I'm sorry for the delay. I've hit a bit of a writer's block and had an attack of real life. This section is really rough around the edges, but I'm having a lot of trouble saying what I want to say…bleh. I am hunting around for a beta-reader…so expect this to be updated once I've found one/edited it.

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The Search

1248.12.30

Istan Cothold

K'lain stood face to face with the most disagreeable looking young man he had ever set eyes upon. He was utterly transfixed and unable to do anything but wade through the bizarre sludge of emotions that he had been inexplicably tossed into. The bluerider had never been uncertain of anything in his life until that moment. His doubts were not hatched out of fear for the rules that he was breaking, but out of something deeper. A part of him knew that he was about to make a decision that would have repercussions beyond his imagination.

take the killer

Ierynth's sudden mindtouch jolted K'lain. He blinked hard and broke his staredown. The phantasms of questions fled his mind so quickly he didn't have the chance to remember them. The moment was over and the scene had been transformed. He leaned back so that his weight was resting on Ierynth's crooked forearm. Rubbing his eyes fiercely he mumbled, "J'nah. I swear I am never drinking again."

J'nah's green looked mortified for him. She had a habit of miming his expressions and postures, which when it concerned conversation with K'lain generally included varying degrees of embarrassment and self-righteousness. Neither K'lain nor Ierynth had been granted her approval. The close friendship between her rider and the joker was the primary source of everything she considered wrong in the world. However, as J'nah had once told her, You are so gleeful in picking out their flaws that I would not want to deny you such a pleasure. She had to agree.

J'nah dear one. Please inform him she placed special venom on this word, to try to have some self-restraint

Ierynth was in the process of examining the holderbrat standing defiantly in front of him, however in Deleriath's opinion (which she reminded J'nah, was the opinion shared by most of the Weyr's authorities) he was doing it wrong. Her rider had told her that they were on a search. While (much to her disgust) she lacked Ierynth's talent in such matters, she had a very defined opinion on what a searchdragon was supposed to do. These things consisted mostly of looking majestic. Ierynth however, looked strikingly similar to an overeager canine. Noticing the fact that his friend's dragon was eying up the reason they had ventured into Istan territory like a side of meat, he decided it was best to interject, "Uh….so…K'lain this is my brother Ikkith."

Deleriath took the time to point out, Ikkith is not a name for a person and he is a person. J'nah, whom lacked the ambition to try to explain to his green the situation behind his half-brother's conception, merely said, "He is my brother, and his name is Ikkith."

K'lain cocked his head to the size, as if a change in angle would improve his vision. He said, after an uncharacteristic period of consideration, "Has he ever killed anybody."

J'nah laughed, albeit weakly, "Remember my dear friend, our intentions for visiting him. Do you think I'd suggest such a thing if I honestly thought that he had taken another's life? Why would you say a thing like that?"

The bluerider did not know what was compelling him to secrecy. He had never felt the need to be dishonest to his friend before, but he instinctively knew that explaining his dragon's words would have caused more trouble than it was worth. K'lain cast J'nah one of his trademarked smiles, and wagged his finger at his friend, "Well, I mean, consider the circumstances," every ounce of his being was brimming with mischief, "If our intentions remain as such—and Ierynth thinks that he'll be suitable—we might as well break all of the rules."

"What's all this crackdust about?"

Ikkith had spoken for the first time. His voice was shrill and surprisingly brassy, especially when compared to his brothers gentle tones. The boy was seemed calm, but was bristling like a feral animal. For the first time he took a step backwards from the inquisitive blue dragon. K'lain could recognize the boy's reaction for what it was: terror, despite the fact that Ikkith was doing his best to hide his emotions. K'lain said, casting an irate eye to J'nah, "I was under the impression that you knew that already."

Ikkith shook his head, he hadn't taken his eyes off of Ierynth, but he didn't say anything. J'nah tried to explain himself, "Well, given the circumstances I didn't think it would be wise to give him the details."

K'lain had to agree. Stealing candidates from other Weyr's territory was something that had never been looked favorably upon. Ever since Igen had closed the flights of its junior queens to outsiders tensions between the Weyrs had grown. The only punishments K'lain could envision involved lots of blood. Letters could be intercepted, or fall into the wrong hands. As tight laced as J'nah liked to pretend he was, the greenrider had learned a good deal from K'lain during his Weyrlinghood. The most important lesson was how not to get caught. The bluerider shrugged, "I guess you're right, but there is no reason we need to be so cryptically now."

Affectionately, he patted his dragon's flank, "Listen up Ikkith. This wretched little beastie is my Ierynth. Our reputation proceeds us, but I don't believe it proceeds us this far, so I'll give you a brief summary. He's the best sharding searchdragon ever hatched from Igen sands. He also happens to comprise of the better half of one of the laziest dragonpairs ever to stumble together off of Igen sands. Senior queen Neisserith has just squeezed out a clutch of epic proportions. You follow me?"

Ikkith said, "Split Rock is on Istan territory," his voice was in a monotone, and it was impossible to tell how he felt about the implications of the fact

Smiling brightly, K'lain nodded, "Rightly said. That brings us to the conundrum that has brought J'nah and I here. You see, Neisserith and the other eggsacks have been producing clutches of epic proportions for some time now. It just so happens that there is a limit to the number of searchable individuals in an area….."

Ikkith looked confused. J'nah had a particularly pleading look on his face, but his brother was completely oblivious to this fact. Flashing his crooked, but strangely alluring teeth K'lain concluded, "So we're giving you're an opportunity to wipe your slate clean and have a second chance as a candidate—only at a more pleasant location."

Ikkith continued to look confused. Ierynth said to his rider, perhaps sensing the boys apprehension Is that why you brought the rope? K'lain gave his dragon a slight nod, and just so Ikkith and J'nah were not left out of the loop he added, "Oh, and you don't really have a choice."

J'nah (and his green) turned to give the bluerider a dirty look, "Now Ikkith, K'lain is just—"

"—No, I'm not. I don't know the kid and I don't trust anybody. If you don't want to come with us, I'm going to make sure that you're not going to tell anybody we were here."

Ikkith was nonplussed. It was obvious to him that K'lain was not a violent man. Ikkith understood threats better than most boys his age, and he was not particularly impressed by K'lain's feeble attempt. Should he refuse, Ikkith was fairly certain that his ultimate threat would not be any less pleasant than his current situation. While he would've very much liked to watch the squabble that appeared to be brewing between the two dragonriders. he was also an unfortunate conversation of thirsty and hot. Unlike J'nah and K'lain he had been forced to make the trip to their meeting place on foot.

Considering his options for a few seconds (there were not many options he really could consider) very briefly before choosing his path, "It doesn't matter. I'll come willingly, I'm a manlover anyway. Doesn't make me very popular."

Although Ikkith had relaxed (if just a hair's breadth) somewhat since this illicit meeting had begun, he was still obviously wary of the two dragonriders. It had been turns since he had last seen his brother. J'nah, Jennah at the time, had been a candidate at Ista Weyr. Ikkith knew his reasons for turning, and did not approve. K'lain did not know, nor was he especially interested in sordid politics of the past, he was however, interested in making people feel at ease. The bluerider's quicksilver mind considered the circumstances briefly, and then grinning wickedly, "Well my boy, if you're a vile manlover who'd rather—"

J'nah cast him an exceptionally dirty look, unfortunately K'lain took this as a dare to be as explicit as he possibly could be. By the end of his vivid explanation of exactly what he'd rather do, J'nah's sun-darkened face was burning. Although her words were silent to the bluerider, K'lain was sure that Deleriath was jibbering some nonesense to her rider. However, to K'lain's great pleasure something like (but not quite) a smile teased at the corner of Ikkith's face. The boy said, flatly but not humorlessly, "If you put it like that I suppose I should be leaping at this opportunity for—"

"Enough!" It was J'nah's turn to bristle, "This is not some bawdy tavern, nor is Ikkith a member of Big Brown Wing. He's my bother, and I will not stand you--" the greenrider's voice trailed off. His sudden burst of anger had gone as quickly as it had come. He couldn't explain why he had suddenly been so impassioned. It was as if he had seen K'lain swoop predatorily down upon his brother and—and well Ikkith did nothing to resist the advances. J'nah was sensitive to these things. All his life he had been haunted by half-emotions that belonged to others. Some even dared to say that his abilities (or condition, depending on whom you asked) bordered on those of legends. The greenrider knew that something dangerous was slowly unfurling in front of him, and was silently cursing himself for being the catalyst of it all.

Unfortunately the fleeting premonitions K'lain had experienced earlier had vanished like mist after sunrise. He could experience nothing but slight agitation at J'nah's outburst. K'lain's talent to ease people's nerves could just as easily be deployed for purposes of wounding, however before he could even speak, Ikkith stole the words from his mouth, applying them with more rancor that K'lain could ever muster, "My brother. Let us not forget the color of your beast. Unless I am sorely mistaken greens favor men of distinctive orientations. If her color bleeds true, she marks you as the one who favors the company of men far more than any of us."

Deleriath's mindtouch barraged her rider with a slew of appropriate responses to this comment. She was far too well mannered to be as brash as to tell Ikkith these personally (nor did he, in her mind, do anything to warrant such an honor) but even this was tested as J'nah shook his head sadly and said, "So you've chosen to accept our offer?"

His voice dripped of disappointment. K'lain felt a stab of guilt that he couldn't quite place, but Ikkith was undeterred. The boys confidence was growing by the minute, he nodded eagerly. J'nah nodded in response, "K'lain, you and Ierynth should take him. Deleriath is tired."

K'lain knew that the greenrider had wanted to say I am tired and I do not wish to have my brother press tightly against me and remind me of memories I cannot leave but he made no attempt to weasel those words out of J'nah. He merely instructed Ierynth to kneel down. Ikkith scrambled up his back gracelessly, but with surprising ease. When K'lain climbed behind the newly minted candidate he realized for the first time how odd it really was to be sharing Ierynth with anybody else.

Grunting a signal audible to only Ikkith and his blue, they began to make their accent. J'nah followed afterwards, feeling, despite the throng of giddy excitement emanating from his closest friend, completely alone. Deleriath reprimand him sharply, Don't you go mooning after those jokers. and he realized that he could never be truly alone again.

With a flash of his home, his true home, J'nah lead the unlikely quintet into the abyss. He had made this journey through nonspace thousands of times before, but the snaking fear that he would never emerge could never be shaken from him. black He tried to remind himself that Deleriath was below him blacker she was perfect and whole blackest oh dear Faranth this is taking too long.

We are home.

1248.12.30

Igen Weyr

Without word or ceremony a green dragon, followed by a blue, appeared high over the caldera of Igen. The pair circled the Weyr lazily before beginning their descent. The watchrider and his dragon were stirred out of their stupor at the sudden intrusion in the heat-cleared sky. The excitement of the possibility of change was stilled as quickly as it came. He recognized the gangling, midnight colored dragon immediately as Ierynth. His Gilbreth bellowed a greeted and conveyed a message from Ierynth's ride, He thinks that it would be a good idea to take me swimming with them once we get off duty. I think it's a good idea too

W'yak shook his head, "I need to mend your leathers tonight. I'm free tomorrow night."

His brown relayed this to the blue, whom shrieked in disapproval. W'yak liked K'lain well enough, but the younger rider was far too irresponsible for his tastes. He did not necessarily agree with the Weyrleader's mantra that threadfall was eminent, but he did believed that as a dragonrider, he held certain ancient responsibly. More importantly, K'lain was W'yak's wingmate, and the brownrider was fairly certain that the younger bluerider was the reason why he had drawn the short straw (watchduty) for three sevendays in a row.

Gilbreth looked skywards longingly, Deleriath shines so nicely. She is much more agile than the other greens in the Weyr. I think I may want her.

W"yak winced at his brown's implications, "Deleriath may be nice, but that situation is far too delicate for my tastes. Let's stick to greens whom can handle flights."

The brownrider sighed and leaned back, watching from his lofty perch as the pair of dragons slowly spiraled downwards. He knew that he should enjoy an uneventful watch, but part of him wished sorely that something more exciting than a lusty scoundrel and his minion had landed in the Weyrbowl.

But Deleriath is very nice to look at.

-

The contrast was so sudden and jarring that Ikkith cried out in pain and surprise. Utter darkness and cold had, without warning undergone a transformation. He was surrounded by blinding white light and heat. The sudden burst of desert air instantly dried out his throat, and filled his mouth with the taste of dust. He hacked something like a vomiting feline. K'lain whacked him on his back, "You're supposed to breath after we land—the dust gets a chance to settle."

Slowly the candidate pried open his eyes. The sun glare was so severe that he could only make out the vaguest outlines of boulders and cliffs. The Weyr seemed to be completely abandoned. From his limited vantage point he could see no signs of life. Something like panic welled up within him, "where—"

The bluerider intercepted his question, "Heat wave. Days like this wingdrills will kill ya—or at least make you wish you were dead. Most of the wingleaders with a heart will hold drills in the evening on days like this."

J'nah dismounted, causing his own puff of dust, "If it doesn't rain soon the feedherd will be in trouble."

K'lain nodded and sighed as he helped Ikkith off Ierynth's back, "You may want to run back to Ista come meal-time. If the drills don't kill you the food might."

Ikkith looked like a solid meal would finish him off. While he shared J'nah's blonde hair (a trait that K'lain had never seen on another person) the candidate did not have the fortune of copious sun exposure. J'nah's complexion was deliciously honeyed. Ikkith's was sallow and pale, he looked like an anemic cave dweller blinking in the sun. He jumped as K'lain clamped him over the shoulder, "C'mon, I'll introduce you to List. She's working with the candidates now; you'll be under the jurisdiction of the Headwoman, but Wilga is a real wher and you'd do best to avoid her."

Following behind them, J'nah shrugged, "If you had to play the part of wet nurse for hundreds of men you'd be a wher too."

Delightedly, K'lain turned, "My darling, that's positively graphic!"

"Clear the crackdust out of your head! I didn't mean it like that!"

Ikkith snickered, smiled and then said, "Things are never going to be the same now are they?"