A full five months had passed since Saleneth rose in her maiden mating flight. "You know, Bremeth and I were conferring the other day..." L'can began during one of their dinners together. "It has been a while since Saleneth rose. Greens usually rise three or four times a Turn. At this rate, three flights this year is out of the question. Not that either of us minds, mind you," a hint of blush spread to L'can's cheeks at these last few words.
"Huh, I haven't really been paying attention. I mean, I check her color out daily." G'ny thought out loud.
"I wasn't questioning your attentiveness to your partner." L'can clarified quickly.
"I guess I'm just relieved that it's not something I have to worry about, so I'm not about to question it. Besides, what's it to you? There are other greens, and Cavern women, and..." G'ny trailed off as she saw the look of intensity in L'can's eyes.
"We could. But we haven't," L'can said shortly, rubbing his chin, where a hint of stubble had formed on his usually clean-shaven façade.
"Oh." Oh she thought.
"Well, I'm sure you and Bremeth will be the first to know, he's definitely got an eye on her."
"Yes, yes indeed. Say, just out of, you know, scheduling concerns for the Wing, do you think you might stay this time?" G'ny rolled with L'can's attempts at subtlety.
"No, I'm really looking forward to seeing my family, I'm not sure I'm ready for all, that," G'ny made a face, "And with the Weyrwoman's generous dispensation, I'm going to take the opportunity before her indulgence wears thin. Besides, with Bremeth's hawkish supervision, you should have ample time to call up T'tor or the Wingsecond he replaced. It's only a few days, and it's not like Thread is falling." G'ny said cheerfully.
"Absolutely," L'can smiled, trying to hide his disappointment.
Another two months passed before the event at heart of their conversation became imminent. Bremeth noticed only minutes before G'ny. L'can and G'ny were on a collision course that convened them at the midpoint between their weyrs.
"L'can, you're just the man I was looking for!" G'ny exclaimed. "I think Saleneth will be rising soon. Based on last time's timing, I am thinking of heading out morning after tomorrow. So I was going to swing by to let you know, so that you can make, you know, arrangements." G'ny over-explained as matter of factly as she could muster given the sensitive subject and her suspicions.
"Day after tomorrow, got it. I'll see who I can wrangle" L'can replied with forced alacrity.
The night before her scheduled departure, G'ny packed a small bag of clothes – something she had neglected in the rush of last time. She paid dearly for her lack of foresight, as she had been stuck wearing Holder dresses to the delight of her mother. She also stopped by the kitchens to grab a small ration of nutcake, a specialty of Lawana's that she had longed for in the hours that the Holder meals came inevitably late under her mother's watch. Nothing like the efficiency of a Weyr, G'ny thought. Plus, she wanted the excuse to say goodbye to her friend and confidant who poured them both cups of klah with added sweetener as way of a sendoff. G'ny could feel Saleneth's energy when she awoke the next morning. Can you check that T'mir and Tolluth are ready? G'ny inquired of her dragon. They are waiting for you. You are sure you want to leave me again? It was half an hour before the scheduled departure time, those two sure are eager to please, G'ny thought to herself, and yes, to her dragon. She dressed quickly, grabbed her pack, and hurried down to the courtyard. An unexpected figure lingered in the early morning square where she and T'mir had agreed to meet. It was L'can, up early to see her off. She nodded to him in greeting.
He took her hand suddenly. "Stay," L'can pleaded. "I will honor you to the fullest if Saleneth honors Bremeth again." G'ny quickly closed her mouth, which had fallen open at this request. She shook her head and her hand free, taking T'mir's proffered one up to Tolluth's neck. The three of them – T'mir, Tolluth, and G'ny swiftly departed, leaving L'can behind to grow smaller and smaller as they rose high enough for Tolluth to jump between. She was thankful T'mir did not bring the encounter up during their travels.
Back in Radharc Hold, over a feast fitting of its prodigal daughter, Genny described the developments of the past five and a half months with her family. She told them of her growing leadership as a Wingsecond, friendship with Lawana, rivalry with Allika, and interactions with L'can, awkward sendoff and all. Her mother nodded understandingly with each tale she told. After supper, her father pulled her aside.
"I think you should go back. The Weyr is your home now and you must acclimate to its ways. It sounds like you have quite the network there, and a Wingleader, Weyrleader, and a Headwoman who will take good care of you. Don't worry about us or what our Holder mindset will think of you. Of course I want to see you as much as possible and I have loved these two visits in one Turn, but I will always be proud of and support your decisions. Since one of those decisions has been to go to the Weyr, I think you should fully accept the responsibilities that flow from that decision, make the most of it."
That night, G'ny approached T'mir about what her father had said. "Your father is a wise man, and I agree that you should and will accede to all the responsibilities when the time is right. I also think that that time is fast approaching. I am happy to take you back to High Reaches in the morning."
"Thank you, T'mir, I suppose I have to tell Mother." G'ny did not relish the idea. T'mir nodded.
G'ny rose early, uneager to present the news of her departure to her mother. Schism was inevitable. Her mother never wanted her to be a dragonrider, and every reminder that she was one only made tensions worse. Her mother no longer had the control over her which she had long cultivated and longed for. Falling for, or at least becoming entangled with another dragonrider, as was customary when a dragon rises, would only sever Genny's Holder ties even more.
"Ma, I'm headed back to the Weyr."
"What, but... has it happened, already?"
"No, but I did a lot of thinking last night and I think my place is in the Weyr, supporting my dragon when she rises. I hope you can understand."
"Well, I do not. You ought to think about –" Her mother's rage was the last thing G'ny needed right now. She quickly turned on her heel to meet T'mir who was waiting outside. "How dare you young lady, turning your back on me –" A low growl from Tolluth quickly silenced the lesser Hold woman. G'ny vaulted unaided onto Tolluth's neck and cast a quick nod behind her at T'mir. The trio was promptly off.
You're back. Saleneth's voice was both confused and excited. Yes babe, I'll be with you the whole time on this one. G'ny could hear Saleneth trill in excitement from her perch on the caldera. Well then, shall we feed? I'm hungry.
So it's beginning. G'ny thought. She figured the Headwoman would have counsel for her, as she had observed riders while their dragons were in the throes of a flight and knew G'ny's situation well. G'ny descended down to the kitchens just as Saleneth rose up and glided eager with anticipation over to the wildebeest pens. I bleed them like the queens. Saleneth confided with pride. Well, at least the first two. The third is just so tough to resist.
You do you, babe, there's no huge constraints since you are not a queen. She could feel Saleneth's haughty indignation. Of course you are a queen to me, and I will do whatever you would like to support you.
Good, you should want them all to know how special we are.
G'ny found Lawana in her usual spot overseeing the kitchen. "Lawana, Saleneth is rising!"
"My goodness child, what are you doing here? I thought you went home."
"I did. But I think I'm ready to do this right. Can you help me?"
"Yes, yes, of course. Tasla, will you take over? There are fifteen more minutes on the bread loaves and the wherry has been in for an hour and a half. Don't for get to add the extra berries at two hours. With a rising like this, the Weyr is sure to appreciate a good, hearty meal. Come on girl, let't take you to a lower weyr, the riders will find you. She is feeding now?"
"Yes, says she wants to bleed them like queens."
"Well, she has always been a precocious one, your Saleneth. Ok, stay with her, remind her of control and moderation." The pair of women were halfway up the steps to G'ny's weyr. G'ny could taste the warm blood like it was the most delicious treat in the world. She longed to take a solid, chunk of a bite. No, she reminded both of them. We are doing this like queens. Her dragon rumbled with conviction. At last they were at the young woman's weyr and she was able to step out onto the ledge just in time for her to see her dragon launch herself up past the lip of the caldera. "She looks to be in fine form," G'ny could hardly hear the Headwoman over the roar of adrenaline in her ears.
Together they pushed higher, faster, but not so fast as to tire the dragon out too quickly. She was vaguely aware of at least two dozen colored figures rising to the periphery of her vision. No use checking who they are, it will only slow us down, Saleneth explained airily. She took a turn towards the mountain peaks and began weaving in and out. The best part of being a green was this superb agility. She heard a vague thud in the background. A blue or brown must have gotten sloppy in his fatigue and clipped a wing. What folly for chasing her, Saleneth. Indeed, the numbers had begun dwindling, and she was aware of only about a half dozen figures behind her. She's here. A deep voice G'ny did not recognize interrupted the privacy she shared with her dragon. It was quizzical. Another swooping dive around the base of one of the mountains. The bronzes left were too large to pull off the maneuver cleanly. They would have to fall back and wait to guess at which angle she would rise again, giving her an advantage when she emerged – both in terms of direction and speed.
"You're here." The velvety voice of L'can purred in her ear. She felt his touch on her upper arm. Her concentration would not be pulled away from the flight at hand! She could feel Saleneth starting to flag ever so slightly. Together they shot around the peak and arced back out, away from the mountains and over towards the open valleys in which the wildebeests roamed and the trees grew in stands. She thought to coast for a few seconds to regain her breath while the bronzes would be searching for her location. In the moment of reprieve, G'ny was vaguely aware that four other figures had gathered in her weyr.
Suddenly, she was caught off guard. Bremeth was much closer to her left flank than she had calculated any bronze would be. He must have anticipated her exit point accurately and managed to build up momentum in that direction. At her own side, G'ny felt L'can's strong arms gently moving over her shoulder. Bremeth was quickly closing the gap Saleneth had built between them. There was no way the other bronzes could catch up with that kind of lead. Almost, she was almost within reach. Bremeth soared just a little higher, and on his dive down, twirled in to grab Saleneth's forearms with his own. Lawana must have shooed the losers apparent out of the weyr because G'ny was aware only of her and L'can in the space. He guided her over to the bed where his strong body covered hers. Their lips met like the intertwined necks of their dragons. G'ny was overcome by emotions of chaos, calm, lust, and satisfaction all at once. So this was a full on mating flight.
The pungent smell of klah brought G'ny to her senses. She opened her eyes to a shirtless L'can pouring two mugs of the energizing drink. She marveled at the muscles usually obscured by his tunic. He turned toward her, a fur wrapped loosely around his hips. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead and pressed one of the mugs into her hands. G'ny wiggled to sit up, clutching the furs modestly over her naked body. "So was it as bad as you thought it would be? Is it so bad, me being here?" L'can sidled in next to her under the furs, taking a sip of klah from the mug in his one arm and wrapping his other around her. His warm side touching hers was not unpleasant, she decided.
"Mmm," G'ny managed to murmur as she took a sip from her own mug.
"Hungry?" L'can reached over with his long arms to the tray that had been left by the bedside. G'ny's stomach gave an audible growl in response. She really hadn't eaten all day. He set his klah down on the tray and pulled the covered basket over towards them. "Mmm, stewed wherry and fresh bread, looks like this basket did a good job of keeping it nice and warm too."