A Ride Home
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: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 13th December 2009
Characters: B'lamick, Briata
Description: Briata asks B'lamick for a ride to her father's hold.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 6, day 7 of Turn 5
It was the early morning on a rest day and Briata was already up. She had already talked to Latarth and asked where his rider was and that was exactly where she was headed. She found him in the middle of the halls on his way to somewhere or another. Latarth hadn't told her where, just that he was in that specific wing. Briata picked up her pace and caught up with the young bronzerider. "B'lamick...I have a favour to ask."
"Good morning to you too." B'lamick joked as he took in her well made appearance. "What favor might that be?"
"I need a ride h...to my father's hold." She explained. Briata's eyes were bright and her face flushed, but she didn't look upset. "Right now...do you think you have time to take me real quick?" That might explain why she was clutching a rather heavy jacket.
"Sure." Tey could wait for a little while he supposed. "Is something going on?"
"My mare is showing signs of giving birth." She explained. Her favourite mare, the one she had sent back to Onyx Peak when Briata had left Garnet Valley. "And will probably do so any minute. I want to be there."
B'lamick was surprised that a runner was the reason for a request. He'd never owned a pet of any kind so the idea of rushing off for the delivery of one was odd to him. Still, he'd already said he would. "I just need to get my jacket from my weyr. Latarth will meet us there."
"Thank you!" Briata breathed and followed B'lamick. She tried not to fidget but it was hard. Who knew how long Aima's birth would take? She hoped she wouldn't be too late.
***********
Briata had supplied the visual for Latarth, and B'lamick had to admit that it was a beautiful place. "Where should we land?"
"As close to the stables as you can." It was hot compared to the bitterness of /between/ but for once, Briata didn't notice the cold. "Oh I do hope we're in time!"
He wasn't sure setting down next to a bunch of runners was the best idea, so he instructed Latarth to land on the opposite side of them with the barn hopefully blocking most of the view. "Good luck." he said as he held her hand as she slid down the bronze's side.
"Come with me?" Briata asked as she landed on the ground, her face tilted up to him, eyes still shining.
He hesitated. He was supposed to meet Tey, but he supposed it wouldn't take _that_ long to look at the runner. ** Latarth, relay to Tey that I'll be a bit late.** "Okay."
Her smile brightened and she waited just long enough for him to get down from Latarth. She started off as soon as his feet touched the ground, hair that had come loose from her hastily made braid flying behind her as she rushed to the stables. "Come on!" She called back, the words loud despite the distance.
B'lamick threw off his gloves and riding jacket then sprinted after her. He caught up to her, despite her head start, by the time they reached the stables. From there, he followed her more quiet lead towards the group standing about midway back.
"Briata!" A man who looked a little like Briata smiled and motioned for her and her companion to draw closer. There were two younger men with them, one who looked to be in his twenties, another a lad of around twelve or thirteen.
"Are we too late Papa?" Briata asked breathlessly as she approached them. There was a stable with the door open and the men grouped outside, watching the mare.
"No, she's just started pushing, but nothing's happened quite yet." They let Briata in the front and she leaned against the wall of the stall, watching eagerly.
The mare was a dark brown, her colour made darker by the shadows of the barn. There was no white anywhere, not her forelock, nothing. She was a solid, glorious brown and she was quite wide. The creature heaved, her tail lifted as she prepared to birth her foal.
Being an apprentice healer, B'lamick had seen and even assisted in several births, so what was going on with the runner was nothing new to him. His attention shifted then to the people. He could see the relation in the faces between Briata and all the men, so they must have been extended family of some sort. Briata's face was the most interesting of all though, it shone with excitement and glee. He didn't think he'd ever seen her this happy or excited.
The mare shifted, one back leg kicking at her belly. She snorted and turned around rubbing up against the side of the water. Still she heaved and occasionally snorted.
It was hard to say how long they were there. The birth progressed without any difficulties. The legs forelegs came first, then the head, then the rest of the body. Eventually there was a dark form covered in white upon the ground. The runner immediately began cleaning the little creature and the foal stirred. The creature lay for a while, then began to push himself up to his legs. He fell several times, but finally made it to his feet and went to suckle his mother. It was hard to tell if he was brown like his mother or black thanks to the wetness of his coat combined with the shadows of the stable.
"You'll have to think of a name for him." The man who had to be Briata's father stated, voice deep.
"That's going to take some thinking." Briata admitted. She turned to B'lamick, her smile wide. "Isn't he beautiful?"
B'lamick wasn't given a chance to answer. "Well now that the shows over, I say you'd best come in and get some lunch." It was a woman's voice and they turned to see her smiling at them. "I've been keeping it warm."
"Come on." Briata tugged at B'lamick's sleeve. "You must be starving."
"I can't, I'm supposed to meet Tey." B'lamick explained. "I'm more than late already so I'd better get back. I can come by tonight to pick you up if you want?"
"Oh." Briata couldn't hide the disappointment on her face, but she nodded and smiled. "Yes. Thank you B'lamick, I appreciate the help, especially on such short notice."
B'lamick gave a friendly wave to all in the stables and then headed out. "No problem!"
Last updated on the December 20th 2009