Missing [Plot/Event] 73.12.28

[Moo]

Upon seeing Rilora, D’gan unbuttoned his heavy riding jacket, though he wore nothing more underneath it than a thin, white shirt. “Here, my Weyrwoman.” With an outstretched hand he offered the jacket to her, still warm from his body heat. Until the morning warmed up, and with the current state of affairs, it would not do if her cold grew worse. He cleared his throat and continued speaking when prompted.

“Well, from what I understand, the Headwoman Lindalyn has disappeared and her office has been destroyed. Blood has been found, which either turns her disappearance into a crime against the Weyr, or,” he frowned, “a well thought-out plot which she is at the head of.”

It sounded ridiculous, he knew, but it needed to be said.

“I do not wish to make assumptions, so for now all possibilities should be considered. Ancalanath informs us that T’kar has formed a search, and from the colors Mosiliath remembers seeing, that includes…” He paused to gather his thoughts, mind racing with information. “Well, Ancalanath and T'kar, naturally. Then R’le and Quiorith, and Ylara and Orylth...as well as Emilia and Nyneveth. I would go so far as to guess that his entire Wing joins him in the hunt, save for the WatchRider at Cliffside. I am assuming that the Caverns and any location that the Headwoman frequents are currently being checked.”

D’gan glanced to Mosiliath and the Tiger nodded. He turned back to Rilora. “Other than that, my Weyrwoman, we know as much as you do. We arrived shortly before you.”

Well...that was almost true. He had hoped to speak to her in private about the possibility of Yuki’s accounts being true here as well as in the north, but it would have been an overload of information, and right now they needed to act.

“Where would I be best suited for help?”

Myself included, my Queen and my Weyrwoman,[/b][/color] offered Mosiliath.

[summerrain]

KokoroMine, there is much activity for the early morning, Angeth spoke. Kokoro yawned and stretched. She needed to get out to the fields to tend the crops. Mine, you're not listening!

"Fine, fine..." said the girl. "I'll go check it out, and then go to the fields. You can go back to sleep, and I'll fill you in later." The white dragon didn't argue. Too many days of getting up early to go with Hers to the fields made her too sleepy to argue. As Kokoro dressed, Angeth attempted to make herself comfortable, but couldn't. The dragoness sighed and stepped off the bed that had been made for her. She didn't fit in Kokoro's bed any more.

"Yes, you can come too," Kokoro said before the dragoness spoke. She had dressed with her riding jacket, though she wouldn't fly for a season more at least. It was just surprisingly cool this morning.

The two walked toward the commotion, seeing more and more adult riders and mature dragons moving about. Kokoro realized that something couldn't be right, so she began to jog. From what Angeth told her, the commotion she was hearing was just right to be by... The Headwoman's office!

Kokoro slowed, then turned the final corner. She was right! Something was up at the Headwoman's office. She heard Dgan's words about the Headwoman not being found, and the blood. She gasped softly, then put her hands over her mouth. Shards! She hadn't meant to say anything. Or make any noise. Was she going to get in trouble?

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

If Ancalanath was rattled by his Queen’s anger, he did not show it. He briefly communed with his rider and with the other members of his Wing before answering her questions though, for he wanted to be as complete as possible. He fully intended to show his Queen that he did know what he was doing, with what was probably the only ammunition he had, knowledge.

The Lower Caverns are being searched, though there is a shortage of help in the Records room. Ylara searches Lindalyn’s room. Nothing yet has been found by those overflying the jungle, beach, or Cliffside and the Thoroughfare. He made no mention of the fact that she had wished to be allowed to rest until the sun had risen, though that was the reason he had delayed the full report. Recalling his rider’s wishes, he privately informed T’kar that the Weyrwoman had arrived.

I’ll come out and report once we’ve finished searching this place for clues, T’kar told Ancalanath. He had returned to the Headwoman’s office, and was going through the piles of papers that had been strewn about, looking for some kind of clue.

Hearing something, Ancalanath turned his head and spotted the source immediately. It was the White and her rider from the younger set of Weyrlings, only about a month and a half old.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Hearing Holt call his name, K’tar turned. He glanced around for his friend, finally spotting him near the entrance to the kitchens. He waved.

“Over here,” he called. He was glad Holt had shown up, they hadn’t been spending as much time together since the feast for Ayleneth’s Hatching. It wasn’t that Holt had told him they weren’t friends anymore or something like that, but a sort of distance had crept into their relationship since the feast, and K’tar was still trying to figure out why. He had apologized — several times, in fact — for what had happened, but it seemed like Holt was taking his own time in evaluating things, and K’tar had finally come to the conclusion that he would just have to wait until such evaluation was done.

K’tar watched Holt approach for a few seconds, then went back to looking behind the rarely used tables and even less frequently used decorations.

This is completely pointless, he thought, tilting a damaged center-piece forward so he could see behind it. There’s no way that a person would voluntarily be here, so what am I looking for, a discarded belt knife? He immediately resolved to ask Holt if the Kingrider was still out there, and to leave if the man wasn’t nearby.

[Terayne]

Orylth's tail twitched in faint annoyance as she was ignored, but the placid dragoness merely rumbled, perhaps a little louder than necessary, before settling and waiting to be acknowledged again. She HAD to pass along the information she'd heard through her Mine, and this could not be done if the others would not listen to her.

[Kaya]

It hadn't been until she'd gotten outside that Rilora had realized how cold the morning air was, even for a summer month. She knew Archith's urgency and understood it, so she had kept from going back for something warmer. It was with a shiver and a smile she had to force to be larger (she hated being sick) that she accepted the coat from D'gan and quickly slipped into it. Much better, though it was still cold out. Her nose didn't like it.

Rilora frowned listening to D'gan's report. Surely Lindalyn was the victim in this... He was thorough for considering all options though, and perhaps he would see something more likely that others could miss. As for where the Tiger Rider and his dragon could be of help, she was barely sure. She had just arrived and it seemed that all the obvious places were being searched already. "Is someone checking Lindalyn's room or wherever this blood was found?"

Rilora had just asked her question when a youngling showed up. Not one of Archith's, so then one from the last Hatching. "You, White weyrling," she called to the pair. The girl's reaction said she'd heard something, probably enough to go and be useful, "Go help search inside, there are some other weyrlings in the kitchens."

Mosiliath, as Ancalanath says there are some places in the Lower Caverns short on searchers. D'ganYours could certainly be of help there, especially anywhere with clues. RiloraMine seems to think Yours has a mind for obscure details. Archith addressed the Tiger, glad for his offer of help and quick, at the ready disposition. What else remains to be done, Ancalanath? Or are there- Archith was not yelling any more, having been filled in on most of what she was missing had calmed her sufficiently to a stern and urgent tone rather than yelling. She heard Orylth , the Wood dragon, rumble and realized that in her ranting she'd missed something the Wood had to say. She did want to hear Ancalanath's report first, but it seemed now and if she'd heard most of the important things and she hoped that Orlyth would be quick and deliver what she must think was important news. New developments, perhaps? Yes, Orlyth? Your report?

[Kaya]

Holt saw K'tar when he answered his searching query and fell in behind the other weyrling to help search. He followed K'tar back to the back storage by the tables and decorations and picked up a small stack of boxes before he realized he really should ask what, more specifically, they were looking for. "Is this a menial got-in-trouble task or is there something we're actually trying to find?" Holt realized as he spoke that the words were a little more biting than he meant them to be. He didn't even have an excuse for himself, like 'it's morning' since he was by nature a morning person. He wished he could speak over again, but such was the way of life. He tensed in a failed to be hidden cringe.

[Lark]

Mine...I can't see you, I don't like this.

Emilia tried to ignore her dragoness for now, shuffling through papers while those outside were searching through the other rooms. Maybe she wouldn't find anything too terrible if she looked through these, certainly not blood or anything like that. The mere mention of the linens had her almost throwing up her breakfast. The girl shivered as she picked up another piece of parchment and skimmed the first few lines.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tar sighed. He’d been hoping that today would be a miraculous “we’re best-friends again” moment, but it would appear that such was not yet to be. On the other hand, the time he’d gotten in a fight with Jatheiron he’d ended up banned from Lord Famoran’s house for a couple weeks, at least Holt was still talking to him.

“It’s kind of both,” K’tar replied. “The RR Flame rider caught me getting a decent breakfast, and ropped me into looking for some sign of where the Headwoman got to. Apparently she’s not in her office or her room, but that’s all I know about it.” Thwarted curiosity was present in K’tar’s tone by the end. “So I guess we’re looking for something out of place…” his voice trailed off as his eyes caught something.

[Shoki]

R'le was checking the Lower Caverns for clues. It was kinda slow going, as he was just checking closets, looking for blood, whatever. He couldn't say much about his methods, just checking as fast as he could without running anyone over. He had gotten used to looking on the ground for signs of movement, but here inside he couldn't say he would find much unless it was dripping blood. Not that he wanted to find that. He kept looking, though he still didn't look as dead pan as some of the other riders. He just gave a smile to the folk milling about, apologizing for his speed and nosiness and pressed on. They probably caught the mood from the other riders anyway. After a while he sighed and checked on Quiorith.

Well, how you faring?

The jungle is being a jungle again. I haven't see your invisible friend.

Come on, you like her too.

Maybe. Well, this is getting troublesome. I'll hit the usual spots, then swing over the pass out of the valley.

Scratch that. Skip the clearings and head over the road first, then the pass.

Huh? Why?

If they know anything about us, they'll avoid the clearings. Besides, the riders that went with us before will know about the most obvious one. We gotta try places others aren't gonna go.

Quiorith didn't respond verbally, only gave a vague feeling of assent. He dashed off to over the road to Cliffside, just in case. He'd try his best to get an eye over everything, but who knew what he was looking for.

[summerrain]

Kokoro nodded quickly to the Weyrwoman, then darted off. Her mind was on overdrive. What had happened to the Headwoman?

Curiosity satisfied, Angeth returned to her bed.

Kokoro opened the kitchen door and saw K'tar and the other Weyrlings. She went straight for K'tar, grasping his arm. He was the only Weyrling she really knew. She had unintentionally distanced herself from the others. "K'tar, come with me," she said softly before she began to drag him toward the door of the kitchens.

"The Headwoman is missing," she told K'tar. "Don't tell the other Weyrlings yet. Apparently, blood was found on her sheets. There's no clue as to who did this. The other Weyrlings can't find out about it yet. It's too soon." She looked away from him, dropping his arm. "Angeth could feel the restlessness of the adult dragons. It woke her."

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

You win some, you lose some. K’tar had never been particularly fond of statements like that, mainly because his mother had quoted them at the most annoying times imaginable, but for once, it was an apt description of how he was feeling. The Kingrider was gone, but having the search interrupted right when he might have found something removed all the enjoyment from the first piece of knowledge. The fact that there’d been blood on the Headwoman’s sheets was news to him; all that the Kingrider had told him was that the Headwoman was missing.

“Too late, I already told.” K’tar ‘s voice was light, and there was a teasing quality to it as he met the taller girl’s eyes. He waited a couple beats, then added: “H’rarn, because he’s helping me look for clues. You wouldn’t want to join us in searching through the moldy decorations of Turns past, hunting for unusual objects, would you?” He wasn’t sure how he wanted Kokoro to answer. If she helped them, they’d get done faster, but he was desperately short on time spent with Holt since the last Hatching.

He remained where Kokoro had marshaled him to, near the kitchen door. Good manners, which after a pointed letter from Lord Famoran about a month prior he was once more alert to practicing, demanded that he wait for Kokoro’s answer before returning to the search. “Is Angeth handling this well?” he asked, belatedly recalling that good manners also demanded inquiring as to the little White’s health, since Kokoro had brought it up.

——
Ancalanath started to say that as far as he was aware there was only the need for more searchers to cover areas that were simply being skimmed, but he turned his attention to Orlyth when Archith acknowledged the Wood.

[Terayne]

The little dragoness shifted slightly, and her head rose, having lowered some as Archith's attention came to her in respect for the Queen's authority. Mine went to speak with the children, she began. and discovered that they had- The Wood's hide suddenly grayed noticeably, a sickly tone coming to it, and her eyes went red and yellow, overtoned with the same gray shade. Her sides heaved, as if she were about to throw up firestone ash, and she creeled in obvious distress, her head swinging violently from side to side a couple of times. Her Mine had just entered Lindalyn's room, and had reluctantly shared what she was seeing with her gentle Bonded one, hence her reaction. Still heavily distressed, her tail lashing in uncharacteristic violence, the Wood stubbornly finished what she'd been about to say. The children said they had heard her being threatened to not tell, "if she knew what was good for her." Orylth began to shudder violently, but knew she had to continue to pass on information. Mine is... In the room. And there is indeed blood everywhere..... Reluctantly, she shared the image....

_________________________________________

Ylara had to fight the urge to throw up when she opened the door and saw the state the room was in. Even with the glowbasket closed, it was obvious SOMETHING had happened. Shaking her head once, violently, she stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her to keep anyone else from coming in, and started at the glowbasket, quietly opening it and gulping as it illuminated the scene. The bed had so much blood on it it covered half of it at least, she thought, shuddering, and she padded forwards, careful not to get the liquid on her boots as she examined the scene. Larger puddles on the floor, looking to have been made by someone stepping in the blood, and smears, as if something-or someone, she thought sadly-had been dragged from the room. Pacing forwards, she examined the wall, seeing the droplets spattered there as well, and committing all of this to memory, knowing she would need to be able to pass it on. She knew that Orylth already was, at her request, but T'kar would still want her report of what she'd seen, as would Rilora. Taking a deep breath, she looked around, trying to piece together what could have happened.

The glowbasket had been closed, was her first thought, meaning Lindalyn had probably already gone to bed. As old as the woman had been, this thought made sense to her. Sharp eyes examined the room with care, trying to figure out from where her attacker had come. The door? The window? The first was more likely, assuming the assailant hadn't hidden in the room and waited for the Headwoman to come in.... With that thought in mind, she headed for the wardrobe, stubbornly putting the thought of the blood out of her mind for the moment....

[summerrain]

Kokoro's eyes widened when K'tar said that he'd already told someone. Then, he mentioned one of the older boys, and she relaxed slightly. "Weyrwoman Rilora has sent me down here to search," she told him. "I cannot in good faith go against the orders of the Weyrwoman..." Her words sounded mechanical, well-practiced. Then again, despite her usual seeming air-headedness, she was much more attentive and alert. She could be when the time demanded it.

"Angeth is asleep again," Kokoro replied softly. "She hadn't met the Headwoman, so it bothers her not. The whole Weyr will know of this eventually, though. Hopefully from the Weyrwoman herself." She sighed and returned to the Kitchen. "Well, where have you searched already?" she asked, changing the topic. She looked at the groups of Weyrlings digging through baskets of old stuff, reading through old scrolls. She sighed again. This was going to be a long day...

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tar had to hide a smile at how easily Kokoro was led by his teasing comment. He was a bit puzzled by the way her reply sounded: like she’d rehearsed it or something. He didn’t really know her all that well though, and so he figured that perhaps this was just a characteristic of hers.

Hearing that Angeth was once more asleep, and hence doing fine, K’tar turned his mind to the task at hand. “Well, H’rarn and I are searching through the left side of the next furthest storage area, but there’s some smaller storage areas right here next to the kitchen that nobody’s searching yet, if you’d rather do that,” he replied. This time, he didn’t stick around, but instead ducked through the entrance to the storage area that he and Holt were searching. Nodding to his friend, he resumed the hunt, shifting several decorations out of the say so as to examine the floor beneath them.