Have You Thought About Dragonhealing?

Writers: Noli, Suzee
Date Posted: 11th September 2013

Characters: N'tur, Y'gel
Description: Y'gel discovers a potential new apprentice
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 2, day 22 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: A'shel, Sefanya, Solieira, H'vack

Y'gel

Y'gel watched as the apprentices approached Aughashyth making the
appropriate calming sounds while he played injured dragon. It was one
thing to work on a green but a big bronze was something else entirely.
Every once in awhile Aug would flinch or jerk his hide and Y'gel had a
heck of a time keeping a straight face as the apprentices danced away.

He eyes scanned the cavern and he noticed a kid watching the exercise.
He squinted a little and thought he recognized the kid. "Do you want a
try," he called out.

Natur started a little at the summons. He hadn't thought Y'gel had
noticed him watching the class. He felt vaguely guilty, as if he had
been caught spying.

He stepped forward slightly. Natur had met Y'gel at times; as a
Beastcrafter apprentice, he'd given assistance to the dragonhealers on
occasion. However, he didn't expect the Weyrdragonhealer to recognize
him. His unassuming presence often went unnoticed in a group.

Natur felt a stirring of excitement at the offer. Now that he was a
Candidate, he had begun to entertain dreams of dragonhealing- if he
Impressed, of course. The idea of participating in the class now was
thrilling. "I would like that very much, Y'gel."

"Alright then," the big Dragonhealer said, "Come with me." He led the
young man toward where Aughasyth still lay pretending injury.

Natur approached the big bronze carefully. He made sure to stay within
Aughashyth's line of sight as he came, and held his hands low before
him. As the dragon made the motions of an injured dragon, Natur felt
his Beastcrafter's instincts kick in. He began crooning under his
breath, interspersed with gentle, soothing words. Natur reached the
brilliant metallic hide and lay his palm against it comfortingly. He
stayed light on his feet in case he had to move out of the way. While
he knew a dragon would not intentionally harm a human, he also knew
that sick dragons-- like sick runners-- had impaired awareness of
their surroundings and would sometimes lash out in pain. Natur did not
intend to be trapped beneath the enormous bulk if that happened here.

Still muttering encouragement, Natur looked around for any supplies
that may have been near. He needed a clue as to what was wrong with
the bronze before he could continue.

"On the left son," Y'gel said when he saw the young man looking around
for instruments. He smiled for this young man had gotten closer to Aug
than the rest of the apprentices. And from where he now stood he
should be able to see the smear of ichor on his chest where the
supposed wound could be found.

Natur spotted the green strip as he moved in the direction the
Dragonhealer had indicated. Leaning forward to inspect the 'wound', he
simultaneously reached to pull on a pair of thick gloves. Then he
hefted an empty jar, presumably meant to contain numbweed in a real
healing, and carefully edged towards the huge dragon's chest. He
looked to Y'gel for affirmation.

Y'gel gave him a quick nod and a smile of encouragement.

As he worked intently under Y'gel's direction, Natur felt a thrill go
through him. While he loved beasthealing dearly, there was no
comparison between the slow, dull-eyed herdbeasts-- or even the
moderately intelligent runners-- and Pern's dragons. Natur found
himself dreaming that, upon Impression, he could join these classes
for real.

He was disappointed when his turn was over and he had to step back,
allowing the next apprentice time with the huge bronze. Swiping an arm
across his brow to clear his sweaty bangs, he approached Y'gel, with
eyes shining. "Thank you, sir. That was wonderful."

Y'gel nodded and smiled as the kid returned to him. "You did very
well," he said. "Have you thought about Dragonhealing?" Of course he
saw the candidate knots and knew the boys time was well scripted by
the Headwoman and Weyrlingmaster. But he saw potential in this one
like he had in A'shel.

Natur felt his heart give a small leap at the praise. "I haven't dared
to think too much about it. I still have to Impress." Natur was a
practical boy, and he knew not to count his firelizards before they
hatched.

"Actually," Y'gel said with a nod. "You'll need to Impress to progress
to Journeyman level but not to Apprentice."

Natur digested this information carefully. "I need to think about it,
Sir. I'd like to speak with Sefanya and Master Bartel, as well." But
in his heart, Natur already knew what he wanted. "What would be the
process for apprenticing as a Dragonhealer, since I'm already
apprenticed to the Beastcraft?"

"It it's what you decide you'd like to do, your current Master and I
will speak and your apprenticeship will be transferred." Truly,
Dragonhealers were far fewer than beasthealers so these kinds of
transfers usually went well.

"Alright. I will let you know soon," Natur promised. Inside, he was
exuberant. He forced himself to react calmly, though. After all, he
was a rational boy, and he knew that he must think carefully over this
decision, without his emotions controlling the thoughts.

Gathering his things to leave, Natur raised his hand clumsily in the
Pernese salute. His heart felt full to bursting. For the first time,
he felt he was no longer a child, one of the weyrbrats who spent their
time dodging chores and sneaking looks at the eggs hardening on the
Sands. Instead, he was a Candidate, soon to be a dragonrider-- and,
just maybe, a dragonhealer.

Last updated on the September 13th 2013

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Have You Thought About Dragonhealing?