To Fly

Writers: Ames, Heather, Len, Suzee
Date Posted: 18th June 2013

Characters: L'cor, D'naz, Malyna, Jeyme, Sh'del
Description: The Weyrling pairs take their first flights together
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 23 of Turn 7

L'cor

Jeyme

D'naz waited. Today was a big day. The dragons had flown on their own
just last sevenday. Today, however, the weyrlings would fly as a pair.
Dragon and rider. It was an exciting day for all young weyrlings. For
some it was their first time _ever_ to fly on a dragon's back.
Regardless it sticks with a rider for life.

}:I remember our first flight. My wings were bigger than my body, and
_you_ were heavy. I almost dropped you off.:{ Keluth shared and made a
dragon's chuckling sound.

"Alright you big goof. They're coming. We need to be more serious for
this," D'naz patted Keluth on the leg and gave him a smile.

Malyna was grinning from ear to ear. Today was the first day of the
rest of her life as a rider. The _real_ first day, in her mind. For
today, she became a _rider_ for real.

**I get to ride you today..._in the air_!** She channeled to Cayleryth.

}: You will love it. I loved the feel of the air beneath my wings last
sevenday. I cannot wait to share it with you. :{ Cayleryth replied.

With her new riding gear tucked under one arm, Malyna arrived and gave
D'naz a big, beaming smile. She'd double checked the jacket and helmet
just before leaving. She was wearing the new leather trousers, riding
belt and boots. She finally _felt_ like a real rider and looked like
one as well.

Tonuth's boisterous spirit infused their link and L'cor chuckled. He
was almost as excited as his bronze lifemate for them to finally get
off the ground together. His wings had been getting stronger as he'd
been gliding and flying all over the Weyr with the other dragonets. Of
course he was the biggest dragon in his clutch and quite proud of it.
But when he got too full of himself L'cor reminded him that he wasn't
as large as Loseth.

He patted his belt buckle for the fifth time and ran his eyes over his
recently crafted straps for any flaws. "Hi," he said as he joined the
group of Weyrlings around their masters.

D'naz watched the weyrlings come together. Most of the group had
arrived. He raised his arm. His signal for their attention and one
they'd been using in all drills.

"Today is a momentous day for you," he called out loudly. "Today you
will take flight together. Dragon and rider. It is a day you will
_never_ forgot for as long as you live." He let the murmuring among
the candidates subside.

"Our first attempts will be short ones. Over time we will learn to fly
longer distances and for longer times. Your dragons have been
preparing, but this is a new experience. Riders, check your straps,
and your gear. When you feel it is ready, signal us and one of the
staff will double check and give you the go ahead to mount. Do _not_
do anything more until we proceed. _No_ flying just yet!" He was
excited for them. It was an exciting day. As D'naz watched them get to
work, he noticed that quite a few of the weyrfolk had assembled to
watch. It was a turning point in their training and a day many took
pride in witnessing.

L'cor pulled the straps onto Tonuth carefully checking each and every
junction and buckle to make certain it was right and then he lifted
his hand to show his readiness. "Over here," he called to the Weyrling
workers.

Jeyme was sure that she had never been more excited or prepared for an
event in her life. She had stayed up later than usual the night before
going over all of the notes and sketches that she had made during
lectures regarding their first flights with their lifemates. Quinneth
had done a fair amount of coaxing and guiding her as well, since the
green had already been in the air on her own.

Hefting the saddle and riding straps, up onto Quinneth's neckridge,
Jeyme worked with deft hands that quickly and nimbly buckled the
straps into place, cinching them to just the right length before she
raised her hand for a Weyrling worker to come and check her work.

Malyna followed suit. She quickly saddled up Cayleryth and pulled her
riding straps tightly into place. With her own signal one of the
weyrling staff moved towards her and gave her the go ahead. With that
she climbed on Cayleryth's back. She'd been on her back before, but
only for ground drills. Today was going to be different.

Different members of the weyrling staff moved towards L'cor and Jeyme
and after checking that their saddles and straps were as they should
be, they were given the go ahead to climb onto their dragons.

D'naz waited and once the weyrlings were ready, he gave some
additional instructions.

"We will go one at a time. It is your job to start back there, by that
boulder," he pointed towards a rock in the distance. "Then your dragon
will need to take a running start for this one. Soon they will learn
how to push off with you on their back, but for now they should take a
few steps while they beat their wings. Your goal is to fly at least to
here, and no further than that stone over there." He pointed behind
him. If they flew further they would have a hard time stopping without
crashing into the rock wall. "If there are no questions, you can all
get into place back there with N'gar whose waiting for you. Good luck
on your first flights."

Vtols fluttered in Jeyme's stomach as she climbed to Quinneth's
neckridge and strapped herself in. Even though she'd been mentally
preparing for this moment, there was nothing like sitting astride your
very own dragon. This was better than marrying the richest Holder in
all of Pern! To 'fall with her foolish family, she snorted. They could
have their pompous old traditions and rules, she would gladly take her
dragon any day. When they reached the boulder, Jeyme chewed on her lip
in concentration as she watched the first Weyrling pair in line take
their first flight.

Overseeing it all, Sh'del held his breath as the first rider was
ready. Next to Blooding and the first time /between/ this was the most
anxious time for the Weyrlingmaster.

The first Weyrling flew with the usual amount of wobbles and
insecurity, but landed safely just as D'naz had instructed. When it
was Jeyme's turn she took a deep breath to settle the nerves in her
stomach, her thighs clamping tightly to Quinneth's sides as she
tightened her hold on the green's riding straps.

}:Ready?:{ Quinneth asked, excitement in her voice. She had flown many
times by herself already and was eager to take her rider on this new
experience.

**Let's go.** Jeyme said with complete trust in her dragon.

Quinneth took a running start, as D'naz had suggested, and then leapt
upward. Jeyme's breath held in her throat, worried that with her
added, unexpected, weight that her dragon would falter. Just as she
was sure that they were going to flop, Quinneth's wingsails caught the
air, and with a few pumps they were airborne. A grin of excitement
crossed Jeyme's face as she thumped Quinneth's flank.

"We did it!" She shouted to her dragon.

}:Of course we did.:{ Quinneth chuckled before landing, a little roughly.

**We'll do just fine** L'cor said to his lifemate while they waited
their turn behind some of the greens. The smaller colors developed
faster than bronzes. So, while his wingspan was larger that just meant
they were a little more awkward.

}:I've been flying all over as far as Loranth and Kleuth would let me.
I am far stronger than the greens. Don't worry mine:{ reassured
Tonuth.

"I'm not...." he didn't have a chance to say any more as with a few
steps and a mighty leap he was slammed into his seat. A giant grin of
exhilaration and fear froze his face as he held on to his straps for
dear life. The bronzes big wings swept the air once.... twice. "Down,"
he said as he recognized their landing spot coming up. He wanted to
stay in the air as much as his lifemate, the feeling was glorious. But
they couldn't **Down** he repeated and then his eyes popped open as
the ground rose up to meet them with a jarring thump that knocked the
wind out of him. They actually bounced, But Tonuth managed to land
standing up.

D'naz was pleased with all the weyrling pairs so far. Nothing
unexpected. Their flights had gone well. Some would need to work on
control, others would need to work on getting far enough into the air,
but all pairs had made it off the ground. There were only a few
remaining. He turned to watch as the next pair prepared to take off.

Malyna was nervous, and wasn't sure why. **You've grown up around this
all your life. You can do this,** she encouraged herself as she and
Cayleryth moved into position.

}:We will do excellent, mine,:{ The green stated with confidence.

Nodding her head to confirm that she agreed, she waited until the
signal was given. Then taking a running start, the moved forward and
Cayleryth leaped into the sky. For a second, Malyna didn't think
anything was going to happen. But then, they were airborne. Her eyes
opened wide and she nearly shouted for joy. The sudden elation ended
when they smacked down hard onto the ground just short of the line
they'd hoped to reach. Malyna frowned at the line. How had they not
made it?

"Good good. Not all greens can make it all the way on their first
try," D'naz called to them and motioned for them to move off for the
next pair to go. Malyna did as she was instructed, moving to where the
others had already dismounted.

}:We will make it further next time,:{ Cayleryth told her rider,
rubbing her face against Malyna's shoulders.

"You did great today, love," Malyna encouraged, scratching her under
the chin just as she liked. Then she turned to the others and gave a
smile. "Well, I'm glad that's over for today."

Last updated on the June 26th 2013

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To Fly