I normally detest writing (as that resembles sch**l work, and there's no way I want to hear ANY mention of sch**l if at all possible, unless I'm actually taking part in the dreaded activity), but this event was, and is, so momentous in my life that I just have to put the pen to the paper! It's my search story, the story of how Tarin the Terrible showed up everyone in the entire weyr. Take that, Oceanside Task Masters! HAH! Sarnah walked into the kitchen, furious. "Where IS he!? Oh, if I had a dragon, I'd scorch him for this!" Her working escort massaged his hands in worry. "'Aye, Lady Sarnah, am sorry, but 'e can't be 'ound, 'e 'loody can't!" Sarnah ran her fingers through her hair, mumbling to herself. He'd made a queen sweep, alright! All of the pies intended for the new dragonriders where either missing or destroyed, with empty pie pans scattered in mounds all over the kitchen. She knew that Tarin had done it. Nobody else had the nerve to defy authority like that! At least they'd had a warning. When that brat intended to do something, he made it known; although no one took him seriously anymore. And look at this mess.. "Darwin, clean this up, will ya? I have a hunch where he might bloody be. Terrible brat!" Her helper echoed the words. "'Arin the 'Errible, he is!" Sarnah actually let a nervous laugh out. "Yes, Tarin the Terrible. Come, please; get my pegflit and send a message to Nerisha and Conrin. Tell them that there'll be no dessert tonight. And that crazy no-good fosterling of Conrin's is wanted!" With that, she stormed out of the kitchen, hollering at the small crowd that had gathered to go back to work, to quick gawking and dawdling and to make use of their hides. The drudge pulled out a pen and paper. Der Lady Nerisha and Sur Conrin, Lady Sarnah has told me to tel yous that Tarin is cosin trubl and that he stol al the desert and she's gonna skorch his hidand that hes wanted. Terwin Huffing at the energy that letter had taken him, he tied it to the black pegflit's back. The stallion whinned. ~*FINALLY*~ popped into the poor man's head, and he flushed. "'Taint me fault I 'taint edu.. edu... You blasted 'egflit! Git!" he scowled with a wave of his hand, and the little pegasus snorted a reply before blinking out into a vortex. Tarin smiled to himself, completely sated. There're still four pies left, he thought to himself with a hiccup. Aw, leave 'em to the terras. I can't eat another bite. He sat silent for a few more moments, his new pegflit, Sunspot, nestled under his arm. Tarin was fully aware of the bulging white belly, but didn't feel too guilty. He'd given him less than a crust! Bleh. Little bodies weren't hard to keep full, anyway. He was sitting on the green dragons' sunning ledge, even though the sun was completely below the horizon and all the dragons were inside. He stroked Sunspot's mane blissfully. Weyr life was so much better than Hold life, from what he could recall, and he got to see so many dragons! The moon glinted off of the lake's water, and he could make out the faint outline of someone walking by. The person was extremely far away, though; so he had nothing to worry about. He made himself comfortable, watching the moon; he'd be there for awhile. Several minutes passed as he watched the moon rise, and sleep was beginning to get the better of him. He really should go somewhere else; the dragons would see him as soon as the sun came out. But, he couldn't go back to his weyr! Surely Kala would give him a place. Her white firelizard, Chenoa, did adore Sunspot so much, and Kala would help him stay awake during lectures, just as he'd help her. They also loved to play tricks on the Task Masters! With Kala as a team mate, they could accomplish any trick. She wasn't that bad, really; for a girl.. ~*SLEEP*~ Tarin couldn't help but overcome it. Even Sunspot wanted him to rest. Nobody would find him here if he awoke before Dawn... Sarnah walked purposefully up to Tarin, who was sleeping soundly in the moonlite. Nerisha and Conrin tried to keep pace, walking quickly behind her. "Lady Sarnah.." Conrin began. "Don't 'Lady Sarnah' me! He deserves a good scorching. I say we send him off to the mountains, let him live with my mother.." She paused in speech and step there. "No, he doesn't deserve that pleasure." She was off again, walking at a strenuous pace that she didn't seem to notice. "Lady Sarnah, please, be easy! He's just a child.." Nerisha pleaded. "But did you see what he did to my new riders?" "My new riders," Nerisha interrupted, "they're my charges now." "I RAISED THEM!" Sarnah hissed with such ferosity that neither Sandsleader spoke. Finally, they reached the sleeping lad. Sarnah grabbed his shoulder and half-dragged him to his feet. "Wake up and EXPLAIN yourself, fool boy!" she screeched, anger peaked. Tarin trembled and tried to sink low, but was held up by the collar. "To your weyr. NOW! I'll deal with you tomorrow. It's too late now, and I'm afraid I'll do something much to harsh while I'm in this state of mind." She made a pointed glare at the Sandsleaders, as if asking if they were satisfied. With Tarin in the lead, all four marched back to the weyr bowl. Sunspot flitted nervously about. ~*TROUBLE*~ popped into Tarin's mind. Then, the little stallion stopped mid-air, rearing and neighing. ~*DRAGON!*~ was the next urgent message. Tarin looked skyward. "F'lin's back." he said timidly, noticing the light blue speck on the black outline of the midnight sky. Sarnah gave an unlady-like snort. "Just like him to interrupt a funeral procession." Sarnah murmered. Tarin's eyes flew wide. ~*DEATH?*~ Sunspot asked in slight anguish. "No, no, she was being sarcastic." he whispered to the confused pegflit, willing himself to believe it as they waited for F'lin to land. When the great blue dragon finally grounded himself, F'lin took Lady Sarnah and the Sandsleaders aside with a prospect report. F'lin's dragon, Tireth, was under strict instructions to flame Tarin fo he tried to leave. Tarin meekly sat in front of the dragon, who cocked his head. {Why am I to flame you?} Tarin's eyes flew wide. Tireth was speaking to him! ~*FIRE!*~ Sunspot chirped happily, unaware of its use. "Because I took all of the new dragonrider's pies." The blue was silent for a moment, his eyes whirling with regret. {Why did you do that?} "I thought.. I thought it would be a good joke and.. that it would make Lady Sarnah mad.. and.. it did.. sorta..." {Are you sorry for your actions?} Tarin blinked and answered slowly, the word drawn out. "Yes..." {Good. Once you have had your scorching Lady Sarnah keeps talking about, I want you as a prospect or a candidate.} Tarin sat straight up, and, suddenly, F'lin whirled around. "HIM!? Tireth!" F'lin swiftly told the others what Tireth had just said. "Him?" Sarnah echoed, remorse filling her face. Oh, how she wanted to skin his hide and hang it from a peg! And, now, she was going to have to raise him, until he impressed or grew out of candidate age. Tarin let out a whoop. ~*JOY!*~ Sunspot whinned, flitting about everyone's heads.