Jenna of Fort Weyr - Logs

Leaving Home

Zalkin gets in trouble for sneaking into the barracks. Niyath and Hanreth leave the weyr for the first time under Valry's Branath's watchful eye, taking Zak with him to try to help his fear of flying.

Jenna - Saturday, June 01, 2002, 12:58 PM
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Your location's current time: 13:17 on day 31, month 6, Turn 40, of the Tenth Pass. It is a summer afternoon.

Weyrling Barracks(#991RAJ$)
Row after row of stone couches line this gigantic cavern; weyrlings of all ages tend their dragons, hurry in and out, and perform various chores. Next to each couch is a small cot and press, so that riders can sleep by their dragons.

A small area is set aside near the north wall. It seems to be a classroom: the wall near it is covered in diagrams, as well as signs reading "Oil Daily" and the like. A large bin full of oil is strategically placed nearby, ceramic pots and long paddles lining the shelves behind it, ready to fill for an itchy dragon's oiling. Far in the back wall is a curtained partition that leads to the bathing cavern. Near the entrance is a dark, cool room with hanging slabs of meat and a gigantic bin filled with chunks for the young dragons to eat. Against a wall not far away are a few long tables where the Weyrlings take their meals.
+view is available.
A wide opening to the east opens out into the Bowl.
Contents:
Toranth(#875OQVaeps)
Randoth
Raith
Varquith
Keltan
Weyrling Board
Oil Bin

Zalkin comes through the wide archway to the east which leads to the bowl.
Zalkin has arrived.

Jenna is settled on Niyath's couch, absently going over straps and burshing oil onto them. Niyath is nowhere to be seen.

Zalkin very quietly sneaks in the Barracks, trying to remain unnoticed long enough... Though a few weyrlings look at him, he's walking slowly, without looking -too- much out of place. He's carrying a bit pile of hides and looks almost like someone on errands. He's walking straight toward Jenna's cot once he has spotted her.

Jenna looks up from her straps, apparently ready to call across the aisle to Rey, only to discover Zak. She blinks. "Zak? What're you doing in here?"

Zalkin reddens the least bit and quickly looks around. "Shhhhhh!" he says, rushing toward Jenna's couch and dropping the hides there. "Went to see you," he mutters hardly loud enough to be heard even by her. "Otherwise I'll forget what y'look like by th'time you get outta here..."

Jenna eyes the lad, starting to roll up her straps. "Those'd better be sent by the Weyrwoman and they better be for me. You know you're not supposed to be in here. Come on. Last thing I need is to get caught giving favors to someone by letting them in the barracks."

Zalkin fidgets a little, looking down at his boots and idly reaching for the pile of hides. If one has a closer look at it, one will notice it's actually only his hidework -- all his hidework since he moved to Fort, probably. "Er, well, er..." He looks like one who managed to execute his plan A but doesn't have any plan B... "Missed you much and..." Now he's totally red.

Jenna hefts one end of the straps in her hands and offers it out to him. "Here. Catch hold. You know I can't let you in here. Besides, you'd asked me way before the hatching that, if I impressed, I'd help you get over your fear of heights. No time like the present, now that we can take on passengers." And it gets him out of the barracks.

Niyath> Niyath blinks open her eyes and stretches, digging talons into the dirt.
Niyath> Fort Weyr Bowl, by the lake
Niyath> This long stretch of the bowl lies to the southeast of the feeding grounds. At its western end, near the wall, the ground dips down slightly to where a lake has formed. Dragons are often washed there by their riders, and both riders and their dragons often swim in the cool waters.
Niyath> The fenced off portion of the bowl for the Weyr's herds is to the northwest. To the north, a small structure built against the feeding ground pens serves as the Weyr's stables. Waves gently lap the shore to the west, and the rest of the bowl lies to the northeast.
Niyath> Contents:
Niyath> Hanreth(#3131JOabpqs$)
Niyath> J'nas
Niyath> Maggie

Niyath> J'nas grins, "Sleep well Niyath?"

Zalkin blinks twice and his face lightens with a wide, toothy smile. "You'd do that? I... I mean, now?"

Jenna says firmly, "Only if you come out of the barracks with me now and promise not to come back in here again, unless it's with your own dragon. You *could* have asked a weyrling outside to get me, you know. Now come on, before Valry sees you and we're both in trouble."

Niyath> Niyath gives a quiet croon to J'nas as she stretches her way to her feet, tailtip twitching at Hanreth.

Zalkin scratches the nape of his neck and mutter a few apologies. "Wanted to get you m'self..." But then he quickly follows Jenna, forgetting his hides on her couch for the time being.

Niyath> I bespoke Hanreth with << Please tell him it was kind of him to ask, and yes, I had a lovely sleep. >> A pause and then, << We are to take the little one flying. Would you like to come with us? >> An image of Zalkin is flashed, along with Jenna, who seems rather stern at the moment. >>

Jenna lugs her straps out into the bowl, making sure that Valry isn't keeping an eye on the door in.

You step out through the cavern's arch into the open space of the bowl.
Fort Weyr Bowl, by the weyrling barracks
The Bowl of Fort Weyr, a large, nearly featureless plain surrounded by steep mountain cliffs, stretches out before you. It is vaguely oval in shape, long from the southwest to the northeast; you are standing near the wall northwest of its center. To the west is a cavern, carved into the cliffside, where newly-Impressed dragonriders live with their young dragons before they have been fully trained. When they join a regular fighting Wing, the young riders are ready to inhabit weyrs of their own.
To the south is the fenced off area where the Weyr's herds are kept. Along the north rim of the bowl, to the east of here, are the junior queens and weyrleaders weyrs, and the entrance to the Hatching ground. The center of the bowl, off which is the entrance to the large living caverns, stretches out to the southeast.
Contents:
K'fen
Tenkanoth(#16972Vapst$)
Aisheth(#11753MVaeps)
Teth

Zalkin steps out of the Weyrling barracks.
Zalkin has arrived.

Dragon> Hanreth bespoke Niyath with << Are you leaving the bowl today? >>

K'fen is just waiting at the entrance, casually leaning on Tenkanoth and idly chewing on a fingernail.

Niyath> I bespoke Hanreth with << We could! My Jenna now does not think going here is a good idea. >> An image is flashed of the Hall. << And Jinieth's rider has forbidden it. But we could go to your lake. >>

Jenna says mildly, "I appreciate that you wanted to get me yourself. Next time, you poke your head in the door and yell. I don't want you to come into the barracks. Is that clear?" Her tone is firm, though she doesn't seem annoyed.

Dragon> Niyath senses that Hanreth is excited, << The lake would be good! But I am confused. What is wrong with J'nas' old home? >>

Zalkin doesn't bother to answer anything and silently nods at Jenna's words, tryin gnot to look at the assistant weyrlingmaster. He can't help though, giving him a few glances, but he acts as if everything was normal. He's all sweet and innocent and so on, see?

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath flashes a faintly hazy image. This one is of a man. The former Masterharper, Rodric, as a matter of fact. << This is what is wrong. >> And there is a hint of smugness about her. See? She knew that sort of thing was bad for her rider. << I go to get the boy and my straps. Bespeak Branath and see if he will come with us? >>

Niyath> Niyath flows along the ground in that awkward hop-skipping gate that land-bound dragons have, tail whipping behind her.

Niyath walks over from the center of the bowl.
Niyath has arrived.

K'fen politely clears his throat, frowning at Jenna and idly points at the little thing trotting along with her. "When you don't need him anymore, would you be kind and bring him back here?"

J'nas walks over from the center of the bowl.
J'nas has arrived.
Hanreth walks over from the center of the bowl.
Hanreth has arrived.

Jenna nods. "Yes sir. I was going to take him up on Niyath if I might. I promised him some time ago I would. And Hanreth would like to stretch his wings as well. We were going to see if Branath would take us out to the lake?"

K'fen silently nods, still smiling softly as he salutes J'nas. "You might take him now, but you do understand I will -not- let him get away with this, don't you?"

Zalkin clings to Jenna's leg, half hiding behind her, guiltily looking around as if anyone could sneak up and grab him by the scruff of his neck.

J'nas stops in his path toward the barracks and salutes K'fen. His gaze drifts to Zalkin, "Did he do something wrong?"

Jenna tilts her head down at the boy, "What, did you suddenly become five again when I wasn't looking?" Her tone is gentle as she strokes his hair, tidying it with her fingers, though turns a bit more firm. "You know you're not supposed to be in there. You want to talk to K'fen about it now? Or when we get back? I'd advise now."

Zalkin looks up and straightens instantly when she speaks about his age. "Five? I'm almost -ten-!" he bursts out before reddedning again and stepping around the goldrider to stand in front of K'fen. "Er... Sorry?" This might be a little short.

Jenna nods to K'fen, though she keeps a close eye on him. Apparently, it's hard for her to release the foster-mom role, even after being a weyrling for a turn. She murmurs to J'nas, "He came in the barracks to see me."

J'nas nods. "I'll just duck into the barracks and get my straps. It'll give you a chance to talk, Zalkin."

K'fen dismissively waves his hand at J'nas. "Nothing serious, it's not the first brat I catch sneaking in the Barracks, but rules are rules." Looking at the boy he doesn't even bothers trying to look severe. "Every weyrling here can tell you I'm not good at giving punishments, lad." Looking up at Jenna he asks softly, "Who is fostering him now?"

Zalkin shyly dares to give J'nas a nod before looking straight back at K'fen, still silent.

Jenna says quietly, "Lu and Kate are for the most part." She pauses and then says, "Could I make a suggestion, sir?"

J'nas enters the weyrling barracks.
J'nas has left.

Niyath lowers her head to regard Zak, her eye as long as the boy is tall, reflecting himself back to him in the facets. She gives the barest hint of a rumble.

K'fen arches a brow, tilts his head as he looks at Jenna. "Well, I'm listening."

Jenna says quietly, looking down at Zak for a moment, though Niyath seems to have him under her watchful eye, so she turns back to K'fen. "Well, sir, he was using hides as an excuse to enter the barracks. And the Weyrleaders can always use help with their own. I'd suggest that he help them - and any wingleaders, or Norri or Solant, with ferrying their piles of them around every day, and helping with their dictation." Which also has the advantage of keeping him running and likely coupling him with L'nan to keep a better eye on him.

K'fen lets out a slight chuckle. "Okay you're still fostering him I can see," he says with a wider smile, looking obviously relieved of a burden. "It sounds like a good idea. I'll talk to all those people. And make I don't catch you again, Zak," he adds. "Well, I got -another- report to write..." The following sigh is far too heavy to be credible.

K'fen enters the weyrling barracks.
K'fen has left.

Jenna looks after K'fen, faintly relieved. Then she says to Zak. "A sevenday. Be glad it was K'fen and not Valry that caught you, hm? Now. Want to help me get Niyath's straps on?"

J'nas steps out of the Weyrling barracks.
J'nas has arrived.

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath's tones are warm and appreciative. << My Jenna says to thank yours. And now, >> she brightens, << We may fly! >>

Zalkin is still faintly pink as he nods agreeingly. "Yes Jenna! And thanks again..." There is a long pause there. "I guess I did something silly again..." Turning to Niyath, he brightens again and bows very low. "But it was to see you both, so it was worth it!"

J'nas returns with riding straps in hand. "I saw K'fen head into the office. Did everything work out alright?" He pauses as Hanreth apparently addresses him. The brown rider nods and smiles at Jenna, "Where were you planning to go? Hanreth mentioned the lake."

Jenna gives J'nas a warm smile as he comes back out of the barracks, and starts to get Niyath's straps on. "Yeah, it did. And I was thinking that. It's not *too* far. Is Branath coming?" She then says to Zak, "You just didn't think. Look at it this way: that's like barging into Norri's room without knocking. Next time, poke your head in and yell. We've got a couch on the first row anyway."

J'nas gestures up to the higher ledges. "Yes. Valry is helping him get dressed right now. He'll be down in a bit." He begins the process of getting Hanreth ready for flight as well.

Zalkin clears his throat and his eyes grow wide at the very notion. "Barging into Norri's room without knocking? I'm not -that- silly!" He fingers the hem of his tunic a short moment and looks up at jenna again, smiling widely. "So, shall we go now?"

Jenna lifts a foot and braces it against Niyath, tugging the straps in tight. "Soon as we're ready. We have to go with an older dragon." Niyath endures this, and seems rather keen to be on her way as well. "Now, under no circumstances are you to release those straps. Is that clear, Zak?" She gives him a long look.

Zalkin sticks his lower lip out a little. "I -have- been on a dragon already," he mumbles in a sulky voice. "And T'rya can tell you, when I'm holding straps, I don't let 'em go easily!"

J'nas is finishing up with the last buckle when Branath wings in for a landing. From the brown's neck, Valry calls down, "Are the two you ready?" J'nas salutes the brownrider, "Yes ma'am!" He swings himself up onto Hanreth's neck.

J'nas climbs up Hanreth's forelimb, and finds a secure spot between his neckridges.
J'nas has left.

Jenna nods and climbs aboard. "Still, Niyath's not as used to carrying passengers as your brother's green."

Zalkin catches hold of the straps as Niyath offers a forelimb as an aide to mount. With her help, along with Jenna's, Zalkin reaches his seat between her neckridges.
Zalkin has arrived.

@>> Up on Hanreth, J'nas fastens his riding straps and looks to Valry for the signal to take off.

Jenna twists about checking Zalkin's straps before her own, and clipping him securely in. Niyath is fairly dancing in impatience, craning her neck around to look. Jenna calls, "You lead, J'nas!" And, a bit lower, "Remember, Zak, Niyath'd never drop you."

Zalkin is already shivering and clutching the straps with moist hands. He doesn't close his eyes though. He takes two deep breaths and swallows. "They all say that..."

@>> Valry raises her arm to signal the weyrlings to take off. Branath pumps his wings to lead the small wing into the air.

@>> Above the center of the bowl, Hanreth rises into the air from near the Weyrling Barracks.

@>> Niyath croons softly to Zalkin, even as she bunches down, ready to fling herself skywards. Jenna says mildly, "Hold on to me then, you can tell what she's going to do that way." She has just enough time to say that, before Niyath launches skywards.

You spread your wings and slowly rise into the air.

Above the Center of Fort Weyr Bowl
Perhaps some forty feet below you is the center of the Fort Weyr bowl. From here you can see, and be seen by, those below, and if you strain you can see from one end of the bowl to the other. The winds here swirl a bit but aren't too disturbing, just a bit cold. All around you on the cliffs you can see various weyrs and occasional glints from the dragons who hunt at the feeding grounds or sun themselves at the lake.
From this perspective, you can see the Weyrleaders' Complex, Junior Queens' and Hatching Grounds to the northeast, the feeding grounds and lake to the southwest, and below you is the entrance to the large Living Caverns and the large area in front of the Weyrling Barracks. Off to the east are the famous Star Stones. There are many ledges to 'weyrs' scattered throughout the walls of the cliffs here.
Contents:
Hanreth(#3131JOabqs$)
Saneth

@>> Hanreth flies farther up into the sky over Fort Weyr.

You climb farther up into the sky over Fort Weyr.
Sky Above Fort Weyr
On a clear day, from this height, you can see for miles. Below you, Fort Weyr is spread out in the bowl of the ancient volcano, the jagged "Tooth Crag" dominating the northeast rim. At the end of the southwest corner, you can see where an ancient landslide has upset the Bowl's natural symmetry.
Far below you are the Center of the Bowl, the opening to the Lower Caverns, and the Weyrling Barracks. Down to the northeast are the Weyrleader's complex, the Junior Queen's Weyrs, and the Hatching Grounds. To the southwest are the grassy plain of the Feeding Grounds and the shimmer of Fort Weyr's lake.
Contents:
Hanreth(#3131JOabqs$)

@>> Niyath catches a thermal and it sends her aloft easily, without having to pump her wings. Jenna is watching Zak over her shoulder, and seems to be shouting something encouragingly back to him.

Zalkin clings to Jenna now, squeezing her in his short arms and burying his face in her back. Poor thing.

@>> Up on Hanreth, J'nas looks across the open space to the riders on Niyath's neck. He grins and shouts something that is lost in the wind.

@>> Hanreth wings higher into the sky.
You wing your way higher into the sky, soaring over the Fort Valley.
Sky over Fort Valley
The mountains of Fort surround you, the peaks clear below you and spreading out north and south. To the east, the mountains gradually fall off, towards the far-off sea. You are just high enough to make out the sparkling waters of the sea in the distance, and the outline of the Fort Peninsula; other, nearer places of interest, are more clearly distinguishable.
The large oval caldera that houses Fort Weyr looks small amidst the other mountains; the large cliff complex that houses Fort Hold, Harper Hall, and Healer Hall is visible as a slash of valley amidst the range. Off to the south, visible only as a smaller speck on the Fort Peninsula, is the clearing of Southern Boll Hold. Turning nearly full circle from the Fort Peninsula, the plains of Ruatha Hold can be made out in the distance.
Contents:
Hanreth(#3131JOabqs$)

@>> Niyath settles into a leisurely beat of her wings, though as the rim of the bowl is cleared, she lets out a triumphant bugle that has Jenna grinning ear to ear. She pumps her fist to J'nas, beaming over at him, even if she can't quite properly breathe.

Niyath> Hanreth senses that Niyath is clearly excited. << What is that that sparkles so! There! To the right and right on the horizon! >>

@>> Hanreth flies at the enduring pace browns are known for. He echoes Niyath's bugle as he flies beyond the confines of the bowl.

Zalkin does -not- move the least bit. He's just being there, hidden, and waiting for it to end, or to die, or something like that.

Dragon> Hanreth bespoke Niyath with << I believe that is the lake I was told about! Let us go there. >>

Jenna wraps her hands around and over Zak's, patting them reassuringly. Niyath's surprisingly graceful in the air. Then again, gliding is usually done more from the shoulder than anything, and she's got a lot of shoulder to work with. The rise and fall of her body is far less thanks to the sails that rarely seem to run out of air under them. Then she's laughing and shaking her head.

Niyath> I bespoke Hanreth with << My Jenna says it is The Sea. And is too far. There - just there, ahead and to the left. That is the lake. >> A pause and her tone is a trifle disappointed, << It is not as big as The Sea, but Jenna says that is right. The little one is very worried. But I would not drop him. >> >>

Zalkin lifts his head up a litle hearing Jenna and he squeezes her quite tighter as he realizes where they are. He looks slightly aside and immediatly hides his face in Jenna's back again. "No way," he says in a muffled voice.

Dragon> Niyath senses that Hanreth is also disappointed. << J'nas has told me much about the Sea. I would like to go there. >>

@>> Hanreth wings down over the mountains to the north turning occasionally until heading down toward the Ice Lake.

Jenna uffs slightly as the breath gets squoozed out of her and calls back, "I think we're nearly there. Shells! It'd take me a day to run this!" She looks over as Hanreth begins his descent, and Niyath brings them in a wide spiral to match the brown.

Niyath> I bespoke Hanreth with << Soon. We shall go together and swim in it. It must be large if we can see it from here. >>

You wing down over the mountains to the north turning occasionally until heading down toward the Ice Lake.
Ice Lake Sky
The air above the Ice Lake is usually cool, chilled by the height and the lake itself. Below you, a circle of dragon-high peaks cradles the water, only disturbed on the southwest, where a rough path leads out towards the Hold.
Contents:
Hanreth(#3131JOabqs$)

Zalkin yells back -- still in a luffled tone, though he obviously tries looking around as now and then his voice is clearer, "Tell me when we're there!" Then he closes hsi eyes again, firmly.

@>> Hanreth bugles to the Zalkin, encouraging him to enjoy the view.

@>> Niyath sprials down, looking eagerly around, before backwinging to a landing on the shore.
You land on the shore.
Ice Lake Shore(#5888RJ$)
A slope of green grass leads to the shore of a small but deep lake; on all other sides of the lake are peaks of rock upthrust some two dragonlengths from the water's surface. To the southwest a rough trail leads out towards Ruatha Hold. Easily muddied by overenthusiastic dragons, the grassy beach has room for only a few of Pern's protectors before becoming crowded.

@>> Hanreth comes to a landing from above the lake.

@>> Niyath's frame doesn't really even feel the impact of the ground, knees flexing easily. She folds wings to her back and croons mildly to Zalkin. Jenna laughs and says, "She thinks you're afraid she was going to drop you. I'd apologize now Zak, before you hurt her feelings." She twists about to unclip the lad.

@>> Hanreth begins an easy descent toward the shore. He glides in and sets down gently beside Niyath. He arches his neck to regard Zalkin with blue-green eyes. "How'd you enjoy the flight?" J'nas calls to the lad as he undoes his straps.

@>> J'nas unstraps himself from Hanreth's neckridges, sliding down his forelimb to the ground.

Zalkin very -very- slowly lifts his head from Jenna's back but he keeps his arms around her for the time being. "So... sorry Niyath, I swear I -knew- you'd not drop me! But..." J'nas gets a pale smile.

@>> J'nas drops to the ground with a troubled look on his face. He pats Hanreth as he begins to unbuckle the leather straps. "Let's get the straps off of you before you go swimming. We don't need them shrinking on us."

Jenna says mildly, "I'd like to breathe again, Zak."

@>> Niyath crouches, to make dismounting a bit easier for her passengers.

Zalkin blinks twicen looking down at his arms and quickly releases the pressure a bit, not quite releasing Jenna though. "Sorry!"

Jenna asks gently, "Need some help getting down?"

Zalkin shakes his head silently, finally getting his hands of the goldrider to unstrap himself slowly, and then he dismounts.

Zalkin is given a hand down by Jenna, as Niyath crouches and raises her forelimb to aid his in dismounting.
Zalkin has left.

Niyath raises her forelimb and watches you until you reluctantly use it to get down, rather than a faster way.
Ice Lake Shore(#5888RJ$)
A slope of green grass leads to the shore of a small but deep lake; on all other sides of the lake are peaks of rock upthrust some two dragonlengths from the water's surface. To the southwest a rough trail leads out towards Ruatha Hold. Easily muddied by overenthusiastic dragons, the grassy beach has room for only a few of Pern's protectors before becoming crowded.
Contents:
Zalkin
J'nas
Hanreth(#3131JOabpqs$)
Niyath(#999Oae)

Hanreth warbles as J'nas gets the last of the straps removed. With an additional bugle, he splashes into the icy waters of the lake.

Hanreth splashes into the lake.
Hanreth has left.

Dragon> Hanreth bespoke Niyath with << This water is colder than the water in our lake! >>

Jenna glances over towards J'nas, and then asks Zak, "You okay? - Oh, all right, Niyath, but I don't fancy a wet rump on the way home." She turns and starts yanking buckles to release the young gold, keeping an eye on Zak as she does.

Niyath> I bespoke Hanreth with << I'm coming! I just need to get my straps off! >>

Zalkin is still very white and wipes his sweating forehead with a shaking hand. "I'll -never- get used to that," he whimpers.

Niyath backs out of her straps and plunges towards the water, taking a little leap up, a wingbeat, and then a lovely *splash* aimed directly at Hanreth.

From the lake, Hanreth practically squawks at the incoming splash. With a quick thrust of his tail, he dives deeper into the water.

From the lake, Hanreth submerges himself below the surface.

Jenna says encouragingly, dumping the straps into a pile, "You will, yeah. Just remember that you can't fall. Niyath's not like Alirath either, in that she can't turn on a quartermark and still give you change." She flops in the grass, looking around with a faintly wistful expression before asking, "Is Hanreth pleased to be out of the weyr?"

J'nas nods as he drops to the ground, "He is /extremely/ pleased about the change of scene. But he did tell me something that his bothering me." He lowers his voice as he asks, "What is this about Leah /forbidding/ trips to the Harper Hall?"

From the lake, Niyath looks around, confused. Where'd he go? She warbles a query, head twisting this way and that.
From the lake, Hanreth surfaces from below.

From the lake, Hanreth bursts from the surface with a mighty bugle, showering ice cold water every where.

Jenna blinks and then flushes, looking out to Niyath. "*Someone* has a big mouth. I, uh, um, had a talk with her and she implied that I shouldn't go down there until I graduate. You guys can, I just... can't go with you." She plucks up a few blades of grass, studying the bluegreen edges.

From the lake, Niyath ducks under the spray, giving a delighted warble, tail skimming the surface of the water and splashing at her clutchsibling.

Zalkin is just staring around, totally oblivious of the grown ups there for the time being, and he's smiling wider and wider now that he's on the ground.

J'nas frowns, "How long are you to stay away from the Hall? There is a Gather coming soon, you know." He looks sidelong at Zalking, noting his growing smile. "Are you alright, lad?"

Zalkin gives a start and straightens briskly, looking like a good, quiet lad. "Yes sir!"

Jenna's lips twist at Zalkin and she says, "You know, we really should've brought some juice or something, but Niyath was *so* ready to go." Then a bit lower she says, "Well, I need to ask her. It'd be a bit of an insult /not/ to at least put in an appearance, since it's in our coverage area. Maybe if I shadowed Leah the whole time, she'd let me go."

J'nas nods slowly. "That might work. Is it a personal reason or training reason that keeps you from going there? If it's personal, my questions stop here," he adds with a smile.

Jenna says candidly, "A bit of both."

Zalkin idly nods at Jenna and then falls quiet again, listening to what he can overhear there.

Jenna tilts her head, as J'nas is drawn off to check on Hanreth, "So. How was your first flight on Niyath really, Zak?"

Zalkin sighs heavily. "Well, as frightening as on any dragon, but I was honored I could mount on her!"

Jenna asks curiously, "What scares you so much about it?"

Zalkin shrugs and widely spreads his arms. "I -can't- help it, Jen!" he wails. "I -know- I won't fall, but still, I know there is this great emptiness below, and it scares me..."

Jenna mms. "Well, look at it this way. You were scared of the dark once too, when you were little, right? But being scared of it doesn't make it go away. Maybe you need something like a night glowlight for flying. A good luck charm or something to make you feel more secure about it."

Zalkin half grins up at Jenna. "You mean, like a pair of wings?" he asks, half wry, half self-mocking.

Jenna nods, "Well, it's not a bad idea, to be honest. What about that little green of yours? Maybe you should get her to run her feelings to you when she's in the air. That might help. She's obviously not afraid to fly, right?"

Zalkin waggles his hand dubiously. "Cart? Lazy as she is, I doubt she could... But I might ask her, yeah." He's clearly not convinced. "I'd need massive training I think. We discussed it hundreds of times with my brother, but riders are busy people."

Jenna grins a bit. "For you, or for your lizard?"

Zalkin quirks a brow and sticks his tongue out. "Both!"

Jenna says simply, "Busy yes. Too busy to help *you* train yourself and your lizard? No."

Zalkin rolls his eyes upwards. "You don't know him," he says but as he does so, his smile grows quite wide. "Well, I -do- admit I wasn't very keen either..."

Jenna nods. "So, now you have a reason. Or do you want to be scared of flying all your life?"

Zalkin sharply shakes his head and straightens, clicking his heels together. "No ma'am!"

Jenna tilts her head. "You looked just like R'tran when you did that." She gives her head a shake and then says, "So, we'll work on Cart showing you how she feels when she's flying. And that should help some."

Zalkin is still looking dubious, but he's obviously trying to hide it now. "Right. I hope I'll manage to make her understand that, if I can wake her up, that is..."

Jenna quirks a smile. "That's where Niyath - and even Randoth - can come in. They can explain it to her."

Zalkin oohs and snaps his fingers. "I wish I were grown up, to think like you!"

Jenna shakes her head. "It's not really being grown up. It's having dragonkin that actually make sense. Hal's a sweetie, but talking to him's not like talking to Niyath."

Zalkin nods and fondly smiles. "Zarth talked to me once," he says proudly. "And I -think- Alirath shared something with me once too, but I can't tell for sure..."

Jenna nods. "It's completely different. Even though a lot has changed, I still wouldn't trade it for anything."

Zalkin grins and friendly wink at Jenna. "I bet you wouldn't! Deal then? I mean, you'll kick me if I'm still reluctant to have Cart helping for I'm soooooo scared?" he asks very quickly.

Jenna nods. "Deal. And I'll always be happy to fly you on Niyath. She wouldn't drop you. And golds always keep their words."

Zalkin grnis and turns to Niyath, shouting, "Thanks Niyath!!"