N'sak and Rarkoth's record
The Search Nusak sat on his chair staring at the ground. Of all the harpers in the craft, why did his hold get such a boring one? Harper Aram had an excellent voice, and could entertain well. He just didn't know how to teach. On and on he would drone - almost falling asleep himself - about the history of Pern. It was all clear in Nusak's mind just like it had been the last sixty-seven times. It was one of those moments Nusak wished he didn't have a photographic memory. Maybe another harper wouldn't be so bad. Still, he knew more history concerning Moreta than the old harper did. Luckily, class was almost over. A knock at the door was Nusak's salvation. For a few minutes at least, Aram would have to postpone his lecture. Slowly, the elderly man, crossed the room to open the door. Surprized to see the Lord Holder and his Lady there, he motioned for them to enter. All the students sat taller, and tried to look as alert as possible. Behind the Lord and Lady entered two dragonriders. This was even more rare than the Lord Holder's visit to the harper's class. When the harper took his seat again, one of the dragonrider's spoke, "My name is P'lor, rider of Bronze Qwicath, and this is T'remal, rider of Brown Lorth. We ride on search today." The Lord Holder then commented. "When you have finished your lesson with Harper Aram, please stop and give your regards to the bronze and brown dragon lounging in the courtyard on your way to supper. One of you just might get a chance to stand to some eggs." After a few more words including apologies for interrupting Harper Aram's class, the four of them left. If Nusak thought the first half of class took forever, he was dead wrong. The last 20 minutes dragged on for an eternity. What made matters worse was that there was no window in the room. When Harper Aram finally released his squirming students, the exodus was accomplished in less than 3 seconds. Nusak was the first to reach the courtyard. The sight of the two majestic dragons made him stop in his tracks. His classmates behind him did the same. Then slowly, the youth slid forward towards the two great heads that bent to greet them. Having met the weyrleader, M'lek, and his dragon, Ferth, Nusak did some comparing. The bronze was almost as large as the weyrleader's dragon, but a darker shade. The brown was the largest of the brown dragons he'd seen. "Your eyes are very good," the brown spoke to him. Surprized to be granted that priveledge, he replied, "I can remember everything I've seen or heard. I'm not sure whether it's a blessing or a cursing." "It's a talent not many have. Especially not dragons." Exchanging a few more silent words with Lorth, Nusak then bowed to them before he entered the great hall. Dinner was extra special with sweet confections for dessert in honor of the visiting dragonriders. After dinner, the Lord Holder rose, as was the custom, to address his Hold. "Most of you have had the priveledge of meeting P'lor, T'remal, and their dragons. They have asked that one of you return to the weyr with them to stand at the next hatching." The silence that followed became dramatic as he paused. They have asked for Nusak. Stunned, Nusak sat there not quite believing what he had heard, but knew he would never forget that moment when his hold cheered for him and his luck at being Searched.
Asleep at last! Approaching the weyrling barracks, I noticed a big sign attached to the door that read, "Quiet please! hatchling asleep!" Amused, I slowly entered, curious as to the validity of the sign, and eager to meet it's author. Inside, just as the sign said, there was a little bronze dragon asleep on a small couch. His stomach was bulging from his most recent meal. On a bunk nearby was a young man whom I presumed to be the lucky new dragonrider. Not wanting to disturb the pair, I turned to quietly leave.
When I was almost out the door, I heard a soft "pssssst!" Turning back, I saw the dragonrider sitting up in bed waving for me to wait. In one fluid motion, he leapt down, grabbed his boots, and ushered me out without a word. Once outside, I was startled to see that he was quite young, only around 15 turns or so. His sandy hair hung just past his eyebrows threatening to hide his sparkling brown eyes. As he yanked his boots on, he said, "Thanks for being quiet in there. Rarkoth just got to sleep and he needs the rest. I need him to rest! I'm N'sak, by the way." "Does Rarkoth have a sleeping problem?" I wondered outloud. "Does he!" the youth echoed my question, "can't ever get him to go to sleep unless I feed him till he's too full to think. He's afraid he'll miss something." "Isn't that bad for his health? I mean, not being a dragonrider myself I wouldn't know, but doesn't that make it hard to fly?" I asked. "Oh, Rarkoth doesn't do much flying yet, and all that food will just go towards growing right now," N'sak explained. "Besides, I need time to eat myself. Want to grab a bite in the Lower Caverns?" he asked. "Why not," I replied as I fell in step with him.
Gifts! "Now where was that weyr?" I mumble to myself as I lugged the large package behind me. The headwoman, Lorin said it was around here somewhere and that a bronze weyrling would be sunning himself out on the ledge. Now that narrowed it down. From what I saw, there were in all about 7 bronze dragons enjoying what heat came from the winter sun. Finally I found the right place. There before me was the smallest bronze I've seen yet. It must be his age, being the youngest bronze in the weyr at the time. Had I remembered "weyrling bronze" sooner it might have helped. With one last heave, I brought the package to rest near the dragon and after politely greeting him, I looked to see if his rider was anywhere near.
Before I took even two steps into the cavern, I was met by a young man with blond hair and a spring in his step. Evidently, the bronze must have told him I were here. "It's finally here!" he said excitedly as he rushed to examine it. Then, realizing his manners, he stoods to thank me. "Hey, Kirina, I really appreciate you lugging that thing all the way up here for me. It is for me, isn't it? My folks said they were sending something but I didn't expect something this big. How did Lorin talk you into it?" he rambled. "Yes, it's for you," I answered. I liked him already. He reminded me of a small child on his birthingday who had just received his own runnerbeast. "Well, Rarkoth," N'sak said to the bronze, "let's see what they sent us." Tearing at the wrappings he soon uncovered his prize. One by one, he held up the contents of the heavy package. First were riding boots, and gloves.
Next came a helmet and goggles.
Last, N'sak pulled out a neatly folded jacket. As he held it up for my view, I could see it was well made of wherhide, fit to keep any dragonrider warm during a long threadfall.
"Wow! how did they ever afford this!" he asked to no one inparticular.
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