Though Aries was born to a relatively wealthy Holder, by the time he was 15 turns old he had had enough of the politics and posturing. He went out to the world, alone.

Not so very much later, he managed to find his way to Raanatani's Fosterlings, desperately in need of medical attention and food. After a few sevendays of recovery, Aries began working for the Fosterling cothold in the best way he knew how, by picking up a sword and showing others how to use it. On his way to the Fosterling hold, Aries had run up against not just one or two but several bands of road-worn renegades. He proved his own worth to himself by defeating them, though his teachings and his pride kept them alive: he would not kill an opponent if he did not have to.

Now, 5 turns later, Aries is a strong, giant of a man. He is an eager scout, hunter and defender of the cothold, and has run off bandits more than once. He has been Searched by Beao' and Myuxeth, and yearns for the days when he might fight thread as well as the enemies of the cothold!

Physically, Aries is huge. He is 6'5 and weighs in at 260, all muscle. He has very large hands and feet, calloused but still nimble. His skin is tan with light freckles, and he usually has his pale tan hair cut short to keep it out from his eyes. He has mutton-chop sideburns, and has oddly orange colored eyes. His voice is deeply gruff, matching his huge size perfectly. He does not sing, though he does know how to dance in proper society.

Stable and sensible, Aries is headstrong and knows what he wants. When his desires get in the way of someone else, they had best be prepared to defend their ways! One might think that someone so physical is not intellectual at all but that would be a mistake to make thinking of Aries. He is witty, cynical, and very intense. He thinks hard about what goes on around him, and is always looking for a better way around a problem.

Aries will rarely talk about where he comes from, in fact Raanatani is the only one who really knows. Perhaps he has discussed it with Cortan, but she isn't talking either.

If Aries Impresses, he will shorten his name to Ari's. He hopes to fly a brown or bronze, suitable for such a bulky and strong-willed young man.

The wait wasn't long! Aries was beaming with pleasure as he walked into the very pleasant Sapphire Weyr. Its lake was deep and colored the same as the name of the weyr.

He greeted the weyrwoman and was led to the sands almost straight away. "There they are," the weyrwoman announced with a smile. "So mingle with them briefly, and then one of the others will show you to the weyrling barracks."

Aries looked over the eggs, without touching them. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to do that, and the dam of the clutch probably wouldn't allow it anyway.

Once he'd done a circuit of the warm sands, he accepted a tour of the weyr, and then settled with his two big bags in the weyrling barracks as promised. Now, the waiting started for the clutch to hatch!

When the last hand of dragon poker was laid out, Aries had a strange feeling in his gut. He kept looking around, and then noticed that the dragons were making noise below, in the hatching sands.

Then, of course, right about when Fluffy was about to win again, a weyrling rider came running through and yelling about gathering on the sands! The hatching was about to start!

They rushed, but Aries took his time. He put his robe on, it had to be made specially for him, because of course he was so big! He strolled down and it was just in time when he arrived.

The great egg which he and many others had bet upon cracked and then shattered, along with five others! "Shell-Splosion!" He yelled, happily.

Then, laughing, Aries felt the bronze which erupted from the first egg touch his mind. Well, it was more of a whollop, with enough force behind it to nearly toss Aries to his rear end!

No, Egg-splosion! My name's Canarth! The dragon bespoke, and Aries yelled.

"His name is Canarth!" Then, they dodged the other hatchlings on their way out to the food!

Ari's and Canarth remain at Sapphire weyr for a while, as Canarth grows. Within a turn, he is growing quite large, as bronzes tend to do! He has remained quite clever as well, and, well, occasionally when he was but a weyrling, would help his human bond cheat at dragon poker!

"Could this be any better?" Ari's asked Canarth, and the dragon bugled loudly.

It could be time for a gold to rise, that would make it all perfect...

Ari's laughed, and guided the fully grown and very large Bronze Canarth to the Protectorate's weyrs. Landing on one of the ledges, Canarth announced himself to the watchdragon and was suddenly joined by a smaller bronze. The other bronze trumpeted and his rider dismounted.

The young man approached Ari's with a smile, and announced himself as one of the wing riders of the Stone Fury wing at the Protectorate.

"Would you like to join us, Ari's? We've heard about you and your cheating dragon..."

Ari's laughed, hard, and agreed to join their wing, as soon as he knew who to beat in a game!

"Canarth, you're kidding. You've never even met this dragon!"

But she is lovely! She is... golden and fine! And besides, we will not be here much longer! And if I win... Oh! If I win, we will remain here longer.

"... You like it here don't you Canarth?" Ari's sighed. "I know. But it will be a good trip and we'll have lots more time to have fun later. But I suppose it can't hurt bringing you to this other weyr. Let's fly!"

She will be very happy with me. I know it! Because we are strong and handsome! And I have only one scar, and that is very old. I am very good at threadfighting, Ari's.

"You certainly are," the big man said, strapping down the harness. "And you are handsome. I wish I could say the same about me!" He laughed heartily and they went between to find the site of this flight...

(Participated in a flight at Seiryuu!)