See Where the Road Takes Us

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 6th April 2013

Characters: Z'ku, Meledei
Description: Z'ku and Meledei take some runners out on the restday
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 14 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis, L'cor, Corowal (not by name)

Z'ku

Z'ku waited for her at the stables, nervous and excited. }:Why do you
worry? Elleth's likes you.:{

**As a friend, yes. But I want more than that.** He was afraid to push
things because it might drive her away. Having Meledei as a friend was
certainly better than not having her at all.

It had been a long time since Meledei had gone riding. She'd done it
as often as possible, even after Impressing though Elleth couldn't
quite understand the appeal. She loved her dragon, and loved to ride
her, but sometimes it was just nice to go buy runner. It was a
different experience and pleasant in its own right.

She arrived just when she said she would and smiled at the young
dragonrider who waited for her. "Hey Z'ku, ready to go?"

"Yes." His smile was bright and showed no hint of nervousness. "I had
them saddle a bay mare for you. Well mannered, but intelligent." He
led her to the side of the stables where two runners were tied and
waiting. "Xemroth doesn't understand why I'd want to ride something
small that can't fly," he said with a chuckle

"Elleth has mentioned that to me before." Meledei grinned as she
reached for the reins of the bay. "She stops asking. I don't think
she remembers asking but she manages to pick it up from my memories.
How long has it been since you've ridden?"

"A few months at least." He untied his runner. "I try to get out once
in a while."

"Same here, though I've been bad about doing so lately." With one,
easy motion, Meledei mounted the runner, then leaned forward to pat
the creature. "It's nice to be back in the saddle again though. So
where are we heading?"

"We'll take the tithe road inland for a while, and then take one of
the smaller trails." Z'ku hopped up on the runner's back and nudged
the gelding forward.

"Are we going somewhere you've been before or just seeing where the
road takes us?" Meledei had been down the tithe road of course, but
there were numerous trails that led off in various direction and there
was no way one could have gone down them all - unless all they did was
explore.

"See where the road takes us." Z'ku laughed. "I used to plan out
everything, but I'm trying to relax and enjoy what comes. At least
with some things."

"Now that sounds like a good idea." Life as a dragonrider got very
hectic, especially for those in leadership positions. While Z'ku
wasn't officially a leader, he was a bronzerider and expectations for
him were higher. Just like they were for her. "Lead on oh fearless
leader!"

They headed out of the Weyr and down the tithe road at an easy walk.
Z'ku was usually confident, but being around Meledei made him
uncertain and awkward. One moment he'd be chatting easily with her and
the next he'd be searching desperately for something to say. Like now.
"So ... the Lord Holder acknowledging his son at the Hatching. That
was interesting."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Meledei couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Seriously, I have my doubts as to whether he would have recognised
his son had L'cor Impressed a blue or a green." What Cyradis had
talked to her about still annoyed her. She didn't think it was fair
to 'keep tabs' on the young man.

"I have my doubts as well. Certainly, some holdbred boys get
_disowned_
for Impressing those colors." It was sad, and he couldn't
help wondering if his father would have been one of those. Not that
Z'ku could ever have been chosen by a green or a blue. His attractions
had never gone that way.

"Holders are so...closed minded sometimes." Meledei had to admit she
was glad she had never lived or grown up in a hold. She had a feeling
she wouldn't have made it to a Weyr. Most likely she'd have been
married and possibly with a child already.

"I was, too," he admitted. "After coming to the Weyr, I accepted that
life was different here. And after Impressing, going through weyrling
training and working with blue and greenriders ..." He shrugged. "It's
normal now." Although his stomach turned at the thought of Xemroth
winning a male greenrider's flight. He'd avoided it so far.

"Sorry." Meledei winced as she realised that Z'ku had been one of
them. She forgot that sometimes. "Life is different. And people are
different. And just because they are different, that doesn't make
them sick, or bad. I just wish more realised that."

"I think it's easy to think ill of people when most of those around
you think ill of them." He shrugged. "Holds are a different place."

"They're a different world." Meledei was glad she hadn't grown up in
a Hold. She just couldn't imagine being anywhere else. She motioned
in front of them as they drew on down the path. "Oh look, a fork,
which way shall we go?"

"Lady's choice." He gave her a little bow.

"Right then." Meledei motioned down the path. "And let's see what we
find."

He nudged his runner down the path she chose. "Riding on dragonback so
much, it's easy to forget how much I'm missing on the ground." Z'ku
looked around, admiring the plants. "Like that." He pointed out
delicate white flowers growing on a bush.

"It's easy to miss things like that. Meledei slowed down to gaze down
at the flowers for a moment before she allowed her runner to resume
her pace. "When you're up there and flying past."

"It's a bit like life," he said with a small laugh. "I had everything
planned out when I got here. Impression, rising through the ranks, how
I'd make Weyrleader someday. I didn't look around, slow down and see
each day."

"You're looking for the Weyrleadership already?" Meledei laughed, but
it wasn't in fun of Z'ku. "You don't wait around, do you?"

"Well, it will be a few turns. I have to make Wingsecond first, then
Wingleader. I want to have solid experience leading a Wing before I
can take on a whole Weyr."

"Now that sounds like a wise course of action." Meledei could
certainly see Z'ku in the Weyrleadership. He ha the ambition and
drive, that much was for certain. "I bet you'll do it in record
time."

"Thank you." He smiled. "And I'd love to have you as my Weyrwoman."

"Hey, it could happen, and I think we'd make a good team." Though
Meledei wasn't in any hurry. She didn't mind the idea of her being
Weyrwoman, but she knew she had a lot to learn before she would be
ready for that sort of responsibility.

"We would." Z'ku's smile widened. "A wonderful team." The path began
to narrow, the plants growing thicker.

"Better be careful that we don't get lost." Of course, if they did,
they could give enough coordinates to their dragons that unless they
were deep in the forest, the dragons would be able to get them out.

"We should be fine if we stick to the path." All they needed to do was
turn around when they wanted to go back.

"Unless we take paths that veer off." Meledei pointed out. After all,
too many twists and turns would make remembering which way they went
difficult.

"We can leave signs if we take another path, marks on the trees and
things like that." He didn't need to embarrass himself by getting
lost.

"I'm sure our dragons could find us if they had to." Meledei could
just imagine a search party being sent out for them after they didn't
come back for hours. Of course, it wouldn't take long, not with
dragons.

"I'd prefer if it didn't get to that point." The trail here was still
clear, and just wide enough for the horses to walk side by side.
"Although I suppose it would be an adventure, getting lost so close to
the Weyr. An embarrassing adventure."

"We all need a good embarrassing adventure every now and again, don't
we?" Meledei didn't really want one herself, but it was all good
bantering.

He laughed. "I suppose it's a good way to stay humble."

Meledei grinned. "Yeah, it is."

Last updated on the May 31st 2013

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

See Where the Road Takes Us