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Post by Kendrall on Jul 16, 2010 10:58:03 GMT -5
Nodding slowly, G'rett considered Arktos' words. But what surprised him was the Candidate Master suggested that there were other Holders that could possibly turn on Nova Weyr. If that happened, it would potentially prove to be disastrous for every Rider regardless of rank. He sighed and rubbed his eyelids with a forefinger and thumb. This didn't sound good.
Lowering his hand and resuming his gaze upon the other man, again he gave a slow nod when it was mentioned Cybele never agreed with any combat training plans...but there was a temporary solution Arktos was willing to provide. G'rett just had to conduct the optional class and build the confidence course outside of the Weyr until the Weyrleadership changed. He had to groan inwardly. There would be at least four, possibly five Riders that would vie for the title of Weyrleader, if he counted himself and G'fal...though having the Weyrling Master in on the Chase was highly unlikely as he rode a Brown, not a Bronze. That meant at some point he'd have to sit with M'lym and T'tarel...but wasn't sure how Q'del would react to his ideas.
"I'd be willing to listen to your idea," G'rett answered. "The only difficulty I was having so far was where to have the rope crossing over water. I need the water to be deep enough so no one gets hurt when falling in, but shallow enough to avoid the danger of drowning. I may also need your help in presenting this to the other Bronze Riders, to get their input."
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Post by Kit on Jul 16, 2010 22:20:03 GMT -5
Arktos nodded. "Then I'll show you where I have in mind. If Coth is willing to do a little flying this evening, that is. Its a little bright outside for Arkysk right now."
Of course, they could just all go on Coth, taking the location fro Arktos' mind. But Arktos did not like riding dragons, a fact that he did not want to be common knowledge. It seemed weak to him. But the memories of Bjornth were still too strong. Plus Arkysk would never forgive him if he went away without him. He and the wher had not been parted for more than a few moments since he had broke shell and tasted the blood of his bonded. The bond of a wher and handler was not as close as that of a dragon, and in fact, whers did not even have to be bonded, though they were much more manageable if they were. But Arkysk was like a bandage over the gaping hole Bjornth had left. Long separation had become intolerable for them both, for the wher could feel Arktos' pain through the link. He wondered if that wound would ever heal.
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 17, 2010 10:52:23 GMT -5
A slow grin came to the Wingleader's face. "Oh, I can convince Coth to do some flying this evening. He always looks forward to when he has a chance to spread his wings." G'rett, of course, had no way of knowing just how painful it was for whers to be outside in broad daylight. He'd never seen a wher up close, save for Arkysk, but otherwise was completely and utterly unfamiliar with the near-cousins to dragons save for the beasts and their handlers were up all night.
Nor did G'rett grasp the depth of how much Arktos still suffered from losing Bjornth. He had seen the Candidate Master, once proud and ready to challenge life itself, be reduced to a mere shell of a man after losing his bonded. G'rett half-wondered if Arktos would be so depressed that he would take his own life, but at the time the young man didn't want to lose the man whom he looked up to, the man who'd been a father figure to him ever since his first day at Nova. G'rett was relieved when Arkysk bonded to the Candidate Master. He knew it would give him something to help ease the pain somewhat.
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Post by Kit on Jul 17, 2010 22:20:02 GMT -5
"Well then, come back around sunset, and I'll take you there," he said, grinning. Arkysk would be excited to do some flying. They did not often. Arktos often worried about the black's ability to carry his weight for long periods, whers had such a hard time flying anyway. Arkysk had often assured him that in the thick air of night, he had no problem, but it never hurt to be cautious. Arkysk was only about the size of a large pony, and his wings were small.
(OOC- you can just continue the post by having G'rett show up at the office near sunset if that's cool with you.)
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 19, 2010 7:25:41 GMT -5
It was much later in the evening, as Rukbat was starting to set on the horizon when G'rett returned to Arktos' quarters as the Candidate Master requested. The Wingleader had managed to catch a quick nap - much to Coth's dismay - but once the man explained everything to the Bronze did the magnificent beast understand, and actually agreed. Knocking on the doorjamb to announce his arrival, G'rett ducked his head into the weyr and cleared his throat. "Anytime you're ready, Arktos," he said. "I'll mount up and will meet you on the ridge."
G'rett then departed and returned to his quarters where Coth was waiting. Is everything in place? the Bronze queried. His bonded patted him on the neck, then mounted up. "We're all set. I told Arktos we'd meet him and Arkysk on the ridge." Very well, then. With that, Coth turned around and scrambled down the passageway. Once he leaped into the air, he spread his wings and soared, climbing high into the reddened skies up towards the designated waiting point atop the ridge.
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Post by Kit on Jul 19, 2010 22:42:58 GMT -5
Arkysk was very excited. We are going to fly! And we're going to go to a fun place. And I'm wearing my riding straps and everything!
Arktos couldn't help but smile at the wher's excitability. "Yes we are. G'rett and Coth will be up on the ridge. So I think we'll jump of the ledge and transfer between to the ridge. it is still early in the day. I worry about you carrying me that high."
I could do it. I am strong. But I will do as you say. Arkysk replied, too happy to let a little kink in his plans spoil his mood. Arktos kissed Kiyoni goodbye and they both made their farewells to Eliwodth, promising several times to be careful and then Arktos mounted the giant wher. It was rather like riding a racehorse in a way, you had to crouch with your knees bent so as not to interfere with his movement. About what you'd expect if you could picture a grown man riding a somewhat large and reptilian winged pony. "Let's go Arkysk," he said when he was mounted and the black heaved himself over the cliff swooped around the waterfall and went between.
Eight seconds later they appeared above the ridge, and Arkysk backwinged to a slightly skidding stop. "Good evening G'rett, Coth. Are you ready to go?" Arktos asked, while Arkysk stared at the bronze in awe over his hugeness.
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 20, 2010 10:34:51 GMT -5
G'rett watched as Arktos and Arkysk appeared from between, the handler bringing his wher to a reverse glide before landing on the ridge. When asked the question, he nodded. "Ready whenever you are, Arktos." He looked down at the smaller form of Arkysk, marveling at the wher's strength. Then again, G'rett remembered both whers and dragons shared the same ability of telekinesis, allowing them to support the extra weight for longer periods of time. Coth simply looked over at Arkysk and crooned at his younger counterpart encouragingly.
Arkysk, Mine and I are ready. Show us the way.[/color]
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Post by Kit on Jul 21, 2010 15:52:16 GMT -5
Arkysk sent the visuals to the dragon, still giving him sidelong glances of wonder. He'd only ever been really close to Eliwodth, and Coth was perhaps twice as large. Once he was sure that Coth now knew where to go he looked up at G'rett. "Just follow us then."
Arkysk dove off the rim, using gravity to give him enough speed for a sustained glide before transferring between. As usual, the cold and nothingness was disturbing, it was something, Arktos realized, that you never got used to. But it was quick for all that and soon they were in the air above his chosen location, a saltwater marsh to the west of the weyr. It might not seem like an ideal location, but it was. Flat hummocks of land, some of them large and stable, bisected by swaths of warm shallow water, anywhere from a foot to six feet deep in places. Arkysk knew where to land, the largest of the hummocks of dry land in the center of the marsh was easily large enough to accommodate several dragons of Coth's size. It had a few scraggly trees on it as well as some strategically placed rocks around a much used firepit. It was one of Arktos's favorite places. Good fishing. But also, he thought, a good place for an obstacle course.
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 21, 2010 17:22:09 GMT -5
G'rett and Coth both watched as Candidate Master and wher dove headfirst toward the ground, letting gravity seduce them to pick up speed before finally disappearing between. The Wingleader simply looked at his Bronze, trusting his bonded would know the destination. Coth likewise jumped from the cliff, only instead of diving, he spread his wings to gain a bit more altitude before the world around him and his Rider went utterly and completely dark. The first time G'rett had gone between on dragonback was nerve-wracking, and he nearly panicked. Had it not been for the safety straps holding him down, he would have been lost forever in the void. But, just like then, as it was now, nearly instantaneously the pair arrived in the skies above a marshland, with hummocks of land scattered here and there in the midst of shallow water. G'rett felt his ears pop, and he gave an annoyed look. That always happened to him when going between.
The pair looked down as Arkysk came to a landing on the largest hummock in the center of the marsh. Coth instead chose to glide down in a circular pattern, each pass coming lower and lower to the surface before finally touching down, his wings flapping as he came to a halt. G'rett dismounted and looked around. He heard there was a marsh somewhere near the Weyr, but never bothered to visit it. Taking in the sights, he then looked at Arktos. "I think this will do, actually."
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Post by Kit on Jul 22, 2010 14:18:52 GMT -5
Arktos grinned. "Well, good. Now, I don't know who you can get to help you build it. It'll be months before the weyrlings can go between. And I've only got a couple Candidates right now. You might ask around among the riders. There might be some who are interested. Or the sr. weyrlings. I, myself, don't have the time to spare. But once there's a new Weyrleader, perhaps you might speak to them about it as well. Shouldn't be long now."
He patted Arkysk on the side. "In any case, I have things I must get back to."
Things? You were just thinking about how you were going to go kiss Kiyoni. the wher said, confusion evident.
That is a very important thing I need to be doing.
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 23, 2010 9:26:28 GMT -5
"I can probably get some of the Weyrfolk to help," the Bronze Rider said, still looking around. He looked off towards the east and noticed the Weyr off in the distance, trying to estimate just how far this marshland was. Probably a good candlemark or two by land. Though I'm not sure if asking any of the Riders right now would be a good idea. Perhaps after I'm restored to full flight status and get my rank back, I'll ask.
((Failpost. >.<))
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