Scribbles on a Page (Shoki)

[Kaya]

| 76.13.23 | outside the Aerie | Just before dinner | with Shoki |

He was hoping to catch her on the way back to the Weyr for dinner. Kh'sol waited outside the Aerie, where the Blue Rider should pass. He had been observing the Weyr, trying to pick the right person. He wasn't quite sure how delicate his situation was, but he didn't want to press his luck. He had noticed Cyanee about a sevenday ago. From his perspective, she had acted in a selfless way to help someone at the Weyr. His estimation of her person lead him to believe that even if she wouldn't help him, at least she'd let him and his secret alone.

In his hands was a wrinkled letter. Kh'sol had been dragging it with him around the Weyr for ten days now. It was addressed to him, though it used his pre-Impression name, Kheveptsol. As few people at the Weyr knew him before he Impressed, he suspected it was from home. How they had written him he had no idea. So few in his former community were literate, in fact he had thought none of them were beyond keeping a few numbers and ledgers for business. He had hoped that it was nothing, but as the next few days passed with the letter Kh'sol became more and more nervous. No one in his community wrote, and he wasn't really far along enough in weyrling training to simply vanish. He barely felt confident going between in class. He wasn't bold enough to try it on his own when he didn't even know why he had been written. So the Brown not-yet-a-Rider waited outside the Aerie for this woman named Cyan in hopes that she would do for him what he could not: read.

[Shoki]

“See you later Cr’wean!” Cyanee waved at her brother, who gave a wave back before she trotted out of his room. Dawn and Breaker followed with pleased chirps. It had been a good day to visit. Cr’wean was in a fair mood, Kiyosh was her usual charming self, and the weather was good. The Bluerider had a spring in her step, as she headed out of the Aerie.

No, no, no, NO! Cyan stopped just outside, looking around. Zigbrieth was nowhere to be found. And he was NOT happy.

Zigbrieth-

I am supposed to be done talking with everyone and have you back to the Weyr. I had it PLANNED! The Blue was melting down a little bit. Cyan looked concerned, but took a deep breath.

It’s okay. Finish up, and then come over. I’m going to play with Dawn and Breaker.

That’s not in the scheadule-

You can tell me that when you get here. Come on, finish your schedule.

Cyan waited for anything else from her Blue, but it seemed like he was content to continue for now. She let out a breath and looked up at the Sunset and Brick hovering about. Well, she could go in to wait, but it was okay with her if she had to play with her firelizards.

[Kaya]

"G'day!" Kh'sol called out, striding towards Cyanee. No hesitation, this was the plan, he was going for it. He had expected to have to flag her down, so to see she wasn't walking off quickly gave him hope that she had a moment. He closed the gap between them and commented, "Energetic, aren't they?" He gestured at the flitters. "Anyhow, I was wondering if you might have a moment," he mentioned, holding the letter loosely in one hand. He was aware he hadn't introduced himself yet. He felt his chest flip at the thought of it. It was the last part of committing to the plan. Well, no backing out now. "Oh, how rude of me. I'm Kh'sol," he said, offering a hand and hoping he had said his name quickly enough she would have missed it.

[Shoki]

Cyan looked up at the new voice, not having noticed him on account of her conversation with Zigbrieth. However, as was usually the case when someone addressed her, she smiled, looking interested. She didn’t think she knew this person, but that was alright, she could always get more friends.

“Good day to you as well.” She looked up to her active flitters and nodded. “That’s true.” Breaker seemed to note the conversation more than Dawn, who continued to dance about Cyan’s head. Cyanee herself was focusing on the weyrling, who introduced himself as Kh’sol. She took his hand and shook it, introducing herself in turn.

“I’m Cyan, of Blue Zigbrieth.” She continued to speak, but as soon as her hand was free she used it to gesture around her. “I have some time, as long as Zigbrieth is busy that is. What can I help you with?” She wasn’t sure what that would be. She was pretty sure Kh’sol was older than her, but then again, it could have been the height coloring her expectations. He had a good half a foot on her.

[Kaya]

"Time! Good, excellent," Kh'sol grinned, flicking out the letter in front of her face. He leaned in and looking right in her eyes said, "It just so happens that I have this here. I believe you can help me with it, if you catch my drift," he offered her the letter. He had no idea as to its contents but he bluffed as if he did. Unfortunately for him, its contents were not quite so brazen as he was.

My dear son,

I have asked a traveler to write this, so I must be brief. Your brother Telriol has taken sick. It's been a long, slow passage into sickness. I don't know if you can help, or if I should summon you to see him again. We mountain folk don't have much. If nothing else, please come see him again soon. There may not be time later.

Your loving mother

[Shoki]

Cyan accepted the paper and read it. As her eyes moved across the paper her eyebrows expressed concern, and her lips pressed into a line. She reread it once and then slowly spoke, like she was thinking.

“I’m not sure what you mean. Did you need a ride or did you want me to talk to my brother? He’d probably know who to talk to, but the letter is kinda vague.” She offered the paper back to him, as she assumed he would want it back since it was from his mother. “Or I could go with you, if you don’t want to go alone.” She wasn’t quite sure what he was asking here, but she would help! It sounded serious so she would most certainly help. “Whatever you need, I’ll try to help.” She nodded, but remained looking serious.

[Kaya]

He watched and listened. Her face took on a brooding posture. He had been observing it for the last several days, and this was not normal. He had worried about the letter. It was unusual in itself. Now he knew he had good reason to be concerned. He had bluffed to have it read the wrong way. Too confident. Shardit.

"Your offer is much appreciated," he said, tucking the letter away in his back pocket. He gleaned that he had summoned somewhere, most likely, since her spoke of him going somewhere. His mother wanted to see him then. He tried desperately to remember a brother for this Blue Rider but he drew a blank. Must not be a Weyr regular then. What could her brother help him with?

"A ride and another set of hands would be welcome. Letter's from my mom, I know where they live, how to get there," he said. Lying again. He'd only just finished his first term with Ornoth learning how to between. They'd only been around the Weyr, locally. But he needed to get home and surely this full fledged Rider would know to take whatever safety precautions and all that. "I'm worried." he admitted, reflecting what he had seen in her and felt himself. He hated not knowing what he was worrying over exactly, but perhaps with the words placed just right he could make it through this without her discovering. He had picked her out of the crowd for a reason.

"When do you think we could go? They live in the mountains out of Shimmer Bay Hold."

[Shoki]

Cyan considered. This didn’t sound like the sort of thing that would likely be quick. She could get to Shimmer Bay alright, and Kh’sol would direct the rest of the way. That would not be the long part. Kh’sol might want to stay a while. Her eyes flickered up to a Blue shape headed toward them. Well, that was at least one thing that was fixed. With a sudden enthusiasm she focused on Kh’sol and spoke.

“Okay, I can be ready to go in just a bit. I just have to grab a few things, and then we can get there with the light on our side.” Shimmer Bay wasn’t far enough away to be dark already. “You probably want to be there sooner rather than later, so I will make it quick. Do you need to grab anything or should I just head back here and then we can go?”

What now? You are supposed to go eat and then-

Food to go, then we go to Shimmer Bay.

No, that’s not-

We are going to help a friend and that’s that.

Zigbrieth’s mood was going to be insufferable tonight.

[Kaya]

"Now?" Kh'sol echoed. He had estimated she would be busier, that she would have some other obligation, and that given the time of day... He had scored with this pick, to be sure. He'd have to keep Cyan and her willingness to do anything for complete strangers in reserve. It would come in handy.

"Well, alright then. Me? No, no, I don't need anything. Are you going to get food for the trip? I doubt either of us have had dinner. I can help you carry things," he offered, wanting to make sure she got enough food for them both. And he was going to go see his family. Today. Wouldn't they be surprised. If he could find them. The thing about being herders was that no particular spot was home. They'd want to have the light, as Cyan said. They'd need it.

[Shoki]

Kh’sol had no way of knowing what her schedule actually was that night, what ire she was getting from Zigbrieth for skipping it, but she didn’t let on. So she merely nodded.

“Just food. Zigbrieth should be ready to go.” The Blue had landed close by, but he wasn’t happy about it. He was however, ready to drag humans around. If he had to. She headed over and gave her Blue a pet on his snout. Come on. We are helping. You like that, don’t you? The Blue snorted but seemed appeased. For the most part. Cyan turned back and smiled wide.

“Let’s go!”

---

Properly provisioned, they had headed up and out. Finding themselves above Shimmer Bay Hold, Kh’sol had directed to the general area they might find his family. Apparently the moved around quite a bit. Still, they had time, to look around. Eventually Kh’sol declared where he thought they were and Zigbrieth found an appropriately close place to land. The Blue was still in a rough mood, so Cyan gave him a pat before grabbing the food and sliding off, observing the area they found themselves in.

“After you.” She didn’t know who was who, so she was very much just the chauffeur for now.

[Kaya]

Provisioned and on the way, Kh'sol felt a lump rising in his throat. He was afraid of what he might find at home. He looked long and hard through the regular herding grounds for the season. It was the fifth spot they tried that Kh'sol sunk and was losing hope of finding them.

You'll find them, Ornoth interjected. Kh'sol gave his head a shake to chase off the intrusion. But in doing so he looked further left than he had been. A camp. He could see the mobile tents set up for the coming evening. "There," and Cyan and her Blue took them there. As they got closer Kh'sol was sure these were his people.

He slid off after her to the ground. He saw a few goats shift around nervously, one youngling darting off to find its mother.

The herdfolk stared at the arrivals. Murmurs rushed through the camp. Within a minute a woman was running forward. "My Kheveptsol!" Sovalda swept her son up into a hug. "And your friend," the woman acknowledged Cyan. "Thank you for bringing him. This way, this way," she instructed, turning to go.

Kh'sol followed. He hadn't heard his old name in about a Turn now. It sounded nice.

They arrived at one of the tends. A rough cough come from inside. Kh'sol frowned.

"Telriol, your brother his here," Sovalda said softly as she and the others entered the tent. A youth, barely into his second decade of life, lay on a cot with bundles of woolen material around him.

"Hey, Khev," Telriol smiled. His expression broke with another cough gripped him.

"Hey, Telriol," Kh'sol stood by his brother.

Sovalda, leaving her sons to talk, turned to the Rider. "M'lady Rider, I have no right to ask you this, by any means, but my boy is dying. His brother is one of you. Could you take my other son with you? I've heard you have things, fantastic things I daren't even believe, that could help my boy. I have no other choice. Please," she asked, her voice breaking.

[Shoki]

The rider found herself being stared at for a time. This was a curious thing that Cyan wasn’t sure if it was good or bad. They didn’t seem to be staring badly at her, so it seemed alright. She was aware of their gazes though. Soon enough a woman rushed forward to hug her son and the Bluerider relaxed into a small smile. Cyan made only a small nod with a sheepish smile as a thanks. It wasn’t really any trouble at all. She followed the rest of them to where she expected there would be someone called Telriol according to the letter.

It was at that, but the man resting there was bundled up as much as could be managed, and had an unpleasant sounding cough. She kept her hands around the bundle and watched, not sure about the state of things. It sounded rough, but she wasn’t a healer. She’d never wanted to be one, but she rather wanted to know about diagnosis from time to time. This would be one. Soon enough Kh’sol’s mother came to her and rather confirmed the state of things. Cyan’s face paled a bit, but she listened.

“I don’t know the state of things, but I can get him to people who will know the best thing to do. The people at the Aerie will know what to do.” It never entered her mind that she should refuse to do such a thing. Lifewings weren’t perfect, but they could certainly do a lot. “I’ll make sure he gets there.” She nodded seriously. She had to do it, just had to.

[Kaya]

"Thank you," Sovalda choked. "Thank you," her eyes shone with tears and her nose ran ungracefully. "When he's well, he's a good boy. Hard working. Good with animals. He'll be a good help to you. He will. Thank you."

"Khev, mom's cryin' again," Telriol leaned his head towards their mother.

"Mom, don't cry. It's okay, really." Kh'sol said, giving her a hug. Honestly he had no idea if Telriol would be okay, but it was what one was supposed to say.

"Let me get his things," she said. "I hate to let you go, you just got here. I haven't heard any news of yours."

"It's okay mom. The short, I've been at the Weyr. I Impressed about a Turn ago. A Brown dragon named Ornoth! Just like T'by. We've got a few more months of training before I can make my own leisure trips, but I can come back," he explained.

"My boy? A Rider? Rains and rivers! What do they call you?" Her eyes lit up at the news. She was so proud.

"Kh'sol."

"Kh'sol." she repeated. "It's nice. It's not Kheveptsol but it's nice." Telriol started coughing again. "Excuse me." She ran to gather a few sets of clothes and a few personal things of Telriol's. It took her about ten minutes to return. "Here," she handed the bag to Kh'sol. He had explained to his brother in the mean time what Cyan had agreed to do for them.

"Time to go, Tel," he said. He set the bag on the floor and helped his younger brother out of the cot. "Can you get Zig any closer? He doesn't look up to too much walking."

"Don't you dare carry me Khev!" Tel objected with a cough. "I can go myself!"

[Shoki]

Cyan let a small smile play across her face as she watched the family. Hopefully things would work out. She just had to put things in the hands of the people who would make them work out. It was a bit of family stuff that started then, to which she remained out of the way, content to watch. That, and let Zigbrieth know what was happening.

Back to the Aerie then?

Yes.

Fine.

Come on, you should be happy, we are helping again.

It’s fine. I said so didn’t I? He sounded not fine. But not breaking down, so it could have been worse. Didn’t make Cyan feel any better though. However she broke out of it when Kh’sol broke her out of her conversation.

“Hmm? Oh, yes let’s see what we can do.” She hopped to it, heading out and asking the onlookers if they might have a touch more room. Zigbrieth scooted closer, as much as he could manage. He wasn’t the largest Blue, but he wasn’t a White either. Soon enough Cyan was content with the state of things and she hopped on her dragons back. Once settled her held out her hand for pulling Telriol up.

[Kaya]

Telriol shuffled towards Zigbrieth with Kh'sol's help. He wobbled and nearly fell, but his brother kept him upright. Their mother followed with the bag, seeing Kh'sol needed both hands to help Telriol maneuver. At Zigbrieth's side, Kh'sol braced himself to help Telriol up, but before Tel was lifted towards Cyan's offered hand a voice rang out.

"Kheveptsol! Wait!" a rich young voice called out and a youth bounded into view. The young lad panted as he slowed to a walk the last several meters. "I went to get dad," he puffed, "since Tel's leavin'." Sovalda must have told him.

"Siridin," Kh'sol grinned. He left Telriol steady, leaning on Zigbrieth's side. He pulled his brother close and gave him a clap on the back. "You're bigger than I remember."

"Growth spurt," he explained, blushing.

"Looks good, and you'll grow into being taller," the older brother reassured him.

A man, around his fiftieth turn in life, approached up the rising hill. Teldin walked up to Telriol, gave him a hug and hoisted him up to Cyan. "Take good care of my boy," he said to her. The relief on his face shone, like the corners of his eyes, but it would be rude to comment on the held back tears.

"Next thing you know they'll take you too, Siridin," Teldin said. He gave Kh'sol a greeting, a smile and a firm handshake. "Look after your brother, now," he instructed.

"I will," Kh'sol said. "Gotta be going then," he glanced up at Cyan and Telriol. "We'll come back and visit more," he promised. He gave his mom a hug and then took the bag. He jumped up Zigbrieth and got settled. "Okay. Let's go before all the aunties and uncles show up and Tel's too tired to make the trip."