< Sarilyn and Lunath - Training Class >

  Sarilyn listened to H'lie answer her somewhat humerously put question
and mentally thanked the rider for not making fun of how she'd phrased it.

> Your dragons know all of these things instinctively...  We, however, don't,
> and when we get into Wraith combat, what you don't know can -- and will --
> kill you and your dragon.  That's why we talk about it some before you get
> into the air."

  Her thoughts, trying to concentrate on absorbing all that the trainer
said, were cut short by the words 'kill you and your dragon', and she went
totally white.  This brought an alarmed rumble from Lunath, and ended up
getting her dragonhugged by a rather prehensile tail.

  << Are you all right?  You're shaking!  I won't let anything happen to
you, dear.  This is why we are both learning this stuff, remember? >>

  Sarilyn hugged her dear blue and sighed.  Being a rider was more than
she'd thought it was going to be.  She only hoped she could *remember* it
all.  And stay alive to do it.
 
> H'lie stared hard at each of them in turn, eyes deadly serious.  "Some of
> you may not normally ride with the combat wing, but even those who don't --
> like S'dan -- have to know these things.  When you work as a courier -- or
> Searcher, if you've the talent -- you may find yourself surrounded by
> wraiths, or may be in a position to eliminate a few to save some of the
> people of the Plateau.  Things happen."

  Sarilyn started to ask yet another question, and decided against it.
She'd talk to H'lie later, maybe.

> "Um... sir?"  Iralyn spoke up.  "If it's so hard, how do we --"
> 
> The girl stumbled to a stop, biting her lip.
> 
> H'lie smiled, and the tension relaxed.  "It's not quite as bad as all that,
> friends.  You will have daily practice with the wing, which will do more
> than anything to help you with it, but there are some simple things that
> you can learn now to make riding with the wing that much easier... for now,
> we'll start with knowing which way is up..."

  Sarilyn beat Billy to the punch, and gestured with her index
finger...pointing up.  Then giggled softly, some of the tension gone.

> At the end of the session, H'lie handed out books on wraith-fighting
> tactics.  They were mostly pictorial, though not completely, and those who
> didn't know how to read were assigned evening class to learn the skill.
> 
> Several of the younger riders complained but H'lie refused to listen.
> 
> "Rhiannon insists that we all learn the skill.  It's a useful thing to
> have.  Which reminds me -- we have a few master-level teachers from the
> university in Eos here who teach classes on all manner of things.  Feel
> free to take advantage of the chance to learn.  Their schedules are posted
> outside the schoolrooms...  I want all of you to have read the first
> chapter by tomorrow...  No excuses!  Now take the rest of the afternoon off
> and have some fun!"

  Sarilyn took her book, and headed for the nearest bench.  Lunath plopped
next to her, placing her head near Sarilyn's lap.

  Opening the book, Sarilyn was overwhelmed at all of the formations,
details, and 'rules and regs' of wraith fighting.  Shaking her head, she
sighed, and started to read.  Fun wasn't on the agenda, learning was.
She'd find something to do later, maybe.

  Then her thoughts strayed, and she found herself wondering if any of the
tactics on swordplay and self defense she'd learned from her father would
be of any use here?  Leaning against Lunath, she fingered the ring she
wore...the one from her father.  She wondered if he was all right, and
found herself missing him.  There was so much unsaid.

[Tag:  Billy?  H'lie ]

===========================================================================

Jeanette
Sarilyn/Lunath * Xylian
Ashelle/Oaklah-to-be * Whiteriver



> Everyone -- Please send me'n'Kris updated versions of your BIOs.  I'll send
> out a new BIO list.  Also, send me copies of your NPCs and such so I can
> reconstruct the NPC lists too :)

  *blush*  Umm...Jill?  I deleted mine.  Can you please re-send my Bio for
Sarilyn as well as my NPC stuff to me so I can update them accordingly?
Thanks!

  Jill..I don't know how to get the conversation going with H'lie.  Help?



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