25.Jan.21, 04:24 AM
She grinned. “Night runs were my favorite before I came to the Weyr. And the moss on the traces is a very different texture. Feels different, sounds different. You’d know if you went off, even in snow. The traces are always kept clear, too.”
Leading the way up and out of the Weyr, they made their way down the hold road. Her eyes scanned ahead and found the trace marker that only a Runner would recognize for what it was. Smiling, she turned off the road and gestured for D’nei to follow, pausing long enough to catch a breath and explain. “We just need to watch out for others and make sure we don’t damage the trace; the path. Traces are near sacred to Runners.” A part of her felt mildly guilty over using the traces when she was no longer Running messages, but with Rudi in his customary position, flying ahead and keeping watch, they’d be able to duck out of the way if anyone happened along. This particular trace was seldom used anyway, as it bypassed stations where most Runners preferred to stop and rest.
The rider’s blue glided easily above, and she waved at him. “He’s beautiful. And I don’t mind him at all. Another set of eyes is a bonus, anyway, if he’d oblige us to watch for any others. Though I think we’re probably alone on this stretch for miles.” She shortened her stride slightly, letting their pace slow a touch in order to make conversation easier, especially for the man who wasn’t entirely used to the intensity of running to which she had become accustomed.
“I’ve been running, here and elsewhere, for a while. I was part of the Runnercraft, apprenticed at fourteen.” Her voice took on a wistful note, thinking of her days in the Craft. It had been less than a turn since she left, but it seemed much longer. Tilting her head back over her shoulder, she laughed. “And I’ve gotten used to questions, honestly. Not many Weyrfolk know much about Runners. Not something anyone really deals with since dragons can go between before a Runner would hit their stride. How about you? Running a recent hobby?”
Leading the way up and out of the Weyr, they made their way down the hold road. Her eyes scanned ahead and found the trace marker that only a Runner would recognize for what it was. Smiling, she turned off the road and gestured for D’nei to follow, pausing long enough to catch a breath and explain. “We just need to watch out for others and make sure we don’t damage the trace; the path. Traces are near sacred to Runners.” A part of her felt mildly guilty over using the traces when she was no longer Running messages, but with Rudi in his customary position, flying ahead and keeping watch, they’d be able to duck out of the way if anyone happened along. This particular trace was seldom used anyway, as it bypassed stations where most Runners preferred to stop and rest.
The rider’s blue glided easily above, and she waved at him. “He’s beautiful. And I don’t mind him at all. Another set of eyes is a bonus, anyway, if he’d oblige us to watch for any others. Though I think we’re probably alone on this stretch for miles.” She shortened her stride slightly, letting their pace slow a touch in order to make conversation easier, especially for the man who wasn’t entirely used to the intensity of running to which she had become accustomed.
“I’ve been running, here and elsewhere, for a while. I was part of the Runnercraft, apprenticed at fourteen.” Her voice took on a wistful note, thinking of her days in the Craft. It had been less than a turn since she left, but it seemed much longer. Tilting her head back over her shoulder, she laughed. “And I’ve gotten used to questions, honestly. Not many Weyrfolk know much about Runners. Not something anyone really deals with since dragons can go between before a Runner would hit their stride. How about you? Running a recent hobby?”