Rezoth cooed at his rider You know she didn't mean any of that. Vasharath's lust had just got a hold of her. You know very well Tiff had a temper before Vash even hatched, Rez. It's worse now that her green's almost ready to fly. The duo lapsed into silence, X'tro scrubbing more. 
Keep that up and you'll scrub clear to my bones, the bronze finally told his rider jokingly. X'tro grinned sheepishly and whistled for his three fire lizards.
Only mer seconds after he'd whistled, a gold, a light bronze, and a dark blue fire lizard appeared. The gold looked at the bronze dragon and then ate the bronze fire lizard then back again. Her mind made up she zipped over to the dragon's head and proceeded to diligently wash the bronze's head. The fire lizard chirped irritably at the gold and glared at the dragon. You know very well I'm not trying to impress Tecka, Boomer. You should be more worried about Rampid trying to do such a thing than me. I already have my sights looking for the right female the bronze's eyes whirled to look at the gold who was still washing his head. And they definitely will be 15 times bigger than you, Rampid and Tecka put together.
X'tro chuckled at her bronze. He'd already tried two flights, his first was to try and fly Tiff's half sister's gold Mekoth. Rezoth had come so close in that flight. He and another bronze, Avinoth, had flown higher than the three browns who were left with them to chase Mekoth. Rezoth knowing Avinoth was a threat dove down and carefully laid his claws upon Mekoth's shoulders and started to grip her tightly. The next thing the bronze new Mekoth did a forward roll and tossed him off her back and towards the sea. Rezoth was only just barely able to get control of his flight before he might hit the water and when he looked up he saw Avinoth tackling Mekoth. The slightly smaller bronze had caught Mekoth off guard and so this time she turned as Rezoth had hoped she might to him.
It had been a bit of a hard loss to Rezoth but X'tro was a bit happy. He'd be able to continue to act like the older brother Quachir never had. His happiness stopped when he opened a letter from Chir that Tiff had been instructed to give to him should Rezoth not catch Mekoth. It was about the bet made 3 turns back and the raising of the fee. 90 he now owed the 15 turn old weyrwoman. He was finally slowly paying Chir back. He'd wanted to chip in on the bed Tiff and Kare, white Oroth's rider, were getting for Chir in honor of the flight but the girls wouldn't let him get out of it so easily.
Rezoth suddenly shifted, knocking the 17 turn old over and half way under water. Rezoth, be careful. The bronze seemed to ignore his rider as he trilled energetically at something on the other side of the huge bronze. The Ruathan brought his head above the water with a scowl on his features, which quickly disappeared as seemingly teasing trill replied to his dragon. He was quick to move around his bronze to see what had caught Rezoth’s full attention.
X’tro watched, nearly slack jawed as a glowing gold gently landed on the edge of the Weyrlake. She seemed to not even be looking at Rezoth but there was just a feeling of the opposite happening. X’tro continued to watch the gold as her rider slid off her side and onto the sands. There seemed to be a wild look about her that made X’tro not be able to look away. The Jr. Weyrwoman flipped her multi-colored, long, curly hair over her shoulder yet she also seemed to not even glance at the bronze pair. Love struck again? he asked his dragon after a time in a seemingly annoyed mental tone. Oh, don’t give me that. I know very well that I’m not the only one love struck. X’tro sputtered at what his bronze had said, as usual the bronzerider was in denial. Rhysharth trilled back at me yet she’s ignoring me!
“Well then why don’t you get up in her face and talk with her,” X’tro grumbled, finally turning away from the rider of the gold who’d caught his attention and leaning on his bronze’s arm. The bronze rumbled in his energetic way. You know, I think I will. Before X’tro knew what was happening he was under water again. His short, usually wild red hair was now thoroughly plastered to his head and his face was a deep red, for once not from sunburn, as he bobbed back to the water’s surface sputtering. Ungrateful bronze! X’tro growled in his mind, though the ending was more of a laughed.
What’s the rider’s name? he asked in a curious voice of his bronze finally, as he stood up at his full height of 6’9”. There was silence for a moment as Rezoth seemed to try to catch the gold’s bright blue whirling eyes. She’s still ignoring me… Vasharath says that Rhysharth’s rider’s name is Shaethe. At that moment the young woman whom Rezoth had said was named Shaethe walked forward. X’tro could see that she was saying something to his bronze yet the breeze wasn’t blowing right. X’tro for some reason felt like he was being evaluated and ducked down into the water again, his nose just above the water so he could breath; he sat there as if he might not be seen as odd sitting and watching.
What’s she saying to you, Rez? he asked blowing small bubbles, too unnerved to look away yet just as unnerved by continuing to watch the seductive queenrider. He gulped as he waited for an answer, and suddenly spat out the water which he’d taken in. She wants to know who my rider is… she’s says I’m handsome and brave to have even come near herself and Rhysharth. Should I bespeak her, my rider? I-I-I-I… I don’t know… yes.. er, no… ah… Ask Rhysharth if she minds you speak to her rider. the bronzerider shifted uneasily and decided to go out farther into the Weyrlake so he might not have to get nervous around the Sheathe should she decide to walk over to him. X’tro wasn’t too sure why he was so nervious about meeting girls, he’d been around Tiff and Chir all his life. Maybe it was the fact that he could tell the rider’s gold was close to her first flight at Talor Cliff… but then he wasn’t nervous about being around Chir when Mekoth was to have her first flight.
Face the facts, rider mine. You have a liking for Rhysharth’s rider. Are you asking that queen if you can say a few words to Shaethe or not? the young man countered avoiding the statement though his heart raced as his bronze had stated the truth. She still won’t say a word to me… It’s almost like she’s being smug about things. X’tro bit his lip at what his bronze had said. Swimming back in he took a few breaths to calm himself. Maybe he’d not be so nervous if he talked to the weyrwoman. Convincing himself of this he took sure steps towards his bronze and the gold pairing. Rezoth rumbled at X’tro as he walked over in what seemed appoligenic.
“You should try to take it easy bronzerider, it’s not like I’m going to bite,” Shaethe smiled catching X’tro off guard. He glanced over at his dragon who suddenly found the view opposite his rider was much more interesting. It didn’t help X’tro any as the queen seemed to chuckle at this as well. He finally looked back at Shaethe and he shrugged proud that as he finally spoke his words didn’t make him sound intimidated.
“I’ve mainly only been able to talk to my half sister, her half sister, and their female friends most of the time,” he smiled wirily, “That and since I impressed Rezoth here, some how the girls from the lower cavers seem to think that I might be easy to win over.” Shaethe chuckled at that and X’tro smiled a bit more comfortable now, “Oh, and I’m X’tro,” he told the queenrider putting out his hand in greeting.
“Shaethe, gold Rhysharth’s rider,” she replied yet didn’t except the handshake. X’tro sheepishly put his hand down. By now Rezoth had become his energetic self again and had turned back to try his luck at talking with the gold who had stolen his heart without so much as a word directed towards him. “He seems to be quite willing to try and win, Rhysharth’s favor.”
“Rez does most everything energetically,” X’tro smiled and Shaethe nodded seeming to see that statement being performed as the bronze seemed to act silly as he continued to try to get Rhysharth to grace him with at least one word. The bronze seemed to think for a moment and then X’tro’s small fair glided over to the glowing female dragon and started to try the claw at scrubbing her.
“Those three yours too?” she asked raising an eyebrow as the gold seemed to like the attention yet it was obvious that she still had not said a word to the bronze.
“Yeah, they’re not much older than Rezoth, I impressed them about a month or so before Rez,” he smiled and then pointed to each one stating their names, “The blue is Rampid, the bronze is Boomer, and the small gold is Tecka.” As he finished he looked back at Shaethe, it was only then that he noticed that she didn’t even seem to be dressed to wash her dragon. It seemed that the goldrider had read his mind as she chuckled.
“Well, we just came down here for a quick look at the lake, see who was around… and keep as far away from the Weyrleaders as possible at this time.” X’tro blinked as the girl chuckled about the end of her statement. Something clicked in the back of his mind and he chuckled as well.
“Now I remember, You impressed a few clutches earlier than Rez and myself,” he chuckled, “As I remember they said you caused a bit of trouble for the weyrlings and the graduated weyrlings.”
“Trouble, I caused no such thing,” Shaethe smiled innocently, “I just stated facts and showed them how to play the games. We’ll we have to go, as much as I believe Falora might not want to see the old ‘trouble making’ Jr. Weyrwoman, I need to get her to help me find M’leor. See ya’ around X’tro.” With that the goldrider mounted her dragon and the two took off down the Weyrbowl; a seemingly flirtatious laugh trailing behind them.
SHE SAID SOMETHING TO ME! Rezoth suddenly crowed shooting straight up in the air, spraying water about him. The bronze preformed a few acrobatics in the air making happy noises until he finally landed daftly in a showy way. He rolled slightly on his side taking on an almost human posture as he put up one of his for arms to rest his head on his claw and watch the gold that was growing smaller as she flew farther away.
“So what’d she say?” X’tro asked curiously, it must have been pretty amazing for the reaction Rezoth had just preformed… but then again, this was his bronze he was talking about; energetic about the slightest thing. She said “Good luck in my flight.” That’s what she said! Good luck in… wait a minute who said we were signing you up for a flight; and her flight at that. She ignored you the whole time you were trying to talk to her. She must have just been playing with me like most golds and greens do who are close to flight. So let’s go sign up! They’re not even on the boards yet, Rez! We’ll they will be soon. So let’s go… You know you want to sign me up too. X’tro stayed silent as he looked off in the direction Shaethe and Rhysharth had gone. After a time, he nodded wondering what his future would bring now.
“A Gather at Asura Weyr?” X’tro asked, his interest perked at what her sister stated with a sly look partly brought on by her own dragon’s readiness to fly.
“Yep!” she replied, her lips making a popping noise on the one word, “And if I remember correctly, there’s something there you might want to keep an eye on.”
X’tro blushed at his half sister’s comment. He knew very well what she was talking about, his bronze Rezoth was even listening intently now considering he had gotten his rider to willingly sign him up for Shaethe’s gold Rhysharth; X’tro and Rezoth didn’t really care that both dragon and rider were older than them. Rhysharth over Rezoth by only three hatchings and Shaethe over X’tro by around 2 turns. Before he’d even talked to her a few sevendays ago he’d heard stories of the young woman of 19 turns, about her pranks and such and had been queit willing to meet her even then; he didn’t know why, but mischievous people were some how always people he’d find to be good friends. Yet he was never able to do so because of his weyrling days with Rezoth. They are both quite the tricksters… Rhysharth still hasn’t said a word to me since that day a few sevendays ago. We should go to this Gather, I think I might be able to get her to talk much easier this time the bronze seemed to smile as he bespoke his rider.
“So we’re going right?” Tiff asked her younger brother. X’tro blinks.
“You’ll be coming along too?” he asked, now that was somewhat scary. His sister would go to Gathers when ever she had the time and heard about them, the bad thing is that she’d in the past few feasts for birthdays, flights, and hatches and found a liking for most wines and had a tendency to get a bit tipsy if not drunk. She’d made comments a bit more openly when she did, the most memorable being the one when she yelled out at the end of the hatching of her sister’s dragon’s first clutch that the kiss Chir and X’ver had shared was a 10.
“Yep!” she popped again and smirked, “Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you… I’ll just act like your big sister tomorrow.”
“And there’s a difference between the two?” he asked sarcastically. Tiff merely smiled. X’tro would have to be on his toes tonight. Don’t worry, she won’t be that bad, Vasharath will probably be sleeping for the whole time and take the edge off any of Tiff’s comments. We can only hope, Rez
X’tro felt slightly stiff in his Gather clothes. They were in Talor Cliff colors with his shoulder knots showing colors of his birth place as well as his rank. The stiffness was mostly lost upon him as he took in Asura Weyr bellow him. Rezoth bellowed to the watch dragon in his energetic voice, and a softer reply came from the blue and a wave from his rider. I see her. Rhysharth glows ever brightly. You look strong and fit. the bronze called out to the glowing gold that was obviously Rhysharth. The gold snorted and turned her head to a person beside her. X’tro’s heart started to beat rapidly as he thought only one thing: Shaethe!
The large bronze chuckled at his rider’s reaction yet soon frowned. Rhysharth still won’t talk. You’ll have the whole Gather to try to get her to talk this time. X’tro replied with a sigh. Suddenly a zip of green shot past them. That was Vasharath and her rider. They’re showing off again for the crowds. More likely for the male dragons. X’tro replied before giving a silent command to follow his older yet, right now, reckless sister. Rezoth obeyed quite readily. They landed only moments after the flirtatious green launched back into the air without her rider. Sliding of his bronze’s neck he gave Rezoth a firm pat mildly noticing that he had done a much better job than normal oiling him and still keeping the energetic bronze from scuffing the shine already. The sun’s still warm… and I believe there’s still a place near Rhysharth if I hurry. the bronze seemed to smile lovingly at this You can join her as soon as I get the saddle off you, my handsome friend X’tro told him quickly when he saw the bronze was about to take off without having his tack taken off of his neck. Hurry, somebody might take my spot Rezoth crooned almost helplessly. So why not tell them not to take your spot? X’tro replied only to have to hold his ears as the bronze immediately bulged his intent to the whole of the Weyr.
X’tro only just managed to dislodge the saddle from his dragon’s neck before feeling all eyes on himself and his dragon. Next time don’t bulge it so loud, love, the bronze rider winced as the dragon cooed his apologies to his rider and zipped off towards the near the young golden queen he sought to capture in the flight that would come. As he looked he saw the gold and her rider looking down towards him and at his dragon. Oh, that’s embarrassing X’tro thought to himself. Do not worry, rider mine, they do not look down upon us because of that. Did Rhysharth tell you that. Would I be this calm if she’d said something to me? X’tro chuckled at the wistful way his bronze had talked before deciding to wave a greeting to Shaethe. To his surprise she seemed to give a wave back… or was that her just flipping some of her multi-colored locks over her shoulder.
“Well she knows you’re here at least,” Tiff’s voice startled her brother. X’tro turned just in time to see six fire lizards appear around them, two golds, two blues, a brown, and a bronze. One of the golds landed on Tiff’s shoulder and wrapped her tail tightly about the half Ruathan’s neck. As Tiff smiled at the fair, the brown landed on her other shoulder while the blue landed on the girl’s folded arms and chirped at X’tro.
“OK, who invited you gluttons?” X’tro chuckled as his gold seemed to flirt with all the males causing his bronze to glare at the two blues and the brown. The bronze finally found himself the center of the gold’s attention before she chirped questionably at her master. X’tro nodded and his trio disappeared.
“Sunning?” Tiff asked as she rubbed her blue’s head.
“Sunning,” X’tro chuckled in reply, “Well, shall we see how the gather is?” Tiff nodded and the two walked off into the crowd. They didn’t even notice that Rhysharth seemed to be brighter than the last time they’d seen her at Talor Cliff Weyr.
“Com’on, drink wit me, bro!” Tiff told her brother slightly drunk already and pushing a skin of wine towards her brother. X’tro shook his head at his sister, he knew she could handle her drinking but it still wasn’t a good habit that she’d developed. He looked over to the dancing square which had been set up long before their arrival. It was large enough for the biggest queen dragon of Pern to land on yet it didn’t have a single dancer on it. In fact the stage set up for the harpers was empty as well.
It was coming on to night fall and glows were being set out, their shutter being pulled fully open to make them their brightest. X’tro looked around and only saw a few people heading for the dancing square now. Remembering her request he countered it without committing to it.
“Tiff, the harpers haven’t even taken their places yet, much less the dancers aren’t here, and you’re already drunk,” X’tro told her turning his head as his sister purposely blew a silent belch at him. He carefully took the skin of wine and gave it to one of the drudges who passed by giving him a nod of thanks.
“How about just fruit juice or even water for the rest of the night,” the bronze rider smiled, “Keep you from having a headache in the morning.” The drunk green rider thought for a moment and nodded slowly as she waved another drudge over to get them water and fruit juice. Tiff seem to be a bit depressed about 15 minutes later when she was already sobering up a bit. X’tro shook his head starting to notice that people were coming to gather at the dance square. He realized that something was about out of the ordinary with his sister.
“Tiff, something wrong?” he asked starting to put together that that was why she was drinking so early.
“You see it don’t you?” she asked him knowingly; he nodded not saying a word so that she might not be interrupted, “I think I’m getting a bit depressed about what’s to come of Vash’s flight… probably to be more precise I’m a bit jealous of the love Chir found in X’ver and Kare found in V’nor… so I try to drown away those thoughts at events like these or when they’re around at times.”
“Tiff, you don’t have to do that,” X’tro told her putting a hand on his sister. Tiff looked at her brother and smiled, yet neither said a word after that. A strum of a guitar announced that the harpers were finally tuning their instruments. Brother and sister both turned to see who would be playing this night.
“Hey, isn’t that D’gar, bronze Bevometh’s rider?” Tiff asked a slight glint of interest in her eyes. X’tro on the other hand eyed the other bronze rider, former harper wearily. He knew well that the young man and his bronze were signed up for the same flight as himself, for the second time in a row none the less. No worries my rider. We out flew him in Mekoth’s flight though we didn’t catch that pesky gold. I mean at least we stayed in long enough to touch her. We shall surely out fly that one! Rezoth’s voice suddely popped into his head giving him more confidance. You’re right, but still keep an eye out for him, just because you out flew him before doesn’t mean he hasn’t been practicing so you won’t out fly him again. His bronze nodded mentally back at his rider’s reply and went quiet once again; more than likely Rezoth was still hard at work trying to get Rhysharth to say one word to him at least.
“Hey, Tiff, why don’t you take a try at singing?” a voice called out to her. Yet another rider from Talor Cliff was about, namely a friend of both the green rider and the bronze rider.
“No, I think I’ll stay out of thing tonight, R’mar,” Tiff replied raising a glass to the rider.
“Why not, Tiff?” X’tro smiled at his sister winningly as a plan formed in his mind, “It will take your worries off the flight and most people having spouses and they’re younger than you.” Tiff glared at her brother and then looked over to the harpers and former harpers now turn dragonriders. She stifled a chuckle as R’mar almost dropped his gaiter. The young white haired brown rider fumbled even more when he looked back over towards their direction and found Tiff looking towards the stage if not at him. Tiff sighed and got up ruffling her brother’s already wild red hair.
“On second thought, R’mar why not?” she smiled winningly, “You don’t mind do you?” she asked the other harpers and harper trained dragonriders. The group gladly excepted the nearly bass toned voiced green rider. Minutes later the harpers, both former and current, were playing a quick dance beat, bringing stomping feet out onto the dancing square. The strong deep voice of Tiff Prisim, green Vasharath’s rider soon split the air and some how also kept the beat of the song.
A smile played on the X’tro’s features as he found his half sister’s bright smile taking up most of her Istan-Ruathan features. As he looked about he found many a dragonrider and holder dancing. No sign of Shaethe yet, huh? Rezoth’s voice drawled out in his rider’s head causing the light skinned young man to turn a hint of red. His dragon as usual was performing double duties by keeping a whirling eye on his thoughts. Don’t worry, she comes. the bronze’s voice chuckled at the reaction it caused in his rider. X’tro was quickly scanning the room now, it took him a minute or so but soon he found the young woman. Shaethe was talking with a number of male riders and he could tell that a sly remark had been made towards one in particular.
Looking towards the man he found to his surprise that he wasn’t just any man, he was a bronze rider and Weyrleader of Asura Weyr. He’d heard rumors as of late and could the reasons for them being preformed in front of him. They were right, if the Weyrleader wasn’t so attached to his weyrmate and was quite a few turns younger he might have been entered in the flight. I’m sure Dharianth would have won it too. Rezoth stated softly. X’tro could almost feel the rumbling chuckle of Rhysharth mocking them both. It was at that moment that Shaethe’s blue eyes spotted X’tro and held his own. She seemed to chuckle before excepting an offer to dance with another rider, a brown rider.
X’tro snorted and waved over one of the drudges. “Benden White,” he mummbled. You’re jealous. Rezoth stated. Quiet, the bronze rider grumbled. Why not ask her to dance, I think she’d like it if you did. Rezoth suggested. X’tro grunted again as she watched Shaethe dance. She dance divinely, only in his mind, instead of the short brown rider she was dancing, with he was the one dancing with the young woman who was slightly shorter than himself. But then that was probably a dream, a nice one but a dream all the same, he’d never be with the woman as more than an acquaintance or friend. You shouldn’t speak that way, we will win, my rider. X’tro smiled at his dragon’s comment as he received the skin of wine he’d asked for handing the drudge three marks.
He slowly filled one of the wineglasses with the highly prized drink. Carefully and slowly, he twirled the stem of the glass between his thumb and index finger watching the fluid roll about. He took a small sip before rolling the stem again. As he prepared to repeat the escapade, he realized a person was standing in front of him. Thinking it was Tiff he lowered his glass slightly raising an eyebrow as if annoyed with his older sister.
“Shaethe…?” he stuttered as his vision was full of the Jr. Weyrwoman. She smirked at him, her wild blue eyes dancing with the mischief she was known for that was a part that had highly influenced his liking of her long before he saw her.
“You don’t like dancing much,” she stated causing X’tro to blink at the statement.
“Huh, what?” X’tro replied confused.
“Either that or you’re not in the mood,” Shaethe shrugged, her curls bouncing as she did so. Though she hadn’t stated it he knew Shaethe had just challenged him. If she wanted to play that way…
“Just waiting for the right time, and right partner,” X’tro stated as he raise his glass to her in a toast, a smirk of his own playing across his face. He carefully covered his surprise as Shaethe relieved him of the glass and took the sipping toast herself. Instead he chuckled and heard the music change to a slow song. A duet was being preformed now between R’mar and Tiff while D’gar wondered down from the stage. X’tro could see right then that the bronze rider was heading towards them. He’s going to ask her to dance. Rezoth stated. Shaethe tilted her head at him having seen his eyes unfocus. X’tro smiled winningly as he rose from his chair and bowed deeply.
“May I have the pleasure of this dance?” he asked sweetly raising a hand for her to except. Shaethe’s blue eyes seemed to blur for a moment and she smirked raising an eyebrow before looking over her shoulder. X’tro played innocent as she turned back to him with a mock shame look. At the last moment the queen rider placed her hand in X’tro’s and he lead her out to the floor. X’tro couldn’t help but chuckle at the dejected look D’gar was giving them.
“I think you might have made him a bit depressed,” Shaethe chuckled. “Enough to drink, prehaps,” X’tro winced as the other bronze rider poured himself a glass of his Benden White, “Three marks down the drain.”
“Well X’tro sounds like you made a bet with somebody,” Shaethe scolded with a mock tut tut.
“No, I was talking about my wine, D’gar’s drinking it right now,” X’tro trailed off as he realized what he had done and grinned sheepishly.
“Got a little worried there didn’t you?” Shaethe smirked and X’tro quickly looked the other way though he knew those blue eyes had figured out the truth. Shaethe merely chuckled and continued the dance, leading quite easily because of X’tro’s embarrassment. X’tro’s confidence was growing by the end of the dance. Watch out, X’tro, the fair comes! X’tro abruptly let go of Shaethe who looked at him oddly.
“I don’t bite bronze rider,” she chuckled at his features but soon found why he’d done so as Tecka, Boomer, and Rampid popped out of between and practically attacked their owner. Tecka squawked herding X’tro off the dance floor to the confusion of both riders. X’tro shrugged helplessly at Shaethe as he was herded away. He could almost hear the ring of Shaethe’s laughter. From any other he would have thought the laugh an insult but Shaethe was rumored to take no one, least of all her Weyrleader, seriously.
“I see she still has a protective streak,” Tiff giggled as he arrived back at his original table.
“She didn’t act that way when Rezoth asked her to wash Rhysharth when Shaethe was around me the first time,” he countered as the gold fire lizard in question landed on his shoulder, wrapping her tail about his neck tightly though not tight enough for him to not be able to breath.
“You just answered your own question,” Tiff smiled as she poured some of the wine from the skin that was oddly still fairly full, “You know very well Tecka thinks she’s a dragon at times and has a deep liking for Rezoth.”
“But Boomer flew her,” X’tro replied as he himself took the skin and poured a new glass.
“Doesn’t mean a thing,” Tiff shrugged, “That clutch’s long gone now and Tecka never did have close ties with anybody but you… Well looks like you won’t get another chance to dance with her tonight. Tough luck, bro.” X’tro turned to see what his sister was speaking off and saw the long line for dancing with Shaethe. He sighed slowly loosing his confidence again and poured himself another glass of wine. It wasn’t long before Tiff was tipsy once again and X’tro coming close as well. By the end of the dance both riders had found their bed in front of them; they slept with their heads on the table, wine skin empty.
X’tro she’s rising!!! Rezoth’s voice echoed in his rider’s head at the same time as a challenging trumpet erupted from one of the weyrs. X’tro raised his head slowly as did Tiff. Oddly he didn’t have any signs of his night of drinking, Tiff on the other hand did as she let her head fall back to the table. What? Who…? Rhysharth! the bronze cut his rider off. He could tell that Rezoth was already at the feeding ground blooding his second kill. Taking a quick look through his dragon’s eyes he saw Rhysharth, glowing brightly in the pre-dawn, pounce upon a herdbeast and immediately was held back from feeding off the meet of the beast.
Good, Shaethe’s got a strong hold on her. he told himself mentally as he saw the gold blood an then leap on another herdbeast only to snap at two of the browns. He could feel Rezoth inching towards Rhysharth and the 17 turn old bronze rider couldn’t help but chuckle as the gold growled at him. She talking again finally. the bronze replied seriously as he blood again. But not just to you in particular, eh Rez? the bronze rider chuckled as he found that he’d been running for the feeding grounds during the whole incident. He appeared on the feeding grounds with the five other riders, now his rivals. They will not beat us. Rhysharth will be my and Shaethe yours. We shall tame them. Faranth help us with that last part, dear heart... Where’s Shaethe anyway?
He we go! Rezoth’s exuberant voice trumpeted as Rhysharth took to flight and he with two bronzes and three browns followed suit. It was quite the race as the six males followed their prize unyielding. Two hours into the event two dragons, a bronze and a brown, lost their edge and were never able to retain it. Four dragon flew on. She’s cleaver. Rezoth rumbled wistfully, As well she is, I’d expect nothing less of Shaethe’s lifemate. X’tro stated admirably as he watched the mischievous gold rider out of the corner of his eye.
HEY WATCH IT! It was him who said it not me! Rezoth suddenly growled, You want to play that way. Fine, we’ll see who’s the best dragon for, my Rhysharth! The bronze suddenly bellowed and veered off into the clouds. X’tro could almost feel the cold that Rezoth was surrounded by. Rez, what are you doing, we’ll loose at… Oh, I see! X’tro stated and a smirk crossed his features as he looked through the eyes of his lifemate. There was a funny thing about clouds, though when you looked up at them you couldn’t see something that was in them or above them if you were the object in them you could see bellow you. Now you get it! his dragon stated proudly. OK, Rez, stay on top of her but don’t try for her yet. Wait till she tires or it looks like one of them is going to make a grab for her. That move will probably come at the same time, wouldn’t it. Not if one of them gets bold enough to think he can catch her. X’tro stated the obvious. Rezoth mentally snorted making sure his position was kept secret, They all are too small, slow, and weak to catch her. I could catch her right now… but you are right, we should wait it out.
Back on the ground X’tro sighed and managed to take on a cup of khal. Such a long flight, and now that people on the ground believed his Rezoth was out of the race he could relax slightly. The young bronze rider soon found that he couldn’t relax just yet as Rhysharth dove into the pack of the other three followers. Another dragon fell out of the flight; now there were only two brown following Rhysharth, or so the young gold thought. As the day drew on Shaethe seemed to grow restless and left the Weyr Bowl for her own weyr. X’tro followed.
“Why are you coming, Rezoth’s out of the race isn’t he, too slow for the browns,” one of the riders shot at him. X’tro’s temper flared as he glared down the lower ranking rider.
“Mind your own business, brown rider,” he growled, his blue-gray eyes flashing, “If you really want to know, I want to be sure who wins this flight.” That seemed to satisfy the young brown rider slightly. Though this had satisfied the brown rider a number of people were now noticing him and some caught his eyes when they unfocused as he checked on Rezoth or talked to him. Murmurs of wondering how far away the bronze was grazed the lips of the gawkers.
She slowing, only a little, but she is slowing Rezoth seemed to whisper in his brain. X’tro’s heart started to race once more as he let himself see through his dragons eyes once more.
It was like looking through a fair fog seeing through Rezoth’s eyes. X’tro could see the rain that had started only an hour or so back. Far bellow he could see Rhysharth leading the last two brown of the flight. Though the others could not really see it both Rezoth and X’tro could see the queen starting to slow with fatigue. Suddenly one of the browns gave and angry cry, disappearing between back to his rider.
He thinks he beat out all the bronzes, Rezoth chuckled to himself. Trinorth is getting cocky… and close. Now? NOW! X’tro agreed.
Rezoth need no more than that command. The bronze dove judging his angle to be true. He spread his limbs and wings at the last second as he caught the young queen who’d been almost ready to give herself to the brown. The duo fell Rezoth quickly entwining himself with his newly caught weyrmate. Trinorth growled something at Rezoth and the bronze replied in a manner that was odd for the energetic bronze. The only dragon who tricked and cheated you was yourself… then again perhaps Rhysharth had a claw in it as well, but then she is my mate. Trinorth gave and angry bulge at the huge bronze’s smug answer and disappeared back to his weyr. I have my prize. the bronze rumbled lovingly at Rhysharth.
“And I have mine,” X’tro smiled down at Shaethe as the other two riders left and gave her a sweet kiss.
It was quite a time later when X’tro became aware of the world again and Shaethe entangled with his own body in her bed. A soft thump announced the arrival of the newest dragon weyrmates to fly. As smile brushed X’tro’s face as Shaethe cuddled closer to him, a smile on her own features.
“I told you I don’t bite,” he heard Shaethe whisper as he played with some of her curly multicolored locks of hair. He smiled a bit more noticeably as he laughed softly at her reference to their first ever meeting. She’d done the same the night before but he knew it was about their first talk. X’tro sighed, part of him thought this was all a dream but the feeling of satisfaction in his bronze and the warm body beside him assured him that it was no dream and he had a weyrmate finally, one that he’d be sure to have Rezoth fly for her again.
From the dragon’s weyr, both riders heard a rumble that could only have come from Rhysharth in a statement to Rezoth. To X’tro’s amusement both dragons chuckled. For a moment he considered asking Rezoth what had been said but then he looked down at his new weyrmate and couldn’t help but ask her instead.
“What’d she say?” X’tro asked curiously leaning his cheek against her head. He watched a grin came to his weyrmate’s lips; his weyrmate, that sounded good.
“She simply said,” Shaethe started and lifted her blue eyes to meet the now full blue ones of her werymate’s. X’tro couldn’t help but smile at the grin that danced in them as well, “that she was ready to talk to him now.” X’tro chuckled, his bronze now truly had what he wanted, Rhysharth talking to him and being his mate. There was only one thought that passed through his mind at this.
“There should be a good sized clutch from this,” he smiled kissing the top of Shaethe’s head softly, “And from what I’ve learned of you, my dear, and Rhysharth, I have only a few words.” This seemed to catch Shaethe’s attention as she raised an eyebrow at the bronze rider and he smirked, “Whoa to those who try to impress from Rhysharth’s and Rezoth’s clutch, they’re either in for an energetic dragonet or a troublemaking one.” Shaethe jabbed X’tro playfully in the ribs at that comment causing the bronze rider to yelp out a laugh.
“Shaethe, don’t do that I’m ticklish,” he laughed and then suddenly looked scared at the mischievous look which had taken over Shaethe’s features.
“That’s Shae to you, X’tro,” she giggled before attacking him with tickles. Seems we’ll be staying around for a while, eh X’tro Rezoth’s voice interjected sleeply as he curled up with his mate for a good sleep. Sadly, or perhaps comically, X’tro couldn’t find the time to answer his bronze his weyrmate seeming to enjoy playing with him as she was.
| X’tro | |
| Male | |
| 17 | |
| short, red, wild | |
| mood-changing blue-gray | |
| 6'9" | |
| bronze rider | |
| bronze Rezoth | |
| Tecka(gold), Boomer(bronze), and Rampid(blue) | |
| Ruatha Hold | |
| Tiff Prisim(half-sister), green Vasharath’s rider | |
| Jr. Weyrwoman Shaethe | |
| N/A | |
| Talor Cliff Weyr |
| Rezoth | |
| Adult | |
| Male | |
| Bronze | |
| Gold Kyradith | |
| Bronze Reniteth | |
| Gold Rhysharth | |
| Clutch as of yet to hatch | |
| Talor Cliff Weyr Clutch 8 |