Out For a Sip

Writers: Estelle, Steel
Date Posted: 8th June 2026

Characters: K'tos, L'keri
Description: A regular sweepride turns into getting a drink.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 9 of Turn 13

L'keri

L’keri was in the midst of regaling a couple of attractive greenriders from Plateau Wing with a long tale of his misadventures at the tavern two nights ago, when he felt Rhalith giving him a gentle reminder. }: We must fly soon. Daisonth and his rider are on their way. :{

“Shells, is that the time?” He swallowed the last of his klah and leapt to his feet. “Sorry, ladies, duty calls. The skies over Amber Hills will be bereft without their diligent sweeprider. But I’ll be back later,” he added, with a wink, before setting off at a jog for his weyr.

He was practiced enough at getting into his warm riding gear and throwing on the straps in a hurry, and so they were only a few minutes behind their time when Rhalith glided down to where their sweepride partner was waiting. Still, the brownrider pulled a face. **It would be a bronzerider.** At least it was a young one and not one of the Weyrleader’s workaholics or that snooty set around R’gal and S’vard, so he had half a chance of getting away without a lecture.

“You're late.” K'tos said after a moment, studying L'keri, before moving on to giving his own straps a final tug.

Daisonth spread his wings. }:Is your rider ready?:{ He asked Rhalith. }:If all is well, we fly!:{

L'keri rolled his eyes as soon as K'tos had turned away. **Clear skies, wingmate, and how are you faring this fine day? Why, I'm doing very well, bronzerider, thank you for asking...**

Rhalith listened to his rider carrying on this inner dialog in bemusement, then gave up on understanding human wit and responded to Daisonth. }:We are ready. My rider says we will go to this Hold and then begin the sweepride.:{ He shared the image of Amber Hills from the sky as he crouched, ready to take off.

Daisonth accepted the image and then sprang aloft with a powerful flap of his wings. }:We go!:{ the bronze bugled, as K'tos made the unmistakable hand gesture.

The brown leapt into the air, following his younger wingmate in ascending to the heights above the Weyr cliffs, where they made the jump /between/ to Amber Hills. The sweepride would take them downriver to the sea and then east along the coast, crossing the territory at the foot of the mountains. It was a ride L'keri had made many times and enjoyed, particularly in good weather, and he felt his mood beginning to lift as Rhalith circled over the fields and the race track, then out over the water.

The lands near the main hold were busy, populated by farmers and with frequent river traffic, so L'keri didn't expect there’d be much need for dragonrider assistance. He relaxed, leaning back in the straps and enjoying the warm sun on his face and the steady wingbeats of his lifemate carrying them onward. They passed over fields of grazing ovines, which gave way to the distinctive straight rows of supports and foliage that were the vineyards, and then a cluster of buildings up ahead.

**Vintner Hall.** L'keri grinned. **Wonder if Daisonth's rider wants to stop off for a drink?** He wasn't expecting that his dragon would actually ask.

K’tos hesitated, wavered briefly between duty and the desire to win approval from his wingmate. Daisonth, however, had other ideas. }:We should return.:{ the bronze told his rider. }:And it is good to check in with the Vintners, on occasion. For the Crafters to know us.:{

**You just want to sun.** K’tos thought, fondly. **All right.**

Daisonth approved. }:Rhalith. Mine says we may land here, briefly.:( he told the brown. }:And we may sun. Mine says one drink.:{

**Well, I never.** L'keri thought that if he hadn't been strapped to Rhalith's back, he might actually have fallen off his dragon. A bronzerider, agreeing to a drink! He was so surprised he entirely forgave the restriction to just one. **You actually asked him.**

}:If you do not ask, you do not get,:{ Rhalith said, sounding cheerful at the thought of resting in the warm sun. He tilted his wings and followed the bronze in circling down towards the Hall.

On the ground, L'keri cast a longing look towards the tavern across from the main Hall, but decided not to push his luck. They were on duty, after all, and anyway it was likely to be quiet at this hour. Instead, he raised a hand in greeting to the little group of apprentices who'd been drawn by the sight of two dragons, bronze and brown. "Good day! My wingmate and I are riding sweep in this area, and we came to see if there's anything to report, or any messages to carry. Is there a journeyman on duty?"

“Oh! Yessirs!” One of the apprentices blurted, and with one last reluctant look toward the dragons, was off like a runnerbeast. “I'll fetch him!”

K'tos watched the apprentice dash off, one eyebrow raised, but Daisonth snorted happily, lowered his head to peer at the apprentices more closely.

“Eager lad.” Daisonth's rider commented, though quietly enough it was likely only L'keri could hear him.

L'keri nodded. "Rhalith's always pleased to have a crowd of young admirers. No matter how many holds or halls we visit, he never gets tired of it." He patted the brown’s neck.

Rhalith, meanwhile, played up to his audience by blowing out a warm whuff of breath towards them, and was rewarded with a chorus of giggles and yelps, which only quieted down when a journeyman came hurrying out.

"Greetings, dragonriders. Welcome to the Vintner Hall." The young man bowed. He looked relatively junior, and when he straightened his eyes were drawn back to the dragons as surely as those of the apprentices. "You're here on sweep?"

“We are.” K'tos confirmed, as behind him Daisonth spread shining wings and arched his neck proudly, pretending not to notice the pair of apprentices daringly creeping closer and closer to him.

“Do you have anything to report or any messages to pass on, Journeyman?” K'tos repeated L'keri's earlier words, inclined his head in offered politeness to the young man. “We’re willing to wait, if needed.”

"Uh - nothing of urgency, Bronzerider, but I expect there are some ground crew reports prepared, and I could ask the Hallmaster if he has any messages or consignments for the Weyr." He sounded a little flustered, but managed to remember his manners. "Would you like to come in while I find out? I could send for refreshments while you wait."

That was music to L'keri's ears. "That would be most welcome. Thank you."

"No trouble at all. Tuhali, run ahead to the kitchens and tell them we have visitors." The journeyman pointed at the apprentice who’d fetched him, who grimaced, but took off at a run, perhaps hoping to get back to gawping at the dragons more quickly. "This way, sirs."

“Thank you.” K’tos echoed, and strode after the journeyman. **Daisonth, are you all right out here for a bit?**

The bronze snorted, and turned his head to peer more closely at one of the boldest apprentices. }:Rhalith and I will sun.:{ he assured, mantling his wings proudly.

"Just klah for me, thank you," L'keri said cheerfully as the journeyman showed them to a table in the Crafthall's dining room and asked them what they'd have to drink. "Healer reasons. But I'm sure my bronzerider friend here will do your Craft proud."

“Nothing _too_ strong.” K’tos deferred, but nodded to the Journeyman. “Perhaps a mug of something you favour.”

"Don't want him flying into any cliffs." L'keri winked at the journeyman. He still couldn't quite believe a bronzerider had let them stop for a drink, but he was going to enjoy the moment while he could.

Last updated on the July 1st 2026

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Out For a Sip