Ryinnor was 17, had hair so red it was orange, and loved to run. It seemed very strange that someone whose name sounded remarkably like ‘runner’ actually was one. ‘Ryinnor the runner’ they called him. He was 5’6" tall, and probably didn’t weigh much more than a hundred pounds. Everyone who knew him knew him to be a very reliable young man, who would do anything that was asked of him-and fast. * * * One day, dragonriders came to Jenir Plains looking to borrow some mounts. Nonbody asked them why; dragonriders were honest men-or in this case, women. Riale and Minaeya changed into cooler clothes fit for riding runners, and then marched off into the stables. It wasn’t long, and they were off. No one thought anything of it. Ice blue Niawith and Night-Green Auspexeth dozed in the sun, upwind of the stables. Ryinnor had gone for a run that morning, and was making the return trip when he happened upon rider Minaeya-who was sitting in the middle of nowhere, with no mount. "Hey!" she yelled at the passing boy. Ryinnor quickly altered course and came to her side. "What can I do for you, rider, he asked politely. Minaeya smiled at him a bit strangely. "Run back to the stables and tell the master that Jenspar bucked me and ran. Then tell the healer the same thing. I’ll be there in a few minutes." "Auspexeth is on her way" Minaeya said. Ryinnor nodded and set off on a direct route. * * * When Minaeya arrive, cradled in Auspexeth’s loving arms, the healer was ready and waiting. Ryinnor was doing some cool-down excercises in the courtyard. Riale returned, bring the fiesty Jenspar along by the reins. The stablemaster took the leads of both beasts and led them away. Minaeya came out of the hold slowly. "The Healer says I bruise good but there’s nothing broken." "That’s good." Riale said. "Niawith says you’ve an errand to run now?" Ryinnor’s head came up at the mention of running. "Well, only if Ryinnor’s willing" Minaeya said, leaning against Auspexeth. "I’m more than willing, Rider Minaeya! Just point the way!" Ryinnor said enthusiastically. "Whoa there! You don’t even know what she’s got in mind!" Riale said. "I’m up for anything Minaeya can dish out!" Ryinnor said. Minaeya laughed. "Okay Ryinnor, try this: You’ve been searched." The runner froze in place. "No way." "Way." Riale countered, supressing a laugh. "Go run and tell the steward, and your family that you’ve been searched to Falas Weyr. And then run and pack. Oh-and hurry back." Minaeya said, smirking. Riale stepped over after he’d left. "What color?" she asked slyly. "Not sure, Riale, not sure. Whatever it is, it’ll be fast, I assure you." |
Ry’n sprinted across the barracks to his cot, nimbly leaping over someone’s trunk left in the middle of the walkway. “Careful Ry’n, or you’ll break your neck.” One of the other ‘lings said. Ry’n stopped in his tracks. “I won’t M’ik, I won’t.” the bluerider promised. As nimble as Ry’n was, and as dedicated as he has been shown to be, M’ik still worried. If physical h arm didn’t come to this bluerider from an accident he couldn’t avoid, then someone would try to take advantage of his generosity, in a way M’ik never wanted to fathom. Ry’n’s blue Dezinith was a fast little thing; fast for a hatchling that is. And he was sure to get faster. Bets were already being placed on him outracing browns. Someone said bronzes, but no one thought Ry’n would ever have what it took to be Weyrleader. |
Some of the stronger ‘lings had taken it into their minds that they were mature enough to chase greens. Of course, being inexperienced, they never got close. Blue Dezinith was often the closest – of the younglings chasing. One day, Dezinith set off after a small green – one ridden by a large and rather imposing man. How someone like that wound up n a green, no one would ever know. Dezinith almost caught her, but was knocked away by a brutish brown that wanted her ever so much more. The large man grabbed Ry’n as if Dezinith had won, and led him off to a room before the flight-trance wore off. The large man was fully rational – a sure sign that the green wasn’t his – and would have violated Ry’n had not Ilsiel Wingsecond Ker’t and the ‘lingmaster heard the frightened shouts. The man was dealt with properly, but Ry’n… might never be the same. |
Dezinith flexed his muscles and stretched his blue wings. Ry’n did the same, warming up for a few laps around the bowl. After the incident, Ry’n had tried very hard to return his life to normal, but wasn’t succeeding, not really, even though he’d blocked those memories. Ry’n… Dezinith began It’s been a good long time since I chased last – I… “NO!” Ry’n shouted, eyes gone wild. “No more mating flights, Dezinith! I just can’t!” The blue went pale. He’d had no idea that Ry’n would react like this! But Ry’n… “No, Dezinith, no.” Ry’n said, curling up into a ball right there. He almost seemed to shrink. “Oh my… what’s happening?” Laryn said, coming upon the scene. Dezi’ mentioned Flying, and he just panicked. Rathlorielth told her. Laryn sat down on the ground by Ry’n and put her hand on his back. Until he could calm himself down enough to realize she was there, there was no need to talk. She shooed away anyone who came near before they could talk. Rath’ love, who did Dezi’ want to chase, anyway? Savaai’s green Lioslaith. Came the reply without hesitation, as though Rathlorielth had waited for her to ask. Laryn furrowed her brows. She’s not due to fly, is she? Not for quite some time. She’s at Artaq. Rath’ replied. Laryn considered this. She’d met the bold greener a few days ago when Savaai had been playing courier. Dezinith must have taken a fancy to her, and was trying to get Ry’n to remember that for him, since blues and greens had such bad memories. Rath’, dear one, please ask Iwaneth his opinion – he’s such a good matchmaker – about Dezinith and Lioslaith. Rathlorielth was quiet for quite some time before she finally answered. Iwaneth says they’d be okay together. Dezi’s quite capable of keeping her attention – but Ry’n will need some time. Maybe the better he knows Savaai, the more willing he will be… Laryn considered, but then Ry’n began to stir. He seemed embarrassed. “Laryn… I…” Laryn smiled at the bluerider. “It’s okay, Ry’n, really.” The bluerider still looked uncomfortable, so Laryn added, “You don’t have to tell me anything unless you want to.” Ry’n chose not to; but half-heartedly accepted Laryn’s promise to listen unjudgementally if he ever needed to talk. Rathlorielth ‘suggested’ to Lioslaith that Savaai transfer to Falas, and with Artaq’s dwindling population, the pair was more than happy to join them. Ilsiel Wingsecond Ker’t made the arrangements, and soon Savaai was there. He had had a rather extensive (and private) conversation with Laryn about this. He knew exactly what was going on. Savaai and Ry’n became good friends, with Savaai’s rusty canine acting as a catalyst. Kerlin was excited about someone who’d try to race him to the stick Savaai threw. Sometimes Ry’n got it too. Ry’n didn’t seem to notice how cozy Dezinith was getting with Lioslaith. Savaai and Ry’n often went places, so it didn’t strike Ry’n as odd when she invited him to go with to an isle far from Falas to pick berries. They ended up acting like silly children all day. When Ry’n saw the sleeping Lioslaith’s glowing form, he all but ran for Dezinith’s riding straps. “Ry’n! you can’t!” Savaai exclaimed. Ry’n was torn. He knew Dezinith was gearing up for the chase, he could feel it… but he couldn’t… “You can’t leave me now!” she exclaimed. As if that were her cue, Lioslaith awoke, and leapt skyward. Dezinith leapt after her. There was no turning back. Ry’n sank to his knees. Savaai leapt up and ran to him, taking his reluctant form into her arms. “Ry’n… you’re my best friend at Falas – and if I could chose anyone, I would have chosen you – I love you!” she cried. Ry’n blinked. “you… love me?” Savaai nodded, blinking away tears. Ry’n was thunderstruck. The concept of LOVE involved in a Flight had never ever occurred to him. Later, with a sleepy Savaai cradled in his arms, Ry’n thought on all this. He’d been the only one to join Savaai today, and she must have known Lioslaith was due…How could she, when she knew his phobia of flights? How could she? She had to Ry’n Dezinith said, satisfied. She really does love you – she didn’t want anyone else! * * * In the morning, Savaai sheepishly avoided making eye contact with Ry’n, until he walked over to her and softly lifted her chin so she had no choice. “I know what you did, and why you did.” He said softly. “You could have just announced it ‘closed’ except for Dezinith…” “No, Ry’n, I couldn’t.” she said, backing away but not breaking eye contact. “You would have balked out on me if you had the option. I know what happened before and it will never happen again, Ry’n.” “You’ve got that right.” He said gruffly, and advanced on her. Savaai froze. She hadn’t expected this! Ry’n swept her up in his arms. “I love you Sav, and I’ll never have another. Will you be mine?” “Only if you’ll be mine.” Savaai replied with a startled laugh. Ry’n kissed her, and Dezinith and Lioslaith exchanged knowing looks. And they lived happily ever after. |
