Words of Ice on Those who are Silvered [74.12.02]

[Shoki]

It was almost time. Hedara stood straight, her eyes looking up and through the wall across the hall. She was thinking, of course, about the exact words she was going to use here. So many things hinged on her words today. Long ago she had selected the main bit that she required, but now she was merely thinking through a few passing phrases. She was dressed not exactly casually, but not in a way that most people would define as formal. Well, for a woman anyway. Her pants and top were finely tailored, both different shades of blue. The pants were nearly navy, her top a more moderate shade, with fine detailing in navy. The top was long sleeved with a collar, something that some would find stifling, but she did not. It is possible that she could have passed for a male teenager, but for her hair today. It had been ‘seen to’ by a Pinkrider who apparently had thought that regardless of what Hedara might say today, she should look good saying it. It was pinned up on one side, and let free on the other, her wavy hair having been coaxed in a manner that it fell over her shoulder in an eye catching way. Finally, something that cemented the formality of the occasion for Hedara, was the sword from her weyrling graduation was at her side. It was a fine blade for decoration, and was peace bound with a length of bronze colored rope. It was all very nice, she supposed, but hadn’t been convinced to wear a dress. Besides, dresses hardly matched with swords. So there was that.

Hedara, he has arrived. The Ice Queen was watching the goings on in the Bowl, and was looking at a particular person as he strolled into the Weyr meeting hall. Many riders were gathering to see what was going on. The Ice could see the tension in some of the riders moving through the bowl, and she was not happy about that. Any decision at all was one that could start a fire on either side of the debate and that meant trouble. Temperanth did not let her feelings become negative. She simply became more confident. Hedara would do well, and it was the right thing for the situation.

Hedara heard Temperanth’s warning and felt the confidence through the bond. They wouldn’t be able to back down from this even if they wanted to. After all, the pair was as stubborn as a brick wall all on their own, together they were immovable. Hedara moved further down the hall, taking the back entrance to the Weyr’s meeting hall. It wasn’t quite time to get started, so she went to greet the man that Temperanth had her eye on.

“I thank thee for coming, Tasverten. How is thy health this day?” She shook hands with the blond man, who was looking more than a little curious as to the goings on here. It made sense, they only people who knew exactly what was going on here were the other Weyrleaders.

“I am in fine health, thank you for asking. Both I and the Lord Holder are pleased to have gotten an invitation, but regrettably he was busy. He will be glad to hear about the events here when I get back of course.” Tasverten was an aide to the Lord Holder, in general his formal eyes and ears. Hedara hadn’t really expected Brencis to make an appearance, since relations were still strained and that meant that Certain amount of snubbing as going to take place. Hedara didn’t mind, since regardless, the Lord Holder knew that today’s announcement was regarding the Silverlight issue. He couldn’t afford not to hear what it was.

“A pity he could not attend. Do send my regards when thee converses with him next.”

“Of course.”

“Then, as time is rapidly escaping me, I shall ask to be excused unless thee requests I not.”

“No, quite alright, I should not wish to keep you.” Hedara could see the slight confusion Tasverten had regarding herself, which was natural. Hedara was an odd one.

“Enjoy the meeting then.” Hedara nodded once then moved back through the Hall, toward Tr’veal. He would be present as a support, and an indicator that the announcement spoke for the whole Weyr, however for the time being she just needed someone to talk to. “Greetings.”

“Hello to you too.” The Sr. Weyrleader was perhaps more quiet then most, but he put thought into his words when he spoke. He did relax around some, and Hedara was counted in that number. “Ready?”

A moment passed were Hedara let the general conversation in the hall pass between them. Hedara didn’t think that this was a matter of being ready, it was a matter of being willing. Still, she responded a moment later with one stone hard syllable. “Yes.”

[Terayne]

The message had gone out that the Weyrwoman would be speaking soon, and several figures were watching, one with incredible nervousness, not even eased by the soothing sound coming fro the beast behind him. She was the first of her hue, the hue that was troubling so many, and the decision made here could well change things as S'lieze and Xerecalth had known them for many decades now. Glancing back and up, he met the whirling eyes of his Bonded one, who crooned softly, gently setting the tip of her nose to his shoulder in a reassuring way. It will be fine, Mine, she murmured gently, and he sighed softly, reaching up to lay his fingers lightly to her muzzle. "Regardless of her choice, she will get flak, you know this," he replied, and the Queen snorted, ruffling his white hair and causing him to chuckle. Her absolute confidence in Temperanth and Her's was unshakable, and the Silverlightrider nodded and moved to mount her. She then leapt from her ledge and dove down to hover just over the Bowl grass for a moment before settling, her hide glowing like quicksilver over its ebony base as she moved to let her rider down. Aged she might be, but she was still a fine example of her hue...

[Kaya]

Eira leaned quietly against a wall, near the edge of the gathering, but also nearest to Hedara as she could be while still staying out of the center. She had a hard set to her face, her pale brows angled down and a slight frown on her face as she watched the crowd. She spotted people she had seen in the healers' quarters, some of each persuasion regarding this tense matter. They didn't realize how hard their silly opinions could make her job. She had seen the Silverlight dragoness brought back to the Weyr on the day of her rescue, and the thought of it made her stomach turn. Their petty qualms over status had almost cost the world two lives, and left unchecked had brought more black eyes and scrapes into her quarters than she cared to admit. It was why she liked working with midwives: mothers in labor didn't chat much, and neither did newborn babes.

She caught sight of Tasverten and a bit of relief came to her. Good. He was here. Her father had said something of the Weyrwoman's visit, but not much. Still, if she had any sensibilities left to her-- well, she didn't trust that of most thinkers anyway. She knew her father could be persuasive and domineering, it was how she had spent her earlier Turns. She wondered if one day she might be free of that, the tense days, the double life in Aerie, Weyr and Hold. But she was born in the north with ice in her blood, and she was loathe to leave the harsh cold and the delicate snow. It was her world, and she had her place in it. And now it was time for the Riders to understand theirs.

[Shoki]

Hedara waited. She was nothing if not punctual, but she would start at exactly the right moment, and at no other. So she had one more moment to think quietly on her words. All too soon Tr’veal gave a small nod and Hedara mirrored it in response. She strode to her place at the head of the meeting, the Sr. Weyrleader directly to her right. Her face was not the slightest more emotional than it was usually. Her eyes were serious, though they lacked their typical aloofness.

“I would like to begin.” It was all she said, but the conversation quieted in an instant. No one wanted to miss what was being said, since on both sides people were ready to fight for, or against the decision. Hedara knew this. However, like she had once observed, she was used to being hated. She expected it at this point. So, expecting ire and swallowing her pride she began to speak.

“Long debates on the dragons colored black and silver have come to pass here at the Weyr and at the Holds near here. As we are we can no longer continue. I have seen a great distress come over all those in the Weyr and a number of unbecoming incidents.” Hedara’s eyes narrowed for a moment, likely giving some of the individuals involved some guilt. She continued a moment later. “As such, we have come to make a public statement. Hence forth in the eyes of the Weyr, those who ride Silverlight dragons shall not be considered Queenriders and likewise those dragons they are bound to will not be considered Queens. We say this in the hope that we will be able to put aside debate in order that together we can press on toward what is important and away from aggression that will do us all harm.”

“We have all agreed on this point.” The deep voice of the usually quiet Tr’veal punctuated the end of Hedara’s words, leaving the meeting hall to understand the situation they were in. For the moment Hedara did not note this. She observed Tasverten.

That’s what thee desired, yes? Hurry back to your master, and maybe now we can get to flushing out that thread-baited deadglow and burn him where the sun don’t shine. Hedara had one, eternal goal. Protect the Weyr. While Tiberax roamed free, there would be danger. If Icy Cavern Hold refused to help, give them no reason to refuse. She was thinking intently on this, because the other option was thinking that her true opinion of Silverlights was hidden among the politics in her speech. Thinking about that would make her worried. She didn’t want them to see what she had said, until they agreed.

After all, they only cared because they impressed, or rather, because they impressed humans. And somehow that made dragons theirs to claim as they like. WHY SHOULD THAT BE?! Why did these humans not see it? Taking the last gift of the Ice Leaders and twisting it to their human sensibilities? There were many moments that Hedara thought the dragons should tell the humans to leave and continue as they had before the dragon riders had reappeared. If they had never returned, Silverlights would be Queens and no one would have cared. Of course, it is the natural order of things! But no, the humans had to go about and muck everything up. Now she had to go on and give the order because of humans. Lucky she was so used to being hated by people.

It made hating herself easier to swallow.

Which is why she could stare out into the meeting hall, eyes cold and posture straight, and not flinch under the death glares she was no doubt receiving. Come what may, she had done what needed doing. Even left an opening. The only opening she could give. If a Silverlight refused a human there was no amount of fire or thread that could stop Hedara from protecting that dragon’s birthright. Because that was all people really cared about. They only cared about the humans really. It made her sick.

[Lark]

A'mir stood on the top of the WeyrHeights, he didn't care to hear what would be said today, he knew already what she would decide. Sure there was some hope that maybe she would rule in the favor of the Silverlights, but to be honest that whole affair was a pipe-dream now. Sighing a ragged breath and throwing fingers into his hair, the rider shook his head and looked over to the stoic form of his dragoness. The black figure slithered over to him, her tail flicking behind her as the silver, silken sheen to her hide bounced light off. There was not a word between them, but the dragoness was listening. She was listening to those around her, waiting for the confirmation. When it passed she snorted and shook her head as well.

Do we really leave then? Sayurith looked down at her rider as he spoke to her mentally. They had talked before about leaving the North behind, going South instead to Rainbow Mists or another Weyr that would allow them to live their days as they should, in peace from all of this with Sayurith's birthright as well. A'mir would be happy for the fighting to end, she however wanted something different. At another sharp shake of her head, A'mir bit his lip and groaned. Why not? There was no answer except the brush of wing against hide as she bent down for him to clamber onto her neck. Where are we going then? You don't really expect us to stay here, do you?

Unfurling her wings, the Silverlight waited for her rider to get situated before taking wing and circling the Weyr, once, twice, and then betweening away. To where though, only the two of them knew.

[Terayne]

S'lieze had padded in just as the crowd fell silent, his head high and his pale eyes intent on the Weyrwoman, ignoring those who looked at him as he passed them. None got in his way, for they all knew him, knew his dragoness, and knew that he had every right to be as close as possible. Coming up near to her, he stopped and listened silently, waiting patiently until she had finished. Through him, he felt Xerecalth listening, knew the dragoness was not happy with the choice that Hedara had been forced by human stupidity to make.

So this is how it's going to be then... S'lieze thought with disgust, looking around him. They couldn't just accept the choices of the dragons, no they had to poke and prod and put their noses where they didn't belong. He wasn't upset for himself, but for his Lady, and for all of those of her hue. Even the newest member, the little male, got his sympathy. "Why can humans not leave well enough alone?" he muttered softly. No one complained when Queen FLITTS Impressed to men, and was it not from them that the dragons were storied to have descended? Why then was it such a big deal?! Shaking his head, he snorted and moved to find a convenient wall, leaning against it with his arms crossed across still muscular chest. "Such a waste..." He didn't care who heard him or how they felt. He was old enough to get away with being a codger, and being the rider of one of those who's fate had just been decided AGAINST their own nature gave him even more fuel.

His Xerecalth was THE Silverlight, the first of her hue, born of an Ice Queen and a Crimson King. The Whiterider who the last Ice Leaders had chosen to 'lead' Ice Stone until the time came for the ices to take over again had chosen to acknowledge the respect and deference shown by other dragons to Silverlights, to acknowledge them as the Queens they were. And now, because of human nature, human stupidity, that acknowledgement had been rusted away...

[Kaya]

A quiet smile spread over Eira's face. Yes, this is how it should be. Dad got to them. Surely they'll be happy with this.

"It brings the most peace," she told herself, looking up at Hedara, cold as ever. It just went to show her yet again, that leadership, while admired and sought after, was not the gleaming reward most made it out to be. There were so many that would tear you down for doing your job, or not doing it just so. Better to be one of the crowd, one of the silent watchers.

There was a small twinge in her consciousness. She felt as a healer she should want to have more of an impact towards the safety of the people, but no matter who was in charge people always got hurt. Accidents, sicknesses, misfortune... It was the inevitable that people were injured, and some even died. It couldn't be said that in seven Turns as a LifeWing Rider she had never seen a patient fall into that final stillness.

Wivish... her mind reached out to the tern that was waiting quietly and comfortably in the healers' quarters. The happy melody of Wivish's voice helped to stabilized her Rider.

What?

I feel too many things. And I can't sort them.

You don't have to. the LifeWing replied simply.

The Hold and Weyr, relieved from being estranged...that is what I wanted. ...will we get that?

The world does what it is want to do, I believe you would tell me, on a more ordinary day.

But do you think that or are you just repeating it?

With a sly tone, Wivish replied, Well, I am want to say what I-

Wivish! Eira interrupted with a smile.

Things will be better now. Maybe not in that crowd, maybe not at first, but the world has a way of carrying on. And to me, if your predictions about the Hold are right, it seems that the extremists who seek to upset the peace are now in their rightful minorities as Hold and Weyr will come together and stand to uphold the peace despite them.

A bit serious for you, Eira commented.

Well,...just a little bit. For balance. Shall I retell you the joke Torvesh told me when you're back?

I would like that. ...but for now I am staying here to watch. I must know the condition of this particular and long problematic patient. This may be where the fever breaks, but we're not done here yet.

Watch well, Linked. I'll be here when you are finished.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

T'vax stared. There was no way this could be happening! Why, why would the Weyr give up? What could possibly have led to this decision?

T’vax, it is doubtless part of a plan. Dealing with those who aggress upon the weyr is more important than a trivial question of rank.

T’vax made a sound that was some obscure relative of a growl and a sigh. He hated the whole thing. Compromises like this, they just shouldn’t be made! Not unless the other person was far more powerful then you, and… The Hold will never be more powerful than the Weyr. Never! Glancing down at his hands, T’vax opened them to realize that he’d been clenching his fists so hard that they’d bled. We’ve got to do something!

Perhaps to start with, a watch on the man Barrek, and the annoying firelizard of his.

T’vax took a deep breath and slowly released it. He carefully checked to make sure that he wasn’t broadcasting his thoughts to any but Slinesteth before answering; he’d just have to hope that in the general turmoil of the announcement, his thoughts had not been overheard. That’s as good a start as any.