A Fresh Start (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: Devin, Steel
Date Posted: 7th July 2026
Characters: T'lin, Kuhaji, C'nal
Description: Kuhaji is Searched
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr, Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 2, day 27 of Turn 13
Even though T'lin had been here before, he was still a little nervous as he came out of /between/ over White Hollow Hold. Nervous and sad. The hold might as well have been named for the hollow look in so many of the people's eyes.
The Weyrleader was still requiring two guards, just in case any anti-weyr people had escaped detection and were lurking about, and because of the general distrust of the Weyr that had been sewn among the population. So Calaroth was flanked by two browns as he winged down for a landing.
T'lin introduced himself and the brown pairs. "We ride today on Search. Please bring out everyone between the ages of twelve and twenty-one and line up here in front of Calaroth. He'll give them all a look and see if anyone might have the potential to Impress a dragon."
The blue's eyes whirled, his excitement lifting T'lin's mood.
Dragons! Dragons, _here_! The news spread quickly, though the gathering was still on the cautious side.
Kuhaji swallowed, but he was nudged forward by one of the older guards. "Go on, lad. You're off duty, anyway. Might as well let the beast sniff y'."
After only a moment more (and another prod) he stepped forward into the forming line. Oh shards, what was he supposed to say? Was he supposed to say anything?
Calaroth's eyes whirled faster as he stepped toward the group of youngsters. "Don't be afraid, he just wants to get a good look at everyone," T'lin said. They'd Searched Fidarras from White Hollow so there was certainly potential here, and T'lin liked the idea of carrying someone away from this sad place.
The blue went straight up to Kuhaji. }:This one glows.:{
T'lin's stomach sank a little. The young man was wearing a guard uniform, he'd heard what the guards here had gotten up to. "Uhh . . ."
"... Blue dragon." Kuhaji found his voice, finally, gaze darting uncertainly between the dragon and the man who had to be his rider. A moment more, and he offered a bow to both dragon and rider. "Sirs. Is... is something wrong?" he asked.
Had he shown some insult? Would he have to flee? How could he hope to defend himself against a _dragon_?
He shifted his weight uncertainly, considered backing up, but then held his ground.
"Nothing's wrong," T'lin said, naturally wanting to reassure someone. "Well, I mean . . . Calaroth Searched you, but I'm not really sure if we should accept a guard." He frowned, wondering what to do, and then he had an idea. "But if you'd like to be a Candidate, I could clear you with the Weyrleader." Candidates were under the Weyrwoman's responsibility, but with her agreement, N'vanik generally oversaw the Weyr's security. T'lin's concern was whether it was safe to bring this young man to the Weyr, so it made sense to bring him to the Weyrleader.
Kuhaji hesitated, but only for a moment more. "If the dragon thinks I could be worthy, sir, I... I'm willing to subject myself to the Weyr's judgement." He said finally, carefully.
"All right." T'lin's eyes unfocused and there was a long pause as he communicated through his dragon. "The Weyrleader can meet with you now. Have you ever ridden a dragon?"
Kuhaji swallowed. Eyed the blue dragon. "... No, sir." He said, carefully. "But if... if you show me what to do, I'll do it." He'd already decided to put himself forward. No point in retreat now.
"You can check, if you want," he added, "But I'm unarmed. I'll make no trouble."
T'lin hesitated, then signaled to C'nal. "Could you search him? Just to be safe?" The brownrider was far more experienced with this kind of thing, and he was specifically here to watch out for T'lin.
C'nal slipped down and approached with an intimidating scowl. "Arms up." He thoroughly, but quickly, searched the guard. "All right," he finally said, stepping back.
T'lin let out a little sigh of relief. Not that he'd been truly worried, but he couldn't help thinking about the terrible things he'd heard about the guards. Calaroth lowered so T'lin could mount. "All right, Cal will help boost you with his forepaw. Just reach up and take my hand," the bluerider said.
The young guard hesitated only a moment longer, eyed the dragon, and then obeyed the blue's rider. He took the lift, and scrambled aboard.
This had _better_ not be a trap.
Just to be careful, T'lin put the guard in front of him instead of behind. "You're secure in the straps, and you can hold on to that neckridge there. I'll hold on to you, too. It might be scary, especially at take off and landing, but you won't fall, I promise." He'd given this speech many times before. "I'll warn you before we go /between/. It will be completely dark and silent, and cold. Count to three, slowly, and then we'll be out."
".... Understood." Kuhaji responded, and latched onto the indicated neckridge as bid. He tensed only slightly when the dragon took flight, gripped on more tightly and took a few slow, measured breaths. This was fine. He could-- he **would**-- endure it.
"We're going /between/ now," T'lin warned when Calaroth gained enough height. A moment later they were in silent, cold darkness. And then they were in bright, warm sunlight with Dolphin Cove Weyr spread out before them.
The cold blackness was unlike anything Kuhaji had ever experienced before. For a moment, his breath caught in his throat and he clung on all the more tightly to the ridge in front of him.
And then they emerged out of /between/, and Kuhaji drew in a sharp, startled breath at the sight of so many dragons all together, out and about.
"I... this is the Weyr? It's _impress_â€"" He started, then cut himself off.
"It is impressive," T'lin agreed as they circled down to land. He had mixed feelings about this, but hopefully N'vanik would sort things out. They touched down on the sandy soil of the Weyrbowl and Calaroth crouched. "I'll take you to the Weyrleader."
"... Yes, sir." Kuhaji responded, and slid down off the blue to follow T'lin.
Last updated on the August 11th 2026