Milestones

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 30th April 2025

Characters: Ketlyn, Milyn, Trisalyn, Minteran, Vekal, Nevalyn
Description: Ketlyn arrives to take her brother Kemmin to the Weyr but has to deal with changing plans-- and an inconvenient upcoming birthingday.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 4, day 28 of Turn 12

Ketlyn and Varinth came from /between/ into morning sunshine and a sky as brilliant as a blue dragon's hide. Beneath them rolled green fields tufted with trees interspersed with the occasional line of blue-grey chimney smoke that curled lazy as a feline's tail. Home. Her skin tingled with relief that they'd made it through /between/ to the other side. It made her feel-- adult. Competent.

Variant tipped her wings and they circled the cothold twice before the green dragon landed dantilly in the farmhouse courtyard. The front door was flung open and her mother, her sister Tris and three of her brothers jostled for space as Ketlyn undid her straps and slid down Varinth's side to greet them.

"There you are! Come give your mother a hug, my girl," her mother said, folding her into a warm embrace that smelled of skin and baking bread and baby's breath. "You look so grown, I still can't believe that's you sitting up on that big old dragon!"

"It's good to see you too," Ketlyn said, then moved on to hug her sister. Tris she held a bit tighter. "And you."

"I missed you too." Tris stepped out of her embrace with a smile. "Aralyn and Verraki are both asleep so please try to keep your voice down."

"Isn't it a bit early for a nap?" Ketlyn asked as she moved on to hug her brothers Mintarin, Vekal and Milyn in turn. The oldest of the boys present, Milyn, grinned as he wrapped his lanky arms around her middle and picked her up when he hugged her. Somehow he was taller than her. Had she noticed the last time she was home?

"The baby was up half the night," her mother said in exasperation. "Tris couldn't manage to soothe her."

"I _tried_--" Tris started, then cut herself off. "Anyway, it's good to see you. Are you staying long?"

"We've got to get going," Milyn interjected. "We're wasting daylight!"

Ketlyn turned to him in confusion even as Vekal said loudly, "No! I get to play with Varinth!" The little boy ran past them all and threw himself at the dragon's side. Varinth covered him with her wing to hide him.

"I thought that Kemmin was coming to the Weyr first?" Ketlyn looked around the group, noticing for the first time that two of her brothers and father were missing. "Where are he and Kevan?"

"The East Cothold needed help with their barn so your father took Kemmin and Kevan with him. They'll be there all day," Nevalyn's voice was airy as she delivered the crushing news. "If you must, take Milyn to the Weyr. But you really ought to stay and visit with your mother. I've missed you!"

Milyn turned to Nevalyn looking stricken, even as Tris cast pleading eyes at her sister from behind their mother's back. "Ma!"

Nevalyn "Oh, pish. There's plenty of time to visit the Weyr later this afternoon. Tris, you and Minarin can fetch a blanket and put the kettle on to make tea. The littles can have cider. Let's have a morning picnic. It's almost your birthingday, Ketlyn! I haven't been able to celebrate your birthingday with you in Turns."

Tris rolled her eyes at Ketlyn over her mother's shoulder. "I'll be right back," she said, starting toward the cothold with her younger brother following her like a sullen, toe-dragging shadow.

"No, this isn't fair--" Milyn started, but Nevalyn cut her son off with a sharp look. He deflated like a punctured kickball.

"It's her _birthingday_ in two days," Nevalyn said. "I deserve to spend time with my eldest daughter while she's still a child."

"I'm almost eighteen," she protested, even as she thought, **Kemmin will be so angry.** But Milyn was excited to come see her new home and she was equally excited to share it with him. Kemmin was just going to have to wait.

Nevalyn wasn't listening. "My baby, all grown up. And with a dragon! I always thought you'd be married by now... I almost feel that I've failed you!"

If they could escape their mother. Ketlyn decided to lie. "Tea would be lovely but we can't stay too long. I did promise to help a friend--"

Nevalyn cut her off before Ketlyn could finish the thought. "A true friend will understand that you need to visit with your mother. We can have lunch in the orchard, it's so lovely and cool beneath the trees--"

"Mother, we can't stay for lunch!" Defying her mother made her stomach turn over with nerves, but Ketlyn kept her chin high. "Just tea, then Milyn and I have to go."

Nevalyn turned her wide eyes on her daughter. "I-- just tea," she said, surprising them all by relenting. She looped her arm through Ketlyn's. "I _insist_. I won't let you leave without a birthingday cup of tea. Don't deny me that!"

Slowly Ketlyn nodded. It was still a victory. Milyn was staring wide-eyed at her as his grin slowly stretched back across his face. None of them were any good at standing up to their parents, and Ketlyn had just gotten her mother to _agree_ to something she didn't want to do. Pride flushed her skin as potent as how she'd felt successfully navigating /between/ on her own.

For the first time, Ketlyn felt like a true dragonrider.

Last updated on the May 1st 2025

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Milestones