A/n: same old, same old. Don't own anything but that which is mine, the original characters. Hope y'all are enjoying this, and appreciate all the reformatting. It's a bugger to redo everything, lol.
Recovery
(From First Threadfall to One month later.)
"It was so wonderful."
S'na gave a soft sigh of remembrance, her expression turned inward. K'dra suppressed a laugh. S'na could be very dramatic but this was supposed to be taken in a mature way. Though with S'na, it was difficult.
"I'm sure it was."
At that, S'na seemed to snap out of her daydream. Her rosy cheeks turned dark red as she blushed and K'dra did laugh then. S'na gave a rueful smile.
"Here I am going about how wonderful Shrith's mating flight went, and sounding like a love-sick drudge." She shook her head.
"It's all right. I really don't mind. Were you glad it was K'tal's Kittith instead of Tilanth?"
"Yes. I mean, I love Et'an and Tilanth, but not the way I do K'tal." S'na's expression grew tender and K'dra felt the slightest twinge of envy.
"Are you going to become official weyrmates?" K'dra wanted to know.
"Oh, yes. We're going to move my stuff into his weyr since it's bigger and can support two dragons better."
"I'm happy for you."
K'dra meant that, too. It was great to see her best friend so happy. If S'na was happy and content with a blue rider and his dragon for her weyrmates, then who was K'dra to stand in her way?
S'na turned her attention to her friend and suddenly her expression changed. It made K'dra just a tad bit wary.
"Terranth should be rising soon," S'na commented thoughtfully, the devious light of her eyes warning K'dra her dragon wasn't the only one to try and match make for her.
"Yes," K'dra answered slowly, her expression saying, 'Your point?' S'na didn't pay any mind, her first priority match making.
"Let's see. Et'an and Tilanth are naturally, the first acceptable pair. We know him already and it makes it easy if you know the rider who flies your dragon, you follow me? Hmm. Who else? There are a couple more brown riders and few more acceptable blues. Oh, I know! How about R'ahvin!" S'na cast a sly look her friend's way to see her reaction.
"R'ahvin? R'ahvin's Xenith is a bronze. Bronzes aren't interested in greens, they're interested in queens, the ones who could continue their bloodline."
K'dra rolled her eyes at the thought of Xenith flying Terranth. It simply wasn't done.
Why? I'm just as fast as any queen, Terranth tartly remarked from her position at the ledge of S'na's weyr. The two girls were trying on different clothes and having fun, just the two of them for the first time in months.
S'na took one look at K'dra's chagrined expression and burst out laughing. She pointed a finger at her.
"I bet Terranth just told you otherwise," she choked out, tears rolling down her face. K'dra admitted defeat and sent an apology to her dragon.
"I'm sorry Terranth. I didn't mean it like that. It's just that most bronzes prefer a queen."
I know. I like Xenith and I like Tilanth. I wouldn't mind if one of them flew me.
"So you really wouldn't mind if Tilanth or Xenith flew you?" K'dra tried to take that in.
Of course not. But they would have to catch me first.
Terranth's tone was smug and K'dra couldn't resist a proud smile. Terranth was one of the fastest and most maneuverable dragons, being one of the smallest.
"Terranth says they'll have to catch her first," K'dra said for S'na's benefit. They shared a conspiratorial grin.
K'dra slipped out of the tunic style dress she was modeling and reached for another one in the pile reserved for her. S'na eyed K'dra's figure and shook her head. The movement caught K'dra's eye and she queried her friend.
"What? Is it the dress?"
K'dra glanced down at the sleeveless dress, ran a hand over the silky material, and admired herself in the looking glass. She twirled around, relishing the touch of the fabric brushing her bare legs, and feeling so utterly feminine.
The dress had a high neckline with a keyhole slit at her throat running down a few inches, not long enough to show any cleavage, only hinting. It fell sheath-like down to the floor but didn't hug or bunch up near her hips and was quite flowing. A transparent silk wrap, also gold, completed the outfit and K'dra draped it over her shoulders.
"No, the dress is lovely on you. You should wear it at the next Gather."
"Then why were you shaking your head?"
K'dra added a pair of golden hoop earrings and a golden bangle bracelet, but decided not to wear any jewelry. She took them off and glanced at her friend.
"It's just that you have such a great figure and I have nothing."
"K'tal doesn't seem to mind."
S'na blushed a deeper red this time and K'dra's eyes twinkled with laughter.
"Seriously, S'na there is nothing wrong with your figure."
"Yeah. Nothing describes my figure great."
"Just because you don't take up a lot up top doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your figure."
K'dra turned around again, watching how the dress swirled and smiled.
"Your figure is very nice. Unlike me, who needs a little less."
She gave a rueful grin and a shrug of her shoulder.
"And I need some more."
"Want to trade?"
Both girls started laughing.
"Is…is that…possible?" S'na gasped between giggles.
"I don't know."
Kittith comes, Terranth warned and then griped a little at having to move over to make room on the ledge for the blue dragon and his rider.
You're small enough. Plenty of room on the ledge with Shrith in the weyr, K'dra chided and then smiled in greeting as K'tal strode in.
K'tal was older than both girls by several Turns and he'd come from several different Weyrs before choosing TEW. His dark brown hair was almost black and a few flecks of premature gray hid around his temples, but that only gave him a more roguish air. Add piercing black eyes coupled with a lean build, and K'tal was quite handsome. K'dra could see why S'na would fall for the guy.
After K'tal and S'na had become serious he had abandoned all the women he had previously kept company and turned his attentions exclusively on S'na, a major point in the eyes of Et'an and K'dra.
It was amusing to the rest of the Weyr how close and protective the trio was of each other. When K'tal had made his first move on S'na, he was watched like a hawk from 2 pairs of human eyes and 3 pair of dragons. Even R'ahvin, bronze rider, had watched his step when expressing an interest in K'dra when they were weyrlings, who respectfully turned him down.
Even more amazing was the fact the dragons of the trio called each rider by their name, a feat that was a rank of high honor since dragons tended only to name their rider or riders weyrmate. Dragons were notorious for having terrible memories when it came to naming humans outside their rider.
K'tal didn't try to understand this three-part relationship, but he respected it. All he asked as that S'na make a room in her heart for Kittith and himself. And she did, even though it was challenging at first to juggle this new addition to her routine.
"Hello, K'tal," K'dra spoke up after S'na gave him a more personal greeting.
"Hello, K'dra. Are you ladies having fun?" K'tal took in the small pile of clothes and accessories with the patience and amused air of a man who grew up with a houseful of girls.
"Yes, we are, but I need to go anyhow. I'll just change in the bathing room." K'dra quickly grabbed her riding clothes and left the couple.
Where do we need to go anyway? Terranth wanted to know as K'dra slipped off the dress, and not without some reluctance. It was a beautiful dress.
It's called being tactful. S'na and K'tal would rather be alone with each other and it would be rather awkward if a third wheel is in the way.
What's a third wheel?
Never mind, dragon-love.
She finished belting her tunic and carefully folded the dress and the shawl-wrap.
Ask Shrith if it's all right to go in.
Why? Her dragon was curious.
Please?
K'dra tried to be patient. There was a pause before Terranth gave the okay.
I don't know why you needed to ask, the green dragon added caustically as K'dra stepped past the curtains of both the bathing chamber and sleeping quarters.
She smiled at the weyrmates and collected the pile of things that were hers. With a quick good-bye to the mates and a sleepy pair of dragons, K'dra packed the clothes in a bag tied to Terranth's riding straps and mounted.
"Take us to our weyr, dragon-love. And then we'll go to the Feeding Grounds after we drop my clothes off."
Terranth was more than happy to agree and winged off to the short distance to their weyr across the Bowl. K'dra dropped the bag off and then re-mounted so they could fly to the Feeding Grounds.
She slipped to the ground and waved Terranth over to eat. The emerald dragon pounced on a fat buck and neatly polished him off. Compared to most dragons, Terranth was as dainty eating as her frame. She wasn't as ferocious in her eating habits, taking her time to savor her meal. Terranth moved to snag another runner, and K'dra raised her eyebrows.
"Two my dear?"
I am very hungry, was the reply as she finished the runner, bones, skin, hair, and all.
She burped softly before eyeing the flock of wherries. Her eyes whirled a myriad of colors before gently taking to the air, spiraling lazily as with an unmistakable predator's gleam she observed the choices before her.
Making a final decision, she ascended until she was a speck in the sky. Then, she swooped down with a terrifying speed and plucked two fat wherries from the herd before the dumb animals knew what happened.
Even K'dra was amazed and Terranth haughtily fluttered over to a ledge and proceeded to eat them, a pretty good-size pair, one at a time. She licked her chomps and then the ledge for any remains.
"Are you done?"
K'dra was amused but also knew she had to draw the line now before Terranth gorged herself into somnolence.
Yes, I am. She gave a louder belch. Excuse me.
"You're excused. Now come here and take me to the kitchen. You're not the only one who's hungry."
Terranth landed smoothly beside her so K'dra could mount up. K'dra put a little too much strain on her left shoulder as she mounted and the threadscore gave a sudden spasm of its existence.
She gritted her teeth and exhaled in disgust. The pain left but still throbbed afterward. Another two seven-day before she was fit enough to fight Thread and just seven-day until she was allowed between. And all because…
All because we were fresh out of training and didn't know how to deal with unexpected wind currents, Terranth interrupted K'dra's ranting.
She crouched and K'dra unconsciously braced herself as the petite dragon launched them in the air. Her mighty wings swept out and they quickly gained altitude.
When we fight Thread again we will be better prepared.
K'dra decided it was useless to argue with her weyrmate and kept silent. She waved to the watchrider and his dragon, and motioned Terranth to land.
Not yet. You have much on your mind.
K'dra was shocked by firmness in Terranth's voice that she'd never heard before. And she didn't have a lot on her mind.
Yes, you do.
Terranth gained more altitude and took a southeasterly direction away from the Weyr, over the ocean. K'dra had no choice but to hang on for the ride.
"Where are we going?" K'dra inquired.
Your families hold.
Again, K'dra was surprised.
Terranth was taking me to my family? she thought.
Terranth gave an affirmative rumble and continued with the leisurely glide, her great wings sweeping out.
Despite her reservations, K'dra gradually felt herself relax, the steady, rhythmic sweep of Terranth's wings soothing. The wind in her face felt wonderful and the sun warmed her back. Above the clouds, just her and Terranth, was so peaceful.
How long has it been since I really took time for myself and relax? K'dra wondered.
A very long time.
"Do you always get into my thoughts?" K'dra was more amused than annoyed.
There is nothing about you I don't know.
There was smug certainty in that reply and K'dra couldn't restrain a grin. She was slightly disappointed to see the edges of Sonnette's Dawn Hold down below them a while later. Appearing suddenly in the air beside her head, a little bronze body flew with them.
It's Mako, Terranth remarked, craning her head to glance at the firelizard.
"I kind of figured that, but thanks for the warning."
Mako gave a happy peep and led Terranth to the field where Gavin was working with his laborers. She backwinged a distance away so as not to stir any dust or debris in the laborer's direction.
K'dra carefully dismounted so as to not agitate her shoulder further. Then she made her way to Gavin, and met him halfway in a hug.
"Hey, I'm not going to break. But I appreciate that you didn't hug so hard. The shoulder's still kind of sore."
K'dra stepped out of Gavin's arms to smile up at her favorite brother. Gavin's eyes held concern for her well-being but were satisfied when he looked her over himself.
"You don't look any worse for wear. How are you?"
"Mako didn't give you his daily report?" she teased as they made their way across the field toward Gavin's home.
"No. A mating flight yesterday discouraged him; one of the rutting dragons took a swipe at him when he lost. The hold firelizards don't like to be around when that happens and he didn't go today just to be sure another dragon didn't rise."
Gavin paused and gave K'dra a sideways look.
"I thought it was Terranth."
"You don't have to worry about my chastity big brother. Terranth and I are as innocent as a babe in the mother's womb. Shrith rose."
"Really? Who flew her, Tilanth?"
"No, Kittith."
"A blue?"
"What's wrong with a blue? They may be the smallest but they are just as much dragon as any bronze or brown. And K'tal is totally devoted to S'na; they just became official weyrmates."
"Easy, K'dra. I didn't mean any disrespect or to get you riled up. It's just that many were expecting Tilanth to fly her and took bets in his favor. Including me."
K'dra gave a wry grin and the tension in her body left.
"Shows you for betting against true love. Several riders lost many marks betting against K'tal and Kittith. Now they're taking bets on whether Terranth is going to be flown by Tilanth or not. Bets against him have risen with his failure to catch Shrith."
"And where were you during this excitement?" Gavin asked.
K'dra was aware of the eyes upon her: many did not know that Gavin Ulric's sister was a dragonrider.
"Doing my duty to my Weyr. On escort duty with bronze Xenith to cart some Lord Holders around."
K'dra gave a grimace at that reminder of a particularly rude and obnoxious holder. Gavin gave an unsympathetic laugh that earned him a half-hearted slug to the shoulder.
An elderly man approached them and K'dra could tell by the knot on his shoulder that he was of some rank. He gave a low bow to K'dra and Gavin, to which they returned.
"To what do I owe this visit, Del Ray?" Gavin candidly asked, perfectly at ease. With a bit of throat clearing, the man Del Ray answered.
"I'm sorry to interrupt sir; but the little ones who were supposed to be picking in the west field came and told me a dragonrider had landed there."
Del Ray gave K'dra a sidelong glance as if he couldn't believe she was here. She smiled. He blinked in surprise.
"They were correct. Del Ray, allow me to introduce you to K'dra, green Terranth's rider of Thread's End Weyr. K'dra, this is my foreman in charge of most everything that goes around here."
"Good morning, Headman Del Ray"
"Good morning, Dragonrider."
"She is also my sister," Gavin casually added, reaching up to scratch Mako on the cheek as the little bronze landed on his shoulder, tail entwined about Gavin's neck. Del Ray gave an exclamation of surprise to which Gavin smiled kindly.
"Del Ray. Inform all the workers to stop what they're doing and take what they have to the stores. We'll get to the rest tomorrow. Then give everyone, including yourself, the rest of the day off."
With Del Ray gaping behind them and K'dra trying not to laugh, Gavin ushered his sister to his house. The siblings exchanged grins before two tiny torpedoes hurled themselves out the door. Gavin and K'dra braced themselves.
"Aunt K'dra! Aunt K'dra!"
Two small bodies, one on each side, pressed against her legs. She smiled down at her twin niece and nephew.
Ringo and Starla Ulric were carbon copies of their father, from their coal black hair and eyes to their olive complexions. The twins had just turned four Turns old about a month ago.
"Hi, you guys."
One of them squeezed a little too hard near one of her score marks and it stung a bit.
"Oh, watch it. Auntie got threadscored on her back there."
"I'm sorry."
"We're sorry."
The twin's sentences ran atop of each other as they passed through the house's threshold.
"That's okay, just don't let it happen again."
The twins giggled, and K'dra joined in the laughter when Gavin complained about his own children not greeting him. They hugged and then resumed their positions by K'dra's side.
"Something smells good." K'dra raised her head and sniffed appreciatively.
"Why thank you, K'dra."
She turned to see her sister-in-law Katherine come from the kitchen. She was a lovely woman with hazel eyes and beautiful auburn hair with a lot of red glint in it, and a cream complexion.
She had the maternal glow that K'dra attributed to being pregnant and indeed, Katherine was well into her sixth month with another Ulric on the way. She was only twenty-six, eight Turns K'dra's senior.
"How was the flight up?"
"Beautiful. I forgot how wonderful just flying on Terranth was."
K'dra's eyes sparkled with her pleasure and her cheeks were still red from the wind, giving her face some more color. Katherine gave her an indulgent grin.
"I'm glad you could join us." Katherine followed K'dra's gaze to the extra table settings. Her inquiring look brought a smile to Gavin's lips as he too, watched his sister.
"Were you going to have some company?"
"Only the family," Katherine replied as she moved about to set another place at the table for K'dra.
"Mom, Dad, Mia, and Darryn," Gavin added as he shooed the twins to help their mother.
He offered K'dra a seat in the spacious living room that connected with the dining room. The twins climbed up on her lap and just enjoyed the simple contact with their often absent aunt.
"Who's Darryn?"
"You don't know about Darryn?"
K'dra shook her head no.
"Darryn's our newest member of the family. About a month ago, he lost his parents. We don't know whether to disease or if they were caught during Thread fall."
K'dra winced. She knew very well the damage Thread could work on human flesh.
"Mom and Dad found him sleeping in the barn loft. They took him in and kind of adopted him. You didn't know?" Gavin was slightly puzzled.
"A month ago, I was threadscored so bad I was bedridden for almost three seven-days," K'dra dryly noted. "You said Mom, Dad, Mia, and this Darryn. Malachi's not coming?"
Husband and wife exchanged amused glances as Katherine joined the rest of the family in the living room. The twins finally spoke up.
"Uncle Malachi is courting," Ringo explained. Starla was right on his heels.
"He's at her house."
Apparently, Starla didn't like having her favorite playmate taken away by another female.
"Malachi's found someone who could put up with him?" K'dra asked, now amused, as her second oldest brother, who always scoffed at romance, was seemingly smitten. Gavin nodded, just as amused as she was.
"Something tells me we may soon have three Mrs. Ulric's in the Nikkos clan the way things are going." Gavin gave his wife a loving smile and gently wrapped his arms around her swollen belly, resting his head against the small of her back where her shoulder blades met.
She leaned against him. K'dra wasn't the least bit embarrassed at this show of affection: her father and mother often were expressive of their love in front of their children, and her uncles and aunts were as well. Though the green-eyed monster of envy once again rose up: how she wished she had someone special to love on like that.
It surprised K'dra with its intensity considering that dragonriders rarely desired any human relationship when they had the bond with their dragon.
"Wow, it's that serious. I guess this means he won't be too sorry that he missed seeing me this time around."
The adults laughed, Katherine clutching her stomach.
"Please don't make me laugh!" she gasped in between gulps of air. Ringo and Starla just looked at each other and shrugged as if to say 'grown-ups'.
Your family comes, Terranth informed her rider.
How had Terranth known, completely hidden from the road by a hill. Which meant Mom and Dad didn't know K'dra was here. K'dra was pleased.
"Hello in the house!" a strong voice boomed from outside the door.
"Grandpa!"
The twin torpedoes shot out the door and a series of giggles and squeals accompanied them as they were brought triumphantly on the broad shoulders of Nikkos Ulric.
Latonya followed with a covered basket and then Mia and Darryn, both loaded down with food. Mia gave a shout of delight when she saw K'dra sitting in the seat.
"Omigosh! Kendra! I mean, K'dra! You're here!"
Mia hurriedly put her package down and darted to hug her sister. At only fourteen, Mia was already taller than her much older 18 Turn sister, standing at five foot four.
Little sis met big sis, taller met the smaller. K'dra smiled up at Mia, whose dark hair was unbound and flowing, reminiscent of how K'dra used to have hers at that length. Mia smiled back.
"I didn't know when we would see you again," Mia chattered excitedly.
"I didn't either. It was Terranth's idea."
"Don't hog her, let me in next."
K'dra was then swept up in her father's embrace, and she felt like she had as a little girl, safe and protected.
Thank you, Terranth.
"Hi, Daddy."
"Hello, sweetheart."
He gave her a cheeky grin, so much like Gavin, before giving way to Latonya. As always, her mother smelled of sweet perfume and K'dra inhaled her scent, many pleasant memories coming to mind.
"How are you, honey?"
"I'm great. Candy says that my scoring is healing very quickly."
"You didn't come between did you?"
"No, Terranth flew me straight here."
K'dra could see the anxiousness in her mother relax.
"Terranth has sense."
She smiled at her eldest daughter to take the sting away from the words and show her that she was only teasing.
"It will be another seven-day before I'm allowed between, and another seven-day after that before we can fly Fall."
That seemed to satisfy her mother and then K'dra came face-to-face with the newest member of the family.
"You're really a dragonrider?"
Darryn could be no more than ten Turns old. He was looking at K'dra with awe, his chocolate brown eyes wide, and his dark brown hair falling over his forehead.
"I certainly am. And you must be Darryn. Did you see my green Terranth on the way over?"
Darryn shook his head.
"No."
"Well, then, I'll have to introduce you two, Darryn."
"Us too!" the twins chimed in. They were always ready to meet their aunt's lifemate.
"You know my name?" Darryn asked with wonder.
"Of course. You're part of the family now, and I always know my families names."
The boy relaxed and gave her a smile. K'dra knew then she had gained the boys trust.
"Dinner's ready!" Katherine called.
K'dra spent the rest of the day in the company of her family.
The Weyr was wonderful and her home and she wouldn't change that for anything. But these people had been the most important thing in her life before and still held a large part of her heart. It was good to be with family and just talk about normal things that didn't have to deal with the Weyr all the time, or dwell on the disappointment of not being able to fight Thread.
K'dra made her way back to Terranth, feeling as sated as a dragon who had gorged. The sun was very low on the horizon, and the shadow's it cast were long. By the time they would reach the Weyr flying straight, it would be completely dark.
You enjoyed yourself.
Terranth was already up from her nap and waiting for K'dra patiently in the dim light.
"I wish you wouldn't sound so smug, dragon-love."
Terranth made the sound that was a dragon's laugh in her mind.
"I heard that."
K'dra mounted up and strapped herself in, giving a soft groan as she put her helmet and goggles on.
Are you hurt?
Terranth swiveled her massive man-sized head around so she could see her weyrmate, who gave a reassuring smile.
"No, I'm just stuffed. Gorged actually. Can we go home now?"
In answer, Terranth crouched low to spring herself up in the air. They soon gained sufficient altitude and the wind was like a soft caress. Soon the stars appeared and sparkled like radiant jewels, the night clear of the clouds from earlier.
The twin moons were just beginning their nightly trek across the sky and the quiet very peaceful. It was a very good end to a wonderful day.
"I know I already said this, but thank you Terranth."
You're very welcome. Sometimes you need some time just to yourself. Take today, for instance. You may not have noticed, but I have. And I did something about it, which you would not have.
There was soft rebuke in her dragon's voice, stemming from a love and concern for her rider.
"I love you, Terranth."
K'dra expressed that sentiment through the mental rapport in a way words would never do justice to.
Love for the way Terranth cared enough about her to take her to see her family, love that out of nearly 32 candidates, Terranth chose her.
Love that Terranth never left her side when she was scored, and even ordered by the queen to take a bath, kept a mental touch and helped to ease the worst of the pain.
Terranth rumbled a reply, and K'dra knew the dragon loved her more than any human could imagine. Even with her faults, Terranth didn't care. She was K'dra's, and K'dra was hers.
As they drifted into the Bowl, they renewed their pledge of love and devotion. When they landed in their weyr, the words of her favorite song echoed in K'dra's ears:
Dragonman, Dragonman
Between thee and thine
Share me that glimpse
Of love greater than mine.