| Ka’shan skated cautiously across the pond, comfortable in his down-lined new leathers, grinning at Beridonth, who sat aloof and disgruntled at the edge of the pond. <<I cannot believe you enjoy this,>> muttered the normally quiet blue, wings clenched close to his body to catch any escaping heat. <<Why do you like the North, anyway? It is full, and cold, and Chareth and Razi are not here.>> The young rider grimaced at the reminder. Razi, the greenrider from Mooncrest that he had felt such a powerful liking for, had disappeared, seemingly off the face of Pern. He was sure that her green, Chareth, was no longer a weyrling, and equally sure that she could fly and clutch at any time. With the independent nature of his tentative love interest, Ka’shan feared that she might hold the flight and not notify him at all. <<You’re getting depressed. Cheer up, Ka’shan, I didn’t mean it. But I’d like to do something I’d enjoy soon; Northern winters are simply too gloomy to bear.>> One dark, heavy eyebrow arched an inquiry. “And what is something that you’d like to do, other than devour some Weyrleader’s prized stock?” Beridonth looked craftily and haughtily down his arched nose, and huffed a great cloud of steam in the clear, dry air. <<I would very much like to fly Chareth. But failing that, I would like to fly someone else.>> Ka’shan colored a little. “Slow down there, Ber, what makes you think I can hand you a flight on a plate? You have to compete with everyone else.” Beridonth dropped his head, glancing at Ka’shan out of the corner of his faceted eye. <<I know. But I would like to try! How will I know if I am any good if I never get to try?>> Ka’shan sighed and spun gracefully on the ice, black curls flying out of his hazel eyes as he stepped out of the spin and raced across the black reaches of pond ice. “I suppose you have someone picked out?” <<I have been looking. Oroshth does not make me feel uncomfortable, and he knows everything! There is a beautiful Dawn Sisters green that is flying at Turquoise Weyr. She reminds me of Chareth! Her name is Jharnith, and she is very graceful, although she’s not a dainty partner—she is almost as big as me!>> Beridonth’s tone flashed seldom-shown irritation at his small, slight build. <<She is nearly as pretty as my clutchsibs at Talor Cliff Weyr, and she doesn’t know me enough to know that we’re shy. Her rider is Ninara, and I think you will like her. She is not nearly as arrogant as Razi, just a bit...headstrong.>> He slid to a stop with a sigh, shoulders straightening. “All right, Ber, but you’d better get me to Turquoise’s flight boards without anyone seeing me. What if Razi saw?” |
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| Tacticus knows his way back to the hatching-grounds that spawned him, Korydia, and Beridonth--Talor Cliff Weyr! |
| Korydia knows where Razi has gone, but she won't tell Ka'shan. Strangers, however, are a different matter. |
| Beridonth first met Chareth in his Weyrlinghood. |
| "Well, my old and rare," Ka'shan sighed, patting Beridonth's neck. "I guess we can always try again. Anyone in particular that Oroshth has recommended?" <<I don't think Oroshth is looking out for me that much,>> Beridonth replied wryly. <<I did my own scouting. I will chase Varuith next. She flies at Ryslen Weyr, and she is lovely--a much brighter green than Jharnith. And her rider's close to your age.>> "Tell me her name, at least, before I sign us up, Beri," Ka'shan said wearily. One blue eye angled back at him, mournfully. <<Aleori. She Impressed Varuith at Talor Cliff. She's older than me, but I have experience now. I've learned!>> Ka'shan muttered something beneath his breath. "All right, you. But you'd just better not be Sands-sitting when Chareth flies." |