Above the Keep, Volume 12

Above the Keep - By Lorelai Silvermoon Volume 12

The Champion runs a hand back through his hair, moving the wind-splayed crimson from his eyes as he watches the new rider slide back down to solid footing. A few moments sees his own straps and restraints undone, and a light bound from the saddle to a hindleg to the cobbles returns him to the rooftop.

Leaving Thaylis in quiet conversation with Skyla for a few minutes, Cole strides over toward the inner wall, eyes set to the activity below. Removing a waterskin from its holding, a long drought is taken, and the rest is poured over his head to disperse some of the summer season's effects. His visage as he views the training of Templars and Champions below is a strange mix of pride and keen assessment, of both trainees and some of those newly raised to positions of trainer. A long beat of thought passes, and he turns back toward his fellows in this air corps.

A pause, and a short aside to a scholarly man in fine clothing and shining hair ... somehow reclined in a chair against a parapet, reading an old book, seemingly on the origins and techniques of sailors knotting:

"I see you're finding enjoyment in mornings off.."

"Oh indubitably, young master Cole ... most fascinating," comes the reply, a gesture with the tome.

"... I will take word on that ..." is all the Champion can then manage, chuckling quietly and shaking his head.

He smirks mirthfully at the large Pelarite's commentary, returning to Thaylis' side. Any questions of the brigadier illicit a thoughtful nodding as Cole listens quietly, before as calmly and easily understandable as one may be he finds answers not only of fact for him, but with reasoning as to the whys and hows.

As Thaylis secures himself into the saddle, the Champion takes a moment to confer with Skyla on how to progress from there, before swiftly retaking his place and resuming the flights.

Looking up to answer MJ and Tryphena, he shakes his head, "That will be some time yet before we put weapons to hand. Let him first learn to see and feel at home at the speeds of dragonback."

Finn and Fair'rinth alight onto the Keep to watch the proceedings and flights as Thaylis is introduced to the dragon rollercoaster. He watches mostly as Thaylis is put through the paces, answering specific questions when asked or pointing out specific things as they arise or if missed. He often takes a slightly different perspective only to supplement and further the how's and why's. Occasionally Finn and Fair'rinth may demonstrate a maneuver when needed, and only when it makes sense given he rides bareback which carries its differences from a saddle. It is a wonder how Finn is not thrown to his death, dashed against the ground below like an melon upon the pavement. The concepts carry however even if all of the technicals do not. There is no mistaking that there seems to be something unspoken there.

If asked, when there are lulls in the training, Finn talks of spending time when flying just listening to how the air moves and changes with Fair'rinth's movements, the differences in the sounds of her wings, the sounds of her in general, feeling the muscles flex and move and distort beneath him as her body shifts, finding and learning the subtleties of her, and how she has done the same for him. It is something born out of time as well as necessity and works for them.

In quieter times, Finn and Fair'ri can be seen perched along the eastern wall, often with Finn staring into the Forest, most often in the same direction as if looking right at something unseen.