Black, Blacker, Blackest (All Weyrlings!)( Plot!)

[LyricalBlue]

(Righto, this is going to take place one week after the Weyrwoman's death due to kidnapping and E'mion's arrival from between times.)

Weyrleader and former Weyrleader sat in quiet conference in the common room between the girl's and boy's barracks. The recent events had shaken the Weyr to its core, and E'dian was clearly only holding things together by bare threads. They had broken the news to both Ev'os and Iaslia a couple of days previous, but now the rest of the Weyrlings had to know what the plan was. It was a time for action and the future of the Weyr had to be protected at all costs. So the young ones had been summoned and were due to arrive any moment.

Today was a day for action. Simply hiding was clearly not going to work for the Weyr any more. Gaelle had been murdered and worse, none knew by who or why. The loss of the adult gold had once again brought Ponaa's number of Queens down to one. E'dian looked up as his daughter walked into the room. At least she had kept her head on straight. In fact, looking at her, one would not presume anything at all was wrong. The Weyrleader nodded succinctly to the daughter he barely knew. This had better work, everything depended on it.

It was early enough that likely most of the three moon old dragons were still asleep in their couches. And by the look on the redhead's face, she was not enjoying the time either. The sun wasn't even up yet. But E'dian wanted them away before noon and with as little fanfare as they could manage. He was hoping that those who were responsible for Gaelle's death would not notice the lack of the only Weyrling class in Ponaa Weyr. They were all so young. E'dian found himself grinding his teeth together and N'sian regarded the other bronzerider with obvious concern. Today was a day for action.

[hrsegrl]

The day had arrived none to quickly for the Bronzerider. He had spent the afternoon yesterday, checking and rechecking Rovanoth's hide. No marks were now visible from his surgery. The salve the dragonhealer had supplied him had worked better than even he had expected. The dragonhealer had even checked the Bronze though he had no idea about this mission. Everyone but those involved must be kept in the dark.

He walked toward E'dian, N'sian and Iaslia. The Weyrleaders looked determined to see this through. Thankfully Iaslia seemed more normal. She was the last Goldrider on Pern, she would need to be more than careful. "Good day, Weyrleader E'dian, Weyrlingmaster N'sian, Weyrwoman Iaslia." He smiled warmly as he spoke the last name. She was probably just as nervous on the inside as everyone else was on the outside. Ev'os was not going to let himself seemed troubled at all either. "Master Phaedon okayed Rovanoth yesterday for Between flight." He confirmed with the leaders. They had to be certain. No point in losing a Bronze between after he had just been healed a couple months ago.

Ev'os then stood next to Iaslia and waited to hear and see how everyone would react. A part of him was excited. A mission like this was dangerous but being a part of something like this made him feel what he had always wanted to feel, important. Even Rovanoth thought the mission would be good for them. They would be able to hunt wild prey and grow up with just he Weyrlings around and N'sian. One older man was not going to spoil the fun of a group of younths at least not in his mind.

---

Sarenth butted her rider's shoulder, pushing her out of the girl's barracks. Do not be late. They are waiting. It sounds important. They have never called a meeting like this for us before. I must admit I'm a little nervous. Are my leathers looking alright? The dragon gave the equivalent of a snort and after looking her rider up and down for what seemed the better part of a candlemark, I like them. Now go.

The greenrider grinned back at her dragon and kept smiling as she approched the assigned meeting place. As she became closer the smile on her face faded. They looked so grim and there was another emotion hidden there. What it was she could not say but it made her worry. She did not give a formal greeting for it was not necessary at a meeting like this. They were waiting for everyone to arrive.

Havalie was glad she had plaited her long blonde hair into two french braids that kept the unruly mass out of her face. Her eyes searched those of the Weyrleader and Weyrlingmaster but they were giving nothing up. Neither were Iaslia and Ev'os who seemed to know what this was about for they were standing with the leaders and she was facing them.

[starshine]

Kess stood before the polished metal that hung on the wall in her weyr, Claralth lounged comfortably on his couch. She was scrutinizing her leathers as she had been for the past couple of days. I just don't think they fit quite right. My behind looks huge! The blue snorted in response. Well your behind is nothing compaired to mine so stop complaining. Besides we are going to be late if you daudle any longer. Get a move on.[/color] She huffed at him but gathered her jacket anyway and headed for the corridor, leaving the blue reclining on his couch.

The leaders of the Weyr were already gathered. Havalie of green Sarenth had beaten her as well. Kess nodded a greeting to the riders as well. How somber they looked. Her silver eyes scanned from face to face, landing lastly on the angelic face of her cousin. What was this about, even Claralth was having trouble reading them. Kess took her place beside Havalie.

[LyricalBlue]

((For the sake of time, moving forward. Red, catch up when you can))

When all nineteen Weyrlings were in common room, E'dian cleared his throat to get their attention. So few were here, and yet this was all of them. The records indicated that before the Weyr went into hiding, clutches had been as large as thirty. He counted the heads, knowing them all by heart. Nine greenriders, five blue, two brown... E'dian turned his head to see Ev'os and Iaslia closest to himself and N'sian. One bronze and one gold, one gold; and she was ridden by his daughter. Why oh why did it have to be his daughter? Right, to the point. There would be time enough for mourning and aimless musings later.

"The recent events... have been shocking to all of us. Gaelle's loss is nothing short of murder. But you, you are the future of the Weyr now. And that future we must safeguard. Ev'os and Iaslia already have gone over plans with N'sian and I." The Weyrleader paused and drew a breath. If this worked and it had to work, there was only more rapid change in store for the Weyr. "N'sian will be escorting you on a very long outing. We're hiding you until your dragons have grown. Birath will be carrying your Weyrlings for the first trip. When you return, you will be flying on your own."

Of course, when they returned... E'dian would no longer be Weyrleader. His gaze flicked to his daughter once more. Shards and shells, he hated this. He watched quietly as a low murmur flickered through the assembled young riders. N'sian would take care of these until they were old enough to take care of themselves. They would be back soon enough, he forced himself to release the fists he was balling his hands into. He absolutely hated the idea of letting them go but so far, he could see no other choice.

[hrsegrl]

Ev'os, having heard the plan already wondered if this was harder for his brother than the man was letting on. The fact of the matter was, no one should be that composed who had just lost his weyrmate and was about to send his daughter, the last Goldrider of Pern, on a mission that could result in her death.

I suppose its easier to ignore the pain for now, at least until we are gone. When we return he will not be Weyrleader much longer. That too must be difficult to let go of... He really should be more emotive now.

Do not be too hard on him my rider. He is more pained than he seems.

Rovanoth you are always so sure about things. I do not see how that is possible but you are. Are you concerned at all about the journey?

No. Why?

No particular reason. Just proves that you don't think much on the future.

Waste too much time on the future and you forget the present. There are troubles now that we will deal with. There will be other troubles in the future. We should only tackle one at a time. Worrying is a waste of time.

As usual, you are right.

It is hard to be this marvelous...

I bet... Ev'os was completely certain the dragon's ego was infinite and stiffled a laugh before anyone would notice. Now don't make me kill your high ego by reminding you that you almost died three months ago...

Almost does not matter. I did not die.

Your incorrigible.

---

The convesation between Bronze and rider was lost on the others in the audience like Havalie who was focused solely on what was being said. She was aware of Kesstriel's presence and took comfort that no matter where they were going, she would have friends. She almost took the other girls hand for comfort but instead reached out for the one being who unconditionally loved her. Sarenth. We are going away from here for a while. It is for our safety.

With the others too?

Yes, with the other Weyrlings. Iaslia especially needs to get away after what happened to Gaelle and Aliath. I hope that we all get to wherever it is without any problems...

The greenrider was well aware of the fact that Pern was not safe for dragonriders outside of the weyr. So where could they be sent that they would be safe? The question gnawed at her before she raised her hand to ask the question burning inside of her mind. “Where on Pern is safer for us than the Weyr?” In other words where were they being sent. Everyone was probably wondering similar things. A few people might be more excited to get out of the Weyr and not care so much as to where they were being sent.

Havalie loved the Weyr. It was her home and she could never imagine living anywhere else and feeling comfortable. Perhaps that was how dragonriders were supposed to feel. Although she had felt that way long before impressing to Sarenth. The green was gently touching her mind reassuringly. Their mental bond had grown much stronger than when she was newly hatched and both found they liked the near constant contact.

When Sarenth slept, Havalie felt she missed the dragon and often slept the same hours to avoid the feeling of loneliness. They were all going together, Havalie reassured herself this time. Where they were going was almost irrelevant. The fact was they would be going regardless of where.

[omg!itsbrim!]

E'zak listened silently, trying to figure out what this all meant, "going on a long outing." So many questions, so many things to plan. How long will they be gone? What should he pack? How should he tell his mother and siblings goodbye? If it was to be until their dragons had grown, well that could take upwards of two years! Two years without his family, when he had been with them almost constantly for the past 18 years, it was a lot to ask of him.

You will not be lonely, RiderMine. Bysanth nuzzled his rider gently, And besides, we must, we have no other choice. Don't you want to do your duty to the Weyr?

Why yes, of course, but my family...

I am your family too, I will be there. The blue said gently, crooning a bit to calm His.

E'zak stroked the top of Bysanth's head fondly and looked back to E'dian. Well, if they must go, the Weyrsecond would not hear a complaint from him. E'zak was obediant, always had been, and if N'sian led them, E'zak would follow.

[starshine]

Kess crossed her arms over her small chest. Being sent away to grow? She bit her lip before speaking, thinking for a while of exactly what to ask. "I suppose the question on everyone's mind is exactly where are we going?" She wasn't concerned with being alone, after all where she went Claralth would follow. She took some comfort in knowing that. The coming days were going to be trying.

Where could be safer for young dragons to grow up then in the Weyr with the guidance of those older then us?[/color]

This question was directed toward both Kesstrel and to the other dragons. The calming thoughts of her dragon soothed the unease that rose in the back of her mind. She released her arms, attempting not to fidget, she held her hands behind her back. By the first egg, what did these leaders have in store for them. She looked closely at them. It was an odd feeling, knowing that her younger cousin was now the only gold rider in all of Pern.

A slight pang of fear and grief flooded her mind, this time she soothed Claralth, the blue dragon was still reeling for the oh so sudden lose of the queen and the Weyrwoman.

[Redden]

Nanyaa had been one of the last ones to arrive and stood in the back looking at the ground standing quietly listening intently to everyone else. Niddalath stayed quiet even after she told him what the leaders had said. Going away, for both of them this seemed to be just something to accept there was no point in getting upset about it. Though her heart did sink more thinking about her brother, impressing had driven them apart. They would more then likely be strangers by the time she came back.

She could feel the unrest in the room, so many shocked and upset. Understandable but Nanyaa could not bring herself to feel anything but disappointment that the could not do more now and that this was even needed. Be strong rider, you hold yourself detached, perhaps this is why stand strong. If you believe, show it.[/i]

Nodding to herself agreeing with Niddalath, the small brown rider holds her head up high brushing her short mess of brown hair from her face and simply stands as tall as she can. Keeping her eyes forward and focused on the weyrleaders.

[LyricalBlue]

After several hours of preparation, all the Weyrlings were gathered along with what belongings and supplies they would need in the Weyr Bowl. All four of the adult bronzes were arranged with their riders and in short order each had three or four Weyrlings and their young dragons strapped onto their backs. It took several trips back and forth, but finally all eighteen Weyrling pairs were deposited in their new hiding place. The last trip N'sian made, he took only the two largest of the clutch, Rovanoth and Nisurath. Still, both hatchlings were dwarfed by the adult bronze.

That left no Queens in the Weyr, and E'dian watched the old bronze lift into the heavy air with slow wingbeats. Only three bronzes were left... Only three and no Queens. This had to work, they were doomed otherwise. If this worked they would bring back a wing of fighting dragons and an adult Queen. The Weyrleader dug his hands into the front pockets of his leather riding pants. This had to work.

((Alright guys, feel free to begin posting in the Cove. Thread Closed.))