Enjoy the Time You Have (1/2)

Writers: Anwen, Eimi
Date Posted: 17th July 2006

Characters: U'kaiah, Maiz
Description: U'kaiah and his son help Maiz bathe Indyath.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 18 of Turn 3

"And then this big feline came, and I jumped in his back. And then we rode through the jungle until we got to this big field. And in the field, do you know what was there?" the boy asked excitedly.

"Ah, no. I don't know son. But would you stand back just a bit while I attach this tail? Your're in my light," the bronzerider said as he strained to attach the tail to the kite.

"There was another feline. And that one could talk and fly! And he was as big as Kalamath!" Kaiafel spread his arms wide to emphasize just how big that was.

U'kaiah chuckled as his fingers worked to tie the string around the thin wooden pole. "You certainly have funny dreams, young man."

"And so then I got onto _his_ back and we went flying in the air and I waved down at Ma. And I think you were there too. And then I woke up. But I wanted to fly him all the way to the North."

"To the North, eh? Why the North?" U'kaiah asked curiously.

"Because I have never been to the North, Da," the young boy answered in an exasperated tone, as if his reason should have been obvious.

"Ah, I see. Well, its ready now. Here, take this,"
he said as he handed the boy the thin cloth kite, "and run down the beach and we'll see if we can't get it in the air. But watch where you're going, promise?"

"Ok, I promise. Ready?" Kaiafel brushed the black curls from his eyes as he looked down the beach with a determined stare. "One, two, three!" and he was off, a small spray of sand flying behind him.

"Lift the kite in the air, Kaiafel," his father called after him. The boy turned and lifted it high in the air, taking his eyes off where he was going. He was so intent on getting the kite as high as he could that he didn't hear his father's warning and tripped right over the greenrider's legs and tumbled to the ground, kite and all.

Maiz was imediately on her feet helping the little boy up. "You're all right," she assured him. From her experiance most children would get over a tumble quickly if you made light of it. If you fussed they were certain to burst into tears. "That was hardly even a fall. No harm done, right?"

"But... my kite..." Kaifel said as he picked up the broken toy.

"Everyone ok?" U'kaiah asked as he ran up. "Everyone except the kite," Maiz replied. "But I'm sure that it can be fixed easily enough."

"Kaiafel, did you apologize to Greenrider Maiz for tripping over her?" the bronzerider asked as he took the kite in his hands gently.

"But I didn't mean to do it. I didn't see her!" the little boy protested.

"I know you didn't son, but you should still apologize," U'kaiah whispered, turning the little boy around and giving him a gently nudge in her direction.

"I'm very sorry Greenrider Maiz for tripping over you.
I didn't see you there," the boy muttered softly. "I didn't mean to do it, I swear. But I'm sorry anyway."

U'kaiah stiffled a chuckled and gave the greenrider a knowing smile.

"That's okay. I know you didn't mean to," she assured the little boy. He was so cute, she wanted to hug him.
"This is your son, U'kaiah?"

"Yes it is. Kaiafel, this is my friend Maiz. Maiz, this is my son, Kaiafel," the bronzerider introduced them formerly.

The little boy thrust his hand out towards the greenrider. "Please to meet you, Maiz," he said in a well practiced polite greeting.

Maiz gripped his hand and shook. "It's nice to meet you, too." Was this what her little boys would be like in the future? Would she ever get to see them when they were this age? Shards how she missed them!

"Which one is your green?" he asked looking out towards the water. "Is she the one next to the blue over there?"

"Nope, she's the one splashing the brown. I can call her in if you'd like to meet her," she offered.

"Sure. I'm good at washing dragons. Does she need to be washed?" the little boy asked, starting to get an edge of excitement in his voice.

"I think the broken kite is forgotten," the bronzerider chuckled as he ruffled his son's curly black hair that looked so very much like his own.

"I've washed a gold dragon before, and sometimes I help my Da wash Kalamath, so I could wash a green. It's ok," the boy said reassuringly.

"I'm sure she'd love a bath." Maiz turned towards U'kaiah. "As long as its okay with you."

"Oh yes, its fine by me," the bronzerider chuckled. "It's Kaiafel's favorite past time. I think he's just preparing for when he has one of his own someday."

"I'm going to have a bronze like my Da," the boy proclaimed proudly. "And I'm going to be Weyrleader when my Da isn't Weyrleader."

"Well, I'm not Weyrleader yet, son. Not all bronzeriders get to be Weyrleaders." U'kaiah still smiled at the boy's confidence though.

"You've got a few turns yet before you can Stand. But when you can you have to promise to warn me so that I can be extra certain that I'm there to see you Impress," Maiz said, beaming at Kaiafel "I can Stand in..." The little boy started counting on his fingers but quickly became confused. Looking up at his father he asked, "How many turns until I can stand, Da?"

"Thirteen turns minus six turns," his father said helpfully.

"Thirteen turns minus six turns," the boy beamed at the young woman.

"Seven turns," she supplied. "Not long at all."

"Nope, not too long at all," U'kaiah said, giving his hair one more affectionate ruffle. Almost half way there. Shards, time sure flew by.

Last updated on the July 17th 2006

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Enjoy the Time You Have (1/2)