The Weyrlingmaster concluded his lecture and the weyrlings bustled out the double-doors in a flurry of excitement and relief. Another class on weyr and dragonrider history when all they really wanted to do was learn about flight!

The mysteries of aerodynamics and the terrifying thought of between preyed on all their minds, but it wouldn't be until the next sevenday that they would begin to learn about such things.

And Al'rio for one, couldn't wait.

Nabaleth waited patiently for his young rider to return to their quarters at the weyrling barracks, his mind full of ideas. Al'rio's desires to be airborne were mirrored in the brown's - and he had the wings to prove it.

I'm gonna try it, Nabaleth said when Al'rio returned.

The young man raised a sceptical eyebrow. "Try what?"

Fly!

Uhoh. "No, you're not," he said sternly. Wishes and desires were one thing, going against the Weyrlingmaster - and common sense - were another entirely.

Nabaleth lowered his head, eyes whirling yellowish. Why not? he asked a little sulkily.

Al'rio glared for an answer.

The brown sighed hugely and turned around on his dragon-cot. Ok, so maybe he wouldn't fly today. Maybe not tomorrow. But one day...