Let's Dance, You and I (Flight)

[firethorne]

Evening had fallen upon Refuge, the sky painted a blaze of colors that streaked across the fathomless expanse in a glorious array of orange, purple, and blue. Below the dancing hues, the weyr was tense, a practically electric current running through the air and making every human’s hair stand on end. Something was about to happen, something powerful and intense, and every pair of eyes within kept glancing towards one spot. Even drudges, who were generally busy at this time of day, lingered in the bowl, walking slowly as they glanced upward. The dragons, in particular, were an anxious, quiet lot, all whirling regards centered on one thing.

Curled up on her ledge, the only queen of Refuge dozed restlessly, her body constantly trembling with suppressed energy and her tail twitching from side to side as if she could not sit still. Her sunny hide glowed with an inner light, looking for all she was worth like Rukbat pulled down to Pern and set gently against the stone. The iridescent gold stirred, and many stilled, watching her intently, but she quickly nestled her head back against her paws once more. A collective sigh was heard. It had been three turns since Aeriath had taken to the skies in Flight, and three turns since a clutch sat on their sands. The queen was long overdue to Rise, and many worried it would be the end of them if she did not Fly soon.

As the gold slept lightly, her rider paced in their weyr, her green eyes darting back to the ledge every few seconds. Raelwyn, too, was worried for her dragon, and wished to Faranth that she would Rise already! They needed a clutch on the sands to bolster their numbers, and they needed the boost in morale it would bring. So far, Ari’s clutches had been small and paltry, a testament to the dwindling prestige of dragonkind, but this time it would be different. There were whispers of things changing, things that heralded the return of their ancient menace. The Weyrwoman, too, had been doing what she could to enhance the clutch quality. She and her queen took long flights whenever possible, building up the gold’s stamina and strength to last longer and longer. Aeriath ate of the finest and fattest herdbeasts they could find, adding to her muscle and energy. Everything she could think of, Rael had done, for the sake of Refuge and all of dragonkind. They. Needed. More. Dragons.

Sighing, the woman forced herself to sit, gazing with unseeing eyes at the wall of her weyr. Who would catch Ari this time, and who was to take the mantle of leadership for her beloved Refuge? Raelwyn had put her entire soul into the well-being of her home, and if there was one thing she worried for, it was their future. She needed a strong bronzerider to stand beside her and usher the dragons back to greatness, to be strong and united when Thread returned. Suddenly stiffening, the Weyrwoman blinked, realizing that she no longer had to wait to find her answers. She would have them very soon.

Eyes snapping open, the sunny-hued queen leapt to her feet and roared into the charged sky, her wild and powerful cry echoing off the stone walls and ringing throughout the jungle. Now! Now was the time for the gold to rule the skies in her glory, to outrun every pathetic male arrogant enough to give thought to chase her. She was Aeriath, golden daughter of Marskath, and she was no meek queen! She would force every bronze and brown to prove themselves worthy of even chasing her, let alone sharing her couch! Her gaze whirled red as she jumped off her ledge and shot through the air, angling towards the feeding pens with single-minded intensity. The herdbeasts bellowed in fear, but they were too slow and weak to outrun her. Aeriath’s claws sank into a lowing cow as she glided over the animals, breaking it’s neck mercilessly as she landed heavily on the ground. Baring her teeth, the gold trumpeted her victory.

Dashing headlong down the steps, Raelwyn practically flew after her queen, feet thudding rhythmically on the ground as she ran. As the mighty gold felled her first herdbeast, the Weyrwoman sucked in a breath, forcing all of her will and strength into her words. You will blood that beast, Ari. She commanded, coming to a stop at the edge of the pens. Tossing her head, Aeriath glared at her rider, talons sinking further into the flesh as she bellowed her defiance to Hers and all of Refuge. Ripping the carcass open, the queen dipped her head as if to feed, only to be stopped once more by the Weyrwoman’s will battering against her own. I said NO, Aeriath. The blood only! A ferocious growl ripping through her chest, the gold stared at Raelwyn, and Raelwyn stared back, her brow furrowed. A silent battle waged between them, the seconds ticking by agonizingly slow. Neither would relent, until finally the rider’s strong will overcame her frenzied queen. I am Raelwyn, Weyrwoman of Refuge and your rider, Aeriath. You WILL obey me, and you WILL blood those beasts, NOW!

Snapping angrily, the queen fastened her teeth against the animal’s throat and blooded it, feeling the delicious heat pool in her already burning stomach. With a quick leap, Aeriath landed on another, and this time the battle between rider and dragon was much shorter. By the time she reached her third herdbeast, instinct had overcome hunger and she blooded on her own. Raising her head, the gold surveyed the dragons that had come to Chase her. Where any worthy of her?! She was a magnificent lady, a true queen in every respect, and her hide shone with an iridescent radiance that put the sun to shame! She was not a timid green to be fawned over, but a mighty and majestic gold who would only accept the strongest and most powerful dragon as her mate. Leaping into the air with a gracility unheard of, Aeriath trumpeted her challenge for all to hear. Come, dance with me if you dare![/color] And with that, her Flight had begun.

[Marnark]

As Aeriath could not sit still in her sleep, Nienoth could not sit still in wakefullness. All wound up with pent up energy wanting nothing more than to be released, to do something. That something was quite specific, too. He wished to spread his wings wide, and twine his neck with hers. That glorious sun over there on that ledge. But instead the bronze was reduced to pacing in halting gaps around on his own ledge. Walk this way, reach the edge, stop. Sit for awhile, and admire the Queen in her beauty sleep. Then get up and pace back to the other side of the ledge, and repeat. His gaze never left her. All else in his awareness had faded away. There was no Weyr. There were no competitors. There was no glorious sunset. There was not a busy Bowl. There was only her. All of his thoughts resided on her, and no where else. There was not even a rider, who was mostly talking to himself these last few days.

As the time drew near, life got awfully hard for A'lez. Mostly because it was getting harder and harder to concentrate on anything he was supposed to be doing, and he found himself having to walk to more places, as his dragon was too wound up and snippy to take him there. The obsession of the beast was driving A'lez to distraction, because it not only hampered him, it was lodged within his own being as well. He shared in the desire and the distraction.

It was quite hard to not drop what he was doing and go find her. What he'd do once he got there he had no idea. It could be quite awkward indeed. Because he did have feelings for the woman, if personally denied expression. It was not something he wanted anyone to know, least of all her. Adding his dragon's lust atop that ... was making his life very interesting indeed.

It was bad when he had to spend five minutes trying to figure out how to get through his own door, because he was distracted.

"That Queen needs to hurry up and fly so you can hurry up and get this out of your system, you great lout." A'lez grumped, puttering around in his weyr. Bored out of his skull, trying to think and not randomly act. It was bad enough today that he hadn't gotten anything done at all. In fact he hadn't dared to leave his own weyr, for fear what he'd end up doing, rather than not doing. He really didn't want to go seek her out. What would he say? Especially in this dragon induced distraction? Probably something that wouldn't even make sense.

He almost said 'hurry up and lose', so life could go back to normal. But somewhere deep inside, he didn't really want the bronze to lose. Nienoth was not only his lout, and he loved the dragon deeply wishing nothing but success for the beast, but he, too, also wished to win the lady. Even if he didn't let himself admit that. Besides, as any thinking fool would know, winning a flight did not necessarily win the lady. A'lez would be quick to point that out to himself, if he had had his faculties in complete array. As it was, he was doing well to not be trying to fly at the moment.

Sometimes, his bond to his dragon was just too close.

But then! There! She was stirring, getting up! She was uttering her challenge and was away to the pens!! Nienoth did not utter a reply; he did not want to try and show up the Queen at all. Words were petty things anyway. He would show her that he was her dragon! Leaping off of his ledge with pent up energy, he arched through the air before his wings came open, carrying him in a very smooth glide all the way to the pens in her wake. Nienoth liked to fancy that the air was still warm from her passing, when he flew through them.

He landed at the fence of the pens, and mantled his wings upon his back, hoping she would take notice. Not only of his presence, but also to notice that he was the first dragon to pay the due attentions to her! See, he was here for her! But as he witnessed her first blooded victim, Nienoth moved. Hopping deftly over that fence, he started an ambling three-beat run across the ground. Reaching out with one foreleg, he swatted not one, but two beasts down. Standing over them, he watched the Queen for a moment. Would she accept a gift? Probably not, not in her current state. She wouldn't want anyone approaching near to her flank yet. Not yet.

Soon.

Soon, he could shower her in gifts.

For now, he lowered his own muzzle to feed. For he was going to need all the energy he could get, to win her affections. She would fly long, she would fly hard. He would have to keep up, and then be able to carry her yet, should she decide he was worthy. Nienoth knew he was worthy, but he would have to prove it to her too. So he fed. Discreetly, off to the side, gaze never leaving her golden form as she took down more beasts and sucked them dry.

Discarding the carcasses of the few he had downed, he edged closer to where she was feeding, eyes whirling swiftly in colors of lust and desire. He wanted to be near her soooo badly! Nienoth crooned to her softly, calling to her. Worshiping her very being. Wings flicked along his back in pent up energy. He was here for her! She had no fear! Edging sideways a bit closer, his muscles were all pulled tight and tense. He could be airborne in a flash, just as soon as she took to the skies herself.

Still standing a few dragonlengths away but longing to be nearer, Nienoth finally stilled, waiting. He could go no closer, not without being bidden. And he was still logical enough to know that he would not be invited in.

But there!! She was away! Leaping into the air with such grace and power! Nienoth catapulted into the air after her, great wings snapping open and making the first powerful downstroke that would propel him swiftly into the sky. Silent once more, Nienoth saved his wind for the demanding flight ahead. She would not hear him anyway, past all the glorious song she was making, herself. The world needed to hear her, not him!

Always, my Queen. he answered to her words, chest swelling as he powered through the air after her.

[HG]

D'seus sat in his weyr looking over a worn record. He wore his nicer pair of leathers and a solid pair of boots. As much as he tried to concentrate his dragon would not allow him. Will you please settle... Zorometh kept changing position and his mind was a million places at once. The dragon was being most obstinate at the moment too. D'seus glared in the direction of his Bronze who even had his tail twitching in anxious anticipation. “Don't tell me you are hungry.” So what if I am, it is obviously of no concern to you. The Bronze snapped.

Dear Faranth he was being a little twat. All day it seemed Zorometh had been stubborn and waspish. It was a good thing D'seus was in a pleasant mood or the dragon may have found himself in a full on argument with his rider. You are hungry? I want to go to the Feeding Grounds. Now. The dragon had talking of feeding for the past half a candlemark and D'seus kept denying him. The dragon had every right to be hungry, he hadn't fed in a good number of days, not that he had been keeping count. I suppose we can go...” He said reluctantly as he put on his jacket.

The riding straps were lost the second they arrived at the Feeding Grounds. The great Bronze swooped and picked up a large herdbeast snapping its neck and flinging it to the ground. Instead of ravenously biting at the beast, D'seus realized his dragon was blooding. Today was the day. He felt his dragon ingest the hot blood of the animal and knew this was improving the Bronzes mood. As he hunted another Zorometh lifted his great maw toward the sky, She awakens.The dragon did not need to tell D'seus this for as the Queen had become fully awake the man had begun to feel the air in his throat warm and the tightening of his chest. She was coming to them. Zorometh finished his second kill which he blooded well and while tempted with the idea of a third, the Bronze thought better of it. He did not want to be too heavy when it came time to fly.

As the Queen swept down to take her first kill, the Bronze noticed Nienoth. “Do not worry so much about him Zor. You're every bit as good as he is and then some.” His rider complimented. He would bolster the Bronze's spirits as much as possible until the flight was over. Confidence was the best thing he could give Zorometh at the moment. The hard training with Shadow Wing had made them durable and agile something they would need to win. Winning was always important to D'seus no matter what the occasion. Zorometh watched and edged nowhere near the Gold but grew increasing irritated that Nienoth felt he had permission to be nearer to her than anyone else. Presumptuous of him, he was lucky she did not tear his throat out. Something Zorometh would very much like to do.

Aeriath launched into the sky with one call to her pursuers. In reply Zorometh launched himself after her, while he wanted to respond with words it took him a moment longer than Nienoth. He was concerned more about what she wanted to hear than what he wanted to say. As more of D'seus joined mentally with him he felt more confident in his choice of words. My Queen, I would dance with you. He followed her but was lower than she was, he would have to find a way to strategize as to what would be to his best advantage.

[firethorne]

In the air, the queen could feel power surging through her, a wild freedom that made her blood boil and her body burn. This was…this was unlike her other three Flights, something had changed. The gold felt more untamed than ever, and she knew, oh she knew, that only the greatest bronze could ever hope to catch her. If they so dared! However, the Chase was young, and she did not yet feel like leaving her pursuers behind. Let her play with them first and prove her magnificence and grace to all who saw! Then, and only then, would she see who was worthy of her. As both bronzes responded to her call, the queen regarded them, and though she found she preferred Zorometh’s reply, both had shown her due respect. Aeriath was a true lady, and she would only accept a gentleman’s advances.

Trumpeting once more for all to hear, a beckoning invitation to Fly with her, the queen launched herself even higher with one stroke of her massive wings, her muscles responding quicker and with more power than ever. Delighted with this revelation, Aeriath pressed herself harder, elated when her speed increased even further. Had she been human, the gold would have laughed with wild joy right then, but instead she trilled her pleasure, eyes whirling even faster now. Oh, her pursuers would truly have to prove themselves now! Rocketing upward until the clouds swirled about her wings, the queen decided she had seen enough of the thinner air. With a trumpet of excitement, Aeriath twisted in midair and pulled her mighty wings in, pressing them close to her body. With a roar, the gold dropped like a stone, catching a glimpse of her pursuers as she did.

As the gold performed her wild, dizzying acrobatics, Raelwyn felt herself become Aeriath. Closing her eyes, the Weyrwoman’s lips curved in pleasure as she felt the wind stream over her body, the strength flowing through her in delicious waves. Where her queen could not laugh, the woman could, and her silvery voice danced through the air as she laughed in pure delight, discovering the power that coursed through her. Her body twisting in impossible ways as she mimicked the gold’s every move, the queenrider was acutely aware of the other riders about her, just her dragon was of the bronzes and browns who pursued her so fervently. It seemed as if every nerve was on fire, and her skin was taut, every single sense in overdrive and shoved into a state of hyperawareness. Though Raelwyn did not see the men, she felt them, and knew where each stood in relation to her.

As Aeriath dropped, the trees growing ever-nearer, she glanced back at the dragons who had managed to keep pace with her wild dance. To her smug pleasure, several had been left behind high in the clouds. Crooning to those who still kept pace, the gold flicked her tail flirtatiously. Come, come, my dragons. The dance is not over. Swiveling her head back around, the queen plummeted for a few more tense heartbeats, then as the trees were alarmingly close, she snapped out her wings and caught the air beneath them. Hissing softly at the strain on her muscles, Aeriath darted forward, so close the trees began waving and snapping wildly beneath her from the currents of air. Gliding forward, skimming over the jungle and causing the leaves to whip in a frenzied pattern, the gold felt only a fraction of her strength wane. Oh, she had so much power, it was intoxicating!

Trumpeting, reveling in her strength, the gold shot forward, graceful in every single movement. Angling upward from the trees, she brought the Chase back into the skies, once more using her mighty wings to take her to great heights in an impossibly short amount of time. Once in the open air, Aeriath began to leisurely tease her dragons, darting around them in dizzying patterns, always in a new direction so they could never guess her next move. At times, she even moved close enough to touch. The queen found a savage joy in her new strength, and wished to show them all what a strong, mighty lady she was. But oh, they had better remain gentlemen, or she would make them regret Chasing her with anything less then reverence and respect. Twisting her body, Aeriath shot behind Zorometh, tapping his tail with her own as she did. Trilling her amusement and pleasure, she angled quickly down to evade the bronze’s reaction, then arched her body and darted upwards. Swerving about Nienoth, the gold barked as she leapt over him, thumping his shoulder with her tail before dropping again.

After playing with her dragons for what seemed like an eternity, Aeriath finally felt the strength begin to leave her, her muscles burning with the strain and her reflexes growing slower. The dance would come to end soon, but not just yet! The queen still had power left, and her body sang with it.

[HG]

As Zorometh raced after the Golden Queen, he kept a close eye on where she was in proportion to him and the other Bronzes. Strategy was going to help him when she tired, for now though he had to keep up and prove he was worthy. She was wild and teasing them with every move. She was the goddess of the sky, he could see that as with every stroke of her wings she was able to push faster and farther than any Bronze. Even if Zorometh were concerned that someone else might beat him out, he was certain that Bronze would be deserving. With his own mighty wings he followed, not nearly as fast but just as strong and agile as any other. He was going to have to wait until she tired of this before he made any sort of move.

On the ground, D'seus felt himself being drawn more and more into his dragon's mind. The strong feelings towards the Gold drove him to stand closer to the blonde Goldrider. He did not venture too close. Dragon lust might be strong but D'seus knew better than to claim a prize before he had won. The Bronzerider kept his thoughts to himself and Zorometh. He did not like these others seeking to claim her. She was going to be his! The confident cockiness of the Bronze and his rider would shine through in this moment. They were not going to be out of this until the Flight was over. Zorometh only needed to prove he was strong, intelligent and above all, worthy.

They dropped suddenly through the clouds to the ever closer treeline. He was not yet showing signs of being tired and hoped she was going to be tired long before he was. The intense drills that D'seus had put them through may actually be helping them now. Although before now, Zorometh had not quite seen the advantages of pushing himself so far. Now with D'seus joined to him he felt even more powerful. The Queen taunted them saying there was more to come. Aeriath was strong and mighty, not someone to underestimate here. Even Zorometh knew better than to try a manuever to catch her now.
As she continued to plummet toward the trees, Zorometh pulled up slightly before she did. He would not risk injury when victory could be at hand.

The Bronze's wing pushed him along with a few great strokes, he was following at a good speed though nowhere near as fast as she was. Conserving energy for the right timing was important. Zorometh watched as she pulled back up into the skies. She was glorious in her freedom, so much so he almost felt sad it had to end. If it did have to end he'd rather be the one to end it. The Bronze pushed after her, wings pumping the air beneath him. She was teasing them now going one way then the next, being completely unpredictable.

As she began to come close to each of them he knew she was playing a game. He would not be able to catch her unawares though he wanted to badly. As she touched his tail he glanced backward watching as she moved down to tease Nienoth. This he did not like one bit. That Bronze had been a thorn in his side long enough! Zorometh felt himself grow more lustful, more desirous and much more jealous. He flew closer to her though he was still several feet above the Gold, he wanted to be near enough should she tire soon. He could feel his own wings warm with exertion and knew he would be tired soon as well.

[Marnark]

She sure got off to a fast start, especially for being the large lovely lady she was! But Nienoth was not going to let her get away that easily. Turning on the speed under his own wings, the bronze sailed up into the sky after her, doing his best to both keep up and not crowd her at the same time. She was on fire, he could tell! There was a new spark to her manner, and it only served to make her all the more desirable. Nienoth would not stand back and not give this his all. He would give everything he had and then scrounge around to find some more! He was glad that he had fed, similar to how she had, to be prepared for this blistering pace. Nienoth knew he was going to need every ounce of energy it would provide him!

Up into the sky, he followed her, racing for all he was worth to keep up. But thankfully, due to drills and training, Nienoth was not a dragon who had been laying around idle most of his time. Especially not with the prospects of this very flight on the horizon. He had led the drills for his wing, and then taken off to fly some more after dropping A'lez off. Nienoth was prepared as a fellow could be for the grueling event. Even if she had thrown them a fast one by suddenly being different from all of her previous flights!

He saw her turn and dive before he reached that height, and in a strategic move, he waited until she'd passed him, and then turned and dove after her. So it looked like he'd gone the full height of her chase, but instead had not, saving every drop of energy he could in following her. For, if he did win, like he so desired to do, he would need every scrap of energy he could muster to carry her forth. Aeriath was no small lady! Tucking his wings in tight against his body so as to be as smooth and streamlined as possible, he used his tail to steer him through the descent, doing what he could to pick up speed. This, he was going to enjoy. It was one of his favoritist of pass times when he had no rider - it was not something he could do with A'lez aboard, cause the man, being human, couldn't handle the forces it produced. He would black out from it, undoubtedly.

The wind whistled past his body as he dove after the dragon of his desires, the epitome of perfection and his trusted and adored Queen. She pulled out just above the canopy, where any sane dragon would, giving room to beat wings and not get them shorn off for the effort. Nienoth however, held onto his dive a touch longer, entirely willing to show off his prowess in this point. Just above the canopy, where the finest and top most twigs would brush his belly, he snapped open his wings all at once, filling the wingsails with a gale of wind that turned him and shot him back up into the sky, lashing tail sending up a huge spray of leaves ripped from the trees. The hind edges of his wings roared with the force of the air rushing past them, a sound that was unmistakable for what it was, sending the bronze shooting up to new altitudes all without a single flap of his huge wings.

The maneuver strained his wings, naturally, but the adrenaline rush the maneuver provided more than made up for it, giving him extra energy and a faster reaction time, as well as making for an impressive show of prowess. As he started to lose speed to the point where beating his wings would not subtract speed, but rather add to it, he started beating his wings again, following Aeriath back up into the sky once more. As she started her playful twirling around in the sky teasing everyone, Nienoth slowed down some in bemusement, watching her with utter fascination and curiosity.

This was new.

He rolled in the air, going with her strafing of his body, crooning in delight at the smack he received from her. It really pumped him, to see that he not only got attention from his adored Lady, but he'd gotten more of it from her than Zorometh had received! Not that the other bronze had much of any of Nienoth's attention. No, he'd been watching Aeriath, when Zorometh had gotten his fork-smack. Coming out of his roll upright, he turned and shot higher in pursuit of his Lady.

He would dance with her, and show the whole world just how magnificent she was, how graceful and worthy of adoration and praise! He would showcase her to the very best of his ability, and flatter all of her best points (not that she had any undesirable ones, no!), and make sure no one could ever say an unreverent thing about her! Still high from the last vestiges of his adrenaline rush, he turned and twirled with agility and precision garnered from an altered perception of time, happily dancing with his Queen.

Only, ooop ... there was someone in the way now! Nienoth grunted and swiftly changed course to keep from plowing straight into Zorometh. The other wingleader was getting in the way of the dance with his doldrum crowding flight! Huffing, Nienoth reversed and went the other way, to continue his dance with Aeriath to the best of his ability despite the other male.

A'lez finally made it to where she was waiting, dancing like only a lady could. A smile graced his features as he basked in her presence. For here, now, it was not just Nienoth who was in adoring admiration. A'lez, too, admired his Lady and Queen, taking in the sight of her graceful form twirling and dancing so gracefully upon the stone floor. How could there ever be a creature more perfect? Stepping off to one side so as to not be in the way, the man stood to wait, watching her movements as they carried her across the room and back again.

Oh, how he longed to be privileged enough to dance with her! Though he could not possibly dance as well as she did. It just was not something he had practiced. But soon, soon she would either come to him, or dismiss him along with the rest when she chose whom she would keep from among their number.

[firethorne]

Twisting gracefully around her bronzes, Aeriath felt her body slowly losing strength, her glorious power fading away with every elegant move. Knowing that her reflexes would soon be too slow to avoid the two dragons that were left, the queen twirled swiftly and surged forward without warning, her massive wings hurtling her away in the blink of an eye. She was not yet ready to end her dance! Calling to the bronzes with a silvery trumpet, the golden dragon angled downward, spying a wide, curving river cutting a rather large path through the dense foliage. Wide enough for a queen and her pursuers. Trilling in delight, mirrored by her rider’s pleased laughter, Aeriath tucked her wings in close and dropped towards the waters, her blood racing through her veins in exhilaration.

Never before had the queen Flown for so long! Her first three Flights were nothing in comparison to this, those paltry stumbles through the air completely paling in light of this lovely dance she performed today. Her bronzes, too, had pleased her, both dancing with her as she allowed them. Glancing back, watching for her dragons to follow her, Aeriath unfurled her wings to their full expanse, gliding over the river gracefully. Lowering herself, waiting until her pursuers were behind her, the gold smacked the waters with her tail, leaving a large spray in her wake and hoping she caught one, or even better, both in the droplets of water. Trumpeting in a teasing manner, she surged forward, her wings beating powerfully and hurtling her forwards at a massive speed.

Twisting with every single curve and bend of the river, expertly keeping her body perfectly between the treelines, Aeriath tucked her head under her wing for a moment, searching for her bronzes. Certainly, it would have been easier for one of them to follow her above the trees, flying in a straight manner and easily keeping pace, but surely they realized this was no idle movement. The gold was testing their prowess and courage. She would not accept one who did not follow her wild and dangerous dance. So close did she fly, the waters beneath her rippled as she hurtled forward, lapping at the shores as she passed. The queen’s muscles began to burn, then, and she felt her glorious power waning quickly. Oh, the gold did not wish to end her dance, but every good thing must come to a close.

Sides heaving, the queen pushed herself upwards with one stoke of her wings, leaping over the treetops into the open air once more. Straightening her path, still vaguely following the river’s flow, Aeriath began to consider the two dragons behind her. Both had shown their worthiness in their dogged pursuit of her, but which was more deserving? Nienoth was quite a skilled dancer, though not as graceful as she, but he had played with her in a most pleasing way. Zorometh wanted her badly; this she knew. He had bristled fiercely when she flirted with the Illume bronze. Memories came to her then, each playing through her mind quickly as her wingbeats slowly grew deliberate and less powerful. Flashes of Nienoth’s and Hers in meetings, of Nienoth bathing her and paying her the sweetest of compliments. Then images of Zorometh coming to her ledge, a humble apology, and a long, twilight walk with Zorometh’s and Hers. Then…words whispered to her, things her rider had told her that she would share with none other.

Body curving as she, too, followed the river’s twisting path, Raelwyn felt her muscles grow more and more weary. Yet, she was not the Weyrwoman, she was her magnificent queen, and she would not allow something so small to hinder her dance. When Aeriath moved, she moved, her lithe body gracefully curling and twirling in a mirror of the gold’s dizzying acrobatics. Her laughter echoed through the chamber as her gold’s delight rushed through her in a heady surge of emotion, the woman’s face exhilarant while her hair twisted wildly. Rael could feel her dragon’s indecision, and relived the same memories that darted through Aeriath’s mind. Stepping close, her touch feather light, her fingers trailed over A’lez’s chest while flashes of he and his bronze consumed her thoughts. Then, the queen’s memories suddenly shifted, and the Weyrwoman reached out to D’seus while the wingleader and Zorometh moved through her mind. Fingers curling against him, Raelwyn paused, then stepped away.

Body growing heavy, the queen of Refuge slowed, fighting her exhaustion. One more glance backward revealed her two bronzes, and Aeriath knew only one move remained in their wild dance. Catch me! She cried, and dived forward, her wings shaking with the exertion. Utterly spent, the gold could only use this last move, unable to raise herself higher to prolong the Chase. The end was now! Both dragons behind her would have to push themselves, and fight to reach her first. Just as the queen’s body began to burn fiercely, her weight was suddenly lighter, and she felt herself being carried with powerful bronze wings. Humming deep in her chest, Aeriath whispered softly, tiredly, Zorometh, let’s dance, you and I.

The dance had ended. The Weyrwoman felt her queen’s emotions flood into her, the powerful onslaught far too much to ignore. She reached for D’seus with a soft, wordless cry, her fingers curling against his chest and a wild urge building inside her. “Let’s dance, you and I.” Raelwyn whispered, echoing her gold in every way, both in words…and actions.

[HG]

Following her he did not see the other Bronze coming at him. Zorometh's air was knocked from his lungs for a moment, so that his rider on the ground gasped momentarily. Sucking in air quickly the Bronze did his best not to be angry with Nienoth. They were both following the Queen and he had most likely done it unintentionally. The Bronze reasoned with himself until he calmed, all the while trying to catch up from the time he had lost. His wings beat a few times, sending him through the air at an alarming pace. Thus far he had been holding back. No more would he try to reserve his energy soon she would be too tired to go any further.

Zorometh's wings caught the air beautifully as he glided after the great Golden lady. His attention was not solely on her as he was trying to keep an eye out for another possible injury. Though his side was pounding with a slight pain the dragon ignored it. He had noticed now that there were only the two of them left with the Golden Queen. Aeriath had flown so well and better than she had ever flown before. If he was not so into this flight he might have felt his own wings growing strained and maybe then he would have given her up. However he had no intention of giving up. Wing pain, side pain, Threadfall or rain he would never stop until the Queen had finished.

The spray of the river came up under his belly as they flew close. Zorometh found the cool waters helped to cool him as he felt increasingly warm. She was twisting and turning, using acrobatics that even some Bronzes could not achieve. He followed as best he could though he doubted his own body looked as lithe and agile as her own. Then suddenly she pushed herself into the sky. Zorometh found there was strength left in him to follow and push the air beneath his wings with three great strokes. He was in the air after her, coming as close as he dared, about a tail length behind her.

In the flight room, though he had no recollection of how he had arrived there, D'seus watched the woman's movements as Zor watched Aeriath's. The woman had captivated him and he watched as a man in a trance. His body heaved with heavy breathing and exertion. His side ached numbly as though he was Zorometh. D'seus moved a little closer to the woman but would not come within touching distance. Queens did not like the presumptuous. That much he had learned from flights even if he was not the one acting so. As she moved to A'lez and touched him he wanted to snarl but held back. Although he had never considered himself the jealous type. In flights he most certainly was. Then the beautiful woman with the golden hair came toward him and touched him. His breath caught as he took in the scent of her.

Zorometh's strength grew more even as the Queen began to tire. His body had responded to all the adrenaline and he felt an invincible new power build within his chest. Her cry to be caught sent him speeding toward her. His wings beat every few moments, trying desperately to out fly Nienoth. There she was before him. Zorometh flew in underneath her and came upward so that her wings caught on his. He would keep her safe. With a soft crooning towards her he answered, For you, I would dance always. The great Bronze felt in himself a most rewarding sense love and caring. His lust was sated and he himself came to feel an inner peace as he brought the wondrous Queen home, safely.

D'seus took no time to move in and close his arms around Raelwyn's body. While his arms her about her, he lifted her, carrying her to the bed in the flight room. While he was certain it was not as comfortable as what was in either of their weyrs he did not have the patience nor he doubted would she to get to a more comfortable bed. Kissing her gently, he smiled and wondered how she had come to choose him out of everyone.


----

Outside the Flight Room, a few moths were waiting. Vaylee did not want the chance to miss Bronze and brownriders and so when news of the flight reached her ears she had hurried to prepare herself. She had arrived a little later than she had hoped to as some of the riders were already out of the flight. In fact there were only the two Wingleaders left. Which was a pleasant surprise as far as she was concerned. They were both attractive and had some prestige with their rank.

Vaylee wore a dark blue dress that spoke volumes about her body while still covering it. A dark sapphire necklace sat so it fell just above and in the middle of her two breasts. She was with three other women and while none of them looked the same, that was the point. If dragonriders all preferred the same type then there would be no need for diversity. As things were though men had different tastes.

Vaylee did wonder how the flight was going and wished she could figure out who was going to win. The other women were chatting about it quietly. “A long flight, no matter who wins this is sure to be a good healthy clutch.” She spoke warmly. Vay had the sweetest of natures to her. No matter who one was she was bound to see the good over the bad. Even as she fidgeted with a strand of her golden hair she wondered what sort of man would exit now. Some men were to upset to seek someone to soothe their lust. She hoped that was not the case here.

There were always some who had women they always used and there was no use in trying to change their minds. Men were stubborn. All Vaylee wanted was a chance at having a good time. She had finished in the Infirmary early today, albeit she had rushed through making a salve and cleaning the examining tables. There was no harm in her rushing so long as everything had been done right and the healers had said she had done everything well before she left. Her blue eyes now seemed fixated on the door. She would know who won before most of the Weyr which to her would still be reward enough for waiting around.

[Marnark]

Nienoth followed her hard and fast through her dive, tucking his wings to gain as much speed as he could, once again. For he had no idea how low she was going to go, but he was going to follow her. And if it was too low to beat his wings, he was going to need the speed to keep him aloft instead of crashing. The river though ... that was an interesting place to go!!

He followed without a bat to his eye, down beneath the canopy of the trees overhanging the water, sails filling with air once again as he leveled off so low. After a bit he began to beat his wings in short beats, the tips of the pinions tsking across the surface of the water and sending up sprays of sparkling drops as he went.

Instinctively his waterlids slid shut when he flew into the glimmering spray left by the queen, but he reveled in the sensation of the tiny, wet, cool drops gracing his hide before beading up and rolling off his trailing edges. A lovely gift from his dear Queen! Lids open again, he arced hard into the sky to chase her back up to the heights he knew she needed. The heights that the entire Weyr needed her to reach. Thumping his wings hard, he powered up through the air, ready to reach out for her as soon as she gave him the permissions to do so. Unfortunately, she did not choose him, and the realization crashed his adoring heart. Instead, she issued a broad-spectrum call, which in Nienoth's split second of faltering at the smack to his pride, Zorometh took full advantage of.

Nienoth poured everything he had into trying to get ahead of the other bronze, hoping that he still had a chance at winning what he most desired, even if it was apparent that the sentiment was not shared in the least. He was still struggling with the whole concept, as he clearly remembered that his Queen had hold him that she thought very highly of him! What had changed? Where had he miss stepped?

But it was not to be. Zoromoth beat him out, if only by the slimmest of measures. With a strangled cry, Nienoth cut away from the twining pair before he ran the risk of crashing into them. Completely defeated, the Bronze turned and slowly glided on outstretched wings away from the ended flight. All the energy and will was sapped from him in that one moment, the once proud Bronze floundering at an astounding emotional low.

He gave his wings one half-hearted attempt at a beat, as he desceneded hard and fast for the forest below. He didn't even have the heart to return to the Weyr, crashing through branches and tearing entire limbs out of trees as he made a hole in the canopy to thump to the litter-covered floor. Hacking, Nienoth heaved a heavy breath and looked back and up through his self-made hole at the sky that could be seen through it.

Sadly, he turned his gaze from it and started to walk home, on limbs that were not as weary from the long arduous flight, disappearing into the shadowy depths of the forest.

Rejected.

It was something that A'lez had honestly expected, but it still came as a harsh blow to the psyche, due to the crushed hopes of his dragon now sulking in the forest. Somewhat aware of himself again, A'lez turned away from the flight room as so many fellows before him had, leaving just the one with the Weyrwoman. It only took him a few strides to make it to the doorway and head out, not really knowing what he was going to do with himself now.

For Nienoth was not one to take much interest in greenflights, and it had been many long turns since Aeriath had flown the last time. So dealing with post-flight was not something A'lez was terribly acquainted with. Encountering a posse of flightmoths did not help his flight-addled mind either. Yes, it was something he was aware of, but he usually saw them in passing, not as their object.

While his original thought had been to somehow make his way back to his own weyr and figure out what to do from there, it was completely derailed. Oh why sharding not. It wasn't like it would be good at all to encounter his moody dragon whenever he got around to getting back, and still be blueballed himself. A'lez continued walking, but he held out an arm for one of the ladies to join him. And no, he really didn't care which one. Right now thinking at all was a real bother.