"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Feena asked her lifemate.
The green weyrling smiled reassuringly at her rider. Of course I'm sure.
Feena looked at the riding equipment strapped to her dragon. The sadle was a little too big and hung slightly off to one side, at least in Feena's opinion. When she tried to point it out the Weyrling Master examined it and told Feena it was just fine. Feena still nervously glanced at her dragon and then up into the air.
Kaye, Feena's green firelizard, soared around her head. Kaye was excited, she could tell something interesting was going to happen. She landed on Feena's shoulder and purred in her ear.
Feena laughed and pushed the firelizard away. "Stop that you silly beast! That tickles!"
The firelizard chirped happily and went to sit on Olyth. The green dragoness was staring longingly at the sky. Today we're going to fly together.
Feena walked over to her weyrling. "Maybe love. Not every dragon flies right off." Feena didn't want her dragon to be disappointed if she didn't fly. When the Weyrling Master explained how very few dragons fly their first try none of the dragons had been listening. Their riders, however, were listening and worrying. What if my dragon doesn't fly? What if every other dragon does? What do I do? The questions flitted through everyone's minds.
Olyth hrumpfed and snorted. Why can't we get started. I'm sure I'll fly. I just know I will.
Feena rubbed her lifemate's eyeridges. What will you do if you don't love? She asked the question with her mind, so she wouldn't embarrass her dragon.
Olyth shook her head to shake off Feena's touch. I'll fly. With that the green weyrling stomped off to stand with the other weyrling's preparing for their first shot at flying.
I can't watch! Feena thought. She was so worried. Kaye chirped and screeched from Feena's shoulder, offering her support. Through half-closed eyes Feena watched the weyrlings start to flap. She saw Olyth struggling slightly. No! I can't watch! She shut her eyes tightly.
Kaye screeched and bit Feena's ear, making her open her eyes. She heard someone cry out and astonished gasps from the other riders with her. She swatted at Kaye then looked to Olyth. Her mouth dropped open. Olyth was the only one in the air.
Her dragon trumpeted victoriously and rose higher. She bugled her triumph to the entire weyr. Her voice came loudest to Feena though. I knew I would fly! I told you!
Feena smiled and jumped with joy. "I never doubted you Olyth!"
The green landed, if not gracefully at least right side up, next to her rider. She shook her mane at the other werylings who hadn't made it off the ground. Feena smiled and leaned against her dragon.
Feena and Olyth walked triumphantly to the feeding grounds that evening. Olyth had flown three times that day, twice without Feena and once with her. Feena watched Olyth eat and nibbled at the bread she'd grabbed at dinner.
"Congrats!" Rankel, one of the herders called. "I heard Olyth flew."
Feena beamed, proud as anything. "Yep. Three times."
Rankel grinned. "Figures."
Feena looked at him. "What?"
"Olyth's just as stubborn as you are!"
Feena threw the rest of the bread at Rankel, who ran giggling back to the herd. Kaye quickly swooped in to eat the bread crumbs and Olyth paused a moment in her eating to smile.
* * *
View Feena's hatchling story!
View Feena's candidate story!
Feena impressed Olyth at Dawn Sisters Weyr.
Feena impressed Kaye at Blue Star Weyr.
