Tomun could just see a glimpse of a dragon's head over the top of the cots. He used those visuals to home in on their location. He caused a bit of a commotion running through the narrow streets. He darted around groups of people, dodged around a cart filled with dung, wove through stands holding drying pottery, and ducked under lines hung with wet clothes drying in the sun. Then he finally found himself reaching the final line of cots at the edge of the main courtyard. Reaching out to catch the corner of the building, he used his momentum to swing around the cot, coming to a stop so suddenly, he barely kept to his feet. But there, right there, on the other side of courtyard ,were the two dragons.
Two dragons. One green and one blue. Both of them sat on their haunches facing the Hold proper. The blue had his tail curled around his hindquarters, his neck up, wedge shaped head swiveling side to side as if looking for something. The green, although nearly the same size as the blue (which one was small and which one was large, he wasn't sure, the harper's teachings hadn't gone into that much detail) had her neck arched, her head out of sight. Both had their wings folded tightly against their sides, but he could see the folds of the leather-like membranes that kept them aloft when they flew. Along their spines, he could see curved ridges and just the smallest strip of brown that seemed to go down their sides. Rider's straps, he guessed, his eyes drinking in the details. And they were huge! Much, much bigger than he had ever imagined. Of course the only time he had ever laid eyes on a dragon was when they flew overhead. Then they seemed small, even manageable, like one of the oversized runners used for hauling the big freight carts. But these were NOT runners.
Just then the green shifted, swung her head around, and her multi-faceted eyes seemed to be looking at him! His breath caught in his throat. Their eyes were so odd looking, and yet so beautiful! It was as if he could see himself reflected in each facet. Her eyes seemed to whirl and the motion made him feel dizzy but he couldn't look away. He continued to stare for a long moment until movement near the dragon's forelegs caught his attention. There was a man, the green's rider he realized, in brown leather, pointing in his direction.
"That one Beldeth? The one by the corner of the cot?" K'nalt asked, one hand going up to smooth down the long blonde locks at the top of his head. He kept the sides and back short; no one wanted long hair that might get escape from the tight leather cap during Fall, but he was vane enough to allow some sense of fashion. It was the same for the tunic he wore under his flying leathers. Lengths of rick rack trim and dyed threads added a unique style to his clothing.
Yes. Beldeth answered promptly, but then she hesitated. He is ..interesting.
K'nalt glanced up at the dragon before returning his gaze back to the young lad staring egg-struck across the courtyard. "What does Nath say?" He was a talkative sort, and preferred to speak to Beldeth out loud, treating her as he would any other person. He was well used to ignoring the sideways looks he was getting from some of the nearby holders who could only hear one side of the conversation.
He focuses on the girls. He does not hear the boys.
The green's rider chuckled at the disgust in the green's tone. "Still mad at him for flying Letith yesterday aren't you? But that's his loss, you know. You are twice the dragon Letith is." Beldeth normally forgot slights, hurts and any other negative feelings very quickly. This one, though, seemed to linger longer than it should. Well, the good thing about any dragon was how quickly they could forget if they wanted to forget. It would have been better if they had been partnered with one of the other blue dragon for today's Search, but when a Wingleader gives an order, one didn't countermand them. To change the subject, he raised his arm and beckoned the lad over. "Let's see what he's got shall we? You! By the cot! Yes you, come here where Beldeth can see you better."
Before Tomun could follow the dragonrider's directive, he sensed someone had come up beside him. had followed him. "You are soooo in trouble!" Cawlia sang. "Your Da is going to tan your hide!"
"Not if I'm not here. . ." He frowned down at her, tempted to say something mean to take the smirk off of her face, but right is right and wrong is wrong, he reminded himself, and she did tell him about the dragons. Instead he leaned down and said quietly in her ear, "You'll make a good harper someday." He then turned and jogged across the courtyard toward the dragon and her rider. He never saw the hope that flared in her eyes.
"So, lad, what's your name?" K'nalt asked, when Tomun had crossed the courtyard and stopped in front of him. Hands on belt, the greenrider tilted his head to one side, taking the lad's measure. He tried to keep his expression stern, but there was too much good will in K'nalt's personality to keep up the charade. Besides, the lad was brave enough to come right up to him even though he was standing close to Beldeth. The majority of the lot that the journeyman harper brought out – what was his name? Palo? Pillin? something along those lines - were still cowering in the shadows. One of the girls had even fainted when G'nalt's blue Nath had bent his head for a closer look.
"Tomun sir, I mean, Greenrider, sir." Tomun managed to say, stammering quite a bit despite his eagerness. The dragon was HUGE! And to think this was only the smallest of the dragons. He couldn't even imagine how big the Weyrleaders' dragons were! He knew from the teaching songs that dragon's would never hurt anyone but he was unable to ignore the the dragon's size and the thought of what could happen. What if, by accident, she stepped on him! Still his eyes drank in everything he could, storing details to memory knowing he may never get this close again. He noticed how smooth and soft her hide looked and the how the word 'green' didn't even come close to describing her color. And her eyes! How could he ever describe her eyes? They whirled and moved and seemed to be watching everything and nothing all at the same time? She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
He thinks I am beautiful. Beldeth preened, arching her neck and leaning forward so she could bring her head down closer to her rider and the boy. Her nostrils flared as she breathed but Tomun barely flinched as the warm raw meat scent washed over him. Yes. He will do. He will do quite well. She announced.
K'nalt grinned. "Well Tomun. Have you ever thought about being Searched? Now no promises, hear." He added as he saw the boy's eyes light up. "Just because you've been Searched doesn't mean you'll Impress. Why I..." His voice trailed off as he realized that they had been joined by a man, a cot holder from the device on his shoulder, and the boy's father if he had to guess. A guess that he would have been willing to put marks on, even here in Bitra where everyone knew the odds were thrown. Besides, both boy and man had what his foster mother used to call an "I want" line between the eyes.
"Greenrider." The man said, his posture stiff and defensive, his eyes cold.
"Da! I've been Searched! That means. . "
"I know what it means. And the answer is no."
"But Da...!"
"Tomun, you are not going to the Weyr and that's final."
"What's going on here?" A voice demanded as two more men arrived. Both wore more elaborate clothing, the device of Lord Holder and Hold Steward clearly visible.
"My Lord Sifer and Steward Hangard." Tahon said, bowing in deference. "This man. . . "
"Greenrider K'nalt, Lord Sifer, rider of Beldeth, Benden Weyr. I, and G'lat, rider of Nath," the dragonrider gestured toward another man that was just coming to join them. "Have come on Search as I'm sure your steward here has informed you."
"Yes, yes. I know why you're here. I want to know what all the commotion is. People running through the Hold is not a normal occurrence you know."
Tomun flushed but it was his da that answered. "My apologies, my Lord," Tahon said. "But this man, this - this dragonrider tried to steal my son away."
"Da!"
G'lat stepped forward, his eyes narrowed. "How dare you insult a Benden. . .!"
"I would never. . .!" Added K'nalt.
"SILENCE!" Lord Sifer glared at riders, cot holder and boy equally. "Cotholder. . ." he said and paused, searching his memory for the man's name.
The man standing to the left and just behind the Lord Holder, leaned forward, the back of his right hand in front of his mouth and said quietly, "Tahon, Fallen Cliff Hold."
"Yes, thank you. Tahon, these riders have come on Search. . ."
"He's too young to be Searched, my Lord." Marnia said, coming up to the join the quickly growing group. It had taken her a few minutes to find her sister to watch the twins and then her skirts had hampered her stride through the Hold. Standing at her husband's side, she swallowed her fear the best she could, but could barely keep from shuddering. The dragon's were terrifying!
"To young? How old are you boy?" Lord Sifer demanded, his glare switching to impatience when the boy hesitated. "Well? Speak up!"
"Um. Fourteen turns last summer. Um. My Lord."
"Well then, that settles that." Lord Sifer leaned back and nodded as if, indeed, all had been solved.
Tomun was confused. What had been settled? His da and ma looked relieved, the dragonriders looked satisfied and the Steward wore a disturbing expression.
"Lord Sifer, now that Tomun will be going home with us," Tahon said. "We would like to talk to you about. . ."
"What! No Da!"
"See here holder Tahon!" K'nalt snapped. Though usually mild mannered, the greenrider had had enough of this.
The blue rider, G'lat, crossed his arms and scowled causing Marnia to feel very uncomfortable. She moved closer to her husband; she needed the comfort of his presence. The dragonrider had severe facial scarring from a long healed Thread score. She thought he looked more dangerous than the Holdless they had heard about. And her son wanted to go with them? She couldn't understand it.
"Tahon! Settled means the boy is old enough to make his own decisions. Unless, of course, you've already arranged a betrothal for him. Have you?" Lord Sifer raised an eyebrow in question.
"No but. . ."
"Well then. Tomun of Fallen Cliff Hold, what say you? Do you accept being Searched or do you want to go home with your parents?"
"Sir? Yes sir! I mean yes Lord Holder. I want to go to the Weyr and become a dragonrider!"
"A chance only lad, a chance only." K'nalt said gently, his former good nature returning as quickly as it had left. "You do know that not everyone who is Searched is chosen? The hatchlings choose whom they want, and nothing we do, or say, can change that. I, myself, stood four times before my beautiful Beldeth was hatched. It was to be my last too. I couldn't have taken being left standing one more time." He winked at Tomun and added in a loud whisper, " I think she knew that too!" Beldeth snorted, making it clear what she thought of her rider's nonsense. The noise made everyone jump except the two dragonriders.
"And what happens if he doesn't Impress?" Marnia asked, her arms crossed, hands rubbing up and down as if she was cold. She threw a nervous glance up at the dragon, another at the blue rider, than focused on the green rider. At least he looked kind.
"That's up to him. If he has skills that are needed at the Weyr, he can stay and stand at the next hatching – and as we have three queen dragons currently, there are quite a few of them." K'nalt grinned. "If he has no skills, then he can return here...or his own hold, whichever he prefers." He eyed Marnia closely, reading her body language. He realized that some of their fear was of the unknown, and what the Weyr might do to their boy. He suspected, though, there was more to it than that since the boy himself had no fear. But then again, most boys lacked enough sense to fear what they should. He certainly had fallen in to that category. "I will make you a promise. If it's all possible, I will return him myself if that's his wish." A sideways glance at the boy and he knew that the boy probably wouldn't wish it, but the future could not be predicted, at least not by him.
I should hope not!
"Quiet you!" K'nalt replied aloud. Seeing the confusion in the holders' eyes, he turned his head up to address the green dragon. "Did I ask for your comment?" Then, returning his attention to the boy's mother said, "Will that satisfy you enough to let him go to the Weyr unhindered?"
Tahon cleared his throat. "There's another problem. We have two babes and no one else to help with the work of running the hold. Son," he said, turning to Tomun who look stricken with guilt. "We need you."
"Lord Sifer, if I might. . ." Steward Hangard stepped forward.
"Yes, yes. Go ahead. I'm sure you've got something up your sleeve." Lord Sifer grumbled, waving him on.
"We've several young couples that have expressed interest in holding, but they have no where to go. Settling them with an established holder would solve many...issues."
Tahon frowned. "Trouble are they?" He asked, picking up on what wasn't being said.
Steward Hangard shrugged. "Nothing that hard work wouldn't resolve. And because you'd be helping us with a … situation, we might be able to come to terms on other compensation."
Tahon was still for a moment, then nodded in consideration. "Compensation would definitely be warranted."
"But Tahon...!" Marnia added, moving closer to put her hand lightly on her spouse's arm.
"The decision has been made Marnia," he answered, putting a hand over hers and squeezing gently. "I don't understand why he wants to become a dragonrider," he shook his head sadly. "But if we don't let him try, he'll resent us for denying him the chance. Besides, I doubt very much that he will Impress a dragon so more than likely, he'll be back with us before the summer's over. Won't you lad?"
Tomun looked at all the faces around him, unable to find the words to express his resolution NOT to return to the hold, but unable to hurt his parent's feelings.
K'nalt, who was well versed in reading expressions, realized what the boy was feeling and jumped in with, "Good, good! With that resolved, do you have any belonging you need to gather up before we leave for the Weyr? No? Well I'm not sure you're dressed warm enough for /between/. Lord Sifer, if your steward would be good enough to allow us to borrow a warmer jacket for the lad, I'll make sure to have it returned promptly."
Steward Hangard waited for his Lord to nod, than snapped his fingers. A young man, a few turns older than Tomun, had been hovering near by. At the Steward's signal, he bounded off toward the stairs that led into the Hold proper.
"Hangard, after you take care of business with these holders, I expect to see you in my study. We've that other … business to see to. Riders, since it's past mid-day I'm sure you've other places to be. Good day to you then." Lord Sifer tugged at the hem of his over tunic, nodded vaguely, and strode purposefully away.
"No offer of wine then?" G'lat growled under his breath. K'nalt was close enough that he pushed his elbow sharply into the blue rider's side to remind him of his manners. G'lat had never learned to mind his tongue and N'ton had often had to discipline him because of it. Still Lord Sifer's implication that they had out stayed their welcome wasn't lost on K'nalt either. He just chose to ignore it.
"How did Nath's Search go?" K'nalt asked, keeping an eye on the lad as he said his goodbyes to his parents. His mother, like mother's everywhere, pulled him close. The lad's father was stiffer, and was casting a warning eye on K'nalt. The greenrider only smiled and ignored what some would surely consider an insult. Commoners just didn't understand the Weyr's casual acceptance of sexuality. The holder probably thought that Beldeth had only searched his son as a bedmate for her rider. Not that the lad didn't have a nice look to him, but he was a bit young and more than likely would not take to that role easily. Some did, once they had a taste of dragonlust, while others only accepted the inevitable when they realized that there was no shame in the act.
"One. The big boned brunette. There," G'lat gestured with his chin. "Shrugging into her winter coat." The girl in question seemed quite comfortable with the prospect of flying off on dragon back and leaving everything behind her. No tears, ample determination and a sensible hide carryall slung across her back. "Nath thought she was likely, although I'm not as sure as he is but I've been wrong before. And so has he. At least she's willing to take the chance. Any besides him?" He asked his eyes flickering in Tomun's direction.
K'nalt opened his mouth but before he could speak, his eyes went out of focus for a moment. He blinked and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. "I thought not, but seems as if someone has changed her mind."
"Oh?" G'lat inquired and followed K'nalt's gaze. Coming toward them at a brisk trot was the young man that had been sent by the steward to fetch a coat for Tomun. "Ah. Yes." He nodded briskly. "I need to see to my candidate while you see to yours. I'll meet you back at the Weyr and we can see where N'ton wants us to go next." He turned and walked away just as the errand runner reached them.
"Greenrider? Here's the jacket you requested." The boy said, holding out the worn, but serviceable wher-hide to Tomun. He was a little out of breathe from his run up, and then back down, the steep stairs that led up into the Hold proper but he couldn't stop looking at Beldeth.
He thinks I am beautiful.
K'nalt chuckled. That, he knew, was Beldeth's criteria for Search; being admired.
"My thanks. . .?"
"Marin, Greenrider. Do you need anything else?"
"How old are you Marin?"
"Me?" Marin touched his thumb to his chest, his expression echoing his surprise at the question. "I'll have nineteen turns mid-summer."
"Have you ever thought about becoming a candidate? Ramoth's clutch has over thirty-five eggs. We're going to need a lot of young men to give the hatchlings a good choice."
"Me?" Marin gulped, his eyes going wide. "Searched?"
With a huge grin, K'nalt confirmed: "Yes, you. You're joining Tomun here so ay your goodbyes, if you have any to say, and pack up your personal possessions." He leaned back against Beldeth's foreleg, enjoying the look of wonder on Marin's face. "Beldeth looks forward to taking you both to Benden Weyr."