Goodbye, Amber Hills

Writers: Ames, Emma, Heather
Date Posted: 24th June 2013

Characters: Ameala, Fitchan, B'sil
Description: Ameala and Fitchan move and get a rather interesting surprise
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 14 of Turn 7

She wanted to cry. Around here were bags and boxes of all their
things. The house looked so empty. Ameala had had to hurry to get all
their things in order, and even then the house was a mess. Her parents
had agree to help finish things up for her and send what they needed
and keep the rest for them until they returned. Things might not have
been so bad had they not received the new missive moving _up_ the date
of their transport. Apparently Fall was expected at AHH and RBW too
close together, so they were sending the dragon transport _today_!

"Oh, I can't believe this is happening. I'm not ready," she murmured
putting her face in her hands as she stood amid their things. Fitchen
had gone to check on the status of the transport and she knew he would
return soon. Wiping away the tears that seeped from her eyes, she
forced herself to stand taller. She didn't want him to feel badly that
she was upset.

How much could they bring? She didn't know that either. She had the
necessities packed. The rest, she glanced to the far wall, they could
add if there was room. Otherwise her parents were keeping much of it
and some was being sent my seacraft, but it would take many many days
to reach them that way.

"The signal flags are out to show the rider where to land," Fitchan called
as he came back into their home. It looked so bare now, everything boxed up,
apart from the essentials. Neither of them really knew how much a dragon
could carry, or even what space they would have. The only thing they had
been sure of was that the weather was warm all the turn round at River
Bluff, so their winter clothing would not be needed. That would stay behind
with Ameala's family.

She turned at the sound of her husband. Ameala was relieved to see him
again. He was the only thing holding her together right now.

"I'm nervous, Fitch. What if we don't fit in when we arrive?" She
moved towards him and wrapped her arms around him, laying her head
against his chest. She needed a moment to collect herself before the
journey would really begin. "I've never even been to any Weyr." Ameala
was more anxious and afraid than she ever remembered being in her
whole life.

"Me neither," her husband told her as he held her close. "But we'll be
together, remember that."

Ameala was anxious and couldn't stay in his embrace long. "We'd best
take out the main bags so they will be ready when the rider arrives. I
don't want their first impression of us to be a bad one if we hold
them up when they get here."

"You are right," he said, slowly disentangling himself from her. "Pass me
the big one and I'll carry it out."

B'sil arrived at Amber Hills Hall humming one of his favorite ballads,
as was his habit when he traveled /between/. The humming turned to
whistling even as the breeze whipped the sound away almost as soon as
it started. He leaned into his riding harness as his blue Jaydruth
shifted his wings and coaxed them into a downward glide. Landing in
the courtyard, the pair drew attention from the other folks who were
passing through. B'sil smiled and nodded to a few of the crafters that
passed by. Having been a Searchrider for some five odd Turns, B'sil
had been to Amber Hills on more than one occasion and recognized some
of the faces.

Today, however, he was not on Search, but was instead transporting a
technician and his wife to the Weyr. Unlike some riders, B'sil enjoyed
transport duty, mostly because he found making new acquaintances
exciting. Unhooking his riding straps, B'sil leapt down from
Jaydruth's neckridge, and straightened his tousled hair with his
fingers while looking about for his passengers.

Ameala reached for the biggest bag. It was heavy and took both of her
arms to heft it over to Fitchen. Then she reached for some of the
smaller bags and lifting them made for the door. Even before she got
it open and the bags outside, the door flew open.

Hanar, one of her friends at the Hold, rushed in. "He's here. The
rider is here. He's looking for you." She motioned for Ameala and
Fitchen to hurry. "His dragon is _so_ beautiful. He's as blue as the
sky on a sunny day." Hanar looked almost dreamily.

Ameala laughed and would have teased her friend more, but found she
wasn't in the mood. "Sounds like you'd like to come to the Weyr with
us."

Hanar blushed, "I can't say I'd mind being around such amazing and
strong men all the time." Then glancing over Ameala's shoulder she
added quickly, "No offense Fitchen."

Ameala wanted to roll her eyes. "Fitchen is braver, stronger, and more
handsome than any dragonrider could ever be." She beamed a smile to
her love. Then swallowing took her bags while Hanar and some of the
others who'd been watching came to help them carry their things.

Moving outside, Ameala spotted the dragon instantly. It was hard _not_
to. He dominated the space near the cotholds that had been set aside
for him to land. Her breath caught in her throat. He was an amazing
creature to say the least. She swallowed and turned to find Fitchen.

"We have to ride on_that_? He's so big." She felt nervous all over again.

"That he is," Fitchan said, raising a hand in greeting. "Imagine seeing a
gold dragon this close."

Ameala wasn't sure she'd survive such an encounter. Gold dragons, she
knew, were the biggest, though she herself had never seen one in
person.

"Everything is going to be so different," she murmured, carrying her
bag as they got closer to the rider.

"There they are," a voice called and pointed to Ameala and Fitchen.
Ameala assumed someone was telling the rider where to find them. She
was nervous and anxious about meeting the man. Would he be friendly or
was he unhappy that he had to come and get them? Looking at the size
of the dragon she assumed he might be able to carry more than the few
bags they'd deemed essentials. Perhaps she would be able to bring more
of her personal things to make their new home feel more like a home
for them. She squeezed Fitchen's hand as they got closer to the rider
and his dragon.

"My duty to you and your dragon," Fitchan said formally, as the rider
approached them. "I'm Journeyman Fitchan, and this is my wife Ameala."

B'sil smiled in welcome as he inclined his head, "It is my pleasure,
Journeyman Fitchan, and milady, to be transporting you today. This
here is my lifemate, Jaydruth. If I may say so myself, you two are
lucky, because I am the best company there is on transport." He winked
at the pair as he motioned for his blue to crouch lower so that the
couples' baggage was easier to load.

"I don't know what is bringing you to River Bluff, but you made an
excellent choice." There was that winning smile as B'sil leaned back
against Jaydruth's midnight blue flank and crossed his arms over his
chest.

}:Would you hush for one second?:{ Jaydruth butted in, the annoyance
in his voice making B'sil chuckle.

**What is is, my Lord?** B'sil replied with a roll of his eyes.

Jaydruth swung his head over B'sil and brought it down directly in
front of Ameala and Fitchan. The dragon's exhale cause their hair to
blow softly as he studied them, and then after Jaydruth had emitted a
low croon, B'sil knew exactly what was going to happen next. He had
been on Search with his lifemate enough to know the signs.

**You positive?**

}:Am I ever wrong?:{ Jaydruth said with his blissfully short dragon memory.
.

B'sil laughed and turned his eyes onto Fitchan's wife, "Well, lady
Ameala, Jaydruth tells me that he thinks you would make an ideal
Candidate for the next clutch."

He was kind. Ameala took to that right away, though she was still in
awe of the big, blue dragon looming by his side. And then, the giant
dragon was _in_ her face. Ameala froze. Fear flickering through her
eyes as she stared almost directly into Jaydruth's eye. She could
barely breathe. If Fitchan hadn't been by her side, she thought she
might have fainted then and there, _especially_ when the blue dragon
blew a puff of air directly at them.

**Please don't hurt me,** she thought, squeezing Fitchan's hand in
worry. And then he was gone. Ameala wobbled a bit where she stood,
totally shocked by the encounter. As she drew in a rather shaky breath
to try and still her racing heart, B'sil said something that nearly
knocked her over onto her backside.

"A Candidate?" She asked, her voice coming out in a rather
high-pitched squeak. Ameala was still reeling from the dragon, and
found it hard to process the bluerider's words. She turned curious and
questioning eyes to Fitchan, pleading with him to help her make sense
of the whole situation.

"You're not joking, are you?" fitchan said softly, eyes flicking from his
wife, the rider and dragon and back again. "Has he, has he just searched my
wife?"

Her eyes flicked between Fitchan and the rider. Ameala felt like her
world was spinning out of control.

"Searched? You mean like become a dragonrinder?" Her eyes were wide as
she asked the question quietly. She turned to look at the rider,
uncertainty showing in her face. What would this mean for her?

B'sil smiled, flashing white teeth. He always enjoyed that look of
surprise and bewilderment when he Searched holdbreds that had never
dreamed of being a dragonrider. It was clear by this husband and wife
that Standing for a clutch had been the last thing on their minds.

"That is correct ma'am. No guarantees, of course, but my Jaydruth had
a pretty good record of choosing Candidates that Impress."

"Oh, okay," Ameala replied rather lamely. She reached for Fitchan's
hand. She had no idea how to respond to what the dragonrider was
saying and wished for a moment to talk to her husband in private, but
now didn't seem like the right time for that either. She couldn't keep
the dragonrider waiting while she fretted over this new news. She
stood, rather rooted to her spot, not knowing anymore what she was
supposed to be doing.

Sensing the woman's trepidation, B'sil held up a hand, friendly smile
still in place, "You don't have to decide right now, but now you know
that the option is there for you." The bluerider turned and motioned
them forward, "Allright, we had better get moving. Let's get you up on
Jaydruth."

Fitchan gently returned the squeeze, he knew he had to talk to Ameala about
this, but now, well it clearly wasn't the time for that. How they would
deal with this was a matter for them alone. "Can I help with that?"

She was grateful for his presence and support. The squeeze of his hand
gave her strength to break free from the thoughts that consumed her.
Now they had to complete their move. Then they could deal with the
consequences of what the rider had just told them.

"I'll go get the other bags," she said quietly. She didn't want to
release Fitchan's hand, but she knew time was of the essence. Turning,
she went and began to gather some of the things their friends had
helped to bring. Tears sprang to her eyes as she looked to their
little cot, not knowing if she would ever return here again. She
exchanged hugs and tear filled goodbyes with her friends, and hurried
back to Fitchan and B'sil.

"Goodbye Amber Hills. We will return someday," she murmured, taking
Fitchan's hand as they prepared to start a new life together.

Last updated on the June 27th 2013

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Goodbye, Amber Hills