Revoric

Somehow, the fire lizard siblings had barely stirred throughout the long trip from the tidepool shores to the entrance to Aqua Astrel. The ever present Aqua Keep pair, Andora and green Asirath, acknowledged him with a nod as he passed through the gates and into the towering pillar dome of the main Aqua.

As soon as they entered the softly glowing entrance arch, Kiilis, the more observant of the pair, gave a drowsy chirp as her tiny eyes darted at the many neon lights and semi-familiar faces. Revoric sighed. This was nothing like the Weyrbowl of Aster, or like anything on Pern in general for that matter.

"It does take getting used to, Revoric."

With a start, Revoric whirled around to find himself face to face with Edenali, the lead Vision of Astrel's Dream Catchers. Lead Searchrider for the more traditionally inclined. He almost recoiled in fright at the sight of her. Her battle scarred, expressionless face and her missing arm was enough to unnerve anyone, and that katana at her belt, its blade worn from years of slaying foes that once existed only as myths...

She seemed patient though, almost as if she had been expecting this reaction. Kiilis, chirping a happy greeting to just another familiar person, placed a faint startled look upon Edenali's face. This surprised Revoric somewhat, for he'd never seen any kind of emotion on the lead Vision's face. But then again, he'd never really met up with Edenali before.

Today was just a day of surprises.

"Revoric, I heard about these little guys getting training from Itorysth. Put on quite a show at the tidepools."

"You knew?"

The lead Vision merely smirked as she scratched Kiilis's eye ridges gently with her remaining hand. Revoric studied the young woman carefully. Edenali had quarreled with wraiths long before the undead attacked Aster Weyr, losing her dominant left arm in that fight. But it was rumored that her provoking had led to the fall of Aster...

As a last moment afterthought, Edenali softly spoke her parting words before she walked out of sight.

"Of course. I'm a Dream Catcher, I know all."

Revoric hesitated for a moment, staring at his equally bewildered white fire lizard, having forgotten his destination or why he was even back in the Aqua to begin with. Until Bantor stirred restlessly, he had even forgotten about his blue flitter. Luckily, the little blue lizard helped bring Revoric back into reality.

"You know, Kiilis, I kind of wish she was just a regular Searchrider. That was a little strange."

Kiilis warbled softly in agreement, staring in the direction that the green-white dragonrider had disappeared. After a moment, Kiilis settled back on Revoric's shoulder, and the trio was headed in the direction they had intended. Baileyn's quarters.

As a timid knock resonated throughout her silent quarters, Baileyn, a middle-aged willow of a lady, was startled into dropping The Condenced History of the Weyrs of Pern. With a chuckle of amusement, the tiny purple Itorysth, first of the Throught Dominance to grace Aqua Astrel, regarded her lifemate with a calm expression.

At ease, Baileyn. It's just a visitor, not the leader of a greater demon horde.

The Magic Instructor gritted her teeth in annoyance as she placed her book down. The way events were passing at the Aqua, she wouldn't have minded the greater demon. It would've given her something useful to do instead of dealing with the hundredth or so misguided person to demand entry into a training session.

It wasn't that she hated people, far from that. She loved teaching the fine art of spellcasting to the rising generation of Aqua Astrel's new warriors. But even the patience of the divinity would be strained after all the flared tempers and stubborn insistance shown by all parties, herself and Itorysth included.

"Well, come in already, I haven't got all day to deal with you people. If you're looking for a lesson, come back when you've 'Marked."

Itorysth gave a delighted warble as the young man, barely 16 by the look of him, entered the room. The dragon's attention was focused on the two fire lizards on his shoulders, one a oceanic blue, the other a dazzling white.

Bantor, Kiilis, it's wonderful to see you two again. What brings you back here, has something gone wrong in your channeling?

Bantor and Kiilis chirped excitedly, relaying images of their fun at the tidepools. Itorysth regarded each happy chirp with a gentle warble of her own. But this concerned Baileyn somewhat. Channeling orbs weren't fire lizard toys after all.

"You let these fire lizards channel? Itorysth, teaching fire lizards arcane casting was an odd enough request, but surely..."

Oh, these two were absolutely wonderful in their arcane casting. Bantor and Kiilis were truly in tune with the soul of the ancient ways, and they progressed in their training quickly. I decided that they were ready to awaken their inner potential. Perhaps Revoric can call upon their magic if he's ever threatened. Water and light magic, particularly in their combat forms, are formidable if placed within the right spirits.

Giving Revoric and his flitter pair a long, critical gaze, Baileyn finally nodded. She could see the magical talent radiating from Bantor and Kiilis, but there was a hidden well of potential deep inside Revoric too. Almost as if another spirit were locked within this quiet teenager, demanding release and finding no outlet.

"Well, Itorysth finds a lot of potential in those flits of yours. You're Erial and Nitev's son, aren't you? Odd that you haven't 'Marked, especially at your age. I would've expected you on a fully adult combat dragon before you turned 13."

The skeptical look he gave her was enough to convince Baileyn. Of course Erial and Nitev wouldn't let their only son into the Combat Torrents. But still, that unescapable demand to release a planet's magical grip upon him was obviously searing his soul. She could see it in his eyes, his attitude, his very thoughts.

She knew, of course, because her long years of teaching left her sensitive to these traits in people, especially children. But there had been a time, when she had been a teenager herself, when the need to Impress was overwhelming. Then she found Itorysth, or rather, the tiny Thought hatchling had found her...

Parents, Baileyn. Any parent would fear for the safety of their children. Shivath was protective of all of us, but she knew when it was time to let us go. Perhaps Erial will know when to let Revoric into the world of dragons just as her Shivath had to watch me leave her before she even knew me. But it is hard for mothers especially.

With a nod toward her lifebond, Baileyn turned to Revoric again.

"Revoric, your parents are among the most highly respected in the Aqua as skilled warriors and spellcasters. I know that sounds odd, but it's the truth. Itorysth and I have fought alongside them in many a battle to defend this Aqua. They understand the risks taken by a warrior and their dragon, and the risks are truly extreme. But I can see your need to find your place among dragons. It burns like fire within you, I know it. If you wish to 'Mark, I will defend you when your parents question me. I've always felt it was my responsibility to introduce new talent into Ayden, and you certainly possess talent."

I have called a dragoness on Search from the world of Alskyr. Caer Brynmor. Probably not the best of ideas now that I think of it, but it is about time Ayden received a dragon of non-Pernese blood. There is a purple dragon upon their Dunes, an amethyst of Ocean Side Vicinty background. It surely would be nice to have another little one with purple blood running through his or her veins. Revoric will be the first of Astrel to stand on the Dunes of Alskyr though, but I'm assured that he can handle this honor.

Without a moment's hesitation, news circulated like wildfire that a green Alskyrian Searcher had arrived on the request of a certain Itorysth. As Revoric, Bantor, and Kiilis dashed out of her quarters with a grateful thanks and chirps, Baileyn also caught a quiet comment Revoric made to himself.

"Lily. Surely a perfect name to grace the life of a noble Earth Dominance such as Aeliath."

The boy learns quickly, Baileyn. It's like he's lived on Ayden all his life.

"Indeed, Itorysth," Baileyn said with a chuckle as she got back to reading. Perhaps it'd be best to notify his parents after he was settled in the Caer. After all, a boy of dragonrider blood should have the chance to 'Mark. There was no denying it.

Kiilis mimicked the clear indignation...

Content © 2001-2002 Twille. Exceptions are the background © Myrror, the draconic arrow icons © Dee Dreslough, Bantor and Kiilis images © Analyn, and Caer Brynmor © Kesava. These are all used by myself with permission. All copyright violators will be pursecuted.