From: Bianca Payne <biancaknox@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Date: Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:00 pm
Subject: [DL-N] Life as a Dragonrider Trainee
Day 8, Midday
Cherry sat on the ground, cross-legged, her skirts in a careless heap
around her, petting the end of Kaanette's violet tail as she listened
to the young rider tell them about all the stuff they needed to know
now that they were riders and not searchlings anymore. Some of it
didn't quite apply to her.
"By tonight, we'll have all of you moved out of the Searchling
barracks and into the Training barracks, so after the feast tonight,
don't forget where your new quarters are. Next to the Training
barracks is the cave for the new Hatchlings to stay. You will be
responsible for the care and upkeep of your dragon, but we are here to
help you if you have questions." He paused just long enough to look
each of the new Trainees in the eye before continuing with his
instructions.
"Don't, I repeat, don't try to sneak your dragon into your room.
They grow very fast, and the rooms will not be big enough. You will be
staying in the Training barracks until your dragon is big enough to
carry you in flight. Then you will be allowed to choose one of the
upper level apartments."
Cherry glanced upwards at the walls of the warren, seeing the multitude
of ledges, and the occasional dragon lying on them in the sun****ne.
There were a lot of empty ledges, though. She realized for the first
time that most of them were inaccessible from the ground. Only by
flying up to them could a rider reach his apartment. Her second thought
was to hope none of her fellow Trainees were sleepwalkers.
"...some of you have been here for a while and know how things work.
I'll expect you to help out the ones who are newly arrived. Crafts
and goods are mostly bartered for, though sometimes coin is used. As
dragonriders, you will have access to the warren stores for any good
you need. B'eric has an office near the storerooms, and you go see
him if you need anything. He'll help you find it, and he keeps a
record of everything for accounting purposes. This is a privilege so
don't abuse it."
Her eyes turned automatically towards the fair-sized cave entrance
where a couple of Homeguards stood on watch outside. A small building
was situated nearby, undoubtedly B'eric's office.
"...a small monthly stipend of these barter chits...", he held up
the small thin oval of stamped brass, "...for other items that you
can use amongst the registered craftsmen if you need or want to buy
something from them. You won't receive the monthly stipend until you
finish your training and are assigned to a position here in the warren.
You will however be fitted and provided with two sets of riding
leathers, and one outfit for formal occasions when the Warren is
hosting im****tant guests. Take care of them, and see to it that you
make regular visits to the laundry."
"All of you will be expected to make a stop by the medical center in
the next couple of days for a check up. Ladies, you'll also be
provided with information at that time that will help you with some of
the side effects of warren life. There's nothing wrong or unnatural
about it, despite what you may have been taught. It's very natural
actually, but it's also best to understand now that adult female
dragons will fly to mate from time to time, and there are consequences
when it happens. Some of them are preventable. That doesn't mean you
young men get off easy, though. Regular health checkups will be
required, and you'll have your own preventative measures to take."
Cherry couldn't help smile as Jocko flushed a little pink, though she
could sense a hint of displeasure at her behavior from her dragon.
"Hygene is very im****tant of course. The training barracks is
equipped with privies, but you'll need to use the communal bathhouse
for wa****ng up. Be aware that the bathhouse is open to both ***es,
rather than divided as it was in the Searchling barracks. If you're
shy, I suggest you get over it, or start bathing really, really early
in the morning."
A couple of the girls bit their lips at this bit of news, and one
looked almost horrified by the thought.
"Now about your dragons. Tomorrow morning, you are to re****t with
your dragon on the Green for lessons in properly oiling. I can't
stress how im****tant that is, especially when they are newly hatched
and growing. Until they get a bit older and can feed themselves,
you'll have to see to it that they are kept fed and provided fresh
water. You'll also be told at that time what they can and can't
eat, and what you can expect from them as they grow. Guys, so you know,
it's highly likely that your dragon will abbreviate your name with
some sort of contraction. We're not sure why the tend to do that to
the males, but you might as well expect it to happen and once it does,
you can't talk them out of it."
"Know now that even when your dragon is big enough to fly, and you
move into your new apartment, you will still be in training. Once the
dragons are old enough to fly, they begin training for patrols and for
combat. Make no mistake, our duty as riders is to defend our warren and
the lands under our protection. Queens do not usually participate in
combat, but Lily will be included in the lessons so that she can learn
what to expect, and how the warren wings function as combat units."
Cherry glanced at the large black hatchling and the red-headed girl
sitting beside her.
"Besides these lessons, you'll be required to do a short interview
with a couple riders to tell us what your skills are, if you can read,
write, and figure basic calculations, languages you speak, and details
about your background so that we can better help you to adjust to
warren life, and determine what kind of positions you'd be best
suited for."
"Alright, that's the basics for now. It looks like the dragons are
getting hungry again. Let's see about feeding them."
Cherry heaved a sigh and looked at her beautiful violet colored dragon
with her little yellow belly that was still bulging a bit from her
earlier meal.
[Yes.] Kaanette responded gently to the unanswered question.
Cherry heaved herself to her feet and went to grab more buckets of
meat.
Respectfully submitted by:
Cherry and Kaanette
Aka Bianca Payne
Summary:
Day8, Midday
Cherry listens to a rider give details about her new life and what to
expect.
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