A sevenday passed since G'ny's rough morning when B'don gathered as much of a fighting Flight as he could, a mere 52 dragons – less than half of High Reaches, for drills. Each Wingleader rode with approximately 16 dragons behind him. He invited G'ny and Saleneth, as a fighting fit pair, to provide respite for other greens, filling in some of the gaps in the formation throughout the day and try out different positions. For the first set, they were stationed in the right, rear-most flank to help check the uniformity of the Flight's angles. For the next, they were asked to be an auxiliary unit to practice the handoff of firestone, but also to scan the lines of the Flight to make sure everyone was aligned from another angle. Unlike at High Reaches, Igen called a long afternoon break at this time of year. G'ny was a bit surprised, as the pair had lasted throughout the entirety of the morning session and had yet to feel really fatigued. When she commented on the practice, she was quickly informed that the desert heat was oppressive, and would be for the next month or so, so riders used their extended break to hydrate and rest while they waited out the worst of the heat so they would be prepared to round out their drills once the sky showed some mercy.
G'ny had not noticed the heat creep up on her. At A'jan's suggestion, she stepped out into the Bowl to really feel this hallmark of Igen Weyr once the excitement of the morning drills had subsided. The heat was like nothing she had ever experienced before. It had certainly intensified since she had dismounted her partner, especially without the constant rush of air that accompanied flying. Even though she had drank four cups of water with her meal, G'ny could feel her mouth growing dry after just a minute in the sun. She quickly retreated back into the cooling shade of the Weyr and downed another cup. Indeed, the late-midday rest was certainly welcome and well thought out. Once the sun had and begun its descent, the pair was again fresh and ready to go for the late afternoon-evening session, primarily filling in for other greens who needed to rotate out of the shift. It was tiring to say the least, especially with so many new positions to embody, but G'ny enjoyed the challenge and her partner only inspired her rise to it.
She fell into step with A'jan and M'cal as they stowed their riding gear for the day. "Where was that B'ran guy today? Too good to fly in formation?"
"Oh, I think the Weyrleader gave him the day off because he flew reconnaissance yesterday. Why? Do you like him?" A'jan answered and queried.
"Haha, I'm not here to like anyone. I just think I had to fill in his spot a few times." G'ny laughed the inquiry off lightly, dusting a spot off her riding jerkin.
"What, had your fill of men at High Reaches or did the Weyrwoman steal your man before she kicked you out?" G'ny's dark reaction to this comment make A'jan immediately regret his impetuosity. "Oh, I see. Didn't realize it was like that. But that wasn't a flat out no to my question, eh? Eh?" G'ny again laughed the comment off and turned away towards the interior of the Weyr with a wave to the boys. It had been a long day.
You do, don't you? Her dragon's voice surprised G'ny a bit. She hadn't given the matter much thought. His hair right? That's a thing you humans fancy, right? Saleneth had a point, the look of his short but windswept hair, with its hints of sun did strike G'ny as handsome.
His eyes look kind. G'ny added.
Saneth's eyes are kind too. And he is big and strong for a brown.
What? Are you planning on rising soon, Miss Unpredictable?
If I don't tell you, will you not leave me for Radharc? It's much more fun when you share in it. Her green challenged.
Fair, my love, fair, G'ny conceded. Saleneth snorted.
Saleneth kept her diffidence for a little over a month after G'ny had broached the mating question with her. G'ny noticed Saleneth's change in color and sought the Weyrwoman's counsel during one of their afternoons together. The Weyrwoman announced that a short break and stroll out to the ledge of her weyr to check Saleneth's condition would be in order.
"Why yes, I think you are right. Of course she is more than welcome to rise here. In fact, we would be honored. A dragon's rising is always a cause for celebration here at Igen, we'll take each one we can get, especially with Ganebeth hardly rising anymore. You just let nature run its course. The dragons will take care of the rest. And of course if you would like some extra support, I am always here." G'ny smiled in appreciation.
"You say this, even having heard Allika wanted me back in Radharc for it?"
The Weyrwoman regarded her incredulously and laughed. "Nonsense. Like I said, it's good for morale." She said, effectively ending the conversation.
Vowna had settled G'ny down in a queenrider's weyr for the occasion. Many hopefuls loitered in the antechamber of the weyr when Saleneth took off. A woman partner certainly was an intrigue. Saleneth cast a quick glance behind her at her prospectives. With its small overall size, the pickings were slim at Igen. Eight browns, a solitary bronze, and even a dozen blues thought they would join the fray, fools they were, not knowing how quickly they would be out of the running. It's not like they would have known that she commanded a bronze her last two flights. They, like most of history, underestimated greens - especially her. Despite how she had filled in positions on many an occasion, this Weyr was still unaware of the proficiency with which she flew. They would soon see. She was dismayed not to see her mate of choice at the outset. If she outlasted them all, it would not be the worst occurrence. After all, she did not come to Igen for a weyrmate, but she wouldn't find one objectionable. Even though the absence of Allika's scornful eyes might take some pressure off of the relationship, a mere five months in a place was sure to only end in heartbreak for her rider.
As she looped out towards Keroon Bay, Saleneth felt another presence enter behind her. Here he was, that brown who was the one she could most imagine catching her. She swooped down to the water level, curious who would follow. Once assured of her suitors, she dipped a wingtip down into the water, causing a spray. It hit one blue who was so surprised by the obstacle that he tumbled down into the water below. She headed back over to the eastern shore, ascending gradually. The last of the blues finally gave up trying to keep pace with her, leaving only a handful of browns in the race. The three who had swooped down to give her chase over the water flapped frantically to match her swift ascent. One dragon, Saneth, had already anticipated that she would regain altitude and was already above her, although still trailing by a few dragonlenths. The distance between them closed as she reached higher and higher. Saleneth shifted her head to glance slightly behind her. In her moment of distraction, her vision became filled with Saneth's large head and neck as he clinched the victory.
"I've missed this," G'ny said comfortably the next morning, having woken up in B'ran's arms. "I didn't see you at first."
"Saneth and I had been out helping the farmers gather and transport redfruit. Saneth insisted we hurry back as soon as we could." B'ran explained. "I'm glad he did," he added, kissing G'ny's temple.
"I thought you didn't like me- you were always quiet or quick to make yourself scarce whenever I was around." G'ny confessed.
"I thought you were beautiful since the moment I saw you land that first day in the Weyr."
"I didn't notice anyone around but Vowna welcoming me!"
"No, but people noticed you. I just don't have the best luck with women, what with my Holder sensibilities, and didn't think you would ever choose me. Didn't want to screw it up or say something stupid." B'ran admitted. G'ny studied his face carefully. He was so gentle and communicative, she could hardly believe a woman could have the nerve to treat him poorly.
"I'm Holderbred too, you know. From Radharc, originally. Weyrlife sure takes some getting used to, that I definitely agree with you about."
"Oh B'ran, breakfast is almost over!" A'jan's cheerful voice taunted in the hall outside the queenrider's weyr, which was connected to the heart of the Lower Caverns.
"Perhaps your weyr would be more discrete?" G'ny suggested. B'ran nodded in approval at the suggestion. G'ny and B'ran looked at each other and giggled. Thus the two made the pact to become weyrmates for the remainder of G'ny's stay at Igen. They then snuggled under the furs for a moment more before making themselves decent and heading down to the Kitchens for the meal of the hour.
"C'mon, get up, let's go!" B'ran was particularly energetic on their ninth morning together. "I convinced B'don that since you haven't been through Weyrling training with us, someone should get you up to speed on the landmarks and sweep routes of Igen."
"And he wouldn't have agreed that that guide should be you, would he?" G'ny feigned indulgently.
"Well, I am one of the best sweep riders. Saneth is able to cover plenty of ground in one day, and I get on well with the Holders, being that we are cut from the same cloth and all." B'ran's chest swelled with pride. G'ny smiled as she rolled over and began gathering her pack materials. "Have you actually seen the Red Butte?"
"I mean, what dragonrider hasn't? We had a few between drills there, but never stayed for very long. The Seven Spindles are the primary landmark for High Reaches weyrlings." G'ny replied.
"Ah, see this was our primary training spot, especially in the summer months since the plains that surround it are a little cooler than Igen's desert. Boy, did the local farmers hate it when we strayed too far and their herdbeasts caught whiff of our dragons. Made us really good at predicting wind patterns. Thread be seared, we'd be so good at catching the stuff if it ever hit these plains, windstorms and all. Here, Saneth will send Saleneth a more recent image since we go there all the time and it sounds like it has been a while for you."
The Red Butte was about as G'ny remembered it from her drills going between, but now, without the time pressure of the drills, she paid even closer attention. It still had its distinctive reddish color and rounded shape up top, but now she took a moment to marvel at the smooth sheen of the rock. Geology had never been her favorite subject, nor was it ever emphasized in either her Holder or Weyrling studies, but she could appreciate the fascination it brought to some. If she recalled correctly, miners had rumored that the Red Butte might have had the potential to become a Weyr with a caldera if certain conditions had been met. She could not remember the details of the lecture, but was glad the monument stood as it did, as it was quite impressive to behold.
"Oh! We never actually got this close" G'ny exclaimed.
"Close, ha! As Weyrlings, we had tons of games - racing around, racing to the top, zig-zagging through some of the ravines that led up there. M'cal once went into a nasty spiral when Malleth clipped her wing on an outcropping. We've got a lot of ground to cover today, so a race around might be pointless, but a straight race to the top could certainly be in order. What do you think?" B'ran challenged. He need only to have looked to the glimmer in her eye to know the answer. "Okay, from the ground, on your mark, get set, go!" He yelled and they were off.
Saleneth had a great start and had edged ahead in the beginning, but somehow, Saneth's wingbeats seemed to be stronger, and more effective, eventually propelling him to the finish line at the apex of the Red Butte faster. G'ny was a bit crestfallen but still exhilarated. It's okay, Saleneth piped in. Saneth just knows the topography of this place really well - the side of the butte channels the air in certain ways and he has a lot more experience in leveraging those features. This explanation by her dragon made it easier for G'ny to swallow her pride. The unfolding view below her also helped distract her. Saneth and Saleneth alighted next to each other at the rounded top of the butte. In addition to the sprawling plains that rippled like they were alive in the wind, the crags below her were fascinating. She could see a few spots below her where the mound leveled out and could accommodate a gathering of people and dragons. She wondered what kinds of occasions might bring people together here.
"Once you've had your fill, we've got a lot more to traverse today. We'll head west towards Igen River and follow it up towards Igen Weyr, up to the border with Telgar. We'll deviate a little from that general plan so that we can survey the runner and caravan paths. As you know, we want to keep our eyes peeled for anyone who looks like they are in need of assistance." G'ny nodded at these instructions. The two of them cruised along at a reasonable altitude. Occasionally they would see the small clusters of caravaning traders. They did not see many of the smaller dots that indicated individual runners, although B'ran assured her it was because most runners completed their routes at night, without the glare of the sun. Cotholds were also very numerous in this area as herdbeasts and grains flourished. After about two hours of flying, B'ran signaled that they would descend towards one cothold in particular. G'ny followed his lead as he dismounted, put stowed his riding gear in the stables, and approached the cothold proper.
"B'ran, you're home!" A middle aged woman opened the door, two small children and a large canine spilling out from behind her.
"G'ny, welcome to where I grew up." B'ran announced, reaching down to rub the ear of the canine while the two small children set to clambering on his legs in an attempt to sway him to pick them up. The cothold residents were mostly comprised of B'ran's extended family. While the men were mostly out in the fields throughout the day, his two younger brothers made quick appearances for supplies on occasion, and the women and children gave the two a warm welcome, complete with cool juice and warm pie. Try as she might, G'ny knew there was no way she would remember the names of all of the little ones from this one visit.
"When I'm not in the Weyr or actively on sweep, you can usually find me here. The Weyr is nice and all, but there's nothing quite like family. Growing up running through these plains with the open sky above me makes it feel a little constrained in the Weyr, even though Saneth can take me wherever we want to be at a moment's notice. I know you're only planning for your stay out here to be temporary, so I wanted to show you this part of my life when I had the chance, in case you ever choose to come back and want to share it with me - not that you need to or we're there yet, but... this is just important to me and I thought you should know." Indeed, it was a bit early to learn of all this, and to meet his family, but it all seemed so natural to G'ny. She could see the allure of this bucolic life. It was less bustling than her home Hold, but it had its charms. Everyone seemed so committed to helping each other and making life in this small microcosm work out.