Hatchling

C’fre walked down the hall, carrying Jonerat in his arms. “You know, it’s not that hard to perch on my shoulder like normal flits.” The cream chirped and burrowed into the crook of his owner’s arm. He sighed and walked into the door of his weyr. “Tahirth I’m back,” he called out. He heard a welcoming warble and then his newly Impressed bronze walked into the weyr. It took you long enough C’fre, the hatchling said. C’fre smiled and patted the dragon’s head. “I’m sorry, but it is hard to climb steep stairs when you can’t use the banister to steady yourself because of a flit who won’t perch on your shoulder.” Tahirth snorted. Then do not hold him. He will find that he is not allowed and then ajust to perching or flying ahead, he said simply. C’fre smiled and placed Jonerat on the chair nearest him. The cream chirped groggily and then curled up tighter, falling back asleep.

“Would you like to go down to the lake today?” C’fre asked later that afternoon. The bronze opened an eye and said, I would like that very much. C’fre nodded and then walked towards the weyr door, closely followed by Tahirth. They walked down the hall slowly, C’fre knowing that Tahirth didn’t have all his coordination together yet. As they came into the weyr bowl Tahirth said, Are there always so many dragons around here? C’fre shrugged. “I’m not quite sure. I’d assume so, but some of these dragons look like they are going out on Search,” he said as he scratched his bronze’s neck. They continued through the bowl and then out onto the grass. What is this?! Tahirth asked as he sniffed the spring shoots. His rider laughed and said, “Oh that’s grass.” The hatchling looked up and said, Will it hold my weight? He smiled and said, “Yes fore it is now. There’s a thin layer of grass and then the ground.” Tahirth snorted and then they continued to the lake.

When the reached the lake Tahirth slid into the water almost immediately. C’fre looked after him but did not enter, instead he sat down on the bank. I am only going to stay by the edges, will you not join me? he asked. C’fre shook his head. No, I’m not a big swimmer. I prefer to sit on the bank and watch, as I am doing now, he told his dragon. Tahirth looked in his direction and asked, Why? C’fre sighed and didn’t answer. Tahirth didn’t say anything for awhile either but when he did C’fre was surprised by what he said. I can teach you to swim, he said helpfully. C’fre sat up straighter and said, How did you know that I didn’t know how to swim? I didn’t tell you, or I don’t remember doing so. The bronze swam towards him and rested his head on the bank while treading water. You didn’t have to tell me orally C’fre. I felt the fear in your mind. “Oh great,” C’fre said softly. I was serious when I said I could teach you to swim, Tahirth said again.

After about two hours C’fre was beginning to get the hang of it. “I must look really funny to whoever is walking by,” C’fre commented as he treaded water. Why is that? Tahirth asked. “Well because I’ve been taught to swim by a dragon,” he replied as he floated on his back, keeping near his lifemate. There is something wrong with being taught to swim by a dragon? I would think you would learn to swim better then you would if you were taught by a human. C’fre backstroked towards shore and when he reached the bank he said, “Yes I suppose you’re right. It’s just that, well people might think its odd.” Tahirth followed his rider and sat next to him on the shore. Why? He asked. C’fre shrugged and said, “Well most people learn to swim when they are very young. I on the other hand am now sixteen and I’ve learned to swim only because I’ve Impressed and my lifemate was willing to teach me.” Tahirth snorted. Let them think us odd. We will be stronger for it.