The Firelizard Wherry

Writers: Cali, AL
Date Posted: 18th October 2008

Characters: Sorsha, Ri'len
Description: Railen asks Sorsha to meet him after dark.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 11 of Turn 4

Sorsha tried to focus on the needle and thread in front of her as she sat by the hearth. Karai had her working on her embroidery _again_ in the hopes that her skills would improve, but Sorsha was starting to think that she was only getting worse. The firelizard that she had started working on this morning was now looking more like a fat wherry and if she couldn't salvage it she was afraid Karai would have her keep at it this afternoon as well. It didn't help that her thoughts kept straying to I'lan and to her home as they so often did, but she hadn't seen either in nearing a whole month and sitting here by herself all day was only making her think about them more.

"You're getting better." A familiar voice piped up. Railen drew up to the girl and gave her an easy smile. He gazed upon her work and his smile grew. It wasn't anything like what the other girls did, but he couldn't help but like it. And she was getting better, if not as skilled as his mother or other women in the hold. He could actually make out what she was trying to create. "How are you this morning?"

Sorsha smiled up at him as she stood, unconsciously hiding the piece of embroidery she was holding behind her back. "My fingers ache." she wrinkled her nose as she flexed her fingers in front of her. "How'd you get away, I thought you were doing posts this morning." "I'm just taking a quick break - had to get something to drink." Railen shook his head and motioned to Sorsha's chair. "Sit down, don't stop your work on my account. Are you up for our afternoon ride?"

She grinned sheepishly at him. "If your mother lets me." she replied, holding up the wherry/firelizard. Her riding lessons with Railen were her favorite part at Willet Grove, it gave her a chance to be herself without worrying what everyone else was expecting from her.

"You _are_ getting better." Railen reiterated when he saw the expression on her face. "I want this one when you're done, if that's all right. I know right where I can hang it."

Sorsha's eyes rounded, "You _cannot_ hang this! In fact, you can only have it on the condition that you will hide it away some place no one will _ever_ see it!"

"I was going to hang it in my room. Hardly anyone ever goes in there anyway." Railen laughed softly. "Come on Sorsha, it's cute. I like it." Much like he liked _her_. "Besides...if you give it to me...well, I'll have a surprise for you this evening." Well, he was going to have a surprise for her regardless of whether or not she gave it to him.

She pursed her lips, trying to decide if he'd keep his word or if he'd show it off and make fun of her with it. He wasn't really like that though, she remembered how shy he had been back at Green Bend... "Alright, you can hang it in your room... in your wardrobe."

Railen laughed. "I suppose that's better than nothing." He took a step forward, drawing close and leaned down as he whispered, "Can you meet me after my sisters have gone to sleep? At the southern door?"

"Why?" Sorsha asked suspiciously. Where were they going that he didn't want anyone to know about?

The young man gave Sorsha a warm smile. "It's a surprise, just for you. There's something I want to show you."

She almost said no, it really wasn't proper to sneak off after bedtime, her father wouldn't have approved if she had still been at Green Bend and she was sure Karai and Serend wouldn't either. Still, she trusted Railen, and if he wasn't worried... "Alright, but we shouldn't stay out long."

"We'll be back before anyone knows we're gone." Railen assured her. "I should get going. I've got to finish up my work before lunch." He hesitated a moment, then reached out to gently touch her shoulder. His face twisted with uncertainty. Finally, he let his hand drop and stepped back. "See you at mid meal." Without waiting for her answer, he turned and trotted off.

Last updated on the October 18th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

The Firelizard Wherry