Healing is a process. UGH! (open)

[hrsegrl]

The middle of the night was not the time to be wandering the halls. A voice called to her from where she had been laying on the cot in the infirmiry. Rishka knew herself well enough and the nurses well enough to know that she could do as she pleased even if it bothered them. Some evenings she could not get comfortable enough to sleep and had long since refused numbweed to dull the pain across her torso. Her face was healing better though the bright pink scars hurt just as much when she spoke or ate, as her chest did when she breathed or moved about too much.

The infirmiry grew like a cage in her mind. Any chance to get away she took whether the pain grew worse or not. She refused to ever be caged to a life she despised again. If the feline's scratches took longer to heal then so be it. The women in the corner who were helping with an injured boy were now paying little attention to Rishka. The petite girl slid off the cot, quick as you please, slightly wincing with pain but not doubling over from it. The loud voices covered the sound of her footfalls and the rustle the fabric of the dress she had been given, made.

The dress was not what she was accustomed to but more comfortable than what was given the common drudge. They could not give her anything coarse to wear lest it itch her and make her reopen her wounds. Her feet were bare at that moment and would probably remain so till she had to return to the infirmiry. Walking through the dark corridors of the Weyr she eventually came upon the Weyrhall. A small fire was still crackling and she could only imagine that this was the night hearth she had heard talk of. A nice idea for people like herself who did not sleep well when they did not burn enough energy during the day.

The pot on the fire was bubbling gently so as to keep the contents hot. Klah. She realized the smell was klah and so that must be where they kept it hot during the evening candlemarks. Her side was aching and she was beginning to grow a little light headed. They had told her not to overdo it. Grimacing at herself she walked the few feet that remained to a chair facing the fireplace. As a refined young woman should, she sat down rather than plopped onto the chair and stared into the crackling fire. Maybe she would live here for a while after she healed. The records room was proving more and more interesting every day. She had so many questions and no one to answer them.

[starshine]

The candlemark was late but Z’skel was wide awake. Seth was content on his couch, tail swishing pleasantly from side to side. The bronze rider rose from his bed and pulled on a pair of worn trousers and a simple light colored sweater. He was sure that a mug of klah would cure what ever it was that was keeping him awake. The air in the corridor was almost crisp, with the night dragging on and the heat from the day waning. He ran a hand slender hand through his short blonde hair and huffed as he entered the large hall.

The pot of klah hung over the fire, bubbling. It scent hung thick in the air as he approached. He snatched a mug from the side table and filled it most of the way with the warm liquid, taking no notice of the girl perched on the chair behind him. He then turn and flopped into the second of the chairs. It was then that he noticed the dark haired girl. “Ah, hello.” He blew on the liquid in his mug. Z’skel didn’t know many of the people in the Weyr. He just hadn’t taken the time to. It wasn’t in his nature to care. He had heard mention from E’dian of a holdless girl coming to the Weyr. She had been involved in a rather violent feline accident. Could this be the girl? He pondered for a moment

“I don’t believe we have met. I am Z’skel rider of Bronze Seth.” He flashed her a toothy smile, the look on his face giving a sense of danger, though really he wouldn’t hurt a fly. “And you are?”

[hrsegrl]

No one entered right away and when someone did, she took no notice though he was loud and interrupted her thoughts. When he got inbetween her and the crackling fire she took an opportunity to observe him without his knowledge. He was young, in his twenties she would guess. Short blonde hair kept in the fashion of many dragonriders, of which she had decided he was one. From the little time she spent at the Weyr she could already tell who was a dragonrider and who was not. Not just because of what they wore but it was in the way they walked, stood and talked to people. Her hazel eyes also noticed the toned body of the man as many dragonriders were also in shape.

Despite her inquisitive nature she kept silent as he plopped down into a chair near to hers. All the while her hazel eyes observed him. She wondered how long he had been a dragonrider and if like so many here he had been here his entire life. Freedom at the Weyr, she was learning, was just as difficult to find as at the Hold. They simply had a different sort of cage to keep you in. Maybe all walks of life were similar in that something would always hold you back and keep you in your place. Maybe it was not about true freedom, perhaps she simply searched for the right kind of cage.

Her thoughts were interrupted abruptly by the man's voice. He was not loud, nor was his voice soft, it fell in between. She lifted her eyes to the handsome man's face and noted the blue eyes. Yes, she would recognize him later. “A pleasure to meet you Z'skel of Bronze Seth.” She smiled but her eyes watered slightly with the pain it caused. Thankfully he asked her about herself which would be a short reply and an excuse to not smile any longer. Weyr etiquette was different than that of the Hold anyway. “I am Rishka.” This Z'skel might be able to answer some of her Weyr questions later if she managed to make it through introductions and idle chatter.

“Seth is from the same clutch as Aliath?” The question would sound like a statement except for the higher pitch the last word presented. Her brief readings in the records room had given her information on the dragons including clutching records. The higher ranked ones she had tried to remember. It was always good to know the people in charge by name. No one else would have cause to feel slighted if she did not know of them. “I have yet to see any of the dragons up close, well other than a brief glimpse of xialanth that seems more a dream than a real sighting. The healers say I'm not strong enough to go out to the Bowl.” It was bad enough she'd come here. If they found her here later she'd get an earful and then another earful. She was grateful she only had two ears for them to fill!

[Star]

Z'skel sat back in his chair, one hand gingerly holding the warm mug of klah, the other was drapped over the chair's arm. He crossed his legs, resting an ankle on his knee. His ice blue eyes scanned the small girls features as she introduced herself as Rishka. "Seth is from the same clutch as Aliath?" His ears perked at the sound of his dragons name. This girl as obviously spend much time in the records room. She seemed to know a bit of her weyr history. "Well, it seems someones been doing a little research." He grinned again, a smile feeling unnatural to him. It wasn't often he did so, and it left his face looking a but malicious.

He took a sip of his klah which was cooling nicely. He had no intention of burning his tongue. The feeling of it was utterly uncomfortable. The flavor now was rich and delicious. He glanced back at the girl. "What is keeping you awake this evening then?" He shifted in his seat to angle more towards Rishka. "Sleep failing you?"

[hrsegrl]

The man seemed pleased with her knowledge of his dragon. Rishka expected as much. Dragonmen were as infatuated with their dragons as Holders were with wealth and power. Flattery could get you far with these people which was almost as surprising a discovery as the dragons themselves. Thankfully the candlemarks she had spent pouring over records were invaluable to her now.

Rishka knew quite a bit more than the average holder to begin with of course. Smiling was obviously not normal for him and seemed to make him look more angry than happy. In response to his smile she tried a small smile back. The pain was less and she felt she could manage. A conversation would probably be good for her in the long run, despite the pain she would be feeling tomorrow.

"Curiosity is one of my most egregious faults according to my mother." That was the truth. For a lady of her breeding it was inconvenient for her to be curious and then worse to act on that curiosity. Weyrfolk were not concerned with how women acted in the way that Holders were. This was something she had found most intriguing when she arrived. Queens were the leaders of the dragons, so women led the Weyr. It was amazing how different this place was in contrast to her home.

"I suppose you could say that. The infirmary cots are not exactly what I'm used to bedding wise and I'm feeling some pain. The problem is more that I can not seem to get comfortable then not being able to sleep. How about you? It is a bit late even for a dragonrider." Z'skel seemed to be a quiet person, possibly one of E'dian's ilk. Quiet, private and unused to conversing with young women like Rishka.

[starshine]

The girl had obviously done some research about the few dragonmen that inhabitted the Weyr and she seemed to know a thing or two about flattery. "I suppose you could say that. The infirmary cots are not exactly what I'm used to bedding wise and I'm feeling some pain. The problem is more that I can not seem to get comfortable then not being able to sleep. How about you? It is a bit late even for a dragonrider" His light eyes danced with the fire as she spoke. He nodded his head in confirm that she did indeed have his attention and agreed that the cots in the infirmary were definately not meant for comfort. "There seems to be an unease about the Weyr. I cannot put my finger on it but never the less Seth seems to be... troubled by it and subsiquently I am as well." He rubbed his brow with finger and thumb, squeezing his eyes tight.

Perhaps this girl was under the same affect, he pushed the thought from his mind. What could she who was not even of the weyrfolk know or have to do with his feeling. He glanced over at her. Seth fidgetted on his couch in Z'skels weyr, the beast mumbled unconciously his uneasy sleep pinging in the riders mind. The link between them was always a blessing though it sometimes seemed like a hinderance.

[hrsegrl]

There were rumors milling about the Weyr, as seemed to be the norm but nothing new to today. The Weyrwoman was dead, everyone knew that yet, she felt nothing really for the woman. Was she cold to feel so little? Rishka decided it was only that she did not know her at all and could not put a face or persona with the dead. "I'm sure everyone is concerned. Nisurath being dragonkinds only hope. I'm sure she will be a much stronger adult..." Actually she was not sure which was why she had looked away from the Bronzerider when she spoke of the little Gold.

"I've read records that boast three mature Golds and a Gold egg on the Sands. Can you imagine four mature Golds? The Harper where I lived said the Weyrs could hold up to five mature queens during Threadfall. " She flicked back some of the strands of black hair that had fallen toward her face. Her hazel eyes returning to look at the man she was conversing with. Making out his character was harder than she thought. He was devouted to the Weyr and his dragon which was obvious and most expected qualities in a Bronzerider. Obviously the future concerned him as much as it did herself.

Rishka decided not to dwell on those thoughts and moved on, "The accounts of most the Weyrwomen in the records room are rather dull though I must say. How much tithing was recieved? What kinds of fruits grew well this turn? What reserves they had for the upcoming Turns. " Her grandfather had refused to tithe before the Dragonriders went into hiding. They were growing their own food now even animals for their dragons to feed. What could the Holds possibly have that the dragonriders needed now? She wondered why they did not exert this power over the holders. Still a Hold girl she could not understand the differences in the way the Weyr may treat the Holds versus the way the Holds may treat the Weyr.

[starshine]

Z'skel took a sip of his mug, he scowled as the now cool liquid ran down his throat. He coughed through a laugh, klah snagging on its way down. He glanced over at the girl. Her comments had struck him oddly. Perhaps a bit of the weyr had rubbed off on her. "Aye, past weyrwomen have concerned themselves with while dull, and boring, very important information." He himself had spend much time in the records room, researching time tables and the like. E'dian had given him much to learn and if he wanted to exceed in rank.... well he would have to do what was necessary.

"In long past turns Weyrs were in good standing with the holds. Lord Holders tithed to Weyrs, supporting them and honoring them for protecting their precious fields and their many holders. As time passed and the Red Star moved away from Pern, well you should know what has transpired." He paused a moment. This wasn't like him, it was rare for him to speak more then a sentence to anyone. "So tell me, in your research, have you come across anything interesting?" The records room did hold some jewels of information, though they were few and far between.

[hrsegrl]

There were times when one should keep things to oneself. Rishka knew this as well some and perhaps better than most people here. She knew better than to tell her uncle anything negative. She knew better than to tell her mother what she really wanted to do rather than what she was told to do. On the same note she knew better than to tell this dragonrider she had kept the record safe and to herself in hopes of finding a way to know what happened. The story called to her in a way that she had never felt before. She had to know. If it was simply her curious nature she would have owned up to knowing about this right away but it was something more than that.

She was selfish in a way. Rishka wanted to see this through to the end. Handing this record off to anyone else would result in them trying to solve the mystery for her. It was strange to feel like she needed that kind of glory. Like she had to do this or no one could. Realizing her stare was directed the fire in front of her she shook her head. If she told him, he might be able to help her. He was a Bronzerider, however young and he knew the Weyrleader's moods better than she did. She would hate to present the solution to the Weyrleader when he was not in a good mood. Something he would not be in very often since Gaelle died probably.

Meeting his gaze with her own she answered most sincerely, “Actually it sort of fell into my arms.” She went on in a most serious voice. “A Gold Egg was stolen from Ponaa Weyr, long ago and I want to know who stole it and who this Gold became. She was from Sharieth, ridden by Junior Weyrwoman Ruet. It is said Sharieth hatched from the same egg as her sister and nearly died. The only people who could steal an egg that fast would be dragonriders. Who would have been that desperate?” Questions and more questions. Rishka would be happier with some answers right about now.

[starshine]

"... Who would have been that desperate?” Z'skel throught for a moment. He had known of this tale since childhood. He had been gazing into the fire as Rishka had recanted what she had read. "When the Istan queen interrupted the mating flight Amenth, it upset all of Pern. The fight that ensued was savage at best, resulting in Ista losing its only queen." He rose and refreshed his mug. "Many many turns later Ista sought retaliation for what Amenth had done, mind you she was just in her action."

The rider crossed back to his chair and reclined, blowing lightly at the now steaming klah. "They took Sharieth's golden egg along with several others from that clutch, leaving Ponaa Weyr in turmoil. It was several turns before the Weyr had settled down." He glanced over to read the emotions of the girl. This was an unsettling tale.

[hrsegrl]

There were times that Rishka wished she did not have to know the answers to her questions. The mystery had been much more appealing than the truth. Sharieth's egg was stolen by Istans? That made no sense at all, even if they didn't have a Gold Egg they could have had a mature gold transferred there. Something was very fishy about the whole thing in her mind.

If she were Weyrbred, perhaps the idea of one Weyr backstabbing the other would have been more crushing. As it was Rishka grew up around men like her father and her uncle who would violently defend what was theirs and take what wasn't theirs if they desired. Her emotional reaction was more about her dissappointment that it ended badly for Ponaa.

"You know I almost wish Ista Weyr were still producing eggs so we could give them some payback. I'd like to think Ponaa Weyr now is much more desperate than Ista Weyr back then. At least there were other Weyrs... not just fifty odd dragons and some Weyrlings." Rishka knew he might not like talk of getting back at other dragonriders but she also knew that was truly how she felt about it.

[starshine]

Z sat content sipping his mug of klah. He listened as the girl ranted about Ista, and exacting revenge on the now deserted Weyr. "...not just fifty odd dragons and some Weyrlings." He snorted at the last comment. It was true, in times of thread this was not sufficient protection. He looked over at the girl, his ice blue eyes peircing. "Whats to say we still can't exact our vengence?" The girl was not weyrbread and would have no reason for knowing that dragons could time it. Though he had thought it to be common knowledge. He took another sip of his klah and sighed after it has slipped down his throat.

"Did you happen to find a date amoung those records? Maybe a clue as to where and when they had taken these eggs?" He was begining to get excited, the thought had never occured to him before. Perhaps they could take back those forgotten eggs, or at least the golden one. He looked to the girl at his side. She had stumbled onto something here. Exactly what he wasn't sure but in time they would figure something out.

[hrsegrl]

His reaction to her statement was not what she had anticipated and though her suprise was probably evident he continued to say that they might still have vengance. They did say revenge was a dish best served cold. "I don't recall the exact date or if one was written. What does that have to do with anything?" She was confused and who would not be.

"How can we have revenge on a Weyr that is dead and gone?" Rishka did not like being kept in the dark. Apparently not all things about dragonriders could be learned from careful observance and record reading. Her eyes were fixed on the man before her. He was serious, she could tell that much about him when it came to the subject. "Are you trying to say that you mean to go back in time? Everyone knows time travel is entirely improbable and most likely impossible."

The idea that it could be possible was something she had long ago thought about and decided it was completely irrational to think that way although very imaginative. If her mother had known then she would have put a stop to all thoughts of that nature as quickly as she possibly could. She could have waited for an answer but Rishka was a quicker wit than most. It dawned on her one of the things she would never have considered at the Hold. "Dragons?" Her eyes were wide and though the word came out like a seperate thought it implied that she percieved that dragons could go to different times.

[starshine]

Z looked at her, amazement dawning as he realized that she was catching on. He glanced about the room, ensuring they were well out of ear shot for many of the late night drudges milling around. "We'll first need to get a good look at that record you've uncovered. See if we can't find us some useful clues." He grinned, this time seeming more natural. His mind whirled with planning. This small girl had given him such a thrill.

"Of course we'll need to hold off any action until those lovies have healed up." He made a motion, pointing out the ends of the scratches and markings on her cheek. "But, that will just give us time to prepare." He rose from his chair, and down the remainder of his klah. The now lukewarm liquid slid down his throat left a cool sensation in his stomach. He offered a hand to Rishka, "I suppose getting a little sleep tonight would be appropriate. Perhaps tomorrow we can do some records diving?"

[hrsegrl]

Z'skels excitement was catching and the petite young woman found herself thinking of such an adventure. It would be wonderful! Was he really saying she would go? On his Bronze? The idea itself was shocking but why would she be necessary unless... her thoughts faltered momentarily. Did he mean for her to impress this Gold Egg they were going to steal? She who had never been searched?

Could he really be trusted? Rishka was suddenly concerned that he might think of using her to get to the records and then plan on leaving her here to wait and see. She was not the wait and see sort. If she was going to wait it was going to be on the other end of time. “So let me get this straight. You and I are going to find a reference point so that Seth can take the two of us back in time. Once there we are going to steal a Gold Egg from Ista. And the Gold is to impress me so that two turns later when she is mature we can return here shortly after leaving?” Was this what insanity was like; this strange quickening of the blood and lighting of the eyes.


Shaking her head she said, “We must be mad. Who would do such a thing? We aren't even sure it can be done. And on top of that you think I can impress a Gold dragon. I was not searched and Golds like choices don't they? Should we not bring others? Or...” That was it, the thought struck her like lightening. “We aren't stealing the Egg, are we? You want me to impress the one at Ista then take her away here when she's mature.” It was almost devious and a little cruel to those who would be taking the time to train her. Top most on her mind was that there was no way this was going to work. How was Z'skel going to appear at a Weyr unannounced. He'd need to get a transfer from Ponaa and have the right Weyrleader's name on it. This would be complicated.

Rishka stood slowly, gracefully and all too lady like for the Weyr. She badly wanted to stretch her arms over her head to ease her back but that was something she was not able to do yet without a certain amount of pain. “You're right I should try to sleep.” As if she would get any now. Her mind was reeling with a thousand thoughts and ideas. It also made her wonder about many other things that she had thought of in the past. Some of those things might be possible too with a dragon.