A new life (D'wyr)

[hrsegrl]

Laszreen had not left the Lake after the class had finished bathing. It was a beautiful day but to the Bitran raised woman it was too hot. Igen Weyr had been her home for a little over seven months but she still could not stand the insane heat. Elfreth had rested in the sun for a little while, happily undisturbed. For once the Weyrling Goldrider wasn't getting stopped every few minutes to be talked to about Elfreth. The little Gold was born to lead as had her mother and her mother before her. Laszreen had been raised to lead, a different thing entirely.

It was stressful dealing with people while trying to care for a creature that was growing at such a rapid rate she was afraid to miss one speck of her hide with the oil. Though the little Gold was waking slowly her rider was quick to get up and wait. She wanted to take the little one back to the Barracks but was sick of being stared at. Elfreth was a dragon just like any other dragon and she needed her space.

Maybe Laszreen was being overly protective but the new junior of Igen was not about to let her gaurd down. The Gold was blissfully unaware of the special attention paid to her. Actually she seemed to think this was all normal. They look at me because they now I'm more beautiful then they will ever be...Such an ego. Laszreen knew she was a proud, arrogant and vain person as well and could not condemn the Gold for saying what some people actually thought.

[laionii]

Hold life had never been nearly as interesting as life in the Weyrling barracks. Danwyr, now D’wyr was the proud (though perhaps not proud enough for Svarth’s liking) Rider of the only bronze from the Junior Queen’s clutch. Quite used to hard work he diligently fed, bathed and oiled his charge though perhaps not to the dragon’s content. He was a needy thing and every bit as vain as a queen for all his preening.

Warm brown eyes rested on the beaten copper back of the rapidly growing dragon the creatures hide gleaming brightly in the afternoon sun.
I want to swim D’wyr, and catch fishes. The dragonet whined. D’wyr finally caved watching the little beast charge into the sun warmed waters.
don’t go out too far.

The bronze cast a look back at him. Elfreth and Laszreen are coming this way. he commented before he attempted to snap up a fish. It proved futile however as his prey escaped him. A quick study he set about to try again after giving Elfreth his greeting.

D’wyr gazed at the approaching pair, the pale queen as fine a sight as anything. Laszreen too was especially radiant today, not that D’wyr put much faith in looks. It was character that counted.

“Good day Laszreen, you are looking well.” In all likely hood the pair would move on, but he knew better than to be rude.

[hrsegrl]

The little Gold saw the Bronze playing in the water and wanted to do the same. Laszreen was afraid that the little Queen would get it into her head that she could swim into deeper waters. The little thing was always testing her to see what she could get away with. Do you promise not to go out to deep water? I can not save you if you start to have trouble.I will stay where it is shallow.Elfreth was not at all shy and began walking into the lake where the Bronze played. Greetings Svarth. I am joining you. The Gold would never have thought to ask if he wanted company. Who didn't want her company?

Laszreen shook her head at her dragon and realized she was much more like Elfreth than she knew. "My thanks." She said, not really knowing how to be friendly. Laszreen knew it was something she needed to work on. Her diplomatic, cold eyes were not something she could change to warm and caring on a whim. "I see you and Svarth are doing well. I hope he doesn't mind, she wanted to swim with another dragon. She is rather social..." Unlike Laszreen who wouldn't mind if everyone in the Weyr left them alone for once.

The small brunette was now standing a few feet from the new Bronzerider. She had no idea what to say now. Actually she really hoped he would just talk about the dragons, then they wouldn't have to talk about themselves too much. Laszreen didn't think that telling everyone about herself was a good idea. Bitrans had enough trouble with other people without adding family too it.

[laionii]

The little bronze puffed up with pride, though showed little surprise. Any queen would be pleased to have such a one as him at her side. Bright copper flashed as did the darker bronze of his underbelly as he surfaced.

Good, the water is cool, feels nice after the hot sun. There are lots of fish swimming about, most look quite tasty. the little dragon dove to snap at a large silver blur, but the rest of the fished managed to escape leaving him with a portion of the tail fin. .Once more he adapted his tactics.

D’wyr could not help but grin at the musings of the bronze creature, Svarth lacked no confidence. He was not thrilled to see Laszreen or her little golden companion but it could not be helped, and he was not about to be rude to her. She was the kind of person he supposed had her mind set more on goals than people, and didn’t seem to take up too many genuine friends.

A smile crossed his lips as she spoke. “Thanks, and no Not at all, if anything he will probably be boasting to the other weyrlings that Elfreth wanted to swim with him. Not that he doesn’t do enough boasting as it is.” D’wyr sighed.

“come and sit, if you wish. Svarth I think is determined not to leave the water until he catches himself a fish.” He looked back at the dragon keeping close watch should his weyr mate bite off more than he could chew.

[hrsegrl]

Elfreth stopped at the edge of the water. Not too cold I hope. She didn't want to feel that cold. Maybe a little cold but not freezing. Or as her rider described Between being. That was supposed to be very very cold. She decided to put her front right foot into the water first. Then began to wade in until the water came to her wings. The Queen ducked under but not for a fish and then came back up. She continued playful diving and splashing about while taking time here and there to look back at her rider.

Laszreen responded cooly, "He is a Bronze, they are born that way." Speaking of Bronzes made her think of Ionuth which made her think of J'var, whom she had been trying not to think about. Not only did she not know where they stood but she didn't want their previous relationship to trouble Elfreth. Laszreen kept her emotions towards people as closed off as possible until Elfreth reached an age where she could understand human attachment.

"Alright." She said, still akward about conversing with someone else of her class. Sure they could talk about dragons but she highly doubted that D'wyr saw her as anything but a the rider of a Gold dragon. Thats what power brought you, and she fully accepted it. Laszreen had always wanted position and power and now she would have them. Till the day she died. She sat down with more a warrior's grace than simply the grace of a woman. As often as she spent practicing it was to be expected. At least she was allowed to continue sparring now that she was a Weyrling.

"He might do better if he tries using his tail as bait." Laszreen had a lot of general knowledge, that was altogether useless. Or what she considered useless. Like she would ever need to fish for herself? After being away from her parents for months, she realized how truly crazed and single minded they were.

[laionii]

D’wyr considered her words for a moment before speaking.

“True but his superiority should be just as much earned as it is birthright. Don’t get me wrong he will grow into a fantastic dragon, but he needs to learn the basics and the value of true respect verses something given out of obligation.” If the bronze rider earned respect he wanted it to have meaning and merit. He would work just as hard if not harder than the other weyrlings to prove his merit. Very few things were ever simply handed to D’wyr and he was in the habit of working for them. He glanced over at the dark curls of his companion in contemplation.

“What about you Laszreen, you now have all the power you could ever want, but what are you going to do with it?” he asked. She was always so distant from the rest of their group, always superior or at least that was the aura the woman gave off.

He blinked at her suggestion and relayed it to Svarth, supprised that the haughty girl knew anything about fishing. Maybe there was more to her than the superior veneer she showed the rest of the world, and maybe he was just kidding himself, still it didn’t hurt to try to make a friend.

Svarth tried wiggling the tips of his tail at a distance and gave a surprised yelp when a large silver fish decided to nibble. His tail whipped sharply sending the fish flying onto the bank. As though he meant to do the whole thing he trotted up to the shore line and sunk his teeth into the soft cool meat hard enough for D’wyr to realize it was retribution for the nip on his tail. He was a little surprised when he offered some to Elfreth, the little pig usually gobbling every morsel himself.

Its good to make friends D’wyr. D’wyr felt there was some deeper meaning behind the bronze’s words though at the moment he couldn’t fathom it.

[hrsegrl]

The nice thing about being highest ranked was that one didn't have to take any crap from Bronzeriding know it alls. The fact that he thought Svarth should have to prove himself to the other dragons was sad. Dragons were not like humans. Not from what she had learned of them. Elfreth and Svarth both had a birthright. Laszreen had had one herself and from the time she was old enough to understand she had been trained and programmed to do that particular job. The dragons innately knew that a Gold was in charge. Elfreth had no need to prove herself. Laszreen rolled her eyes, she was not prepared for all these people thinking she had a plan for everything.

Being a Goldrider automatically made everyone suddenly interested in what she brought to the table. The aloof woman said, "I will do what I must do to maintain and improve the Weyr. I'd personally like to see more interaction between Weyr and Hold alike though that seems to be more of a dream than an actuality. The Holders will not wait much longer to let the Weyr know how they truly feel about tithing protectors who have nothing to protect them from." Laszreen was not a fool. What she lacked in human compassion she more than made up for with her cleverness.

"My plans for the future are not yet cemented. I feel there are still some things about the inner workings of the Weyr that I do not yet, fully comprehend. I could run a Hold but a Weyr is a different story." She realized that she would also be dealing with delinquent riders and rulebreakers. Of course there was Headwoman Janesa too. That woman might hate her forever and would be hard to work with that way. She had cause to dislike Laszreen now, after impressing Elfreth over her two daughters and of course there was J'var's attachment to her. No matter, she would find a way to make the situation work. "And you D'wyr, you have the ability to acquire a position of power. Does power not tempt you at all?"

Elfreth was pleased that she was still able to swim. She usually grew tired or hurt herself by now. The Gold heard Svarth's offer and waded over to him. The fish was shiny but she wasn't that hungry and as Laszreen said, she was on a strict eating and sleeping schedule. My thanks but I already ate today. The Queen looked up at her rider before wading back in deeper.

Laszreen watched as the little Gold tried more underwater antics but made no move to reprimand her for being out so deep. Elfreth would realize she was out too far and come back in. The dragon was smart enough for that, she hoped.

[laionii]

At the girl’s eye roll he felt the impulse to return it. He had never cared much for the girl, but he always did his best to be pleasant, they came from different worlds really. He didn’t hate her, but there was a growing sense of discomfort about the girl. Svarth played with Elfreth naturally, no lengthy pasts in different worlds separated them. He wished he had the same care free attitude.

He listened to her words with genuine interest absorbing them carefully. She spoke of being a Weyrwoman, and the things she wanted to accomplish as such, but he wondered if she had other goals beyond that. He glanced away nodding in agreement at the separation between the holds and the Weyr’s. He felt a note of disharmony however on the subject of thread.

“You believe then that Thread will not return?” he asked curiously. It didn’t seem to reason that the threat could have been illuminated. Nothing ever just stopped entirely the world moved in a cycle. Though he didn’t think it would approach in the near future, he couldn’t believe that it would be ruled out completely.

“Power is a thing to be used with great caution and wisdom. I will do my duty to the Weyr, but how far that duty will extend I know not. Svarth and I must get through Weyrling training first.” He wanted to learn first, to excel at what he did, and then leap into whatever responsibility was thrown at him.

Svarth did not seem upset by Elfreth’s refusal. He simply seemed content that she was enjoying herself. Unlike D’wyr he had no qualms about the pale queen. She was a Queen, he a bronze, it seemed only natural to want to please her. Once he had made quick work with the fish he returned to playing with her.

[hrsegrl]

Laszreen knew better than to speak against what the Weyrwomen and Weyrleaders had told the Weyr. Igen Weyr, as a whole, believed that Thread would not be returning. As the new Junior Weyrwoman she had to agree and the numbers proved it, Thread was two hundred turns late. It was highly unlikely that it would return. "As you well know, D'wyr, Igen Weyr has made it clear to all riders and dragons that Thread is no longer a threat." A diplomatic answer also known as a non answer. She had answered him but failed to give her own opinion. Laszreen was a logical person but found that she too was concerned with the what ifs.

At this time she would prefer not to talk about important subjects with those who may not have any say in how the Weyr was run. "And you find me too young to be wise and too bold to be cautious." She answered but took none of those thoughts to heart. Laszreen was young and bold and incredibly arrogant.
She thought herself better than him more because of his lack of ambition than anything. He sounded like he had little interest in leading, which should be foremost on a Bronzerider's mind, in her opinion. "You are lucky your position affords you that kind of time."

Since Lyranth's death a mere two sevenday's ago, Laszreen had been promoted to the one and only Junior Weyrwoman of Igen. That meant she had little time to 'figure things out'. She was a politician in many ways, not the least of which her ability to communicate with Holders. That would come to her advantage someday.

[laionii]

D’wyr was getting tired of her superior attitude. She may have been a junior Weyrwoman but that didn’t give her license to be dense in his opinion. Then again D’wyr had been raised in Telgar hold, and his feelings on the ancient threat were to an extent, unique. Still as she twisted his words he continued to feel a growing resentment.

“I did not say you were ether, You asked me about my views on power, and I gave them. Your personal pursits and feelings are your own to keep.” He said quite firmly.

Svarth sensing his agitation peered back curiously, the fault of having someone who could see through the mask of calmness on the exterior.

Should I bite Elfreth’s he questioned and D’wyr was glad Elfreth could not hear the exchange.

no I don’t think Elfreth would like playing with you too much after that. he responded breaking out in a genuine smile.

Svarth seemed to agree and went back to playing with the little gold though every now and again he would glance back as if to check up on his rider.

[hrsegrl]

Elfreth didn't think there was anything out of sorts with her rider because Laszreen was very good at keeping her emotions walled up. She didn't need them to convey what she was thinking and what she felt had little to do with conversations like these. The only living human she had let her walls down to was J'var and he seemed to be far away right now. As Weyrsecond that was to be expected. She could be logical about that.

While she did her best to keep feelings like those from Elfreth the Gold understood there was something about this J'var person that her rider liked. Elfreth was actually curious but not jealous. After all, no human could compare to her brilliance. The little Gold was playing freely, not letting a simple conversation get in the way of her having fun.

D'wyr was not making her angry at all though it was quite clear she was agitating him in some way, because his Bronze kept looking back at him. She wasn't suprised, she had that affect on many many people. Nodding she said quietly, "Some things do not need to be spoken." She stood up as fluidly as she had sat down. She was walking down towards the dragons, not wishing to sit any longer. Laszreen couldn't afford to get tired and taking a break was making her sleepy.

Elfreth proceeded to splash her rider with water, to which Laszreen smiled mischieviously. If thats how you want it, imp. The Gold swam away as quickly as she coudl but lacked her rider's practiced grace. Laszreen was waist deep in the water before she was able to splash her dragon back with the force she wanted. The Gold didn't want to lose but neither did her rider. Elfreth used her two wings to push the water towards her rider. Laszreen was not a tall woman by any means and was pretty much engulfed by the wave her dragon created I win! Laszreen used her hands to wipe the water away from her eyes and then put her hands on her hips, glaring at her dragon.

"I suppose you think that was funny." She said to her dragon, a hint of amusement in her voice. The dragon did think it was funny. If anyone else were to laugh at her rider though, she might take it offensively.

[laionii]

D’wyr had been about to respond when she got up and went to the water. As he watched the exchange a sudden sense of confusion washed over him causing Svarth to pop his head up from the water. It was as though someone flipped a switch and down at the water was not the haughty self important fiend that he had grown accustomed to but instead a simple teenage girl at play. His lips twitched into the faintest semblance of a smile as he watched the little dragon and rider at play.

Svarth had been watching and he too wanted to join in on the fun. Ducking under the water he managed to go right past Laszreen before popping up from the water to splash both her and Elfreth with a slap of his tail.

D’wyr come play! They don’t bite, at least I don’t think Elfreth does. The mental call was loud enough that if the little gold had wished to she could have heard it. D’wyr looked at the little bronze curiously, the bright whirling blue of his eyes causing a chuckle in the rider.

Elfreth might not but you do! he teased the dragon

At this as the little bronze looked ready to trot over to his rider and prove the statement accurate. Please? reluctantly he got up to wade in a short distance away from Laszren, at which point Svarth quickly ducked under again splashing the females with a smack of his tail.

[hrsegrl]

Laszreen watched as the Bronze joined in and felt herself getting closer to her Gold. The two of them splashed back at him, though it was clear Elfreth was not going to use her wings for a huge wave. That had been a tiring thing to try and she wasn't going to risk her wings. Both Elfreth and Laszreen continued to gang up on the Bronze.

Is that the best you can do?Elfreth said playfully to Svarth. The Gold really only liked to talk with Bronzes and the occasional brown. Other dragons were not close enough to being her equal and the only other Queen was Saharth whom she would expect was too important to play this time of day.

When D'wyr finally joined in, Laszreen proceeded to send waves in the direction of Svarth. Elfreth however decided to get his rider. She whipped her tail trough the water and sent a spray in D'wyr's direction before ducking under the cool waters. Laszreen decided not to say anything because she had said all she felt she needed to say. The petite woman felt that Elfreth would tire sooner that later. She had been in the water already for a while and the Gold was not yet at full strength. Queens had a hard time keeping up with their growing bodies. Luckily, it seemed she would not be a large Gold.

[laionii]

Svarth Ducked under the water, before using his developing hind legs to launch off the bottom. He was still growing so he didn’t get very clear of the water, but he angled his body so that the entire surface area of his stomach would hit the water causing a nice sized wave in the direction of his tormentors.

How was that? he asked smugly.

D’wyr had been caught by surprise by the little queen’s sneak attack and in a moment of playful passion charged the gold rider and her charge using both fists and the full strength of his arms to slap against the water and send a decently sized splash in their direction grinning. Svarth emerged somewhere near by and gave him the playful nip he had promised earlier.

"Gaaah you little traitor" D'wyr roared grinning.

Your right I do bite. the little bronze yawned a bit, feeling somewhat tired now from play and his meal.

[hrsegrl]

They were drenched by the splash that Svarth sent at them. Elfreth, always acting the more superior responded, It was better. Her rider shook her head to get some of the water out of her ears. They had backed away, nearly out of range, in order to prepare for their own onslaught.

Laszreen was smiling, genuinely at her little Gold, when they were attacked by D'wyr. She breathed in a little water and let out a gasp before retaliating as best she could. Elfreth was moving in closer when Svarth bit his own rider. See, Bronzes always serve their Queens. Elfreth said to her rider who only shook her head. Laszreen knew that wasn't always the case.

"Shall we call a truce until the next battle?" Laszreen said out loud for all three of them to hear. Only if they do first. Her pride seemed to win out against the common sense, which told her she was tired and should get out of the lake.