Line in the Sand (Shayna) [21.12.1164]

[kendrall]

M'riel led Shayna out of the cavern, relying on the glowlamp to guide their way out of the inner chamber and back into the passageway. It was growing colder, and the Weyrleader stopped long enough to help his weyrmate with her coat. Once she was ready to proceed, the two humans and their dragons continued their progress back towards the entrance, the ground and walls still covered in frost. M'riel waited for Josiath to lower herself so he could help Shayna mount up, then he himself mounted up on Oreath after securing the glowlamp. Outside the stars sparkled like distant jewels, and both moons were starting to set. There was still ample light for everyone to see, yet the former Guardsman knew there wasn't much time until daybreak approached.

"Let's fly, Oreath. Bounce us Between so we can shorten this trip back home," M'riel instructed, and the Bronze crooned in response. Follow me, Lady Josiath,[/i][/color] Oreath encouraged his golden mate as he started to run towards the shoreline, stretching his wings and leaping into the air, gaining altitude. Once airborne, the Bronze waited for his mate to form up, and upon a silent agreement would both dragons wink Between, only to reappear a short distance from the island that was their home. Oreath led Josiath up and over the rising cliffs and plateau, and finally started a gradual descent towards their familiar stone perch. The Bronze landed first, then made room for the Senior Queen just as M'riel unfastened his safety straps and jumped down from his dragon's back, crouching as he landed. He wanted to help Shayna down, and once she was safely on the ground he gave his weyrmate a kiss on her lips. "I'm glad we got to know each other a little more, Shay," he said softly. "I'm also glad we managed to work things out between us."

[sorra]

Shayna glanced back at the cavern as they reached the entrance way. She was going to miss it. It had been a wonderful place and so special now. She turned to let M'riel help her into her jacket and quickly did it up before pulling her gloves on and flipping her hood up. "I'm gonna miss it here. It's so pretty," she whispered. She hoped maybe they could come back sometime soon.

Josiath knelt down to allow Shayna on easier. The gold rider winced slightly, knowing she wouldn't be getting back on a dragon anytime soon. I will be right behind you, Josiath told her mate as she followed him up into the air. Shayna was shivering by the time they came out of between. She rubbed her arms in hopes of warming herself up before sliding down into M'riel's waiting arms. She smiled and snuggled against him. "It was nice. I'm glad Jo made it so you had to wait," she said, kissing his chin. "Yes, I don't like arguing with anyone."

[kendrall]

M'riel grinned, then undid the cargo straps on both dragons so he could set the packs over by the wall. They could wait until later in the morning for him to unpack. He then worked the riding straps off of Oreath and then Josiath, knowing he was probably the only person other than Shayna whom the Gold would even allow to come near, let alone touch. Once the riding straps were put away, he walked back over to his weyrmate and bent at the knees, then lifted her into his arms and carried her inside, letting the curtain drape over them as he passed through into their weyr. M'riel had to reluctantly set Shayna down onto her feet for a moment so he could get the fire going again in the fireplace, and once it was sufficiently warm enough he shucked his gloves and his coat, hanging them on a nearby peg. He offered to hang Shayna's coat next to his, and only then would he lift her back into his arms and carry her into their bedroom.

He had no plans of getting up at sunrise, and hopefully neither did she...

((Last post for you, Sorra, then end?))

[sorra]

Josiath remained still as M'riel took her straps off. Shayna smiled as she watched, thankful that her dragon wasn't minding M'riel doing it as she knew she couldn't at the moment. Josiath then moved over to curl up with her mate. Shayna gasped softly in surprise when M'riel picked her up, but soon snuggled against his chest. She knew he wouldn't let any harm come to her. The Weyrwoman took her gloves and jacket off after he sat her back on her feet again and allowed him to hang her things next to him. She chuckled softly as he picked her up again. It certainly beat walking at the moment and she definitely wasn't planning on getting up anytime soon. She wanted to snuggle with her mate a while longer and get some much needed sleep.

((END))