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The brothers glared and reached out to bully the rider into giving Caleten up, "She doesn't get a say, mother and father disagree, and she is not of age yet." They were sure of this, actually they had no idea, and no one paid attention to when she was born after she displeased their mother.

Ravioty stepped forward saying, "Caleten is over 18, she has a say in her life now." He couldn't call them young men; they weren't behaving like men at all. Really, they were acting like untaught beasts.

Caleten didn't look surprised, of course they didn't know her age she even told them in a hard tone, "Osorth, Dynath, do not talk like you know anything. You have no idea how old I am." Her gaze on the men that were her brothers did not faultier, not even when Dataith spoke to her. 'Tell him I am fine.' It was a lie, her shoulder was on fire and she was still working on getting full feeling back in her hand of the arm that got the strangle hold. However, she didn't need him worrying about her with whats going on now.

When her former brothers backed off and paled, thats when she saw H'sun. She barely knew him and hadn't a clue as to the name of his blue before Datiath spoke. She answered him, "Good day, H'sun, we are on our way out of the hold when Osorth and Dynath started to harass us. I renounced my relationship as Kelceya's daughter along with her family. N'tren, bronze rider from Rias weyr and Master Ravioty both witnessed the breaking of ties." Surely her former brothers wouldn't stir up even more trouble.

Upon the stern command of Caleten, Gem stopped her attacks and hisses, rather, she flew in tight circles ready to attack the moment they caused problems.

The brothers protested, "She has no say, our whole family rejects her renouncing of ties."

Caleten listened to the blue rider had to say, even if she was not his biggest fan. Oh she remembered the jerk that kidnapped her, thread or no. The idea of going to a Harper of the hold did not appeal to her too much. It was undoubtedly so that her former mother was playing the part of a concerned, wronged mother. If she was going to fix this, she was going to the Master Harper or at least the craft hall.

It took a lot not to twitch when N'tren called her a 'girl' as if she was younger then him. In her mind, she made a note to tell him not to call her that again. This would be something she'd tell him when they were not around others, seemed like a personal matter and no one else was making the mistake. Her chin did rise a bit, and with great discomfort, she rounded her shoulders a bit putting on the vestige she was most comfortable in, that of a proud, icy but very capable woman. Now, she remarked to the dragon, hoping he would hear her, 'I am not a girl and do not like being referred to as such, lady or young woman is fine, but I am not a child.' Her tone was that of stating a fact, no anger or harshness involved.

"I," she told the blue rider, "am leaving this hold. Dealing with the written validation of my freedom from this lot is not necessary." More like she didn't trust anyone here right now and would much rather be is away where she can get some healing done.

The young men, Osorth and Dynath were not backing down, but they were not moving forward either. It was a stand still, looking ready to fight but unwilling to so anything. It was unheard off for anyone to fight a dragonrider, certainly they would stand no chance against two.


Finally Dynath did the only reasonable thing he could do, grabbed his brother's arm and pulled him away, both glaring death at Caleten before turning and not looking back.


Gem went to land on Caleten's hurt shoulder, not that she recognized it as the one that was hurt. Not a second after she landed on it was she off as it had bitten her. Trilling remorsefully that she had caused pain, she carefully sat on the other shoulder and nuzzled Caleten to apologize. For her efforts, she got a scratch from the arm that she was sitting on.

Caleten heard Datiath out, and replied back, 'So long as its not a habit.' Right now, she was slipping back into the coarse, proud woman she was crafted to be under the fires of living with her family and tempered through living holdless for turns.

Looking to N'tren, the look did not break; the warmth and mirth did not seep through. "I do not need a Healer." Her words and tone were all icy but not as harsh as she was when her brothers were around. Looking to H'sun, she mentioned, "Your help was appreciated." It was left unsaid that the help was actually needed this time, unlike the last time.

When H'sun opened his mouth about the first time he helped her, she protested, "You did not help me, I was kidnapped, threadfall or no." Her hand was on her hip, reluctant to mess with the other one.

Her eyes rose to see the little bronze flying around, Gem went to join him and she turned her attention to Ravioty, who had stood to the side looking very concerned. "Come, Mr. Ravioty, let me introduce you to Datiath." Turning she walked towards were she last saw the bronze dragon. Safe to say people got out of her way.

Ravioty looked so confused, scratching his scalp a moment before just fallowing the young woman who had so dramatically transformed in front of his very eyes. If he hadn't seen it, he would have sworn she was not the same person.

Caleten answered Datiath, her toned a little clipped, disapproving the admonishment, 'It does here, and my former family has shown it to be a weakness around them.' That had been made painfully obvious. Speaking of which, the dragon asked as question about that, 'I am hurt, but I'll be fine.' She had to deal with rougher alone.

She missed the confrontation between H'sun and N'tren as she moved quickly to show Ravoity to Dataith. She looked to the blue, and replied, "Good day, Ulerith's rider." The farther from where the fight happened, the closer she was getting to being a bit relaxed.


Ravioty likewise said good day, and was in awe of the bronze he spotted. It was a younger one, but he was a handsome bronze.

Caleten appreciated the more subdued tone, she did not want nor need to be scolded for behaving as she saw fit. 'I like to be happy, too, but there are times when you can't be, that you have to be stone in order to weather a storm.' Thats how she had to survive, it was a harsh reality when she found that out in her first turn holdless.

Looking to Ravioty, who hadn't moved from his awestruck stop, "Datiath says hello." That, unsurprisingly, seemed to surprise the man even more.

He was shocked at first, and asked, "Can you hear all dragons, Caleten?" That was an amazing talent to have, and although he never saw his unofficial granddaughter to be talentless, that wasn't one he thought she had. Being the meddlesome, hopeful, old man that he was, he wondered if it was a sign Caleten and N'tren were a strong couple.

Caleten shook her head, nearly wincing at the idea. "No, only Datiath chooses to speak with me." To have more dragons in her head was a very distasteful idea. She trusted the bronze, and his rider, that was the only reason she allowed peaceful commutation between her and Datiath.

Easing up, she gave the dragon a smile and slowly the icey harshness of her contenince started to melt and the inner warmth began to shine through. The pride was still there strong, her scar a badge of honor along her proud face. Reaching out, she petted the bronze.

Ravioty bowed to the dragon, though his old bones wouldn't allow him to do too far a bow. "It is an honor to meet you, great bronze Datiath. I want to personally thank you too for looking out for Caleten." He chuckled at her indignant look, obviously she disagreed that she needed looking out for. However, the young man and bronze looked capable to survive the strong young woman Caleten had become where as he just found it amusing. "I do apologize for the rude behavior of the two bullies; I hope you, N'tren and Datiath, will bring Caleten back to visit." There were stressors on his words, he feared Caleten coming here alone, for he did not wish her to be hurt again.

Caleten explained to him, 'Eventually, but it works well for as long as it stands. Don't worry; I know I don't have to be a stone outside of South Hold.' She had survived the worst place on Pern to her, and survived turns of being holdless, there wasn't much else she hadn't faced and lived, including Thread. Looking to Ravioty, she told him with a smile, "We'll be back, all of us you worrying old man." If her tone had been anything but warm and playful, her words might have had sting to them.

The old man pretended to be wounded, but laughed in that deep rumble at her comment. He took it as it was intended, an affectionate jab only made in good fun.

Looking back to the boy youth, he nearly wanted to say 'bring Caleten back a gold rider that would show them.' But he didn't, instead he said, "You did a fine job, N'tren, even if H'sun hadn't have come, you still put up a good effort. I'll let him know if those bugs stir up any more dust, though their father will probably keep him in line, he is a good man, if you can over look his horrendous failing." He didn't have to say it, but he did look to Caleten. Her father failed her, failed to keep her safe. However, he did at least make sure she was always fed and clothed.

Caleten blatantly ignored the talk of her father, instead she gave Dataith what he wanted, a good scratching as she lavished attention on the bronze. "You made a new friend, Mr. Ravioty." Indicating she meant the young bronze and his rider.

Ravioty spoke, his words closer to Dataith's by seer coincidence, "And they are my friends, I take care of 'em. I'll have something special for you boys the next time you come by, and of course something for the lovely lady with you." He smiled glad to see how much his Caleten had grown; now showing she was still young as she laughed and smiled so warmly were as she had been a proud ice block when he first saw her again.

Ravioty gave the young bronze rider a strong and firm handshake. With a smile he says, "It was nice to meet you and your two wonderful bronzes." In a quite whisper, he adds, "I know the golds are in great hands, I can finally sleep easy." Letting go of the young man's hand he moves back so they can leave without him in the way.

Caleten didn't run so much as walked quickly to the old man before giving him a hug with one arm. Smiling she said, "Good bye for now, Mr. Ravioty." Turning she walked back to N'tren and Dataith, bespeaking the dragon first, 'Yes, home is waiting.' It was beyound strange to even think she had a home once again. Most of her believed she'd die, holdless and unremembered on the empty, hot sands of the Southern land. Now she responded to N'tren, trust easier to show now, "I am ready now, I'll sit in front again."Walking to the bronze's side, she petted him as she tried to figure out how to get on his back with only one hand to help her climb. Strong as she may be, this was going to be a bit tricky.

Gem did an elaborate dance in the sky, trilling a sweet song to all those that heard her. She was saying good bye and showing off how happy she was to have a home, part of her joy being that of her friends. Her song was cut off a bit, concern for Caleten drawing her back to her firend's side.

Caleten heard Datiath's question and tried to save her pride, 'It will be fine, just not that strong at the moment.' She was broken out of her contemplating when N'tren spoke. In classic Caleten fashion, she stubbornly tried to prove him wrong. She tried to climb on to the dragon's back only to find she couldn't. With one hand, it was impossible and the other too hurt for her to push it too far without worry of causing more damage.

Sacrificing her pride, though showing no outward sign of it, she finally agrees. "Alright, I'll try your suggestion, it sounds like a sound idea." By the first egg, it was hard to admit there was something she was unable to do. Some how, it didn't seem like admitting weakness so much with him as it might have with others.

Gem looked to Splotch and trilled back, saying that she agreed it would be. That didn't stop her from worrying, so she distracted herself by flying around the bronze a moment before swooping down to over see N'tren helping Caleten up.