Dragonwatching

Writers: Jane
Date Posted: 1st January 2008

Characters: Swift, Benar
Description: Benar and Swift meet up while dragonwatching.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 7, day 10 of Turn 4

"Hello, journeyman," Swift said when he came across the harper artist at one of the deep water coves not far from the Dolphin Hall. It wasn't a place much frequented by people since there was nothing but a ring of rocks and the briefest of pebbly beaches that only appeared at low tide. What was often there, and this evening was no exception, were unattended dragons paddling in the deep water.

Swift liked the spot because it gave an insight into draconic preferences and interests apart from their riders.

Benar was startled out of focus on a particular blue with beautifully delicate features. He was just beginning to rough out the lines of his jaw when he heard Swift call to him. He raised his hand in greeting, "Swift. Good to see you." He indicated the dragons. "They are in a particularly playful mood today."

"Sometimes when they're like that there are dolphins around. Somehow they seem to catch a bit of the dolphins' attitude to life. That's a great sketch of Beallth. Are you going to do more with it?"

"Yea, I've seen several dolphins as well." He picked up the drawing Swift had indicated. "And thanks for the compliment. Beallth, huh? I don't actually know very many dragons' names." He wrote the name across the bottom of the sketch. "I'd like to add more color to this one. I'm not really happy with the blues I brought today. None of them seem to be the right shade. I've got a few in my room I think would work better."

"You've probably got a better memory for colour than I have, with your craft, and all. I mainly remember them by their size and their markings and - sadly - their scars." The Dolphin Hall kitchen-hand sat down on the rock Benar had appropriated. "I've been lucky that their riders don't mind putting names to the faces for me - or should that be 'names to the muzzles'?"

Benar chuckled. He was glad to have met his fellow dragonwatcher. And Swift's turns of experience meant he was a wealth of knowledge to the novice. "Do you know the name of that green there? I was just starting to sketch her. She is a beauty."

"I'm not so good with the greens," Swift said with a shake of his head. "There are so many of them."

Benar nodded. "So where have you been? I haven't seen you out here in a while."

"No, I suppose not." The older man laughed. "I got married!" he exclaimed, realizing that Kateena's arrival in his life had been so recent that he hadn't had a chance to tell the harper artist about her, let alone that they were marrying.

He took another look at his friend, trying not to show his surprise. The man had to be older than his parents. "Really?"

"I'm still surprised by it myself, sometimes," the kitchen hand said, correctly interpreting Benar's expression. "Kateena was sent to the Hall on a temporary posting; she's a journeywoman dolphineer. You must come and meet her, Benar."

Nodding, he said, "I'd like that." He tried to imagine a woman that would make him smile like that. He hadn't met one yet. "And congratulations!"

"Thank you. I meant it, about coming to meet her. Or we can come and meet you one day. She has a dolphin partner," he added as an extra inducement. "Perhaps she could introduce you to Civi."

"I have to admit, I know even less about dolphins than I do dragons." He chuckled. "I'd be honored to meet your wife."

"Shall we meet next restday? Down by the Dolphin Hall, in case Civi is around?" "Sure, after the midday meal?"

"We'll expect you then." Swift looked back at the dragons in the bay. "So, are there any others I can help you with names for?"

Last updated on the April 3rd 2009

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Dragonwatching