Search Melvarin was looking around the peaceful setting of Ruatha Hold’s runner stables, again looking over the fresh green grass, and the mares with their spider-legged foals. He’d never had a runner of his own so he spent as much time helping the Masterherder as much as possible. He was about to lay back and look up at the sky when he heard the frantic shouts of one of the other runner trainers. “Mel come help us with this runner! Now!” Melvarin shot up from his comfortable position and raced down to the stables. When he reached the large stables he saw the trainer, Surrani and the Masterherder trying to control an aggressive bay stallion. The bay was rearing up and lashing out, trying to catch his captors with either his teeth or his legs and then get away. Melvarin stared on in awe, admiring the beauty of the runner and the energy and high spirits he possessed. He found him reaching out to the horse, not hearing Surrani as she yelled at him to get away from the kicking legs. He reached the horses side and started to softly talk to the animal, stroking its fur and trying to reassure it, to calm it. The stallion fell back down to all fours and looked at Melvarin curiously, almost sad that he ended his little game. Surrani and Jullad looked on in amazement and then handed the lead to Melvarin and instructed him to lunge the high-spirited animal in the left pasture. He did as he was told, grabbing a lunge line and whip as he went to the paddock. Melvarin looped the lunge line through the clasp in the halter and around his head and then stepped back, not knowing how the stallion would react. He stood quietly however and Melvarin felt it was safe to swing the whip and light tap him on the hindquarters, encouraging him to walk on. He kicked up once as it hit him but after realizing it was no threat did as Melvarin had instructed. Surrani and Jullad were now watching and the bay began to get nervous, but with a reassuring word from Melvani made him concentrate on what Melvarin wanted him to do. He tapped the whip on his hindquarters again the stallion picked up a trot, kicking out occasionally as he thought fit. Melvarin noticed how trot was extended, and he tried to slow him down a little. However the stallion just tossed his head and continued trotting along. “Ask him to canter Mel,” Jullad said. Melvarin clicked as well as brush him with the whip and the runner picked up an outgoing canter, definitely able to take you places. After an hour of lunging Melvarin brought the runner back to a walk and went up to him and patted him on the neck. The bay threw his head around and then head-butted Melvarin in the chest. “I think he likes you Mel,” Jullad said kindly. Melvarin smiled and replied, “I think so too. What is to become of him?” Jullad scratched his bristly chin before saying, “I don’t know. I was thinking of having him as a child’s runner, but when I saw his high spirits I put that thought out of mind. I also thought about putting him on the tracks but every time one of our jockeys would urge him on, he’d buck them off…” Jullad trailed off and almost timidly, Melvarin looked up at Jullad. “What about if I trained him. I’m sure he’d do whatever I asked of him, he trusts me.” Surrani smiled tried to pat the stallion’s neck but he backed up and hung his head near Melvarin. Jullad nodded. “Yes I think that he shall be yours Mel. You shall be able to do whatever you like with him. He is a beautiful animal and all I ask is that he is seen.” Melvarin nodded, smiled once more at Jullad and then walked the stallion back to the stables. Melvarin walked into the stables, the bay following closely behind and when he reached a set of cross-ties, clipped him and went for his brushes. When he returned the bay whinnied and then nudged him with his head and Melvarin brushed his neck. While he was picking out the last hoof, the bay snorted uneasily. Melvarin stood up immediately but found nothing. However the runner was now beginning to move around on the ties and Melvarin was afraid that he would hurt himself if he spooked. He tried to calm him down but nothing would do, he just had to stand back. Then, just a suddenly as it started, the bay was perfectly calm again. Melvarin scratched his head in confusion and then picked up that last hoof again. When he was done he straightened up and brushed the dark brown hair out of his eyes. It was then he noticed the figure dressed in wherry hide. He was leaning against the wall, watching what he was doing. Nervously Melvarin stuck his hand out to the man. The man took his hand and said, “Hello, I’m K’var.” Melvarin’s eyes went wide. “You’re a dragonrider?” He asked. The rider nodded, a trace of a smile on his face. “I came with my dragon, blue Merrenth, on Search. I’ve been instructed to Search the area of Ruatha Hold and Merrenth seemed the think that there was a likely candidate here. I believe he was correct.” Melvarin’s face lost its excited glow and he returned to his runner, stroking him, but still keeping his eye on K’var. “What’s his name?” He asked. When Melvarin looked confused he said, “The runner, what’s his name?” Melvarin shrugged. “I’ve decided on Sulvarnii. I just got him today, I’m the only one who can handle him.” K’var nodded. “Yes, Merrenth noticed as well that’s why we came down here.” Melvarin unclipped Sulvarnii and led him to his stall. The bay walked in without a problem and went to his feed bowl, looking for grain. When he didn’t find any he snorted his demand for food and Melvarin smiled. He gave him his grain and then turned back to the dragonrider. “So who’d you Search out?” He asked. The dragonrider looked a bit struck but he regained his composure quickly. “Well, I was thinking of you.” | Stats | Search | Candidate | Jr. Weyrling | Sr. Weyrling | Adult |