From the heights of Ryslen, a mature woman and her mature queen overlooked the castle-weyr and the horde of white and not-so-white dragons that had come for the third Flurry. "I have to admit, Litayth, this is the biggest Flurry yet." The silvering-gold chuckled. Ryslen is thriving. "From the way they're acting, the flight should be very soon." Baeris remarked. Tiyanni smiled at her friend. "Most definitely. N'mar's weather-sense is usually quite accurate, and he's forecasted the first snowfall for today. It's a bit warm yet. Cy's beloved queen Delith remarked. It will be colorful though. The trio-winged reborn Sherra remarked, settling her rainbow wing over her twice bonded. "Next time I'll make better restrictions." Jeyann said, her eyes diverted. "Nonsense." Ty and Baeris said in unison. "Your sisters set it up quite well in your absence, and you did fine when you got here. How were any of us to know how many and how quickly responses would come?" Tiyanni advised in a motherly fashion. Jeyann smiled sheepishly, and Baeris patted the young Prima's back. "What I want to know is whether Kendarvav's wings will be passed on to his offspring..." * * * In Ryslen's courtyard, the dragons were beginning to grow restless. The constant wind had blown in quite a bit of heavy cloud cover and the sun that filtered through cast everything in silvery light. Around noon, the sky opened, and a gentle shower of perfect snowflakes began to fall. As the first flakes hit the red sand of Ryslen, Kerilleth and her half-sister Haukeath leapt for the sky with triumphant challenging calls. Their mother Neva' and the rest of the females shot heavenward, and the males were right on their tails. The colorful crowd of nearly a hundred dragons shot in every direction in a flurry of white and colored wings. Some, like Kerilleth, went for height while others, like Haukeath and Twilight Cream Treifrinseith went for distance. The males fell slightly back as they chose between their options - but some knew their quarry and were in hot pursuit. One such male was Light Bronze Chycanth. Maturity was on the white-bronze's side as he raced after the duowinged beauty. Higher and higher they went, and as the clouds parted momentarily to let in a bright shaft of sunlight, Chycanth made his move. Kerilleth was dazzled by the sun and the bronze as they fell intertwined. Haukeath raced away from Ryslen at top speed, never looking back. She knew her starlight mate was not invited, but she was determined not to be caught easily. Shooting upwards, she lost several of the males who'd been on her tail, and caught a glimpse of a dark amber male. In a moment of boldness she chose to catch rather than be caught. The armored white fell like a stone and snatched Taveth from his pursuit of a rainbowy dragoness. The amber flurry dragon did not hesitate to take what Haukeath had given him. At Ryslen, the riders had come out into the vacated courtyard to watch their beasts fly in the first winter snowfall. Liana had left the gathering early with her beloved Riyenom, and Zanari's young eyes those of Aervlen whose bronze had paired with Liana's Kerilleth. "...if I may..." he began hesitantly "...I know Taveth's rider has not come, but I am here..." Zanari took his hand and led him away with a smile on her face. Moogermint and her sisters MelberLime and ShanIon had sequestered themselves for the evening, and the alien Kaval was nowhere to be seen. His white-winged khaki bond, however, was closing in on the feather-winged Rauggie Reatilirinth. She trumpeted defiance at the male and tried to lose him by closing her wings and falling, but Quesdedeonth had anticipated that and caught her on the way down. The triple-stroke of Kendarvav's wings kept him close to the pack of females, though he had eyes for but one. She, however, had quite a pedigree and wouldn’t just let her bond have her. Treifrinseith turned on wingtip and raced away from her blue-silver-black bond, causing the other dragons to scatter to avoid collision. Her mind was closed to Kendarvav', and his to her, but as Ryslen's cold deep lake came into view, they both had the same idea. They came together in a flurry of wings, twined lovingly as they fell. Only Kendarvav's immense wingspread could have slowed them down in time - and it did. They fell into the lake with a splash and did not surface for several more minutes. Trei's sudden change of course set the Darkelf Dragon Speeder off pace along with Silver-Purple Cszanadrith and a red-purple Rauggie Artianecth. They were caught in rapis succession by Silver Kedelakytla, Light Blue Lorccanth, and Diamond-Snow Reikoth, who all had taken advantage of the chaos the Twilight Cream had started. Cszaiath was quite impressed by the Light Blue's success and Lorccanth was feeling rather smug - he was one of the older dragons in the flight. Though eight dragons had come together in rapid succession, only five riders sought escape - and only one of those was female. Violet looked to Revlis, Shainon, Samisen, and Chevasto. After a pmoment of hesitation, she chose Samisen and ran off. Revlis shrugged - it was easier than when Cszaia' flew the first time. In the sky, the scaly Etbelimycth kept right after the silvery-pink Vussenrieth, even though Kashouix' subordinate heads cursed and bit at him. At the final moment, Vussenrieth turned and the dog-hydra did not, allowing the Purple-Blue Rauggie to wrap himself around the horned pink. Karyudo snatched Viper's collar and dragged him off to a dark corner. Just because his dog-dra had lost didn't mean she had to settle! Indigo looked around and saw the silver-haired Chevasto yet alone - but he wouldn't be for long. Turustrilyth had the good - or was it the bad - fortune of being trailed by three Flurry males, two blue, one brown. Rather than being caught by one of the blues, she tumbled back into the clutches of TrueBrown Light Tajath. Unfortunately for K'sai, Turustrilyth had no rider. Holarith soared as high as she could, and though there were larger females to chase, she had nearly a dozen less than a length away. Suddenly a rainbowy blue shot forward and wrapped himself about her. Holarith accepted the embrace of Adrakenenth and they tumbled down. Candari stepped towards the unclaimed male riders and though she saw A'leil approaching, she chose Revlis, cocky as he was. High above Ryslen, Neva' and Io' danced in courtship acrobatics. Together for always, this was their moment to shine. As they fell together it was as though the cloudy sky shed a snowy tear. The snowleopard Jylayonth stalked a trio of white females, and as one of them fell behind, he pounced, twining his spotted body with that of white Karith. Thilal took one look at Tsuki-neko and practically dragged him away. Snowflakes danced off the silver hide of partial-rainbow Mirakoth, and though she knew she would be caught, she screamed in terror as she collided with Kashouix. The scream died away as he twined with her. Aldebaran was glad Viper was busy and ran off with K'sai as quickly as she could. A heavier spray of snowflakes began to fall over the spectral females which only fueled the determination of the males. The snow-spangled wings of a tri-colored male propelled him towards a colorful yet pastel female. She was busy eluding a blue-winged silver and did not see Belithrandith until Auith swerved to avoid colliding with him. Darensaleith practically laughed as Beli’ twined around her. Jasien did laugh as Meeko was practically hauled away by an excited Iroke. As Auith peeled away, an excitable female swept in and gave him a start. As Pryzith sped away, the blue-winged silver gave chase gleefully, keeping his eyes on the green’s red and white markings. Soon their antic became a tandem spiral towards the ground, leaving Anju and K’rin smiling awkwardly at each other and blushing. Two flurry males, one a Light Blue and the other a Light Spice Duowing, chased after a trio of females – Aiath, Teazeth, and Verrath to be precise. Suddenly, the girls split apart and doubled back, coming up behind the males. Izititath turned quickly, a knack most duowings possessed, and entangled Twilight Purple Aiath, leaving Gyroth and the other two to make a decision. Verrath seized upon her chance and took posession of the Flurry Light Blue before Teazeth could. The purple-black siamese marked dragoness would not be cheated so easily and fell upon a pack of males chasing a white. The translucent-wings of Etonserapth wrapped around her and they fell, the Rainbow Rauggie banishing all thoughts of other males from Teazeth’s mind. Mike swept Danielle off her feet and carried her away, leaving a confused Eira behind. Likewise Seto and Kaiya departed. Etonserpath was bondless, which was no problem really, and Kiahnya had already vanished with C’nor. Shainon extended a hand to the young Earth woman, and Eira gladly accepted. It defied logic how long the Ryslen-TrisHathian hybrids stayed airborne, considering their wing structure, but nevertheless two silvers soared after a shining pearl of a dragoness – Morganth. Whether the Falas-born dragoness chose deliberately or made a tactical error would never make a difference as Light Silver Kyshiath coiled his sinuous body around hers. Sienilli’s hand in that of black-leopard shifter Ijael only sweetened the deal. Two purple dragonesses streaked through the sky – one a celestial gem from Opal Moon and the other a gem of a gal from the first Flurry. They were persued by a pair of whites – Merlinth from Falas and Horeteth from the long silent Sapphire Weyr. In a heart stopping moment, the two pairs came together and fell from the sky – Kshantreath with her Falas boy and Nievereinath with her beloved Sapphire White. Siarl and T’bi were quick to leave, and though Kjatai may have liked the looks of T’jan, she/Linos grabbed Istvan by the hand and hauled him off. Not that he was going to complain! After “losing” Morganth, Night Silver Soesaraak went in search of new quarry – which wasn’t far off, considering the event. He neatly snared purple tiger Miowieth and they went grumbling towards the ground. Liadana smiled at Z’rador and soon they too were gone. Though ten pair and a dozen more had already left the softly snowing sky, several sets of white wings yet soared. A blue that shifted and shone like a polished stone slipped through the sky and startled a dark purple from her teasing flight. As Rhywith and Kyulith dropped, the eyes of Shire met those of the thief Vash. The sunset wings of the amber-marked white were what drew Thornivath to Anaisth, but it was his red-black Siamese markings that persuaded the Falas beauty to accept his advances. Shaft came to Sirin’s side and with an unexpected civility escorted her away. Out of the clouds burst white Intarath – who had certainly made the pursuit interesting for Silver Baoth. With a burst of speed stemming from the cool damp clouds, he overtook her and they spiraled downwards. Trina giggled behind her glass as Hayden came to her, and silently they went away together. Twilight Silver Kelqasuth was not as patient as some other males, and had taken to diving at females who neared him rather than chasing endlessly. As a pearly dragoness flew by pursued by a true Hathian, he dove and successfully snatched Eidotheath from the sky. Fevirem was not to be disappointed however, as White Haukeath appeared practically from nowhere and claimed him for her second mate. Wedani looked at Dev and also Syrj’raenen, and to the Duelist’s dispair, she chose Syrj’raenen, who smirked as she led him away. Somehow Light Blue Lorccanth had rejoined the chase, but he quickly found himself beset by Rainbow White Hyperith – who true to her name was quite excited. Her bonded, a placid brown, did not even flinch. He was quite content where he was and was happy for her. Something sparkled in the peripheral vision of the silver dragoness Synthiath, and as she turned her head to see exactly what it was, she was happy to see Iozabinth closing on her. His glitz would make her offspring even more wonderful. Even before Io’ twined his neck around Synthiath’s, Bunali was headed for the tiny cluster of unpaired male riders. She touched T’jan’s shoulder and he practically carried her away in his urgency. The blackened gold wings of Einlosungth carried her far ahead of her suitors, until all but the most determined lost sight of her mostly white form. Snowflakes slid off her chilled hide, and as she turned back towards Ryslen, a black-and-white dragon came streaking past the competition and wrapped himself around her with force. Einlosungth’s first reaction was to try to escape, but wrapped in Enfinth’s embrace she thought better of it and enjoyed the moment. Hocayi looked up in surprise when someone touched his shoulder and found himself looking into the felinoid face of Yejide. With excitement in their eyes, the two set off to explore each other. Far off from Ryslen, a white male chased valiantly after a white female. Wuickly overtaking them were a caramel-white duowing and the randy snow-marked black duowing. Kanakanizainth was out to win her, but Calionapyth was determined not to mate with her kin. Ceillidhth was so intent on his goal that he didn’t know the duos were anywhere near them until Calionapyth tackled him out of the sky. Taking his chance, Kana’ engulfed the smaller white Lambtath, giving her his all. The women riders didn’t even look at one another. Kaiya had long since vanished with Seto, and Terra was off somewhere enduring the flight in dwarven stoicism. Corona linked arms with the partnerless Dev, and Daya snapped up A’leil, balancing things out for a little while at least. The rich blue body of Asarishitath was propelled forward by strong white wings as he pursued a lithe white. There were others after her, but the blue paid them no mind. One by one the other males dropped back, allowing Asarishitath to claim the prize: Akhrinyath. Olwen smiled at J’udas, and all was well. Andethaxeuth was showing her endurance as she put the males through their paces. The sun shone on her silver-chrome shoulder plates and the light snow skated off her fine yellow-white scales. She’d all but lost the last few when she faked left and banked right instead. To her delighted surprise, Taesavath was right there, having anticipated her move. M’rcel looked at Dym and shook his head. “Sorry, but…” In the skies above Ryslen, two dragons from the first Flurry came together. The rainbow wings of the white showing in contrast to the dark amber hide of Taveth as he twined with his forever-friend Onatirveth. A white that was the embodiment of holiday spirit danced through the snowy sky for a second time with a dragon who was anything but wintry just out of reach of her tail. With an unexpected burst of speed, feather-winged Rauggie Genterinorth caught up with Holarith and she accepted his embrace. Likewise a recently returned Candari and Anaxmander came together. This would be a memorable pairing. Through the snowy sky flew the purple-green-blue peacock dragoness. She’d enjoyed her romp with Horeteth, but now she was up for a good chase. Out from the clouds came a familiar form – light bronze Erynduth. He could outfly her, and she knew it, but she wasn’t about to be caught easily. Her exertions roused Siarl, who came out to the courtyard to see the flight for herself. Arram was there, and though he was drawn to her, he kept back out of reach. The daring tricks Nievereinath pulled were as agile as some of the ones nimble duowings did, but no matter what she did, Erynduth was there. He’d been abandoned once, and he wouldn’t be lost again. Finally Nievereinath let him catch her, and Siarl moved closer to Arram. He hesitated but she did not and pulled him into a kiss. The green holiday dragoness had rejoined the flight, seeking a second as her clutch sibling had, and found herself beset by a number of glittering males. Her wings bore her through the snowy sky, dipping and turning until only one remained – a gold-winged silver whose hide was marked with snowflakes in a way seldom seen outside of Ryslen’s Flurries. Happily Pryzith joined with Dawn-Moon Demicth. The Feln Kehss looked about and spotted M’rcel, yet partnerless. If the bluerider hesitated at all to her semi-feline appearance, her commanding nature soon had him at her beck and call. Two rainbowy dragons flew together in the sky, Adendawith and Hyperith, once she rejoined the flight. Their close manuvers kept the males at bay – until the daring Light Bronze Tiassath practically leapt in their path to ensnare Adendawith. Hyperith hesitated, and the silver Hathian Fevirem was upon her – a second mating for them both. Almost shyly Jemalrymin put her hand in that of the handsome feline Felio’meh. Since her rider had gone off with Danielle, Beygonth flew valiantly and was determined not to let her rider’s passion hurry her choice. One male shone in the light, the snow sparkling on his wildly colored hide. There was a perfect specimen of masculinity. As if he’d read her mind, Haeriyaan rose to meet her and then together they fell. Talyrise was astonished, but quietly endured. When Neva’ rose to rejoin the flight, an unexpected male rose to join her – Efren’imou. The purple-winged silver Geperna flew stealthily, and though Neva’ led her suitors on a wild chase, the lithe male kept pace, and soon Neva’ accepted him as her second mate. The Raug born dragons were tireless. Even The feather-winged Reatilirinth had rejoined the chase after taking her first mate, and had flown uncaught since then. Finally, a male worth her notice got near enough, and though she was larger, the blue-winged Tripaldi white Dhurolyth became her second mate. T’cet came to Talyrise’s side and smiled. “If I may…” he asked, and with her consent, carried her away. Rauggie Samtairodanth had chased the same female from the moment he’d left the ground. His white angel had eluded capture thus far, but he could tell she was beginning to tire. Serath began to turn, and then suddenly the fireworks-rainbow-blue was below her. A worthy mate, for his endurance. They fell from the sky like a falling ember, their passion was so great. Amalthia was silent – A’leil had been claimed long ago. Such was the curse of multiple bondings. Like Serath, Cephari had constant attention. The siamese Metchentoth followed her, as did Unurnmosoth, a darker Raug dragon. Her mind made up, the Icarian Rain dove towards the males and closed her double set of wings. Metchentoth veered out of her way, but the nimble Rauggie caught her and held on tight. His rider was also A’leil, but Istvan was busy and didn’t mind in the slightest. In the skies, the huge Pheonix Pheodian had pursued the translucent orange dragoness relentlessly. Though she was half his size, Serienth would not be easily caught. The Flurry was nearing completion when she flew to him and they spiraled down together. If Jasien and Iulia had come out at all, they were long since gone. On one of Ryslen’s high hills, a lone male dragon watched. Gozkirth, the water-bound dragon had no choice but to watch while Linos/Kjatai were occupied with a thoroughly satisfied Istvan. Suddenly talons gripped him by the shoulders and flung him into the air. Solstath, mean as he was, meant to throw a little surprise into the mix. He was almost to the cloud of dragons when Fhrroalth came barelling towards them. Solstath loosed the aquatic male and twined with the white marked green. Hissing laughter accompanied Gozkirth’s next ride as the Bipedra Kashouix carried him higher. Above the flock the beast dropped him in favor of a horned pink – Vussenrieth. Viper and Karyudo were already together, and as fun as it might have been for Adain Eira, Phryon would rather have a male. Kshantreath roared in fury and drove after her rider’s literal other half’s dragon. Goz’ did what he could and twined with her. As they fell, they became mates. Complementary colors streaked through the sky as pastel yellow Xerbith pursued purple-white Riishinith. He was persistant, and she – she wanted a nice long flight. Riishinith led him high into the sky before allowing him near enough. G’taeo sought out Calleta, and the instant they touched, Xerbith twined with Riishinith. They laughed as a spark jumped between them. In the sky, there seemed to be a clear space where sunlight shone brightly. There Lambtath and Ceillidhth met, white tail twined with white tail. Their riders were nowhere to be seen, but at last white paired with white. The large copper-rainbow male was horrified to discover there were no queens left in the sky, but forgot instantly as purple tigress Miowieth swept across his path. He pounced, king of the sky, and claimed her. That left seven in the sky – four females and three males. The numbers would change quickly as winter Abjidath coiled around the non-resisting Aluinnth and the icy duo spiralled towards the ground. Hygron eyed Faas, but he wasn’t interested. Variola was partnerless with Liadana gone, and Phryon and the snowleopard-dragon mutant Adain Eira closed on them, with Amalthia stalking behind them. Phryon and Faas rain off, leaving the others looking at each other. In the sky, Metchentoth courted Loritth, who accepted, since only Osirith was left otherwise, and he had not as much as breathed in her direction. T’mael and Hijari skipped past the unpaired riders with smirks on their faces. That left Haukeath and Kerilleth to fight over the rainbow-white. Osirith could not decide, but Kerilleth did. She twined her long body around him and they were happy. Almost shyly T’ryn touched Amalthia’s shoulder. The party of riders was dwindling rapidly. Adain Eira laughed and pushed Hygron into Variola’s arms and flew off to a tryst of her own orchestration. Haukeath circled but once before a dark figure swept down from the clouds and twined with her. Starlight Sivilath. “Just like Oroth…” Tiyanni laughed. “Called a Flurry and kept her old mate too…” The End.
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