He was growing just as fast as the rest of the weyrlings, but it seemed that Oryudioth was getting even bigger by the day. His wings were huge and visibly-muscled, the thin membranes stronger than they appeared. Indeed, it was those membranes that allowed the bronze dragon to fly. And fly they did.

"WAHOO!" Q'leyne screamed, holding up both arms and almost falling to his death.

Ley! Don't do that! You'll fall!

You won't let me fall, the boy replied confidently.

Oryudioth grumbled, then chuckled at his outspoken young rider. I like you, he said suddenly.

Q'leyne laughed. Well, good. I like you too.

They had been flying for about two sevendays and though the lessons continued, most of the class felt confident enough to request free-flight sessions with no supervision. Today the Weyrlingmaster had granted the bronze pair just such a request, and it was wondrous.

Flying circles around the Weyrbowl or trying different wing and tail positions was one thing, but being given the freedom to go outside the Weyr - wherever you wanted, as high as you wanted, as fast as you wanted - it was something else.

When are we due back? the bronze asked as they passed a bluff to their left.

Q'leyne checked the position of the partially-cloud-obscured sun, and replied, We should turn back in about a candlemark.

Oryo nodded mentally. Would you like to find that cove that Nshetanth's rider mentioned?

The bronzerider recalled speaking with K'bryn and thought he could remember the directions - wasn't that the bluff he mentioned that they'd just past? They could try. If they got lost, they could always between it back to the Weyr. They'd only just learnt to between and Q'leyne wasn't entirely comfortable with it, but he knew they did it well. Sure, let's have a go.

Which way, then, Sir Dragonrider?

He laughed. Towards the setting sun, my Great Bronze Beast!

Yes, Sir!