Stormy Plains/15.07.01/just before midday

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

There were, Kalitar thought, a depressing lack of hand and footholds in the wall below Jatheiron’s window. Fortunately, the buttresses that supported the roof stuck out beyond its edge and provided a place for a grappling hook and line to be secured to. Normally, Kalitar would just have walked in through the Great Hall and then up the stairs to Jatheiron’s room. However, by unfortunate chance, his older brother had accompanied their father to meet with the Lord Holder and since Kalitar was uninterested in giving his older brother an excuse to watch him, he was outside the window. Scrambling up the line, he held himself still when he was level with the window and then quickly leaned over so that he could see in. Jatheiron was sitting at a desk, working on what looked like a supply list.

“Hey, Theiron, you want to go riding?” Kalitar whispered, slapping the window sill to get his friend’s attention.

Jatheiron spun around, nearly ruining his work in the process. “I’d rather have lunch first,” he answered.

“I took the liberty of acquiring some food,” Kalitar said, smiling.

“In that case, do you want to give those new racers a try?” Jatheiron asked, grinning as he followed Kalitar down the rope.

Kalitar grinned back. A well thrown knife took the rope off at the grappling hook, which then fell down next to the rope. Kalitar collected them both and retrieved the knife while Jatheiron went and collected five runnerbeasts. The other three members of their gang met them outside one of the side gates into the field where the new line of racers was being kept. They were just about to mount when a shout from the other side of the field warned them that they were no longer unobserved.

“Shards!” Kalitar muttered, swinging quickly up onto the back of the closest of the five runnerbeasts. The other three boys followed suit; Jatheiron was already mounted, his yellowish runner prancing in eagerness to be gone.

Kalitar spun his runner towards the open ground outside the field and shifted his weight forward as the racer, suddenly given its head and with open ground before it, took off. With wild whoops, the gang followed him, Jatheiron quickly catching up so that they rode neck to neck. Glancing quickly back over his shoulder at the stable hands, who were staring after the five boys, Kalitar laughed. Life, he decided, was just too much fun.

[Simile]

N'rim sighed. So he simply had to go on Search because he had messed up searching one Candidate. Just one Candidate. How was that to work as a punishment? Well... He didn't get to participate or enjoy himself. He knew what he had did wrong, but he had to admit, he didn't really feel bad about it... Which was probably not a good thing.

"Come on Lakrinth, let's get going," he said with a sigh. The next thing he knew, his dragon was dropping off from his weyrledge and then spiraling upwards before dissapearing Between.

One... Two... Three. The space of three breaths and he was soaring above Stormy Plains Beast Hold. Anyone here, Lakrinth? he asked his dragon mentally. He really rather not have to land unless he had to. How did he end up being a SearchRider? He really was an antisocial type... but... His dragon was very empathetic, so he supposed that was the reason. The whole reason around it to begin with.

Yes, Mine... there is someone below... Where exactly, I am uncertain. Let us Fly for now.

N'rim did not reply, but gave a silent nod as his dragon flew a bit lower over the land surrounding the Hold. He could feel himself getting closer as he headed in a particular direction. The direction that Kalitar and his friends had taken not so long ago.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

There was no warning. One second, everything was going smoothly, the racers stretching their legs as they raced across the rolling ground. The next second, they were rearing and screaming in distress.

“Get off of them, let them run!” Talerian shouted, already kicking his feet free of the stirrups.

“We can’t, my dad will have us thrashed if we lose them!” Jatheiron shouted back. He was forcing his mount to circle, pulling its head around so that it could not rear.

Kalitar likewise spun his mount, gripping tight with his legs to prevent the runner throwing him. Hearing a shout, he glanced over his shoulder. Immediately, the cause for the commotion became clear; there was a DarkBlue dragon flying towards them.

“I didn’t know the messenger dragon was DarkBlue,” Farnaj said.

“He’s not,” Kalitar answered, in chorus with Jatheiron and Talerian. All five youths watched the dragon cautiously, backing the runners up so that it had room to land if it wanted to. Kalitar shared a sideways glance with Jatheiron. He couldn't think of what the rider might want.

"Ask later," Jatheiron mouthed, settling deeper into his seat.

[Simile]

The Dark Blue looked down from where he was, his Rider as well, though he was far less interested than his dragon about this searching thing at this point. Lakrinth was far better at this searching thing than N'rim was. That was for sure. He was a rather apathetic person in some respects... Maybe a little lazy... But....

Mine. Below us. On the f-runner beasts. The dragon often just thought of runner beasts and herd beasts as food. It almost seem odd to him that humans would want to ride such things. They were not nearly as fast as dragons, but, as his Rider explained it, they were convenient for the people of the Hold.

The DarkBlue descended leisurely and slowly, back winging as he landed. It is one of these, Mine... Lakrinth fixated a whirling eye on each of them in turn. Hmm... That one. Kalitar.

It is he.

N'rim nodded and slid down. "You, boy," he said, motioning towards Kalitar with his head, "What is your name?"

He had his arms crossed. He looked both slightly amused and somewhat bored at the same time. Not exactly the best appearance for a Search Rider to give off, but N'rim seemed incapable of being completely friednly. He much rather be one a bit more imposing.

He moved and put a hand on the DarkBlue's beast and patted him.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

The runners shied away slightly as the dragon landed, but the boys had regained enough control to prevent them from bolting, and the relative positions remained the same. Kalitar and Jatheiron were front and center, with the other three in a semicircle just behind them. Before any of them could speak, the rider had slid down and requested Kalitar’s name.

Kalitar turned his head with a jerk, so that he was looking directly at the dragonrider. “I’m Kalitar,” he answered. Startled by the abruptness of the query, he forgot to introduce Jatheiron, who as the highest-ranking of the boys, properly would be the one to handle this. The runner shifted, and Kalitar reached down and scratched its neck. “If I might ask what brings you here?” he continued, attempting to make up for the lapse.

[Simile]

N'rim nodded. "Seems Lakrinth has decided you are worthy of being a Candidate. Are you interested?" He ignored the other boys all together. He was only interested in who Lakrinth was interested in. His dragon was always the one to make the choice, really. N'rim usually was more or less along for the ride.

He wasn't the best Searchrider, but then he wasn't the best Wingrider either at times. He just thought that sending him on Search was the Weyr's way of getting him out of the way. Lakrinth would disagree, however. And probably with good purpose. N'rim did it to himself, really.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Kalitar blinked. He had not been expecting this. A request to speak to the Lord Holder, certainly, but this? He glanced around at his friends, but it was the look of someone who was saying goodbye.

“I would be honored, sir,” he answered. His tone quivered slightly with repressed excitement, accompanying the flash in his grey-blue eyes. “Is there time for me to tell my parents, at the Hold?” He hesitated, then continued: “will my friends be able to visit?” He was leaning forward slightly, prepared to slide from the runner’s back and go with the rider.

Jatheiron was taking everything with grace. No jealous looks from him, though the other three looked a little hurt. Not that Kalitar could tell, his eyes and attention were forward, directed at the rider and dragon. The runner fidgeted, its black hide rippling in nervous reaction to the dragon’s continued proximity and to Kalitar’s excitement. Absently, Kalitar soothed it again, whispering to it and rubbing its neck.

[Simile]

N'rim seemed to think for a moment. The delay would keep him out longer, but it'd be a nice rest. "Sure. I'll meet you at the Hold." He turned to his dragon and started to mount again. Well, a break when he got there.

The Darkblue walked a short distance away and launched himself into the air. Forgive me for spooking the beasts. Lakrinth spoke to all of the boys and his Rider as he flew off. It would only take a few minutes to get there flying, so there was really no point in a travel Between.

N'rim would have to admit that he rather enjoyed flying... Just flying... Lakrinth crooned. He did too.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Kalitar waited a few moments before sending the runner off towards the Hold. 'Soon I might be flying up there' he thought as his gaze tracked the dragon, his mind reeling from the unexpected news and the fact that the dragon had spoken to him. By some unspoken consent, Talerian and Jatheiron positioned themselves on either side of him, Farnaj and the hitherto silent Keralt riding behind but pressed close.

“Did you hear that last?” Keralt asked suddenly. “When the dragon apologized!” An exaggerated sweep of his left arm revealed his excitement plainly.

Kalitar’s face split into a grin. “Yeah I did!” he crowed; he did it quietly, but it was a crow none the less. It wasn’t until they reached the gate of the field that Kalitar recalled, belatedly at that point, that they hadn’t been supposed to go for a ride. Their parents were waiting for them. At least, Jatheiron’s father was there, accompanied by Kalitar’s father and Talerian’s father, and none of them looked pleased.

Jatheiron opened his mouth to speak, but his father silenced him with a look. “Get off those runners,” his father said, his voice as calm as the weather before a storm.

As one, the boys swung out of the saddles. Stablemen took the runners into one of the many barns to be looked over. Before the dreaded parental lectures could begin in force, Kalitar burst out: “I’ve been Searched, Dad, can I go, please?” He projected all of his excitement into his tone, knowing that if he could sufficiently distract the adults than the punishments might be mitigated. Not that he wasn’t excited, for he was, he was just choosing an opportune moment to show it, with the knowledge gained from years of troublemaking guiding him.

For a startled moment, nothing was said. Kalitar raised his eyes to meet his father’s searching gaze — as well as that of the Lord Holder, Jatheiron’s father. The silence dragged on, then Kalitar’s father nodded, almost as though to himself. “Yes, you may go,” he said, then rolled his eyes at Kalitar’s whoop and the round of back-slapping among the boys.

[Simile]

Lakrinth landed outside the Hold and let his walk to the entrance. He had arrived to watch the scene, but remained off to the side, just watching. How interesting. What a cunning boy. Well. He decided he liked him. Maybe he'd give him a little more attention than the others. This boy could be his pride of a Candidate. Yeah. He probably would be.

You should take pride in all the Candidates, MINE! His dragon was not happy with his thoughts, but that just made a smile cross his face.

"Well, Kalitar... you ready to go?" he asked, approaching, grinning. EH didn't so much as introduce himself at first, but he seemed to remember his thoughts from earlier. "Oh, forgive me." He bowed. "Lord Holder, Kalitar's parents. I am N'rim of Darkblue Lakrinth."


Well, hopefully he hadn't totally ruined his reputation. His manner was relaxed, but not quite as apathetic as before, though, he ahd to admit, it was hard to show that he cared at all for any of this. It really wasn't in hsi nature, but he would try anyways.

He was an apathetic person by nature. It was a fact. One that he never had and never would try to conceal.

You and I are very different.

That was all his dragon said this time.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

“Almost, sir,” Kalitar answered, grinning. Before anyone could say anything, he darted off, then returned at a run, a small dark-grey bag slung over his shoulder. He came to a halt near the adults, bowing a greeting that was directed to both the Lord Holder and the Searchrider.

The Lord Holder returned the greeting with a friendly nod, a slight smile pulling at one side of his mouth as Kalitar came racing towards them. “Greetings, N’rim,” he said. He might have continued, but Kalitar’s arrival stopped him. Instead, he pulled some small blank hides and pens, and handed them to Kalitar. “Since Jatheiron’s going to want you to write,” he said, the slight smile flashing briefly into a grin.

“Thank you, Lord Famoran,” Kalitar said. Turning to the Searchrider, N’rim, he reminded himself firmly, he continued: “I’m ready now, sir.”

“You’d better write,” Jatheiron said, his eyes sparkling and his grin fighting through his control as he delivered the half-teasing, not serious threat.

[Simile]

"Don't worry. I'll make sure he does," N'rim said with a grin. "Come on, Kalitar. And just call me N'rim, alright?" He bowed to the Lord Holder and to the Kalitar's parents. "I hope to see you at the next Hatching in which your son will stand." He turned to go to his dragon.

Don't worry, I will be sure that he is taken good care of, Lakrinth said to all of them, though he then added privately to N'rim, Unlike last time.

N'rim bit back the sigh that threatened to escape him. Lakrinth! he thought instead, not able to stop the twitch of his eyebrow that resulted because of the dragon's comment.

N'rim went to lead off again as his dragon rumbled with draconic laughter.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

"We'll be there," Kalitar's father said. His face was graced by a faint smile, almost of pride, as he watched his son follow the dragonrider.

Kalitar blinked at his father's words, which were... unexpected... though of course, he reminded himself, no one would turn down the privilege of attending a Hatching. Turning smoothly, he followed the dragonrider, N'rim, over to the DarkBlue dragon, Lakrinth. Reaching the Lakrinth's shoulder, Kalitar paused and glanced back towards the knot of people soon to be left behind. Jatheiron and the gang were all grinning, as was Lord Famoran. Turning back, Kalitar took a deep breath and pulled down a little on the sack. The whole thing was still a little unreal; he felt, detached, and he realized that he probably wouldn't emotionally recognize that he wasn't at home until he'd been gone for some time. However, he was definately going to have fun, he was already smiling.

[Simile]

"Good. I will greet you myself when you come that day." He nodded to the man and continued, marching forward on his way.

"Well, Kalitar. I suppose the next thing to do is take you back to the Weyr. Hope you don't mind if we just fly for a little bit. After all, we are hoping to pick up one more Candidate or so along the way," the Rider said as he took of his riding jacket and handed it to the boy. "Here. Flying gets cold." He knew he would get cold, but, as a Rider, he was much more used to it and if they stayed low... it wouldn't be too bad, he supposed. Of course, what was he thinking. This was why he had a bag with supplies with him. He opened up said bag and pulled out another jacket. It wasn't as thick or as well made, but it would help. "Arlight, let's get going," he nodded. He sighed.

This trying to care business was hard.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

With some detached part of his mind, Kalitar realized that he was grinning far more than was, by the standards of the usually serious people of the Hold, appropriate for any situation. No matter how excited one was, one shouldn’t grin continuously for more than a few seconds. His had currently been in place for at least a minute.

“I wouldn’t mind if we flew around all day, N’rim,” Kalitar said. It was solid truth. He couldn’t think of any reason why someone would object to spending more time riding a dragon. He accepted the jacket in an almost reverential manner, then hesitated, his right arm through one sleeve and the jacket dangling off his right shoulder, unsure if he should put this one on, or the one N’rim had just pulled out. When N’rim sighed, but didn’t reach for the jacket, Kalitar forced himself to finish putting the jacket on and stepped back a little, giving N’rim the room to mount first.