Ker't watched as the copper dragon hatchling stalked a flying insect. Barahirth had a feline grace to him, and Ker't loved him all the more for it. Ker't's pet felines absolutely loved to curl up and nap with the dragon, and Barahirth enjoyed it as well.

Ker't knew that he, B'ari, and Laryn weren't the first from East Rock to Impress here, but he did wonder why the other two hadn't stayed on. Falas was a beautiful place... Whatever the reason, it was all cleared up now, and East Rock happily sent candidates. Perhaps one day candidates from Falas would go to Ryslen. But who knew?

Ker't and Barahirth were looking forwared to their wing assignments, though it would be a while before they would even be permitted to fly.

The small copper dragon was amused, and though his bond was nowhere near, Ker’t knew exactly what was going on. Cradled in the dragon’s shining talons was Minovito, his feline. The male feline sniffed Barahirth’s muzzle, then captured it with his front paws, his needlelike claws anchoring him to the dragon. He licked the copper muzzle gently, grooming the dragon. Barahirth rumbled. Minovito purred in return.

Ker’t came to the doorway. Temmini, his mamacat leapt to his shoulder. “Hey mama.” He said, stroking her fur. “How’s your brood?”

“Purr-iaow.” She replied, and leapt down.

“Are you ready, Bara’?” Ker’t asked. “The trainer is waiting.”

The copper patiently waited for Minovito to let go. The cat had to be persuaded to let go – he liked the small copper dragon. Ker’t did too. Barahirth moved with feline grace on the ground, and now even in the sky. He was quick, flexible, and daring. He was strong in body and in mind. It was as though the multitudes of larger dragons (excluding a few of the more headstrong bronzes and golds) respected him.

Once in the sky, Barahirth spoke mind-to-mind with his rider. Sure, he could hear Ker’t if he shouted above the wind, but Barahirth loved his bond too much to let him go hoarse for the sake of mere conversation.

You like Rath’’s rider, don’t you? he asked, turning in a steep bank to the left.

Yes, Ker’t thought back.. Laryn is very beautiful.

The copper dragon purred. Why don’t you tell her? he asked, diving low.

Because I cannot. Ker’t said, It is against policies for trainees to indulge in relationships. The strong emotions can upset young dragons.

Barahirth snorted., continuing with his airborne exercises. I could handle it.

I know you can, Barahirth my friend, but if we do it, others will do it, and you know full well some of those pairs are still rather youthful

Yes Ker’t. I understand. the copper said without a hint of pouting. The copper dragon truly knew what his rider was getting at. He flew so well that day the trainer commended them.

Barahirth lounged on the ledge with a lovely green at his side. He had grown splendidly, but still wasn’t much larger than a blue. He could sustain flame for a surprising length, and had the endurance and intelligence of a bronze coupled with the size and agility of a blue. A magnificent combination. As a result, he inspired many.

Down below, Ker’t danced with Laryn as the harpers played a lively tune. He loved her dearly, though his dragon would never catch hers in flight. As the dance ended, the Weyrleader called the revelers to order. “It has come to my attention that there is one among you who is highly respected, revered, and can handle any situation thrown at him. Have I heard correctly?”

“Yes!” the East Rockian riders called to him.

“Who is it? Send them up.” The Weyrleader said, feigning ignorance.

“Ker’t! Ker’t! Ker’t! Ker’t! Ker’t!” the riders chanted, and the copper’s rider took to the stage.

“Do you answer to these charges, Ker’t?”

“I do, Sir.” Ker’t replied respectfully.

“A new wing is forming – it is to be called the Ilsiel Wing, it’s name coming from the Marl words for ‘Flaming Skies’.” A murmur ran through the crowd. “Ker’t, would you and your brilliant copper bond be interested in becoming wingseconds for the Ilsiel Wing?”

“Why not Wingleader?” Someone called.

“Because bronzes lead, you dolt!” Someone called in response.

The Weyrleader laughed. “N’ris, rider of bronze Velith, will act as Wingleader for you until someone better qualified comes along. Your job, Ker’t, should you choose to accept it, is to help organize this fledgling wing and to help the new Wingleader – when he’s found – to get acclimatized to it, so to speak.”

Ker’t nodded, and Barahirth’s eyes whirled brightly with anticipation. “We accept.” Ker’t said. The assembled riders cheered.

“I thought you’d say that.” The Weyrleader said with a grin. “Heere’s the list of Riders in your care, wingsecond.” He handed a carefully rolled scroll to Ker’t. “Carry on.” He said, and departed.

Ker’t unrolled the hide. “B’ari and brown Hithliniath, Ze’n and blue Iwaneth, Kirryn and green Siguneth, and Aylani and green Jeschuteth.” Ker’t read. Cheers arose at each name. Ker’t was amused that they were all East Rock born riders. There must be something about these ones, hmm?

Laryn already knew her wing assignment – like there was much other choice for a queenrider? After Ker’t descended from the stage and greeted the riders he would lead with hearty handshakes and hugs, Laryn pulled him close and gave him a quick kiss. “Congratulations, Ker’t.” she whispered.

Could the day get any better?