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Post by sorra on Jul 31, 2010 12:18:29 GMT -5
El'dan was thankful that Coth seemed to be alright with him. The Healer cringed when he saw the cuts and bruises on G'rett's face. And he was surprised to see how young the bronze rider was. That meant that the bronze couldn't be real old himself. The blue rider pushed that thought away as he concentrated on G'rett. He would work on Coth later.
Ty, tell him that I'll do everything I can to help his rider, please.
El'dan Mine is going to take care of Yours, Tyverith told Coth. He is very good. He will help both of you.
****
Treoth looked up at Chandrath bespoke him. He snorted softly. The Weyrwoman wants to see you in the Council Room, the brown said. It sounds important.
G'fal frowned slightly. That didn't sound good to him. He wondered what could be wrong now. Last he had known there wasn't anything wrong with his weyrlings. I'm on my way, he assured Treoth.
The Weryling Master hurried toward the Council Room. He hoped nothing major was happening. They had already had their full share of problems so far. G'fal quietly stepped into the room and was surprised by how many were already there. He bowed to Cybele. "Weyrwoman," he said. "Weyrsecond." He was surprised to see Quindara there as well.
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Post by fellis on Jul 31, 2010 15:06:36 GMT -5
Iverasth, as attentive to Chandrath's actions as he was, heard her angry bugle and growled. What was going on? She didn't sound happy at all. Chandrath's rider needs you and all the Wingleaders. Something is not right,[/color] he told his rider quickly. Chandrath, whatever is the matter, we will help your rider make it right,[/color] he promised the Gold.
M'lym wondered what was going on. His dragon seemed uneasy. He left what he was doing and hurried to Cybele's office, meeting his Wingsecond, H'kor, on the way. The aging Brownrider was limping, and M'lym frowned. H'kor was ready to retire, but so far no one had seemed suitable to replace him.
"What can I do for you, Weyrwoman?" M'lym asked as he walked into the room with H'kor following faithfully behind. The Weyrlingmaster was here too, and so was Quindara. Either the Silver weyrling was now considered a Queenrider herself and privy to important meetings, or she was involved in this problem somehow.
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Post by Jazzeh on Aug 1, 2010 20:20:02 GMT -5
Raziela was not at all happy to have him insinuating that she would try to steal Chrysoberyth away by having her blue chase her. She would have tried to stop him even if then hadn't obtained the bronze that Lord K'ain had always wanted. She had no interest in participating in a mating flight and not even the sexual urges of her blue could dissuade her. The other riders did not speak kindly of her, some of the males leering at her body and others talking about the blasphemy of a female bluerider. Simply put, she was a freak, and no one wanted a freak of her nature in their bed. And though it secretly stung her, she had long since convinced herself that she was fine with that. She didn't want them either.
The woman's blue-gray eyes narrowed slightly at Lord K'ain's hard stare, showing her offense. But she didn't dare defy him. He could crush her in every way, physically harming her or her dragon or just turning her out from their settlement to face the harsh weather alone, without food or shelter. So she nodded, her jaw tight with restrained fury. "Understood, Lord K'ain," she said in a rigid voice.
His next request was a complete shock to her. He wanted her to talk to Kanly about sex? About Flights? He should know she was the last person to tell anyone about sex. For one, she rode a male dragon, which meant that her flight experience was completely different than Kanly's would be. And those flights had been few and far between, able to be counted on one hand. Second, Raziela had never been with a man herself, for all that her suitors had tried. But there was no way that she would admit any of this to the man, so she merely nodded again. "I will talk to her," she said shortly. She itched to be gone from his presence but couldn't come up with any dire business that needed to be attended to right away and she wasn't about to simply walk away from their leader.
Toniel received the summons, passed on to her by her dozing queen. Aylinth had not ceased her laziness after the Hatching, using it as an excuse to lay out in the sun all day and not respond to Toniel's calls. But a call from the Senior Queen was not something that could be ignored, so the gold had quickly forwarded the message on to her rider. The Weyrwoman's Second was more than a little worried as she felt Aylinth's concern, especially when coupled with the angry bugle that had echoed in the Weyr Bowl only moments before the queen's voice had penetrated her thoughts.
Thankfully she had only been copying Records, a task that could easily be left until later seeing as the dusty hides were not going anywhere. At most they might get a little harder to read if she let them sit for too long, but Toniel didn't anticipate this meeting taking much time. Then again, she had no idea what this was about. She could never have imagined the reason. Not in a hundred Turns.
Toniel entered the chamber to find that most of the Weyr's high-ranking officials were already there. She dipped her head in greeting to the Weyrwoman before allowing her eyes to scan the room. Q'del, M'lym, and G'fal were all here, as was Quindara. The girl's presence did not quite baffle her, for if her silver dragon was indeed a queen just like the golds, she had every right to be here. But where was G'rett? Surely he would have been called, too. As she took her seat beside Q'del, she leaned towards him slightly to whisper just that question. "Where is G'rett?"
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Post by Kit on Aug 2, 2010 21:15:21 GMT -5
Arktos was surprised at the message that Arkysk relayed. The Weyrwoman wanted him in a Council meeting? Usually they only needed him when there were Candidates involved or a clutch on the Sands. Since there was only a few Candidates right now, and no clutch, he couldn't see why she'd require his presence. But he made his way to the council chamber and took a seat in the back.
Q'del gave Toniel a strained grin as she sat beside him. "That's what the Council is about," he murmured in her ear quietly.
Once nearly everyone had arrived, Cybele gestured for silence, though it wasn't really necessary. "The reason I have called you all here is that we have a dire situation on our hands." She took a deep breath, somewhat unwilling to give voice to the bad news, as if that would make it more real. "Wingleader G'rett did not return from his patrol today....because he and Coth have been kidnapped. By other dragonriders..." she trailed off, unsure what else to say and bracing herself for an uproar.
Quindara was barely holding herself together at this point. She had followed Cybele to the Council chamber in a state of numbness and now hearing the news once more seemed to drive her nearly to the breaking point. It was only for Artemth that she remained strong. The little silver was upset by her distress, but luckily she understood the problem. Don't worry Mine, we will find him and bring him back. I know the Queen is angy, she will do something scary to whoever took him! Artemth said in childlike seriousness, completely confident in the wisdom and majesty of the elder Queen.
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Post by sorra on Aug 3, 2010 8:49:23 GMT -5
G'fa was surprised as he watched everyone come in. Now he was really wondering what was going on. His eyes widened in disbelief at Cybele's words. "Kidnapped? Other riders?" he asked, not sure if he had heard right. There were other riders? But where? And why take G'rett? Nothing was making any sense to him. Although he could see now why Quindara was there.
****
El'dan carefully checked G'rett's wounds. He sighed softly. It's actually going to be a mercy to keep him sleeping, he told Tyverith.
Stop fretting. You're doing what you're told. That's all we can do.
El'dan shook his head. His blue just didn't understand. He pulled out a thorn needle and carefully injected it in G'rett's arm, wanting to keep the bronze rider quiet while he worked on his wounds. "Sorry, son," he told the young man. He still watched Coth out of the corner of his eye just to make sure the bronze didn't try anything.
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Post by Kendrall on Aug 3, 2010 11:08:41 GMT -5
A pricking sensation, followed by a sweet drowsiness overtook G'rett's mind. He had no idea where he was at the moment, nor did he care. His mind now affected by the sedative, the Bronze Rider drifted off into a deep sleep, and soon he was dreaming...
Clouds were racing by, and the sensation of the wind in his face felt wonderful. G'rett never felt so happy and carefree in his life, riding on the back of his faithful Bronze. He looked over to his right and saw a familiar-looking Silver just ahead of him, her Rider having taken the lead in the wingpair formation. Below them was the coastline, the surf pounding against the shore, with Coral Cove in sight. At his fellow Rider's signal, both dragons gently coasted down in a grand spiral and landed on the sand. G'rett dismounted first, removing his flight gear, then strode over to where the Silver was and helped her Rider dismount, revealing the features of a certain redhead named Quindara. She was all smiles, but a playful grin came to her lips as she took him by the hand and led him over towards the water. Teasing him by shedding her clothes, Quindara did the same to him and eventually laid down on the sand, pulling him on top of her and embracing him with passionate kisses...
Only to have the scene shift as he looked into the eyes of a boy and girl about twelve turns of age, both of them with reddish-brown hair and blue eyes. Next to them was a slightly older boy, roughly fourteen, with darker brown hair and brown eyes. All three of them wore the white robes of a Candidate. Somehow, G'rett knew these were his children, but the older boy had a different mother. He also knew his other children were still in the creche, and it wouldn't be long before they would be eligible to become Candidates themselves. Nearby on the Sands was that familiar looking Silver, guarding her clutch; his Bronze Coth nearby equally as protective. He watched as all three of his older children Impressed; his sons to a Black and Bronze respectively, his daughter to a Silver like her mother before her.
Coth simply crooned at the man, his eyes flickering between yellow and purple. He couldn't hear his bonded, and the confusion was overwhelming.
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K'ain watched impatiently as El'dan did his duty, sedating the Bronze Rider, before dismissing Raziela with a wave of his hand. He couldn't recall at any such time in the past twenty turns when events were starting to go right for him and his band of survivors; it wouldn't be long before they could declare themselves as a true Weyr and therefore start demanding tribute from the various Holds on this continent. That would eventually be cause for celebration enough, but first he needed to pay someone a visit. A certain Green Rider named Antera.
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Post by Jammi on Aug 3, 2010 14:51:37 GMT -5
Antera was spending time with Minth. Sure the green pair spent a lot of the past twenty two turns together, but one can never get enough of their bonded. Dipping her rag back into the oil pot, Antera began to hum an old lullaby from her childhood. The old tune never failed in calming the bitterness that lingered in her heart. Some days she hated the woman she had become, but other days -most days- she knew why she did it. The dragon under her finger tips was the biggest reason why. Antera could never let any one harm the best part of her.
Anteramine? Everyone is talking about the new dragon. Can we go see him?
New dragon? There isn't a clutch on the sands... Where is this new dragon from, Minth?
The other weyr. Came the simple reply. Minth had already started crooning her delight as hers oiled a very itchy part. While the creamy green crooned, Antera's mind raced. There was another weyr? Since when? And where? She wished she could find out, but with Minth nearing her Rising time again, the white-blonde rider could not leave her beloved.
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Post by Kendrall on Aug 3, 2010 15:26:50 GMT -5
K'ain didn't bother knocking on the doorway that led into Antera's weyr, but rather he cleared his throat as soon as he passed through the threshold. In his hands he held a bottle of red wine, stolen from their recent raid on a band of traders, and two golden goblets. The man knew how the Green Rider practically worshiped the ground he walked on, both flattering him and amusing him. Granted, he didn't think Antera would come anywhere close to his beloved Chanirra, but the one-time heir felt it was an opportune time to pay the woman a visit. Good news often deserved a good drink, and for K'ain to share both with her would definitely have some sort of backlash from others. Although if word ever got back to him about whom he chose to consort with, well...it wouldn't take much for him to resolve the matter swiftly.
"Annie," he purred, letting his melodic voice roll her name off the tip of his tongue like a smooth wine. "I have some news for you." K'ain set down the goblets on a table, then uncorked the bottle and filled them halfway. He put the bottle down, then offered a goblet to Antera. Only he would dare use a pet name for her and get away with it.
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Post by sorra on Aug 3, 2010 16:50:28 GMT -5
El'dan waited for G'rett to relax totally before working on the bronze rider's wounds. He ignored the stare he could feel from K'ain and just concentrated on what he was doing. He cringed at how beat up the young man seemed. "What happened?" he mumbled as he cleaned the cuts and scrapes on G'rett's chest. He hadn't seen anyone so beat up in a long time.
Find out later, Tyverith said. Right now just help him. His bronze seems confused right now.
The Healer sighed. Never in all his Turns as a Healer did he ever expect to have this happen. Of course he never expected to find himself in some part of Pern that he didn't even know where it was and have to watch as friends died of some thing that he couldn't cure. El'dan quickly pushed that thought away before the tears got the better of him and someone noticed. That would be all he would need. K'ain wouldn't be real thrilled if he saw any of his riders showing such weak emotions.
"You would have been better off if you had just died in whatever has left you this beat up," he whispered to G'rett. "I fear what K'ain has planned for you won't be good."
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Post by Jammi on Aug 3, 2010 17:09:30 GMT -5
A discreet cough and the soft thud of boot steps warned Antera someone had entered her domain. Very few, really just one being would be so rash or stupid. The soft word spoken behind her told her all she needed to hear. Lord K'ain deemed her worthy of a visit. To hide her surprise and sudden blush, Antera took her time placing the rag back into the basket made for such things. Standing slowly to turn to see him, Antera brushed the soft skirt she had chosen for the day. The once bright fabric had been faded from use and time, but it still hugged her frame as it did the day it was finished.
"Lord K'ain. This is most definitely a pleasant surprise," She tried to coo, bur sadly her voice and manner was not used to such things. To her own ears it sounded almost harsh. Not what she had intended at all. "Thank you for visiting me. What news might you have to share with a lowly green rider?" She asked slowly reaching for the golden goblet.
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Post by Kendrall on Aug 3, 2010 19:54:02 GMT -5
K'ain raised his goblet and clinked it against Antera's. "Most pleasant news indeed, Annie. We have a Bronze now. Our scouts found him near South Sands, his Rider unconscious from the result of a crash. Oh, don't worry my dear, both the boy and his dragon are now under the care of our Healer El'dan." He took a sip before continuing. "Our spies seem to suggest there's a Weyr far to the north of us, and I suspect they might be the descendants of those who escaped the Devastation. The Bronze could have only come from that Weyr. Which means once we breed him to my daughter's Chrysoberyth, we should finally produce a Queen from which we'll have fairly large clutches."
He watched for Antera's reaction to this news, his eyes looking over the rim of his goblet as he took another drink. "At long last we'll finally be a force to be reckoned with. All of the Holders will soon come to heel and either pledge their support, or be crushed into submission. Once under our banner, we'll make our move to bring the other Weyr in line. If they resist, they'll face certain destruction." A smile came to the man's lips, followed by a cold, calculating laughter. Soon. Soon he would rule this continent with his army of dragonriders, to become a true Weyrleader and reigning tyrant.
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Post by Jazzeh on Aug 3, 2010 22:10:21 GMT -5
Toniel was not the least bit confused by Q'del's cryptic response. Her brow furrowed slightly as she looked at him and her lips parted to speak, but a flicker of movement caught her eye and she looked away to see the Weyrwoman gesturing for silence. She closed her mouth and turned her head towards the other goldrider, settling herself back in her chair, though her back remained stiff and straight. Worry shot through her consciousness as the Weyrwoman stated that there was a dire situation at hand. Before she could explain, the woman put two and two together. Something had happened to G'rett.
Despite herself, her heart thudded hard in her chest as Cybele continued and her face had gone pale with the news. Toniel didn't care for G'rett necessarily, but a few of the things she'd said to him at the Hatching Feast had been harsh and she was surprised that the Weyrwoman had not chosen to punish her as well, even if she had been provoked. And to have something happen to a bronzerider, especially a Wingleader, was most terrible indeed.
It was G'fal's questions that made her realize the full extent of what had happened. Her face was blank, too blank even for her, as it hit her. Then slowly, the words trickled from her throat. "...Other...riders? We are the only Weyr on Pern. And all of our riders have been accounted for in the Records." There had to be a mistake. It couldn't be...it just couldn't. "With all due respect, Weyrwoman, are you sure they weren't wherhandlers?" she asked softly, her tone respectful but dubious.
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Post by Kit on Aug 3, 2010 23:46:11 GMT -5
Cybele nodded gravely. "Quindara's Shadow has scouted for us and his images are clear. There are other dragons and their riders. I do not know where they have come from. I don't know how many of them there are. I'm not even sure where they are now, though the firelizard's images do show someplace cold. G'rett is clearly injured and tied up. I'm guessing he is also drugged. But wherever these riders came from, we need to figure out what they want with G'rett and how we're going to get him back. I called you all here to brief you on the situation, but also to get any suggestions." She, like the rest of them, was still in shock over the implications. How could there be other riders? And why would they kidnap one of their own? It went against all that dragonriders stood for...as well as not making any sense.
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chree
Sr. Weyrling
[M:-64]
Posts: 32
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Post by chree on Aug 4, 2010 14:20:39 GMT -5
Tesk lifted her head with a start, the voice of a queen cutting through her drowsy state of mind – it was not quite time for whers to be about. But this was an important voice, and it would not be ignored… Tesk shook her head and the words rattled around a bit before they settled into something that made sense – as soon as she comprehended the message, she shot it to her Handler. Tess got these messages, sometimes, and was always very insistent that they be delivered immediately. Tesk’s, goldie dragon calls! Quick quick! Councils!
Tess was not easily startled. Never mind that she’d only just settled in to study and never mind that Tesk shouldn’t be up for hours – there was only one “goldie” that would be calling her so soon. She fell to action without hesitation, setting the book she’d been reading aside and moving towards the door. She didn’t run. Now was not a time for running. Tesk had conveyed a sense of urgency, but it was still steady – no need to raise alarm.
She’d already memorized the weyr layout – that had been one of the first items on her post-arrival to-do list – so though she was a ways away she didn’t dally and made it to the indicated room in relatively good time, though still a bit behind everyone else. Three steps to the door, she lifted a hand to pull back her hair, smooth her shirt, and straighten her knot. As she reached the doorway, she nodded politely in sign of respect and recognition to everyone in attendance and settled quietly off to one side, awaiting instructions.
Her curiosity peaked a little – no one seemed injured… - but perhaps there was something else? Then the weyrwoman was speaking, as she shooed her own thoughts aside to focus on the leader’s words. Her expression remained calm throughout the discussion, but her mind spun and whirled to keep up. Kidnapped!? Certainly this wasn’t commonplace… based on the reactions of others, she judged it was not.
After pausing a moment to see if someone else would speak, she gently added her own voice to the conversation. “Weyrwoman, I suspect your kidnapped rider is being kept complacent with Fellis – the effects of this will wear off naturally, depending on dose, though there is some concern for lingering addiction if they continue with large doses. Is there anyway you can discover more detail as to the extent of his dragon’s injuries?”
Tesk, who was now wide awake and curled safely up in the darkness of Tess’s closet, chimed in with her own advice. Find first, Tesk’s. Cold, no forgetting! Tess twitched a bit at the all too familiar reminder (“no forgetting!”), but her little wher had a point. “You said it was cold? It must be north, then. Could a firelizard be persuaded locate and send an image of the sky? I’m sure we can use that to pinpoint the location.”
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Post by sorra on Aug 4, 2010 15:54:26 GMT -5
El'dan soon finished with G'rett and Coth and left them to rest. He headed to find K'ain, not looking forward to seeing the brown rider. But he had given his word to tell K'ain when G'rett was secure and he meant to keep that.
***
G'fal listened quietly to what Cybele had to say. He nodded in response to Tess. "That sounds like a good idea. But is there anyway we can figure out what these other riders want? Maybe send a message that we want to meet with them or else have them send us a message of their demands." He really didn't want to meet these riders, but he didn't want to leave G'rett in their hands either. It seemed they were at a stale mate.
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