To The Sky!
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Paula, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 1st April 2016
Characters: A'kua, G'nir
Description: Time to test those straps, weyrlings! You're going up!
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 8 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: D'kere, E'naer, Ilyssia and Gwynnyth
The weyrlings had been divided to three groups for the first flights. G'nir had taken the group that had the bronzes, naturally. Now he observed the group-members arriving and tried to rake his brain for how was this done. Perhaps he should had observed E'naer or D'kere do this before plunging into it. But G'nir never been man to balk from a challenge. Dragons had the ability to fly from the moment they crawled out of the egg, so how hard it could be? He tried to remember how his first flight with Nirreth had been, althoug that had been twenty-one Turns ago and time did sweeten the memories.
A'kua's hands were shaking as he buckled Zeiranth's straps around his neck, double-checking everything as he went. He was not confident in his work; not in the least. The stitching was uneven, and attempting to dye the straps rust red had instead turned them a muddy brown and left a streak in A'kua's hair when he'd raked a dirty hand through it in frustration. That had taken a few days to wash out properly. But at least the pieces fit together properly, and the leather thread was strong, and when Zeiranth experimentally wiggled under the harness, it still didn't chafe.
}:I can't believe we're going to fly today!:{ the bronze was saying, shifting his forepaws excitedly. }:This is going to be the best thing ever! Do you think Ilyssia and Gwynnyth will see?:{
The thought made A'kua smile, however nervously. **I'm sure they'll try to sneak a look if they can,** he thought. Her responsibilities as a junior wingrider had added even more maturity to his weyrmate's manner, but she was still his impish Lys. He wouldn't put it past either of the greenpair.
"Everyone, make sure your straps are properly attached and secured. If they snap in mid-flight and you fell down head first, you have only yourself to blame. You're responsible for your own and your lifemates safety," G'nir started his instructions.
One of the female greenriders swallowed nervously and started douple checking the straps. She wasn't the only one.
"Your dragons already know how to fly, they been practicing it past sevenday. Now they have to get accustomed to your weight on their backs. They are still growing, so do not overload them. That's also why these first flights are so short. Just launch into the air, few wing beats and then landing."
}: Rider in your back will affect your balance, :{ Nirreth warned the young dragons. }: You also can't move too suddenly, the humans are fragile. Too much speed at the launch and their necks gets whiplash-injury and they start complaining. Try to keep your riders upside, so no barrel-rolls with a rider. At least not yet. Those come when you start dodging Thread. :{
}:Yes sir!:{ Zeiranth sang as the final buckle was locked into place. }:I'm ready! I am!:{
"Everyone alright? Let's start!" G'nir gestured the first pair. Even he felt excitement rising inside him.
Lissath's other bronze son stepped up first. A'kua was glad; his hands were still shaking. Zeiranth noticed and nosed his shoulder. }:Don't be so nervous. I know what I'm doing,:{ he said confidently. }:I may still be a fledgling, but I can carry you.:{
**I'm not worried 'bout ya, Zei. It's me and these straps.**
}:They're fine,:{ Zeiranth promised.
The other bronze landed, having performed admirably, Now it was their turn. A'kua's hands shook harder as he climbed onto Zeiranth and strapped himself in, the nerves taking a tinge of excitement.
"Go!" G'nir gave them the signal.
}:WHEEEEEE!:{ Zeiranth practically screamed as he launched himself skyward.
A'kua yelled a curse at the unexpected takeoff, but he'd been leaning back and thus did not get whiplash. And then they were in the air, and Ancients- Oh, Ancients- They were together in the air, Zeiranth's body practically thrumming with the power of his wingbeats, and suddenly all nervousness was forgotten. They were _flying_. A'kua threw up a fist with a wild shout of pure exhilaration.
}: That's enough, land now, :{ Nirreth told Zeiranth after a promting from his rider.
}:Aawwww.:{ The littler bronze sulked, but did as he was told and glided to the ground. The landing was harder than expected, but that wasn't the problem: The issue was the stitching on the right side, and not because the lines were uneven. They simply snapped, the strain of takeoff, flight and landing pulling at unseen weaknesses.
Thus, the next thing A'kua knew, he was falling sideways, and it was only because he had been thrown around so often in fights that he was able to react in time. He twisted in midair and avoided landing on his head by taking the brunt of the impact on his right hip, which yanked a cry of pain from him.
}:A'kua!:{ Zeiranth yelped, immediately lowering his head to check on his rider.
"I'm fine," A'kua hissed through clenched teeth, hands digging in the soil in a futile attempt to push himself up. Of all the things that could have happened. He wasn't going to hear the end of this from his classmates or G'nir.
G'nir jogged to inspected them. "You alright, weyrling?" he asked. He thought that the young bronze wasn't yet tall enough to cause serious injuries when falling off from him. But sometimes the height didn't matter if you landed wrong.
"I'm _fine!_" A'kua snapped, feeling completely humiliated and most assuredly not looking forward to the chewing-out that he believed would inevitably follow. He shoved himself to his feet, even though he staggered and cursed from the hurt that resulted from his actions. "It's these stupid straps that're the problem!" He tore at the buckles to make them release him.
Wisely deciding not to try calming his rider, Zeiranth stepped out of the harness on the ground, examining the leather. Finding the broken laces, he picked up the ends in his mouth and held them out to A'kua, who started winding up the useless things, muttering more profanities under his breath.
"You will have to have new straps made and approved by a professional tanner for the next Flight lesson. That's tomorrow," G'nir said. Hearing snicker from rest of the group and seeing A'kua's reaction, he came to conclusion that the humiliation and bruises were punishment enough and didn't add any more scolding. Besides, having just rest of the day to make new straps meant he wouldn't have any freetime today.
There was nothing wrong with the straps, just the laces that had snapped. A'kua was too angry to point that out, though. "Permission to withdraw and start work on repairs, sir," he sighed, slinging the harness over his shoulder.
"Granted," G'nir replied.
"Thanks, sir," A'kua mumbled, and started toward one of the Weyr entrances, Zeiranth walking beside him.
}:I'm sorry, A'kua,:{ the bronze said mournfully.
**Wasn't your fault.** The redhead put a hand on his dragon's neck. **Besides, we flew well together while it lasted.:{
Zeiranth immediately brightened. }:We did!:{
G'nir turned his attention to the rest of the group, with a nasty feeling he had forgotten or overlooked something.
Last updated on the April 4th 2016