When the Tanner hall come's a-visiting

[panther]

The cart trundled along, wheels clattering against the loose stones of the dirt paths. Excitement simmered in the bottom of his stomach.
Though it was still quite a way off, he could see the vague outline of the road to the Weyr, he picked up his pace, and the heardbeast attached to the cart, lowed his discontent at the increase in pace. A spring in his step, this was Kalyr’s first visit of the south, and finally, in amongst the mountain range of Southern, he seen the promise of the Weyr. Yes, he was only there to sell their wares, and hopefully gain trade for the future, but he had never been in as close proximity with any dragon, nor their rider in his entire life. Except for the old watch dragon of the Tanner’s Hall. At the reminder her looked down at his Journeyman’s knot. A small smile lifted his lips at the corners, prideful. He was proud that he was a journeyman, He had reached a height to be proud off in social status. Beyond what was expected of him as a child, and what reason did he have not to be proud? Here he was a man of seventeen journeying South, to the newest of the Weyrs, on his third journey, without his brother. Kalyr grinned. The Rukbat was warm, the breeze, cool. And there was naught but happiness in his mind. Slatey eyes with one place in sight.
“Hey now, Kalyr – make sure you’re not pushing ol’ Brunda too hard down there huh?” A sleepy badgering from Jermir, one of his fellowship of tanners. He was resting on the back of the cart in amongst some of the leathers and such, when he was supposed to be watching out for thieves to guard against. Jermir was not much older than Kalyr, perhaps three turns, but he was quite content to boss Kalyr about, but he had been a journeyman for a turn longer than Kalyr, but Kalyr had graduated a year younger than Jermir and it was a minor bone of contention to the older.
“Yeah okay Jermir, what ever you say, go back to sleep – the Weyrs in sight, you’ll have no time for snoozing when you get there,” Not a fly on him today! He felt on top of the world. Pern was at his fingertips, nothing could defeat the feeling he had.
Pulling some jerky from his pocket, he munched as he walked along, passing the time as he thought idly about what a Weyr would be like.

.:.:.:.:.

Kalyr’s neck craned as he tried to take everything in at once. Zeilizar appeared, bright eyes whirring, from Between. Excitement flooded over his mental link, he creeled and twirled and danced in the air, expressing the excitement in a flamboyant manner. “Shhhh now ‘Izar, you’ll have to behave here, they all have flitters here and I cannot be shown up by a rambunctious young flitter creature” He smirked, his effort at calming his pet proved as useless and Jermir’s effort to dampen his mood earlier. He smirked. The flitter seemed perfectly content to circle hazardous circles over head.
Turning around on the spot, he took in the grandeur of the Weyr. Despite the recent storm, the Weyr seemed to be a grand state of affairs, He seen some similarities in it to the tanner’s hall, but not much, he looked around.
Brunda nudged his elbow, He smiled at the beast, “Oh I know it's heavy Brunda – we're nearly done now, you’ll be put on pasture soon enough.” He refrained form telling her that she might end up a snack if she wasn’t careful, but first they would need to find some one to show them where to go.
“Eh – Jermir” He called – sounding slightly lost, he hadn’t been informed this far ahead, and it he had, he’d forgotten it.
“What now?” Jermir’s reply was whined,
“How do we let them know we’re here again?”
“Ah – find some one. Just tell them who we are, and they apparently should be informed of our arrival,” He sounded very confident in himself, certain of his own self-importance.
But then – Kalyr supposed - that a Weyr the size of this, would find out about the tanner’s arrival, after all, hides were necessary for a lot of things in a hold, why wouldn’t they be necessary here? He now turned his attention to the ground, looking out for anyone who looked above drudge level.

[Spirithawk]

Kilzanth was in the bowl, waiting for his rider to emerge. The bronze was outfitted in his new riding straps, dyed with a reddish cast to match his reddish bronze hide. His hide gleamed with oil and he cut a fine figure. His rider was in the WW's office, getting the hides that he had been requested to deliver and the instructions from the Weyrwoman.

Just before he was about to ask how long his rider would be, visitors arrived at the weyr and his rider walked out of the office, a rolled up hide in his hand.

"Ready Kil?" His eyes widened at the sight of the familiar cart. "Tanners!" He strode out to them, intending to welcome them. His Master's knot was prominent on the opposite shoulder from his rider's knots.

"Hello and Welcome to Dark Moon Weyr. I am P'rin, rider of bronze Kilzanth and Master Tanner. I didn't expect to see Tanners here!"

((I didn't know if you wanted him to know Kalyr or if we wanted their masters to have known each other so we can change this if you want it otherwise.))

[panther]

((No no! perfect I'm happy to have it as such))

IC:
Despite being on look out for anyone important seeming – he had almost completely ignored the russet-y bronze dragon that sat across the bowl from them, and even less of his rider emerging from somewhere in the depths of the Weyr. So the Riders comments took him a little off guard. The acclamation that left the rider’s lips made Kalyr visibly guffaw at the man, yet he didn’t lie, there he was, obvious rider of a bronze dragon, and supporting a masters knot in tanning. “Uhm – yes Sir, “ He wasn’t sure exactly what he was saying yes to then corrected himself quickly, “I mean - P’rin sir.” He gave a weak smile, he didn’t generally like surprises.
He swiftly sorted through the conversation he had kept in mind, little of his explanation about the tannery of use in front of a master tanner, “I’m Kalyr, on the back of the wagon there’s Jermir, another of our sort is arriving hopefully within the hour – he got waylaid at the crossing point. We were told people should be informed of our arrival – but nevertheless,” His improvisation skills were fairly good though, he showed a little more confidence as he spoke, “firstly it is certainly grand to see a fellow tanner down here, secondly, we’re here mainly on business, P’rin –sir.” Zeilizar had spiralled down and almost cowered now behind Kalyr’s shoulder in the presence of the stranger. “We’re here to offer our services, and we’ve got a few things here should you desire them immediately,” He figured slowly that with a master tanner here they may actually not need anything, the need of the Weyr already fulfilled, but he would try anyway.
“We were also promised a place to stay, P’rin” A slightly more cocky voice came as Jermir appeared, jumping over the rear of the cart and walking round to meet the bronze rider,
“Ah, yes and that, Brunda’s getting quite tired of pulling this, we would grately appreciate a place to stay.” Trying to smooth off the callous greeting Jermir had given. “Oh, and one – preferably – in which Brunda” He petted the Heardbeast’s side, leaned away and shielding his mouth from her eyes as though she might understand him, “might not become a casual morsel for a dragon such as yours P’rin sir.” His moment of discomfort vanished.
But for all his words, he couldn’t place P’rin, but then it could be the honorific rider’s name that was throwing him, he would ask that later – enough had been said for now.

[Spirithawk]

P'rin realized that the youth in front of him wasn't much older than he was. It felt strange that he was so uncertain in front of him when they might have studied together at the Hall. Technically, P'rin's title should have been used, all of it, but he didn't mind. He wasn't stuffy like some of the bronzeriders at other weyrs.

"Again, I say welcome. We had quite a bit of damage to our hides after the Hurricane, much more than one Tanner, even a Master at my age, could handle alone. I am certain our Weyrwoman will be most appreciative." P'rin's warm voice cooled slightly and he self-consciously straightened to his full height. His voice was ever so slightly condescending as he spoke to Jemir. He was, after all, a bronzerider, as well as a Master in their craft; therefore, he should be shown a little more respect from this man.

I trust that you sent word of your arrival since you say that you were promised a place to stay? Our Candidates and Weyrlings are staying in the Lower Caverns while their barracks are repaired so you will have a lot of young dragons underfoot but we have room." P'rin was slightly mollified when Kalyr obviously tried to smooth things over.

Kilzanth snorted with derision. I would not trouble myself with such a measly morsel when we have plump beasts in our feeding pens. He knew that beasts were normally terrified of him so he didn't move closer. For now he was downwind and he already could see that the beast would be terrified if he was not so tired.

"Kilzanth! Behave yourself. I must apologize for my bronze. He has yet to learn manners! Our Weyrlingmaster owns a fine runnerbeast and she insisted on a well-built stable to house him so our stable is more than adequate for guests. We never feed our guests beasts to our dragons. Besides, after the hurricane clean up all of our beasts have been fed and won't be needing food for the next couple of days."

P'rin almost forgot his surprise at the name of the Journeyman in front of him with his dragon's bad behavior. "Kalyr you say? Apprenticed to Hurlon?" P'rin's voice was incredulous. Pern could not be THAT small! "I studyied under Master Vanar! My name was Perin before I impressed that giant beast over there."

[panther]

Kalyr grinned as the tanner come rider before him all but accepted their help, “Aye, my understanding of it is that the man who sent us, The hall leader – sent word to all locations telling them that we would be arriving, and that they should expect us loosely form then on, we were also told that people would be made aware of our arrival.” Kalyr smiled, warmly what was followed though was quite a change, “Staying, with the candidates – and weyrlings?” Well that would make things interesting, “That’s fine sir! A bed is more than adequate,” He silently prayed that he wouldn’t have to share a room with Jermir – his feet smelt similar to that of two week old shellfish.

Having never been considered ‘prey’ before, Brunda seemed complacent of the dragon’s presence and nudged Kalyr again, as though to accentuate her point of being tired and hungry. Kalyr petted the beast, pacifying her for now, and smiled over to P’rin, “No foul sir, Brunda’s feelings are unhurt, so mine are fine also, and just as a comment, she may be a tad smaller than you’re average beast, but she’s got a good amount of muscle on her, and she’d be sorely missed by the hall’s if we let her get eaten” He was simply joking now, just to show that he had taken the comment with good spirit. “Though, I am very glad to hear she’ll be as finely kept as ourselves, though if there is a problem, we can pen her separate from your beasts if we are given the land space, if say your stables were disrupted with the hurricane and all, Brunda’d be fine either way, just we’ve got some way to go yet, and I rather don’t fancy tugging this lightweight cart around Southern myself.” He was playing now. But he continued on a slightly more serious note, “Ah, we would also be in need of somewhere to store our cart.”

What came next answered his earlier question, but posed many more in return.
“Aye, Hurlon was my master,” He looked P’rin over trying to remember, dark black hair, blue eyes, not too unlike himself, “Perin of Vanar.” He hummed for a moment trying to place whether the name meant much to him, “My master talked of you, and your master quite highly, He told me we had taken classes, occasionally, but you were a bit more advanced that I if I remember rightly, hence the reason you’re now a master of my craft Sir.” He bowed slightly, it was bizarre to think that the Bronzer before him had ever been a classmate of his, “However I do not remember much of you Sir, I am sorry. Though I must ask, do you miss the tanner’s?”

Kalyr didn’t even think that he would be able to not return to the halls, not now, he’d spent some of the best, and hardest times of his life in those halls. “I am slightly worried why you remember me Sir,” Sir had to stay – for what else did you call a bronze rider come master tanner? Could this man be any more accomplished? “Was I ridiculed by the elder years? Or… perhaps was my misdoings talked about,” Not that he was aware of either – though the latter could have been possible, no, probable, he had often set up master Kafgor up a treat, he smirked at the memory, though he let it fade quickly, realising his company, and that he likely wouldn’t be desirable, even if hides needed fixing after a hurricane. He idled his hands untying some of the less vital knots in the reigning and harnesses of Braunda’s.

[Spirithawk]

"Our stables took the least amount of damage in the Weyr." He said, gesturing towards a sturdy building. "It was protected from the worst of the winds thanks to the bluff it is built against. I'm sure Brunda will be more than comfortable there. And don't mind Kilzanth, as I said, he has yet to learn manners. He is very much an arrogant bronze and has to show off."

We'll see who is a show off. The dragon told his rider with a snort.

Behave! These are guests from the Tanner Hall. I would rather you not make me look like a fool in front of them P'rin's eyes unfocused as he spoke to his dragon.

If I leave you to your own long enough I won't have to do that for you, you can take care of that yourself.

Kilzanth. The dragon's name was a warning. The bronze grumbled a bit and then stretched his massive wings.

"I joined the craft younger than most, hence the reason why I am a Master now instead of a Journeyman. Not to mention, Master Vanar took me out of the Hall for near Turns at a time to travel with him when he was assigned outside the hall. You might not have seen me all that often because of that." P'rin didn't mention that the reason why he was allowed to travel with the Master was because the man was more of a father to P'rin than his own father ever had been, nor did he say why he had come to the Tanner Hall so early.

"I do miss the Tanners, though with my bronze, I can visit when I am not busy with my duties as a Rider here. Master Vanar was here to see my Impression but he hasn't been able to visit since then because of his duties. We exchange letters often. My flitt Falarn is pretty reliable when it comes to transporting letters. He's not here with me right now. He's probably pestering his new Queen friend." His smile softened when he thought of the beautiful young Queen and her pretty rider.

P'rin smiled reassuringly. "Nay, you were never ridiculed by the elders. Indeed, I would not have remembered you if my former Master had not sent me a letter recently saying that you had gotten your Journeyman knots and were abroad. He and your Master have been keeping tabs on each other it seems. I think I remember seeing you in the Hall from time to time but I was in and out with my Master and so much has happened since then that had not Master Vanar mentioned you and your Master's name I would not have recognized it."

"I think we can get your beast and cart settled before we find the Weyrwoman. I just left her office and she had the Headwoman in there to discuss the current state of our supplies. I gather she will be rather busy for a while. Besides, there isn't much hurry. I have an errand to run but it's nothing that can't wait until after you are settled. Then we can either find the Junior Weyrwoman or see if the Weyrwoman is free. Either one can be told of your arrival."

P'rin gestured in the direction of the stables. "The doorway of the stables opens wide enough to put carts in. We get craftsmen visiting from time to time and, unless its a Trader caravan we usually need a place to store their goods." His long-legged stride carried him easily across the bowl, with a muscular grace that was typical of a rider.

[panther]

Kalyr had pretty good experience with runners – especially when his job had dealing with saddlery and such tack for the creatures, he could empathise with the owner of the runner in the stables that the storm must have frightened the poor beast. “Ah, well that is a glad thing to hear for Brunda and I, though I would be interested in meeting the Weyrlingmaster – though I daresay I’d chance across his company if we are to stay amongst the Weyrlings.” His tone was more thoughtful, he preferred saddling to recovering hides, for he didn’t appreciate what hides kept. So far he’d found no use for books and such.

Kalyr nodded, noticing P’rin’s absense of attention for a while. He had heard that riders occasionally zoned out, that this was the time they spent regarding their dragons in a mental contact. Then the bronze spread his wings, Brunda – suddenly opposed to the massive presence she had failed to notice previously – eye’s whitened, she began to back up and to try to rid herself of the burden of the cart, resulting in Jermir (leaning against the back of the cart) being pushed flat to the ground, and onto his face. Having not initially noticed this, in awe of seeing a bronze this close, Kalyr grasped for Brunda’s reigns, “Brunda! Brunda, shhh hush, he’ll not harm you, behave!” He caught the reigns, pulled her to the ground, making sure she did not jump anymore and loose any more of the items in her cart, “Hush Brunda.” He hummed, stroking her long snout. Her eyes still showing their whites, she breathed heavily, her sides heaving. Kalyr continued to pet the beast chanting to her softly, words of comfort, softly spoken.

“Shards” He turned about at that moment, “Jermir, was anything lost?” He turned – attention finally waning from the heardbeast, he snickered at first, then laughter broke through, the spell didn’t abate for some time. Jermir was knelt on the ground, dusting off his clothes trying to get rid of the mud that had cosseted his shirt and trousers. The result of the cart shifting was obvious, “The only thing dislodged was yourself eh Jermir?” Jermir did not reply, “Go to get yourself cleaned up, I’ll stable Brunda and get the cart unhitched.” He said to his fellow journeyman.

Turning his attentions back to P’rin, “Sorry, she – just as I am – is unused to dragons, especially ones as grand as your bronze.” He clarified, hoping this would pacify the bronze and his rider. Listening to P’rin recount his tale of his time at the halls, Kalyr smiled, “I am glad it was an agreeable time for you sir, Vanar was renown for being a kindly master sir, and I can imagine that you and he are still quite close, “Hurlon was not a mad man, he was a level headed master, but he worked and taught me hard, I have him to thank for being here though.” Kalyr smirked, but then what came next, he fought away a scarlet tinge that threatened his cheeks, he did not like being talked about, good or bad.

“Ah, well I am glad to learn that it is not detrimental to me then sir!” He tried to sound heartened by the news, “Last I hear Vanar was doing well, so you have no worries there,” He felt a little better that he had good reason for not recognising Kalyr, and it made more sense that it was through a letter from the hall he had learnt of Kalyr’s arrival. But Kalyr’s mind span the topic on its head,
“So, bonded to a bronze, such a regal affair for a tanner, I cannot imagine what it must be like to be a master, and then impressed to such a glorious mind and presence.” He smiled as he looked over at Kilzanth, “Even if you do accuse him of being a show off, I think I were as grand I would show off too. Alas! I am not so grand and yet, I do show off!” He laughed, trying to lighten the mood a little.

Agreeing silently with a nod to what P’rin had just commented upon, He tapped Brunda on the rump, the beast setting into motion once more with a huff. “Alright Brunda you’ll be done soon, I promise” He smiled, petted the beast on the nose as he walked along side her, leaving Jermir to sort himself out alone.
“Aye, as long as one of the Weyrwomen are informed, then we are in a safe position.” He smiled, “But we have no rush, yet, talking of stocks, it may be an idea to inform us at some point before we begin work, of what you have, and what needs fixing.” Kalyr was starting to hit business mode a little – though he would never ever hit 100% he did have the occasional fitting thought.

[Spirithawk]

"Her company. Weyrlingmaster Rhia is a woman. She rides a brown." P'rin didn't think anything of it but he was starting to realize that a lot of people were surprised by his former mentor's brown because she was a female. He had been in the Tanner Hall and a holder lad before that so he didn't know all that much about dragons. What he learned, he had learned here but visits to other weyrs had taught him that Dark Moon was definitely unique. They had mutated colors, and the hierarchy was a bit different.

When the beast finally noticed Kilzanth and took an aversion to him, P'rin leapt to help. "Nothing broken I hope?" He asked when the beast had been calmed. He had thought about catching the beast's reins with Kalyr but had then realized that he smelled like a dragon from time spent with his bronze. Often runners took an aversion to dragonmen so he was pretty sure herdbeasts would do the same. He backed off, not wanting to upset the beast more.

Kil move a bit farther away please. We don't want to scare the beast even more.

The bronze grumbled a bit about having to move because some silly beast was afraid of him but he awkwardly walked farther away from the cart.

P'rin laughed as well. "I love him. He's my other half, but sometimes he is pure frustration. How I wound up with such an egotistical, and arrogant beast I don't know. He is vain too. He's a fine looking beast but we butt heads a lot."

P'rin pulled the doors open. Some of the runners nickered. "The WLM's beast is the grey with the white mane and tail. He won't let anyone near him but her. You should see him with her kids though. He lets them play all over him without moving a muscle. He'll bash anyone else's skull in. I saw a drudge trying to feed him one day when I was a Candidate. Nasty temper that runner has."

He gestured to a wide space. "The cart can go there. There are some empty stalls, some of the larger ones are to the back. There's feed in the bins. We all took turns helping out in here as Candidates."

"Some of the hides that were stored in the front caverns got wet. There are quite a few dragons needing riding straps too and our stores need to be either replinished or repaired. The new dragonets will need straps too. We had a hunt and we have some furs but not much hide right now. The Weyr was short on stuff before the Hurricane and now it's worse. Some of the Holders believe we're useless." Dark bitterness laced his tone with the last statement. He was a dragonman, and to be a dragonman meant that he believed in the menace that left even his great bronze tossing in his sleep from nightmares.

"Long story short, we'll need all the help you can provide. I'm good enough to help with straps and stuff and I've offered to help the W'lings learn how to make their own but with Kil and my wing second duties, I'm busy."

[panther]

“Ah, my apologies then, my own presumptions tend to e masculine orientated, backlash of there being very few women in the tanner’s halls I guess.” He shrugged as he petted the beast, who’s eyes whitened again as flared nostrils scented dragon once more. Having been oblivious, she had been fine, but now over aware of dragon-like presence, she was immediately relating the scent to the predator. “And brown you say? Isn’t that a little unusual? But then with these strange mutation colours occurring, who is to say what is unusual and what is not?” Kalyr had been briefed in ‘weyr’ goings on, he was not an expert by far, certainly no harper. He watched as the bronze backed away, Brunda calmed, Kalyr still soothed her, petting her softly in large circles as they walked.

P’rin’s words got Kalyr suddenly wondering what it would be like to be bonded to a dragon, any dragon, let along a bronze, egotistical and vain as they where, He commented with idle thoughts on the ex-tanner’s words, “mmmm, I can not imagine what it would be like to be impressed to a dragon in the slightest, feeling such a close bond with anyone, but I guess it’s similar to love in a way” He wondered where the depth came form suddenly, he chilled for a moment, “It must be strangely encroaching at first isn’t it? Sharing everything with another? Though, I must confess, like every other boy in the land, I’ve dreamt of being a dragonman, though I am content that I am a tanner. I do occasionally wonder what I would impress if I did stand.” He faded off into thought, green, blue, brown and bronze – typical boys colours. Green, highly likely considering they were the most common of the dragons in pern. He would quite like a green, but he was not sure he could deal with the implications of her rising quite so frequently. That brought you to blue, blue’s were the obligations of the dragon world, they were a lot less frivolous than a green, hardworking and calm, he supposed that one fit him rather well as a dragon to man personality.
Resigning to the fact that he was (certainly at this age) not appropriate for anything of rank, he did not think on the other colours. He didn’t particularly think he’d be able to rise to it even. The only rank he desired greatly was Master tanner.

He smiled as he thought about it. “You are a lucky man, you have two things that any regular child desires. And you are younger than most, having attained so much already sir.” His voice was slightly dreamy.

As P’rin moved on, he looked at the grey, he was tempted to approach the beast, curious as to whether his nature would keep the runner quiet or not. He was quite good with runners, and he generally liked the ones who were a bit more flighty to those he could trust implicitly, they kept him on his toes.

He lead the herdbeast into the stables, far enough so he could back the cart around, he began the process of unhitching poor Brunda. Straps and buckles all came loose, smoothly, he had purposefully oiled all of the tack before leaving so it didn’t look like he was a leathercrafter with no ability to maintain his work. How bad would that come across? Very – he thought.
He lead the herdbeast, who’s head hung low, calm as a clawfish by now, into a stable, closing the door too before he grabbed a scoop of feed stuffs between his palms, and threw it with a clatter into the base of the trough. He slapped her shoulder loudly, and left the stable.
Taking a few items from the cart first, the more valuable things, he shouldered the cart, angling it back into the wider shed.
He finished his work, dusted of his palms slapping them together before returning to conversation with P’rin. “Aye, that won’t be a problem sir, Jermir and I should be able to do that, as I said we have another joining us in a few days, shouldn’t be too long. So, hides, straps, repairing straps. I think we might need to talk to one of the local holders see if we can get some more skins. We might also need a working area if there is that much to be done sir, we’ll work better if we can set ourselves up somewhat.” He tried to think logically about the situation at hand. His hands slipping to his hip pockets as his thought over what they would need to do, "is there any preference to the order of work? Sir?" he finished as he began planning a mental timeline.

[Spirithawk]

P'rin shrugged. "I didn't think much of it until after I started traveling more and people were surprised that we have a female brownrider, much less one that is WLM and CM. Even with the mutations, a female brownrider is still considered an oddity. She's been the only one here for Turns. We have a female bluerider but from what I've learned that's not quite as odd as a female brownrider. I guess it just all depends on the dragon. Rhia is a strong woman. I am not really surprised that she has a brown. They are usually steadier and more apt to lead than a blue or a green and Rhia certainly knows how to crack the whip." There was amused affection in the bronzerider's voice. After all, the woman had taught him and his bronze how to be a rider.

P'rin looked thoughtful, and, though he didn't know it, a look of pure, unadulterated love was on his face and in his tone as he spoke. "It is the most incredible feeling. I never realized that I was half a man until I looked into Kilzanth's eyes and realized that he was mine, and I am his until death. I wouldn't want to live without him. It would mean living without my heart. At first his presence in my mind was strange, but it felt right, natural. I feel what he feels and he feels what I feel. Shards it is so hard to explain it. It would be like taking our tools away and forcing us to quit tanning, but only on a greater level. I panicked when I woke up the morning after the hatching because Kil was so deeply asleep that I couldn't sense his presence at first. My panic woke him up. I was all apologies then." Amusement colored the tone of the young bronzerider.

"I never told anyone that. You're easy to talk to Kalyr. As for Impressing, the dragon decides. We don't know what color we'll Impress until that dragon is creeling in your mind, begging to be fed and loved."

P'rin looked throughtful. "I am lucky only by unlucky chance." He said cryptically, with just a hint of bitterness, and then changed the subject.

P'rin smiled. "I think the first order of business is getting you settled and meeting the Weyrwoman. She has lists of everything that needs to be done. Honestly though, I think the straps are the first order of business. I saw a rider nearly fall a few sevendays ago because his riding strap broke. He hadn't been keeping it oiled properly but the straps were also so old he probably pulled them out of storage. I haven't had a chance to take full inventory of what we have and what needs to be repaired. I just know the last time I went into the storeroom where the leatherwork was kept the smell of rot was enough to knock me on the behind. The Weyrlings won't need their straps for a couple of sevendays yet because they're still little. You just missed the Hatching."

"As for workspace, we have rooms in the Lower Caverns specifically for Craftsmen. There is one with a workroom attached to it that we normally have Weavers stay in but there aren't any at the moment. The space should be more than adequate. If you'll follow me, we can see if the Weyrwoman is free."

[panther]

“Aye, again it is likely my ignorance that does not notice this all that strange – though now you mention it, I’ve not seen any female brown riders, guess that showed itself in my presuming the Weyrlingmaster come brown rider was male. That and my affinity for the tanner’s hall.” And he wondered why he was awkward among women. Women, were not part of his every day life. In the slightest.
Kalyr looked to the man, he stood and talked of his bond with the great bronze, with nothing but affection in his eyes. Kalyr cleared his throat, feeling like he was almost intruding upon the situation. But as P’rin said of Kalyr being easy to talk to, Kalyr nodded, “Thank you sir, that has been said of me before now. Yet, despite your explanation, I still cannot imagine how it would be to be so intrinsically linked with another.” Everybody needed some one to talk to. His thoughts spiralled back to the tanner’s hall again, a sudden urge to see some of his old pals sprung on him, making him feel quite homesick. But, it was nothing he could not overcome.

P’rin spoke again, ”I am lucky only by unlucky chance” Kalyr’s curiosity piqued, he would not push though. If P’rin wished to recount his tale he would.

Kalyr laughed, he had never seen a Dragonman fall, they were always graceful, superior almost to the Holder-people. “Ah, no sir, we cannot have you dragonmen falling form your lofty perches to the level of us regular men” He smiled a little. He was trying to humour the situation, feeling that the sour note in P’rin’s tone prior to this, should not be lingered upon. He spoke next of the hatching.

“Shards that is unfortunate, I would have loved to have seen a Dark moon hatching, I’ve been told you have some quite spectacular colours here, Sir.” He smiled, He’d always wanted to see a hatching, since he was small, “Well, if the Weyrwoman’s lists are long enough, then I shall be here for the next!” He said with optimism. P’rin spoke of the workspace. His eyes lit with happiness.

“Really?!” He was excited, obviously so, his poise even changed from at ease to eager. “Shards, I didn’t imagine you would be so well prepared, but then with a Master Tanner here, I guess you would be, oh, that is wonderful news for me at very least, Sir!” He felt like a child staring at a hot bubbly pie for the first time, “Aye sir, I shall follow you. If you can just hold on one moment.” He beamed up at P’rin and dashed back to the cart, clatters and bangs and a few noises made from Kalyr himself, and the journeyman returned with a roll of tools slung under one arm, and a pack of clothes on the other, ready to work.

“Now, Sir, I’m ready, let us meet this Weyrwoman, what is her name again Sir? Chr…. It evades me. I think the excitement has blanked my memory slightly” He looked abashed suddenly, getting over the backlash of his youth as swiftly as possible.

[Spirithawk]

"Please, call me P'rin, if you must use a title Rider suits fine. I don't feel much like a Sir." He shifted uncomfortably. "I only reached Master status in our craft because I came to it younger than most and worked hard. Being bonded to a dragon is like nothing you ever have or ever will experience. Some say that having a fire lizard is close to it but even that pales in comparison. Dragons are individuals, each unique and..." He shook his head. "It is simply indescribable."

P'rin looked deadly serious. "Nay Journeyman, it is not something to laugh at. That rider was close to a hundred dragonlengths in the air during a drill. If we cannot rely on our straps to keep us aloft we cannot fly. It was lucky his blue was agile enough to catch him. One of his wingmates took him onto her green and brought him down until he could get new straps on his blue. The maneuvers we do to practice for Threadfall are not the easiest and we need our straps to be reliable."

His manner changed then. "But let us not dwell on it. The rider is safe and I lectured him severely on how to care properly for his straps after the Weyrwoman got a hold of him." Wicked amusement glittered in his pale blue eyes. " I don't think he will be neglecting his straps any time soon. Granted it probably wasn't completely his fault but we railed him enough to make sure any errors in the future won't be his fault. It taught the rest of the riders a lesson as well."

"Weyrwoman Christae. We don't stand much on formality here and I'm sure she would love for us to drop her title but we respect and love her too much to do that. She is like a mother to the entire Weyr but she works too hard. She is bonded to the Senior Queen Kaith. Have you seen her yet? She's magnificent. Her clutches are always spectacular even when there are no mutants. You should see Kilzanth's wings. When we go out in the Bowl I'll have him open his wings for you. Kaith has produced several mutated colors and the regular colors have been changing as well. We have one of Kil's clutch mates with black marbling on her green hide. Some of the other hatchlings had some strange markings as well."

P'rin led the Tanners into the Weyr Bowl.

Kilzanth come closer and spread your wings for them.

You make me back off and now you want me to come closer? The dragon grumbled but P'rin could tell he was secretly pleased with the fact that his rider wanted him to show off for these people from the place he had come from before he became Kilzanth's bonded.

The dragon came forward and opened his wings, the black and brown and gold flecks in his wings shimmering in the sunlight.

[panther]

“Ah, I’m sorry P’rin” He chose for Rider sounded a little despondent. “I didn’t quite know whether Master, or Rider was appropriate, seen as you are both. And ‘Master Rider’ Didn’t sound quite…” He paused, searching for the word, “appropriate. At least not in my mind” Kalyr explained.
He smiled, “Well then perhaps Zelizar is as close as I might get to impressing a dragon, but nevertheless, I am happy” He smiled at the man.

“Oh shards, I’m sorry P’rin, I didn’t mean to cause any offence, I presumed it would break on mounting, for that’s when there would be most stre-“ He paused, having realised his presumed mistake. “Ah, yes, I failed to think of riding manoeuvres, they would need to take more strain than the Tack of a runner. The most stress they ever go under is mounting and dismounting. The other times, the Runner bears the load really, the tack just makes it slightly more comfortable. But when we are through, I hope there will be no more problems with the straps Rider!” He smiled, hoping this would make the ground steady between them once more.

Kalyr smiled, “Well I am glad that your senior queen is such a looker – it must be an awful thing for a bronze to have to chase down a queen who isn’t.” He smiled, “I’d love to see a clutch. Kaith’s or otherwise.” He commented idly as they approached his dragon “Though the mutations – Wow.” Kilzanth spread his wings and Kalyr was in awe, bronze as he was, the wings were different, marked with all sorts of colours and shades, bronze black, brown and gold, it was almost as though His wings wanted to deceive you.

“He must be a marvel to see flying overhead” Kalyr’s voice was quieter now, pensive. “He is a very distinguished Bronze P’rin, he is fine. Well, he was magnificent before, but now, he is beyond the unique. He is… I am proud to say that the bonded of this fine creature once stood among my ranks” He smiled broadly, a quick glance to his side towards P’rin, before his gaze was straight back at the bronze.

“Kilzanth, you’re a marvellous example of your kind, and I hope P’rin treats you well.” He continued to smile broadly towards the dragon, It was amazing how something like this, could affect the people around him. “I would love to see more of the hatchling that are like Kilzanth.” He looked eagerly at P’rin, “Oh, you suggested I meet the Weyrwoman first didn’t you?” He looked almost dismayed.

[Spirithawk]

P'rin flashed a good natured grin. "No worries Kalyr. I just didn't want you to think I'm all stuffy by insisting on a title.

"No. It would have been fortunate if it had broken on mounting. Then we probably would have gotten a bit of a laugh about it. Thank Faranth Weyrwoman Christae insists on learning rescue maneuvers. If his dragon hadn't caught him the greenriders in his Wing would have. I am glad that we will no longer have to worry then."

P'rin gave another smile at the Journeyman's reaction to his bronze's wings. "Kaith outshines all dragons around her by her sheer size alone. Kilzanth is a good sized bronze and he is handsome. Careful though, his ego doesn't need any more stoking. He's vain enough as it is."

"Here's the Weyrwoman's office. Don't worry, you'll see the other mutants soon enough." He entered, "Weyrwoman, got a couple of Craftsmen who wish to speak to you."

~~~~~~~~~~

Christae looked up from the list that the Headwoman just gave her. The woman had left her office mere minutes before the bronzerider she had just sent off on an errand returned.

"Back so quickly P'rin?" She looked to see another man behind her rider. "Welcome to Dark Moon Weyr." Her brown eyes caught the shoulder knots. "You must be the Journeyman Tanner that was supposed to be coming. P'rin, I would like that letter delivered sometime today. I will handle things with the craftsmen until you return. I would like you to help them when you are not training with your wing."

The bronzerider bowed low. "As you wish Weyrwoman. This is Journeyman Kalyr." He turned to Kalyr and offered a hand to shake. "I will return shortly. I hope you enjoy your stay here at Dark Moon and we'll be seeing a lot of each other." With that, the bronzerider strode from the office to his waiting dragon. Powerful downbeats raised dust in the air as the bronze leapt up. They waited until they were high enough and then winked *between*