Missing [Plot/Event] 73.12.28

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K'tar had been standing just outside the entrance to the storage, his gaze unfocused and bewildered. When Ylara waved towards him, he nodded absently and followed the shorter woman, moving more out of habit than by any conscious effort of will. His eyes had a glassy, not-quite-present cast; a good fit for how he felt.

Mine?

K'tar stumbled, distracted by the contact. Later, I'll... later. He didn't want to distress Viarth, not at the moment. It would have been one thing too many.

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T'kar had remained silent and at a neutral distance during RIlora's directions, but that wail was heart-wrenching. Before he had considered it, he had reached out, tentatively placing an arm around Rilora's shoulders and slipping closer to her. He couldn't really think of anything to say that was appropriate to the situation, so he just remained silent, offering what comfort he could by silent companionship.

He glanced over at D'gan when the other Kingrider spoke. What the older rider was saying made sense, after all, Rilora was in no state to address the Weyr at the moment, even if any but the earliest risers had been up.

"Come on," T'kar urged gently, applying a little bit of pressure on Rilora's shoulders. "You should get some rest before addressing the Weyr." He was stretching his position a little, but, he certainly wasn't going to trust checking Rilora's rooms to anyone else!

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Ancalanath nodded back to the other King, then returned his attention to the surroundings, and to his Queen, Archith.

[summerrain]

Komodo wiped at her eyes when she heard Ylara's voice. She registered that an arm was around her shoulders. She released Angeth and stood up. Angeth's eyes glimmered grey with the sadness of Hers, as well as some mixed colors that were her own confusion. Angeth remained quiet until the pair exited. Angeth searched the Weyr for the reassuringly familiar feel of the Queen's mind.

ArchithQueen... What will happen now? the dragonet asked. Will KokoroMine be alright? With Rilora-Weyrwoman-Yours be okay? Will... Will you be okay, ArchithQueen? The young dragoness still did not completely understand how to hold her tongue, but she knew to be careful when speaking to the Queen dragon. ArchithQueen... Will this all end soon? she asked hesitantly. She didn't want Hers to have to go through this again... Not ever... Hers was so upset, so sad... In so much pain...

Kokoro was oblivious to the questions Angeth was asking of Archith. She was in shock... Numb. How could this happen? First the Jungle incidents, now this? She'd read up on Dark Mists, to make sure she knew everything she could about the history of the Weyrs of Pern, but there had been so little readily available information... "Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it..." she muttered quietly. Few would've been able to hear. Ylara only, as well as anyone else who had gotten that close.

Tears still fell down the girl's face, but they were silent tears. She wouldn't be able to share this with anyone, but... If they didn't find the culprit soon, would this happen again? She was almost sure of it. She wished suddenly that White dragons were of higher rank. Then her opinion would be valued more. She knew she would be able to think of something if she could just get more information... But they wouldn't give info like that to a girl of sixteen Turns, who had only been a Weyrling for two months. It was against regulation.

[Kaya]

Things were happening around her, but they were so hard to process. Just a minute ago she'd been okay...or had she? Shardit, Rilora, pull it together, she scolded herself but the tears kept falling anyway. Her stomach hurt something terrible and she barely noticed T'kar's touch, her senses were so focused on other things. She tried to wipe her eyes but that did little good. She had things she wanted to say but she couldn't put words to them. She sent a desperate feeling to Archith, needing her to be in control when she was not.

At T'kar's prompting of rest- it is still early, isn't it? -Rilora got up stiffly, her arms coming back to rest around herself. She was scared. She hated this. She wanted to make it all go away. "Let's..." she muttered, able to get out a word. She started walking, rather uneven at first before she started to get her legs back. It would take them a while to make it to her room but they would make it.

I truly hope not, Mosiliath. Still, we can't be caught unaware. The Weyr will expect to see you and all the other Wingleaders when Rilora addresses the crowd. I don't think it's best to spook them, as grave as this is. We need most to keep their heads, think and work through this. Therefore I don't want you or any of the other Wing leading dragons to chew. What I propose is that you pick your best dragons, inform them quietly and have them prepare some stone, just in case. If it's needed we'll be thankful to have it. Archith instructed.

Next we need a team to deal with...the body. I want some healers and LifeWing Riders to examine what's left of Lindalyn, see if they can get us any more information about how she died or who did the killing. I doubt they'll find too much, but she needs to be dealt with in any case. Also the kitchen storage, the blood in the halls, and the rather unsightly bedroom need to be cleaned and Lindalyn's office needs to be closed off until we are finished with it and it can be put back together. I shall rally the LifeWings, Mosiliath, can you see to gathering or getting someone else to gathering a cleaning squad? Ancalanath, it appears you are with me. Could you arrange more support for Lindalyn's office and also gather Riders ready to listen and note any reports that come from Weyrfolk once the announcement has been made? I know it's a lot, by the egg, I'm not even sure if that covers it all. Start with these tasks and do any reasonable others you think fit. If you're unsure, consult me. Whatever you do, we don't want a panic on our hands here, Rilora has made that clear to me despite her current state. In a few hours time I will call to assembly the rest of the Weyr. Archith paused, her stern manner still in her posture and voice. She was upset, to be sure, but she was the one who needed to be strongest. She felt that in her core.

Her orders out, she felt Angeth on the edge of her mind and listened. Not one of hers, a younger one. Asking questions only Faranth knew the answers to. Give them time, Angeth, and everyone will be alright again. What happens now is we find the bad people and make sure this never happens again. Trust, and leave it to us, young one. So many things left to organize, but ensuring that this weyrling could help calm the others instead of inflaming their worry, that was important too.

She contacted a few LifeWings and they and their Riders would be arriving soon. For those who were awake the Weyr was starting to buzz with activity, but its tone was different than usual. It was a dark day for one with weather so fair. Get some rest, Mine. I am doing all I can. You will be alright, I swear it.

[Kaya]

HoltMine, you are ill? the questioning voice came as Holt trod silently with Ylara and the other two weyrlings.

The whole Weyr is ill, Korith. Holt responded grimly.

I saw. Your mind, my mind, they are strong. You are strong to witness this. Come back and rest. It is what is on your mind.

Holt didn't send back words, but a defeated and tired emotion. "Hey," he pulled the strength together to clap K'tar on the back, "When this is over, do you want to go for a run?"

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Consider it done, my Queen, Ancalanath replied. Turning his gaze over the Weyr, towards the private living weyrs of the riders — for he always found it easier to concentrate on a message if he was facing the direction that it was to be sent in — he began handing out directions. He wished there were some way he could offer comfort to his Queen, but now was not the time; she would find comfort in her orders being obeyed properly and in good time.

———
K’tar staggered slightly, he hadn’t been expecting Holt’s clap to his back, and so he had to quickly step forward to maintain his balance. Feeling oddly detached, he glanced over at Holt. “Yeah, a run sounds good,” he replied. He started picking up his feet properly, instead of dragging them along the ground, and his voice increased somewhat as he spoke, back towards his proper conversational volume.

“Does it count as over now?” he asked. For all of the haunted look in his grey-blue eyes, there was excitement starting to show in their depths and on his face. There was very little K’tar felt like doing at that moment, but running… running was good. You didn’t have to think while running.

[Terayne]

The Woodrider glanced back at the boys as they conversed, listening silently to them and continuing to gently soothe the WhiteWeyrling, When she heard her words, a chill ran up her spine, and she fought valiantly to keep her shudder from being noticeable. "It will be alright. We'll get this straightened out," she said gently, but her tone was firm. "We learned from the past, and we still have riders who were there when Dark Mists was around to help us." The reminder was more for herself than the Weyrlings she was escorting, but it made her feel better. Yes, they had riders at Rainbow Mists, Ice Stone AND Waterfall Valley who all remembered the events of sixty Turns before, and who could assist should it come to that again, if only with their knowledge. She could think of at least two Queenriders, both now Retired Weyrwomen, who had, and they could give Archith and Her's advice should the young Gold and Weyrwoman require it.

[Moo]

D’gan’s eyes never left Rilora as he watched her totter away with T’kar. As much as he felt he needed to go with her, he knew he would be of better help to her if he focused on preparing the Weyr for the upcoming speech. It was not a glamorous task, but it would have to be done swiftly and with as much dignity as could be mustered. He inhaled deep and took a moment to mentally prepare himself.

Mosiliath nodded his understanding. Of course, my Queen. We shall prepare immediately. He considered the riders in his Wing – Inoria, Lithena, N’rim and Nituna. He did not know how practiced they were at preparing stone, but orders were orders – and if they were unable to do so, then he would find someone who could. He sent his thoughts out to the four dragons. Dynaskith, Hrith, Zaranyth, Lakrinth. If you have not yet heard, the Headwoman has been found murdered. The Weyrwoman wishes to address the Weyr later this morning. You are to prepare firestone in the event it is needed. Do this discreetly; we do not want the Weyr in a panic. Report back to me when the task is complete.

Satisfied with his instructions, Mosiliath shifted his thoughts to D’gan. Queen Archith will be calling in the LifeWings to examine Lindalyn. I have already contacted those in our Wing to prepare stone, and you must gather drudges and have the blood cleaned up in the storage, bedroom, and the hallway. Make sure those are closed off until further notice. Oh, and you are to attend the meeting as well.

Consider it done.

At last, he had his orders. This he could handle – this he understood. D’gan strode out of the kitchen, purpose fixed in his mind. In no time at all, he happened across a couple of drudges and, in as few words as possible, gave them instructions on what was to be attended to.

Now that the first part was taken care of (though he knew he would check on the progress to see that it was truly tended to), D’gan turned a corner on his way out and happened upon Ylara and the distressed Weyrlings. He cleared his throat to announce his presence and caught up with the small group.

“Is there any way I can be of help to you, Ylara?”

[Shoki]

Cr'wean was watching Kiyosh preen. It was kinda nice that Lifewings could keep themselves in good health for the most part. Still he was just watching her, after her meal. If there was one thing he had never expected about linking to a Lifewing, it was the variety of ways they ate their meals. He'd known some that ate fruits, some that liked fish and some that ate meat like dragons. Kiyosh would eat meat, but he had to get used to the fact that she would eat any meat at all. In fact, it seemed like some of the time she went out of her way to go make a meal of a carcass that had been left with some of the meat still on it, and cleaned up every last bit. Morbidly curious, he had asked about it and she merely shrugged her feathers and told him that it felt like instinct. He watched as suddenly she raised her head and titled her head, listening. He mood changed quickly as her head rotated to face him.

We are to go to the kitchens. It seems that we are too ... Well, we must determine a cause of death. Cr'wean's eyes narrowed as he turned on his heels to grab his stuff and go. This wasn't good. He didn't say anything as he went, only let Kiyosh fill in the details. It looks like the headwoman has been murdered. Felesh seems to think that we'd be a good choice to look at what got broke where. Cr'wean sighed. Yep, he was a good one for that. They got called plenty when people had things broken so why not here? Besides, here he didn't have the danger of yelling at a patient for being stupid. Made perfect sense. He got everything he thought he needed and headed in the direction of the kitchens. Kiyosh got there first, obviously, and arrived with some of the other Lifewings. Cr'wean gather with some of the other Riders and Healers, getting a lay for what was going on, and how they were organized. Shards, it had the few people here in a mood though. Sure, the other healers and riders were handling it professionally, but the idea of a murder had them a little off. For once he was in the majority, as all of them were in a mood.

[Terayne]

The Woodrider jumped as she heard D'gan's voice, turning swiftly to face him, then smiled faintly, though her eyes were haunted. "TigerRider," she said quietly, angling her head so she could continue to watch the Weyrlings as she spoke with the Kingrider.

Outside, her Wood was watching what was going on. Seeing the LifeWings, she shivered, angling her head to hide it under her wing. Her tail twitched slightly, before it fell still, and she creeled softly. The blood, oh the blood..... She felt her Mine swiftly moving to reassure her, pressing her love and care on her, even though she herself was still distressed.

Ylara worried her lower lip, her distress in her gaze, even though she was trying her hardest to hide it from the Weyrlings.

[Moo]

“Hey, it’s alright,” he whispered. It was clear to him that she was trying to hide her fear – he had seen the same reaction in others before – and he admired her for it. D’gan placed a hand on Ylara’s shoulder and met her eyes with a strong, steady gaze. He spoke again, louder this time, so the nearby Weyrlings could hear as well.

“With what little I can tell you, the situation right now is under control.” He spoke slowly, calmly, in the manner that he had been trained. “We may not have all of the answers, but we are doing our best with what we have discovered.” D’gan removed his hand from Ylara’s shoulder, looked to the three Weyrlings all in turn, and positioned himself so he could speak to them and Ylara together.

“I can see that you’re scared, and I understand why. But rest assured, we are doing everything in our power to make sure that the Weyr is safe for you. You are safe now.”

The LifeWings are here D’gan.

Good, good.

The vast, calm presence of Mosiliath in his mind reassured him and his faith in his words. Yes, they could handle this together. Feeling a yawn approaching, D’gan turned and politely covered his mouth, waiting until it had passed before continuing to talk.

“However, there are still a few things that need examining before the day can continue on as normal. As such, I would avoid taking the Thoroughfare today, as well as the southern fields and the jungle.” He didn’t know if he actually had the authority to make such a statement, but in a time like this, it was better to be safe than sorry.

“For the time being, I would recommend either returning to your barracks or remaining in the Weyr Bowl until these other locations are examined and cleared. Can you do this for me?”

[Terayne]

She listened carefully to him, taking strength from his reassurance, the steadiness she could sense from him, and drew in a deep breath, her eyes clearing somewhat, though there was still that haunted light to them. She wouldn't soon forget what she'd seen in the Headwoman's room, that was for sure.

Glancing to the Weyrling's, she then looked back to him and nodded, allowing only the faintest shudder to slide through, before raising one hand to rest slender fingers lightly to his on her shoulder, then pull them back. "Indeed we are," she murmured softly. Drawing in another deep breath, she brought her head up once more, allowing the slight air of authority she herself bore as the Assistant to the Candidate Mistress to come through. "We certainly don't plan on leaving the Weyr," she said, although it was apparent she spoke only for herself and her distressed dragoness, not for the Weyrlings that had been placed in her care. They would have to make their own decisions, and answer to their Weyrling master if they made foolish ones.

Outside, Orylth peeked out and glanced at Mosiliath. Things will get better, right? she murmured, as softly as her rider had to His. Ours' will be okay? Her concern and distress still whirled yellow, red and orange in her eyes, as did the yellow of her confused uncertainty. She was looking to the King for reassurance, not wishing to bother their Queen.

[Moo]

A faint smile crossed his lips when Ylara’s fingers brushed against his, though he had to lean in a bit to hear what she had whispered to him. Hearing in his ear and all that.

“Good. I’m glad that’s understood,” he nodded and pulled back to address the group as a whole again. “Just stay aware of your surroundings, use a buddy-system when you need to go somewhere, and you should be fine.”

Admiration gleamed in his eyes when he glanced over to Ylara – it was always a good sign when a person could pull through a tough situation, and in this mess, the more the merrier. D’gan wondered why he hadn’t spent more time getting to know her.

Professionally, he added, mostly to himself. Though he was only, what – twenty turns her senior? – Riders nearer his own age seemed to be a rare commodity in this Weyr. Everyone else made him feel so much older. Not that he was old, at least by his standards.

At the sound of her voice, Mosiliath looked over at Orylth, the hide around his neck wrinkling as he arched his neck. Yes, eventually it shall get better. He decided not to mention that it would be a long, difficult process before things around the Weyr returned to normal; he was certain that it was already a thought in everyone’s mind. When the pretty, young Wood asked him about her Rider, he waited a moment before answering. It was a loaded question she had asked him, and he did not want to give her a false answer.

I do not know what will happen next, Orylth. I cannot make any promises, but I can say that my Rider and I will do everything in our power to make certain that the Weyr, and everyone in it, is looked after. Including Yours.

He shifted his feet and refolded his wings where he sat, ready and not ready to attend the meeting later today. He had no idea what the Weyrwoman would be saying, but he knew it meant a lot of work for him and D’gan. Not that they minded; they had been feeling a bit too relaxed in the Weyr. It was time for them to get thrown back into the fray.

Mosiliath used the quiet moment as an opportunity to examine the smaller dragon. She was not in his Wing – it was Ancalanath who had that pleasure – and as such, he had never really interacted with her before. His eyes glimmered with interest as they wandered over her wings.

Orylth, look, he said, extending his right wing and baring the threadscore he had. We both have scars.

[Kaya]

"I don't think...the Weyrwoman is going to speak later..." Holt got out quietly as they moved along with Ylara and Kokoro. Then the Tiger Rider arrived and Holt held still with them, staying in the pack. He felt better around all the others. He would feel better still with Korith, asleep.

"C'mon, K'tar, let's go," Holt was tired and the Riders had just indicated they weren't to go for a run at the moment anyway. King Riders...they always knew, sometimes for the better, sometimes not... The Blue Rider weyrling took off towards the barracks, feet shuffling with the weight of the stress and gloom on his shoulders.

[Terayne]

The Wood arched her neck slightly to better examine his wing and rumbled softly, lightly touching her nose to it. Indeed we do, she replied quietly, her tail tip flicking slightly. Though likely not for the same reason, she added mildly, a light trace of her normal humor in her tone as she extended her own and eyed the frayed edge of it, gained from a foolish mistake made in her Weyrling days.

Inside, her Mine looked to the BlueWeyrling as he spoke, listening to him and nodding faintly, then she again returned her hazel gaze to the TigerRider, inclining her head. "The meeting later will be difficult," she said quietly, her tone thoughtful. "But it will be necessary, I think, if all understand the true danger we're now facing." She frowned, the look obviously not used much on her pretty face. "I do wish we knew WHO was responsible for this though." She looked to the Weyrlings, and an almost maternal light seemed to momentarily glint in her eyes, fierce and protective. "If only for their sake."