[10.17.2707] Lesson Four: The Hunt!(Weyrlings)

[Kit]

Artemth stepped gracefully up to the edge of the ridge that the elder dragons often leaped from to make their kills, well aware that all eyes were on her, which was only natural in her eyes. She posed for a moment, glancing over the herd with the eyes of a huntress. Though her vanity and her hunger goaded her to take one of the bulls, her instinct and good sense disobeyed, instead fixing on a young female, towards the edge of the herd. Though the dragonets were still too young for true powered flight, they could glide and this is what she did. Spreading her silver wings wide, she launched herself towards the herd silently, angling her dice for maximum speed. Down she came on the beast's neck, hearing it break with a satisfying crack as she came down. Crowing happily as the rest of the herd ran away in terror, she dragged her meal off to the side before ripping it open, barely hearing the praise of her lifemate as she plunged her head into the warm entrails. Quindara wrinkled her nose.

By the time it was Cernuoth's turn the herd was quite frightened and scattered. K'von looked at his dragon worriedly, but the brown seemed unconcerned and confident. He zeroed in on a younger male that had gone lame in the stampede. The beast went down immediately but the brown's weight had not been quite enough to break its neck, so Cernuoth's dispatched it with a quick crunch of it's head in his jaws, making his lifemate wince. But the brown began eatIng with gusto, a bit neater than some of the others, thankfully.

[Kendrall]

J'sen nodded when Calyssa complained that Freyath didn't want to get herself dirty from the kill; instead, he was focused on his own Amonth as the young Bronze dragon made his way up to the perch from where the others made their earlier runs. The herd was now scattering this way and that, but J'sen had confidence in his bonded. He watched as Amonth seemed to study the herd, then finally fixated on a target. Silently, the young Bronze raced off the ledge, spreading his wings out to glide down at an steep angle, a dizzying dive if the young sailor was any judge. Trying to keep his balance, J'sen felt an unfamiliar sensation starting from the pit of his stomach and rising towards his chest. It was like a predatory quickening in his veins, he tried to rationalize to himself, as Amonth came down hard on a straggler, a young male towards the back of the herd. Powerful hindclaws punctured through the ribs and spine of the herdbeast, giving the Bronze the grip he needed as he fought to gain a bit of altitude. The hapless herdbeast was writhing in the dragon's grasp, bellowing in agony until the dragon slammed it against the ground with tremendous force, and J'sen could hear the bone-crushing sounds from where he stood.

Amonth glided over a few feet away from his kill, and started to tear into his victim's flesh. J'sen almost felt sorry for the herdbeast.

[sorra]

Belenoth was starting to get impatient. The bronze's tail flicked as he watched the others ahead of him. When it was his turn he was nearly bouncing in place. The bronze hurried toward the take off spot and was soon gliding toward one of the herd beasts. He misjudged his jump and landed on the poor beast's rump. Th herd beast squealed in surprise as S'tex cringed. He hated seeing any animal in pain. Belenoth soon snapped the herd beast's neck and drug it away from the pen. He dug into his meal, not at all being clean about it. S'tex sighed. They still had a lot of work.

Freyath snorted softly. She daintily walked up to the ledge and eyed the beasts. She spread her wings and landed on the young buck, bringing the beast down just like Peronith had shown them. The red drug her catch to the edge of the pen and started to eat her meal, although she made sure not to get dirty. See? You don't have to be messy to get a meal, she told her rider. But I would like a bath later, please.

Calyssa felt bad for her brother. S'tex definitely had his hands full. She smiled though at Freyath's words as she looked over at J'sen. "Freyath informed me that you don't have to get dirty to get a meal," she chuckled.

G'fal watched the youngsters as he stood beside Kikikaa. "What do you think?" he asked, looking at his second. He knew some would still take time to learn, but it seemed most had caught on pretty well.

[Kit]

Sylvanuth had finally started to watch the lessons when Artemth had made Her catch, which made M'thos feel a little better. At least the blue would know what going on before it was his turn. Finally, he stepped into place, his whole body trembling with excitement. Do you know what to do? the weyrling inquired nervously, one hand on the dragon's neck.

Yes, yes. I catch it, then I eat it. It is very easy. Without another moment's hesistation, the blue dove in among the herd. M'thos wasnt sure whether Sylvanuth missed the beast he was aiming for or if he had always intended to wreak so much havoc, but the young dragon had not caught anything, and was now chasing the herd on the ground. The herdbeasts were in full panic mode now, yet Sylvanuth was having the time of his life, unaware of the danger of being trampled.

N'huel was watching this fiasco with bated breath when Inarith leaped down in the chaos. "No!" N'huel shouted, running to the edge of the ledge. He couldn't even see Inarith with all the dust the herdbeasts had raised. M'thos rushed to stand beside him, alternately angry at and fearful for Sylvanuth.

Sorry Mine, Sylvanuth needs help! It appeared this was true, the little blue had backed the heard against the Weyr Rim, and with nowhere to go, the head bull of the herd looked like he had had enough. Before anyone else could react, he charged the young dragon, who wasn't even watching. Everything seemed to go in slow motion then, Inarith appearing as almost a white blur. He rushed Sylvanuth, head butting him so that the two tumbled end over end in a tangled heap out of the path of the charging bull. The bull ran past, looking confused about the lack of collision and bellowed angrily. N'huel felt a surge of pain from Inarith and cried out. "Inarith?! I think he is hurt." A pitiful croon rose out if the dust cloud.

[sorra]

G'fal had been talking with Kikikaa and hadn't noticed the commotion going on. Of course it wasn't unusual for the dragonets to get the beasts running around. Especially when they were still learning.

Treoth on the other hand had been watching closely. The brown bugled in warning as the bull charged at the two dragonets. Treoth darted into the herd, keeping himself between the two young dragons. Although he hadn't been able to prevent everything. Mine! he shouted. The littles!

G'fal spun around at both his dragon's mental shout and N'huel's. His face paled as he raced toward the pen. Treoth was easily keeping the herd beasts from getting near Inarith and G'fal hoped the little white was okay. He vaulted over the fence and motioned N'huel to follow. The white would calm down better with his rider there.

[taenia]

V'lain was amongst the last to rise, the boy had never been good at getting up...and it was no different despite the fact he had the black Osirith by his side. Not that it mattered too much, the black was not the type of dragon to see the crack of dawn every morning either.. although, he did insist on being 'seen to' within seconds of being awake. It was usually the demand from Osirith that woke V'lain up in the mornings.. and today was no different.

Mine! I'm hungry! Came the mind speak of the black dragonet as V'lain became aware of Osirith's nose making its way under the fur. feed me, now!.... please the black added the last word after a moment when he remembered the 'manners' his always spoke about..

V'lain groaned and stretched wondering how much longer he could ignore Osirith for sleep...

MINE! came the mental shreak and a slobbery wet dragon tonue found its way to V'lain's arm.
"Osirith!" The teen complained, but couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his mouth as he threw the furs off and sleepily stalked around his cot looking for his clothes and waking himself up, doing his best to make sure he looked presentable with the small amount of time Osirith gave him..

The black didn't make another noise as he stood watching his getting ready, but then, that wasn't really much of a surprise.. Osirith wasn't much of talker unless he thought it nessacary. Once ready, the black and rider headed out towards their lesson of that morning and both silently watching and listening to what was said and asked of them...

They watched as first Perionith made her clean catch, and followed by the silver Artemth, and soon enough it was Osirith's turn to go, and V'lain was glad... the feeling of hungry was growing in his belly to intense levels.. Now, Osirith wasn't as bad as some of the other dragons, the black appeared a lot more level headed and quiet.. but even V'lain hadn't been sure that he'd have been able to hold Osirith back if he had tried to go against him..

[[Go on then, Osirith, it's your turn...]] He said encouraging his black to go after his own food, and planning on watching..

...and go Osirith did, with movement that appeared as well planned as awkward dragonet movment could be on the ground. The black made his way towards the ledge that Artemth had chosen to glide from, and stood there...watching, as still as stone as if he'd frozen there in time. In reality, Osirith was watching the beasts carefully, picking out the most likely prey for him.. he had size on his side.. for Osirith was far from small.. and just when it appeared that the black was not going anywhere, he spread his wings and lunched himself into a glide towards the beasts.. his movements as fast as they could be, the female beast cloest to his talons didn't stand a chance. He locked his talons on the beasts back and held on as it tried to run, sinking his jaws into the beasts throat, and ripping his head back to turn his kill into a nasty blood bath... Osirith was far from clean with his kill.. nor was he gentle.

V'lain was quiet now, pleased with his dragon but repulsed by the dragons method. [[Did you have to be so ruthless?]] He asked the black dragon, but as usual, didn't get any vocal response other than a mental acknowledgement. V'lain had gone a little pale as he watched the black dragging his meal away from the middle of the pen, to the edges where he would devour it.

V'lain left his dragon to it, his own appetite gone from his thoughts as he looked around at the other weyrlings, trying not to look at the other dragons making their kills... he didn't think he could cope with another sight like Osirith's kill...
....but the commotion of the beasts stampeeding caught his attention, and made him panic.. not only for the dragons caught up in it, but his own black that was at the back of the pen feeding on the small remains of the doe at the back. [[Osirith!!!]] He shouted in alarm, causing the black dragon to rumble and look up in alarm at the beasts running around. The black puffed himself up and spread his wings wide, trying to make himself appear threatening and scary at the beasts to keep them away from his breakfast.. he'd caught it far and square and they certainly couldn't have it back..

((ooc: only just taken over V'lain so trying my best with him!))

[Kit]

N'huel followed right behind G'fal, leaping off the ledge with feline grace, his face tight and drained of color. He was grateful for Treoth's presence, it cleared the way for him to run straight to Inarith, leaping over the fence with barely a break in his stride. M'thos followed behind a bit more cautiously. He felt nothing but confusion and annoyance from Sylvanuth and he was terribly embarrassed, not to mention guilt-ridden. If Inarith had been hurt to save his dumb dragon...

N'huel reached them first, and had the situation not been so serious, he might have laughed. Inarith had clearly been trying to shield the much larger dragon from harm, and had his wings draped over the blue like a mother bird. Sylvanuth looked a bit put out by this treatment. However, N'huel barely looked at the blue, laying his hand on his dragon's trembling back. "Inarith, I am here. Are you all right?"

Oh Mine, I'm glad you're here. I was frightened. But now my wing hurts. he replied, whimpering slightly. N'huel was afraid to move him, fearing to make it worse so he turned to G'fal, giving him a pleading look.

"He says his wing hurts. I think we need a dragonhealer. Maybe Quindara and Kyler can come look."

[sorra]

G'fal was right behind N'huel. He hoped that the little white hadn't been badly hurt. He actually smiled as he saw Inarith caring for the blue. Treoth continued to stay close and make sure nothing else got close to them. The Weyrling Master nodded as he knelt beside them.

Treoth, send Kyler and Quindara here.

Artemith, Nyxith, would Yours please come down? Inarith needs looked at, Treoth requested of the younger dragons.

"They're coming. Just stay calm and Inarith will stay calm that way. We'll get him fixed up," G'fal assured the boy.

[taenia]

Satisfied that the beasts were no longer going to interupt his meal, the back put his nose back to the remains of the beast he had captured and ate at a bit of a faster speed, just in case problems should arise again.. and intreupt his feeding schedule. As a rsult, V'lain felt the feelings of hunger disapate from painful, into little pangs, signafying just his own hunger now.

{{Easy there big fella}} He said to the black Osirith, {{Don't wanna make yourself sick}} He replied, trying to keep a eye on what was happening, as well as keep a eye on his black. Last thing he wanted was a sick Osirith at the healers due to over eating, or eating too fast..

..as always the black didn't make a sound, or response, but continued to wolf down his meat, a little slower as his asked, not paying attention to the problems of the other dragons or worrying.. V'lain was deliberately keeping calm to avoid sending Osirith up into a tiss.. not that he expected Osirith would, but know was not the time to test that theory..

[Kit]

Quindara watched the disaster unfold with her breath in her throat, the blue had been stupid, but her heart went out to the brave little white as he disappeared into the dust cloud, his rider stricken and helpless. But as soon as N'huel said Inarith was hurt, and vaulted down to the ground after G'fal, she followed, willing to lend her expertise at once.

So when G'fal asked for her, she said,"I'm right here," as she was already making her way towards the tangled dragonets. She could tell that N'huel was afraid to do anything for fear of hurting his dragon, but there wasno way to tend to both dragons without moving Inarith. "N'huel, just tell Inarith to relax as carefully lift him off Sylvanuth."

M'thos piped in then to say that Sylvanuth said he wasn't injured and Quindara nodded with relief. "Well I suppose once he gets untangled you'd better get him some food since he didn't catch anything." M'thos looked up at G'fal for instructions as Inarith was finally gently lifted off his dragon, whimpering lightly. Quindara went to examine his wing right away. But it only took a few moments to diagnose the problem. "His wingbone is broken. We should get him to the infirmary right away."

Meanwhile, K'von watched the whole thing wide-eyed, his hand resting on Cernuoth's neck. He turned to V'lain after a moment and grinned. "Man, your Osiroth is as cool as it gets, huh? He barely twitched as the stampede went right past."

Cernuoth snorted. I would have been just as calm. he saud loftily.

Oh now don't get jealous. You know I wouldn't trade you for anything K'von replied.

[Mik]

Danuth’s turn finally came and she wasted no time in diving from the ledge, heading for a smaller beast amidst the commotion below her. The grassy green landed off-target, but her beast went down and the grumbling in her stomach drove instinct of her powerful jaws clamping down around the beast’s neck to finish it off. Tiny as she was, she about tore into her kill right then and there had her young rider insisted that she take it away from the other beasts like the others had done before her. Consenting, she moved far enough and immediately dug into her meal, paying no mind to her rider’s thoughts of the change in her attitude at the moment.

Peronith’s head snapped about to the dust around the herdbeasts, unwilling to leave her kill until she heard the croon of the young dragon and she left her kill where it lie, stepping toward the beast pen cautiously. Just what exactly had just happened in the chaos of a first hunt? Kikikaa followed G’fal halfway, knowing that the others scattered around them would need to be kept calm. This was why the WeyrlingMaster had Assistants. As things calmed, the greenrider turned her gaze to the rest of the Weyrlings scattered about. At least most of them had already gotten their kills.

Nyxith picked her head up at the WeyrlingMaster’s brown’s call, muzzled covered in gore from the beast’s flesh at her feet. Kyler-Mine, Treoth’s ask for your assistance, she said, looking at the commotion for a moment before lowering her head again. She was not quite full just yet and Hers was not close to any of them involved.

Kyler nodded to her green, having watched what had happened worriedly. At the call, she quickly headed for the brown and two dragonets within the pen, knowing that she had been called on for her chosen craft, but uncertain as to how well her areas of expertise would be of help in this particular situation. Stepping up as she heard Quindara's words, she held back the worry that began to grow. "How can I help?" she asked quietly since Quindara obviously had the floor at the moment.

Manwydath ate his meal in peace, paying no mind to the goings on as His was doing that for him. Young C’nell just stood quietly near his blue, watching the chaos ensue and eventually calm to the point of Quindara and Kyler moving toward the two dragonets in the pens. He did not hear Quindara’s words as to what the result was, but he hoped that it was not too great a problem for anyone.

[sorra]

G'fal was glad to hear that at least both dragonets weren't hurt. Although that was a pretty bleak announcement for the poor little white. He had been glad that Quindara had been so close though. He looked over at Kyler's soft voice. "See how you can help, Quindara," he said, knowing that they would probably need help with N'huel and Inarith. He then turned to M'thos. "Come with me, lad," he said to the blue weyrling. "With Peronith so close the herd beasts will stay away. I'll have Treoth catch your young blue a meal for today," he said. He knew they would all get the hang of it before long. Things like this happened. "Are you okay with the others, Kikikaa? I'm going to take care of M'thos and Sylvanuth real quick then I'll be back."

Calyssa looked at J'sen as Freyath finished her meal, not at all looking dirty. "Do you think they're okay?" she asked the bronze rider. She hadn't seen everything that had happened since she had been with her red.

S'tex watched the commotion as Belenoth finished his meal. Even while eating the bronze still seemed jittery. His tail was swishing from side to side, but he didn't at all seem to notice what was going on.

[taenia]

V'lain smiled brightly at K'von, happy to speak about his dragon at any time, but particulary on occasions like this where people could see how much his dragon was the best dragon in the world, he was afterall the only black.

"Oh yes" V'lain said in response to the other weyrling. "Osirith is very relaxed.. he's very grown up.. he'll make a fine leader one day!" He said enthusiastically. Pride obvious in his voice.

The black had finished the beast he'd brought down, but still remained where he'd previously eaten, watching the commotion between the others in the cluctch in his usual silent manner..

{{You gonna come back over here, Buddy?}} The young rider asked his dragon, wishing for the magnificent creature to be back beside him, where V'lain knew he would be safe, as usual, there was no response from the black, but his head turned toward his for a second as if in consideration.

[Mik]

Kikikaa nodded to G’fal’s words and glanced at her huge green eyeing up beasts left, right, and center to keep them away from the others. Her size was a very good thing in many ways. Heading back to the others scattered loosely finishing up their meals, she looked to see if anyone had not gotten the chance to hunt yet. “Is anyone’s dragonet’s still hungry or haven’t eaten?” she asked them, voice loud enough to reach each of them. Some of the larger ones might still be hungry and Peronith’s abandoned carcass would be the finishing bites if needed.

Danuth still ripped through flesh and hide happily, but her eating was slowing which told E’lon that his lovely green was getting close to being done. The Weyrling greenrider shook his head in answer to the Assistant’s question, turning his dark brown eyes back to his little green with a smile despite her messiness. At least it looked like whoever had been hurt was going to be okay by the calmness of everyone involved in it.

Kyler nodded to G’fal’s instruction and turned her wide hazel gaze to Quindara for further instruction to help out in this situation. “What do you need me to do, Quindara?” she asked, keeping her voice calm. Nyxith was still busy devouring her meal and so Kyler did not need to worry too much about her. The large green was not as attached to her rider as some dragonets still were at her age.

Aqua Manwydath raised his head from his meal and stared at the others in the pen for a long moment, chewing slowly as it looked like the gears in his young mind were turning in thought. After another long moment, he lowered his head again. Inarith got hurt, he stated somewhat too calmly, gaining a confused gaze from his young rider.