First Formations

Writers: Rochelle
Date Posted: 31st January 2008

Characters: R'syl
Description: R'syl supervises the weyrlings' first attempts at flying in formation.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 8, day 20 of Turn 4

}:They are doing well.:{ Usaeth said encouragingly, his voice seeming to echo in R'syl's head as they hovered. }:Stop worrying.:{ R'syl snorted softly to himself, watching the trio in the air in front of him with anxiety induced concentration. The weyrlings were only just barely flying, and this was their first practice flying in formations.
Although most weyrlingstaff he'd worked with relaxed for a while after the first flights, R'syl had never been able to unwind until he was certain all the young dragons were confident in the air.

It was so easy push a young dragon just that little too far and injure them, especially at this early stage. They had been fortunate enough to have a low injury count with this group for the first flights -mostly bruises from awkward landings, and easily ignored in the general euphoria-
but flying in a formation rather than individually was an entirely different matter.

**Tell Shexiliryth that he needs to move to the left some more or he'll collide with Crospth.** R'syl warned quickly as the young blue veered a little too close to the his clutchmate.

}:I already have.:{ Usaeth said calmly as they watched the blue lurch back into position.

R'syl relaxed slightly, but only for a moment. He clutched at the harness in a reflexive warning as the green leading the little trio slowed, and the two blues behind her nearly collided. "Usaeth..."

}:Shexiliryth, left!:{ He heard Usaeth order sharply. }:Crospth, dive and back into position!:{ The trio straightened themselves out immediately, and Rsyl could see the startled expressions on the dragons' faces at the tone of Usaeth's command. The riders from this distance looked shaken, and Crospth's rider was still clutching him even after the blue had pulled out of the shallow dive.
**I think we should have them land now...** R'syl started, but Usaeth interrupted the thought. }:No. They just need practice. They are still small enough to be surprised easily by crosswinds.:{ Usaeth said wisely, flapping his wings to bring them closer.

R'syl frowned. **If that is the problem, they should land and we should continue leter.**

}:No. See, they are flying much better now.:{ Usaeth added with satisfaction.

After a few moments, R'syl grudgingly agreed. The trio's formation was a bit loose now rather than close together, but at least the three seemed to have figured out the bare basics of matching speeds now. Dragons understood flying naturally, he reminded himself wryly. It was keeping them in ordered, human designed formations that required practice, and he didn't want any of them being startled /between/ at this early stage!

He watched the trio finish the brief set of practice moves he'd assigned for the first lesson, listening as Usaeth offered tips only a dragon could know, and breathed a sigh of relief when they landed without incident.

**Tell them they did well, and we will be doing extra formation practice.** He advised his bronze.

Usaeth passed on the message, and looked back at him expectantly, his great eye whirling. R'syl set his jaw, feeling his shoulders tense again.

**As soon as they are ready, it's the browns' turn...**

Last updated on the February 2nd 2008

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First Formations