Brush with the Holdless

Perhaps I am a bit discriminating...
I'm not supposed to be. I'm a Harper but I can't help it.
There I was, with Alonzo and my newest Pepper (AKA Peppi-kins) giving alms to the holdless. They stole a bucket from my wagon. They tried to take everything I had. Perhaps Alonzo scared them. he does look vicious. With two Fire-lizards, I do look protected. I could always send one back to my parents and another in Harper's Hall for help.
The point is, they are unruly, undisciplined and ungroomed!!!
Perhaps it's because of the lack of education. Harpers and lessons are hard to come by and even if one gets sen their way, the Harper's Hall don't usually send adequate Harpers. One Harper for seventy children of different ages. How can they learn?
Why don't the parents discipline them and teach them something besides getting even, stealing and tricking people?

Who is to blame?

Is it the parents who teach their young bad things or teach nothing at all?
Is it Harpers Hall who fail to supply enough Harpers to the holdless? Because they favor the Major Holds and Weyr first before Holdless and small Holds.
Is it the Lord Holders'? They should have taken steps for the holdless and the family of the Shunned.
Is it the Dragonriders? They always hold themselves aloof to these people and their reality.

Dragon's Fire

Pages from the 2nd Interval, 483 After Landing

Conversations/Scenes coming from Master Harper Zist, Ex-dragonrider Mikal and 3 year old mute, Pellar.

Mikal placed three pots of paint down in between himself and Pellar. He raised his still-upright finger somehwat higher, arched his eyebrow, and made his finger dive into one of the open pots as if it were the head and neck of a flying creature. Pellar smiled and his eyes danced at the ex-dragonrider's antics. Mikal's finger zoomed out of the pot with a small dab of yellow paint. Still holding his finger upright, Mikal nodded encouragingly to Pellar.
Pellar smiled and raised the same finger on his own hand. Mikal nodded again. Gleefully, Pellar thrust his finger into a different pot and zoomed it up again, his finger bright with thick red paint.
Silently, Mikal ran his finger over the ground, leaving a yellow snake on the white stone floor. With a grin, Mikal rubbed his red tipped finger over the part of the yellow snake, creating an orange blob. Pellar saw the color change and, with little encouragement from Mikal, picked up a trace of Mikal’s yellow and rubbed it on his red snake to create a duplicate orange spot.

“Can you draw me a picture of yourself?” Mikal asked. “Use any color.”
Inspired, Pellar produced a multicolored self-portrait in the way of all those who were only three years old back on the long-forgotten Earth would have done—complete with arms sticking out of heads. The mouth in the big round head was upturned and smiling.
“Great! Could you draw me, too?” Mikal asked.
Pellar happily complied.
“I see my mouth is pointing down,” Mikal remarked of the finished drawing. “Are you saying I’m sad?”
Pellar nodded.
“Why is that?” Mikal asked. In response, Pellar combined all three color onto one finger tip and drew a brown shape—a long sinewy line crossed by another gull-shaped line.
“Zist, get in here!” Mikal called. Harper Zist traced inside, looking back and forth from Pellar to Mikal. “Did you tell him I was a dragonrider?”
“It may have come out,” Zist Admitted.
“Did you tell him the color of my dragon?” Mikal pointed to one drawing.
“No. I don’t think so,” Zist said, examining the drawing himself. “Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever knew myself.”
“Mmm,” Mikal grunted. He looked at Pellar and pointed at the drawing. “Is that my dragon?”
Pellar nodded, eyes sad.
“How did you know what color to paint it?” Mikal asked.
Pellar raised a paint-covered finger and gently pointed at Mikal’s eyes.

Firestone

I never knew Firestone was so hard to mine. It's the strangest mineral I've ever encountered. If this phospine bearing rock meets a spark of contacts with water, it explodes. Strange mineral.

Only the shunned people mine firestone. It's is very hard to mine and very dangerous.

In the 2nd interval, there is only one firestone mine left on Pern. Until Miner Cristov, High Reaches Wingleader D'vin, Harper Kindan, Harper Pellar and Halla found a new type of Firestone. it was the Firestone where the Fire-lizard got their name from. It was not the highly volatile rock that hurts the dragon's throat.

This mineral is found near shorelines. The sea probably turned it blue-greenish in color. The dragons must take time to chew but it sustains a longer flame.

Make your own Klah!

How to make your own Earth-Brew Klah.

in a Mug of Hot water, add the following:

1/4 teaspoon coffee
Dunk a bag of Tea (Preferably English breakfast)
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup or powder
A dash of Cinnamon
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Stir... then enjoy while warm!

• 
  
  Klah is the drink the Pernese drink when the coffee reserves were no more. it is high in caffeine and gives the same effect as cooffee and tea.


• 
  
  It is polite to offer Klah to visitors.

Image from www.1clipart.com

Are There Dinosaurs in Pern?

Makes me wonder, are there ancient beasts in Pern? The Fire-Lizards do look like dinosaurs flying. Or for people originating from Earth, that is. Are there ancient beasts who once roamed the world of the dragons?

The Dragons and Watch-whers are bio-engineered. Felines, runner beasts, herd beasts and canines were brought by the colonist. Were there creatures that failed to evolve and died out? Are there evidences left? Or did Thread eat all of the evidences?

It just makes me wonder...

Image from: http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/sc/081403dinosfossils/im:/070719/ids_photos_ts/r3324204384.jpg;_ylt=AmEX_1KqIG7ktw47EODwXolsaMYA

6 toes plus 4 toes is to 10!

I noticed something Unusual in Alonzo. Different from the other Fire-Lizards. Alonzo has 6 claws in front and 4 only in his hind legs. Weird.

Then again, I know my Lonzo is a special lamby.

He was very sweet the other night. Curling up to me leg and begging for a head stratch. Wonder what got into him. Maybe he did something wrong. Perhaps I better see if something was amiss in the kitchen...

Harper Me

Clothing in Pern are have variety. Women are not constrained to wearing skirts and gowns all the time. Though there is a Medieval feel to the world, it actually is not. Thanks to Dragonrider culture, it is not uncommon for women to be in tunics and trousers. For me, I love dresses and skirts. Makes me all girly. Of course, on the road, I stick to trousers of hoses. It makes everything easier.

I'm glad for the AIVAS Technology. The technicians were able to supply Weavers Hall a compendium of patterns in which clothes can efficiantly be made.

Now, Collars are decorating necklines and cuts are more flattering. Even Alonzo agrees.

Benden Hold and Weyr

Contrary to popular belief, Benden Weyr was not established by Admiral Paul Benden.

The creater to be known as the 2nd Weyr was discovered by Goldrider Torene Ostrovsky. Following the death of 3 queens who fought during a mating flight, Sorka and Sean Connel realized Fort Weyr was indeed getting too crowded. With a handful of friends, Torene was given permission to go to the site and establish it. The condition for Weyrwoman and her Weyrleader was that the first queen to fly would be Weyrwoman and the dragon who flies, its rider comes Weyrleader thus tradition started.

Later, the wine growers of Iyrne Isle went to establish themselves at the North Continent and stayed at what was now Benden Weyr. Thus, the good wines cam from Benden.

During one of Lord Jaxom's visit, he and young F'lessan encountered a secret laboratory near the hatching ground. It was later found out that this room was used to create a cure for dragon plague. This room was done during M'hall's time by Emora, Wind Blossom's daughter. Two sick Fire-Lizards journeyed to 50 years after Landing and were discovered that dragons can get sick of the Plague too. Emora and her team made sure that equipments and manuals were stored in Benden Weyr so that the dragons could be saved. Emora, as head of the College (Harper's Hall) made the drum sequence like the PNA sequence of Dragons' blood. At the Third Pass, Lorana, Harper Kindan and the rest who were desperate to save the dragons were able to create the cure and save the dragons.

Trivia:

• Admiral Paul Benden is the leader of the colonists who came to Pern. he was the hero of the Nathi wars and wished to live a peaceful life after the long battles. he did have a short love encounter with Avril Bitra during the flight to Pern but he married Ju Adjai. His descendant rule Fort.
• Mihall Connel of M'hall to the dragons was the son of Sean and Sorka. He was first Weyrleader of Benden.
• Torene Ostrovsky's parents were geologists. That was why she was able to assess Benden Weyr as a good site. Her queen Alaranth is the first queen of Benden.
• By the 9th Pass, Benden Weyr leads most of the other Weyrs. F'lar, Mnementh's rider, made sure to unify the Weyrs even if they are autonomous to Holds.
• Lorana might be F'lar's ancestress.

To The Sun

The Sun is called Rukbat. It is a G Type Star in the Sagitarrian Sector.

Here is my little Alonzo flying above the cliffs. I should get myself a new assignment. Alonzo is getting restless and so am I. Pern is a big planet to discover and there are more adventures waiting.

Back in Fort

This is Fort Hold. Although this picture was drawn during the 6th Pass.

(Picture from Nerilka Book)

Fort is the Largest and Oldest Hold made in the North. It was established by Admiral Paul Benden and Governor Boll. After fleeing the South, they established a unified stronghold in the North beside a crater to be known as Fort Weyr.

Harpers Hall was beside it and it was known at the College. Soon, it separated into Harpers Hall and the Healers Hall.

At present, Lord Groghe and his numerous sons hold Fort. N'ton is the Weyrleader of Fort Weyr. MasterHarper Sebell is Master Harper of Harpers Hall and Master Oldive is Master Healer of Healers Hall.

Facts and Trivia: Admiral Benden did not establish Benden Weyr or Hold. He was fond of wine and had a vineyard in the South but the wine growers of Irne Island were the ones who moved to establish Benden Hold. Benden Weyr was established by Weyrwoman Torene as the second Weyr. Sorka and Sean Connel's Son M'hall became Weyrleader. It was here that the tradition of queen being flown started.

Mating Season

Blindy seems to be clutching. Alonzo is chasing every gold and green he can find. Even Blindy! He went back to Tillek after her. Oh, Alonzo!

My sis is running around after the pair. She wants to protect her precious Blindy (She's her Fire-Lizard) while making sure Alonzo is Ok.


Alonzo and I are distant ever time its mating season. H's after the next flying thing his way. He is also a bit distracted. He'll come around. I hope.

I love you, Alonzo.

Dragon Fighting Thread with His Rider

The Smallest Dragonboy

Before he became Weyrleader K'van of Southern Weyr, he was Keevan of Benden Weyr. A Weyrbred lad minded by his foster mother Mende. His father is Brownrider K'last. Keevan wanted to become like his father. K'last was a well respected brownrider and he was tall too. Something Keevan was not. He was small for a 12 year old and barely made it to become a weyrling.

Beterli, a bully who's been to 8 hatching and never impressed put too much pressure on the boy. Bullied him to the point of breaking his legs and head. Poor Keevan. Hatching time and he was bedridden. This was the most devastating day of his life. Beterli was sent away of course because that was not an attitude for the Weyr.

Keevan knew in his guts he had to impress this hatching. he had to prove himself. He needed a friend who would love him unconditionally and be his companion for life. He hobbled to the hatching ground with bandaged head and hurting splint leg but he made it. When he got to the hatching ground, all dragons were out of thier shell and he felt too late.

Lessa and F'lar shook their heads. 40 eggs but 39 impressed. The last bronze didn't want any of the 70 candidates present. He was looking for someone, someone in the shadows. It Keevan or now K'van. He was found by Heth.

Later, we find the pair rescuing Aramina in The Girl Who Heard Dragons and Renegades of Pern. K'van became Weyrleader of Southern at 19 years old, the youngest in record.

How dragons choose, nobody knows. It certainly not the way Kitti Ping and Wind Blossom tried to make them. It was something innate and developed within the species. Anyone could impress a Fire-Lizard. Watch-Whers can be tricky to impress but they can change people to look to. Dragons are meant for their riders and the riders and the dragon become one. They develop certain similarities and take on a human voice.

Ruth

no, not a bible character

no, not a she either. Ruth is a male, a male dragon to be precise.

Ruth is the only white dragon ever in Anne's World. Apart from Ramoth, Ruth is the most important dragon in all of Pern. Ramoth is the largest and Ruth, the smallest but he has his role.

Ruth is from Ramoth's clutch. He was the last to be hatched. If fact, he was not supposed to be hatched. It seems Ruth's egg condition was not uncommon. What was uncommon is for a Lord holder to smash the egg and release Ruth. Small dragons died when they don't come out of the shell. It seems that Ruth was suffocated thus turned him small and white.

But according to N'ton, he is the combination of all colors.

The Boy and his Dragon

It was that eventful day in the Hatching ground when young Lord Jaxom smashed the last remaining egg when it stopped rocking. Ingrained in his head a respect for dragon riders, Jaxom wanted to save the dragon. He got impressed instead.

So, is the dragon the man and the man the dragon? Ruth was smashed out of his shell and Jaxom ripped from his dead mother's womb. They have an incredible bond and they can relate to each other.

Politics and Ruth

Lessa abdicated her right to Jaxom and she made sure Felessan was Weyrbred. She ensured Jaxom will continue the Ruathan Blood Line. When he impressed, there was trouble. Was he to remain in Benden? Was he to go to Fort since Ruatha is beholden to Fort Weyr? How was he to remain Lord Holder?

It was Lord Warder Lytol who made sure Jaxom stay to become Lord of Ruatha. It seems Ruth was just a sport dragon and would probably die and who better to help Jaxom through it that Lord Lytol himself who lost is beloved Brown Larth. So Ruth was allowed to be raised and Jaxom continue to be Lord Holder.

Years later, Ruth won't die and he proved to be the most valuable dragon.

Ruth's Skills

• 
  
  He always knows When he is.


• 
  
  Being small, he is agile. (A head bigger than a runner beat but good proportions)


• 
  
  All Fire-Lizards seems to be attracted to him and they tell him anything and everything.


• 
  
  He has no trouble talking to people and is not very possessive. (Jaxom is not too possessive of him either)

Ruth and his Conquests

Ruth has significant roles and a lot of small ones too of course. His significant roles changed Pern forever. Because of his abilities, he was able to silence his critiques.

• 
  
  In White Dragon, he saved Ramoth's egg and prevented a dragon against dragon fight.


• 
  
  He was able to locate D'ram 25 years back in Southern.


• 
  
  Although Jancis and Piemur discovered the Admin building where AIVAS was, it was Ruth and Jaxom who found the Landing site.


• 
  
  In All the Wyer's of Pern, he led two groups back in time and into the Red Star to blow it out of orbit.