora rolled her eyes but played along with the oddly charming young man as the other two riders followed them closely from behind. The quartet soon walked into the dinning hall to the murmur of all present, they had heard the roar but were waiting for the results to come in from the guards outside. Lady Holder Panfre looked at her son sternly and eyed their morning guests.
“Lady Panfre,” Frilonkin started with a smile, finally letting Nora’s arm go, “I present to you Nora, blue Mitanth’s rider Head Searchrider at Talor Cliff Weyr, C’fron, green Trith’s rider, of Talor Cliff Weyr, and W’son, blue Imalth’s rider, Searchrider at Dawn Sisters Weyr.” The holderlad bowed deeply in the direction of the riders giving a sly wink at the male riders which seemed to unnerve them. Panfre’s cautious look turned into a please smile as she rose, her slightly plump yet fair looking features gave her the look a number of Holders rarely achieved.
“Welcome riders to Bigahomla Hold,” she greeted the trio, “I trust my son met you well join us to break your fast if you would and pray tell why you visit us.” Frilonkin became a bit nervous that it might be known that he was once again attacked but this time in public.
“You’re son is quite charming, Lady Panfre,” Nora replied, “We have arrived here on Search for Firestone Weyr, they are in need of candidates and the hatching is approaching fast and have asked for help from Searchrider around the world.”
“Well, then friends, we shall finish our meal then those who are old enough to be searched shall line up outside the hold for your dragons to look over,” Panfre smiled kindly, “Until then let us eat, as our honored guests dragonriders you shall sit at our table, Frilonkin shall show you to your seats.” Frilonkin bowed to his mother who nodded in reply before escorting the riders to three of four seats left empty at the head table. My brothers and sister must be out working with the stablemaster or something along those lines. Frilonkin sighed at the sight of the four chairs, one was usually his own but the other three belonged to his younger brothers and sister, the first ever set of maternal triplets born in the Hold, and there was a small percent chance that the trio wouldn’t be the last.
Nora was first to sit, with W’son next to her and C’fron sat next to Frilonkin’s set. He could see C’fron was much older than him but was still a bit dashing even if he was a green rider. C’fron’s smirk gave him an oddly charming look to the Holder’s son. To Frilonkin’s slight dislike the riders didn’t talk to him during the meal. It wasn’t until they were nearly finished that C’fron leaned over towards him.
“I have a question for you about earlier, Frilonkin,” C’fron asked with his fixed smirk. The young man nodded for the green rider to go ahead, “You offered an arm to escort Nora and then later winked at W’son and myself, just out of curiosity, are you heterosexual or homosexual?” Frilonkin blinked, no one had been that forward towards him about his sexual preference before and here was a male green rider whom he’d only met nearly an hour ago doing so.
“Neither,” Frilonkin replied through a mouth full of food after getting over the shock. C’fron looked confused at the young man’s response, and the black haired pretty boy sighed in exasperation “Why is it so hard for people to remember there are those who are bisexual, in other words preferring both genders to have ‘fun’ with…? and you?” C’fron chuckled at the young man’s response.
“I’m not your stereo typical green rider, I’m heterosexual,” C’fron’s smirk seemed to lessen at this statement a sort of sadness entered his eyes as they unfocused as he talked/listened to his green. C’fron seemed to feel better after his Trith’s talk with him. Frilonkin cocked his head to the side, Wonder what that was about.
“Well if you’ll excuse us, Lady Panfre,” W’son stated moments later as he rose, “I believe most everyone’s done and we should go out to check our dragons.” The other riders rose and followed C’fron out of the dinning hall. Others in the room started to leave as well. Oddly enough it was Frilonkin’s well built and fairly handsome father who approached him after the meal with a worried look.
“Tranked came back to our Hold? Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Jelon asked his son, not usually so worried about any of his offspring.
“I had no time father, it was just so sudden… who told you anyway?” Frilonkin asked raising an eyebrow.
“Nora had to tell somebody that there was a dead body in Rawly’s den,” he told his son, “Thank Faranth they were here when they were to save you. I think W’son told us that so they could dispose of his body so the wher’s bonded didn’t have to.” Frilonkin nodded, before Jelon continued, “Now get out of here and in that line up, they’re searching and you’re still of age.”
Frilonkin blinked at his father. He’d not been that close to the man but he still loved him and obviously his father had enough confidence in his bisexual son that dragonriding was a possibility. Frilonkin had toyed with the idea long ago, it would be just like home in a way, nobody would judge you for your sexuality when you impressed it would be something good for his life. The young holderboy nodded and dashed off to step into the line of young men and women of the correct age category.
It seemed like ages as the dragons went down the line of people, sometimes they’d stay on a person for a long time while others they swung their head by and never stopped to take more than a short sniff. Trith was the first to pass him, he watched in awe as her great head stopped in front of him and she sniffed, eyes whirling a placid blue green. The green turned her head slightly and woofed at the blues before traveling down the rest of the chain of people. Imalth and Mitanth arrived next to Frilonkin at the same time as Nora asked him the question she’d asked a number of young men and a few women.
“Frilonkin, how many turns do you have?” Nora asked him, her eyes seeming to put a spell on Frilonkin. Frilonkin liked his lips and a small smile crested his features.
“I have 19 turns, Nora,” he replied a bit cocky once more. Nora chuckled and looked at the two blues. It was then that Frilonkin found that Trith had returned to him and the trio of dragons were watching him intently.
“What?” Frilonkin asked staring back at the trio. Nora smiled with a soft chuckle.
“Any promising ones down there, C’fron?” Nora asked. C’fron shook his head.
“Only one Trith found to be of any interest was Frilonkin here,” C’fron smirked patting the young man’s shoulder.
“I believe Imalth and Mitanth share her beliefs, am I right?” Nora asked W’son, the other blue rider nodded and the two blues cooed their agreement.
“Looks as if your day’s brightening lad, you’ve been searched,” W’son smiled. Frilonkin looked baffled. This was not something he’d really expected, after all what dragon would like a rider who would sleep with any handsome man or pretty woman given half the chance.
“Frilonkin?”
“Huh, what?” the young man grinned sheepishly as C’fron brought his hand away from Frilonkin’s eyes.
“Do you except, boy?” W’son repeated the questioned asked of him while he was questioning himself.
“Uh, yeah, I may not be bronze rider material but that leaves three or four other dragons that can choose me right?” he grinned.
“Cocky as ever,” Nora sighed, “Well pack your things, Frily, we’re leaving as soon as you get ready.”
“Nora, do me a favor,” Frilonkin half growled at Nora and she looked at him startled, “Never call me Frily; last person who did is dead.” Nora blinked and watched the boy as he walked off to gather his things.
“Guess he means that Tranked guy,” C’fron stated all humor except for his fixed smirk having dropped off his feature. W’son nodded in agreement.
| Frilonkin | |
| Male | |
| 19 | |
| Medium length/black | |
| Hazel | |
| 6'11" | |
| Lady Holder’s Son/Candidate | |
| N/A | |
| Bisexual | |
| Bigahomla Hold | |
| Lady Holder Panfre Lord Jelon |
|
| Lonpa and many others | |
| N/A | |
| Unknown: possibilities of many | |
| Firestone Weyr |