Disclaimer: refer to the first chapter.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter and hopefully I can get the next one up soon.

"talking"

'dragon to rider'

Chapter Ten: Lessons Begun In Between

Freezing darkness pressed in on dragon and rider, the absolute cold killing the feasting Thread. Shattering into small slivers, it disappeared into the void. The cold of between seeped in the bronze rider's skin. R'nel gripped the wher straps tighter, the straps digging into his hands. Panic rose in his throat choking off a voiceless scream. With hands unfeeling and eyes unseeing, his heart pounded in silence.

A small boy crouched in the shadows of an archway. Gazing out into the large courtyard of the training grounds lit by early morning light he saw the weyrling master instructing the new riders. Bright green eyes narrowed in concentration as he strained to hear the lesson.

"The wing formation is important to maintain. Vital, even. What is one reason why?"

"To keep the dragons from flying into each other?" a blue rider ventured forth his guess, one hand moving to rest on his dragon's neck. The weyrling master nodded in approval.

"That is the most obvious reason. Any other guesses?" he said, looking around. The boys shifted uneasily and avoided meeting his gaze.

"The wing formation is most of all to stop Thread. It prevents any Thread from slipping though and burrowing. Staying in formation also greatly reduces injury, either from a dragon's flame or Thread score. If a Thread ever lands on you or your dragon go Between. The absolute cold kills it and also will numb the pain. Knowing your position and those of the rest your wing prevents a collision on the return."

The weyrling master paused in his lecture. He raised his right arm bent at the elbow, hand clenched in a fist. Behind him, a brown dragon appeared with a blast of cold air of Between.

"To achieve all this is to make use of the dragon's greatest ability. The ability to disappear and instantaneously reappear in the same or a different place. If or when you or your dragon gets hit go immediately to Between. Then come back. Keep in mind where the rest of your wing mates are."

"Make sure you come back." The sentence was stressed, driving the importance of the statement. Weyrling master settled his heavy gaze on each of the young riders in turn.

"So how do we accomplish this feat? Imagine your destination. Picture it clearly in your mind and then show it to your dragon. You will do this through the bond you share. From there your dragon will take you into and out of Between. The length of time spent in Between should take no longer than the time it takes to cough three times."

As the weyrling master moved among the young riders his path brought him closer to the boy's hiding place. His green eyes shining in determination, R'nel rushed to find Alioth.

Boy and dragon swiftly ran down an unused corridor. Sharp talons clicking against the stone floor the only sound in their otherwise silent passing. Finally reaching their intended destination the two figures burst through the doorway of a weyr. No longer able to contain his excitement the boy bounced on his feet, clear laughter echoing off the stone walls.

"Finally we can prove to F'lar that we are dragonmen!" R'nel yelled as he climbed up the bronze's side to sit in the harness.

'I am not sure about this R'nel.' Alioth murmured, unease coloring his words. 'We have never flown before. Perhaps we should wait.'

"NO! Let's go now while we still have the chance."

Dragon and rider moved to the opening of the weyr. Alioth's talons gripped the cliff edge. With a final cry of 'lets go!' Alioth launched into the air and vanished from sight.

The chill of Between shocked R'nel and he lost the image in his mind. The absence of all sensation sending waves of panic coursing though him.

'Get out! Get out!' he screamed silently.

'Three!' roared Alioth as they burst out from Between into the warm afternoon sunlight.

"Afternoon? It was morning when we left. Alioth, where are we?" R'nel asked fearfully, twisting to look around the unfamiliar surroundings. Alioth too swiveled his head to peer around.

'I- I don't know.' The dragon confessed.

SMK: T.T... I no longer have the books to use as a reference. Please review.