First Strike [C]

[Kaya]

To the current generation, war was a legend, a thing to read about by the fire. Still, with war declared, it was not, yet, a thing of reality save to those who had known the ones that had died in the opening rounds.

Location: Golden Flight Hold

Time: 3077.05.26 - late fall

The dragons arrived in the afternoon, demanding the supplies that filled the stores. We who had gathered it, who had worked so hard to salvage it from our fields, we refused. These were not the riders of our local Weyr. These were not the riders who had risked life and limb to save our homes and what they could of our crops from the fires. We had already sent food to those riders, what of it we had to spare. More than we had to spare, in truth. This was our food, so that we would survive rather than starve.

We attempted to reason with the riders, to explain that there was no extra, but they continued to make their demands. Looking back, I wonder if their faces were gaunt, or if perhaps those they knew and loved were suffering. At the time, I saw only riders, and even now, my anger at what happened proves too great for me to truly see them as anything but an enemy, not even men, for no man would have done that.

One of the workers, a youth, he grabbed a rock and threw it at the nearest rider, when they dismounted and made to push their way into the storehouse by force. The rock landed — would that it had not — and knocked the rider to the ground. Everything went to Thread after that. The dragon was bellowing, the riders were shouting, we were shouting, nearly everyone was raising whatever stick or nearby object they could find, the riders were raising weapons…

I looked over, met the eyes of the riders’ leader, and realized he was just as powerless as I was. I don’t know what happened next, but we clashed with the riders, and when the sides broke apart, there were riders bleeding, workers bleeding, and that young man who’d thrown the rock… he was dead, an arrow to the chest. He was still clutching the scythe he’d thought to use as a weapon.

More of the workers came, and the riders left empty handed, many of them swearing vengeance, all of them glaring angrily. And I was left wondering what would have happened, if someone could have reined the situation in.

----

Location: Rainbow Mists Weyr

Time: 3077.06.15 - afternoon - winter


Several small wings zipped over the trees. The firelizards peered into the valley and relayed what they saw. A quiet scene below, people going about their daily lives. The regular watch. No indication of an alert. Clear.

The five carefully selected wings of combatants readied. They were here to stop this war before it even started. These foolish southerners would see how they were hopelessly outclassed. It was the most important mission. The Riders from Benden and Igen made one last check of their straps, and then their weapons. Time to go.

All together they rose from the jungles in the northwest. They stayed low to the trees. The back wing lagged carrying the heavy boulders. The front wing started the ascent, and then the second wing behind them disappeared. The four wings rose over the ledge, the arrow meant for the watch Rider struck true. It had been well planned beforehand. The dragon cried and lashed out before taking himself between. Now they would know something was wrong. The clock was started.

The second wing appeared over the stretch of trees that separated the Bowl from the southern fields. Flames sprung from their throats as they passed over the lush greenery. The leaves resisted. This place was always damp, the trees tried to turn away the fire. The wing finished their pass and turned around for a second run.

The three fast wings rose over the north valley ridge. They roared. The rocks shook. The slow wing made it over, one dragon had dropped his stone. It crushed the tail of a dragon below. And the confusion and the roar of noise of the valley took over. The first attack. The last attack.


---------


Challenge thread!
Scenario: Igen Riders are attacking Rainbow Mists to strike an early blow against their enemy’s numbers and moral.

Please note that due to many of us being sick or otherwise affected by IRL urgencies, the end date is extended one week. Posts will count towards the goal until the end of the day Sunday (Sept 20th) Pacific Time.

Goals and Outcomes
Goal: Have at least 6 RPers post 11 [Rider (min: 6), Wher Handler (min: 2), LifeWing (min: 3),Wher Handler (min: 1), and Weyrfolk] characters in a total of 60 posts by Sept 13th.
Goal Success Outcome: The attack is warded off, but mostly from a few lucky blows in the right places. Some damage was inevitable, and injured personnel fill the Aerie but can mostly be managed. Moral takes a hit from the handful of deaths, but all the Weyr realizes that it could have been so much worse.

Goal: Have at least 5 RPers post 10 [Rider (min: 4), Wher Handler (min: 1), LifeWing (min: 2), and Weyrfolk] characters in a total of 45 posts by Sept 13th.
Goal Success Outcome: Igen and Rainbow Mists both get in a few good hits. Both sides are prepared but Igen had the advantage of choosing the circumstances. Some important leaders are hurt but will recover, though perhaps not soon enough. The Aerie is stretched thin and some things slip through the cracks as a result. Deaths on the battlefield and in the Aerie bring to attention logistical flaws. Moral drops, though it could still be worse, things certainly could have gone much better.

Goal: Have at least 3 RPers post 8 [Rider (min: 2), Wher Handler (min: 1), LifeWing (min: 1), and Weyrfolk] characters in a total of 30 posts by Sept 13th.
Goal Success Outcome: Igen’s plans are partially successful and the attack stretched on longer than Rainbow Mists could efficiently counter. The Aerie is over capacity trying to manage the wounded and some suffer and a few die as a result. The uncertain and rising death count, while smaller than Igen hoped, crushes the hearts of many southerners. Moral takes a moderate hit, especially due to the damage inflicted on the Hatching Sands and its Stands. Faranth be thanked there were no eggs there, but everyone realizes how underprepared they are.

No Goal met: Igen’s plans are a shattering success. Several dozen have died but no one knows for sure, and may not know for some time. The Aerie is overwhelmed with wounded and support runs thin. Things seem bleak. How could this have happened?

[Shoki]

It was as though one moment was dull and ordinary, and the next was full of chaos. Shri disliked chaos. Even in the Aerie, once the sound of dragon’s keen could be heard, everyone was at alert. Shri sat up straighter, in the room that was where the main occupation took place. Dea looked up, the only of her trio that was with her at the moment. Shri merely motioned, and Dea was sitting in front of her, looking up into her human’s eyes with intent. She waited.

Across the room, a Blue firelizard appeared, and went to their master. As a note was read from them, Selt appeared. The Flame landed next to Dea, bearing no return note, but giving Shri an image of dragons and humans all in a tizzy. Shri said nothing even as someone across the room gave the announcement.

“Attack on Rainbow Mists Weyr, no report on casualties.”

Finally, Analis appeared, and landed behind her other two compatriots. Shri pulled out a list, long with riders, though not all. She pulled her pen from its rest and looked up at the room around her, waiting patiently. There was talking, but until she heard her name she didn’t move.

“Shri, contact the riders on non-urgent calls at the holds.”

“Consider it done.” With a glance she found the names on her list, where they were and what they were doing. She started writing notes in a clear hand, rolling them up and attaching them to her firelizards. Each one she gave the image of the person that needed to be found. First Selt, then Analis, and finally she attached one to Dea. The Copper was perhaps the most likely to do something rash among her group. As she finished putting the note on the Copper, she wondered if the firelizard knew that they were fighting a battle in their own way. Dea looked up, waiting for the person she was sending the message to. Perhaps it was just Shri, but Dea looked as if there was a little glint in her eyes. Still a moment later she was gone.

Messages away.


---

Dragons keening. Lan rolled right out of bed at the sound of alarms. Arc and Soida buzzed around the room, while the man looked out of his room and heard the telltale calls that there was an attack. Lan dashed to get clothes on, and grabbed his pole-axe before giving a sharp whistle. Arc and Soida calmed, at least somewhat and remained where they were. For himself, he dashed out with the rest of the guards.

He ran with the pole-axe on his shoulder, practiced at moving with the weapon. It was a good tool, he found. Axe on one side of the head, hammer on the other, and a top for a spear. Even beyond that, if he just needed a tool to hit people with, well, it was a pretty big stick. Still, weapons were not the only thing important to winning a war.

As he followed the group, soon enough people were being broken off into various groups. Whers were still unable to go out and about, so the guards had different tasks then finding their companions. Lan went to get his marching orders from Dalonia.

[Deleted]

Three days. Bellamia had been recovering from a concussion, scrapes and bruises and two broken legs for three days. She was feeling much better than she had on that first day and her spirits were pleasant because of a life altering event that happened to her shortly after she was brought in. She was chosen to be a lifewing candidate. It pleased her to no end.

The rude awakening she experienced as chaos could be heard outside the aerie was not pleasing at all. It frightened her considerably and her thoughts and fears directed themselves to wherever her family might be right now. What was happening? A quieter sort of disturbance but still just as urgent flowed into the aerie and the infirmary where she was recovering in seemed to hold its collective breath.

Not for the first time, Bellamia wished that she had a firelizard to carry messages with. She wished in that moment that someone in her family would have gotten one. But it was too late for wishes. All she could do was prop herself up in bed with a steady heart but intense concern in her body language. If it were not for her legs being broken she would have hurried to find some way that she could help. She could not go anywhere and she could not help. She did not even know what was going on. Maybe she could help but putting on a brave face. Until she knew more, it was all she could do. With that goal in mind, she worked on portraying a calm steadiness. Though she couldn't erase the concern for her family and others completely Bellamia did look more calm and steady than she had before.

[ceridawn]

Dalanna was in the Weyr Bowl, on her way to the dining hall, when suddenly the sky filled with dragons. They were breathing fire and carrying rocks. The weyr was under attack. Her two babies let out calls of alarm, obviously frightened by the chaos. She grabbed them, unsure of what to do.

She had been informed that weyr was at war, but no one had told her what to do in the event of an attack. She wanted to help, but had absolutely no idea how. This was only her second week here, and already there was chaos.

She once more looked at the scared flits in her arms. They were her first priority. She ran toward the kitchens, keeping her babies pressed close to her body. She might no be able to fight, but the kitchens should at least have something she could throw at anyone who tried to harm them.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Tag: @littlesong

The horrible, heart-wrenching sound of a dragon’s keening split the air. In the future, when she looked back, Ayasha would always remember the scene, as if frozen in amber. She’d been rolling bandages, getting them ready to be stored properly. The bandage that she had been holding had fallen to the floor. It would take so long to get it clean again, and a part of her focused on that, as if unable to focus on anything else.

We are asked to deliver medication to patient Bellamia Goldenborn, Revallesh informed her.

I go, Ayasha answered, simply. Gathering up a tray of bandages, she headed towards the patient rooms. Hopefully, the medication would leave Bellamia able to roll bandages, because Ayasha had the sinking sensation that they were going to need all the help they could get.

“Bellamia?” she called quietly, opening the door. “I have your medication.”

[Deleted]

Tag: @ghost

The soft sound of footsteps came closer and stopped just outside her door. Swallowing with nervousness, not knowing what was going on still, Bellamia glued her eyes to the door as it opened. A quiet voice called her name and she breathed a small sigh of relief. Medication time. She really couldn't be surprised but in the chaos she heard from outside it had slipped her mind.

"Thank you." She called out calmly, though her furrowed brow spoke of her worry. "What is going on out there? What is happening?" Her voice stayed steady but her heart was beating with the rapidity of fear. As she asked this, she took in the bandages and held her hand out for the medication. "Can I help?" Bellamia asked after her medication had been taken. "Please let me do something or I fear I might go crazy."

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Tag: @littlesong

Ayasha read the worry on the patient's face, heard the quick sigh of relief as she informed the young woman of her purpose. The patient was clearly no fool, she obviously knew something was up. The question presented her with a problem, however. On the one hand, Ayasha herself didn't really know what was going on. On the other, she fancied herself no fool, and she did have a suspicion or two.

"I'm not sure," she admitted, handing over the medication. "I'm probably to continue patient checks though, so if you could roll these it's be a great help." Ayasha indicated the bandages with a top of her head.

[Deleted]

Tag: Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)

Maybe it was just her inner nerves speaking but it almost seemed as if this one might know what was going on but hesitated in her answer. When the answer finally did come, Bellamia was confused for she felt that the young woman was telling the truth. Either she knew or she didn't know. It couldn't be both. So when she took the bandages, with a concerned but serious look on her face, she asked her question in another way hoping to inspire some sort of information sharing.

"What do you think might be going on? To me it sound rather..." She paused, debating within herself whether to speak of her fears or not. Deciding to chance it, Bellamia continued her thought. "...dangerous outside. It wouldn't be an attack of some kind, would it?"

Bellamia had no idea really what a true attack might sound like but she grasped at the darkest, most evil thing she could think of and presented that as an idea hoping to be contradicted. She'd even be fine with being laughed at, at this point. Her hands, while she waited, busied themselves with the bandages. "You probably have other patients to attend to. I shouldn't keep you. I'm sorry. Before you go, what is your name?"

[Shoki]

Tag: Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)

[smear:ffffff]Igen [/smear:B0c4de][smear:b0c4de]is atta[/smear:87ceeb][smear:87ceeb]cking![/smear:507a8b]

R’le sat straight up. His little storm dragon had surfaced again. For good reason. Well, he better get to Quiorith. R’le shooed Burn and then went to get his gear. He didn’t have to hear from T’kar to know they would both want a piece of this. He could feel Quiorith getting antsy as he finally got his throwing knives. The Cloud wanted to be in the air. R’le had to agree. After he was securely fastened, the pair rose into the sky, with something of a grim smile on R’le’s face.

Don’t go thinking that a little time away from the jungle has made me squeamish of your tricks, Quiorith. The Cloud rumbled, but only for a moment. They really had only one thought in their heads. They had to protect their ladies. Do we know where everyone else is? Quiorith snorted. Let ‘m know where we are.

[smear:ffffff]Ancalanath, [/smear:B0c4de][smear:b0c4de]we are up,[/smear:87ceeb][smear:87ceeb] where are you?[/smear:507a8b]


---

Tag: ceridawn


Mine! Quimyenth watched the invaders, angry. Never let it be said the Green wasn’t ready to defend her home. However, most annoyingly, she was not with Mau. Considering what occurred last time Igen riders had been in the lands of Rainbow Mists, the dragoness was both concerned about what might happen and more specifically what might happen with Mau.

Mau was not in trouble.

Life went on even in war, so she had been collecting materials for her next project. This meant she just had been with a merchant in the Weyr’s common areas. The desire to be with her lifemate was strong though. Everyone was moving though, it was hard to navigate. Riders everywhere, weyrfolk dashing this way and that, it was a mess. Hammer clung to her shoulder, not about to be separated from Mau in this havoc. Eventually Mau decided to retreat into the dining hall. She wasn’t about to go to the Bowl with all this happening.

Mau…

Relax. I’ll get there when I can. Besides, you can handle yourself. I know it. Quimyenth would be brilliant. The Green had proved time and time again that she was amazing at picking things up. Even in this madness, she would be okay. That, and Quimyenth had already proved that she wouldn’t balk at a little conflict. Qui didn’t like it, but accepted it. For the moment.

As Mau took in her surroundings, she noticed that there was something with fretting firelizards. Well, no use in sitting around being useless. She went over to them to talk to the candidate.

“Are they okay? Maybe I can help.” Mau didn’t know the candidate, but that wasn’t about to stop her from speaking to her.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

@littlesong

Ayasha didn’t like not being able to confirm or deny the patient’s fears. If the patient was aware enough of the normal movements and vibes of a Weyr to tell that something was up, to have — based on her statement — the same suspicions and fears Ayasha had, than she wouldn’t rest easier for not being able to hear a definitive answer.

Revallesh?

I ask.

Ayasha did not have long to wait. For all that Revallesh was still nervous of interacting with others in free time, much preferring to stand at the edges of a gathering, watching while fluffing up into her ‘fuzzy coconut’ appearance, the Pinnated Bittern was more than willing to speak if required to accomplish her duty.

They say Igen attacks, Revallesh stated. She sounded completely calm. Revallesh was always like that, able to stay cool and focused in emergencies.

Ayasha swallowed. That wasn’t the news she’d been hoping to deliver, but… no thanks would ever she get by being untruthful now. The odds were that soon Bellamia would have a roommate.

“Alas, an attack it is,” Ayasha sighed. “I’m Ayasha, Ayasha Narunok of Revallesh.” She paused. It was true that she should at least check on the other patients who were currently in the Aerie, but…

“I’ll be right back,” she said, darting out into the hall.

((I'm thinking this way Bellamia can react to her leaving, and then she can come back with more bandages and herbs that need to be prepared and the two can work on that?))

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Tag: Open, @Shoki

Strange, is it not, how much tedium can be mourned, even as the body reacts to the removal, the disappearance, of that same boredom. Keening, followed by shouts and screams, bellows of rage, fear, and fury, tore through the air, echoing into T’kar’s head both through his own ears and through the bond he shared with Ancalanath. The time for paperwork, it would seem, was over.

T’kar didn’t bother darting out of the office into the corridors beyond. He could hear people running outside the door, racing in all directions, and knew that he’d never make it out if he joined up in that crowd. Another time, and he might have tried to direct the people outside, to tell them to organize, but he could see attackers, as Ancalanath saw them, circling back around for another strike, and he knew his place was out there. His office had a window, privilege of rank and all. Somehow, he doubted it had been intended for this. Four firelizards blinked between, grabbing a harness and appearing next to the RR Flame that roared defiance at the aggressors who dared to attack his home.

By the time T’kar had finished — with silent apologies to whatever master of the glassmaker craft had lavished time upon the beautiful thing — kicking out the window of his office and had scrambled up onto the ledge, the harness had been applied. Never let it be said that a harness could not be designed for application by firelizard, for the whole process had taken but moments.

T’kar leapt from the window. Ancalanath was there beneath him by the time he began to fall.

We rise above Bowl by offices. Ancalanath’s answer was not to Quiorith alone, but directed towards the entire Wing. Group and attack!

Ancalanath had already started eating firestone. This was no time for playing nice.

[Cait]

At a time when they should have been sleeping, the whers were restless and irritable. At a time when she should have been sleeping, Dalonia found herself stirred by the insistent growling of her Crimson. Then all he'll broke loose and the world shook. Thief, ever silent, screeched in rage and fear and Pest slammed into her chest as Dalosk bellowed. Misk wailed alongside her side and before their first cry was finished, Dalonia was out of bed, cramming her legs into her pants and shoving the tails of the hideous red sleep shirt in before lacing it up. Hair was left unbound as she slung her belt and sword around her waist and hear racing, stomped into her boots.

Now she heard shouting and with a hoarse shout for the whers to come, she wrenched open the door just as one of the guards pounded on it, nearly sending the man toppling in only to have the woman's brown firelizard snap at his face and send him tottering back on his heels. He delivered a breathless, six-year report that made even Dalonia's blood run cold. Dragons were attacking. There had already been death. Giant rocks...

T'kar!

She didn't have time to analyse the fact that her instinctive reaction was now to worry about the damnable dragonrider. But she knew her duty was to no one person and she doubted very much he would be fretting about her. He'd just snarl at her afterwards about this or that and demand she sleep...at least he had better.

Long, black hair billowed around her as she began barking orders, rallying the sleepy wher handlers and conferring with the guards. She sent several to guard the creche and make sure the civilians were kept safe and as she emerged blinking into the afternoon light her heart stopped at the sight that greeted her. Then in began to race and her face flushed with rage. Killing rage. How dare they invade here.

Dragons swooped through the sky and she was hard pressed to tell friend from foe aside from the ones that carried their rocks. Snarling she looked around for some sort of vantage point. She was useless on the ground but if any dragonrider looking to harm her Weyr came within range...

"Dalosk!" She flung herself onto the crimson and the pair were off, damn near rabid and intent on carnage as a particularly rage filled dragon cry rang through the air with an ominous pitch.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

Rage filled bellowing. The whers were active. That couldn’t be right? Surely it hadn’t been long enough to be evening already? He had no way to gage the time, but he’d gotten good at guestimating it, and he really didn’t think he’d lost track so badly as for it to be evening already.

What happens?

A wordless sense of rage, admixed with terrible excitement. Igen attacks!

No… no shardit no!

Belegurth didn’t bother answering. His rider was just railing at fate, not truly speaking of anything. Certainly did not require an answer.

K’rad stared, unseeing, at the door, the only door. He dreaded its opening, feared what he would hear. Surprisingly, he didn’t think the guards were going to come pound on him at the moment, but stronger than any fear of future beatings was the fear, the cold terror, that recollected every one of Cyanee’s letters. The letters in which she’d blithely assured him that LifeWings and those that ferried them were noncombatants, and would not be attacked.

He could hear the people shouting outside the door, and knew that the enemy had begun by dropping rocks into the WeyrBowl and flaming the trees between the Bowl and the fields. Fire and stone were area effect weapons. Like catapults, they cared not at all if some of those they struck were noncombatants. In the confusion of the attack, would Cyanee even think to take shelter, to hide until it was time for Healers? More likely, she’d get caught up in it, end up on wing against opponents armed with bows and her unarmored. After all, the healers would probably be rushing out into the Bowl to try and save the injured, and never mind the risk of getting hit themselves.

Cyan! his thoughts cried, with such desperation that even the chained Belegurth looked around, in an attempt to see her, even felt around in an attempt to locate Zigbrieth and ascertain that the blue and his rider were well.

[Deleted]

Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)

What Ayasha had to say was not something Bellamia thought she'd hear. Actually that wasn't entirely true. What the young woman had to say was not what she had wanted to hear. Knowing her family, she was sure that they would not stay huddled behind the safety of a door or room somewhere. Especially her father. The youngest might be commanded to hide or run for safety but the others? She found herself tearing up a little. She quickly brushed the tears away before they could even fall. Despite her broken legs, there was work to be done.

Acknowledging the girl's name with a worried nod and a brave smile, she watched as Ayasha hurried out of the room. Picking up a bandage that needed preparing, she did what she could. She'd worked with the healers before when she was at the Hold, but since she'd been at the weyr, not so much. It felt good to get back to being productive. Especially now.

They were being attacked? Why? By whom? Bellamia did not understand.


((That's good Ghost. Whatever you like.))

[ceridawn]

Shoki

Dalanna looked up from trying to comfort her friends when a voice spoke to her. She looked up and saw that it was a dragonrider asking after them.

"They are not hurt, just scared and confused. They hatched less than a week ago. I an worried and unsure of what to do. I have only been here for a bit over a week myself, I want to help, but I have no clue how." Hopefully there was some kind of procedure in place. The dragonrider could tell her what to do, and she would not be uselessly fussing over her flits.

Kili chose that moment to let out a particularly scared chirp and burrow closer to her.