Fly With Me

Writers: Avery, Devin, Emma, Heather, Miriah, Mirren, Paula, Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 9th October 2015

Characters: Cyradis, K'lvin, N'vanik, D'hol, Kapera, K'deren, Z'ku, D'shiel, Z'ku, N'mor, J'nus, T'shar, O'katis
Description: The senior gold rises to select her mate.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 17 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Meledei

Cyradis

It had been sunny for several days and Panitath had lain on the
heights holding court as her color intensified. The mood during
yesterday's 'fall had been interesting but she could say that all the
flights had been aware of where she was and what she was doing.
Cyradis could say that the only thing that got near the giant gold was
ash.

Today when Cyradis awoke, the whole Weyr seemed to be holding it's
breath in anticipation. She threw on a simple smock dress and kissed
K'deren before she went out to the ledge.

Panithath glowed, bright gold with her greenish undertones muted by
the intensity of her shine. Anticipation filled her and she approached
on bare feet to lean against her. "Choose well," she whispered more to
herself than to her lifemate.

She turned as she heard the snarl and commotion down by the beast
pens. The bronzes were blooding their kills and riders were gathering.
She turned and gave Panitath one more caress before she padded down
the passage to awaken Kapera. "You need to get Riyanth out of here.
Please tell Meledei," she announced without looking in the bedchamber.

Then she went back to her own Weyr and slipped on some low shoes and
brushed her hair.

The eruption, when it came, didn't surprise her but it did quicken her
step. She trotted out into the bowl and toward the pens as the
brilliant arrow flung herself into the middle of the bronzes snapping
and neatly capturing her first beast.

**Blood Only,** began their struggle. There was no way it would be
anything else no matter how much Panitath fought her. **Blood Only!**
she nearly screamed in her mind.

The impact of Cyradis' words snapped a tired morning Kapera to full
wakefullness. She reached for loose clothes to throw around herself
and was out to the ledge. Hr mind touched Riyanth's.**Tell Elleth it's
time to go. We have to go too. How does Windswept sound, dear?**

The gold was disgruntled, and her eyes were starting to whirl quickly.
}:This is not right. We should not leave.:{

Kapera stepped to the front of her queen and as Riyanth lowered her
head for the strap, she reached up to grab the gold's muzzle. Her
emerald eyes narrowed and she pushed her will at the gold's. She
pictured snow-capped mountains and cold lakes, images to distract
Riyanth's sudden possessiveness over this weyr and to cool her blood.
**We go. Now.**

The gold's eyes slowed and Kapera risked breaking the contact and
throwing the strap over her head. She then raced to the side and
scrambled up. Riyanth's wings beat and then they were aloft. Kapera
looked down to see Panitath still at the feeding grounds and the
bronzes were around her. They hadn't cut it too late. She formed a
visual, directing her queen /between/ and out of the way.

K'deren meanwhile had managed to grab his sister to sit with the younger
children. Deep down, he knew that Donneth couldn't match the bronze dragons,
while he may be on the larger side for a brown, he still couldn't match
them. But the urge to chase was always there, knowing that he had caught
gold dragons in the past was enough impetus to send him down by the feeding
pens to watch Panitath possessively, even as his rider followed to the edge
of the growing group of bronzeriders.

Padraith perked up when he realised Panitath was rising. He was a
bronze and bronzes chased, because that's what they did. Why question
it? He joined the other males, his eyes on the lovely gold.
D'shiel had no desire to be Weyrleader, but when Padraith was
determined to chase, then chase he would. He too, joined the men and
waited.

**You've got to be kidding me!** K'lvin fumed as he snatched Kylena
off of Xmrenth's neckridge.

}:She is a beautiful Queen. We are experienced and strong. They need
_us_ as Weyrleaders.:{ Xmrenth impatiently shifted from foot to foot
as K'lvin made quick work of taking off his riding straps.

"What's Xmrenth doing?" Kylena asked with a tilt of her head.

"Being a shardin' fool, that's what." K'lvin ground the words between
his teeth as he tossed the straps to the ground. "Go on then. I'll be
there shortly."

Of all the days he could have picked to bring Kylena to visit with her
mother, Cylena, it just happened to be the day a dragon decided to
rise... and not just _any_ dragon, but the Queen for Faranth's sake.

"Come on, let's find your mother." K'lvin said and grabbed Kylena by the
elbow.

"I'm already here." Cylena's musical voice stopped K'lvin in his
tracks. His eyes traveled up the familiar figure of his former
weyrmate, straight up to her crystal blue eyes.

"I -"

"You don't have to explain, K'lvin. I remember this part of being with
a dragonrider quite well. Come on, Ky." She held out her hand and
Kylena happily bounced over to her mother, already beginning a stream
of chatter about her life at River Bluff.

Narrowing his eyes at Cylena, K'lvin knew he'd have to deal with that
later as he turned and trotted off to join the growing clan of bronze
and brownriders.

Loseth was one of the first to arrive at the feeding pens. The huge
bronze had finished blooding and had taken a position on the Heights
when the golden queen arrived. He watched her, remembering through his
rider than another had come close to catching last time. This time he
would make sure he was the only choice.

N'vanik watched Cyradis with possessive eyes. She'd already chosen
him. Now they'd see if dragon followed rider.

The senior queen had been glowing more each day and most of the
bronzes had been acting differently so it wasn't surprising when
Xemroth announced he was going to chase. Z'ku hurried to join the
others at the feeding pens, stomach fluttering. His chances were
almost nothing, but there was still the slimmest possibility Xemroth
could catch Panitath. Z'ku wanted to be Weyrleader... _someday_. But
now was definitely not the right time.

Kopth waited patiently by the feeding pens, watching Panitath intently
as she blooded her kills. His belly was already full, the hot taste of
blood thick in his mouth. He'd caught Riyanth when she'd risen and had
high hopes for the senior queen. She was beautiful and strong, and so
was he. J'nus strolled up to where the other bronzeriders stood with
Cyradis, nodding amiably to several of them and flashing the Weyrwoman
a smile. Kopth's confidence and desire was catching, and he found
himself eyeing up Cyradis with more interest than usual.

Kedvencth nearly vibrated with the lust he was feeling. The young
bronze kept his eye facets aimed at the glowing, blooding gold. N'mor
joined the other men, knowing that they had absolutely no chance of
winnig this flight. Unless Panitath had lost all her glowstones. He
was only 18 turns old, way too young to become a Weyrleader. Still,
the Gold Flights were more intense than anything and you couldn't
blame the boy for trying. Even losing would be worth the while. N'mor
smiled a bit and glanced the flight moths. They kept a good distance
yet but they also waited the outcome of this Flight.

D'hol strode into the flightrooms with a set look on his face. He
noted the possessive look on N'vanik's face and for a moment, hatred
shown in his own eyes before it was dampened by cool impassivity. He
couldn't let his inner anger at what Cyradis and N'vanik had pulled
distract Yumath from his goal. Instead he took his place in the semi
circle around Cyradis and locked his carefully cool gaze on her face,
urging Yumath to take the lead the moment Panitath leapt into the air.
**Get her Yumath.**

The bronze gave a low rumbling hiss of lust. }: I will. It is _our_ time. :{

A younger bronze appeared in the assembly of dragons surrounding the
gold and despite his youth, he radiated confidence. Zith bugled his
own desire before latching on to a buck of his own and drinking deep,
to boost his own reserves. He was young, he was strong and...

...his rider did not want him there at all. J'ackt entered the room,
his face showing his horrified dread at the situation that his bronze
had thrust him into. He couldn't even look at Cyradis. He didn't
_want_ the responsibility of leading, much less facing a woman who'd
rejected him so completely and still held far too much power over him.
He didn't enter the semi-circle. If anything, he stood back away and
behind the other men, ignoring the surges of lust from his dragon as
best he could. He did _not_ want Cryadis.

Two more bronzeriders jogged towards the gathering of riders watching
the queen and bronzes blood. T'shar's Tanhith was eleven turns, but
still unproven at catching a gold. That didn't dampen the pair's
confidence, or their hot desire. In contrast, O'katis had a young
bronze Mirlath and he was reluctant. One of the juniors, he could
handle, but the Weyrwoman's queen? No way!

Panitath snarled and snapped at any of the bronzes who event attempted
to get near where she sucked the hot blood of her third kill. She
fought and screamed at Cyradis for her control when she wanted to bury
her muzzle in hot organs. But finally her whirling eyes surveyed the
throng around her and flung herself into the sky. }:None of you can
catch me!:{

Cyradis sagged slightly at the effort to control her lifemate. But she
felt the hands that steadied her and guided her toward the flight
rooms. Her mind began to change and merge and become a glorious golden
queen of Pern whose only aim was the reach the top of the sky and
shake off these pathetic lesser dragons who wanted to possess her.

}:Mine!:{ Loseth's bellow echoed through the Weyrbowl as he sprang
from the heights. He knew Panitath well, and he was determined to
claim her again. Huge wings carried him high and far as her golden
form gleamed ahead of him.

N'vanik took one of Cyradis's arms when she sagged and he wasn't the
only rider to help her.

Xmrenth flung himself into the sky, keeping his presence quiet for the
moment as he jockeyed into place amongst the crowd of bronze and brown
dragons. Experience told the older bronze not to waste his breath on
the Queen just yet, but to let her glory and fly while she would, and
then when he strength began to fade.... It would be time to claim his
golden prize!

Padraith was close behind the leaders, but biding his time. He'd wait
for the others to tire and then make his move. Likewise, D'shiel did
the same, staying a little to the side, possibly to make a quick exit
if/ when Padraith dropped out.

Kedvencth sprung to the air. He was large bronze and therefore
slightly slower than smaller ones. He was strong though, and young and
full of confidence. He easily left the browns behind him but the other
bronzes were more of a challenge.

It was instinctive for K'deren to step forward to help his weyrmate. The
sight of her in N'vanik's arms... That only spurred him to urge Donneth on
as he took her other arm.

Mirlath leapt after Panitath, hot on her heels. The young bronze
didn't understand the need to pace himself. He saw the prize, he
chased the prize, he yearned for her...but he got nothing but the
wind. The queen was too energized and too early in her flight to let
the males claim her.

Tanhith rose after her, but wasn't in the crowd. He was content to
gain height and follow behind. Let the young ones wear themselves out
in the early phase. Then he'd have reserves left over.

Xemroth was determined to catch the lovely gold ahead of him. When she
made a quick turn he shifted with her and suddenly she was right in
his path. Lust and excitement filled the young bronze and he reached
for her . . . but his claws closed on empty air. No! So close!

Padraith would have snorted with amusement but he was too busy
chasing. He veered around a slower beast and lunged. This was all or
nothing, he threw his whole heart into it. Unfortunately, it wasn't
enough. He missed by the thickness of hide, feeling her wake as she
slipped out of his grasp.

}:Amateur.:{ Xmrenth thought of Padraith's desperate grab for the
experienced Queen. Bypassing a struggling brown, who finally gave up
and headed for the cool ocean water, the Wingleader's bronze surged
forward, closer to the glowing Panitath.

Padraith made the equivalent of a draconic raspberry and tucked his
wings back for a quick descent. It wasn't as quick as the exit D'shiel
made from the throng of men and 'helpful' women who gathered around.

Mirlath was also exhausted by now. The young bronze had used up too
much of his energy and his wings were sore. He dove down for the sea
to cool off. O'katis went for a flight moth. One wrapped her arms
around him and they staggered towards one of the cots in the next room
over.

Tanhith saw others fall. Then he made his move, dropping from higher
up towards the queen, hoping she wouldn't see him if she was
distracted by the ones on her tail.

Kedvencth had been flying smart and sparing his strength, so he would
have some left, just in case he got lucky. He was large bronze and
hoped to impress her with his strength. He snorted contempt at the
others, did those fool really thing they could catch a senior gold
like Panitath unaware? No, she would pick the winner.

Panitath ignored all the dragon suitors until she was high above the
waves and the sun made her hide blindingly brilliant. She had more
strength and stamina than any of them but once the browns began to
fall away she spared a glance at Donneth before curving her neck
around to get a look at Mnoranth, Yumath, and Kopth. She climbed once
again until she felt the strain begin and the desperate bronzes tried
to fling themselves in her path. She easily avoided all of their
attempts with a flirt of her tail but knew the time had come to
choose.

She led them in a long broad half circle that brought her squarely
abreast of Loseth. }:You,:{ she said certain of her choice. }:Fly with
me:{

}:Mine!:{ Loseth took Panitath in a tight grip, twining their necks
and tails. This was _his_ queen, _his_ Weyr and he bellowed his claim
to the skies.

Yumath bugled his disappointment even as he winged away, but he took
it far better than his rider below. D'hol stared at the couple with
frustration; Cyradis's little trick had worked just as she planned.
Bitter disappointment and anger made him turn away, the hands of the
flight moths brushed aside. He was far too angry to be trusted not to
accidentally hurt them, so he pushed his way past and headed to the
bathing chambers.

Kedvencth took his losing with stoic acceptance and turned back home. On the
ground, N'mor separated himself from his dragon. He was actually feeling
relieved. Nobody wanted an 18 turns old Weyrleader. He stumbled away and
found himself a flight moth.

If K'deren had been able to articulate his feelings, now was not the time.
Donneth's disappointment washed over him as the brown made his way back
home. That and a sudden need, that had to be fulfilled in anyway possible.
That need was answered by willing arms leading him away.

Last updated on the October 13th 2015

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Fly With Me