Resignation and Revalation (Open)

[LyricalBlue]

The lanky form of the former Weyrleader stalked into the huge, open Hall. Grey eyes scanned the room and caught sight of his erstwhile father celebrating with a group of friends. E'valn was toasting his youngest son's success and the glower that was painted across his older son's face was unnoticed. E'dian was in a foul mood, the flight had ended well, but not the way anyone had predicted nor wanted. Rovanoth had caught Nisurath... Rovanoth. E'dian shook his head in disgust. How had Ev'os even let the bronze fly, he was Iaslia's uncle after all. Of all the bronzes... Myneth was even a better option. But how had Malekith and Seth not had a chance? Both bronzes were a better option, especially the massive Malekith.

E'dian made his way over to the kitchens and procured a cup of hot klah. He drank this down, swearing under his breath as he burnt his tongue. Things were going from bad to worse. But Ev'os couldn't have it all his way, no doubt when Nisurath rose again the position of Weyrleader would shift once more. He glared down at his mug in disgust. Her uncle! His brother! How could Ev'os let Rovanoth go like that, and with such consequences.

The conversation and laughter drifted over from the old brownrider's group and it made E'dian freeze in place. Once again, his father had managed to change the game with just a comment. He hated when he did that.
"Would that my own flesh and blood was as good as the adopted one!"
E'dian walked over with mincing steps, as if on eggshells and placed his hand on his drunken father's shoulder.

"What do you mean about flesh and blood?" His gray eyes burrowed into his father's brown ones and E'valn laughed loudly in response. "Ev'os is more a bronzerider than you ever were! And what a flight. He'll be perfect for Weyrleader. Too bad hes not my blood son." The old brownrider snorted and took another long gulp of wine. "Everyone always thought you were the adopted one, strange that you are." E'dian shook his head in sudden wonder, all the fight going out of him like smoke through a chimney.

He walked away from the group as they laughed, his mind spinning. Ev'os not his blood... Well that would explain things... E'dian took in a deep breath and grabbed a second cup of klah and downed that in similar fashion to the first. Ev'os was not his blood brother... Ev'os was adopted. Not that fostering was anything but common practice in the Weyr... But E'valn had never even mentioned a hint of a lack of relation. E'dian sat down in a quiet corner and Xialanth was a supporting calm pressure in the back of his mind. Ev'os was not his brother.

[Redden]

It confuses Nanyaa to know end why Niddalath doesn't care to join in on a flight. Then again, she herself could not imagine having relations, perhaps that is why. Neither of them are overly concerned about anything other then their chores, lessons and duties. Anything else is just frivolous.

While she really has no idea why she was heading down other then to at least make it seem like she was happy with what was going on. Truthfully she was, another clutch is a good thing, a great thing. However she felt little more then nervousness and far more distant from everyone then usual. Then again no one notices her other then the forced smile and awkward glance, so it really did not matter. She is going to show her support of the dragons, that seems like a good answer.

Not everyone was in the hall yet though it was starting to get loud. Grimacing she manages to maneuver her way around a couple of already tipsy gentlemen to grab a glass of water and ducking out of the way of their happy gestures. Shaking her head Nanyaa moves away from most of the crowd and has a seat, watching idly. Wondering what it was like, how each of them felt, and realizing she meant for both the flight and to be so excited and jovial.

[hrsegrl]

The morning had gone as well as he had thought it would. So far he was mostly confused about what the right thing was in this situation. It was too late to change what had happened. He wandered into the Weyrhall looking for something to eat, he was famished! Rovanoth agreed that the man needed food, it had been over a day since he had last eaten. The grumbling of his stomach resumed as he smelled the food. Weyrhall food at last! After over a turn and a half without them Ev'os became much more appreciative of the cooks at the Weyr.

He filled a tray that would normally have fed two people. Perhaps his eyes were bigger than his stomach? Don't go overeating or you won't be in any shape to lead a Wing let alone the Weyr. I never overeat. You know that. We will see... The new Weyrleader, did not immediately head for the coveted Head Table. Instead he saw Nanyaa from across a few tables and waved. One of his riders from the Timing trip, she was someone he felt he could trust. There were only two browns in their clutch and though it had taken him a while to get used to the idea, he agreed that she made an alright brownrider. He also realized that she and T'van were his wingseconds should he convince the others that Beta wing was necessary. They knew eachother and had trained together.

Even as he thought about his new Wing, he heard a familiar voice. “Would that my own flesh and blood was as good as the adopted one!"

Then the voice of E'dian followed and it was all Ev'os could do not to fall down in shock.
"What do you mean about flesh and blood?"
"Ev'os is more a bronzerider than you ever were! And what a flight. He'll be perfect for Weyrleader. Too bad hes not my blood son."

Ev'os realized he was much younger than his siblings many turns ago but felt reassured at his father's paternal feelings. He was walking forward but he could not remember how he actually arrived at the table. He felt he was watching his own movements from afar. “What... I mean... how did this happen?” He knew that he was with them as a baby, his mother always talked about him as a baby and growing up from there. Or, his foster mother...that was going to be very difficult to get used to and he had a feeling his mother would prefer he never knew. The idea he was fostered was horrible and wonderful at the same time. As soon as he knew the true story, all of the story, he needed to speak with Iaslia. It would certainly relieve the guilt he felt at being her uncle. Now he was no such thing and it made perfect sense that they be together.

[starshine]

Kess had been mulling over her feelings since leaving her cousins new weyr before the end of the flight. Knowing now how it had ended she felt almost sick. How could he have let this happen. How could E'vos have even thought about letting Rovanoth fly Nisurath. How?! She contained herself before heading to the Weyrhall for breakfast. Claralth hadn't given her his two cents, she suspected he knew better then to pester her on this subject. E'vos had better hope he is wearing a helmet when she sees him next.

She made her way through the tables and chairs to the long table at the far end of the room. She took a tray, a red fruit and a small bowl of hot cereal. Kess turned and started to make her way to where Nanyaa was seated, on the outskirts of the crowd, before she made it there she caught a glimpse of E'vos. In a fluid motion she placed her tray down on the nearest table, and took long swift strides to his side. "How dare you!" Her voice which was usually lighthearted was like poison, the words hissed out of her mouth as she took a swift slap at the back of his head. "Knowing that you are her uncle, how could you let him fly her!" She hadn't heard what he had, hadn't known that E'valn had adopted him rather than been his sire. How could she have known. That family had always boggled her mind.

She folded her arms over her chest and stared at the new weyrleader.

[Redden]

Watching the crowd as usual she watched E'vos wave and returned the greeting in a short but kind. Slouching back down as he went back over to the crowd she scans the room again and sees Kess. At first it looks like she's heading over to her when suddenly something catches her eye and she storms across the hall. To her surprise she sees Kess march over to E'vos and slap the back of his head.

Eyes wide Nanyaa litterally hops over the table she's seated at and moves quickly over to the other two weyrlings, not entirely sure why but she gets there not sure what was wrong. Maybe she was upset about E'vos and Is relation... probably. Either way Nanyaa now stands just to the side of them head tilted ready for anything. Not overly concerned for the argument but more to just make sure it didn't get worse.

She really doubted there would be a real fight, but these are stressful days, who knows.

[E]

E’mion walked into the WeyrHall and he felt the eyes fall on him, but when he returned the gaze, the lower ranked riders looked away. There was just something unnerving about looking the scar’d man in the face. Even so, it only took a moment for the bronze rider to find the man he sought. Moving toward E’dian, he put a heavy hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“Do not worry.” He said to the previous Weyrleader who had quickly become a friend. “Ev’os is young enough to learn, and perhaps he will be smart enough to listen to his elders. And even if not, the gold is young and the young ones tend to take many mates before settling down with one – that’s why it was always the senior gold who held the Queen’s position.”

Patting the man’s shoulder, he looked around to find the new Weyrleader in the Hall as well. Defiantly a young man, but in truth E’mion did not know him. Perhaps it would not be too bad. Words needed to be exchanged, but the bronze rider found his feet planted next to E’dian as he heard a woman approach him, rather angry. It was when she raised her hand to slap the Weyrleader in the back of the head that E’mion moved.

Just as quickly and fluidly as she had set down her tray, his hand found her wrist as he came up behind her to prevent her from hitting the young man again. Holding it firmly, he put her hand on her shoulder to keep her from pulling away.

“It is not a choice of the riders who wins a flight, woman. Do NOT presume that just because you are female that you may hit a man who now has rank on you.” Giving her shoulder a firm squeeze, he looked to Ev’os. The man was the one who had been hit, and he looked as if something had clearly upset him before it happened, BUT he was still Weyrleader and E’mion was not going to over step the man’s authority till he had a chance to see what he sort of man he was.

[omg!itsbrim!]

Normally a serving girl would take out the food to the diners, but since these dragonmen, Kerja took it upon herself to make sure these men were well taken care of. She valued dragonriders perhaps far more than her fellow lowercavern women, and not for the "mating" aspect, but because she recognised their power, and loved their beasts. She brought out a basket of bread and a small bowl of seasoned liquid, that looked to have the texture of oil. She placed it on the table of celebrating riders, and smiled to E'valn, "Here is bread for dipping. Have you everything you need?"

She turned just a bit and glanced at Kesstriel and E'mion out of the corner of her eye. Kerja scowled slightly, "Is there a problem here? I will not have an all out brawl in-" she nearly said my, "the Weyrhall. Let's not start anymore trouble," She gave a pointed glance in Kesstriel's direction.

She turned back to the other riders and said softly, "I will send some one for more wine, this is a happy day, indeed." Kerja gave a curt nod and to a young girl standing a few yards away, close to the doors to the kitchen. She beamed and lifted her hands, "And I am pleased to tell you I have a surprize on the fires."

[LyricalBlue]

In typical E'dian fashion, he made his presence known by simply standing. "The rider can chose E'mion. If we could not chose, there would be chaos indeed." Of course, the precipice they stood on now was just about as close to chaos as E'dian ever wished to be. His gray eyes flicked to Kess and he waved his hand slightly. "Let her go E'mion. And Kess, the next time you feel the need to cuff family on the back of the head, please do so in private."

He nodded shortly to Kerja, not missing Nanyaa's discomfort. "Yes, good food is dearly in order. Perhaps our young brownrider can help?" E'dian inclined his head and cleared his throat, clearly giving Nanyaa a way out of this little mess if she so chose. Finally he looked to his younger brother... Brother... well years of a family relationship couldn't change blood. E'dian waved a hand absently in the direction of E'valn, who was currently taking a break from wine to enjoy the bread that Kerja had provided.

"It would seem that you have once again managed to skim the fire." E'dian tilted his head towards their father. "Would you please repeat what you said before... father?" The old brownrider turned, a piece of bread still hanging out of his mouth. He took a moment to finish it before speaking. "Sahrah hadn't had much luck conceiving, she finally did, long after he was born." E'valn grunted in E'dian's direction. "She lost the babe at birth and another woman lost her life. So the healthy son and healthy mother got matched together." He snorted. Its just too bad it wasn't E'dian that was not mine. That would certainly make more sense."

[hrsegrl]

The room began to feel just a little crowded as people started to gather about. Ev'os, despite his usual nature was too stunned when Kess came over and hit him to do much of anything but look expectantly at the man he had always known as father. With Nanyaa now there and another of the Bronzeriders coming forward he knew this would not stay under wraps long. He had not expected E'mion to fight with the bluerider over manners and likely the man did not know about his relationship with the Kess, they were close enough friends that she was permitted to hit him when he deserved it of course he was also permitted to retaliate as needed.

“Kess, I'm fostered...” He as if out of breath. There was no point in her finiding out another way. In fact everyone would be better off knowing. No doubt with this many people around it would be the Weyr gossip for the next couple candlemarks. E'dian and one of the kitchen ladies quickly put
E'mion in his place so there was no need for him to say anything though he nodded as if accepting that he was trying to help. “Thank you for your concern everyone but I'd really like to hear this story ...” His voice was tight and he was getting slightly irritated that so many people were getting in the way of this.

His real mother was dead, well that would explain why no one else claimed him. He likely had no real siblings since she sounded very young. Probably a dragonrider father but who knew in this place besides his parents had given him more than his natural born father could have. His mother had given the only thing she had worth giving, her life. For that he truly appreciated her, other than that he had no feelings for her. How could he? He did not know her. It would explain his darker eyes and hair, though anyone could guess why people assumed he looked like E'valn.

Ev'os could almost feel sorry for E'dian but it was no secret that E'valn loved the youngest most. It was also no secret their mother would rather have E'dian than Ev'os and so they were pitted against one another by either parent. Ev'os personally felt a bit of sibling rivalry toward his brother but had never hated him. In fact if E'valn had not tried to make Ev'os so unlike his brother he may have admired him. It was too late to dwell on young boyhood though. He had someone who needed to know that was not in this room. She needed to hear it before the gossip reached her ears. Rovanoth do you know where Iaslia is? I was dozing on the ledge but I'll ask Nisurath .

“I think I'd better...” He said and turned around. His face was a stone, void of emotion. Whatever his was thinking he was not giving away to any of them. Ev'os set down his tray and began to walk away from the table without eating.

[starshine]

Kess flushed red, blood pooling under her skin with embarrassment. She had let her reaction to E'vos' winning the flight get the better of her. She should have waited for a more privet moment to bring her thoughts to his attention. On the same token who was she to give him her opinion now anyway, he was the Weyrleader, and therefore her superior in many ways. The time they had spent at the cove had dampened her idea of authority. She did however expect the same from him, if she were out of line and in need of a good wake up call, he would be the one to let her know usually with a swift punch or smack. He looked up at him, apologetically.

"Kess, I'm fostered..." His words, though spoken softly hit her ears hard. Fostered, all this time the old man had kept it under wraps. Her silver eyes moved from E'vos to E'valn, then back. Regardless of his siring, he was a dear friend, for no matter how much of a bully he had been to others, he had proven himself as a leader to her and therefore worthy of her respect.

She turned her head looking closely at the hand that lay, gripping her shoulder. Her eyes moved to the face of the man attached to it. Without looked away, a cold expression splaying across her face she retorted to the cooks remarks. "No, no brawling here." Her voice was cool and reflective. She shrugged her shoulder, attempting to signal the rider to remove his grasp.

[E]

E’mion released the young woman’s shoulder, looking at her thoughtfully even as he listened to the others speak. Apparently there was some big news here, and it had a lot of people shaken up. In the end though – at least in E’mion’s eyes – it should have made the man’s winning of the gold flight a little easier on everyone’s mind. Everyone seemed so intent to be upset with the fact that he was related to the gold rider rather than realizing the real problem – he was young and inexperienced.

Even so, his eyes were still on the young woman who had taken no qualms at smacking their Weyrleader in the back of the head. They were not watchful eyes, however, but thoughtful. She had a spirit to her, and she wasn’t afraid of authority – but on the same hand she took orders. She had the makings of a very USEFULL rider…. But she was female. It left E’mion missing his old wing, and very thoughtful about the future and the goals and plans he had been pondering on his own.