A Successful First Search

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 7th April 2024

Characters: R'ayl, T'lin
Description: R'ayl and Delorth go on their first Search with T'lin and Calaroth.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 18 of Turn 11

T'lin

"T'lin!" R'ayl spotted the bluerider waiting not far from the
Weyrlingmaster's office and immediately bounded over to join him, his
face lit up with excitement. "The Weyrlingmaster says I have to report
to you for Search training!"

T'lin's face stretched into a smile at the boy's excitement. "Delorth
gets to Search Candidates for real today."

}:But I am in charge.:{ Calaroth said, half-joking and half-serious.

"We just have to wait for . . ." T'lin looked up as a brown came
gliding down to join them.

He backwinged, tilting back farther than most, and landed with more of
his weight on his back legs since he was missing his right forelimb.
The brown shifted his weight as he settled. The older rider saluted.
"Searchrider T'lin, Weyrlingstaff Assistant R'ayl. Duty to your
dragons," C'nal said in a gruff voice.

"And to yours, sir," R'ayl said politely, returning the salute as
Delorth dipped his head to greet the brown. "Are you a Searchrider too?"

"I'm your escort, so the holders don't--"

"It's a safety precaution, for all Searches," T'lin interrupted. "With
the unrest, the Weyrleader just wants to make sure we're safe." He
shot C'nal a look.

}:Calaroth's says we should not scare the young one,:{ Normyth told his
rider.

C'nal thought he could hardly scare the boy more after Delorth was
poisoned, but he grunted his agreement.

"We're going to Spiderclaw Beach today," T'lin said brightly. It was a
minor hold in Topaz territory, far away from the dangers coming out of
the Emerald Falls area.

"That sounds good. I like spiderclaws! And beaches." Being from an
inland hold, R'ayl had never eaten one until he'd come to the Weyr, but
he'd soon developed a taste for them. He'd also heard that the coastal
holds were often more open and friendly to dragonriders. He didn't know
this hold, though. "Should Delorth and I follow you?"

"Yes, we'll give you the image." T'lin pulled on his riding helmet.
"Mount up, Searchrider!" He grinned.

R'ayl returned his grin and scrambled up to Delorth's back, where he
strapped himself in. Perhaps today they'd find their first Candidate!
**Are you ready, Delorth?**

}:I am,:{ the blue replied. Calaroth might be in charge, but he was just
as eager to try out his new-found ability. He addressed the other two
dragons. }:We are ready.:{

Calaroth made sure the young dragon had the image clearly before T'lin
gave the signal to go /between/. They came out over a hold that was
situated between lush jungle and a sandy beach. Calaroth spiraled down
slowly to give R'ayl and Delorth a good view before they landed in a
small Gather square.

T'lin waved to the curious holders before dismounting and going over
to R'ayl. "Delorth will Search first, and you tell me if he's
interested in anybody. Then Calaroth will look them over and we'll see
if there are any matches. Keep in mind that every Search dragon is
different and it's rare for them to agree on all the same potential
Candidates. Delorth might find someone Cal skips, and vice versa.
Okay?"

"Okay." R'ayl patted Delorth's snout. **Did you get that?**

}:Yes. I will look first, and tell you if I see any who would be good
for hatchlings.:{

**That's right. Wait until they're all here first.** Young holders were
already gathering, whispering to each other and jostling to be at the
front of the crowd. Most of them were older than R'ayl, but he saw a few
about his own age and one girl who looked younger. There was an air of
anticipation, and he saw more than a few longing looks in Delorth's
direction. The young blue noticed as well, and he ruffled his wings and
held his head up proudly.

T'lin glanced back at C'nal. As usual, the brownrider was still
mounted, watching the holders warily. T'lin shook his head in
amusement. Then he asked R'ayl quietly, "Do you want to announce the
Search?"

"Oh - yes," R'ayl replied. The sudden excitement he felt at such an
honor was quickly mixed with nervousness. Would the holders listen to
him? "But what should I say?"

"Introduce all three of us and our dragons, then say we come on Search
for Dolphin Cove Weyr."

R'ayl took a deep breath and walked out in front of the dragons. "Uh -
good day..." He saw some of the holders frowning and leaning closer, and
an elderly auntie cupping a hand to her ear. Blushing, he cleared his
throat and tried to speak up as best he could without shouting. "Good
day to you, Holders. I'm R'ayl, rider of Delorth. This is T'lin, rider
of Calaroth, and..." His mind went blank.

}:Normyth,:{ Delorth reminded him helpfully.

"Normyth. His rider is C'nal," R'ayl finished in relief. His palms felt
damp, and he wiped them surreptitiously on the back of his riding gear.
"Oh! We come on Search for Dolphin Cove Weyr."

T'lin smiled and stepped up beside him. "All those between twelve and
twenty Turns, please line up facing us." Spiderclaw Beach was used to
Searches and many had already started lining up. "All right," he told
R'ayl. "Have Delorth look them over."

**All right, Delorth. Now is your moment to shine.** R'ayl stepped up
and rested his hand lightly on the dragon's snout, thinking his best
encouraging thoughts. **Take your time, like we learned.**

The young blue turned his head towards the young people at the end of
the line, then slowly allowed his gaze to pass along until he reached
the other end. Then he repeated the movement in the opposite direction.
By the time he'd done that, R'ayl thought he must be as nervous as the
potential candidates for the Search.

}:There isn't anyone as strong as those two back at the Weyr,:{ Delorth
said. }:But I like her.:{ He pictured the young girl who R'ayl had
noticed before. She was standing on the end of the row, and he thought
it must be her first Search. }:She feels welcoming. I think she would be
good for a hatchling.:{

**All right. Tell Calaroth.** R'ayl didn't want to say anything out loud
- if he was wrong, he might end up disappointing the young holder girl.

Calaroth passed the information to his rider, then stepped forward to
study the young humans himself. He skimmed quickly over some and
looked a little more closely at others. Some of the boys and girls
began to fidget. Then the blue turned to his rider. }:Some are faint.
Delorth is right, the small girl grows brightest. She would be good
for a dragon.:{

T'lin didn't want to leave the young holders in suspense anymore. He
took a few steps closer to the girl. "You there miss, what's your
name?"

}:You have chosen the one who glows brightest,:{ Calaroth told Delorth
in a warm voice.

}:Calaroth agrees with me,:{ Delorth told R'ayl proudly. }:We found a
Candidate!:{

**Wait, she needs to accept the Search first,** R'ayl warned his blue,
though from the expression of awe on the girl's face, he didn't think
that would be a problem.

"M-me? I'm Merika." The girl's eyes went wide. "I mean - Bluerider. Sir."

"Merika, you have the honor of being Searched by _two_ dragons today,"
T'lin said. "But it's your choice whether to accept, and you can also
wait until you're older." She looked barely old enough to Stand.

"I'm twelve. That's old enough, isn't it?" Merika looked longingly at
the dragons. The disappointed young holders had begun to drift away, but
a couple approached. From the mingled pride and concern in their
expressions, R'ayl guessed they might be the girl's parents.

T'lin nodded. "But you still have plenty of time to think about it."
He drew a Search token from a pouch and offered it to her. "You can
stay here for a while with your family, and come to the Weyr later. Or
you could come with us today if you're eager."

Merika looked torn - drawn to the dragons, but uncertain about the
sudden, enormous change in her life.

"Perhaps she could come in a few days, dragonriders?" the older man
suggested, glancing at his wife. "I'm Merigel, Merika's father. We're
honored by your dragons' choice, but if we could have a little time to
prepare, and say goodbye to the family?"

"Of course. It's a hard choice to make." T'lin gave them an
understanding smile. "Please, take all the time you need."

The girl closed her fingers tightly around the token. "I do want to
come. Your dragons are so beautiful - but I'd like to say goodbye to
Grandmother, and my friends."

"We could come back. It's no distance at all to dragons," R'ayl
suggested shyly, hoping he wasn't speaking out of turn. "I was twelve
too, when I came to the Weyr. Everyone is really kind and friendly, and
you can learn all about what it's like to be a weyrling in class, and
help the riders to bathe their dragons."

T'lin looked over at him with a smile. His enthusiasm would do him
well as a Searchrider.

"I'd like that," Merika said, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of
helping with a dragon.

"Thank you, blueriders." Merigel's face relaxed, and he sounded
reassured. "We heard that there are eggs on the Sands at Dolphin Cove
now - is it true? Will she need to come soon?"

"If she wants to make it for this clutch, yes," T'lin said.

"I'd like to try." The girl glanced hopefully at her parents.

"The Weyrlingmaster said it'd be another sevenday at least," R'ayl said.
"But it's good to have a few days to settle in and attend some classes."

"Would after the next restday be convenient?" Merika's mother asked,
sounding a little nervous at speaking to the dragonriders. "Then we
could have that day as a family..."

"That's fine," T'lin said. "It might be a bit of a whirlwind if you do
Impress," he told Merika. "But you should enjoy a little extra time
with your family. I'm holdbred too, and leaving was a hard choice.
We're still close, and thanks to Calaroth I can visit them more often
now."

The girl took a deep breath. "All right. I'll come after the next
restday." She sounded both thrilled and overwhelmed by her own daring.
"My duty to you, Calaroth and Delorth. Thank you for Searching me!"

Once she'd left with her parents, R'ayl couldn't suppress his excitement
any longer, though he'd been trying to act like a seasoned Searchrider
who found candidates every day. He beamed. "We found one!"

His enthusiasm was so cute. T'lin was glad the Weyrlingmaster had
agreed to pair them up for Search training. "Delorth found one." T'lin
patted R'ayl's shoulder and then looked up at the blue. "Good job."

Delorth had no such restraint about showing his pride, and he raised his
head and bugled, drawing looks of surprise from a few lingering holders.
}:My first Candidate!:{

R'ayl patted his lifemate's neck. **The first of many.**

Last updated on the April 11th 2024

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A Successful First Search