The Wall, II

Western Weyr - Weyrling Training Field
Near the tall black eastern wall of the crater is a cleared field. The earth there has been churned many times over by the landings and take offs of young dragons and only a few patches of grass cling to life in this active area. Wooden props and markers used to assist the weyrlings as they learn the precise manuvers required for the rescue and protection work that Western Weyr is famous for, litter the training field. Close to the rimwall, in the east where the sun is usually shaded is a large wooden slat barracks for the weyrlings to live in. Tropical trees and shrubs have been allowed to grow here, perfuming the air with a floral scent.
Electric lights light the entrances as those on night duty come out to take over, moving quietly in the night so as not to disturb those sleeping about the Weyr.Summer is upon the Western Isles, longer days and shorter nights making for a restless feeling that seems to invade every resident and urge them towards the beaches. The wall. It looms as it has for some time now and the piles of sandbags lay over there smirking like sandbags do. Lissi is grinning as she waits and studies over the instructions on her clipboard, ready for the weyrlings who can to show up for class.


Iris and Shadhavarth arrive on time, both alert and energized and looking ready to go at the wall eagerly. The weyrling salutes Lissi and drops her arm so she can scritch Shadhavarth's neckridges while they await directions.

Lissi smiles at the pair and then nods as a green pair joins them, followed by a blue, "ALright then, this will be familiar in part.." and she gestures to the wall. "HOwever, this time you'll be working with your dragon to move the sand in a different way. You'll load up a bag and then mount, ride to the wall, dismount, put it in place, and run back.." she says. "I'd recommend only mounting to carry the bags TO tha wall, while ya'll get used ta the feel of it and so ya dun wear out yer lil dragons and yerselves. You'll be timed to set a starting place and as you get better you can post new times and there might be a lil prize fer the fastest pair." A pause. "Now, tha patterns are the same but on a smaller scale since ya will be doin them individually, and there's young ones out there ta time ya sa pick one and get started!" she says, then nods toward a group of tween-aged weyrbrats waiting to help the weyrlings.

Off they move towards the pile of sandbags, Shadhavarth practically bounding with feline grace and energy, Iris scampering behind. In short order Iris hefts a sandbag up, loads, and mounts up. She's no sooner settled into place when Shadhavarth is scurrying to the wall and helping her unceremoniously dismount by stopping abruptly. The sandbag is settled into place, Iris is remounted and the gold dragonet is rushing back to the sandbags to repeat the process over again.

Lissi grins and watches the goldie get started then the blue has some trouble and she steps over to help with the straps, "There now..get moving, Iris has ya beat.." she says with a wink. "Make sure they are careful and dun toss em too much or sling themselves around, they can strain a muscle or get unbalanced and throw you off.." she instructs.
Shadhavarth has no intention of straining muscles; she's a compact little gold; she's been building these muscles since she took her first steps. After that first abrupt halt that tossed Iris so unceremoniously, the weyrling has been encouraging the gold to be more graceful and careful and as they get close to completing the task, the movements become more natural- as natural as they can be for two such newbies to mounted movement.

Lissi tries to encourage all the pairs though her attention reverts to the gold more often than not, she is after a gold, and under a bit more scrutiny or perhaps more in the spotlight. "You can try this again as often as you wish as long as there's a day in between.. and post yer times.." she reminds them.

Iris and Shadhavarth finally finish their stack of sandbags and when it is done the gold pair is noticeably tired, but pleased with their performance. With the exercise completed, they take their leave to stretch out muscles and replensih energy with a nice swim and oiling.

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