A Master's Stage

[Ayanna]

It was midday and the Weyrbowl was full of people coming and going, proving that the Weyr was on its way to a full recovery after the tragedy that had befallen it recently. The Bluerider allowed a ghost of a smile to cross his lips as he and His hovered a few yards away. He was in no rush to fly in and land, choosing instead to cast his eyes over everything he could see from this vantage point. He began analyzing the layout of the Weyr itself, where the Candidate Barracks were in relation to the Weyrwoman's Weyr, where the Dining Hall was located, memorizing all he could about his new home. Next he began acquainting himself with the landscape that surrounded the Weyr. Every rock, every tree, every puddle of water he etched into his memory while Sylarth worked his wings to keep them hovering in roughly the same spot. Z'nar focused both on the points of weakness and the biggest strengths, and when he was satisfied he had gained a fairly decent understanding of what was needed, the team headed down. They averted the Weyrbowl, Z'nar instead choosing to first better acquaint himself the area in which he would be spending a large majority of his time here at Black Sands Weyr.

The Weyrling Weyrs and surrounding areas.

Sylarth landed gently, with the ease of long pracice, and before he had even completely touched the ground his Rider had leaped gracefully from his back, slinging his bag over his shoulder in one smooth movement. Landing on his feet he stood, man and dragon stretching in unison before relaxing once more. Z'nar reached out and stroked the Blue's wings, gently massaging when Sylarth gave a slight wince. It had been a long flight for the both of them, and they were glad to be back on solid ground. Mine, I think I rather like this place already. There are plenty of people for you to smile at. Maybe even have a long conversation with. You will finally have everyone's undivided attention! Sylarth didn't waste a second before he began teasing His Rider, blowing out a soft snort which he tried to use to cover the low rumble of his chuckle.

Used to his dragon's antics Z'nar merely rolled his cold, sapphire eyes and shook his head. "Their undivided attention, yes, though I'm sure it will not be the kind of attention to which you are referring." With a last pat the rider moved forward, his eyes and mind moving quickly, committing everything he saw to memory. There were a few people milling about who gave the pair curious looks and then moved on, unconcerned.

He continued forward, moving inside the corridors, though not entering the personal rooms themselves. Merely getting used to the layout of the place. He saw where the previous Master had positioned everything, making a few mental adjustments, nodding his head in agreement with others. After he had done a thorough inspection of all he felt comfortable viewing without an escort he turned to his Dragon and ran a hand through his neck length hair. Would it be rude to retire before I've met my new Weyrwoman?


Who's to say whether that is rude or not? Rudeness is perceived differently by different people. The Weyrwoman Auralina may very well think it rude to make her come outside and greet you. Perhaps you should avoid her completely unless specifically summoned! Although his Syralth tried to maintain a monotone, serious tone to his comments, he could not fool Z'nar and received an exasperated look instead. What am I to do with you? Alright, you have made your point. I at least need to introduce myself before I retire. Otherwise I may sleep for days and that will really make me look bad in Their eyes.


A snort accompanied those words and large, almost white shoulders began to shake with mirth. That is one way to prove that you are a capable Weyrling Master. Not greet anyone, sneak about the Weyrs studying every detail, then disappearing to sleep for days on end. If it's a loner's life you wanted, you picked the wrong profession. Sylarth reminded him, prodding him hard enough to knock him off balance.


Exasperated, Z'nar shook his head. Perhaps. But most days I feel this profession chose me, not the other way around.

[Lynn]

Weyrlingmaster.

The cool tone came from above, and was accompanied by a dark form circling down, the one on its shoulders watching quietly until they had settled. At this point, the gold speckled Queen turned her head to regard the much smaller Blue with curious satisfaction, and her rider inclined her head. "Weyrlingmaster," she said, her voice lighter, calmer and only slightly warmer than her dragon's, with much the same tone. As tended to happen with Riderpairs, Destinith's voice mirrored Auralina's, sounding like her's through a distance. "Welcome to Black Sands." The slender woman jumped down, landing lightly to her feet, and then straightened, watching the Bluerider thoughtfully, one hand resting on her Ebony's neck, said Ebony examining the pair before them.

They'll do, she said mildly to Aura alone, and her rider eyed her and then shook her head. She would be SO glad when the Queen Rose and this... Coldness ended. Normally, her beloved dragon was warm and happy, but since the attacks, and with all the pressure now placed on her young shoulders, Destinith had become cold and somewhat withdrawn.

[Ayanna]

Both Dragon and Rider heard the call and immediately snapped to attention. All these years of training too instilled in them for any other reaction. The Blue moved slightly, shifting to give the beautiful Ebony Queen more room, lowering his head in deference to her, then meeting her gaze in such a way one would almost swear he was smiling at her. My Queen. He crooned at her in a low rumble, then settled back, eyes analyzing the pair of them.

Z'nar moved back also, nodding for Auralina's first words, waiting as they landed and she dismounted before he moved towards her. All hint of the smile and exasperation that he had been sharing with His was gone from his face, leaving a slightly cold, almost hard look to his features as he gave her a bow. "Thank you, my lady." He replied in a low, smooth tone, one that was cool and firm but anyone could tell hid warmth underneath it's depths. "It is an honor to be here." With those words he straightened once more and looked her in the eye, tilting his head slightly.

"I thank you for giving me such an important job. I understand that much misfortune has befallen you and yours lately. I am sorry for all of your losses." He lowered his head and dropped his eyes in a nod of respect to those the Weyr had lost all so recently, his Blue mimicking his action. As am I. Syralth added in agreement, leaning down and letting out a small puff of air to accentuate his point. Z'nar reached up and laid a hand upon his neck in agreement, the briefest of comforting caresses before he let said hand fall again.

[Lynn]

"Unfortunately, we fear they are just beginning," she replied, a frown touching her lips as she looked around them at the Weyrlings' vicinity. "You will be assisted by one of my Kingriders, who I trust explicitly, though his only job is to make sure you and those under your care are protected. He has been instructed not to interfere with your work," she explained calmly, then looked around again ans sighed. "I just want this to be over, but I know better."

Destinith rumbled softly and turned her head to nudge her rider very gently, and said rider rubbed her nose softly, then looked to the Weyrling master once more. "I am counting on you to make sure they're ready, Z'nar. Despite the Holds' misgivings, WE know that Thread will return, and soon. We can only hope we have time to train a new generation before it falls. Once it begins, hopefully the bandits will cease their reckless attacks and we can do our job without fear of our dragons falling from the sky with flaming WINGS!" Her last words were harsh and cold, and her Queen growled her agreement.

[Ayanna]

Z'nar listened to her patiently, quietly, his eyes taking in every facet of expression and touch between the Bonded pair. It was in his nature to analyze everything, that was what made him so good at his job. He bowed his head in acceptance when she spoke of the Kingrider assisting him. "I am grateful for that, my lady." He said simply, staying quiet and allowing the two a moment of grief over their situation before she began speaking again. His whole demeanor hardened for her order, his eyes going icy and strong as he nodded his head firmly.

Sylarth gave a low rumble of agreement, the dragon snapping to attention as his Rider did, but said nothing. Z'nar met his Weyrwoman's eyes and held them, infusing his own with every confidence he had in his ability. "I was my Weyrling Master's trainer for years, my lady, and I can assure you I am more than qualified to make sure it happens. I will take no quarter with them- this is too dangerous a time." He then paused, considering all he had examined since he had been here thus far, and nodded his head. "Before we get our next group, I want to make a few changes around here. There are some weak spots in the perimeter of the Weyr that I believe are easy enough to fix, which should buy us some more time and keep the bandits away. I need you safe until the next Hatching if I am to be able to do my job, after all." The last was said with the slightest hint of a smile curving his lips as he again bowed his head in respect towards her.