Like coming home

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 14th December 2006

Characters: U'kaiah, N'mor
Description: U'kaiah takes Naemor to see some old friends
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 14 of Turn 4

"Hi, U'kaiah!" Naemor greeted cheerfully, jacket on his arm and helmet bouncing against his leg.

"Well, there you are," U'kaiah smiled as he pushed off the side of his large bronze. "I was half afraid Kalamath would fall asleep out here on this sunny rock. Get your jacket on and hop on up."

"Yes, sirree!" Naemor was full of excitement. "And my duty and thanks to you, Kalamath," he remembered to greet the dragon.

The bronze turned his head to look at the boy with one large, swirling eye in acknowledgement. "Right, now. Up you go. Do you need help?"

"No, thanks," Naemor replied. Attaching his helmet-strap, he climbed nimbly up to the dragon's back.

U'kaiah stood on Kalamath's arm as he made sure the straps were adjusted properly. "Gotta be safe, right?" the bronzerider winked up at the boy.
He vaulted up in front of Naemor. "You're not scared of /between/ are you?"

"No, I'm not, never been," Naemor replied with slightly smug tone.

"All right. Then let's go." U'kaiah gave his lifemate the silent signal and the bronze launched them into the sky. They blinked /between/ and emerged high above Onyx Hills Hold. "Where do you want me to set down?" he called back.

"Not too close to the pasture. Master Ranris will skin you if you spook his runners. Next to that orchard should have room enough," Naemor called and pointed the grove of trees and meadow next to it.

The bronzerider directed his dragon to spot Naemor indicated.
**Carefully now, let's not frighten any animals.**

}:I am always careful,:{ Kalamath reminded him.

The bronze waited until his passengers had moved far enough away before leaping into the sky to find a nice warm spot on the top of one of the nearby hills. "Lead on, Naemor," U'kaiah said, putting a friendly hand on the young man's shoulder.

Naemor lead on eagerly, watching around keenly to spot familiar faces. This was place he had grown up and it felt like coming home. "Let's go to beast hold first, I want to say hello to master Ranris."

"He was your master?"

"Yes, he taught me to ride and introduced me to beastcrafting," Naemor said.

U'kaiah could remember his first master too. "A good man to know, I dare say."

"Yes, he is. He's old as mountains and knows everything," Naemor said and grinned, well aware he was exaggerating. But it was also obvious he liked the old master, Ranris had been like a grandfather to him.

If only that were true. U'kaiah would like such a master. "So do you know any of these other lads hanging about then?"

"That's Jeklyn, he is tanner-apprentice. Hey, Jek! It's me, Naemor!"

The bronzerider smiled and nodded a greeting as the other lad looked up and waved at his friend. He didn't miss the look on the boy's face when he saw him glance at the knots on his shoulder. Jek looked around and was not disappointed to see the large bronze dragon settling himself up
on the hill.

Naemor hurried towards the beasthold. Small, withered old man was just stepping out from the stable, giving worried glances to the bronze's direction.
"Hi, Master Ranris!" Naemor called.

"Naemor! Lad, you're grown up!" the old man replied.

"Good afternoon, sir." U'kaiah followed his eyes up towards his lifemate. "He only has designs on sunning himself. Kalamath isn't interested in your animals. Please don't worry."

"I do hope so. I have invested lot in some of those runners. Did you hear that Onyx Champion won his race in Amber Hills," Ranris replied, the last part was directed to Naemor. "And he has sired a new foal, black as he, called it Onyx Warrior."

"That's great! Can I stop to say him hello? He's always been my favourite." Naemor asked.

"You specialize in racing runners then?" the bronzerider asked curiously.

"Sort of. All hold's beasts are my responsibility but I do like runners more than the others."

U'kaiah nodded. "They are beautiful animals. And winning in Amber Hills is no small accomplishment, from what I hear."

"No, it's isn't," Ranris smiled.

"Congratulations are in order then sir," the bronzerider smiled. "Did you win any marks on the venture?"

"Naturally," The old beastcrafter grinned. "Would I bet against my own?"

"Not if you are worth your marks as a breeder," U'kaiah grinned. "Now I hear this lad was a promising jockey at one time."

"He was. Now he seems to be spurting height," Ranris said.

"Yeah," Naemor rolled his eyes. "But I better be big if I intend to ride dragon."

"He's becoming a man," the bronzerider smiled, giving his shoulder a firm shake. "He'll be bigger than me, I'll warrant."

Naemor looked rather doubtful. His parents were of average height and he had always been small sized.

U'kaiah didn't notice. "So, Naemor, do you think you and your Master could show me some of these runners you've bragged about?"

"Sure do," Naemor replied euthiastically.

"Lead on, Candidate," the bronzerider grinned.

Last updated on the December 16th 2006

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