Alivirth was restless. He’d nearly outgrown yet another weyr. I am a big dragon. He said. looking forlornly at his couch in the weyr he could barely fit into.

You’re a great, handsome bronze, Alivirth. And don’t worry, we’re going to Ryslen Weyr soon. his rider sent from inside the weyr.

Alivirth was not comfortable with that thought! We’ve been here for a long time? Why must we go? What did we do wrong?

A’ndo strode out of the weyr, and put both hands on Alivirth’s muzzle. "What’s got your tail in a knot today, Alivirth? You know I grew up at Ryslen. My family is there, Drikara and Leyken are there. You’re fully grown now, or should be at two turns. We can be posted anywhere, and I put in for Ryslen. The rider explained to his cranky bronze.

But... the bronze began, casting his eyes out towards the bowl. Why can’t we stay here?

A’ndo grinned, and walked back into the weyr to get his riding jacket. "C’mon Alivirth, there will be proddy gals at Ryslen too. Besides, Weyrwoman Allani might let you come back and participate in the flights here."

The dark haired rider came back out with Alivirth’s straps in his hands.

Are we going now?

"To Ryslen? No, not yet. We’ve got one last drill to fly, or did you forget that, Mr. preoccupied?" A’ndo said, slinging the heavy hide straps around his burly bronze.

I didn’t forget... I just didn’t remember. the bronze said smugly. A’ndo pulled on his close-fitting riding cap, fastening it securely below his chin.

"What am I to do with you, Alivirth?" A’ndo said, jokingly, and climbed aboard.

Just love me. Came the oh-so-serious reply.

The mock-thread drill went smoothly, Alivirth flamed well and avoided being smacked with any dye-drenched ropes of "thread." The "weyrling" wing flew well, and they didn’t miss one strand, though an unlucky green ended up with horribly colorful wingsails. She’ll do better next time. Alivirth said, She’s just a bit off today.

A’ndo nodded. Good flying, buddy. he sent as they landed and reported in.

After a while, A’ndo got packed up and they headed for Ryslen. It was a bright sunny afternoon when they arrived. Alivirth roared to the Watchdragon, and her rider, and Sxoith trumpeted back.

The Weyrleader will meet you. Welcome home, boys. The green sent.

How sweet, Kerli remembered me. A’ndo thought.

Shall I tell her that? Alivirth said, maneuvering to land.

Tell her it’s nice to be home, and I look forward to catching up with her later. A’ndo bespoke.

She says she looks forward to it too. Alivirth said, backwinging for a gentle landing.

True to his word, J’kosh was there. A’ndo slid down from his bronze and saluted. "Bronzerider A’ndo, transferring home, Sir!" he said.

J’kosh grinned. "I love the formality. Welcome home, A’ndo." the Weyrleader said, lightly clapping the bronzerider on the shoulder, a sign of greeting and equality among peers.

"I suppose you’ll want to see Drikara and Leyken right away?" J’kosh said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

A’ndo smiled. "In due time. First, I need to unpack Alivirth, and I should stop in and greet the Weyrwoman." the bronzerider said.

"Tiyanni will like that, I’m sure. " J’kosh said. "As for weyrs, you two can have that one." he pointed to a large weyr about one third of the way up the weyr walls, above the junior queens’ weyrs.

"Thank you sir." A’ndo said, eyes wide at the honor of such an appointment. Overlooking the queens... wow.

J’kosh grinned. "Only the best for Ryslen’s newest bronze."

A’ndo grinned. Let’s go see! Alivirth enthusiastically suggested.

"Thanks J’kosh." A’ndo said, returning to his dragon.

"You’re welcome A’ndo. Glad to have you back with us." the Weyrleader said.

It was nice to be home, and Alivirth was very happy with his spacious weyr. Everything was unpacked and in it’s place within a candlemark. A’ndo lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He thought about his last night here, remembering that he’d wanted to ask Kyrrin about her wher.

We have to see the Weyrwoman before we can do that. Alivirth reminded his rider.

"Let’s do that, you big bronze." A’ndo said, getting up and going out to the ledge where his bronze rested.

Tiyanni and Litayth were very glad to see them. The Weyrwoman gave him a big hug.

My she’s friendly today. A’ndo thought, returning the warm embrace.

"It’s nice to have you home, A’ndo, and what a nice bronze you have too." Tiyanni said, noting that Alivirth’s eyes whirled faster. He was flattered!

A’ndo told her that he’d wanted to go meet Kyrrin and her watchwher.

"Oh! what a marvelous idea! You do that, A’ndo, and be sure to tell me all about it. Maybe we can dispel some of those wher-myths. Since you’re going, please take this..." she handed him a hide scroll from a stack of similar rolls. "... to Lord Oran."

A’ndo smiled. "Sure thing, Weyrwoman Tiyanni. Anything to help out." he said, taking the scroll with a bow.

Tiyanni laughed gently. "Go, A’ndo, and return safely."

They’d gone between to Kielac many times, so it was an easy jump.

Alivirth landed in the courtyard, and the hold children peered out at the big bronze.

Korrim, the steward, was first out to greet him. "Welcome, bronzerider A’ndo. To what honor do we owe this visit?" he pleasantly inquired.

A’ndo smiled at the man. He certainly had a knack for names. "A delivery for Oran, and a visit."

"I can take whatever it is you’ve brought for Oran, if you like." Korrim offered.

A’ndo nodded. The steward was trustworthy, or he wouldn’t be the steward. A’ndo handed him Tiyanni’s scroll with a smile. "From Weyrwoman Tiyanni." he said. "Could you tell me where I might find Kyrrin?"

"Sure can, A’ndo. She’ll be in the guard’s office at this hour." the Steward said. A’ndo thanked him, and they set off in two different directions.

A’ndo ducked into the guard’s office after a pair of men left, both greeting him. A woman with short dark hair sat at a table drinking klah, and looking over a report of some sort. Two thin braids hung in front of her ears. "Kyrrin?" he asked, and she nodded setting down the mug.

"That’s me." she said. "How can I help you, Rider?"

"My name is A’ndo -- I came to talk to you about your watchwher."

Kyrrin looked at him skeptically. "You mean Dyle? Well, he’s sleeping."

A’ndo shrugged noncommittally, and pulled up a chair. He told her why he was curious, and she warmed right up.

"Well," she said. "Wher are photosensitive. They can’t take the light, it hurts their eyes so. They’re not necessarily nocturnal, but they act like it, sleeping during the brightest parts of the day, in the darkest part of the den. Dyle is about half again as big as a large canine, and other whers I’ve met are half-again his size. Those might be rideable if you could train ‘em. Dyle is about as smart as a canine, and much more loyal. After all, I did Impress him." Kyrrin stopped her monologue momentarily for a sip of klah. "He doesn’t communicate in words, or even pictures like flits, but if he’s hungry or angry or scared, I can feel it."

A’ndo nodded. "I can feel Alivirth’s emotions too."

But I can talk to you.

Yes, and I like that part.

"Dyle’s awake now -- would you like to meet him?" Kyrrin offered.

"I’d love to." A’ndo said, and they made their way out into the den. Kyrrin stopping to grab a bowl of wherry parts. "He’s hungry." she explained

True to her word, Dyle did out size a canine. He was rather at ease with his Impresser, but didn’t want A’ndo anywhere near him. Kyrrin tied a scarf around Dyle’s eyes, whispering comfortingly, then opened a basket of dim glows. Their light was enough to see Dyle’s blue hide, with large splotches of a lighter blue here and there. "His mother was a white, which accounts for the spots. I’ve no idea what color the sire was. Dyle doesn’t show much interest in mating though."

A’ndo nodded, taking it all in. "He doesn’t stink." the rider observed.

Kyrrin laughed. "Of course not! he gets baths and regular oilings just like your dragon. It’s the one ones that don’t get such treatment that get so ugly, mean, and smelly."

Chalk up a point for A’ndo... he’d been right after all.

Alivirth's Flight Page

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