Escort Duty (1/2)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Corrin, Heather
Date Posted: 5th June 2025
Characters: Ki'ben, Sybana
Description: Ki’ben accompanies Sybana on her first visit home since Impression
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 16 of Turn 12
Apparently, Ki'ben's good behavior regarding Vadira was paying off. He'd been given an assignment - escorting the Weyr's newest goldrider out of the Weyr. It wasn't glamorous, but it was the first real thing Ki'ben had been asked to do by his mother in months.
}:Don't embarrass me in front of Galgaith, today. She will rise one day and we want her good favor.:{ Setoth said to Ki'ben as he flew them over to Sybana and Galgaith's new weyr.
**We do?** Ki'ben laughed. **I didn't realize you were looking to catch a gold.**
}:I like to keep my options open,:{ the young bronze replied to his rider, before speaking to the gold in question. }:Galgaith, might I land on your ledge?:{
}:Land.:{ called the gold, rumbling a greeting and shifting aside. Though hulking for her age, Galgaith was still a few feet smaller than a full grown bronze, so the ledge was more than generous enough for the pair of them. }:Land and wait. My Sybana is nearly ready. She is fixing her face. You were very quick to get here.:{ There was a note of approval to that last thought.
Ki'ben stood, hunched against the wind in his fur-lined coat as Setoth made pleasantries with Galgaith.
Soon the door to the inner weyr swung open and Sybana stood framed in the glowlight. She had “fixed” her face. She had fixed _everything_.
In anticipation of her first visit home since her Impression, Sybana had exquisitely curated every inch of her appearance.
A symphony of velvet and furs, she looked more artfully composed than simply _dressed_. The crimson gown was as impractical as it was beautiful, the golden-brown flight jacket far too tailored and nipped at the waist to be of any worth in ‘fall. With the hood up on her cloak, the fur lining formed a pale nimbus around her face, framing her efforts-- her lashes just that bit darker, her lips a touch redder, heightening the natural drama of her features.
Sybana paused when she saw the waiting bronzerider, her gaze flickering between his face and his knots. “Well,” she said at last. “When the Weyrwoman told me to wait for an escort, I have to say I was expecting someone… older.”
She didn't sound disappointed.
"Yes, well, I don't think she anticipates any sword-fighting to come into play at your home. Although Setoth is ready to lay his life down for Galgaith, don't fret." It was all said with a tinge of good-natured sarcasm and followed with a wink. It was true, Setoth was radiating 'chivalrous protector' as he stood beside of Galgaith, his wheat-colored hide gleaming brilliantly against the snow.
“Oh, don’t mistake me,” Sybana laughed. “You look perfectly capable too. I was just expecting someone thrice my age. A retired rider, perhaps, bearded and boring.”
She smiled, languidly pulling on her gloves as she stepped out onto the ledge. “I _am_ sorry that you’ve been saddled with me. I expect it’ll be a dull chore for you, but it’ll allow me to see home again, so I’m grateful.”
“Between riding sweeps for the hundredth time or escorting a pretty goldrider to her home, I’d take the latter every time.” Ki’ben leaped to Setoth’s neckridge in a well-practiced vault. “Speaking of, where is home exactly?” He clipped his riding straps to his belt.
“Home is Skyvale Hold.” Betweening was still new, but Sybana had no trouble pulling up that image. **Galgi, show him.**
Galgaith obliged, showing Setoth a stately hold carved into a sunlit mountainside, its pale stone terraces rising in elegant layers towards the clouds. It flew the banners of a minor hold, but had the sprawl and grandeur of a major. It was a strong visualization, saturated with love and pride.
Sybana took more time settling herself astride than Ki’ben had. She lacked his easy athleticism and there was some tricky business with her skirts, but soon enough she was ready and urged Galgaith into the air.
“Follow us.”
Last updated on the June 13th 2025