The Adventure is Just Beginning

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 27th June 2013

Characters: Royan, Faldrimme, Zathris, Z'lred
Description: Faldrimme heads to River Bluff Weyr to see if it's the right place for her
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 28 of Turn 7

Faldrimme

Zathris

Royan still didn't like it, but he'd accepted that his daughter was
going to travel to the Weyr. He'd procured for her the best chaperone
he could arrange.

"Planar," he said, turning to the older widow. "Do _not_ let her out of
your sight, at all. If she decides to return home after this, I cannot
have her reputation spoiled by her time at the Weyr."

The woman nodded, bag in hand, as she waited for Faldrimme to arrive
at the meeting point.

When Royan hear footsteps he looked up. It wasn't his daughter, but
rather his brother-in-law who'd suggested this whole crazy idea to
Faldrimme in the first place.

"Zathris," he greeted, though it wasn't the warmest of greetings the
two had exchanged.

"Royan." Zathris' own tone was, perhaps, a bit more warm in hue.
"Everything ready? Z'lred should be here soon."

"Aye," Royan sighed, "everything's ready unless Faldrimme has changed
her mind." He glanced around. She should have been there already. He
wasn't sure where she was.

She was, it turns out, having quite a few second thoughts. **This is
crazy! This is absurd! This is so exciting!** Everything was rushing
through her mind all at once. She'd heard there were even eggs on the
Sands. True, father had taken them to see things at the Weyr before,
but she'd never been to River Bluff, only Dragonsfall. Would it be
different?

Drawing her courage around her, she picked up her bag and raced out of
her rooms to meet the others. She'd started herself on this path, she
wasn't about to back down now. She'd try it. See what it was like to
craft in a Weyr, and then make her decision. She and father had agreed
on one month, if she even survived that long.

"I'm here," she called out breathlessly as she raced up to the people
gathered to see her off.

"There she is." Zathris gave her a warm smile and embraced her
briefly. As if on cue, a dragon appeared in the sky and began to wind
their way downward. "Looks like you have good timing." The Lord
Holder commented as the brown dragon settled in for a landing.

Z'lred dsmounted and approached the small group. It was easy to see
that they were related. His hair was darker and he was a little
shorter than Zathris, but the eyes were the same and when he smiled,
the two could have certainly been twins fraternal twins. The
brownrider bowed to them, then grabbed Zathris and pounded his back.
"Long time no see." He turned to the others who were waiting, then
held out his hand to Royan. "I'm Z'lred."

Royan took the hand that was offered him. He was still uncertain about
all this, but he'd already agreed.

"I'm Royan. This here is my daughter Faldrimme, who will be going with
you, and this is her chaperone, Planar." Royan stated, placing a hand
on each woman as he introduced them.

Faldrimme was almost bursting with excitement and nerves as she she
watched the dragon circle and land. She knew the reason Planar was
joining her and she didn't fault the woman or her father. Assuming she
didn't stay at the Weyr, she needed someone to attest to her purity
after such a visit. The older woman was kind, and Faldrimme had known
her for some time.

"Good day, Z'lred," she greeted Zathris's brother with a smile of her own.

"Good day." Z'lred offered another bow, then motioned to the luggage.
"Let me take that and get it strapped on while you say your goodbyes.
Then we'll be on our way."

She handed over the bag she was holding. Faldrimme had serious
flutters in her stomach now. She almost wished she hadn't decided to
try this, but at the same time, she knew she would have always
wondered. **This is my only chance to see where I really belong,** she
mused. She turned to Zathris first, and with a smile said.

"Thank you for arranging this for me. I promise I won't do anything
rash." She almost wanted one of them to tell her that she couldn't go,
to make the decision for her, but she knew that wasn't going to
happen. **Perhaps you will love it there,** she told herself.

"I trust you Faldrimme. You're smart and wise for your turns."
Zathris just hoped her father had as much confidence in his daughter.
"Z'lred has promised under threatens of painful death to watch over
you and make sure you are kept safe." And as some would say, pure.
Z'lred was a skirt chaser, but he wouldn't take advantage of holder
girl and he certainly wouldn't touch family, even by marriage.
Zathris trusted his brother.

She smiled her thanks to the Lord Holder, then turned to her father.
She felt her courage and resolve waver once again.

Royan saw the shiver that ran through her and did what any father
would do, he opened his arms to his daughter.

Faldrimme rushed into the embrace, allowing the warmth and comfort of
her father to wash over her.

He ran his hand over her hair and said quietly, "All will be well,
dear Faldrimme. I love you no matter what. Always and forever. If you
find a home at the Weyr, I will be eager to visit you, and if not, I
will welcome you home again with open arms. Be safe daughter of mine.
Know that my thoughts will be with you as you embark on this journey."
He kissed the crown of her head.

It took all of her effort _not_ to fall apart into tears. Her father's
words actually gave her courage and strength. She had looked up to him
all her life, even still she wanted to be like him. Follow in his
footsteps to the craft he loved. _That_ was what was leading her to
this in the first place.

"I will, father. I love you," Faldrimme said so quietly, no one else
could possibly have heard. Letting go of her father, she turned to
Z'lred.

"I'm ready."

"All right. Let me get you two strapped in and we'll head out. Don't
worry sir, she'll be safe." Z'lred inclined his head to Royan, then
held out his hand to the older woman first. Once she was in, it was
Falmdrimme's turn and he extended his hand to her.

With Planar in place, Faldrimme took Z'lred's hand. Her adventure at
the Weyr was just beginning. What would it be like? Would she like it
there? Would she want to come home? Only time would tell.

Last updated on the June 27th 2013

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