Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 2, 2007 11:29:46 GMT -5
The Hold had quarters for watchdragons, and Lord Rocest had always been good to Selenitas - even when it seemed that Threadfall was no longer a threat. It helped that the man had known D'vo when the bronzerider was Weyrleader. S'rei spoke quietly to the older man, Salenth sprawled languishly on the weyrledge, Aslath within the weyr itself, out of sight. Whoever wanted to get to Shmee would have to go past both dragons.
It should be an effective double blind. Those who knew that Salenth and S'rei had taken Shmee and Aslath out of Selenitas would think they'd gone much farther from the weyr. And it would be easier to keep the story from the rest of the weyr if they could play it off as Shmee returning from a state visit to one of the Holds Selenitas protected, once her safety and well-being was assured.
S'rei bowed to Rocest and retreated into the weyr, stepping past the queen dragon with care. There was a small bed in the watchdragon's quarters, and he'd laid out a pallet near the foot of it, which he stepped over now. He'd encouraged Smee to remain sitting, propped up by the pillows. He didn't know much about healing. He did, however, know that some went into a coma if they slept too soon after suffering a head injury. That was the last thing Selenitas needed.
The bronzerider studied her bruised face, lips tight against the anger that surged inside him, making his skin pale and the stark grey eyes darken. He exhaled through his nose. His hand ran through his hair, mussing it, but he didn't notice. "You shouldn't have gone alone, Shmee. You know that. Why didn't you tell anyone? They could have done anything to you, anything at all. I'm still not entirely sure what they did do."
Have you found out anything? Not much. Most are too afraid of what might happen if the weyrleaders find out they've spoken to us. S'reiMine...If one of our old friends is not our friend anymore... They already know we're here, Salenth. And if they decide to make a move on Selenitas, we'll be high on their list, regardless. I'd be more worried about putting the others in danger. The weyrleaders don't know that some still oppose them quietly. You know they can reach us if they want to. I can't lose you again.
S'rei blinked back the sudden emotion that surged through him. He turned his face from Shmee. She didn't need to see it. You won't, Salenth. Don't worry.
The dragon was unconvinced, but he let it go. Is the weyr big enough for you, Lady Aslath? the bronze inquired. It was far too small for both dragons, and hadn't been made for a queen. She wasn't exactly hanging out of it. Still, he couldn't imagine she was overly comfortable.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Oct 2, 2007 12:51:43 GMT -5
Shmee was still mildly disoriented, but it helped that she was beginning to calm. All the trips between, though, made her already boggled mind even further confused. Her eyes flickered about slowly, little energy behind investigating her surroundings. She was distantly bored by the lack of color in these quarters, but at least it was better here. She was still clinging to Aslath's mind, not wanting to just cast it into the back of her mind.
We are out of there, Mine, Aslath reassured her tiredly. She was quite cramped, but she was not even going to start complaining, grateful just to have a place to lie down in safety. She was also reflecting on the day's events. She hadn't gotten to meet her children yet. No matter- she would soon. At Salenth's question, she blinked, her glowing orbs losing a hint of the red that filled them. It is fine. Thank you for bringing us here, she told him, genuine gratitude filling her mind-voice.
Shmee's eyes connected with S'rei's, and she blinked. It took a minute to digest this question, and she closed her eyes, shrugging weakly. "Benden sent a letter, asking for me," she replied in a hoarse voice- so much different than the musical tone that usually played from her throat. "They told me that they knew about Millieth... So, after the hatching, we went. I didn't think they would want to do anything to me, and I was partly right." That last sentence came more smoothly off her tongue, not sounding as broken as the rest of her statement had. This was something that Shmee didn't have to be told- she knew it.
Without hesitation, she went on, her voice sounding more and more dry with each word. "So I got there. I expected Benden to be this enormous, glorious Weyr- I figured they would have to house their army somewhere comfortable. I'd never been there before, so I didn't know..." She shook her head slowly, but still felt slightly nauseous from doing so. Making note not to do that again, she told him, "I was wrong. I have never seen so much poverty anywhere. And the slaves..." She shuddered involuntarily. Looking back up at him, her eyes were bright with her fury. "Did you know they pay marks to people to go over to Fort, launch an attack on the dragons, and bring back the dragonless to be their slaves?!" Appalled at this, she remembered distantly questioning one of the bronzeriders about that. They said they were very good, because they had no will to protest, and did everything without complaint. Only trouble was, of course, that they would always try to kill themselves, so they would always be watched.
"Everyone looked at me as if I were evil," she told him, her voice growing more quiet. "No one trusts the dragonriders- not even weyrfolk. And then C'leon found out I was here, so he came down and... tried to reason with me, at first. He said I could keep Millieth if Selenitas became his ally." Disgust laced Shmee's now harsh voice, hating the smug look on his face as he assumed she would be too scared to refuse. "So he got angry..." The dry quality of her voice caused the last syllable to crack, and she groaned, rubbing at her throat. "Can I please just sleep now?" she pleaded, almost forgetting for a moment that she was the Weyrwoman- the way she asked this, she could have been a weyrbrat who had had a long day.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 2, 2007 15:08:04 GMT -5
I wish it wasn't necessary, Salenth responded soberly to her thanks. He curled up, the night just giving way to morning, the bronze tired from the long hours. Sadness permeated his Mine's state of mind, a profound sadness that didn't seem to quite fit the situation. He wanted to ask. But Salenth knew S'rei wouldn't respond, not yet, and so he contented himself by watching the holders begin to stir with the coming of the dawn.
He listened to her speak, marvelling at her naivety. How could a Weyrwoman be so innocent as to not realize what was going on? As to assume that another weyr wouldn't lay a hand on her? Fort and Benden were at war. Was it not common, in war, for prisoners to be taken? It was the same thing that had happened, time and time again, amongst their race from the beginning. His voice was quiet as he responded to her outrage. "It is not much different in Fort, Shmee."
No, he and Salenth had liked little about the war. They had not gotten involved. Only the respect that other dragonriders held for them allowed them to go unchallenged despite their insubordination, but the fact remained that S'rei had accepted what he couldn't change long ago. The number of dragonless was growing. As was the number of those dragons going Between at the loss of their Mine. It was why, after the initial shock, it hadn't been so surprising that they would try to find a way to increase their clutches. Dragons were dying almost as quickly as they were hatched. How many of his friends, both from Fort and Benden, had fallen in this war? How many more would fall? What, in the end, could one bronzepair do?
"He can't take Millieth from you," S'rei responded sternly. C'leon couldn't. Not without using force. And, were that to happen...Millieth would be the least of their concerns. The bronzerider moved over to a tray he'd had brought up, bringing her a cup of klah. He smoothed back the hair from her face as he urged her to drink it. "Not yet, Shmee. Just stay awake a little while longer." The man watched the girl soberly, thinking again of how very young she was. He drank a bit of the klah himself. His body was still cold from the multiple jumps, and though he was fully clothed now, he'd gone Between wet and shirtless. Not smart. But necessary.
"Don't speak of Benden. Tell me about the hatching, yours and Aslath's. Who else Impressed? What was it like?" He wanted to take her mind off the harsh reality, at least for awhile. Just another hour. Then, if she was still all right, he'd let her sleep. That should be long enough, right?
Do you want me to ask Kali? A pause. Then, No. Best to just keep this between us. Weariness had settled over the bronze, but he managed to keep himself awake. He didn't want to be caught off-guard. Mine is trying to keep yours awake. Can you help? It might be bad for her to sleep too early.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Oct 2, 2007 21:34:22 GMT -5
Shmee's eyes darkened. So this was how it was in Fort as well? It was a sharp smack into reality for her- she knew war involved killing, but she thought it happened fairly, in the skies. But no, it had a much deeper level than that- dirty work, spies, mass murders... Shuddering again, she slowly refocused her eyes back on S'rei.
She was silent, making no gesture in response to being unable to take Millieth. He had a point... But Benden would still try getting to her through Shmee. Panicked at this thought, she shot up from the pillows. However, this triggered a wave of nausea, and she clutched her stomach. "We're not in Benden, right?" she asked once she was able to speak. She didn't recognize these surroundings- what if she had walked into a trap!?
The klah calmed her slightly, fortunately. She took a cautious sip, despite her fear of it being laced with something. Deciding it was safe, she took a couple more sips, still as tired as ever. Her eyes half-closing, she leaned back into the chair, desperate to sleep. She was only barely aware that he had smoothed her hair back- she probably would've been flirtatious towards him if she was able to, but she was hardly able to think straight. Instead, she was distantly relieved, the annoying hair now taken care of. Shme closed her eyes, not caring if S'rei told her not to. She wanted to sleep. Could he see that?
Taking Salenth's suggestion, Aslath bespoke her. Mine, you must not sleep. Answer the questions, the gold reassured her rider. Irritated, Shmee's eyes opened, slowly finding their way back to S'rei. Aslath glanced over at the bronze. We are both so tired. Are you sure we cannot sleep? she asked, her tone just as plaintive as Shmee's.
"I don't know the candidates," she replied vaguely. She probably wasn't even aware of what she was saying, but her mouth kept on going. "That healer girl got one of the deformed ones. Lots of defected dragons... So bizarre..." Her eyes began to close again, but Aslath mentally poked her, and Shmee opened her eyes with great reluctance. She paused, then, just remembering it, she added, "And that girl Impressed the queen. That girl who was flirting with you." Even tired, her irritation shone through. "Aslath doesn't mind her, but I don't like her. She's too forward," she remarked bitterly, her eyes closing once again.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 3, 2007 0:33:17 GMT -5
He watched her struggle against her weariness. The bronzerider found it hard to force her to stay awake, seeing how tired she was, but he couldn't do anything else. S'rei felt as if he were dealing with a petulant child. As much as he might wish to give in, he had to remain firm. He couldn't risk Shmee sliding off into a coma...
"This is Selenitas Hold. Lord Rocest says we may stay here as long as we need to; he and my father knew each other well."
If S'rei was finding it hard to deny Shmee, Salenth found it doubly hard with Aslath. She was his queen. A gold. Any bronze felt the pull of a gold's will. The only thing that allowed him to remain strong was the fact that she was asking, much as a weyrling might, rather than ordering. And S'rei was steadfast on his stand. They couldn't sleep. Not yet. Soon, though, he thought. It's only for a little while longer. Mine worries that, if yours sleeps now, she may not wake up. Soon he will know if it is safe for her to close her eyes. He hoped.
Yes, soon S'rei verified. He listened to Shmee's murmured response, realizing instantly that she hadn't understood his question quite right. The bronzerider had meant the hatching where she'd Impressed Aslath. He found it rather amusing, however, that she felt the need to tell him that the healer Salenth spoke to had Impressed one of the deformed dragons...as if he wouldn't be aware of it. Or of the fact that Paryal had Impressed the gold, just as he predicted.
Then, at her complaint, S'rei just had to laugh. "Too forward?" He regarded her with unfettered wonder. "And you managed to say that in all seriousness? I don't seem to remember Paryal giving me directions to her quarters, or hinting at things no honorable girl would dream of thinking about in daylight, much less speaking of."
Despite the rebuke, there was something like affection behind the words. Shmee could be awfully endearing when her guard was down. Too forward? Ha! He leaned forward, then, noting her fluttering lids. It was still too early. "No, not today's hatching. I was there with my sister and new nephew. I meant the hatching where you Impressed Aslath. Tell me about that." There was something like regret in his eyes. For, despite the fact that he could now recall if a face looked familiar or he'd been somewhere before, his Impression was still locked away in that part of his memory that was inaccessible to him.
I remember it. As long as I have to, Mine, I'll remember it for the both of us.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Oct 3, 2007 8:33:30 GMT -5
Shmee's eyes cracked open a little, and gave one very small nod of understanding. "Rocest's always been a good man," she replied softly, the scratchiness in her voice almost inaudible when she spoke this low. Pleased the that result, she decided to keep going with the quiet sound, even though it would probably make S'rei have to strain his ears to be able to hear her.
Aslath, fortunately, was not being pushy to Salenth. All right, she replied tiredly, and pressed her mind with Shmee's, trying to keep her awake. I would not want her to not wake up, she informed the bronze unnecessarily as she shifted her position slightly to loosen up cramped limbs.
Shmee regarded S'rei tiredly, but a shadow of the strange mixture of irritation and amusement was visible. Though she couldn't recognize his way of speaking as affectionate, it did remind her of the Touching, when everything was so much calmer. "Shut up," she murmured, unable to think of her usual arguments to a statement such as his in her current state. She would argue with that later- if she remembered these blur of words, of course.
The thought of her own Impression to Aslath was enough to brighten up the Weyrwoman. Fidgeting slightly as if wanting to straighten, but unable to do so without feeling sick, she smiled a little. "I wasn't supposed to Impress Aslath," she told S'rei with not modesty, but rather pride. Yes, she was proud to have Impressed the queen when she was assured to someone else. "The queens always went to the girls in the line of Selenitas- not random holder girls like me," she recounted with a chuckle. "A Searchrider had picked me as a candidate, thinking my wonderful ways would make me the perfect greenrider. I, however, always had the hope for the queen- all girls did, even though they knew it wouldn't happen. And then, it did for me," she said in wonder. "Aslath didn't go to the Weyrwoman's daughter, but picked me over her just as that girl was walking her way."
Her eyes softened, as many eyes often do, as she remembered the Impression. Aslath was a fiesty little hatchling, bowling the expected queenrider over and choosing Shmee instead. Aslath crooned from her snug space.
I did not like her, the queen said simply, flicking her tail.
"The girl committed suicide later though, and that threw off our Weyrwoman, who just rapidly declined," Shmee added with a weak half-shrug, guiltless. She knew it wasn't her fault- though the girl had met with a sad fate, they weren't exactly the best of friends. She had spent her entire candidacy bragging about how she would get the queen, so it must have been a blow to have been rejected. "Anyway," she declared softly, "The Hatching was pretty good. Not many eggs, but a good group of riders. A couple twins Impressed blues, which was interesting. F'loof and Fiya, I think. One of them is dead, though- the Weyrwoman's fault." Scowling, Shmee rolled her head onto her shoulder, spent after this quick little tale.
You cannot sleep, Mine, Aslath said firmly.
"I know," she mumbled, unaware it was spoken out loud, and not really caring.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 3, 2007 11:05:42 GMT -5
Salenth's gaze travelled over the early risers in the Hold. There were a few curious glances at the bronze; most of the time the assigned watchdragon was a blue or green. Yet the curiosity was only mild, as sometimes dragonpairs were assigned this duty as a matter of chastisement, and it wasn't unheard of for a bronze to spend a tenday as a watchdragon if things were unsteady at the weyr. Salenth had absolutely no intention of staying that long. It did give them some leeway, however.
None of us wish that for Yours, he replied, the mind-voice soft and reassuring, the kind he would use with a dragonet. Aslath was so young like this, the weariness upon her. She was young anyway. But the gold usually didn't act quite this young. He had children of his own only a little younger than she. That was something of a sobering thought.
S'rei listened to her explanation of the hatching. He was no healer, and he wouldn't presume to say he knew another's thoughts, but it kind of made sense that Shmee would be proud of her Impression to the gold - and that she continued to put up that confident front. A young weyrwoman, thrust into her role too early, not of the line of the Selenitas weyrwomen...There must have been many who doubted her. There were probably many who still did. Shmee wasn't nearly as confident as she'd like people to believe.
When she spoke of F'loof and Fiya, he frowned, not recognizing either name, although one sounded vaguely familiar. Then it hit him. F'loof was what she'd called the bluerider who had brought Kalierre when Kaegan and Millieth arrived. He'd lost a twin sister? One who'd Impressed at the same time he had? It must be painful for the man just to remain in Selenitas, to see the other dragonpairs that were clutchmates to his blue. S'rei suspected that F'loof probably wasn't his name. Maybe he should go out of his way to talk to the bluerider sometime.
Tell me what it was like, Salenth. Our Impression. The bronze stirred. The plaintive tone of S'rei's request saddened him. There was no queen on the sands. It was not a big clutch, and there were many, many candidates. When I cracked shell, it was halfway through the hatching. Still there were so many minds. So many wrong ones. I was worried. None of them were Mine. I was the first of two bronzes, and the boys rushed me. I'm afraid I hurt some of them, trying to get through the wrong minds. Then I was through the ring, and I sensed it. A strong, quiet mind, but it was not thinking of me. It was thinking of a girl who had just Impressed a green. A fondness entered his tone. I had to bowl you over to get your attention. You cried. So small, then, and I thought I'd hurt you, but you said no. No, you were just happy.
S'rei sighed, wishing he could remember that with all his heart. Small? Oh, yes, he had been small, hadn't he? All of D'vo's sons had stood as soon as they were old enough.
Shmee was fading quickly. He would have had her stand, walk with him, but the light would make her easily indentified, and she had been too weak to walk before. S'rei, already perched close to her just to hear her quiet, rasping tones, reached for her hands, hoping the touch might push away some of the sleepiness. At least for a moment. "Stay with me just a little while longer, Weyrwoman." His voice was sharp.
"Don't close your eyes. I want you to look at my face." He waited for the blues to center on him, before continuing, "Describe this room to me, now, everything about it. What it looks like, smells like, how it makes you feel. Don't leave anything out." He was all seriousness. Part of the request was to keep her awake, but another big part was to see how well her mind was functioning. It seemed to want to wander.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Oct 3, 2007 11:46:21 GMT -5
Shmee scowled, and slowly brought her head up. Her eyelids felt so heavy, and she just wanted to relieve them of the burden of staying up. Nevertheless, she delicately took his hand, only holding it lightly. "Fine," she mumbled, not liking be told what to do, but not having the desire to argue.
Slowly refocusing her tired eyes on him, she blinked in confusion at his request, wondering if she was so out of it that she was just imagining he had asked her to tell him what the room looked like. Was he daft? Couldn't he see for himself? "Look at it yourself," she muttered, irritated. However, knowing he'd make her do it anyway, she quickly added, "It's drab and boring. That's basically it." Slowly, her eyes flickered around the room once more, taking in the surroundings. She was grateful for a place she was safe with Aslath, even if it wasn't the prettiest of accomadations.
She sighed, bringing a hand to her face absently. Tentatively, she touched the bruise on her face, frowning as the slightest pressure caused it to hurt. Benden apparently had muscle. "Should we have Selenitas start defending ourselves?" she asked suddenly, her eyes finding S'rei's once again. "I am not going back there- it was stupid to go the first time. But will they try coming after us?" She hadn't known if C'leon was going to go after her or not, but what if they came and massacred her Weyr in her absence? Alarmed, she struggled to sit up, blue eyes wide. "Are they going to attack us?"
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 3, 2007 12:59:58 GMT -5
Not exactly the most detail-oriented person, was she? He wrinkled his nose at her description, a wry smile coming to his lips. Though he had to admit she was right; it was drab and boring. That was simply the nature of a weyr that saw so many occupants, over so short a time, that no one had the desire to personalize the small living space.
He found it interesting that, despite the ill-grace in which she did as he asked, the girl was still being obedient. Was she just too tired to argue with him today? That must be it. S'rei couldn't imagine that she actually cared enough about what he wanted to listen to him for that reason.
Whether because he was forcing her to use her mind, or because the grogginess was clearing naturally, Shmee's thoughts turned toward her weyr, and she became startlingly coherent. His eyes narrowed, listening to her spoken train of thought. Yes, he thought it would be wise to train dragon against dragon, though he was relieved that she only meant it as defensive tactics. They could not believe they would never be attacked or dragged into the war. Especially not now. And if they could prepare the weyr for that eventuality, the death toll would be far less. Not nonexistant. Just less.
He caught her shoulders as she tried to sit up, gently pressing her back down. "They might, Shmee. None of the wings have been mobilized yet, though, or Salenth would know. It is possible that they could send a few, rather than a wing, and keep it quiet, but not likely, and, regardless, there is absolutely nothing you could do in your present state. Selenitas is strong. We will fight if we have to. But you have to trust us, Weyrwoman, to fight that battle alone until you get well enough to join it."
His solemn eyes regarded her sternly. "Your duty to your weyr is to remain alive and recover enough to lead the weyr at your full strength. Aslath is the only queen old enough to clutch. If we lose you two - Selenitas will fall apart. It has been hard enough while the weyr waited for her to mature." He paused. "It is good that you don't plan to go to Benden again. If you do, though, don't you dare go alone, without telling anyone. If they don't kill you, I will." His smile was mirthless. They couldn't afford for Shmee to make the same mistake twice.
By the egg, none of them could afford to make the same mistake twice. Things were too precarious to play that game.
He realized it might sound odd, his comment that Salenth would know if there were any major movements in Benden, but S'rei elected not to explain himself. It shouldn't be hard to imagine that a former Benden wingleader would still have ties to some of the dragonriders there. At least enough to be made aware of any major dragon movement that had nothing to do with Threadfall.
"And yes, I think training Selenitas to fight can't hurt."
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Oct 3, 2007 21:15:41 GMT -5
Shmee grumbled as she was pushed down. She needed to get up, to take action! Being unable to do that made her feel just so useless. She was fine- she could get back to her Weyr, organize the wings and prepare drills in combat. Not that she knew any- but perhaps some Benden or Fort refugees did. Didn't S'rei understand that she needed to get back?
"I'm fine!" she protested as he told her she wasn't well. Struggling against him now, she stood up, feeling very wobbly on her feet as her head made a rush in dizziness. She swayed on her feet, seeing black dots form against her eyes. Groaning, she reluctantly sat down. "They shoved me against the wall," she told him distantly. "At the snap of his fingers, C'leon has his wingleaders push me against the wall, and I hit my head..." Experimentally, her hand went to the back of her head, feeling the large, swollen bump against her fingertips. They had pushed her very hard- knocked her unconscious, but she supposed they did that on purpose so they could drag her up to one of the prison cells.
We are safe, Mine, Aslath reassured her rider lovingly. Shmee blinked slowly, remembering the topic at hand.
"We need to go back now, though," she grunted, her eyes begging with S'rei to agree. "Selenitwas can't be attacked when I'm not there... The Weyr needs their Weyrwoman..."
Spent, Shmee's eyes closed slowly, her head tipping into her lap. Mine, Aslath said sternly. Angry now, Shmee looked back up, staring off into space, but the way she spoke made it seem as though she were looking at Aslath. "I know, please stop telling me!" she wailed, sounding like a weyrbrat more than ever. So intent was Shmee on her dilemma of needing sleep that she paid no attention to when S'rei had slipped in that Salenth would know if Benden's wings were on the prowl. Less tired, she would question him, but now, exhaustion and injury made her overlook such a statement.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 4, 2007 2:17:48 GMT -5
She fought him. And he allowed her up, if only because she would be less likely to hurt herself if he relented. Sure enough, the girl could barely stand, and was soon resting again, her hand to her head. He watched her silently. Listened to her distress, his face a stony mask. Anger swelled at Benden. It swelled and settled in his stomach like a dead weight. S'rei would not allow her to see the anger, simply because he didn't want her to misinterpret it.
The bronzerider stolidly shook his head at her pleading. "Not yet, Shmee. If Selenitas is attacked, I will take you there. But I don't want you at Selenitas until you've rested unless that happens. We can't let whoever has been leaking information to Benden realize how badly they've affected you. Let Benden see you unshaken. Whole. It's a mind game, but that's often what wins the battles." He regarded her intensely. "Do you understand what I'm saying? You will save more lives by waiting until you can show yourself as a strong, healthy leader, than by hurrying off to Selenitas now."
S'rei spoke from the experience of nine turns watching various leaders in a wartime situation and which things worked. His own experience as a wingleader added to that. He knew how important it was that those who followed you had confidence in your ability to lead, which had a lot to do with appearances. It also greatly affected the confidence of the enemy. No, he didn't like the idea of putting Shmee in danger. That certainly had a lot to do with his stance. Still, from a purely tactical standpoint, it was better to keep her away for a little while longer. At least until after she rested. The weyrwoman had to seem perfectly fine and on top of her game.
He glanced at the height of the sun. It had been long enough. Sitting back, thinking that, once she recovered her strength, she would become completely unmanageable again, he nevertheless admitted that it was safe for her to sleep. She'd be all right. "You should rest now, Shmee. Hopefully when you wake we will be able to return to the weyr."
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Oct 4, 2007 6:04:48 GMT -5
Mind games? This war disgusted her- it was moving beyond what her expectations of war had been. It wasn't only by force- the psychological point of war was a frightening idea to her. However, after being at Benden, she couldn't say she was surprised. "I don't like it," she finally declared, and it took all of her will to not sound small. However, it didn't get the desired effect just right- her voice was mildly shaky on that line.
The moment S'rei's intention to let her sleep became clear, Aslath eased up her firm pressure on Shmee. Crooning lovingly at Shmee, Aslath turned to Salenth. May I sleep as well? she asked calmly, only asking because she wanted to know if she needed to watch her rider or if anyone approached. Shifting her position yet again, she curled up, and looked over at Salenth to make sure it was all right.
For Shmee, however, S'rei didn't need to tell her twice. Before he even finished speaking, her eyes closed and her head fell once more to her shoulder, not even getting herself laid down before sleep fell over her. And for her, this position was just as comfortable- she was just exceedingly grateful for the chance to sleep that it wouldn't have mattered if she were to sleep on the stone floor. Aslath cast her eyes over to her bonded, giving a last soft, comforting croon.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 5, 2007 10:03:17 GMT -5
You may sleep, my queen. I will guard the weyr. Salenth basked in the heat of the day's beginning. Unlike the others, he'd actually gotten some sleep this night. When will you tell me? The answer was so long in coming, Salenth was sure his mine was going to ignore the questiong. It was my brother. The raw emotion was enough to send Salenth reeling. Mine...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pressed you.
The bronzerider gazed silently at Shmee's slack face, marvelling at the peaceful expression. How different it was from what he felt. No. It's all right. I just didn't want to admit it was anything more than a nightmare to myself just yet. He shivered, sipping at his klah. I don't know why it bothers me so much. It's not like I even remember what he was like.
You should sleep.
In a moment. The bronzerider leaned back, wondering what it all meant. He was positive that all the events of the past several turns were related - somehow. Something warm and wet burned tracks down his cheek. S'rei captured it on a finger, staring at the droplet with something like incomprehension.
***
He awoke to twilight. Stirring from his pallet, the which he'd laid at the entrance to the weyr should anyone get past both Salenth and Aslath, S'rei frowned at the too-small tunic he'd borrowed. Besides being wrinkled from sleep, his forearms peered out from the end of his sleeves by nearly two inches. That's what you get for not planning ahead. The bronzerider blinked away his sleepiness. He glanced at Shmee, satisfied to see that the Weyrwoman was still there.
All has been quiet.
S'rei moved to Shmee's side, his voice husky with sleep as he shook her gently. "My Lady? It's time to wake up. How are you feeling?"
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Oct 5, 2007 11:52:14 GMT -5
Shmee's eyelids fluttered open as she felt the motions of someone shaking her, and vaguely heard a question. Looking around, she blinked in confusion. Where was she again? Groaning, she straightened her stiff back, wondering how she had managed to get to sleep sitting up. Suddenly, everything came back to her as she felt the biggest headache she had had in a long time.
Paling, she looked around, the events slowly coming back to her. The eggs had hatched into deformed dragonets, Benden had delivered her a message saying that they knew about Millieth, she had gone there...
The legendary Benden Weyr was nothing but a shambles. That was the first thing Shmee had noted as she gazed at her surroundings. People stared at her in disgust, and she felt dirty just in the way they had looked at her. In the distance, she saw a group of dead-looking people submit to punishment without protest, readying firestone for something, though Shmee wasn't sure if it was for Thread or not. Injured humans hobbled about, some missing appendages, some with eyepatches, others yet with horribly burned skin. Suddenly, a young boy burst out of the crowd, his blue hatchling in close pursuit.
"No! Please! I don't want to be a dragonrider any more!" he pleaded, but halted as the little blue dragon fell behind. Running to it, he pulled on it as if to try and get it up to follow him, but the people who were pursuing the boy had caught up to them.
"You sure you don't want to be a dragonrider?" one asked in a soft voice, as if comforting him. With tearful eyes, the boy nodded.
In one deft motion, the man brought a knife against the hatchling's throat before the boy could notice even what was going on. A bloodcurdling scream filled the air, and Shmee felt faint as the dragonet perished, green ichor pooling onto the boy, whose pale face was white as he screamed for his Lomath before collapsing in a heap at the blue's unmoving body. The man had turned to a group of silent weyrlings that had followed, saying something that Shmee couldn't hear. She wanted to throw up, backing protectively toward Aslath. The queen's color had turned gray in mourning, and began to keen, yet she was alone. No other dragon mourned the death of this dragon- they were used to dragon deaths. Shmee's own face began streaming with tears, the loss of a dragon hard, but harder yet was the fact that the Weyrlingmaster had done so.
She needed to turn back, she knew. However, someone had heard Aslath, and called out, "The Weyrwoman of Selenitas has arrived!"...
Recognizing S'rei, she rubbed at her eyes, more determined than ever to get rid of her grogginess- she had to get back into her Weyrwoman groove. "My head feels like a dragon sat on it," she replied, her voice low. Rubbing her temples, she looked around again. Yes, she was in the watch-dragon's weyr at Selenitas Hold, if she remembered correctly. The entire previous night felt like a blur- so much had happened that it felt like it had happened a long time ago. Looking up, her shoulders sagged in relief as she saw Aslath sleeping like a hatchling. Guilt suddenly overcame her- Aslath had been hiding while she was trapped at Benden, using her queen-power over the Benden dragons to keep herself hidden. She considered herself fortunate that the Benden queens didn't betray Aslath by ordering the bronzes to bring her to Benden.
"Think of the power we will have, my Lady," C'leon said, his voice silk. "Join with us, and we will have so much power. All of the holds will be ours for the taking- you could have as many pretty things as a woman such as yourself deserves. You would never have to fly Thread again! Leave such troubling matters to the rest of the Weyrs- we will fight as one."
Shmee was disturbed. Starting to back away from him, she replied, "I'll pass, thanks. It's not worth shedding blood over."
She could tell he was getting irritated. His blonde eyebrows had furrowed into a scowl, and she could practically see the gears working in C'leon's head. "Millieth would stay in your Weyr, of course," he finally said, his tone as light as ever. "We have too many as it is."
"Didn't you hear me say 'no' the first time?" she replied hotly. Angry that a woman had talked to him that way, he brought his hand across her face smartly, all the force in his arm going behind it. Gasping in shock, Shmee lowered her head, and hand instinctively going to cover her cheek.
"I will not have any woman speak to her Weyrleader in that way," he said with quiet venom. "Since you are being so disagreeable, we have no choice but to keep you here. We can't have the trouble that you could cause us should you go back. Perhaps you'll change your mind..." he said, the tone he used telling her that she better change her mind.
"No!" she protested uncertainly. Fury contorted C'leon's face.
"So be it. You are sentenced to death at midnight," he said with force. People were now staring over, their eyes wide. Shmee raised her head to protest, but it was too late. C'leon snapped his fingers, and two burly bronzeriders suddenly appeared. Each taking a shoulder, they pushed her against the stone wall of the Weyr, her head forced back so strongly that it smacked roughly against it. Her head already sent into a dizzy whirlpool, she pleaded with Aslath to hide out before fading into unconsciousness.
Shmee moaned, stretching herself out. "We need to get back to Selenitas," she mumbled, sickened by all the clear memories that were flooding her brain. Everything was hitting reality now- the memories were not foggy, and she knew more than well that it was real. Her stomach was queasy, and she wanted to get back to her Weyr, a sudden urge to see the weyrlings. After the poor little blueweyrling, she wanted to protect the hatchlings more than ever- even the deformed ones.
"How is the Weyr?" she suddenly demanded, her eyes searching S'rei's for some sort of reassurance that nobody was attacking the Weyr.
|
|
Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
|
Post by Requiem on Oct 6, 2007 2:19:04 GMT -5
S'rei, even after all these turns, was not quick to fully wake up. It always took him about an hour to start functioning normally. Most didn't see that part of him; he made it a point to wake up early each day for just that reason. While he had no trouble orienting himself, the bronzerider could feel the sluggishness of his mind as he listened to Shmee's description of how she felt, rubbing absently at the stubble on his face. What was this about dragons sitting on her head? He even glanced around to make sure there were no flitters intent on pestering the two of them. Nope. Flitters aren't dragons, Salenth growled. I know. She definitely doesn't have a real dragon on her head, though.
Salenth stirred, vaguely amused at his usually quick mine. You should have waking conversations with other people more often. Get me my daily dose of epinephrines. Mine, she means she has a headache. "Oh," S'rei said aloud, still somewhat puzzled. That was an odd way to say you had a headache, wasn't it?
At the girl's mention of Selenitas, he found himself wondering at her sense of urgency. Yes, she ran the place. Yes, Benden Weyr had imprisoned her yesterday. Yes, there had been a hatching just yesterday. But...where had he been going with that? The bronzerider glanced toward Salenth, who was, by this point, fairly bubbling over with mirth. I don't see what's so funny. Of course not, Mine. But you will. Once you wake up. And no, don't expect any help from this end!
Salenth prodded the slumbering Aslath with his mind, hoping to rouse the queen gently. She seemed so young, sleeping so soundly, curled up around herself in that cramped space. It was almost a shame to have to wake her up. Almost. They had been away from the weyr long enough for Shmee to recover from the shock and regain her mental faculties. At this point, she was probably operating far better than S'rei, not that it said a lot. Physically, she may not yet be recovered, but her presence would be enough so long as she could reason properly again.
The bronze sent another probing stab at Aslath, this time a bit stronger. Wake up, sleepy. We need to be heading back to Selenitas. There are a lot of hatchlings waiting for their queen. Salenth stirred on his ledge, stretching his wings to the sky as he gave himself a mighty shake to clear some of the stiffness from his limbs. It had been a long, boring day. The bronze had never much liked sentry duty.
Shmee's question brought only a curious look for a moment. Then, blinking, S'rei nodded slowly. It seemed as if he was nodding to himself. "Salenth would have woken me." Never once did it occur to the bronzerider that he hadn't really made that sentence very clear.
All is quiet. There is some unease at the fact that the Weyrwoman has gone missing...but nothing more than that, unless you count worry over the odd hatching.
"They're just worried," the man finished, matter-of-factly. He reached over to where he'd discarded his boots, pulling one on with more concentration than he should have needed for so simple a task. That concentration seemed to be for naught, however, as he managed to struggle with the boot for the wrong foot. After a few moments of futility, he finally noticed, letting out a long-suffering sigh as he switched it to the other foot.
Muttering to himself, he got up, stomping around the weyr in search of - Your gloves are not here. Nor is my harness. "Shardit!" The bronzerider sighed, plucking at the too-short sleeve. He looked closer at the garment. "And I'll need to return this. Doesn't fit, anyway. I'm surrounded by a bunch of midgets." S'rei began to tug it off. Maybe you should bring it back later. "Why?" Between is very cold, Mine. Another trip like last night's, and you'll catch pneumonia. Keep the tunic for a little while longer.
"Right, right," he returned impatiently. Then, glancing back at the Weyrwoman, he growled, "You coming or aren't you?"
|
|