From Dragon Riders to Rustlers

[E]

((This is an invite only thread so that we might actually manage to finish it in a decent time as it is one of the plots on the board. Thanks! Just trying to get things moving. *grin*))

“Are we there yet?”
“For Falls Sake Lorenuo! We are not there yet!”
“Sorry…”

E’mion rolled his eyes with a groan as he seriously wondered why he had ever thought the man would be good for any length of trip he didn’t know. Trustworthy, yes he trusted L’nuo above most save S’hon. But to have the man complaining every ten minutes for the past three days? He would remember next time not to put the man on a small boat for any length of time.

Sighing, he ran his hand thru his hair now dusty from travel. The wingleader had arranged for S’hon to take the wing out on a scouting mission to the east of the paradise river. Under that pretense, E’mion and his two wingriders had about twosevendays before the wing needed to return to the weyr and maybe another day and a half before he’d need to be back to present the findings to G’llahar.

G’llahar. That man had proven to be more of a pain than L’nuo was now. Ever since he had taken weyrleader position, he had kept close watch on E’mion knowing every well that they did not agree on the missions north. As far as G’llahar knew, he had finally put a stop to them. E’mion, however, knew much better as he had taken over them. Keeping them unknown to the watchful man, however, was proving to be a challenge. So much so that even had to resort to making a deal with the pirates of Daingean Hold so that a ship could move north without anyone the wiser.

R’lan, L’nuo and E’mion had not gone north with the boat this time, however, but had dropped themselves off at the Igen Weyr and met up with the harpers for the ride down the Igen River toward Keroon hold. There they were going to purchase a new strain of heardbeasts to help enrich the vast herds in the south. Bloodlines needed to be strengthened again.

As it was, it had been a good half-turn since the last mission north under A’dan and E’mion needed to know the latest news. Someone needed to know the situation in north when Thread fell so that something might be done to adequately save the knowledge there. E’mion didn’t care so much for the Holds themselves, but he was very aware of the knowledge that the northern Halls held which had been slowly lost due to the lack of masters in the original move South.

[E]

Hearing R’lan’s comment, L’nuo looked down at him reproachfully before leaning over the rail once again. It wasn’t his fault he was bored. Not only was there nothing to do on the little boat, but there was also no women on board and that thoroughly disappointed the man.

“Not much longer, sir.” The harper replied as he rejoined the group after talking to the boat’s master. In fact we should make it within the hour. Runners are awaiting us there.” he said with a smile. A master harper, but defiantly not the master harper, Arovus knew some of what these men were, but defiantly not all. The master harper had been very strict in who he chose and what he had chosen to tell him. Arovus had the feeling that if the Master Harper could have come himself he would have.

E’mion nodded at the mans words, which turned out true as they found the small riverboat docking at a small dock where four horses were held by a stable hand. Picking up his pack, he followed the harper off the small boat and to the horses where he wasted not time in taking the reigns of one.

L’nuo, eager to be off the boat followed on E’mion’s heel. “About bloody time.” he said smiling back at R’lan. As he came up to the boy, he took the offered reigns and flipped him a halfmark. If there was one thing L’nuo had a soft spot for it was women… And women came with kids so naturally he had one for them as well.

[Dizzy]

Getting to his feet, the brownrider stretched his legs before picking up his sleeping roll and long coat and making his way over the side of the boat.

Thankful to be on dry land again, he eyed the animals that were left with disdain... one was a stick of a runnerbeast and the other not much more than a pony... a well-muscled broad pony. He'd take the pony...

Makes you miss me?
No doubt...

The brown rider took the reins of the creature. It wiled its large brown eye at him but stood in its place, the smell of dragon on the man not to the small runner's liking.

"Easy... take it easy." The tall man had never had much occasion to ride runners...

R'lan tied his sleeping roll to the back of the saddle, shaking his head at L'nuo. "Going soft..."


The Harper grinned and watched the men, giving instructions to the lad and paying him in Harper marks before he took hold of his own mount. In the saddlebags there was enough water and food for the trip to Keroon Hold.

Swinging up onto the tall saddle runner, "Ready?"


"In a moment Harper..." R'lan couldn't quite get his leg into the stirrup.... the little runner kept turning around him... "Shards and Shells... be still!" Giving up... the rider threw his belly across the saddle and his leg over, paying for it as the swell caught him in the gut.

[E]

“Lorenuo might have gone soft, but at least he could get on the runner Rylan…” E’mion said with a slight laugh as he turned his own motioning for the harper to lead. R’lan would catch up. It made him wonder once again, however, if he shouldn’t have just brought S’hon with him. He didn’t, however, have much faith in T’kil forcing the wing outside the weyr for two sevendays. He was becoming too reliant on his felis. As it was he hoped S’hon could keep the strong-willed older rider out.

“Endymion’s got a point there.” L’nuo said as he brought his runner up next to R’lan’s so they could ride together behind the wingleader and the harper. Stopping nearby he frowned at the older man who was now lying across the saddle on his stomach. “Ya know… your suppose to sit on it…”

[Dizzy]

Arovus chuckled to himself, setting heels to his mount the animal took off with a quick step, ready like its rider to be on the road.

Breathless and with aching side, the brownrider managed to settle onto the runner. "Thank you for the advise Lorenou..." The small runner tugged on the bit, trying to pull the reins out of his rider's hands... R'lan quickly jerked his head back up and pounded him with his heels... managing a quick rough trot. "I'll keep that in mind next time."

A few miles down the road, the Harper broke the silence. Glancing behind him to make sure it was just the four of them. "Endymion, I don't want to know why you need them but here are the Istan shoulder knots that you wanted. I trust that I do not aid in any mischief?" The harper's light brown eyes shown bright as he handed off the small pouch that held the rank cords, he liked the three strangers... he didn't know exactly why, couldn't explain it but... they had a quality about them. It was no wonder that the Master had elected to help them... whatever the cause.

[E]

L’nuo laughed as he nudged his runner forward with R’lan to follow their wingleader. Controlling the horse and the new change of pace gave him something to concentrate on and he was the quietest he’d been for hours now. A smile, light humming was all that came from the man now.

E’mion turned at the sound of his old name to find the man holding a small pouch toward him. Nodding, he smiled. “No, no trouble. I give you my word Harper Arovus.” Reaching out he took the pouch and removed one of the knots for himself before turning nimbly in his saddle and tossing the other two back to R’lan. “Heads up.” was all he said before turning again to fasten the knot to his shoulder. It would not be much longer until they’ve reached Keroon and he wanted to be ready.

[Dizzy]

(2 days later… late evening)

The Harper’s mount nickered as they passed other riders on the byway, following the huge ruts made by the heavy traders’ carts. Keroon was now an imposing figure on the horizon…

The squeak of wagon wheels echoed off of the rock walls, and the clop of hooves as well... the great teams of cart beasts were moving immense masses of people and goods... both coming and going. People from all over the province had come to Keroon Hold for the spring drives and auctions. Drovers roamed the streets, with marks to spend... Stalls for all crafts were erected and showed their wares freely... boasting the best in all of Pern... no matter the goods. Gaming tables were scattered about... a few honest... even the Pillow Craft was abounding... with their tents open to any with a sliver of a mark to spare.

[E]

E’mion’s eyes glanced up to the might of Keroon’s walls before once again turning to the road. His first few trips to the north had left him wide-eyed, but he had quickly come to terms with the ancient size of this side of the world. Facing forward, he followed the harper, knowing well that the man knew where he was going and so, in turn, he knew where he was going giving him a look of purpose here.

L’nuo was not so capable. A soft whistle escaped his lips before he quickly shut them again realizing his mistake. Instead of staring at the insane size of the major hold, he looked around at the people. There was such a variety here, and the accents! L’nuo had heard a distinct difference between his old Terra accent to that of Lateo… but here in the north? It was a whole new world of sounds… he was speechless…

[Dizzy]

"I don't think anything in all the South is as big as this..." Wide eyed, the man tried to take what he saw all at once.

R'lan, still trying to gain his balance on the short runner, watched as several carts passed going the other way... a young dark woman flashed a grin, meeting his eyes. The brown rider turned in his saddle, watching her leave... forgetting for a moment, a moment that the runner took to advantage. R'lan had to grab for mane and horn to right himself before he ended up in the mud

The girl glanced down giggling, a hand to her lips... a sharp word and buffet from one of the men walking beside the cart was her reward... a cold glance was given the dragonrider.

"If I..." Heat flashed through the tall man's clear blue eyes.

[E]

?Rylan. Keep up.? E'mion said, nearly as shortly as the man had hit the woman even though he had not seen it happen. All he knew was that his rider was falling behind. Keeping his own eyes on the objective, he searched over the heads of much of the crowd from his vantage point on the runner for the heardbeast pens, following the harper all the while.

L'nuo himself had seen what Rylan had been looking at and witnessed what had happened. Hearing the older man's words, he instantly guessed what he was thinking and quickly pulled up closer to the man.

?If you get left behind Endymion will kill me. Let it be... Please... Let it be.? he said as they made their slow way thru the crowd.

[Dizzy]

“I’ll keep up.” R’lan, his lips tight with anger, kicked the small runner into a fast jog. If those were the type of men holding in the north… ’How could E’mion just let that slide?’

Mine? You are angry, do you need me? Nylath lolled in the sun. It was so warm in Igen, nice. The ledges scratched his belly… not as soft as the sand but nice.

The brown rider toyed with the idea… a large dragon and some firestone would definitely…

No Nylath, I don’t think E’mion would appreciate it if you showed up. I‘m fine.

He turned to L’nuo, “Is this what we are to bleed for?”


The Harper pulled up, traffic at the main hold gate was slow going, “We can find lodging inside the walls, or you can make camp outside. Now would be the time to choose.”

Hearing the Harper’s words, R’lan looked about him. The fields where the gathers were encamped were muddied by many hooves and boots. He then turned to L’nuo and raised an eyebrow. It was E’mion’s choice.