'Bout Time! (1/3)

Writers: Eimi, Nici
Date Posted: 14th September 2005

Characters: Jaela, U'kaiah
Description: Jaela takes U'kaiah out on his first excursion after his incident
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 3
Notes: 1 of 3

U'kaiah sat perched on the edge of his infirmary cot a bit anxiously.
He kept an eye on Jaela as she talked with the healer, both glancing and pointing every once in a while in his direction. The bronzerider was beginning to go stir-crazy and just wanted to get out. The healer had hinted that today might be the day, but he didn't dare move without Jaela's leave to do so. He had been in trouble with her enough for the last time.

Finally, the Weyrwoman nodded, turned on her heel and headed his way, a somber, almost sad look on her face. "Well..."

A bit of fear constricted his chest a bit. **Well what?** Did they find something? Would he be stuck in this bed longer? Or worse, would he be grounded forever? "Yes?" Did his voice just break?

"Well, what the shards are you waiting for? I thought you wanted to get out of here!" She finally allowed herself to smile.

"Oh shards woman," U'kaiah cried as he wrapped his arms around the goldrider gratefully. "I swear you almost killed me!"

She laughed and returned the embrace. "You should have seen the _look_ on your face."

"Yeah, I'm sure I would have thought it was hilarious if my guts weren't swisted into knots," the bronzerider chuckled as he released her. "All right, Weyrwoman, where shall we go?"

"Uh uh...my surprise, bronzerider, I told you that. And Kalamath has been given strict instructions by Calyth _not_ to tell you were the coordinates are." There were certain perks to being Weyrwoman...and both dragons were experienced enough not to put either of them at risk.

"Oh, all right. I'll play along." He eyed the Weyrwoman suspiciously.
"I'm not going to end up at the bottom of a mine shaft, am I?"

"I doubt seriously that Kalamath would even _fit_ in a mine shaft..."
Jaela said, grabbing his elbow and steering him out. "And stop being the bronzerider and let a woman take charge for once, U'kaiah..."

"Oh, trust me Jaela, I thoroughly enjoy letting the woman take charge,"
he said with an impish grin as he allowed her to lead him out of the infirmary.

"Hmmm...I'll have to make note of that," she replied her tone serious but her eyes held a hint of amused challenge in them. "Now, come along....the way you're dawdling one would think you want to stay in the Infirmary all day..."

U'kaiah quickened his pace. "Trust me, if you would allow me to run, my lady, I would."

"Don't push it..." She grinned at him and then had to concentrate on keeping up with his quickened pace. Sharding tall men!

Finally, they reached the stairs to the plateau and she had to admit she was more nervous about this than she cared to admit. What if the stairs strained his heart or something? But while he seemed slightly out of breath, it was probably more from lack of exercise than any real ailment--at least she hoped!

"There they are!" She pointed ahead where Calyth and Kalamath awaited them. "I even had one of the weyrlings put his straps on for you--although if you're like me, you'll double check them anyway!"

U'kaiah wasn't truly listening as he laid eyes on his bronze, gleaming in the sunshine. They had gone a long time without seeing each other, and the bronze and his rider had both felt it acutely. Turning to Jaela he asked, "Can I just have a moment with him?"

"Don't be silly...of course..." Jaela wandered off, Calyth following her carefully.

}:Are we not going?:{ The gold asked.

**Yes, he wants to talk to Kalamath...must be a guy thing...**

}:Humph...well, I hope they do not do this all day!:{ Jaela tried not to laugh. Now that she could fly again, Calyth was in _no_ mood to wait to do it. The time they'd been grounded had effect her as well--with no eggs to guard, the gold dragon craved _action_.

After a few minutes scratching Kalamath's itches, checking his hide for any signs of neglect or injury, and just enjoying the feel of his bronze's hide under his fingers again U'kaiah checked the straps and mounted. **Shards it feels good to be back.**

}: I think the Calyth and her rider are getting impatient.:{
**Well, we can't have either of them getting mad at us, now can we.
While it's just the two of us, you mind telling me where we're going?**

}: Calyth gave me orders not to tell you. :{
**Hmmm... must be a woman thing. All right, tell her we're ready.**

Calyth relayed something to Jaela about women and the fact that U'kaiah and Kalamath were ready and while she might have wanted to query further, the Weyrwoman decided making sure Kalamath had the most specific coordinates possible seemed more important at that juncture.

The gold's legs launched them into the air and Jaela held on tight, the sudden rush of air exhilaring and exciting. This was what she'd missed when grounded--the simply joy of flying fast and hard with the only the wind to stop them.

U'kaiah also was enjoying the feeling of flying on Kalamath's back, but more for the mere fact that he _could_. Feeling the powerful musceles underneath him, hearing the whooshing sound of his wings as they propelled them higher - this was what he had been born to do. Nothing struck fear into his heart as much as the thought that he might be denied the chance to fly his magnificent Kalamath in Fall again. But he pushed those thoughts from his mind as he just allowed himself to feel at one with his lifemate.

Last updated on the September 15th 2005

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'Bout Time! (1/3)