Hunting the hunter

[Spirithawk]

A spotted shape stalked through the tangle of underbrush at the edge of the jungle. A huge clearing stood before her with a ravine at the other end of the vast meadow. A river normally ran through the ravine and sloped down into a pond at the edge of the meadow but it was the beginning of fall and the river had slowed to nearly a creek and the pond had shrunk in on itself. The banks were muddy from creatures coming in to drink and having to wade into the mud to reach the water. It was a perfect place to graze herdbeasts with the meadow filled with grasses and the pond nearby for watering. It was also a hunter's paradise with the jungle surrounding it, the muddy pond, and the ravine to stop the herdbeasts from running far.

The feline watching the herdbeasts from the jungle was just one of a large pack that had roamed far from their territory searching for food. This particular female had a litter of cubs to feed and she was getting desperate. She had already lost one of her cubs and she feared for the other two. These fat herdbeasts were the perfect target. The herder keeping watch was not really too much of an obstacle. The pack was too hungry to be cautious and killed several herdbeasts on the first day they attacked. The herder was injured and was only saved by the fact that he stayed on his runner. The runner brought him back to the hold and the Holder quickly sent a to Dark Moon Weyr asking for help from the dragonriders in eliminating the pack of felines.

Christae sent word that several riders were willing to go the next morning to hunt the felines. Feline pelts fetched a good price in the market and Traders were always willing to barter for a nice pelt. The dragons would be fed as well because they would eat the feline meat. Christae sent the word out to the riders announcing that there would be a feline hunt on the morrow and all those who did not have other duties were welcome to meet above Caspian Hold a candlemark before daybreak.

[Akki]

It's almost time for the feline hunt. Others will be meeting up at Caspian Hold soon. Are we going? Ebbeth asked his rider, with a hint of curiousity. Akki had heard about the feline hunt, and spent a minute wondering about who else was going until she more or less forgot about it. That was until Ebbeth mentioned it now, causing her to frown delicately as she pondered about whether or not they would take part in this adventure. "I'm not sure, do you want to go?" She asked, not wanting to make the dragon do something he didn't want too. Ebbeth said nothing, fall silent as he made up his mind about it. I think... Ebbeth began, trying to figure out how to phrase this. I think I would like the experience this offers. He finished, looking expectantly at his rider to await her answer.

"Then let's get to this shindig." She replied with a grin, rummaging through her stuff and struggling for a second as she pulled on her riding boots. "Want to ask Ersith if her and R'xis are going to make an appearance? I remember Hasima saying she was going to sit this one out. I don't think she fully enjoyed the idea of a feline hunt." Akki admitted with a lopsided grin, she had pretty much expected that Rimith and her rider wouldn't be coming. Akki finished getting her riding gear on and was starting to saddle up Ebbeth as he sent a message to the pretty brown. Ersith, shall I be expecting your gender confused companionship during this hunt? And as soon as that message was sent, Ebbeth sent another one, this time to Kaith. Clutch-sister, myself and my rider want to know if there is still room for us for the feline hunt? If there is, we shall be above Caspian Hold in a few minutes.

[Spirithawk]

Kilzanth was already rigged up and waiting. P'rin was double checking his pack to make sure he had an extra water bag and food. He didn't want to be caught out in the heat and hungry while his dragon was hunting. The great bronze was impatient. He was swishing his tale from side to side, pushing the dust around. "Kil, stop that. You are making your hide dirty and I don't want to have to clean you."

You will have to wash me anyway because I will be full of blood after this hunt so quit complaining. Hurry up or we will miss the hunt.

"We won't be late. Just chill. By the first egg you are impatient. Ok I think we have everything. Let's go." He grabbed his helmet from its peg and headed out of the weyr to his dragon's side. He leapt up onto the leg his dragon offered and climbed up, settling himself into the straps and giving his dragon the symbol to launch. The dragon rose up above the rim of the Weyr Bowl and then vanished between, appearing over Caspian Hold.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kaith lifted her massive, wedge-shaped head from her ledge and turned to the blue dragon that had hatched from the same clutch as she. She was too egg heavy to join the hunt though some of the dragons that planned on going had promised to bring her some of the meat. As far as I know only Kilzanth has gone. Mneith is going as soon as Rhia gets her hatchlings settled. You are more than welcome to go. There is a large pack of felines, perhaps as many as ten or more. Have fun and be careful.

[Akki]

Akki roughly pushed the hair out of her face as she stood back to admire her handy work. She eyed the dragon in front of her carefully, making sure there was nothing forgotten. Like P'rin, she too had brought an extra water bag, which partially caught Ebbeth offhand for he didn't know his rider would even think of that without his mentioning of it. "Well, I think we're all ready. That is, if we can. Can we?" She said, grinning to her blue. The dragon grinned back and nodded his head slightly in reply. Akki pumped her fist into the air with a loud 'Huzzah!'. She pulled herself up onto the dragon, and waited patiently (As patiently as she could) for the blue to show that he too was ready to head out. My dear Kaith, aren't I always careful? Ebbeth asked, pretending to be hurt as he pushed off of the ground and slowly rose up in the air. I'll have enough fun for the both of us He said before winking into the nothingness of between

Ebbeth and Akki came back into sight, hovering nearby Kilzanth and P'rin as they too arrived at the meeting spot. Akki leaned forward slightly on Ebbeth, turning her head to grin at P'rin. "Well, well. If it isn't P'rin, the big bad full bronze rider. Are you ready for some hunting shenanigans?" She called out towards the boy. Ebbeth grinned at the large bronze, Hasn't anyone told you not to grow bigger than your elders? How disrespectful.

[Wolf]

The Brownrider and his dragon had heard about the so-called "shindig" that was going down at Caspian Hold.
Its a shame that they have to be killed at all.
Its not a shame, they're pests.
The two of them were contemplating whether or not it would be the sort of thing that they'd like to attend when Ersith stopped speaking to her rider to listen to another voice. Well Ebbeth it would seem that my gender confused self has been called up on as a desirable companion for you. Is Akki not behaving herself... again? Ersith asked, all in good humour.
Ebbeth has requested that we join Akki and him, Ersith explained to R'xis, the puzzled look on his face deserving an answer.
Yes! That's my answer.
Ersith gave a loud snort, followed by draconic laughter. It wasn't long before Ersith's saddle had been properly placed up on her back and her riding gear was in check. Then, after having suited up himself, R'xis hauled himself up on to her back. The dragon, having been in the Weyrbowl, flew skywards and went /between/.

"Caspian Hold!" R'xis announced one they’d burst from /between/, looking below to where he spotted both the Bluerider and a known Bronzerider. "Well hello!" he shouted over the wind, his greeting making for a good laugh. "We've all decided to do this thing have we?"
Though we all know it didn't take R’xisMine long to make up his mind once Ebbeth asked, Ersith said aloud for all to hear.

There was much work to be done, and it’d likely pose as a fun activity for the dragons well for the riders? Not so much, unless they enjoyed a good hunt of course! R’xis was a bit iffy on the whole thing but he knew that he could stomach it, and maybe might even get some enjoyment out of it once Ersith’s emotions impressed up on him. Hopefully even more would come, a bigger group meant more done in a shorter amount of time.

[Sparrow]

“So Rol, you up for a feline hunt?” Sh’rel asked the large brown dragon with a soft smack on his side. The rider did not wait for a response before heading over to the pegs where his riding straps hung. He carried the straps on his shoulder back to Rolaranth.

It could be fun, and I am getting a bit hungry.

Sh’rel chuckled, “You had a couple herdbeasts a few days ago. We don’t want you to get chubby.”

Look who is talking, Rolaranth said nudging his rider in the stomach with his nose. Do you think you’ll need steps to get onto my back?

“Ha ha, very funny.” Sh’rel replied as he tightened the last of the straps before hurrying off to get other things he would need, namely a waterskin, some rope, and of course his riding gear. The Brownrider had gotten in better shape since being at Dark Moon and brown dragon knew that.

As if to prove Rolaranth wrong Sh’rel leapt first onto the leg that Rol offered to him, and then neatly onto the large dragon’s back. Rolaranth vaulted into the air before Sh’rel could rub it into Rolaranth face that he was wrong. Sh’rel pictured Caspian Hold in his head and before the brown had attained the proper height went /between/. In the moments that they were between the Brownrider worried about who might’ve seen them go between so low. Who would be worse? Christae the Weyrwoman, Rhia the Weyrlingmaster, or Weyrlings and young rider?

Before he could come to a conclusion the pair burst from between above the hold. Don’t do that again, Rol. He was certainly surprised that for once he had to chide Rolaranth instead of the other way around. Sh’rel surveyed the Hold that had called the riders to fix the pesky feline problem.

[Akki]

My dear brown, I'm sure you know her well enough to know that she never behaves herself. Ebbeth replied in the same good natured tone, waiting patiently in the air for other dragons and riders to appear. He didn't have to wait long either, for in a few minutes Ersith and R'xis appeared nearby. Akki grinned as R'xis came into view and nodded, "You know I would never pass up the chance for an adventure!". It was a shame that they would have to hunt down the felines, there was no denying that. But there was no other choice really. The creatures were getting too comfortable, snatching away herdbeasts and they were starting to have no problem attacking people too. If they left this problem alone, it would only become bigger and bigger and would definitely put the herder in even more danger.

Akki snickered at Ersith's comment, sending the brown a wink before turning to see another dragon wink into sight. She grinned as she recognized Sh'rel and nodded her head to him as a greeting. She had only seen the man around the Weyr a few times after originally meeting him at the Gather. The last time she saw him was at the flitt hatching, and now it only dawned on her that she had yet to meet his brown dragon. "Now Sh'rel, is this your handsome brown?"

[Spirithawk]

Rhia finally found her helmet where Rehan and Giana had secreted it in the far corner of the weyr under their pile of toys. Luckily they couldn't reach the great brown's riding straps. Mneith already had his straps on and was waiting patiently for his rider as she cursed the curiosity of her children.

"I need to get someone to fix me a higher peg to put my helmet on. They think it is a game to hide Momma's helmet."

The hatchlings aren't that bad. Mneith said.

"Oh hush, you know that you dote on them just because they like to scratch you." Mneith let out a draconic chuckle. His curvy rider stepped onto his forarm and vaulted onto his back. She settled down into the straps and made sure her belt straps were secure. "Let's go. We're Christae's represenatives today unless the Weyrleader decides to come. I think they are both swamped though and Kaith is too egg heavy to come."

I have told her that I will bring her some meat if I catch enough.

"That's fine. Just don't be too much of a glutton. I don't know how many other dragons will be there."

Kilzanth, Ebbeth and Akki, and Ersith are going for sure. I think one of the transfer browns are going as well.

"Observant aren't we? Well, let's go."

Kaith my Queen, we leave now. There is still room for more dragons to join the hunt. I will try to get some meat for you.

The Queen lifted her head and responded to Ebbeth and a few minutes later she responded to Mneith. Ebbeth you and careful do not go together in a sentence. I will see you later. Thank you Mneith. I will let them know.

Mneith rose above the Weyr Bowl and winked *between*. Mneith bugled to the other dragons, greeting them and conveying his and his riders' regards. He spiraled down and landed in the courtyard in front of the Hold. The Holder and his wife were waiting. The runners had been taken away from the courtyard so that they would not spook at the smell of the dragons. Rhia signaled for the other riders and their dragons to remain hovering while she talked with the Holder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kilzanth greeted Ebbeth and Ersith. Greetings clutch-sister. Good day to you and your rider. The same to you as well Ebbeth. I never knew there was a rule saying I couldn't be bigger than my elders. The riders didn't know about Ersith but most of the dragons knew, especially the males. The dragon's voice was deceptively innocent and his eyes were amused.

P'rin called out a reply to R'xis. "Good morning to you and your dragon R'xis. I hope you are both well." He turned when to Akki and Ebbeth. "Good morning to you as well Akki and Ebbeth. I won't be joining in until after the hunt is over. I will just be a passenger." He laughed. He nodded to the new brownrider. He hadn't met him yet. "Good morning brownrider. P'rin of bronze Kilzanth."

[Wolf]

Yes, by now I do know Your’s quite well Ebbeth. Greetings to you also Kilzanth, I’m sure you’ll do just fine on this hunt. And greetings to you Rolaranth, I don’t believe we’ve encountered each other before. She complimented the Bronze, being somewhat of a flirt from R’xis’ point of view.
Am I allowed to make a comment? R’xis inquired to Ersith.
No. She replied rather plainly, her bluntness causing him to snicker. R’xis let her be, seeing no shame in her being over friendly with the male dragons. He had just come to realize that she was the only female dragon present.
“Yes, good morning P’rin and… I don’t believe that we’ve met?” he said, turning to look to Sh’rel. “I’m R’xis of Brown Ersith.” Ersith crooned out, turning to Ebbeth curiously.
Think that you’ll be able to take down as many as I? Her question was a clear challenge.
Both Ersith and R’xis were wondering if any more would come. Certainly the small group that they’d gathered together currently wouldn’t be all that attended? He sure hoped not, it’d make the job far more tedious.

R’xis was watching Akki out of the corner of his eye, turning to look at her and issue a nod. “You’re quite the adventurous type indeed,” he told her, unable to keep a smirk off of his face.
Am I allowed to make a comment?
Stuff it.

[Akki]

Ebbeth fell silent for a moment, grinning to himself as he heard Kaith's comment. He couldn't exactly deny it, him and careful barely made a joint appearance he had to admit. The blue turned his head and nodded to Mneith as he made an appearance nearby and watched as the brown headed towards the Hold. It's an unwritten rule, Kilzanth. You know it now, so you better start shrinking, yes? Ebbeth replied as he turned towards the bronze, fake authority lacing his voice. Akki rolled her eyes and lightly thumped Ebbeth, "Stop pretending your manliness is at stake here." She looked over to P'rin and laughed, "Well, if you want to know any of the dirty details, you know where to come."

Ebbeth opened his mouth and a huff of air escaped, as a silent laugh reached Ersith. I assure you that I will take down more than you, even if I have to pin you down to do it. Didn't you hear my rider? My manliness is at stake here. Akki pumped a fist into the air and grinned crookedly at R'xis, "Did you really think I could pass this up? I live for good times, like this one."

[Sparrow]

Sh’rel turned his attention from the Hold to those who had spoken to him. He realized quickly that it was Akki astride the blue, the two boys, one on a bronze the other on a brown he did not know. This was remedied soon enough as they introduced themselves. “Hello P’rin of Kilzanth,” he nodded, “and R’xis of Ersith, pleasure to meet you two,” sounding incredibly formal, “I am Sh’rel of Brown Rolaranth.”

Patting Rolaranth affectionately on the neck Sh’rel answered Akki’s question grinning, “Yes this is Rolaranth, but be careful what you say about him. If he is complimented too much he’ll get a big head and then there’s no way we will get off the ground.”

You’re going to end up in the lake when we return. Rolaranth said in response to the jibe, allowing Akki to hear.

“I take it I’m finally meeting Ebbeth, took long enough to happen, did he not want to meet me, or did you not want me to meet him?” Sh’rel scanned Ebbeth’s dark blue hide, “He is a quite handsome blue.” Normally when he thought of blue he thought of Harper Blue.

While his rider spoke with Akki Rolaranth spoke with the other dragons, Morning Kilzanth, Ebbeth and Ersith Rolaranth’s multi-faceted eyes remained on the latter the longest, realizing what she was and let out a draconic chuckle. The chuckle turned into a bugle as Mneith burst from between. Rolaranth’s mind turned back to the hunt they would soon start, Anyone know if these furry things we must hunt are tasty?

[Spirithawk]

A pretty, dark green dragon appeared from *between* and happily bugled a greeting to the dragons assembled. Her hide shone in the sun, dark green marbled with black. Her rider waved to the others as they winged closer.

"Good morning!" She called out to the other riders. She recognized P'rin and Ersith from her lessons. She also recognized the giant brown on the ground as their WLM's dragon Mneith and the blue and his rider as Akki and Ebbeth. She didn't know the other brownrider.

My regards to you and your riders. Priath called out a greeting to those assembled. "Does anyone know how long it will be before we head out to hunt? Priath has been complaining that I don't let her eat enough. I am hungry. Well you will get to eat today. Its about time. The dragon retorted. Anassa merely patted her green on the shoulder, her grey eyes twinkling with merriment. She brushed back a strand of sun-streaked brown hair that had gotten out from under her helmet out of her face and settled down to wait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rhia returned to her dragon after getting the coordinates from the Lord Holder. They would arrive several dragonlengths away and high enough so that the felines would not catch their scent. They would wait until the beasts attacked in the pre-dawn light and then turn the tables on the hunters.

Mneith waited until his rider was settled and the holders were far enough away not to get hit by dirt kicked up from his launch. His massive wingspan brought him quickly to where the other dragons were hovering.

"All right guys. There seems to be quite a pack of felines out there, about 10-15 or so from what the herders have been saying and they have taken down quite a few herdbeasts and stampeded the rest of the herd. After we kill the beasties we have been asked to help herd the herdbeasts back to where they belong. Take your coordinates from Mneith and we will go *between* on my mark."

She waited while her dragon gave the images to the others and then pumped her arm in the signal to go *between*. They arrived at the destination and Rhia motioned for them to settle down to wait for the felines to attack. Mneith told the other dragons to wait for his order.

It wasn't long before the darkness began to receed and the shapes of the herdbeasts could be discerned from the grey that was the landscape in the pre-dawn light.

[Akki]

Akki snickered as she heard Rolaranth’s retort. “If it makes you feel any better, I think you would look absolutely charming with a big head. Even if you can’t get off the ground.” She said, actually sounding quite sincere. She was quite glad that Sh’rel had transferred to Dark Moon, he and his dragon were quite fun to be around. Plus there was the fact that he was quite possibly one of the most polite guys she knew. She crinkled her nose at Sh’rel and stuck out her tongue slightly, “I was hiding him. I wanted you to have a nice opinion about me before Ebbeth completely ruined it.”. Of course she added a loving pat as she spoke, lightly thumping the blue.

I feel so pretty Ebbeth said as he heard Sh’rels comment, grinning draconically. Ebbeth shook his head slightly in response to Rolaranth. I’m not sure, but I sure hope they are. Other wise I might start nipping at someone here Akki rolled her eyes and then gave a startled jerk as Anassa and Priath appeared nearby, causing Ebbeth to give a silent chuckle. Ten points for the entrance Priath. I hope you are well today, the same goes with your rider. Akki peered below them, squinting slightly before grinning, “Here comes Mneith now.”

Akki listened carefully and frowned slightly, wondering how long 10-15 felines would take for this group. It was her first hunting trip, so she wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. She wasn’t even sure she was going to enjoy it or not, but it seemed like it was a good chance to do something new. “Got the coordinates Ebbeth?” The blue rider asked her blue, who replied with a But of course She looked at the others and grinned, “Last one there is a…” She paused, with a frown trying to think of what to say. “Well, last one there is a something. Something you don’t want to be.”

And with that said, both rider and dragon blinked Between and appeared by Rhia and Mneith. Akki snuggled in her seat, getting comfortable and preparing for the wait as Ebbeth watched for the order.

[Spirithawk]

Priath preened. Why thank you Ebbeth. I am well as is my rider. I hope that it is the same for you and your rider as well. Priath had just enough time to reply to the blue before Mneith arrived and they were given instructions. Anassa and Priath were still accustomed to following Rhia and her massive brown's orders since she and her fellow W'lings hadn't been assigned to new wings yet and probably wouldn't be until after the Hatching because of the activity in the Weyr.

I have the coordinates.

Then take us *between* love.

The green vanished and reappeared over the jungle with the rest of the riders. Anassa shivered, waiting for the humid heat of the Southern Continent to dispel the bone-chilling cold of the nothingness that was between.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I shouldn't have to shrink. You should grow Ebbeth.

P'rin smirked. "Dirty secrets eh Akki? I'll let you know if I ever want to know." He laughed.

P'rin nodded to the brownrider and then grinned at his later statement about his dragon getting a big head when complimented. "At least yours doesn't live with an overinflated ego." He quipped while running an affectionate hand over his dragon's flank.

I do not have an overinflated ego. Kilzanth protested to his rider and the other dragons. Some self-confidence is necessary. He added flippantly. His rider laughed. "See, overinflated ego." The bronze snorted derisively.

From what others say these beasts taste better than herdbeasts. The humans don't really care for them but I don't know if that is because they taste bad to them or if they just have trouble catching them. Our humans have strange tastes in food.

"Not everyone likes raw meat Kilzanth and you seem to like some of our food. I have to keep a close watch on you around bubbly pies." He stopped when Akki mentioned the arrival of Mneith. They got the coordinates and vanished between. P'rin quickly took in the lay of the land so that he would know what to expect and if there were any trees or rocks that the bronze needed to look out for.

Ready Kil?

Ready chosen.

[Sparrow]

Thank you, Rolaranth said to Akki, But what is the purpose of having wings if I cannot fly? I promise I will not get a big head.
Sh’rel laughed at Akki’s comment about Ebbeth ruining his opinion of her. “Nonsense, Akki. There’s no way Ebbeth could ruin anyone’s opinion of you.” He chuckled as Akki jumped at Priath’s entrance as Rolaranth bugled in return to Priath’s arrival.
The Brownrider glanced to the ground trying to judge how much longer they would be hovering in the air and saw that Rhia looked to be done, and was heading towards Mneith. So it would not be much longer.
Sh’rel turned to P’rin as the bronzerider spoke. “Well, I’d hate to add to his over-inflated ego but it would be hard not to have an ego when you’re as fine a bronze as Kilzanth,” he grinned.
Better than herdbeasts? Then it is going to be a treat hunting these furrythings. Rolaranth said in response to Kilzanth’s information about the felines.
By this time, Rhia had made her way up to where they hovered and Sh’rel turned his attention to her. He sat quietly listening to everything Rhia said. Ten to fifteen felines would be quite a task. Slowly Sh’rel figured that would be 2-3 of the beasts per rider; he had never been good at math. He did not need to do the math to know that they would get quite a few marks if they were in fact able to take the felines down, without damaging the furs too much.
You got the coordinates, Rol?

Yes, should we go? Rolaranth responded as Rhia, Akki, and P’rin disappeared between.

Take us there then. Seconds after Sh’rel gave the command Rolaranth took them into the cold blackness of between.Soon enough they joined the others above the herdbeasts.

Now what?


((Sorry for lateness. And I'm moving into my dorm in about... 8 hours and have orientation leader training these next couple of days so I'll pop on when I can. Strangely enough the next time I know I'll be able to get on it once classes start.))

[Wolf]

(( OOC| Sorry for the hold-up guys. *Guiltguilt.* ))

“Of course you live for good times Akki, you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t.” He shook his head, admiring the Bluerider until Sh’rel replied with an introduction of his own. “Its nice to meet you also, and I’m sure that Ersith’s feelings are shared in that regard.”
Of course, but you must know that Mine isn’t always so pleasant.
“And again, she ruins just about every good moment,” he told Sh’rel and his brown. His lips twitched upward, revealing that he was about to laugh.
Morning to you also Rolaranth, I must admit, I’ve never tasted these fluffy creatures. His lingering gaze up on her did not go amiss, and like Ebbeth’s already enlarged ego she could feel hers beginning to grow. Ebbeth was bringing out her competitiveness, which R’xis ignored.
There is nothing manly about you Ebbeth, sad to say. She was just teasing, the way she was looking at the Blue clearly making her words contradictory.
Priath, I hope that you and your rider are fairing well, she replied in response to the happy Green.

When Rhia gave the signal to go /between/ R’xis waited for Akki to finish her little bit, a grin on his face the whole time. “Yes, that something is awful bad I’m sure,” he told her before making sure that Ersith had the image of where it was they were going clear in her mind. “Ready friend?”
Are you ready? she mocked. Thankfully he had caught on to the single beat of her wings signifying that she was going to go /between./ When the pair came out of /between/ close to Akki and Ebbeth, Ersith felt that she’d done a good job in getting them there and deserved some praise.
“Every one made it here Ersith,” R’xis explained to his dragon aloud. Ersith snorted, feeling cheated of her rider’s approval.
Let us kill some fluffy creatures that I’ve never before seen… And just hope I don’t mistake my rider for one, she mumbled bitterly-allowing just about every one to hear her. The pair waited obediently for further instruction, just glad to be here with every one, helping.

[kestrel]

K'tan hadn't had time to see much of his fellow Dragonriders since he'd arrived at Dark Moon Weyr. However, when word was sent out about a feline hunt, and Vyralth had expressed wishes to go...well, he figured now was as good a chance as any. He mounted up a little later than he'd planned, rider straps on and his own hunting and skinning knife packed in a small knapsack. He had got word that most of the other dragons were already gathered, and wondered if he'd see that intriguing Yellowrider at the hunt. She didn't seem much the sort for it, but perhaps her dragon would convince her to go just as his blue had convinced him to do. No matter, there were other people he had yet to meet, as well.

*Are we ready to go yet, Lazybones?* The taunt came as no surprise. Vyralth had been reminding his rider since he'd woken that he'd overslept and that was why they were off to a late start.

K'tan poked his dragon in the side and retorted, "as if I'm the only one guilty of oversleeping? You do it all the time, as I seem to so clearly recall." The blue snorted indignantly as his rider mounted and they took off for the arranged meeting place hoping that not everyone had not started already.

Upon arriving at the pre-arranged meeting place, Vyralth landed beside a pretty Green dragon. Now, as any sensible blue would do, he turned to her and sent in a charming sort of tone, *well, I see there's more reason to be here than just the chance at some interesting new food! The Greens in this Weyr are sure as lovely as I had heard.*

K'tan slapped Vyralth on the neck, looking in slight embarrassment at the young woman aboard the green. "Hey there-K'tan of blue Vyralth. Don't mind him, he's a great chump, he is." He then added, "we're transfers from another Weyr, and I don't believe I've met many from Dark Moon yet." Meanwhile, he cast a look about to see if the Yellowrider were present. She and her interesting Yellow dragon had met at the Gather, as he remembered only too well. She'd been an interesting character, that one. However, he didn't see her, and after a quick look around he was once more facing the Greenrider.

[Spirithawk]

Priath did what any sensible green would do when complimented by a male dragon. She preened. Anassa tried not to laugh as her dragon flirted back with the blue. Well, it seems like there are certainly some fine specimens of dragons from other weyrs. Good day to you.l

Anassa chuckled. "I'll pay him no mind if you pay Priath no mind. She's becoming quite the accomplished flirt now that she is no longer restricted by the rules of the Weyrlings. I'm Anassa of green Priath. A pleasure to meet you. I hope you like Dark Moon. Oops, talk to you later. It looks like we are being given the signal to go."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rhia signaled to the riders to fan out. Mneith relayed her orders.

Be as quiet as you can. We don't want to scare the felines. I see movement at the edge of the treeline. We will wait for them to get out into the open and then move in. Try not to foul anyone else up. Rhiamine says that there will be plenty for all and wait for her signal to attack. We want to get them all so that the herders don't have any more problems with them. If we attack too soon some may escape.

Several dark shapes emerged from the jungle, about 17 in all. The dragons would feast this day and there would be plenty to take back to the egg-heavy Queen to satisfy her temper at not being able to attend the hunt. Rhia waited until they were halfway across the plain and moving towards the herdbeasts near the ravine before giving the signal to attack.

We might need two of you to keep the runners from spooking into the ravine. Priath, Vyralth, you will take care of that. We will leave you with felines to eat if you don't get any. Don't worry about them now. They aren't that close but keep an eye out.

Mneith began to dive down as they closed in on the felines. He picked one up, tossing it upwards and snapping its neck. The beast thrashed for a bit as he dropped it and went for another one and then lay still.

[Akki]

I have all my limbs and my rider hasn’t fallen off yet, so I have to assume we are doing well. I’m glad to hear that you and yours are well. Ebbeth replied as Anassa and Priath appeared once more from the cold depths of Between before turning his attention to Kilzanth with a sniff, Respect your elders Kilzanth. Come on now Akki rolled her eyes and thumped the blue once more, “We both know I hold the best dirty secrets P’rin.”.

She nodded towards Rolaranth, “I’m glad to hear that, it would be sad if you couldn’t fly because your head was too large for the rest of you.”. She cast a wink towards Sh’rel, “I’m glad to hear that. It’s one of my biggest fears.” It was complicated trying to respond to someone after both sides of the conversation had to slip Between but she felt rude if she just ignored it and apparently Ebbeth felt the same when he replied back to Ersith, a competitive edge to his voice now. Poor Ersith, my pure manliness is so dazzling it’s probably blinding you, causing you not to be able to see it as clearly as you should.

Both rider and dragon quieted down as they watched Rhia and Mneith carefully, not wanting to miss anything. And thankfully they didn’t miss anything, catch the signal to separate yourself from the group a bit. Ebbeth pulled up, careful not to clip anyone’s wings as he did so before flying away from the large group of dragons for a moment. It was too dangerous to be this close, especially when hunting. It would be far too easy to get distracted and collide into someone else. Please remember to be quite, my dear rider. Ebbeth sent, only to receive a Same to you. I’m mute, I don’t think I can get any quieter.

There was definitely enough felines to bring back to Kaith, you could see that by just eyeing the amount of dark shapes that were beginning to stalk out of the jungles shadows. Ebbeth waited for the signal and watched as Mneith as grabbed a feline before following suit, a bit farther away. He twisted his body downwards, aiming at one feline that was slightly separated from the group and snatched it up. He followed the browns technique, careful not to ruin the pelt as he tossed it up and heard its neck give a rather audible crack as it snapped cleanly.

[Sparrow]

Sh'rel grinned at Akki but soon turned his attention to Rolaranth as the brown relayed the information to his rider as soon as he received it from Mneith. Sh’rel scanned the ground for the felines as Rolaranth did the same, they nearly missed the signal to attack. Spread out a bit from the others Rol, we don’t want to hit the others. Listen for other instructions from Rhia and Mneith

Rolaranth dove shortly after Ebbeth and grabbed a feline deftly by the neck. The brown broke the neck of the feline but not as cleanly as the other two did. Sh’rel was sure the pelt would still be worth something, the pelt was a darker color anyway. Soon enough Rolaranth was hovering where he had began trying to seek out another feline to grab, determined to do better this time.