Searching and Shadowing ('Neris)

[kayla]

Jeyna had been very glad to let Amneris know that she was going Search Riding and that it would be a good opportunity from some Shadowing if she wanted to come along. She also intended, if the Search was unsuccessful to take Amneris to a secluded beach to spend some time together outside of the Weyr, but she did not mention that to the young woman. After all, she did not want to do anything to make either of them want not to find a Candidate - the Weyr needed it too much.

Jeyna was one who looked rather striking in her riding leathers, especially when she wore her nicer ones - which she always did for Searches. A good impression did a lot in swaying reluctant parents to let their child come to be corrupted by Weyr life - though few parents thought about that part when their child was being told he (or rarely she) could be a potential Dragon Rider. She and Ragoth landed with a bit of a flourish, and she glanced over to watch Amneris and Labeth land. The moment of waiting would assure that there would be a full throng to meet the dragons and their Riders by the time their feet touched the ground - and allowed Jeyna a moment to see the lovely Green Rider.

Mine, do try to focus. The Holders are coming out to meet us, and you leering at Labeth's will not help them feel better about Riders.

But she's so very nice to look at.

And you look at her a lot now, so focus.

Jeyna chuckled and spoke aloud to Ragoth, but softly so that the gathering crowd would not hear her, "Yes, oh wise one. Now you focus on Searching, but remember, see what Labeth notices before you do more than say anything to me. Don't give any hint to the Holders of who a possibility is, or to Labeth. Let's see what she can do without us. I know we'll be pleased."

[hrsegrl]

At first the day had begun in a rather slow way. Sure she had Weyrling class but that was the same old thing lately. On her way out of the Barracks, Amneris ran into Jeyna. The bluerider had a Search to go on and Amneris was to shadow her! The younger woman beamed about this and didn't take long to get Labeth and herself ready.

She looked Jeyna over before they got in the air but didn't say anything. There were times when it was better to just be quiet and enjoy someone's comapny. The green proptly followed Ragoth into the air. They arrived in Crom where it was increasingly apparent they were not used to seeing dragons in the sky all the time. Not like Telgar.

People are coming to see us. This might be normal, we'd ahve to ask Jeyna and Ragoth though.Labeth landed with practiced precision. Amneris dismounted and walked over to Jeyna with a smile. "What is the plan?" The bluerider would probably tell her how to deal with the holders and what they are looking for. She didn't see anyone here more attractive than the pair of them but that didn't mean anything. Labeth and Ragoth would decide who was worthy, if anyone, to return to the Weyr with them.

[kayla]

Jeyna smiled at the young woman, "I want you to have Labeth give attention to the young ones, see if she senses any potentials. And yes, I know you're supposed to be shadowing, but since I'm the one in charge here, I see no reason not to let you get some practice. Ragoth will be checking as well, but he won't be sharing his finds except with me."

She stepped forward towards the gathering crowd gesturing for Amneris to keep up with her. "You are going to come with me, to get an idea of how to deal with the crowd. Since we're not at the main hold, the protocol is a little bit less stringent."

She smiled when she was in hearing distance of the gathered crowd and bowed slightly to them. "Holders of Crom. We bring tidings from Telgar Weyr and have come to search to see if any of your children could be Candidates. Do we have permission for our Dragons to Search?"

There was a moment before the local minor Holder came forward and shook his head, "Why should we be letting you steal any more of our children? You already stole the heir. What more can you want from us?"

Jeyna thought she was ready for this response. She knew Crom was difficult, but usually they could be talked around. A young person once searched, often claimed their right if nothing else, and if the rank of the parents was low enough, that usually sufficed. But the accusation of stealing the heir? There were no heirs among the Candidates - they tended to be off limits.

"We stole the heir? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Of course you don't. Be gone. You're not wanted here."

[hrsegrl]

Amneris nodded, "Of course." She wanted Labeth to get some practice in. The green was obviously excited about all of this. Hopefully this would prepare them for the future. The young blonde followed Jeyna and smiled. "Are the minor holders easier to deal with?" She though they might be. After all this illness she wasn't sure what to expect from holders.

Jeyna had been polite and formal. Amneris stood watching their faces grow angry. They did not want anything to do with dragons. It was apparent before anyone had said a word. Amneris was not sure what was going on but she knew for a fact none of the Candidates at Telgar was an heir. What were they supposed to say to that? Amneris had never heard of anyone getting this sort of response on Search.

She whispered to Jeyna,"Jeyna, maybe we should leave..." The younger woman was a little nervous about the hate in their voices when they spoke of dragons. She looked nervously back at her green. Maybe these people had a bad experience or maybe there was something going on they didn't know about. Perhaps they should tell the Weyrwoman. If she already knew, why hadn't the Search riders been informed?

[kayla]

Jeyna nodded and spoke softly, "I was thinking the same thing."

The minor holders were supposed to be easier to deal with, even at Crom, they usually took very little convincing before they came around - not usually being as invested in being "anti-Weyr" as the Lord and Lady Holders were.

"Very well. When your children dream of being Riders, please, tell them that you're the reason they won't be."

Jeyna turned, gesturing for Amneris to come with her. So much for a secluded beach. This needed to be reported immediately. Though perhaps after that they could get some time alone. Though investigations would need to be done to find out what the Holder was talking about.

She mounted Ragoth and smiled reassuringly over to Amneris, she hated that this had been her first experience out, but she had handled herself well, and Jeyna would make sure that M'ren knew that.

Ragoth, did either you or Labeth notice anyone?

[hrsegrl]

Just their luck. Amneris thought to herself. Labeth understood that these people were not happy and that they would be leaving. It hadn't stopped her from looking them over. She had sensed someone but that person was not among this group. Thats okay dear. We are going to report this and then we may be able to come back, with more riders and give the person a chance.

Amneris mounted the green with less ease than Jeyna had Ragoth but she figured that was practice. "I wonder who did steal the heir..." She thought out loud, always an inquisitive sort. Maybe someone was trying to frame the dragonriders? That would be horrible.

The experience had already taught her that there were some situations where the safety of ones dragon could be at stake. She would never let anything happen to Labeth, not for some unhatched dragon. Maybe that was selfish but why should she have to risk her own dragon for some kid who might not impress? She shouldn't.

It would irritate her if the Weyrleaders knew about all this and then sent them on Search without mentioning it. There had to be some rumor going around about it. If Crom was missing an heir, who else might be responsible? Were any other Holds having a similair problem?
Dragonriders were here to protect the people, they wouldn't steal children. Even children of Candidate age.

[kayla]

"I don't know, but we're going to report this. Hopefully, we can get to the bottom of this." She offered her a reassuring smile. "Let's go home. You got the image to between or do you want to fly?" Crom wasn't too far, so flying was possible. "If you're not sure, we fly."

She gestured for them to go ahead and take to the sky, but Ragoth would wait for Labeth, protecting the younger Green.

[hrsegrl]

"We have the image." Amneris said after consulting Labeth. The green was confident in her terrain recognition, especially of Telgar Weyr. They always practiced that. "Alrigth then, lets go." Labeth took her rider between to Telgar Weyr.