You are thinking about your mother again? Isemoth queried from where she lay on her ledge, absorbing the warm summer sun.
Tylar sighed, and layed aside the comb. "Yes, my green love. I wish I'd known her."
Isemoth stood up, and after stretching, neatly folded her wings and walked into the weyr. It was a rather small weyr, but cosy. Most dragons, even small ones would feel a bit cramped. There was plenty of room to turn around without getting stuck, however.
Tylar stood up, and walked over to where her dragon's big green head was poking into the entryway of her sleeping room. She was glad Isemoth hadn't outgrown her hatchling freckles. Tylar wrapped her arms around Isemoth's muzzle in a loving embrace. She said nothing - she didn't need to.
I love you too. Isemoth rumbled happily. We can go see her if you want.
Tylar let go of her dragon, and took a step back, eyes open wide. "See who?"
Your mother. Isemoth said, as casually as if she'd suggested they go see R'lan, the bluerider.
"No we cant, Isemoth. She's..." Tylar cut her statement short. She'd always been told it was impolite to speak irreverently of the departed.
Yes we can. Insisted Isemoth. Get your gear on...
Tylar's curiosity won out, and she disappeared behind a curtain to dress.
Meanwhile, Isemoth struck up a friendly conversation with the "elderly" watch dragon. She told him about how Tylar had told her about her birthing day, and how the headwoman had said it snowed that day - and it was supposed to have been very beautiful. The watchrider remembered that day, vividly. He'd been at Bynor the day before, and left at dawn on the day Tylar was born. The colors of dawn shone through the clouds, and the snow was big, crystaline flakes, falling gently. Isemoth "took" the images, and waited for Tylar.
When Tylar emerged, clad in her golden-tan riding gear, and Isemoth was wearing her riding straps, the green shared the image with her rider.
It's not snowing at Bynor..." Tylar said, puzzled.
Not now. Isemoth replied as Tylar climbed up. But it was.
Tylar finally realized what her dragon was saying. And with the image of that snowy winter morn fixed in their minds, the pair timed it back to the day Tylar was born. As they winked out, the Wingleader's bronze dragon bespoke his rider, informing him that they'd indeed gone.
Infy, Tylar's faithful green firelizard had been sleeping off her breakfast, and arrived home to the weyr too late to get the visual for betweening. Upset and confused, she cheeped irritatedly, and went off to find Ancith, the blue dragon.
They appeared over Bynor hold a few moments after the watchrider remembered leaving. Then, they made the very short seeming jump between to the weyr where Tylar's mother was. They announced themselves to the watchdragon, as was traditionally required, and landed. Isemoth waited for Tylar to dismount, then vaulted to the rim to chat with the local dragons.
Tylar walked into the lower caverns, and was imediately greeted by one of the staff, who handed her a mug of hot klah as soon as she got her gloves off.
"It's a mighty cold day, lass. What brings ye to our weyr?"
Tylar swallowed hard. She hadn't expected this. "I've come to see the goldrider who's achild.... how is she?" Tylar stated the truth, not knowing what else to say.
"Oh!" the woman exclaimed, "you mean 'lara! She's... well, she delivered a fine girl, named her Tylar. A bit early, but she'll be all right. Won't say who the father is though." The woman led Tylar through the halls. "What'd you say your name was, lass?"
Tylar swallowed again. "I didn't." she said, hesitantly. "It's Ty."
That's not entirely untrue. Isemoth said, buoying her rider's spirit.
The woman stopped, and Tylar did too. She stuck her head into a room. "Someone to see 'lara, healer. Name's Ty."
A husky voice replied, "Send them in."
Tylar stepped in, and the dark-haired healer said to her, "Keep it short. She's weak." and then he stepped out into the hall.
Tylar looked at the pale red-head with a knot in her stomach. It was almost like looking in a mirror. She quietly walked over and sat in the chair beside the bed. The woman reached out with a thin, pale hand and took Tylar's. "I knew you'd come." the queenrider whispered. "I knew it." She looked as if she was in extreme pain, an her cool eyes were somewhat vacant.
"I'm here." Tylar said softly, squeezing her mother's hand gently.
"They wanted me to tell them who your father is..." she laughed, then began coughing. When the spasm passed, she smiled softly at Tylar.
"Who is he... mama?" Tylar dared to ask.
The queenrider smiled wanly. "You'll have to find that out for yourself, baby." She let go of Tylar's hand abruptly.
Tylar stiffened in her seat. The queenrider put her hands to her neck, and unfasted a necklace. She held it out to Tylar. A gold pendant shaped like a dragon clutching an egg-shaped emerald swung from a fine chain. "Your father gave this to me. I want you to have it." she whispered, dropping it into Tylar's palm, and closing her hand around it.
"Thank you..." Tylar whispered.
"Did you Impress, Tylar?" the queenrider said weakly, trying to lift herself up to see Tylar better.
"Yes mama. Isemoth - a smart green." Tylar said, unbiddenly leaning closer so her mother could see her better.
"I hope your brothers are as handsome as you are beautiful." she whispered, reaching up to touch Tylar's face gently. "I do love you..."
Outside in the bowl, Isemoth was among the first to raise the mourning cry for the loss of the gold and her rider.
Tylar emerged a few minutes later, tears still in her eyes. The pendant hung around her neck, glittering in the thin sunlight. Isemoth floated down from the rim of the bowl, landing gently a few strides in front of Tylar.
Quietly, Tylar walked over, and climbed up onto her lifelong friend. "Let's go home, Isemoth." she whispered, and with one powerful lunge, they were airborne, then gone between.
A few moments later, they appeared over the bowl of Ryslen Weyr, not very long after they'd left. The summer sun was still shining.
Infy winked in from between and scolded them harshly as she could for leaving her behind.
She loved you very much, Tylar. She is a very good mother. Isemoth said, as they began their descent to the floor of the bowl.
Just then, R'lan came out of the lower caverns. When Isemoth landed, he rushed over and helped Tylar down. "Tylar! where were you? Ancith was very distraught..." He said, concern obvious in his tone.
"We're okay." Tylar said, and pulled the bluerider into an embrace. He didn't resist.
When they parted, he took her by the hand, and said to her: "The Weyrleader wants to see you... now."
Background from Boogie Jack's.
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Many thanks to the Awesome Sargon for Ancith's fabulous pic! Visit Sargs!