The Ledge

[Lionchilde]

Rocky shelf outside the weyr...whereupon the dragons sun themselves...

[Lionchilde]

E'van smiled as he walked outside, drawing a deep breath. Kaith turned to look at his rider, and resettled himself on the outcropping as E'van came up to him, leaning casually against his flank. The dragon dropped his head over his rider's shoulder, nudging E'van's jaw lightly.

-All right, you win, you win,- said the Weyrleader affectionately, one hand rising to scratch the dragon's eye ridge as the other lifted his flute to his lips.

-That is a new song- remarked Kaith, and E'van raised an eyebrow.

-You like it?- he ventured, since the dragon rarely commented on what he played other than to say it was good.

-It's happy- Kaith said in a pleased tone.

-I am happy, old friend, E'van replied. -Happier than I think I've been since the day you hatched.-

-Good,- Kaith said approvingly.

[Lionchilde]

((Next day...after fade to black.))

Stepping out onto the ledge, E'van felt a sudden, reckless urge to vault onto Kaith's neck. The bronze, having left his mate in the Hatching Grounds again, obligingly hovered in wait for him, but extended a foreleg with pointed silence.

"K'owan used to do it," E'van remarked as he settled onto the great neck, leaning forward to stroke the dragon affectionately. His eyes were already scanning the cliffside ledges, taking note of which beasts were still in the vicinity.

-Fowa and Peganth leave for patrol with Arunath and A'dan,- Kaith answered his unspoken query. -She is well.-

"Good," E'van smiled, feeling his pulse quicken with the thrill of flight as Kaith soared upwards. He gave the dragon the visualization and felt an answering flicker of displeasure from him as they vanished between.