A Race for the Gold.

Writers: Avery, Emma, Roxanne, Vix
Date Posted: 10th January 2008

Characters: Jyramikah, C'lor, Br'nick, K'deren, I'lan, D'veck
Description: Ikoladith rises to mate and is pursued by Hayreith, Cendarnth, Naath, Donneth, Gannoth, and Rogueth.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 27 of Turn 4

K'deren

Jyramikah had been feeling irritable for the past few days and was snapping at anyone for no particular reason. She knew it would only be a matter of time before her gold rose to mate so when Ikoladith announced her intentions of ripping into a few herdbeasts it wasn't a surprise.
The goldrider was all too happy to have a valid excuse to put off the record updating she was currently involved in.

**Do _not_ touch any of those beasts until I get there.** she told her gold sternly as she headed out to the feeding grounds. She didn't pay attention to any of the people trying to get her attention as she strode quickly to where her gold was impatiently waiting.

}:You're too slow. I could have eaten two or three in the time it took you to get here.:{ the gold snarled as she took flight and eyed one of the larger herdbeasts. She dove to snag the chosen beast and drained it savoring the feel of the warm blood going down her throat.

Jyramikah shook her head and reminded her gold forcefully, **Blood only, Ikoladith.** She had to strain not to lose herself in the gold's need for blood and desire to rip the second carcass to pieces. **Blood only, you need to fly high today!** she reminded her gold who looked up and saw the males gathering.

~*~ ~*~
Hayreith had been finishing his meal when the gold entered the feeding grounds. }:Ikoladith rises and I will catch her.:{ the bronze told his rider as he watched the gold intently.

C'lor had just sat down to get himself something to eat, but settled for eating a meatroll along his way to the feeding grounds. **You're really going to chase her?** the young man asked not sure if he wanted to experience another gold flight. Not winning a gold flight was more draining on his energy than a green flight for some reason he couldn't really explain.

}:I will chase and win, you'll see.:{ the bronze replied.

~*~ ~*~
Br'nick wasn't surprised when Cendarnth announced that he was going to chase Ikoladith. He had spoken to the goldrider a few times the last sevenday and it had not been very pleasant. He still wasn't sure what had gotten Jyramikah so upset, but he had suspected that it might have something to do with her gold. His weyrmate had always acted the same way shortly before her green would rise.

Cendarnth had caught the gold once before and was more than willing to do so again. He glanced around at his competion and knew that this would be his chance to win again. So far there were only younger bronzes and several browns waiting for the gold to take flight.

~*~

}:She's beautiful,:{ the young bronze told his rider. }::So beautiful, and going to be mine!{
**What?**

}:Ikoladith, she's mine!:{ There was more force to the words of the bronze, and I'lan knew that he had to make his way to where the rest of the dragons were bound to be gathered.

~*~

}:A gold! Ikoladith!:{ That was all K'deren needed to set his hidework aside and follow the sounds of dragons calling to the gold. No doubt she'd be blooding her kills and Donneth felt the imperative to chase her rising. K'deren could feel a pleasant anticipation as well, maybe the fact that Donneth had won once would impress the gold again.

~*~*~*~

"So suppose we get together and . . ." D'veck paused in his conversation with the young woman in the dining hall.

}:I will chase!:{ Gannoth made the announcement to his rider, his tone brooking no argument.

Not that the bronzerider would have argued anyhow. He gave his companion a smile and a wink. "I guess we'll have to wait until another time -
flight."

He strode purposefully toward the exit of the dining cavern. Apparently he would not have to bother with small talk right now, since there were always eager bystanders available if Gannoth did not win the flight.

~*~

Ikoladith started draining the blood from a second herdbeast and suddenly dropped it in favor of taking to the skies with a unmistakable challenge to those who dared try to catch her. Jyramikah let her gold take over and they made their way skyward at a rapid pace.

The males weren't long in coming after her. Cendarnth and Hayreith lost no time in answering her challenge as they both vied for a good position in the pack of pursuers.

Donneth wasn't far behind; not far at all being comparable in size to some of the smaller bronze dragons. He bugled his intentions, making sure that they were heard by all.

}:Ikoladith rises and I chase!:{ Rogueth announced to K'ran. }:I will claim her.:{
**Not again!** the bronzerider thought. He hated when Rogueth chased, hated being out of control of his own body, hated the forced lust and the thought that he could wake up with someone he didn't know. He didn't like the idea of sex being out of his control.

Rogueth, characteristically ignoring his rider's opinion on the matter in his desire for the gold, leapt into the air. }:Ikoladith! Beautiful queen, we could fly well.:{ he announced to her, chasing after her on strong wingbeats.

Although Gannoth had not told him much, had told him nothing beyond that there was a dragon rising, D'veck could surmise that it was a gold. The emotions running through him were stronger than if the dragon had been a green. "This could be very interesting," the bronzerider said to himself.

The gold was in rare form as she led the pursuing males in a very roundabout chase above the Weyr. She had yet to see one that caught her fancy and was more than determined to outlast them all. Jyramikah could feel the presence of the riders who waited nearby hoping that their dragon would be the one to win the heart of her golden beauty.

C'lor watched as Hayreith followed the gold knowing that they were not anywhere experienced enough to get close to winning a gold flight. The young bronze loved to chase any female that rose and would continue to do so even if he never won a flight.

Cendarnth had caught the gold once before and was trying his hardest to do so again. His rider was not holding back any support which spurred the bronze on as he battled his way through the pack trying to get in the front unsuccessfully.

After what seemed like forever, Ikoladith was beginning to tire and started to drift a little, but managed to evade the overeager bronze who tried to claim her as his own.

Hayreith decided that he had enough of chasing the gold as his wings began to tire and he made his way back towards the feeding grounds. His rider understood, but not after an attempt to encourage the bronze to keep trying.

Cendarnth had the gold in his sights and attempted to catch her unsuccessfully. He roared his frustration and redoubled his efforts as his attempt landed him further behind the gold than he had been. He would get another chance at the gold for sure.

Donneth needed to do this, for himself and his rider. The brown could see Ikoladith. He wanted her, needed her and tried to get close, but a bronze blur summoned up some speed from somewhere.

That was Naath, he spotted Ikoladith and beat his wings furiously to get past the older dragons. With that speed, and a lucky break from a thermal he was able to glide into Ikoladith's path. Wings extended, he hoped that he would be the one.

Gannoth back-winged, the other bronze edging in front of him and frustrating his own bid to catch the gold. He expressed his regrets to his rider, who simply shrugged it off with assurance that next time they would do better.

Rogueth was tiring, but he had managed to last the flight so far. He hadn't yet fallen out of the flight, and he was determined not to- not before she made his choice. He pushed forward, wings straining, and found himself tantalizingly close to her. }:Ikoladith, choose me!:{ he cried.

Ikoladith didn't see the young bronze until it was too late. She reluctantly let him catch her and they started their downward spiral in a tangle of wings and claws. Jyramikah was glad the flight was over and she let the rider whose dragon had caught hers lead them to the closest weyr.

Hayreith had headed to the beach to go swimming and work off the flight lust. C'lor shrugged off the advances of the women who tended to hang around flights to help console the riders who didn't win the flight. He didn't want just anyone, but then he saw a lovely young lady who was waiting for him.

Br'nick felt the frustration of his dragon and shook his head to clear it of the dragonlust. He had work to do and didn't need to be distracted any longer today. Cendarnth lamented about the fact that he had been so close to being the one. It made the bronzerider laugh.

Last updated on the January 12th 2008

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A Race for the Gold.