Rise to the Challenge? (Ayleneth's flight)

[summerrain]

73.10.08 early afternoon

The warmest part of the day. Yuki just wanted to sit around and let the sun warm her skin. Or maybe take a dip in the lake. Ayleneth had been needing a bath... Or maybe not. Now that she thought about it, Ayleneth's hide had been shimmering more than normal, even for an Aurora. Then it hit her. Of course! Ayleneth was close to Rising! And, as she hadn't Clutched since her maiden flight, nearly ten Turns ago... Then, this might be... A Clutching flight? Woah.

Her thoughts were cut off when Ayleneth awoke. The raw feelings that were coarsing through the Aurora's blood were almost overwhelming, despite having experienced them previously. Yuki stumbled to her feet. She was, thankfully, rather close to the feeding grounds. She made her way there just as Ayleneth did.

Blood it only! the woman stressed to her Bonded. She shot daggers at Ayleneth, mentally of course, to get the dragon to submit to the Rider's wish. It worked, and, albeit grudgingly, Ayleneth snapped the herdbeast's neck and sucked it dry. Once she had blooded the first beast, she went back for a second. She went for a third, but didn't drain it completely. She let out a roar that shook the trees.

Let them rise to my challenge! Ayleneth yelled mentally. Let them try to catch me! Flights always changed the kind creature that shared Yuki's every thought...

Then, Ayleneth took to the sky, her Aurora hide glowing like the auroras in the north that her Dragon breed was named after. Her glow seemed to cast the auroras into the skies around her, but it was just an illusion caused by the multitude of colors in her hide.

As Yuki headed to the Flight room, the pair became almost as one. Yuki remained detatched enough to pay attention to where she was going, but that was about it. It was starting, as she had so nearly feared. But a new dragon was to Catch her this time. A new dragon not from the North, not from Ice Stone Weyr. This brought up all new possibilities.

A sudden thought struck Yuki as the door closed behind her. What if Ayleneth Clutched a Silverlight? Would the same issues that were happening back at Ice Stone begin here as well? Her thoughts were cast asside as the overwhelming instincts from Ayleneth took over. She awaited the arival of her suitors. They both did.

[Shoki]

It was after noon. That meant there was really only one place R'le and Quiorith could be. The skies above the jungle were bright and the wind that rushed past the pair only encouraged them to go faster. The cloud was making a sharp turn as R'le leaned in, grinning like a mad man. They never got tired of this. Why would they? They were each other's best friend and both couldn't get enough of their playground in the sky. Still there were times that being so often airborne could cause trouble.

A roar was heard from the direction of the Weyr and both R'le and Quiorith snapped their heads in that direction. What was going on? Maybe.. and then he caught Quiorith's mood. Some dragoness was rising. Even as the Cloud instinctively headed in that direction R'le got slightly panicked. He needn't have worried though, the Cloud dutifully went to the WeyrBowl and let his rider get off. R'le in turn quickly relieved the dragon of his riding gear and stepped back just before Quiorith took to the skies. The Cloud was fast and warmed up, but R'le wondered sometimes. Of course the rider wasn't wondering about anything now, the dragon's powerful emotions were threatening all of this concentration and he was trying to get things put away. He eventually just gave up as his vision threatened not to be his own. Shard it. He'd deal with that later.

Quiorith took to the skies after the dragoness, mesmerized by the colors that shone off her hide. The gray and blue dragon slowed for a second to stare before speeding off after. He was behind, having to delay the chase, but he was here now and he'd be catching up quick. The cloud was completely caught by flight lust now, and he and R'le were soaring through the air together.

[Kaya]

For Iridith it was that warm, layabout, keep to yourself on a grassy knoll kind of day. The herdbeasts were plenty unhappy about a dragon lounging on the edge of their field and kept a large distance from him. The Flame had just woken up from a doze and was admiring the sky and the light in the leaves on the trees as a faint wind trickled through his orange and yellow wing sails. It was the best kind of day for sensory perception and he was taking in every calm drop of it. A distant bird, the muffled but ever present sound of water that was heard nearly everywhere in the valley, the Flame's eyelids sunk to close again. He kept listening to the bird, which quite suddenly fell silent and quite a few others let out nervous squawks.

Intrigued but not alarmed the dragon's eyes peeled open again to find a rather shiny dragoness in the field, her mouth already spattered with blood. A sort of amused and wry look found its way onto his face. Perhaps this day would hold some excitement to it after all. He rose slowly, with a touch of added fluidity to his movements as he stretched the sleep away from him. It was chased away from the fringes of his limbs when the Aurora let out an ear shattering, delightfully challenging roar.

Wings spread and sleep dispelled the Flame allowed her the grace of a head start, so he figured it, before launching into the afternoon sky after her. The rush of wind in his face, the sudden need and strain placed on his muscles. He was so aware of each movement, but he would fine tune them, feel each small discomfort so as to chase her better. He would be a worthy suitor and a bold victor.

Iridith's Rider, who had been minding his own business reading in the sun, was caught up in the whole matter. He formed very little of his own opinion about Flights in progress, as Iridith was want to chase when he felt like it and generally without much warning. So he let the cards fall as they may, making sure to mark his page in the book and leave it in a safe place. The last individual thought he had was that he wanted to finish that book later. So it was that R'vor found himself in an unexpected but not completely objectionable location that afternoon.

[Moo]

With a loud snort, Mosiliath jolted himself awake. Wha...What was that?[/b][/color] He stirred groggily inside the sand nest he had constructed and blinked at the shining ocean in front of him. To his right, he heard D'gan snicker. He turned and noticed his Rider was resting under the shade of a nearby tree. With a shake of his head, he pushed himself out of the hot sand and meandered to the cool shadows. Shall we go back?[/b][/color]

Taking in a deep breath, D'gan opened his eyes. We might as well, he started, and groaned as he stood and stretched high. Ohh, that was a nice break. Good choice of spot, too. He smiled to himself as he wiped the sand from the seat of his pants. Though next time, we should bring someone along with us. Make more of an effort to spend time with other Riders and members of the Weyr. That would be nice, wouldn't it?

They both froze when they heard the roar.

The question forgotten, Mosiliath looked at the skies again, a battle of emotions -- yellow and green and orange and purple -- swirling in his eyes. He shifted where he stood, kneading the sand, wings held at the ready even before he realized what he was doing.

D'gan felt his heart beat faster as his dragon's thoughts and feelings started to become his own. Is this...is this something you want? He had never known another male dragon to resist Flights as much as Mosiliath did.

He felt the Tiger pause in contemplation, and a low growl rumbled in Mosiliath's chest. For the briefest of moments, a flash of Gold filled D'gan's thoughts, only to be buried beneath a jumble of other thoughts. He would have smiled if the occasion were not so important -- it was, perhaps, the only time Mosiliath appeared flustered and confused.

No, he finally replied, folding his wings and settling back down in the sand. His eyes were still a dark purple. I will not go.[/b][/color]

D'gan moved over to his dragon's side and rested against a large forearm. You know I won't judge you if you do, Mosiliath. If you want to go, then go. He knew instinct was hard to resist -- and the desire radiating from his dragon was proof. Yet he still held back.

Mosiliath grumbled, It is all right, D'gan. I will be perfectly fine,[/b][/color] he sniffed. You, on the other hand...[/b][/color] He turned his head left and right, seeing no one in the general vicinity.

It appears we are alone. If...if you wanted to, I could...[/b][/color] He trailed off delicately, extending a wing, and turned his head to glance down at D'gan.

They spoke no more on the subject, both knowing what the other felt -- what the other wanted. And if his dragon refused, well, he would have to make due with what he had. With a hint of amusement, D'gan began to pull at the laces of his riding pants as Mosiliath stretched out his wing to shield him from view. Anyone who tried to look would simply see a large Tiger sunning himself on the sand.

Mmhmm. You're right...perhaps next time we should bring someone for you.[/b][/color]

[summerrain]

Two. Not bad for a first Flight in a new home. Even if it was a new Weyr, her hide would surely catch the attention of any and all King dragons within sight of her, if her call had not reached their ears. A Cloud and a Flame, neither of which were part of the Original colors she had learned about as a Weyrling. Both could be good mates, but she would wait. She wanted to wait, to see if any of higher rank arived to Chase her. The higher rank her mate, the better her Clutch would be. And the more likely her children would be beautiful, like herself.

Flights were the only time Ayleneth allowed herself to be shallow and self-centered.

Ayleneth caught an updraft and soared high above the two that had given Chase. She allowed herself to be slowed by the sudden headwind, and flipped back to aknowledge her suitors. She widened her wings, brushing first one, then the other. She turned to the Cloud, Quiorith, and gave a snort of recognition. Catch me if you can, said the look in her eyes. She had agility. Granted, the Cloud was probably just as agile as she was, if not more so, but she wouldn't let him know that.

Now, the Flame was a different matter all together. Was he the rare kind, worthy of King status? Or was he a normal Flame? She met his eyes in the same challenge she gave the Cloud, before shooting ahead of them. She rose, caught again in an updraft. Her wings billowed out like sails, catching every bit of wind that they could. This Flight must be long and far. All the better for her Clutch. Her thoughts did not wander to the direction of if she would Clutch this Flight, but more to how many, as it always did when she Rose.

Ayleneth bellowed again, another challenge to any who might deem themselves worthy of her beauty. Worthy to be the sire of her children. Worthy of being her mate. But would any more show themselves to her?

[Shoki]

There were some things that did not change. No matter how focused Quiorith was, no matter how much he was running on pure emotion, no matter how coherent thought was deprived from him, there was one thing that did not change. The Cloud was a racing dragon. So when the dragoness turned and she looked at him with one of challenge, it struck him to his core. A challenge? Of speed? There was only one response to that. The Cloud dashed, catching the wind naturally to help his direction and speed. He even rolled through the air, just to show that, yes he was a proper cloud. The sky was where he spent almost every moment when he was awake and now with no rider on his back there would be no stopping him.

Company hardly deterred Quiorith but he did spare a glance for his competition. The Flame dragon was certainly colorful, he supposed. No match for the mesmerizing Aurora though. Flashy colors would not win the Cloud the dragoness, with his muted white-gray and sparse sky blue. His attribute would be uncanny speed and natural agility. His competitive streak was getting better out of him and he spared not another glance to other suitors of the dragoness. He focused only on the prize.

[Kaya]

Details flooded Iridith's conscious: the flicker of light off of the Aurora's right wing tip, the change in the air around him pushing his wings just the slightest bit further upward, the uneven feeling in his air hungry lungs. He watched with contempt as his challenger whipped ahead into the sky and spent his energy on aerial displays. Threat and scorn filled his chest together. Would such tricks please the dragoness? Surely she could see the strength in his wings if only she would look! Surely she would know how pleasing he was to the eye. Finding a place in her view did not require spins but rather moving forward. He pressed into the air, trying to gain the few precious meters closer to his goal: not near her, not yet, but closer and off to her left so that through her own shining glory she would see that his vibrant hide complemented hers without compare.

He felt pride welling up inside him. The magnificent Iridith, matched and completed only by the radiant wonder in front of him. The wind beat at his face and curled around his knobs, it caught in his sails and around clenching claws. Victory called him as brightly as the shine on Ayleneth's hide. They were a perfect match. It was simply his job to convince her of it.

[Moo]

"No."

No? You don't normally say no.[/b][/color]

D'gan nudged his side with an elbow and laced up his pants. Here, pull your wing back, I want to talk.

You want to talk? About what?[/b][/color]

Once Mosiliath obliged, he wiped his hands in the sand and gave their surroundings a surreptitious glance. Seeing that the coast was clear, he stood and walked around to face the dragon. This can't just be it this time...I think you should chase after her.

Mosiliath reared his head back. What? How ridiculous. You know I don't.[/b][/color] In a swift, fluid motion, he sat up on his haunches and peered down at his Rider, eyes a suspicious orange. Why should I?[/b][/color]

"Because I'm your friend, and I think it'd be good for you?" D'gan shrugged and gestured to himself. "Listen, I can do that all the time."

You do.[/b][/color]

"Yeah, but that's not the point. It's your turn now, Mosiliath. Do it for yourself. Just go and see who it is. After all, it can't hurt to try, and I'm sure it doesn't feel good to keep resisting."

Mosiliath looked in the direction the roar first came from. I don't know...[/b][/color] He folded and refolded his wings anxiously. I sort of wish that...[/b][/color]

D'gan patted the Tiger on the forearm. "I know. I know who you mean. But think about it this way: it will be a while before the next time, and it's not as if you have to be a pair forever. Just go and see; let what happens, happens. You aren't afraid, are you?"

Hardly. It's just been a while, that's all,[/b][/color] he snorted. Then with a great sigh, Mosiliath nodded to himself. More than likely the reason why I should go, hmm Alright...let's go see what happens. But if this does not work out, there shall be no more bothering me about it. Deal?[/b][/color]

Deal, replied D'gan, climbing atop the great dragon. Without a moment's hesitation, they took to the skies and in a blink, disappeared Between from the beach and into the Weyr Bowl. They caught wind of a second, challenging bellow from the rising female, and in an instant, Mosiliath locked eyes on the source. She still seemed small -- pretty, but small -- and only two were chasing her at the moment. Easy enough, he thought.

D'gan, sensing his dragon's instinctive desire to respond, slid quickly off his seat and took their riding gear with him. He was not sure how he would make it back with his own consciousness, but he would try. Go, Mosiliath, just have some fun with it! No need to be so serious. Fly!

A brief second of hesitation kept him grounded, but after his Rider's encouragement, he decided to throw caution to the wind. What was the worst that could happen? Announcing his presence with a long, deep bellow, Mosiliath launched into the air and took off after her and the smaller suitors. And it was no length of time before he caught up to his fellows -- a bright Flame and the very same Cloud he had previously introduced himself to. Agile they may be, but he had endurance -- and the scars to prove it. Well then, it was time to show them what he was made of.

Mosiliath edged closer, minding his right wing as he glanced to the female he was pursuing. Her hide and the surrounding sky was a glorious multitude of colors -- so it was an Aurora he had seen. She had come from the Northern parts, like he had. Emboldened by this, Mosiliath roared a friendly challenge right back to her: how far could she go?

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Emerging out of the dark cold of between into the warm sun of any location on the Southern Continent was still a system shock to T’kar, particularly when emerging during the hottest part of the day. This time though, it wasn’t just the heat of the sun that flashed through him as Ancalanath burst out over the Weyr Bowl.

Ayleneth Flies! Ancalanath called out to his rider, bugling his intent to chase for all to hear.

T’kar swore under his breath as Ancalanath slammed his wings downward, reversing the effect of the backwing that he had already been beginning. Had anyone been watching, they probably would have forgotten to breathe, for the effect of the motion was to make Ancalanath’s perfectly proportioned colors ripple, so that he seemed a creature made of living flame.

Let me get on the ground first! he said, though with far more amusement than heat.

Ancalanath replied by tilting sideways, bringing himself around so that he would loop within touching distance of the firehights.

T’kar sighed. He knew what that meant. Loosening the fighting straps that held him in place, he pulled his legs up to stand, or rather crouch, on Anclanath’s neck, holding on with only his right hand. Ancalanath tilted further as they neared the firehights, and T’kar let go, pushing himself clear of his friend’s wings with a flip and landing with a roll that brought him smoothly to his feet.

Shame no one’s watching, he thought, teasing himself as he strode towards the Flight room.

Ancalanath put on a burst of speed, tilting so that he came in behind the beautifully shimmering Aurora without giving his fellow pursuers much notice of his presence. There was only one other King as yet, but the Tiger was a shade larger than he, and might be able to outlast him. Ancalanath did not want to be forced to the outside of the pack. He didn’t really think that would happen, there was flying, and there was flying. He was a creature of the wing, after all, and he was determined to find out if coordination and agility worked as well to secure victory here as they had in Telgar.

[summerrain]

Ayleneth knew her speculations were correct. The Cloud was agile, maybe more so than herself. But she would not let herself be drawn in by his flight tricks. She looked to her left. The Flame was smaller than herself, a normal Flame. She liked the color of his hide, but would prefer a larger, King-sized Flame. Her mind raced with barely suppressed Flightlust.

Suddenly, a deep bellow marked the arival of a newcommer. A Tiger? Interseting. She had heard about this one. He was also from the North, as she was, but not so far north as she. He bore the scars of Thread. Something seemed wrong, though. Was he not giving her his fullest? Or was it a previous Thread wound that had healed impropperly? Well, she would treat him the same as her other suitors.

Another new arival? Another Flame, this one larger, much so, than the other. Ah, the rare breed of Flame, with the blood of a King flowing through his veigns. The Tiger and the large Flame. Those two were the ones she decided on. The smaller Flame was out of his league here.

As she flew, Ayleneth made a turn to the right, swerving around a cloud. She dared to look back at her suitors. Which ones would outlast whom? Which ones would be left? And which one would she choose? Both the Tiger and larger Flame had her eye. She focused mainly on them. Good sires they would make. She knew the Flame's rider was young, but the Tiger was probably the only one of his color in all of Rainbow Mists.

It would be interesting to see which of them she chose.

[Shoki]

The Cloud wouldn't have turned to look at the other competitors if Mosiliath hadn't roared. A quickly glance confirmed it. He was a good dragon, but there this was a competition. Quiorith did not abide slacking in competition, especially from himself. If he let one wingbeat get away from him, he would hate himself. Again, it didn't matter that flightlust was ruling him. There were lines he did not step over. He would hate to see any other dragon do the same. Even with the two king dragons taking part of the flight, he would not back down. Higher and higher was the only direction, the Aurora the only goal. He remained silent, watching, an intensity coursing through his body that only came with competition.

Quiorith watched as the Aurora swerved around a cloud, something that normally the dragon would completely abhor. They felt lovely and cool to dive through, and it wasn't like they impeded vision over much. He was about to adjust as she did, but he spotted the way the cloud was shifting and dove in. As she thought, a gust to air was just coming to meet him and Quiorith was ready for it. Though Clouds were small dragons, their wingspans were amazing and most of them knew how to use it in their favor. His wings caught the wind like sails, and he was blown in the direction he desired, no extra effort required. Of course the tricky bit was to beat against the wind to get the maximum thrust as he went into a dash, yet angled himself back toward the dragoness like a rocket. Fortunately, he was used to trying this sort of thing. He beat his wings once, spinning into the correct trajectory as his wings were against his body for a moment. Then he opened them, falling just a touch, but using gravity to swoop back up like it was the simplest thing in the world. After all, it was the best way to get up speed without much energy. Not that it was particularly difficult to continue, after all, only he and the flame had the advantage of low body weight. He suspected his Tiger friend would have the best endurance, but it certainly gave him an edge. Quiorith had never cared one wit about being a large dragon then he was. Today was no different.

[Moo]

Catching a thermal and coasting over the cloud, Mosiliath stretched his wings to their fullest, his muscles now warmed, and flew slightly abreast of the Aurora -- Ayleneth, he reminded himself. She had caught his eye, much like he did her own, and that was an encouraging thought. He had a feeling she would not give up so easily, so he was content for now to reserve his energy for a long Flight; turns of flying in Wings could not persuade him otherwise. With a casual glance, Mosiliath looked over at Ayleneth and watched her as she flew, old enough to admire her tenacity and young enough to admire her beauty. Even at Fort, her color was a rarity. But who would be the one to catch her here?

He could see a large, determined Flame appear out of the corner of his eye and settle in behind Ayleneth -- at last, some competition! He enjoyed the chase as much as winning the Flight, and it was little fun if the odds were ever in his favor. Focusing now on his own flying, Mosiliath maintained his speed and let her lead them along; it was not agility that she seemed to be concerned with -- though he knew firsthand how well it helped a close competition. Still, the Flight was young, and anything could happen.

###

D'gan did not know how he made it to the Flight room in one piece -- Oh, it had been far too long. He had forgotten just how strong their connection was when it came to Flights. Mosiliath's vision kept clouding his own, and he may have accidentaly run into a few people on his way through the Bowl.

Entering quietly -- he didn't trust himself to talk, not with the surging emotions coming from the Tiger -- D'gan moved to the back of the room, a hand lightly trailing on the wall. He looked over to Ayleneth's rider as he passed her by -- a slender, young girl with curiously green eyes -- and in that moment, completely froze when a realization hit him. In his attempt to get Mosiliath to chase, he had entirely forgotten his own reasons for keeping to himself : the possibility of winning the Flight, and all that happened once the dragon's decision was made.

That could mean children.

Slightly alarmed, and not entirely sure his heart was racing solely from his nerves, D'gan rest against a wall and kept his eyes down, his face pulling into a practiced mask of assurance. He clasped his hands behind his back and noticed they were sweaty.

This was not good at all.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Acalanath stayed close to Ayleneth, focusing on her sparkling hide, so like the sky-lights in the north, which he had seen only once and marveled at since. To see a dragoness in those colors… He twisted around a current of air that was cutting across his path, tucking his wings close to his side as he did. He was staying close to the gleaming Aurora, though not so close as to crowd her, or even the other suitors. After all, what was the point of cutting short a flight, particularly when the sky contained such radiant wonder as the dragoness in front of him, or so handsome a fellow as himself.

Looking around, Ancalanath took stock of his competition. The Tiger was closer than he, that must be remedied. One powerful downbeat later, and Ancalanath came up level with that competitor. No new suitors had entered the flight since he had, a good thing, as his only desire at that moment was to win, to convince Ayleneth the beautiful that he was a perfect match for her, his hide, the flames of Thread-fight, the perfect match to hers, the natural sky-fire of the extreme north.

[summerrain]

Two strong suitors, one elder, one younger. Two smaller competitors, one built for the sky, one a smaller version of the younger of the large suitors. It was good competition. Ayleneth allowed her instincts to completely take over. Tigers were like the Mindmates that dragons needed to survive; they both honored familial ties. With Hers having had such a harsh past, such a mate would be good. Such a mate, especially the first in a new Weyr, would be best, for both of them.

Ayleneth angled toward the Tiger, away from the larger Flame. She gave him a look of intreague, wondering if he knew about the hard path the life of Hers had taken. She would be careful with choosing a mate, for the sake of Hers.

_________

Yuki watched as the riders of Ayleneth's suitors entered the room. The Cloud's rider was the closest in age to herself, but the girl could feel her dragon leaning toward the larger suitors. Which made sense. In the same way a Gold was caught by Kings, Ayleneth would do her best to attempt to be caught by the Tiger and large Flame.

Yuki walked toward the Cloud's rider, names leaving her mind due to the flightlust reaching her through Ayleneth. She smiled slightly, drawing a finger across the Cloudrider's cheekbone. She turned away, looking for the rider of the larger Flame. She walked toward him, dragging the back of her nail across his left jaw. Then she saw the older man. The Tigerrider. The rider of the dragon Ayleneth was leaning toward. The only dragon who would be able to understand the damage that had been done to Yuki's heart. She slowly walked toward him, hindered only by the fear instilled in her heart by the experiances she'd gone through as a child in Icy Caverns Hold. The flightlust banished all other conscious thought.

[Moo]

Her look was not lost on him; even through the Flightlust, he could see there was more to this Aurora than he had originally anticipated. Mosiliath tilted his wings and moved closer to her as well, eyes spinning rapidly with approval and excitement and the desire to have her for his own. Here, in these skies. And they could have hatchlings of their own, in this new Weyr. The thought sent a thrill through him.

Two dragons from the North, meeting for the first time in the South, now flying on and on in a test of endurance and wills and desires. What a fortuitous meeting. Mosiliath set his course, muscles burning deliciously with the vertical climb up. He would fly as long as she did, if he was what she wanted. He hoped it were so.

###

No. No, no, no.

She was moving closer.

D'gan wiped his palms on the side of his pants and stood straight, his gaze moving from the floor and up her legs, the curves of her waist, her breasts, her throat, those lips, those eyes. She was certainly beautiful, any man could see that. She called herself...Yuki, was it? Curious name. He wondered what it felt like to kiss her. For a moment, an undeniable surge of lust from Mosiliath overcame him and electrified the air, its intensity keeping him quiet. For now. The desire to hold the AuroraRider in his arms and take her here, now, even in front of the other Riders was both thrilling and terrifying. He wanted to feel her quiver, her hips buck, the scratch of her necklace as she pressed herself against him. Hear her moans in his ear, her breath hot on his neck.

No, no, he wasn't like this, not at first. It was the Flightlust thinking for him. He would resist as long as he could. He didn't want it.

Oh, but he really, really did.

D'gan licked his lips and took a couple of slow steps forward, much like one would when approaching a frightened animal. She seemed nervous. Was she nervous? Could she tell that he was? What could he offer her? What if there were children? Would she want children? Is this what their dragons truly wanted?

"Don't worry," he murmured, their bodies closer and closer now. He extended a hand to her face, his thumb brushing over her lips, his fingers light, hesitant, itching to explore more. He could feel Mosiliath's muscles rippling, stretching, seeking -- as if they were his own -- the Flightlust burning, blazing, coursing through their veins. Dutifully, D'gan kept his eyes on hers, but did not know how much longer they would be his own.

"Everything will be all right," he whispered.

He was not sure if he said that for her benefit or his own.