A little scare

Writers: Teresa
Date Posted: 30th October 2008

Characters: Trealeina, B'lenar
Description: Trealeina gets a taste of getting scored during ropes drills
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 4

Trealeina and Tamineth took their place, ready for the ropes drills. This
always made her a little nervous. If she is scored out here it will be
nothing more than the tickle of a fabricated Thread, but if she is scored by
the real thing, well, it would be just plain scary. Today they were going to
practice formation changes during ropes drills. The pair waited for their
Wingleader to give the signal.

**Do you understand that when I tell you I am hurt, you are to go /between/
to just above the Weyr then land at the Bowl**

}: yes, I understand.:{

Trealeina patted her green lifemate on her neck, then took in a deep breath
the let it out slowly to help her to focus on the task before her. Today
they would be practicing on changing from the triple vertical line to the
forward V for their ropes drills. The signal was given and the entire wing
took to the air almost as one.

Once they were air born, they watched for the first signs of Thread. It did
not take long before a clump was spotted. It was very close to them.
Tamineth made a dive for it flaming it to ashes. Trealeina looked around. **
There is another, to your right !** Tamineth tuned her head and flamed it as
well, not missing a strand. **great job my love. Keep looking.** Dragon and
rider kept watch and flamed clump after clump.

}:The Wingleader's dragon says it is time to change formation:{ Tamineth
informed her rider. Trealeina instructed her which way she was supposed to
fly to complete the formation Change.

Just as they had finished the change, she felt the wind shift a little.
Trealeina let out a small gasp and looked around. She saw it coming at her
and she tried to shift to let it slip past. But it was not enough. One small
strand still brushed against the upper part of her left arm. **I am hurt!
Tell the dragon behind us that there is a clump just below us, so it can be
flamed when we go between!** she cried to Tamineth.

Tamineth followed her riders instructions then blinked /between/ as
Trealeina gave her the mental picture of where to come out of /between/.
They came out above the bowl as Trealeina had instructed. After they landed,
Trealeina unbuckled her riding straps with her 'uninjured' limb, then was
aided down by B'Lenar, who just happen to be her assigned Weyrling buddy. He
was there to assist the 'injured riders' as they came in.

Trealeina frowned. What on Pern could she have done to avoid that. They
could have gone /between/ then flamed it once it had passed. It was a stupid
mistake that she would not repeat. If that were really Thread, it could have
gone through her flesh then into her dragon. She fretted over it for a
while. B'Lenar happen to notice her brooding. "Thinking about what could
have happened?" he asked her.

"Yes, that could have been real Thread, and Tamineth could have been injured
far worse than me." she said still frowning.

"Well, that is the reason we practice so much. That is why we are so
vigilant in our training. To do our best to avoid getting our dragons and
ourselves from being scored." he told her with a gentle smile. "It is the
inevitable possibility that we face every time we go up there," he said as
he pointed up to the sky.

"We are all scored at some point in our life, and most more than once. It is
a fact that we all accept, there is no escaping it." He patter her gently on
the shoulder. "Don't worry so, young green rider. I kept watch, you are a
good rider for one so young, you will do well. Just don't worry about what
could have happened, concentrate on what you can do to prevent it, keep your
vigilance, and do your best. That is all any rider can do in a fall."
He smiled a little bigger as he watched her soak in the information, and
gave her one more final pat on her shoulder as he pointed to the rim of the
Bowl. "See? You are not the only one today, and there were three others
before you." With that he strode off to assist the new 'injured' rider.

She smiled feeling better. "Thanks" She told him in a more cheerful voice.
He was right. She could not dwell on what could have been. She had to be all
the more dedicated to keeping her dragon and herself as safe as possible out
there, after all, it is the well being of all of Pern that they are
protecting, not just themselves.

Last updated on the November 1st 2008

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A little scare