The Suspense of Waiting

Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 24th December 2015

Characters: F'lin, Riveenata
Description: The pair have a chat while waiting for the Hatching to succeed.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 21 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Lenala, Rhosyn, Lanniya, Velaith, Tsaera

"She won't let anyone in." F'lin was pacing, feeling too cooped up in the Dining Cavern to sit. The Dining Cavern was packed with Weyrfolk and guests there to celebrate the Hatching of Vilarth's Clutch-- but worst of all, the Candidates weren't in the Hatching Cavern either but clustered in the hall outside, as pale as their robes and scared out of their wits. Abruptly he sat back down next to Riven and ran his hands through his hair. "I wish Tsaera was here."

"You don't think Orlaith will be able to control Vilarth well enough?" Riven asked.

"Of course I do." Rhosyn could manage herself and the Weyr just fine--F'lin knew that. "But the Candidates should be in the Hatching Cavern already."

"Vilarth's always been so hairy about them." Riven bit her lip. "She's got to relent. There's no _way_ we can lose a whole clutch."

"We won't lose a whole Clutch," he said reassuringly. Vilarth had to let the Candidates in at some point. What concerned F'lin was _when_, and the knot of worry
in his stomach made it feel like whatever happened, it would be too late. He sighed. "Seneth says that they're not Hatching yet, at least."

"Savith wants to go look directly but Vilarth will bite her head off." Riven shook her head. "At least Lenala's stable."

The bronzerider shook his head. "Yeah. What a sad thing that was. I hope she's back on her feet soon. It must be so hard for her, having to go through a Hatching after-- that."

"I heard some extra details." She looked around the room before lowering her voice a little. "Apparently there was a _lot_ of bleeding and she got really torn up. She was being treated for _candlemarks_."

"Really?" F'lin shuddered at the thought. "That sounds awful. What women have to go through... no wonder she's been bedridden since then. Think she'll be flying once Vilarth's no longer tied to the Sands?"

She considered before answering. "I'd say at least a sevenday before they'll let her do anything vigorous. It's not as bad as breaking a bone but it's more like a bad muscle tear. Riding's the kind of thing that could aggravate it. So Vilarth won't be flying till month 4, and Lanniya isn't graduated yet. Without a Wingsecond or 'third, the Wing's going to be very light again."

The memory of Rhosyn's words resurfaced. If she'd Impressed a Turn before she had - if she and Savith had had a little more experience...

"Poor Rhosyn. At least she's led 'Falls before without a 'Second or 'Third. And I wouldn't be surprised if Lenala is out for longer than that," F'lin said with a wince. Riding astride sounded doubly traumatic. He paused and made a mental note to bring up the need to be extra vigilant for the sake of the lower Wings at the next Wingleaders' meeting, if someone else didn't bring it up before him.

"She has, but it's not fair to her to have Cascade be that light in the big dragons. Savith and I will do our best to protect her," she vowed. Having Orlaith be injured would be devastating.

F'lin managed a smile. "I know you will."

"She said I had potential at my wing review, you know. That in a Turn she could see trying me out as wingthird. It was a surprise."

"Really? Rhosyn said that?" The small smile F'lin had forced became genuine. "That's great news! Savith is so protective of the golds, it doesn't surprise me one bit that Rhosyn noticed." And it would be a good way to maximize the use of Riven's healing skills.

"She did. I couldn't believe it. But she says my background as a Healer would compliment hers with the dragonhealers, since our wing takes so many of the injured. And I Impressed late but am older and have the maturity." She was beaming with pride about it.

"I have to admit, I was so disappointed not to go to Rapids or Torrent at first to see what fighting on the higher levels is like. But this news..."

F'lin slung an arm around the greenrider and planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. "I'm really happy for you. You'll be great."

"I just have to get through the next Turn or so unscathed and I'll be fine." His confidence warmed her and she bumped him affectionately with her shoulder. "Unless some new goldrider transfers in here and takes the spot. But with Lanniya so close to graduating we should be good on queens."

"I don't think that will happen. Rhosyn's got too much of a reputation..." he trailed off, talk of queens reminding him of the drama going on in the Hatching Caverns. He sighed. "Come on, Vilarth..."

"You think she wouldn't want another breeding queen for the ranks?"

Savith interrupted her thought. }:One of the eggs hatched.:{

"Vilarth has to let them in now."

Most of the dragonriders in the cavern were now on their feet and the air was so tense, it practically crackled. From out in the hall, F'lin heard a desperate cry-- "Velaith!"

"Flame it, Vilarth!" F'lin snarled under his breath. "Let them in!"

}:Velaith has Impressed!:{ Seneth's triumphant cry echoed through his skull, and F'lin let out a whoop that was lost in the general cheers from the dragonriders around him. }:The eggs Hatch, and they will Impress!:{

The happy news was enough to cause F'lin to scoop Riven up in a hug that lifted her off her feet, and he kissed her soundly.

The greenrider laughed and kissed him back, heedless of the fact that there were probably disapproving holder parents watching.

"So what are your plans for the party after this?" she asked.

"For the party? Eat myself sick, drink until I can't see straight, and dance until I fall over. You?"

"Sounds like a plan to me. Though you _could_ save a bit of energy for a post-dance celebration with a certain greenrider, if you don't already have a date."

That made him smile. "That sounds like a perfect end to what is turning out to be a perfect night."

"Now that eggs are cracking and candidates are Impressing and everything is right in the world?"

"Especially now." He kissed her again, then put an arm around her waist. "Let's go hit the wine table while everyone's still focused on the Hatching. We can't see it anyway, so we might as well be first in line."

Last updated on the December 27th 2015

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The Suspense of Waiting