75.09.02 Vitalis {Orikaeth's Hatching}

[Nicole]

Artemis filed away the Queen's crooned advice, though it seemed obvious to her already. Of course duty came first; power and duty were one and the same, and to neglect one was to lose the other. And as for kings and kingriders... well, they would find themselves surprised indeed. Love? Love meant nothing to her, not really. Artemis would be surprised if any Rider could win her heart - both because of the lack of men in the Weyr who understood her, and because nothing could ever compete with Zabrielth.

She murmured a thank you to Orikaeth as Retny approached her, smiling as the young Weyrwoman congratulated her, leaning against the Rainbow dragon with a smile. Her words, too, were taken in stride - though it still seemed obvious to her. Was it duty that made them say things, or a distrust in her? She could never believe her little Zabrielth was cursed; that was just superstition, and superstition was silly and illogical.

But still, at the mention of her Weyrwoman lessons and the offer of help from Retny and, on Retny's behalf, Rilora, Artemis smiled. "Thank you. I look forward to learning and working with you both."

"There is something particularly special about both of you." Retny stared at her, and Artemis' mind went straight to what she had told the head Weyrwoman - but no, she would have known if Rilora had told Retny, would have picked it up from Orikaeth. Besides, Rilora had promised, and Artemis sensed the Weyrwoman prided herself on her honesty and loyalty.

Artemis shrugged slightly, the Azure nestling her head against the skin of her shoulder in protest of the motion. "I suppose every Queenrider is special. Especially when their dragon is as beautiful as Zabrielth is." Her eyes flickered down to where she could see the folded wings of the Azure beneath her arms, and a wider smile spread over her face. "I'm nothing compared to her."

And for all her ambition, and for all her abilities, Artemis truly believed she wasn't.

[Kaya]

It all passed Rilora in one crashing wave of activity. There had been a Hatching, and just as fast it had been over. Perhaps she was getting older, or maybe that was how other Queen's Hatchings felt to her. Archith's two had both seemed quite long. And now they had before them a new class of relatively healthy weyrlings. Compared to the news of Ice Stone's last, they had been extremely lucky. Some minor injuries, some hurt feelings: they were nothing to the lasting damage and death the north had experienced. Provided she hadn't missed anything...her eyes had caught particularly on that hazed Citrine, and then the Azure.

The Curse. Her Rider. The two of them unique in the world. Maybe soon, with Artemis in the bright spotlight brought about by her dragon, her talents would be discovered. If she were still a hoping woman, she had little scraps she occasionally clung to, she would hope and hold her head high and believe that nothing ill would befall that dragonet. But her experience as Weyrwoman had taught her otherwise. Artemis would be in no small danger, curse or no, though with that certainty how could she even doubt the curse? It was either inherent or self fulfilling at this point. Virtually the same thing.

Looks like Orikaeth and Retny are all over them, Rilora mentioned absentmindedly. Something about it cut deep. The way she had not so directly engaged with Rekkora and Sunvoiath. Perhaps now...would be a good time to start repairing that.

Welcome to the world, Archith directed at Zabrielth. She knew the Rainbow pair was present and there, taking all the new pair's attention. They should let them get some sleep. Post a guard at their door. A Handler pair even. Practical things. The new weyrlings looked asleep on their feet.

"Weyrwoman," an attentive voice broke Rilora's gaze on the Azure. In front of her stood a BlueRider, at attention, nervous looking. Great sky above, would she ever have a day without a crisis?

"Yes?" she replied with delay, bringing her eyes into focus on the man.

"Ah, Weyrwoman Rilora. I am H'torl, the one sent to pick up the Lord and Lady of Cliffside Sea Hold for the Hatching." he reported. Rilora's eyebrow raised at the name. "You see, my lady, when I arrived, they were not there. I inquired about them with every official inside their residence and received relatively few answers. All of this is why I only arrive now, and without them. Lord Ser Ralt and Lady Harra are no where to be found. Everyone I talked to said they had prepared as is typical to leave for a Hatching. A lady in waiting found that Harra's dress for attendance was indeed absent, and the Lord's finery the same. I thought perhaps they had simply been pulled into something urgent...until one of the door guards told me this."

Rilora's throat constricted and she dreaded whatever the Rider was to say next.

"He said...he said they had already left. On a blue dragon, and that I must be mistaken and go on my way. So here I am. I've had Portoth looking about but it seems that they've not come here either." The Rider was very tense and nervous. "And...and that dragon," he shakily gestured at Zabrielth.

Rilora frowned. "Rider H'torl, thank you for the report. For the time being, you're the only one with some kind of information here. That being the case, your orders are to remain at the Weyr and accompanied at all times. You will stay with me until the wher guard arrives," Rilora stated. Archith was intently listening in and begun relaying summons for the appropriate personnel. She understood Rilora's intentions twofold. If the man was somehow involved in what was amiss, she didn't want him getting away. He had BlueRider knots, but perhaps he was not one of their Riders. If he was one of their own, or even if not, if he was innocent, she didn't want him struck down or disappearing. Different truths, but more or less the same course of action. And then there was also the possibility that nothing was wrong. But on this day, with an Azure born and tensions riled, with the perception of the situation itself just as important, she wasn't taking chances.

Rilora hoped and wanted desperately that Ser Ralt and Harra were simply in a meeting. But the one report so far indicated that they had intended to come, something all the Hold staff believed too. She needed more voices, reports from those she trusted. But sending a Weyrleader or Wingleader might raise too many questions. Oh, if only R'le hadn't won that Flight he would have been perfect. Then a thought occurred to her. She already had a Rider at Cliff Side. His presence was consistent, no one would suspect anything out of the ordinary, she hoped. Faintly. N'kio, their Watch Rider.

Archith, contact Metanath and have him and N'kio investigate this supposed change of plans with the Lord and Lady. They were supposed to come attend Orikaeth's Hatching, the man sent to pick them up says they weren't there. We'd like to confirm their wellbeing and send our regrets that they could not attend. Rilora relayed. It was brilliant, provided it worked, which it should.

I will do so. Archith was good for her word.

So Rilora started wandering, H'trol in tow, towards the whers she saw holding back just outside the sands. She left the man in their care, instructed three of the older Handlers she had heard of before to escort the new Queenling. Then the four of them wandered back towards Artemis. "Congratulations," she said, shadow girl a memory of Archith's voice floating through her mind after the words. "Retny," she acknowledged the other woman with a very slight nod of her head.

[Nicole]

Zabrielth lifted her head at the brush of Archith's mind against hers, jaw dropping open in a sleepy draconian smile. It took her a moment to come up with a proper response to Archith's welcome, and even then she wasn't sure about it. Thank you. I am... glad to be here.

Artemis smiled as Zabrielth pressed her head back into her shoulder, because of both Archith's words and Zabrielth's mere presence. She turned to face the Weyrwoman, her smile growing wider as she approached.

If Artemis had been any more awake, or any less distracted by Zabrielth, she might have noticed Archith's second comment or the worry lines on Rilora's face. But she didn't hear the first, and explained away the second with the color of her dragon. But Rilora was smart and clever and knew better than to believe in curses, right?

"Congratulations." She glanced down at the Weyrwoman's words, trying not to smile broader - and then noticed how many feet there were on the Sands and looked back up. Wher Handlers? What - Rilora's door wasn't guarded. Retny's wasn't. Perhaps it was just because she had just Hatched - what did she know of freshly hatched Queen policies? - but Artemis sensed it had nothing to do with her rank, and everything to do with her color.

Stubborness and anger flared up in her, shaking the last of the sleepiness from her even as Zabrielth slipped into a tiny dragon coma. If they needed to be protected in their own Weyr, Handlers weren't going to help them. If the problem was inside, she didn't think much of anything could help them.

Except, perhaps, her ability to hear dragons planning things before they happened.

But then memory of what had happened at Ice Stone Weyr flooded back to her, and Artemis squeezed her tiny Azure a little tighter. She wouldn't like this.

But then, she didn't imagine Rilora liked doing it. The Weyrwoman had looked exhausted at their last meeting.

Having Whers so close, with their dull emotions pressing in on her mind, would not be fun. But having Zabrielth in danger would be worse, and if it took a burden off of Rilora, even temporarily - well, a good leader was considerate of others, right? And that's what she wanted to be, and that's what Zabrielth had said she wanted her to be.

So she murmured her thanks and waited for Rilora to speak.

[Moo]

Mine, Weyrling Wynah approaches you.

Turning smartly to the left, L'ras waited as the young Weyrling approached, her dragon curled up in her arms. He looked closer - the small Sunlance's hide shined with its coat of oil - and when she reported to him, he nodded his approval.

"Yes, I can see that. You've oiled her well. Good work," L'ras replied. "The Weyrling barracks are in the same location as the Candidate barracks - simply follow the path down to the larger rooms. Once you enter into the Weyrling cavern, take a right and you'll be in the female barracks," he explained, knowing full well they probably wouldn't remember in their tired state. Fortunately, he had helped place directional signs around the barracks the night before.

He ushered the pair along with a sweeping motion of his hands. "Now, any effects you own have been moved to your new room, which is marked with your name plaque on the door. If you or Alzdith require anything, let either Teth or myself know. We won't be far."

L'ras smiled. "Now, to bed with you. Dismissed."

[Kaya]

Rilora noticed the conflicted look that the sleepy Artemis gave to the wher handlers. She tried very hard not to frown about it. That girl had a bold nature, from what she'd seen. Or perhaps she'd had a bad run in with a particularly nasty wher in the past.

"It's precautionary," Rilora told her in a strong voice, bows furrowed down against her eyes. A guard was a fact, not an option. Information would still be coming in about Cliffside. She didn't want to spread around information until she herself knew better what was going on beyond giving orders for the gathering of more information.

Rilora's eyes caught on the new Weyrling Master and his last, though caring, words to a dismissed candi-...weyrling. She frowned at the mental slip up, then straightened her face. She didn't want people getting the wrong idea. A Weyrwoman was in control, a Weyrwoman made actions intentionally and in ways others would interpret correctly. "L'ras, a word, if you will," the Weyrwoman called to the Brown Rider. He was new, she had barely interacted with him, but if his manner held true, he looked trust worthy. She would trust him with one thing, and see if he proved true.

[Moo]

Eyebrows arching as he heard his name called, L'ras looked around for its source, looking first over the Weyrlings. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the crowd. No…no one seemed to be looking for him there. He ran a hand over his head and down the back of his neck, and then paused.

Teth, who had been watching over the whole affair, stretched his wings and turned his thoughts to his Rider. That was the Weyrwoman asking for you. To your right. The Weyrlings are fine under my watch.

Still smiling to himself, L'ras followed his dragon's directions and - sure enough - she was there waiting. After one more glance around at his charges, he walked over to Rilora's side. They hadn't spoken much since his welcome at Cliffside, but he knew she had been busy - and to be honest, so had he. Perhaps she had something to say about their new Queen?

A sense of disquiet made him frown as he passed the Blue Rider under wher guard. That...wasn't usually protocol, was it? He had appeared after the Hatching, hadn't he? So why was he under a guard? As he passed Artemis, who appeared as tired as her dragon, a thought occurred to him. That Rider wasn't a threat to the Weyrlings, was he?

He cleared his throat and focused on the here and now - if she had something to say, she would say it. He smiled politely and stood before her, his hands clasped behind his back out of habit.

"Weyrwoman Rilora, is there something I can assist you with?"

[Kaya]

"Yes," Rilora replied concisely. "I see you're observant. Good. Can't have a Weyrling Master that's not. In confidence, then, it's likely you've noticed the guard's arrival. I've received most distressing news from that man there under watch. He was the Rider assigned to ferry the Lord and Lady of Cliffside to this Hatching. He's arrived late, he claims because he was looking for them. They are not here, he claims they are not at the Hold. This is an auspicious day for the Weyr, our new Queen and her daughter Queen to hatch. We have enemies, of this I am certain. I believe one of them wishes to darken this day, and to send the Weyr into disorder. To what ends, I am not sure, but with an Azure on our hands their job is dangerously easy. I want no more disappearances, and certainly no murders on our hands here. Thus the guards. Faranth willing this will turn out to be nothing and we should have worry only against those who would hurt our new Queen for her color. At present I still await Watch Rider N'kio's direct report from Cliffside. There is still a lot of unverified information. I would have you know because Artemis and hers are under your watch. If you would, having those watching take caution for what it is, and not superstition, would be ideal. You look to be a practical man. Convince those observing that you are. Keep Artemis and the Azure safe, reassure those who look to you that our actions are sound, and report to Archith or I anything unusual. Above all do not let fear reign." Rilora paused, mind flicking over the details. "These are your orders. You are at liberty to ask questions if you will."

[Nicole]

Artemis was many things. Clever and intelligent and ambitious and tired from carrying a small dragonet in her arms. But she was not deaf.

And there were flaws to Rilora's logic. Artemis knew there were, knew that if her mind wasn't preoccupied with the snores of a sleepy dragonet and the tiredness of her own mind, she could point them out. But instead, instinct roared up in her to protest the guards.

She was a junior Weyrwoman. She was a Queen rider - and why should Zabrielth's color matter? To the farthest depths of the ocean with such foolish beliefs. A leader should deny them, not feed into the idea of them. If Rilora was doing that. It was hard to tell; were the guards to protect outsiders from her, or to protect them from outsiders? Saying one thing didn't mean she was thinking it.

But she pushed those thoughts aside for now. The protest could come later. Artemis was many things. Clever and intelligent and ambitious and tired from carrying a small dragonet in her arms. But she was not stupid.

So she bit her tongue and glared at L'ras and tried to listen to the dragons around her for more information on the Lord and Lady Holders.

[Moo]

L'ras listened, nodded when appropriate, and held his tongue while she spoke. There were a myriad of places he could interject, could argue for or against certain ideas, but it would have been improper to point out any fractures in her speech. The fact that she was speaking so openly about these topics, for one. He had not realized such a topic was open for the public. Bringing up the new Queen's color, and curse, was another fault. He never put much stock in curses, though he knew other people did. It was what was on everyone's minds, but bringing it up so publicly felt…like it was acknowledging such a thing could happen.

But this was both intel and orders, not a debate, and her orders were clear. Reassure the public, keep a good eye on his charges, the Azure Rider in particular - he glanced over to Artemis and ignored her glare - mind the guards, deal with any suspicious behavior in the appropriate manner. He would have smiled, had the situation not been so serious. It sounded like a normal day with a rowdy bunch of weyrlings. Save for the kidnappers. But he tried not to think about that so much anymore.

He turned his attention back to Rilora once she paused, and shook his head as she ended her speech. "I have no further questions, Weyrwoman. Your orders are understood. I will do the best I can with what skills I possess, and if I find anything beyond my skill, I will see to it that the proper authorities are reached."

As always, Teth had been listening in on the conversation. He had to - it was as much his job as it was his Rider's. He looked away from the mischievous Black hatchling and focused his sight on Rilora. He reached out to her mind. I have no questions either, Weyrwoman. I simply wish to acknowledge what you said, and reaffirm that I shall keep watch for all of those things as well. We are a good team, L'ras and I. I hope we do not disappoint you.

Once that was settled, he looked away from her and back to the other Weyrlings. They were finishing up their feedings and oilings right on schedule. Good.

"I will also make certain Ms. Langaryen stays out of trouble," added L'ras, a ghost of a smile on his lips as he glanced again to their newest Queenrider. "But I think I can trust her to make the right choices when they happen."

Or so we hope.
So we hope.

[Nicole]

Or so we hope. Artemis snapped her head back down to her dragon, the quiet rise and fall of the Azure's chest soothing her ruffled nerves.

They could doubt her, if they wanted; they all would, all did, a bit, because of her ambition, because of Zabrielth's color. She and Zabrielth would prove them wrong on everything.

They'd be fantastic leaders, and anybody who doubted them could eat a rock.

Zabrielth rolled her head a little, pushing her nose into Artemis' neck, and Artemis let out a small sigh. Affection for the little dragonet streamed through her, and without even thinking about it, she pressed a light kiss to the Azure's head.

"If you'll excuse us, Zabrielth is already asleep, and I can only hold her for so long. I will see everybody at the Hatching tonight." She kept her eyes on the tiny Azure, lest she betray the irritation still steaming beneath the surface - at L'ras for his dragon's comment, at Rilora for assigning her watchdogs, and at the watchdogs themselves.

And with wherhandlers trailing her, she turned on her heel and strode towards her new quarters.