An Almost Routine Threadfall (1/2)

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 6th January 2024

Characters: Kamalia
Description: Kamalia and Alaudath have an eventful Threadfall.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 11
Notes: Email me if you want to copost!

It is strange how anything can become routine; even risking your life.
During Kamalia's first Turn in a Fighting Wing, a morning Threadfall
meant she would sleep badly, and an evening one meant not being able
to concentrate well all day. In those first months, she suffered from
jaw pain from clenching her teeth so tightly during Fall. No matter
the time, as soon as Fall ended and Alaudath was clean, she would go
straight to bed, exhausted.

However, as the sevendays passed, and they continued to perform well,
Kamalia and Alaudath settled into a comfortable rhythm. And now, after
more than 6 Turns, they felt confident in their abilities and prepared
to face whatever might happen during a Fall. Even close calls and
ducking /between/ to avoid Thread did little more but temporarily
raise her heart rate.

The weather was mild and, while there were clouds in the sky, it did
not seem as though it would rain. Kamalia checked the riding straps a
final time, put on her helmet, and mounted Alaudath. **Ready?** she
asked, even though she already knew the answer.

}:Of course.:{ Alaudath launched herself from their weyr and flew to
land near her wingmates. The green was eager to get in the air but
experienced enough not to waste any of her energy by shifting around
or getting too excited.

They would be flying the first half of Fall, which was Kamalia's
preference. There was nothing quite like the experience of leaving the
Weyr along with all the browns, bronzes, and golds. If she were in
charge, she would make sure everyone on Pern visited a Weyr on a
Threadfall day. She was sure it would make them more understanding of
weyrfolk, and the necessity of tithing.

Her idle thoughts were interrupted by the command to prepare to leave.
After some final adjustments, and checking that the firestone sack was
secure, it was time. In what felt like just a moment, they were aloft,
Kamalia made sure Alaudath had a clear visualization, and they blinked
/between/.

The next candlemark was a blur of feeding Alaudath firestone,
swerving, climbing, diving, and popping in and out of /between/.
Kamalia's head was clear and she focused intently on her green and
their coverage area. It helped that there were experienced pairs to
either side of them, which made any necessary communication brief and
effective. She felt a surge of pride as her green executed a
particularly deft maneuver to flame a clump of Thread, then quickly
got back into formation.

While fighting Thread, she had learned to keep her thoughts in the
present and not worry about how much time had passed. They would be
told when their half of the Fall was over and they needed to return to
the Weyr. However, Kamalia could feel the beginnings of fatigue in
Alaudath, and her own muscles were beginning to ache. As the firestone
sack emptied, she thought the next one would likely be their last of
the day.

She would never know if the throw had been slightly off, or if there
had been a gust of wind, but she needed to lean over more than usual
to catch the firestone sack. She quickly wrenched herself back
upright, sack in hand, and took a moment to catch her balance and take
a calming breath. **I'm ok" she told Alaudath, moving to secure the
sack.

}:Wait!:{ Alaudath yelled in her mind, dodging some Thread.

Kamalia was jerked to one side and almost lost the sack as she gripped
the riding straps in one hand and the sack awkwardly with the other.
As soon as they were fully horizontal again, she quickly attached the
sack, forcing herself to stay in the moment and not begin analyzing
what had just happened. Alaudath turned her head to accept more
firestone, and the next few minutes allowed them both to return to
their normal rhythm.

}:Mine!:{ Alaudath told the blue to their right, moving to char a
clump of Thread. They went /between/ to return to formation, as they
had countless times before. However this time, the cold of /between/
was instantly replaced by a horrible burning sensation on her left
calf. Kamalia screamed and Alaudath bellowed, moving /between/ again
to freeze off the Thread. They came back out of /between/ and, while
they no longer felt like they were being eaten alive, both dragon and
rider were still in pain.

Kamalia froze, having never had a Theadscore go so deep. However, they
were quickly given the order to return to the Weyr, which got her
thoughts moving again. The trip /between/ felt like it took longer
than usual and Kamalia felt a surge of relief as the Weyr came
abruptly into sight. However, that relief quickly turned into concern
at the pain she felt radiating from Alaudath.

}:It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.:{ The litany continued as Alaudath
descended towards where the healers and dragonhealers were stationed.

**It's ok, it's ok, it's ok,** Kamalia replied, her own injury
secondary to that of her lifemate. She forced herself to continue
thinking positive thoughts, even though she had no idea if either of
them would be ok.

Last updated on the January 7th 2024

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An Almost Routine Threadfall (1/2)