Running Partners

Writers: Draconafin, Eimi
Date Posted: 22nd November 2005

Characters: Az'uka, Birigundi
Description: Az'uka meets Birigundi on a run
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 26 of Turn 3

Birigundi

Birigundi could spot a fellow runner from a mile away. There was something about the way a person carried themself when they had run for a living. The runner ahead of him moved economically, saving his energy to as to last him a long time. The candidate decided to waste a little of his reserves to catch up to the man ahead of him.

It had taken him a little longer to catch up since he had assumed the man was closer than he really was. Birigundi soon realized it was a trick of his eyes as the man was actually much taller than he had first thought him to be! "Excuse me," he said as he reached the rather tall man's side, "but you're new here, aren't you."

Az'uka heard the voice at his side and half spun on his heal, slowing his pace a little as he looked at who had spoken. The other male runner was at lest a foot smaller than him but it was no matter a friend was a friend. He gave a smile. "Yes, I'm Az'uka". It was fascinating that the people of the Weyr took such a shine to newcomers. The two where even passed and he guessed the younger runner beside him had been training for some time.

There was a stirring at the back of his mind as Nilzuth decided to but in. }: Friends already? :{ the dragon half stated to his rider and a soft smile flickered across Az'uka's face. **Looks that way**

"I'm Birigundi," the candidate smiled up at him, realizing that would have to run a bit faster than he was accustomed to in order to keep up with the much taller dragon rider. "So you're a trained runner, I take it?"

"That obvious, huh?" He replied in a manner that made the question rhetorical. "I used to take part in the Runner Craft only got as far as a Senior Apprentice before Nilzuth knocked me over." That brought a smile to his face, remembering that occasion. Although life as a Runner had severed him well, and there where even aspects of it he missed, at times. That's why he kept running; old habits die hard after all.

"Me too. But I have been knocked over yet. It's only a matter of time, though," he stated confidently. "Where did you come from?"

"Originally Far Island Weyr, I was born and breed as a Weyr-brat. However my father wasn't too impressed" He rolled his shoulders a little as if trying to remove a bad memory or experience, "My Mother and I left the Weyr and found our way to a nearby Hold, which I can never remember the name off." He gave a small laugh. "When I became a Runner I had to deliver a message to the Weyr and much to my surprise those at the Weyr who remembered me urged me to stand again, and the rest led me here." It was short and kind of to the point, but trying to talk and run at the same time required that, too much and he would have winded himself.
"Where are you from then?" He asked it seemed that curiosity was getting the best of him.

"I'm from a runner station just about halfway between here and Amethyst Cliff Hold. My father was the Station Master there. He died when I was still very young, but my mother stayed on and is now running the tavern there. The new station master - Fergus - he kind of became a father to me and I naturally followed in his footsteps."

"I guessing apart from the part where you get your dragon then?" Az'uka half asked and half stated. It seemed that this young Runner had high expectations and so had he at that stage of his life. "Have you been a candidate for long?" The dragon rider asked, knowing some people spent turns trying to Impress.

"Two turns. But I have still have plenty of chances left," Birigundi replied. He was starting to feel the burning in his legs a bit. Since he came to the Weyr he hadn't found anyone who could keep up with him at his pace and distance, let alone _outpace_ him...

"Sounds like your pretty eager to get back on those sands then." Az'uka half noticed the younger runner's strain or at lest he thought he did. "Did you want to stop for a while?" The run had been good, but a break and a mug of Klah, was sounding just as good right about now.

"Oh, I'm all right for a while longer," the younger man said, noticing that the words were starting to get a little harder to push out so easily. But he would go /between/ before he gave up! Besides, it was about time he pushed himself a little. Still... he was starting to get tired... He couldn't be sure how much further he could go at this pace... "Unless you _want_ to stop..."

He smiled, it sounded almost like a challenge, turning to face the younger Runner. "How about we try and get back to the Lower Caverns" Az'uka suggested as the pair of them kept running. It was a sort of compromise; neither of them seemed to want to give up the run. At the time it seemed fair for both of them, that way neither would have a bruised pride at the end, so to speck.

"Sounds good," Birigundi nodded. He knew he could make it at _least_ that far at this pace. Shards, and he thought _he_ had long legs... Just how tall was this guy?!

He wondered _just_ how much his new friend was pushing himself to keep up. Az'uka's mother had suggested him to be a Runner considering the length of his legs, some people had told him he wouldn't grow as tall as he had, and he guessed they where wrong. Just ahead of them he could see the open atmosphere of the Lower Caverns. Casting one eye behind him he caught sight of Nilzuth on one of the ridges, It seemed the dragon had been watching the both of them or had fallen asleep.

Birigundi was still doing all right. He was certainly happy to see the Lower caverns in view! He would have to find this runner again some time. It was good to himself sometimes, and this run was certainly stretching him a bit. Hey, he could only improve, he told himself.

They neared the Lower Caverns, both slowly their pace in order not to run into anyone. It had been enjoyable having someone to run with after all his turns as a runner Az'uka had almost always run solo. A thought crossed his mind, may be the pair of them should run together more often.

"That was a good run, Az'uka," Birigundi said as they came to a stop. He put his hands on his hips, more than a little winded, but his eyes were bright from the exercise. "I don't mind admitting that was a bit of a stretch for me."

"Indeed it was, perhaps we the pair of us have some space time we should do it again" He remarked turning to face the younger runner. "Bit of a stretch...At lest you enjoyed it Birigundi and I enjoyed your company too." It was true his own breathe was catching a little, I guess that's what happens we I don't excise for a sevenday or two, he thought.

"That we will," Birigundi smiled, his breath a bit easier now. A mischievous gleam shone in his eyes. "I'll race you to the bathing chamber," he cried before heading for the door at a sprint.

"What, give a guy some warning!" Az'uka cried out as the younger runner bolted off in the direction of the bathing chambers. The challenge was on, he broke into his own lengthy stride at a sprint, taking after Birigundi. Taking a corner at full speed he nearly collided with another Weyr Resident. Giving a rushed apology he continued his race with the young candidate.

Last updated on the November 22nd 2005

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