A Queen Rises (All Bronzes!)

[TheDreamerLady]

Torenth didn't try to take advantage of Sheluth's sharp turn- he knew that the Gold rarely fell for the same trick or piece of flattery twice. It made them interesting, but difficult, and tricky. He kept flying, taking the turn in a manner that was less hard on his wings. He was getting older, after all, and each time he hurt himself it took longer to recover, though the warm air of Nova, with its boiling hot sun took good care of the aging Bronze.

Noticing another bronze(one of the two he considered a threat to winning Sheluth), make a move towards Sheluth, Torenth pushed himself forward as well. He would not lose the Gold due to inability to spot an usurper.

Speeding ahead Sheluth? R'net asked with interested. Would you care to move straight ahead until morning?

[Kayla]

The flight continued on, and as it did, Neory started to move between R'net and J'var. The fact of the matter was that this was the first time that the decision was not easy. She wanted, R'net. She loved him, and did not want to wake up with anyone other than him. She also believed that he would, in fact be the better Weyrleader. However, J'var could - after emotions calmed down (her own and Laszreen's, and quite possibly R'net's and J'var's as well) - provide a compromise to the question of leadership, a compromise that Neory was sure that Laszreen would not make herself.

Of course, there was a question of whether or not they could work out some kind of solution where the power was shared, some solution that went beyond the traditional hierarchy. If she did make this sacrifice, it could turn out not being worth it.

Neory was caught enough in the flight, melded with Sheluth, that while these questions warred within her, within her heart and her mind, she was focused primarily on the flight.

Sheluth flew long and hard, and two dragons were close on her. The flight had been exhilarating, boiling her blood even more within her veins. She knew the dragons were close behind, Torenth and Ionuth having the closest edge. Either dragon could easily catch her if she chose them.

Responsibility and hope won, though no one would ever understand - Sheluth would know but not fully understand - how much this decision cost her Rider, but it was Neory's decision.

Sheluth slowed a moment, letting the two Bronzes catch up to her. A wing gently touched Torenth's, even as Neory lovingly touched R'net's chest. However, before either Torenth or R'net could react, they both pulled away, Sheluth moving so that Ionuth would surely catch her.

Do not let me fall, Ionuth! Catch me!

Neory completely shut off any of her own thoughts, lest they would affect the result of the flight. The clutch would be good, and her body would be with Sheluth, even if her heart ached.

[TheDreamerLady]

Not winning caused a quick split between R'net and Torenth, but both felt the same gut pull of dis-ease. They had never lost Sheluth before, and while they'd known it was a possibility, they'd never really thought about losing. They'd never realized how they would feel. Torenth, angry, but exhausted, and shutting himself off from his Rider, the Bronze started to fly home, tail almost tucked down in-between his legs.

R'net, for his part, fell back as though he'd been physically shoved. Blinking with shock, and lust, he stumbled out the door, unsure of where he was going, or why.

[Adobe]

The flight was long and hard, and Ionuth's wing burned with his desire to win. Further, harder, the bronze pushed himself, knowing if he were going to win, he'd have to be at the front. Other dragons may have tired and fell out of the race, but Io didn't notice. All he could notice before him was Torenth and Sheluth, the latter being what the bulk of his focus on. Then the bronze pulled ahead, to one side of Torenth. Ionuth looked over to the bronze breifly to notice that for the moment, they were equals.

Then the golden Sheluth slowed up, and Ionuth was ready to speed ahead with a tricky manuver to steal her away from Torenth. However, the queen edged to Torenth, and for a moment Ionuth had thought he lost. The bronze hovered in the air for a second, his loss was a shock (at least to Ionuth who had won his flights for some time now... he had a big ego at this time, you see...) and then a very peculiar thing happened. Sheluth picked him.

On the ground, J'var might have thought he too lost, if he were in the right state of mind. For now he echoed his dragon and looked at Neory, who touched R'net so tenderly a deep jealousy blossomed in his chest. Then, in a moment's time, Neory was his, and he didn't feel the least bit bad about sweeping Neory away with a desperate need and a touch of tenderness to his lips.

I would never let you fall, beautious Sheluth. I am yours to command! Not that he hadn't always been hers to command. The bronze twirled around her and moved into position to intertwine their necks and tails. He crooned to her softly as they started their slow descent.

[Zenniel]

I won![/b] Came Brennanth's triumphant bugle as he spiraled through the air. No, he had not won the wondrous queen dragon that sank below him with a bronze entwined with her. He had 'won' the flight because he had stayed with the queen. B'oone didn't feel the same happiness that coursed through Brennanth, but B'oone did feel light-hearted. He knew Brennanth would have never caught Sheluth, even if she had invited him to. He knew Brennanth was too afraid of B'oone becoming Weyrleader.

I stayed with you, my wondrous queen![/b] Brennanth bugled out to the world, even though he knew Sheluth and her mate were no longer listening. I now know that I can fly just as long and hard as any Bronze! I am Brennanth![/b] His name came out with a gigantic bellow louder than any he had ever emitted. He spiraled back to the Weyr. He was worn out, but he was happy, and happiness lent to his adrenaline. He would make it home, and he would be happy.

B'oone stood there blinking for at least three seconds before shrugging. He knew Brennanth wouldn't have won, but he knew why Brennanth was happy. He laughed, then walked back to his Weyr.