[8.10.2707] Lesson Two-Healing(Healer/weyrlings)

[sorra]

Treoth yawned from his ledge as G'fal gathered everything for another lesson. The brown got to play patient today as the new weyrlings learned how to care for the basic injuries of their life partners. G'fal soon had all his things and looked over at his brown. Ready?

Of course, Treoth said, getting to his feet. The brown liked lessons.

G'fal had sent a request to the infirmary for one of the Healers to come to the lesson today. He was curious to see who was free and would be willing to help. The Weyrling Master waited patiently by the lake for the weyrlings and the Healer to make an appearance. Treoth curled up behind him, intent on catching a little more sleep.

[Kendrall]

Mine, we have lessons by the lake. Shall we go?

The dark-golden bronze looked at J'sen curiously, but the young dragon's eyes were a vibrant blue. As far as the young man could tell, Amonth was looking forward to this lesson. Chuckling and affectionately scratching an eyeridge, J'sen nodded at his bonded. "No point in waiting. Do you know if S'tex and Calyssa are already on their way?"

I think so, yes. Shall I call for them?[/i]

J'sen merely shook his head. "No, I don't think that will be necessary. Come on."

The pair made their way to the lake and noted they were amongst the first to arrive. J'sen bowed to G'fal. "Greetings, Weyrling Master."

((Blah. Failpost.))

[fellis]

Osirith strutted proudly towards the lake, V'lain following after. They had kept a low profile at the last lesson, avoiding trouble. When they had arrived, Osirith settled down, curling his tail around his legs. The Black regarded the other weyrlings curiously by silently. "Good morning, Weyrling Master," V'lain greeted G'fal politely. He stood beside his dragon, resting a hand on Osirith's neck.

E'lon and Danuth were the next to arrive. The weyrling was dressed more casually than usual, since he didn't want to mess his clothes up if the lesson turned out to be "hands on." Hello Amonth, hi Osirith![/color] the green greeted the two male weyrlings cheerfully. E'lon smiled at the other weyrlings and gave G'fal a small bow. He wondered what they would be learning today.

[sorra]

Belenoth rushed out of the barracks ahead of S'tex. The young man was still trying to get his shirt tied up. His hand had healed, but it was still tender from time to time. Come on, slow poke! the bronze said, dancing around S'tex's legs. I want to see everyone else. We'll get to learn new things today. I wonder what.

S'tex rolled his eyes. We won't be learning anything if you don't calm down, he pointed out. You have to let me listen to this lesson.

Freyath walked quietly beside Calyssa. The little red looked up at her rider and Storm who was perched on Calyssa's shoulder. What do you think we will be doing today? she asked daintily.

I don't know, Freyath. We'll have to wait until we get there.

The red nodded as Storm chittered softly. Calyssa smiled when she caught sight of J'sen and cringed when she saw Belenoth giving S'tex a hard time.

Belenoth, Freyath warned. Hello, Amonth. How are you today? Hello to you as well Osirith and Danuth. The red sat down beside Calyssa to wait for instructions.

Belenoth grumbled, but complied and sat down beside S'tex, his tail swishing impatiently. S'tex rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "This could be an interesting day," he said. "Belenoth is full of himself this morning."

Calyssa smiled at J'sen. "Hi, J'sen," she said cheerily before turning to G'fal. "Weyrling Master," she said politely.

G'fal smiled as the weyrlings started to gather. "Well, good morning, J'sen and to you as well V'lain." He was glad to see that they all seemed to be getting used to the lesson routine. He smiled as E'lon, Calyssa, and S'tex joined the group.

[syn]

Gaaah, all the dragons were getting so big! Already Nuadath was almost eight feet long and up to her thigh, and it was only bigger from here. Well, today's healing lesson should help. Minette had hurt herself more often than she had hurt Nuadath, but it hadn't helped to have him constantly worried about her. And it wouldn't be too long before she suffered an accident in flight training or something of that ilk.

Perhaps the most notable change about Minette was that when she walked up, she had cut off most of her hair. It now framed her face in a feminine short-cut. She had gotten sick of it falling in her face and getting tangled in Nuadath's claws. She felt a bit naked, but that didn't show on her face. Already she was taking pride in her position, and that showed in the healthy sheen of Nuadath's hide.

Hello everyone, he said as he came up, greeting his clutchmates with genuine warmth.

--

I can't climb on you anymore!

By far the smallest of his clutch, Inarith was barely reaching four feet in length. C'nex could still carry him, but it was impossible to have him climbing up and over the large man. Nope, but I'll carry you around if you'd like.

I can walk!

Then stop whining.

The large man and his little white strode to the others, Inarith jumping about like a happy puppy as he quickly greeted everyone by name. The pair was followed by Rushera and Athenath. Though Rushera and C'nex had become friends, Athenath preferred to keep her distance from her clutch mates.

A healing lesson? Athenath seemed much more interested than Rushera, and leaned forward a bit to watch. From her position, Rushera noticed V'lain and waved a 'hello'. After all, they had been Searched together, so why shouldn't she recognize him as an acquaintance?

[Kit]

Quindara wiped the oily cloth over Artemth with a flourish. "There, you look lovely as always."

Of course I do. Now you hurry and bathe so that you too are lovely and then we shall go to lessons.

Quindara was not particularly excited about today's lesson. Basic dragonhealing would not be anything new to her. But she supposed it was good to keep in practice, since she's been spending her Craft lessons with the Weyrwoman. Not that she was complaining.

Once she was clean, and lovely enough for Artemth, they made their way to the weyrling bowl, nodding greetings to the others. Cybele had been telling her that she must make an effort to get to know the other riders. It was against her nature to be overly friendly, but she was trying.

K'von and Cernuoth stood at the entrance to the weyrling barracks, waiting for F'har. His arm was still not healed, but it did get better daily. K'von and M'thos took turns helping him out but he knew all three of them would be glad when his brother was fighting fit again. He'd never been so busy. Not that Cernuoth wasn't worth it. The brown looked around the bowl with his usual silent but keen-eyed gaze. Our lesson is healing today. So you might help me if I am injured. It sounds like a useful thing to know. Being a dragon is dangerous.

"Yes, I suppose. But we'll share all our dangers together, remember?" K'von said, patting the brown's head that sat near his hip. Just then, M'thos arrived with Sylvanuth.

"Dragonhealing today huh? I think I'll need it. Sylvanuth just bit Irisith's tail. Luckily he didn't draw blood... Er ichor..."

I didn't mean to hurt her, I only wanted to see how it tasted! the blue replied indignantly.

[Kendrall]

J'sen beamed warmly at Calyssa as Misty crooned with delight at seeing Storm. "You look radiant as always," the young man whispered in his future weyrmate's ear. Amonth likewise crooned at Freyath. Greetings to you, fair Freyath. I am well, thank you. J'sen then greeted S'tex, then the others as they too started to arrive for the lesson.

Amonth bowed his head when Artemth arrived with her bonded. Greetings, Artemth. You and yours look grand, as always. The dark-golden Bronze was one never to pass on acknowledging the young Queen pair, prompting J'sen to arch an eyebrow at Amonth before bowing his head in deference to Quindara. "Good morning, Quindara," he said. J'sen remembered all too well what had happened at the Hatching Feast, and was loathe to bring it up for discussion. He'd heard rumors G'rett had been stripped of his rank temporarily, and the now-former Wingleader had been seeing Quindara long before she Impressed. The young sailor couldn't help but wonder how those two had been handling affairs since that night, but it wasn't any of his business. If the Queen Weyrling wanted to talk about it, she'd do so.

[sorra]

Calyssa's face reddened, but she smiled. 'You're just saying that," she whispered back. 'We're all dressed in old clothes." Although she had to admit that J'sen looked awful good even in work clothes. Calyssa smiled at Quindara. Storm chittered a happy greeting to Misty, fluttering his wings.

Freyath nodded as she sat down beside Calyssa, her tail wrapped around her legs. That is good to hear. I am also well. What do you suppose we will do today?

S'tex returned J'sen's nod as Belenoth twitched impatiently beside him. Although for the moment Belenoth was heeding Freyath's warning and trying to be good. It wasn't likely to last though.

S'tex waved to k'von, M'thos, and F'har. He looked around to see if D'mar and Cheriss had arrived yet. He liked talking to the two siblings.

G'fal smiled as the weyrlings started to gather. 'Alright all. As soon as the Healer gets here we can get started on our lesson for the day," he said cheerily.

[Jazzeh]

F'har was getting used to this whole arm-in-a-sling business. That wasn't to say his life was easy or that he was a master at doing things one-handed, but it wasn't nearly the struggle it had been just after the Hatching. The healers said he was healing well and with luck, he'd be able to fully use the arm shortly. In the meantime, K'von and M'thos had been gracious enough to help him take care of Irisith, who was growing like a weed. Every day it seemed like she ate more voraciously, growing so fast he thought her hide would crack even though he made sure to oil her twice a day. She enjoyed the attention, and she especially enjoyed playing with M'thos' blue Sylvanuth. He was energetic and bouncy, and while her infectious optimism wasn't quite to that extent, she found him much more fun than stuffy Cernuoth.

But then Sylvanuth had bitten her! On their way to weyrling lessons too! Luck would have it that it was only a light bite, not piercing the tough hide, but her tail still hurt. And she was certainly not speaking to the blue. Not after he had bitten her! Please, Irisith. Just be nice. I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you, he said. F'har, it hurts! Did he hurt you? No, so don't tell me to be nice![/color] She was normally so cheery, so it was unusual to hear her being so snippy. But hopefully time would tell and she'd forgive and forget. Hopefully.

---

Lyrensa wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, groaning at the way her stomach still churned and the horrid taste in her mouth. There was a stomach bug going around and she had most certainly caught it from someone she'd treated in the infirmary. This was the worst time to be sick, too, when Brigith constantly needed to be fed or bathed or oiled. Thankfully the gray was not nearly as energetic as some of the other hatchlings and was actually quite patient, calming waiting for her lifemate to finish a shift in the infirmary or mend her clothing or some other task that inevitably interfered with the time they spent together.

Lyrensa, we are late for our lesson. The Weyrlingmaster will be angry with us if we don't show up soon,[/color] the gray chimed softly. She was worried about her rider, even though this was the first time she'd thrown up and Lyrensa insisted it was just a simple sickness. The woman nodded at her dragon and lifted herself off the floor, feeling the tiredness that came from hurling your guts out. She wavered slightly on her feet, throwing her arms out instinctively for balance. When she steadied, she started her walk to the lesson, occasionally having to stop when another wave of nausea threatened to overcome her.

Eventually she reached the lesson, and it seemed that nearly everyone had already arrived. G'fal was speaking, but Lyrensa didn't quite catch his words. So as soon as she was near enough, she apologized, thinking she was late. "I am sorry for being late Weyrlingmaster. I was feeling a little ill this morning."

[sorra]

G'fal looked over when Lyrensa and Brigith walked up. He cringed a little when he saw how pale the gray weyrling looked. "It's quite alright, Lyrensa. We're waiting on the Healer anyhow." He studied her carefully. "You're still looking a bit pale. Do you think you'll be alright for this lesson?" He hated to have anyone miss the lessons, but if she was as sick as she looked then he'd let her go and see if he could get the Healer to catch her up to speed when she was feeling better. It wouldn't do to get the other weyrlings sick as well.

[chree]

Tess glanced up from checking a set a stitches as a runner stepped through the infirmary doorway. Murmuring an apology to her patient for her hastiness, she finished quickly and rose to meet the messenger. She listened carefully and thanked him for his message, forcing a smile though she wanted to frown a bit over the subject. A weyrling lesson on healing? She approved full heartedly, of course, but a quick glance around confirmed she was the only open Healer with enough rank to attend. And she should be the one to attend, after all, but wouldn’t it be better to send one of the dragonriding healers?

Tess bit her lower lip a moment and considered things. Of course she’d been reading up on dragonhealing whenever she could (though obstetrics had unexpectedly taken priority in her recent studies…), she examined Haseth at every opportunity, and there was always Tesk. But how similar were whers and dragons, really? Same! Tess twitched a bit of a smile and made up her mind to go. There was ever really a question as to whether she would, and this was the main reason she’d switched to a weyr, wasn’t it? Besides, the weyrlings wouldn’t want a lecture on advanced physiology…

Realizing that her lingering would make her late, she notified the nearest Joruneyman that she’d be stepping out for a bit and made her way to the Weyrbowl as quickly as she could. Her hair was already tied neatly back, but as she approached the group she moved automatically to check it. It took her half a second to glance through the small crowd and remember what the WeyrlingMaster looked like, but she found him soon enough and stepped to him with a polite nod and a soft smile. “My apologies for tardiness, WeyrlingMaster. How can I be of service?”

[sorra]

G'fal looked over when Tess spoke. He smiled at the Master Healer. "No, it is quite alright," he assured her. "All the weyrlings have just gotten here anyhow," he said, looking around. It appeared one or two was still missing, but he noticed a couple shapes hurrying toward them. He turned back to Tess. "I would like the weyrlings to know the basics of tending their dragons if an emergency occurs. Would you mind helping me out and pointing out a few things to them?" he asked, hoping she didn't mind.

[Jazzeh]

Lyrensa nodded her head firmly. "I will be fine," she reassured. As any healer was, she was reluctant to admit anything could be wrong with her. "Just a bit of a stomach flu. I'm a healer, you shouldn't worry," she said with a cheeky smile. Perhaps it wasn't the best to be so bold with the Weyrlingmaster, but she did know what she was talking about. She wasn't seriously ill and she wasn't about to miss a lesson because of a little nausea. When the Weyrhealer arrived, the woman's demeanor changed. Since Tess had been her superior even before she Impressed, she composed herself into respectful obedience. She dipped her head in greeting and waited for the lesson to begin.

[chree]

((… >.o))

Tess was quick to reassure him, finding herself soothed by his easy temper. “No of course not.” Not that she was particularly well practiced in giving lessons… particularly since she hadn’t planned on giving a lecture. If this was to be a regular occurrence, she’d have to prepare a lesson plan. Bother… best take a moment to think it over then.

Turning to the weyrlings, she took a calming breath and smiled. There were, of course, a few among them she’d already met and as she scanned the group she lingered a little on her Healers, unable to resist a little pride on their behalf. Noting Lyrensa’s acknowledgement, her smile flickered with something like amusement and she nodded politely back – Lyrensa looked a little unsteady, though; Tess would have to speak the senior apprentice soon about her health. But wasn’t that Quindara? Tess paused a moment and wondered why the junior journeyman hadn’t been permitted to lead the lesson – she gave the silver weyrling a look she hoped would serve as an invitation to jump in if she felt anything had been overlooked.

To business. Though Tess did make an effort, it was hardly in her nature to speak loudly – she did her best. “Good morning. I’m Tess, WeyrHealer, Handler of grey Tesk, and I am quite pleased to meet you all. Congratulations on your recent Impressions.”

Basic dragonhealing… lets see. Numbweed, Threadscore, obviously. Wing tears, skin treatment, Cloudlung… that should be a good start. Smile renewed, she proceeded with her lecture.

--- ((Feel free to skip down to Closing Statement!)) ---

((Numbweed))

“I’m sure you’re all familiar with numbweed, but in case anyone has been fortunate enough to avoid it so far, I’ll take a moment to explain the fundamentals. For your purposes, it will come already prepared in a paste-like substance, a little oily to the touch. When rubbed onto any area of the body, as the name implies, it numbs pain. This can be an immense source of relief, but please do not ingest it. It works quite the same for dragons as it does humans. As your dragon grows and you continue to work together, there will undoubtedly be pulls and strains and general muscle aches, and numbweed can be quite useful in easing some of that discomfort. However, keep in mind that it is not always wise to mask pain so you can move as if you weren’t hurt. If an injury is numbed and strenuous activity proceeds, the injury is often worsened. Pain is generally a warning, not simply a symptom to be treated away. On a related note, Redwort will prevent and counteract the effects of Numbweed.

((Threadscore))

Perhaps foremost on your minds, and understandably so, is a concern for Threadscore. I’m sure your instructors have or will talk to you about this more at length, but let me tr and give you a Healer’s perspective. Thread will consume flesh in a particularly painful, burning manner, and it will not stop until it is properly killed. However, though the initial source has been disposed of, there will still be an open wound to tend. The severity of these wounds varies considerably based on initial wound site and duration of Threadlife post-contact. Numbweed will often help in these situations, but this type of wound should be seen, assessed, and treated by a Healer as soon as possible.

((Wing tear))

Another common ailment for dragons, I believe, is in the wing – as I’m sure you’ve noticed, the wing membrane is rather delicate and, unfortunately, easily torn. If this occurs, it is best to cease activity – particularly flight – as quickly as possible. Though your dragon may be in a good deal of pain, you must ask them to remain as still as possible to avoid further tearing. Numbweed may be applied sparingly, but a Healer should be requested as soon as possible to avoid scarring and further damage.

((Rash))

Skin problems are another common complaint, particularly for young dragons. Daily oiling is, as I’m sure you’ve been told, is the best prevention for this. However, if a rash does develop, numbweed is not an appropriate solution. Basic Aloe is readily available in a paste-like form and can be applied with high success rates to less severe cases. A distillation of Witch Hazel is also an acceptable remedy and doubles as a disinfectant. Comfrey is a slightly more versatile option, but it takes much longer to prepare, so use it only in moderation and only if necessary. If irritation continues and if ou ever suspect infection – any extreme tenderness or odd discoloration, please consult a Healer as soon as possible.

((Cloudlung symptoms))

If your dragon ever begins coughing, sneezing, or complains of general body ache, please do not attempt to treat symptoms yourself and seek a Healer immediately. While your dragon may not be terribly ill or even sick at all, it is imperative that you act quickly just in case there is a more serious underlying issue.”

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

((Closing statement ^.^!))

Almost done. Tess shited her tone to indicate she was coming to a closing, hoping this last bit would resonate if nothing else did. “Finally, please always feel free to come to the infirmary with any questions – you know your dragons better than anyone else, so trust your intuition and err on the side of caution. I will never begrudge any of you a false alarm. Additionally, if you are ever curious as to the property of a potential medical substance, do not hesitate to seek myself or one of the other Healers for advice or information.”

Goodness. Like being back at the Healer Hall… Tess arched an eyebrow and wondered how many of her temporary pupils she’d lost to a lecture-daze. Oh well. Hopefully they’d all gotten at least something out of it – though even if they hadn’t, there were at least two Healers among them. Her expression smoothed back to a smile. “Are there any questions?”

[sorra]

G'fal stepped back by Treoth and let Tess lead the class. He cursed himself for not warning Tess sooner. Later he'd make a point to speak with her. He was hoping to be able to do this with each new weyrling class and he would need the Healer's help to do it. Maybe the two of them could figure out a plan to go by. Maybe even simulate an injury on the older dragons, so the weyrlings could learn.

I'd help, Treoth offered.

G'fal smiled. Thanks, Treoth.

Calyssa stared wide eyed as Tess told them about different things to watch for with their dragons. "There's so much," she whispered, looking over at S'tex and J'sen.

S'tex was busily writing down notes as Belenoth bounced around his feet. Thankfully the bronze wasn't hurting anything, so S'tex let him go.

Storm chittered from Calyssa's shoulder. She raised her hand. "Do the same types of treatments apply to firelizards as well?" she asked curiously. She had never thought about both of her best friends getting the same thing.

Freyath snorted softly. You will do fine, Calyssa. I trust you. Worrying does not suit you.