Anderoyo

A'deroyo Impressed Bronze Protegerth!Protegerth's an adult! Pale blue eyes rose to the star-encrusted sky over head as sable hair fell back from the boy's youthful and handsome face. Anderoyo always had loved stargazing at night, it gave him time to reflect upon the events of the passing day. ________________________________ Anderoyo's eyebrows knitted in thought above his gentle blue eyes. The Hold hadn't done so good in past decade, ever since Phanok had become Lord Holder. The Hold now seemed to be a gathering place for thieves and other criminals...and dragonless men. ________________________________ The younger children were often scared, often wanting to leave the Hold, begging their parents not to leave them alone. Older young people discussed creating parties to be on guard. Anderoyo...he was in between the two major groups, only fourteen turns old and not quite old enough to be considered a 'young adult' at least by Hold standards.________________________________ Anderoyo was a bit tall for his age,about 6'1", and of medium build. He had a gentle face and was quite mature for his age, no matter what the fool Lord Holder may think. The older boys seemed to think Anderoyo was mature enough to join them.________________________________ The older boys had asked him to join them in a small defense group against some thieves who seemed to stop at the Hold on that particular night each seven-day. The group would soon meet by the old wher-lair that hadn't held a wher since Phanok came into power. ________________________________ But it wasn't quite time yet so Anderoyo gave a soft sigh and let the thoughts slip from his mind as he admired the stars. How beautiful they were...though not as quite as beautiful as some of the young ladies around the hold... Hehe, Anderoyo also fancied himself as a ladies' man...and the girls seemed to like his attentions. ________________________________ "Anderoyo! They're coming!" a young man yelled as he ran up to the younger--yet taller--boy. Anderoyo nodded slowly, turning to the other young man. "Alright, let's go then!" Hastefully the two young men made their way back towards the Hold to meet the oncoming enemy.________________________________ Soon the mottly group of ten young men stood tall as the band of slightly fewer thieves met them. A middle-aged man, seemingly the leader, stepped forward and addressed the group with a smirk on his slightly plump face. "Well now..seems as some of the Hold-brats aren't respecting their Lord Holder," he said mockingly. Several of the other thieves laughed. "Out of our way, fools. The Lord Holder might not hear of this if you move now. And if you r'fuse you little fools might just get hurt."________________________________ A strong-looking young man with a scar on one side of his face, dark hair, and dark eyes stepped forward shaking his head and speaking loudly,"No, you have cause enough trouble for our Hold...either leave or we will kill you." Anderoyo stepped up right next to him; Nimovin, the young man with the scar, was his best friend--older or not. ________________________________ The lead-thief sneered slightly as he gave a nod to his men. Quick as a tunnelsnake (and nasty as one)the man reached out and grabbed Nimovin by the collar holding the far younger man's face close to his own. ________________________________ "Well boys...looks like you've got a fight on your hands," the thief laughed sinisterly. A dagger flashed as the thief drew in from his belt, seeing that Anderoyo lept forward and grabbed the thief's hand before the older man could plunge it into Nimovin's neck. ________________________________ "Don't you even think again about killing my best friend!" Anderoyo yelled in rage, twisting the older man's arm so far that he felt he would twist it right off. The thief's dagger clattered to the ground and Anderoyo stooped to pick it up, forgetting for a moment to keep his hold on the older man's arm.________________________________ In that short amount of time the thief twisted out of Anderoyo's grasp and shoved Nimovin away. Quickly he grabbed Anderoyo instead and slammed him to the ground, holding him there, dagger now back in his hand. "Fool-boy! For that I'll--" the thief was cut short as a strong hand grabbed him by the back of the neck and hoisted him off the boy. ________________________________ The brownrider who had grabbed the thief off the boy shoved the man off towards the other thieves, glaring. "Leave, you scum. Leave now or else Dharnath will have you for dinner." The rider's black-brown bugled his agreement and the thieves quickly scrambled off into the night. ________________________________ The brownrider pulled Anderoyo to his feet with a grin. "That was quite some act, boy, but you must remember not to let your opponent have a chance to get free!" Anderoyo nodded numbly, staring intently at the rider. "Sir," Anderoyo said. "Might I ask what you are here for?" ________________________________ The brownrider grinned lightly, "I am R'tek of Andromeda Weyr. I was on Search with black-brown Dharnath when he spotted your predicament. He admires your courage...he's searched you, boy! Now it's all up to you! Are you willing to come with us to Andromeda Weyr as a candidate?" Anderoyo nodded, grinning hugely. "Of course!"

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