D'nar sighed leaning over his dragon's shoulder to see the landscape below. From their height Darkling Dawn seemed only a tiny speck. D'nar leaned back again as his bronze Zorkrath continued to spiral down. I don't see why you insist on Weyr hopping like this, Zorkrath. the bronze rider thought to his dragon, the wind too strong for him to speak. There are no suitable females at home the dragon said matter-of-factly. Zorkrath, do we really need to sign up again! We've already lost two flights! I know. But you always said 'third times the charm'. Right? D'nar couldn't help but smile at his dragon's confidence. D'nar's pride had taken hard blows from the previous failers. Though he would never let Zorkrath know his feelings. D'nar leapt to the ground, Zorkrath gracefully glided to the feeding grounds to inspect (from a safe distance) the local females. D'nar was hungry and thirsty so he made his way to the lower caverns. He introduced himself to the head woman with a low bow. She rewarded him with a plate of meat rolls and a tall mug of klah. As he made his way to a chair next to a large hearth. He heard a soft voice singing. D'nar spotted the singer on the other side of the room in the middle of a small crowd. The whole group sat in silence listening to her sing. D'nar watched too, quietly nibbling his rolls. His trained ear was well pleased at the quality of her voice. She was most definately Harper trained. By the time her song ended he had finished his meat rolls and nearly all of his klah. Quickly he gulped the last of his drink and strode over to the group. "You have a fine voice, my lady," he said with a bow. "Thank you," she said, politely accepting his complement. "Would you mind if I joined you?" he asked. She motioned to the seat next to her. He took it and borrowed a guitar from one of the crowd. He struck an opening cord and glanced at the woman to see if she knew the song. She did and began singing. D'nar accompanied her with the guitar and humming softly, still listening. He couldn't help but notice that she was quite pretty with honey colored hair neatly back in a braid; large beautiful green eyes and fair skin, freckles dotting her nose and cheeks. After the song, he asked her her name. "Aisling," she answered. "Rider of Gold Varnith." D'nar stayed and talked with her for nearly a mark and a half on the candle before he remembered Zorkrath. I have found a female. The bronze said slyly. Who? D'nar asked mentally. A gold by the name of Varnith. D'nar smiled. That's why you've been so quiet. Trying to set me up, are you? D'nar! the bronze exclaimed with a mock hurt tone. How could you think such a thing of me! The man just laughed.

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