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Post by Jazzeh on Aug 7, 2010 12:21:07 GMT -5
Raziela was grateful to be rid of K'ain. As soon as he peeled away from her, she gave a soft shudder and faded into the shadows. There was work to be done and it wouldn't wait forever.
Toniel's lips were pursed ever so slightly as the Weyrwoman assured the quality of the images. This was most troublesome indeed. While she could not completely feel panic or sorrow at G'rett's current absence, she did feel remorse. She felt almost as if part of this was her fault. If she had not allowed Q'del to go over to them in the first place, none of this would have happened. But it had and now they had to find a solution. She nodded at Tess and G'fal's suggestions, too shocked to contribute any idea of her own.
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Post by Kit on Aug 7, 2010 18:52:54 GMT -5
Q'del frowned thoughtfully at the Healer's remarks. He knew enough to know that fellis was dangerous. Like Toniel, he felt some guilt at the situation, especially when seeing the shattered look on Quindara's face. It wasn't like her to be so emotional. He turned to Tess. "Is there any antidote to fellis? If we could sneak in with Shadow, or even more than one firelizard and administer an antidote, we could get more information from Coth, maybe figure out what they want. I'm loathe to send a messenger unless we have no other choice. For all we know, they'd just kidnap them too." And, though he didn't want to mention it to Quindara, they might just panic and kill G'rett if pressed.
Arktos piped up after a moment. "We should send Shadow back anyway to watch their movements. His color makes him unobtrusive and he is silent and observant as we all know. But more importantly, its possible their security will relax at night. And if so, Arkysk and I could go, to assess the situation more fully."
Cybele nodded, looking towards Tess for the answer about fellis.
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Post by Jammi on Aug 7, 2010 20:51:42 GMT -5
So Minth was right. There was a new dragon in the frozen tunnels. At the mention of his daughter's upcoming Flight, and the mention of eggs, Antera hardened again. He knew how much she despised the fact her beloved Minth was of no use to him. Taking a careful sip of the wine he had brought, Antera wondered why she had been chosen to share this news with. The best he could have hoped for was to make her even more hateful and bitter. At worse she would shut everyone out again.
As he continued his plans and schemes, Antera tried to focus on his words and not his physical prensence. Oh if he knew how weak she was around him Lord K'ain would punish her for certain! A bit leery of having more to drink for just that reason, why make things easy for him? "I am glad your dreams and plans are finally coming to fruitation my Lord. But again I must ask, who did you come to me?"
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chree
Sr. Weyrling
[M:-64]
Posts: 32
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Post by chree on Aug 7, 2010 21:27:14 GMT -5
((Had to consult my biopsych book for this ^.^ ) Tess nodded slightly as the conversation progressed and various issues were raised, silently reciting any known drugs associated with the describe symptoms, double checking herself. When Q’del spoke, she turned to him and paused a moment to consider his question before offering her soft reply. “It would be terribly risky to try and administer some counter drug without any knowledge of the dose he’s on and other drugs that may be in his system; furthermore, even if I can find something to block the effect, I don’t expect a firelizard would be able to administer it. It would have to be injected. Fortunately, even a large dose of Fellis shouldn’t be too serious unless he starts showing signs of respiratory depression – a dose that high should be quite unlikely. Your safest option is to wait until the effects wear off and get what you can from your firelizards.” She glanced towards Arktos, then to Cybele. “Might I suggest, though, that we follow the Candidate Master’s advice. If we wait for night fall, you can deploy a team of whers. They’re senses are impeccable after dark and they will certainly have the advantage of diurnal creatures. I can stock up on any medical item I anticipate will be useful and accompany with Tesk as soon as night falls.” Tesk skittered eagerly about at the prospect.
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Post by Kendrall on Aug 8, 2010 6:57:24 GMT -5
K'ain watched intently, as a predator would watch its prey, as Antera wasn't sure why she would be the fortunate recipient of his company. He knew she was trying to be demure, unsure of why he would come and visit her to share the good news with. He set down the goblet, but tried to keep his melodic voice a bit jovial... "Concerned people will talk, Annie? That others would think I would look upon you as my favorite? I choose to consort with whom I will, and this night I have chosen you." He waved away any other concerns the Green Rider would voice. Granted, Antera was nowhere near the equal of his beloved Chanirra, but he hadn't had a woman to share his bed for quite some time, either. Not since Yukikoth's Flight and he bedded her Rider, Haukea, from which nine months later she gave birth to his only daughter Kanly. Not that he didn't want to be burdened by another child, but the man knew the Green Rider in front of him was considered to be in her advanced maternal turns, pushing the very edge of childbearing. For her to have a child was a considerable risk, and could cause some serious, if not critical, medical issues.
On the other hand, what did it matter to him if Antera were to give birth to a healthy child? He or she would be raised in the creche along with all of the other children. K'ain gave the woman a playful smile and held out his hand. "Come, my dear," he said softly. "Let us partake of the fruit of passion this night."
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G'rett had no idea he was being taken to a set of private quarters, hidden away within the heart of the makeshift Weyr. It was, in fact, a weyr that would normally be given to a high-ranking Rider. The ledge was large enough for Coth to stay near his bonded, which overlooked the enormous central cavern. Bound and gagged, the drugged Bronze Rider was lain down on the bed; two Green Riders, both barely into their teens, were posted as guards. They had their orders. Only three people were allowed to check up on their prisoner: Lord K'ain, the Healer El'dan, and Kanly. When it was time for Chrysoberyth to Rise, the lord's daughter would be brought to G'rett, to have her way with him. Only then would Kanly be the only one allowed in that weyr with the Bronze Rider.
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Post by sorra on Aug 8, 2010 20:05:45 GMT -5
G'fal nodded in agreement to Q'del's worry. It was possible that if they sent someone in they might get kidnapped as well. The Weyrling Master sighed. This wasn't going to be easy to accomplish. But they had to do something. He looked over at Tess and Arktos. It seemed like the two wherhandlers had a good idea. He just hoped that they wouldn't be caught.
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El'dan returned to Tyverith, feeling drained. He knew he would have to go back later and check on G'rett. If the bronze rider even started to wake up he knew K'ain would have a fit. Ty, would you mind letting Joreth know that the bronze rider is secure? He had no idea where Lord K'ain was and he wasn't so sure it would be good to track him down. Let him know if he wishes to see me then I shall come.
Of course, Tyverith answered. Joreth. Mine would like Yours to know that the bronze and his rider are secure. Mine is free to talk with Yours when and if he wants to talk, the blue said.
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Post by Kit on Aug 9, 2010 21:03:56 GMT -5
Cybele nodded. "Tess, I would like you to research a fellis antidote, just in case we have no other choice. Shadow will be sent back, and if it is deemed safe, Arktos and Arkysk will follow, since Shadow cannot report conversations to us. Then, once he has gathered what information he can, we will decide what to do next. I think deploying whers is an idea that has merit, but I want to see if we can get any clues to what they want first. You are all dismissed for now, except Q'del, Toniel, Quindara and Arktos, but I will have Chandrath call you all back when we have more information. Oh but, G'fal, if you could do be a huge favor and send one of the older weyrlings to the Craft complex to see if the Masterharper will come here to assist us. He might have information we can use." Plus older weyrlings were always willing to do messenger duty, a chance to be free of the weyr and have a chance to fly.
********
Several hours later, Arktos stood on the rim dressed in the cold weather flying gear he thought he'd never need. Shadow had informed them the G'rett had been moved to a private weyr with a ledge for Coth, and he was guarded by two greenriders who were practically still children. The weyr was not well lit. So, it was decided that the Candiate Master would go with his wher, they would land on the ledge and Arkysk would try to creep into the dim weyr, hopefully ending up under the bed. There they might hear something to their advantage, if Arktos linked closely with Arkysk to use his eyes and ears. Shadow had given them the coordinates. He had already said goodbye to his weyrmate, and sworn to come back safely. So without further ado, he straddled the black and went between.
They landed on the ledge less than a minute later, next to the familiar bronze that didn't even seem to notice their presence. It was bitterly cold, and a thick urtain separated the ledge from the inner weyr. Arktos sat down against Coth's bulk, more for warmth than anything, and let himself see through Arkysk's eyes. Once he'd gotten over the slight feeling of vertigo he said, All right, take a peek in there and see what they're doing.
Arkysk slowly pushed his head through the curtain and they both saw the two youngsters, one boy, one girl, slouching in chairs next to the door of the weyr. The still form of G'rett could be seen in the bed. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and they both turned around. Without even needing prodding, Arkysk slipped into the room and slithered under the bed, which was luckily quite high. No one seemed to notice him. And once underneath, his dark form was indistinguishable from the shadows.
Kanly fidgeted nervously as El'san knocked on the door. She had no desire to see this bronzerider her father told her she'd be mating with soon, but K'ain was not to be gainsaid. "Are you sure it will be safe to stop giving him fellis?" she asked El'dan tremulously as the door opened.
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Post by sorra on Aug 10, 2010 8:39:56 GMT -5
G'fal stood up to leave, but stopped when Cybele spoke. The Weyrling Master nodded. "Of course, Weyrwoman," he said. 'I'll get one sent right over there and have the Master Harper here as soon as possible." With that said, G'fal went to speak with one of the older weyrlings.
~~~
El'dan stood quietly beside Kanly as he waited for the guards to acknowledge their presence. He smiled reassuing at the young red rider. He felt bad for her. He had heard the plans K'ain had for her. A first flight was always scary, but it was even worse if you didn't know the person. And none of them knew this bronze rider. Although at least he seemed young, so Kanly wouldn't be stuck with someone twice her age.
"Do not worry, Kanly," he assured her. "It'll be alright. He's still healing and wouldn't be able to do much right now anyhow. Besides, he's only a rider. Like us." Well, next exactly like them. His face still seemed to hold laughter lines unlike the ones under K'ain.
El'dan gently guided Kanly into the room once the guards let them in.
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Post by Mik on Aug 10, 2010 23:38:22 GMT -5
The large, sandy-colored bulk of a dragon with camouflaged rider atop entered the icy cave in his usual quiet glide. It was time to turn in for the night and a good scrub was always in store before sleep. Another failed hunt left them both more tired than usual and as the huge brown touched down, folding his wings neatly before coming to a complete stop, the rider was already unbuckling his safety straps. Z'zak never messed around with anything. He got things done in due time and was often annoyed when he did not succeed at his task. Pulling his goggles down and helmet off, the pale scarring of his face and the usual annoyed expression was illuminated by the cave's lighting. "'Nother shardin' night of stolen food," he grumbled as he swung his right leg in front of him to turn sideways in the saddle.
Nocheth craned his neck around to gaze at his rider as the long-haired man dismounted by sliding down the sandy hide of his dragon to land with the usual stagger of sudden weight on his feet. The brown had long since learned to keep his worry back as his rider found his balance, easing weight from his left knee as he walked a few paces before glancing at the nearest rider. "Shardin' blizzard movin' in," he said before heading off to his weyr at ground level, large dragon in tow.
Nocheth suddenly stopped and looked about the cave's ledges. Someone new, Mine! came the excited words as he sensed an unfamiliar dragon in their midst.
Z'zak stopped and turned on his heel, dark blue eyes pinning the rider he had just spoken to. "We got a new dragon?" he inquired.
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Post by Kendrall on Aug 11, 2010 9:39:19 GMT -5
The Green Rider in question, barely a boy into his teen years whose face was pockmarked by acne, nodded at Lord K'ain's lieutenant. "Yes, sir," he said respectfully. "Our scouts found a downed Rider and his Bronze dragon near South Sands. The Rider was unconscious when they found him, and brought them both here. Lord K'ain has plans for the Bronze, apparently, and wants to breed him to his daughter's Red Chrysoberyth." The boy pointed towards one of the upper ledges. "They're up in that weyr, but Lord K'ain has specifically ordered no one is to have access save for himself, the Healer El'dan, and Kanly."
The lad was clearly nervous around Z'zak. He didn't know whom was worse; their leader or his second-in-command.
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G'rett let out a groan as he slowly regained consciousness. He never felt so sore in his entire life. The last thing he remembered was when he hit the ground in a violent fashion during that sandstorm. Before he could open his eyes, however, he felt a fleeting sensation of something wearing off. Almost like...
...like he'd been purposely drugged. His senses were coming back to him, bit by bit, and eventually he picked up on the fact there was something on his wrists and across his mouth. Not to mention wherever he was, it was steamy. His brain, however, was refusing to cooperate fully, but allowed him to open his eyes very slowly. G'rett's vision was blurry at first, and he could make out two figures standing over him. When the haze finally cleared, he saw there was a man in Healer's garb, and a younger woman. He had no idea who they were, or where he was. The lingering effects of whatever had kept him asleep were interfering with his normal brain functions, and what should have been a moment of fear was swiftly replaced with nothing but confusion and uncertainty.
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Post by sorra on Aug 11, 2010 10:08:25 GMT -5
El'dan watched G'rett as he continued to try to comfort Kanly. He didn't want the poor girl scared to death. Especially if if this young rider was to be Kanly's first. He smiled slightly as he caught G'rett's moving. Good, he had judged his fellis right. He had been worried for a little bit, since he didn't know the exact extent of G'rett's injuries.
"He's waking up," the Healer told Kanly. "But don't worry. He'll be groggy for a bit yet."
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Post by Kit on Aug 11, 2010 13:02:35 GMT -5
Kanly jumped back a bit as the bronzerider groaned and moved and glanced at El'dan warily as he reassured her. "How long will it take?" she asked nervously. "I think Chrysoberyth might rise tonight," she added, shivering at the thought. "Will I have to untie him once the Flight starts?" The basics of the Flight had been explained to her and she knew this man's participation was required. She supposed he was handsome enough and not too old, but still the whole thing was nerve-racking.
Arkysk listened passively, but outside, Arktos' eyes went wide. They were planiing on using Coth in a Flight. But why?
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Post by sorra on Aug 11, 2010 13:36:33 GMT -5
"Easy," El'dan said. "He can't hurt you." He looked over at Kanly in surprise. Had no one really explained to her what was involved with a flight? Cursed K'ain anyhow. He should have let the poor girl have at least one partner before this flight. Maybe she wouldn't have been so jittery that way. "Yes, Kanly, you will have to untie him," he said gently. "Trust me. When Chrysoberyth rises you'll want him untied. Nothing else will matter." He looked at the teen in surprise. "Tonight?" He inwardly groaned. Good think he had stopped the fellis when he had. "He'll be okay for tonight. Maybe a bit groggy still, but don't worry. That won't matter."
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Post by Mik on Aug 12, 2010 8:45:19 GMT -5
Z'zak's gaze remained steady on the lad as he spoke. So the scouts had found a bronze in the desert sands? Just what was K'ain up to now? While Z'zak might be the older rider's lieutenant, he was not privy to everything about the cranky old brownrider. He had always had it set in his mind that K'ain had made him a wingsecond to keep him from rebelling against him. So what if he could fight among the best. He had never so much as sparred with the brownrider and was pretty certain that they were evenly matched. Someday, that very task would probably be questioned and decided.
Z'zak had enough sanity still left that he did not want to be the reason they had a dragon go Between. K'ain had nearly caused that several times over with his punishments. While dozens of thoughts and possibilities crossed the rider's mind, he gave the young greenrider the slightest of smirks, showing that small side of compassion he still held for all the younger riders. He had felt that his duty was to help them learn for the past ten turns. What else was one to do with a life of solitude like theirs?
"Thanks," he said shortly, an ounce of humanity showing through as he spun back around to head for his weyr. Might as well get the routine done before finding K'ain to see what he could find out himself. Probably K'ain's attempt at getting a queen dragon in their midst. One of those was not just going to drop out of the sky like this bronze must have.
Let's get ya' cleaned up. rider thought to dragon as the huge brown started after his rider, gazing up at the mentioned ledge of a bronze dragon. If we can talk to him, we can find out where his Weyr is and find a way out of here.
Nocheth crooned at his rider's words. He shared his rider's desire to be among more than just their score and a few in numbers. To see golds and bronzes grace the skies like in the days they had left behind that fateful day twenty turns ago. Can I talk to him? he asked, already knowing the answer. The dragon rarely spoke to others and any time he wanted to, Z'zak's answer was always a quick affirmative. Good bronze, where do you hail from? the large brown requested of the dragon he knew was there, pausing in his step to gaze up at the ledge.
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Post by Kendrall on Aug 12, 2010 12:09:55 GMT -5
G'rett wasn't able to quite fully comprehend what these people were saying, his mind still somewhat affected by the drug. But it was enough for Coth to realize his bonded was a bit more conscious than before...but would the Bronze be able to pierce the shroud surrounding the man's brain? G'rett, are you alright? Can you hear me? He tried not to let it be known G'rett was slowly coming to. G'rett?[/i] Meanwhile, the Bronze Rider was still very confused. He wasn't sure why he was bound and gagged, nor did he know what these people wanted with him. There was still no feeling of fear, just uncertainty and curiosity. But what was the buzzing in his brain? Who was trying to speak to him, albeit without an audible, external sound?
Coth, meanwhile, heard another dragon speak to him. A much older one, apparently. He turned to look in the direction. Greetings to you. Mine and I hail from Nova Weyr. I fear for Mine, as he has been in..in... rendered unable to think clearly.[/color] It was difficult for Coth to pronounce the word incapacitated, but he hoped whomever this other dragon was would get the idea.
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