Seharia allowed the sobs to rack her thin frame, which had grown thinner in the past few sevendays, as she leaned up against Felathith's golden hide. She hadn't eaten, and had trouble sleeping, not to mention that she seemed to be crying all the time. She had a good excuse, though.

S'zal's bronze Sernath had caught the golden Rayeth at Ocean Side Weyr a few sevendays before. Seharia had been convinced that she loved him and that he loved her; in fact, they had probably been days away from Weyrmating when he received notice that Rayeth was flying, and had only one suitor. S'zal and his bronze Sernath had been the only bronze at Tarizal that wasn't either chasing or already had a mate at another Weyr. He'd gone reluctantly. And, of course, Sernath had been victorious.

Do not worry, Felathith said, her normally green-blue eyes now purple with worry. I am here and you are here... And there are plenty of other bronzeriders for you and many other bronzes for me. Did you not say that you liked N'ral? He rides a bronze!

"It's not the same," She sobbed, her knees drawn up to her tear-streaked face. "Not nearly the same. I guess that dragons don't really understand all of that, though."

Not really. Felathith lowered her head and nuzzled Seharia softly. Do not worry, rider-mine... Sernath flies strong.

Seharia looked up at Felathith. "And that would matter why?" She asked, wiping a tear away from her streaked face. Felathith said nothing.




"Good old Cincanta," Seharia sighed as she slid down off of Felathith's back. "I can't believe that it's been almost a Turn... And now we're Weyrwoman Seconds, eh?"

Felathith didn't answer, simply growled. "Lath, what's wrong?" Seharia asked the gold curiously, when suddenly it clicked deep in her mind. Felathith had been getting brighter for the past sevenday or so, and more grumpy. Seharia had just supposed it to be a reflection of her grumpieness, but it was obviously much more. Felathith was going to rise!

With a cry, Seharia bolted down to the feeding grounds of Cincanta. No wonder Felathith had wanted to visit... She'd wanted to fly at Cincanta! But more than the realization of that, Seharia felt a stronger realization and force come over her. "BLOOD IT, FELATHITH!" She shoutded. "BLOOD IT ONLY!"

And with a roar, Felathith lowered her head to drink the blood from the neck of the wherry...