It is a beautiful spring day at Jerdan Weyr. The sun has just risen, and there is a fine mist surrounding the weyr. You land with a slight bump and climb off the green you were riding. You thank the rider and the dragon. Then, you head off towards the Lower Caverns to get a cup of steaming klah.
As you walk in, you are shocked at how many people had the same idea as you. All the tables are packed with dragonriders and weyrfolk. You look around disparingly for an empty table. You spot one in the back corner of the room. You decide to sit down and wait for some of these people to leave before you get your klah. Suddenly, a voice interrupts her thoughts.
"What," you say looking up. There is a young woman with cropped blonde hair standing before you. She looks like she must have about twenty turns. Her dark blue eyes sparkle at you, and you finally recognize her. "Azura, it is good to see you. I almost didn't recognize you. What has been happening?"
"Can I sit down," she asks again.
"Of course you can," you say indicating a chair.
"So, what are you doing here," she asks conversationally.
"I came here for a cup of klah like everyone else; however, I decided to wait until the crowd dies down to get mine," you say.
"I came here for the same reason," she says looking around. "Well, it looks like some of the people are beginning to leave. I'll go get our klah."
"Thank you," you call after her.
"No problem," she replies over her shoulder as she heads towards the klah pot.
She returns quickly with two cups of steaming klah in her hands. You gratefully accept yours and sip it slowly. After you have taken a few sips, you thank her again.
"You're welcome," she says looking around. She turns back to you. "Although some of the people are leaving, it looks like most of them are staying here for a while. Do you want to come back with me to my weyr?"
"Sure. I would love to see Ionath," you say getting up.
"Well," she says hesitantly, "Ionath was asleep when I last saw her." She sees the look of dissappointment on your face. "But," she says cheerfully, "she might be awake now."
"Azura, I am awake now. Is our friend coming to see me? Good. I would really like that," Ionath informs her rider.
Azura turns to you. "You're in luck. Ionath is awake, and she would like to see you. Here lately, she hasn't allowed anyone to visit her except me."
"Why is that," you ask as you walk next to Azura down the hall.
She pauses a moment in thought. She continues walking as she answers your question. "It's probably because she is close to flying now."
You continue walking down the hall towards the weyrs. You finally reach Azura's weyr and walk in. It hasn't changed much from the last time you saw it. The furniture has been shifted, and there is a new tapestry hanging on the wall opposite of you. What really catches your eyes is the enormous green dragon on the stone couch. She turns to look at you with blue whirling eyes.
"She's so beautiful," you say in awe at the green's slight glow.
"I know," Azura says indicating for you to sit down next to her at a small table.
You take the indicated seat. "So, what has been happening with you two," you ask smiling.
"Nothing much," she says wistfully.
"Do you have anyone in mind to catch Ionath when she flies," you ask hoping that you don't offend her.
She looks at you in surprise. "No one has asked me that yet. I had forgotten that my preference can have an influence on the flight."
"Well, in that case, do you have someone in mind," you ask politely.
She thinks for a moment. Then she answers. "No, I don't really like anyone over anyone else," she says going red.
"That's okay," you say reassuring her. You decide to change the subject. "Why did you cut your hair?"
"So, I can fly Threadfall," she says relaxing.
"I thought greens flew Threadfall only after their first clutch," you say puzzled.
"Greens don't chew firestone until after their first clutch, but they can fly with the queens," she says proudly.
"That's cool," you say looking at Ionath. She stares back at you with her whirling eyes. "How is she doing," you ask still looking at the dragon.
"Oh, she is doing great. She's not as moody as some of the greens," Azura says smiling at her green. The green rumbles acknowledgement that she is the subject.
"Azura, could you give me a bath," Ionath pleads with her rider.
"Yes, I can. I'll call Kairia and Kilren," she tells her dragon mentally. She turns to you, and she is about to relate the message to you when Kilren and Kairia dart in through the window. They land on Azura's shoulders. "You've been out in the sun haven't you," she asks affectionately. "Go wait near the lake." They launch into the air, and they are gone before you can say anything.
"Why did you do that," you ask bewildered.
"I have got to bathe Ionath, and they help me," she says getting up and gathering materials.
You look out the window. "I have things I need to do," you say getting up. "It has been wonderful seeing you two."
"Come back soon," Azura says as she leads you to the door. You say good-bye once more. Ionath rumbles a parting, and you leave the weyr. You think about your meeting with Azura as you walk down the hall and out into the Bowl.
Name: Azura
Age: 17 turns
Dragon: Green Ionath
Sire: Blue Atlantith
Dam: Green Saivith
Birthplace: Jerdan Weyr
