Tension Breaks & Drinking Happens

Writers: Chelle
Date Posted: 25th December 2015

Characters: Rhosyn
Description: Rhosyn gets to the feast
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 21 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned:Solieira, Lenala, K'sedel, Lanniya, A'kades, R'enh, N'vanik; Follows hatching post

The hatching was over. All the hatchlings had Impressed despite Vilarth's antics. Rhosyn had been dealing with the guests and weyrfolk concerns but had been preparing to use her queen's force if need be to get that dragon away from the eggs. Lenala had managed, though. And seeing her there, on the Sands, had given the Weyrwoman pause. Her wingsecond had come a long way from that doe-eyed woman she'd known upon first coming to River Bluff. Lenala had shown strength there, controlling her dragon, and dealing with the problem despite her own personal struggles both healthwise and maybe even mentally. She had just lost a child but she had put that aside to make sure her duty was done to her dragon, her Weyr, and to Pern.

**Sharding fine example of a goldrider if I do say so.** And Rhosyn had a mind to tell her so, later. At the moment, everyone was heading out of the Sands and she knew there were whispers and there would be questions. Hopefully the messages she had sent ahead to Solieira and the harpers would make sure there was plenty of food and music to distract the attendees.
Faranth knew the Weyrfolk needed something to celebrate over after the last few days.

She was almost exhausted herself, but here she was-dressed up in a corset contraption that she was sure she couldn't dance in. That was maybe a good thing since she was too tired to do so. She just wanted food and drink. The small vintner operation at the Weyr had supplied the latter. She had tasted it herself previously and was eager to see the reactions of the guests. Maybe they'd all drink enough to forget there had almost been another disaster after the first almost disaster. They'd remember the Weyr could protect them from thread and was something to put their faith in.

Sighing, Rhosyn presented herself to the crowd and signaled for the first song to begin. Then she unceremoniously made her way to her chair at the
head table and plopped into it, ready for the food to be put before her. That would give her a reprieve from the questions for a little while at least. Her eyes shifted over to K'sedel, then back to her plate.

**Please let whatever comes next be easy. No more of this.** In the back of her mind, she felt Orlaith's watchfulness. The queen was steady-tracking Vilarth's movements. She was also monitoring the other dragons in the Weyr and maintaining a presence on the Star Stones. She was there for her Weyr and she would never leave. She was strong and they could put their trust in her. They would make it through the Pass and then they could rest. She would carry them all on her wings if she had to.

**Maybe I can head back to the weyr after half the feast. By then they would be enough in their cups, who would notice?** She remembered her last Hatching-when Anaeryth had made her way out of her egg. It was supposed to have been her triumph but she was still dealing with her treacherous heart. Her eyes moved over the crowd and she saw Lanniya. The girl was dressed well, thank Faranth. She looked like she was having fun too. She deserved it. These last few days had been rough and she was only just out of weyrlinghood having to react to it. She'd kept calm though, which spoke to how she might grow into her own. Hopeful about that, Rhosyn went back to her plate.

The harpers were noisily playing happy tunes. They weren't the heavy dance numbers yet, just songs to get people happily in the mood as they ate and drank and drifted through the Dining Cavern. Some of the tables had been pulled up to make up the makeshift dancing area. Lower Caverns workers drifted in and out of the crowd, placing food and drinks as well as picking things up. There was plenty of chatter.

Pulling a glass of wine to her lips, Rhosyn closed her eyes and sipped it slow. She kept sipping. Then, after a long while, she found there was no more taste on her lips. Opening her eyes she realized she had drained the glass. Sighing with sorrow, she looked upset until her eyes rested on a wineskin placed on the table. Reaching for it, she almost tumbled over an empty glass but she managed. Then, with the skin in her hands, she filled her glass back up and started in on her food. Food had always given her pleasure. It never let her down unless the cook was just awful. So now she turned to her staple, watching the people pass by and nodding at those who waved or looked at her.

Perhaps she had done her job and most wouldn't know the personal struggles she'd gone through in the last few days. First her stomach had dropped to her knees worrying over Lenala and Vilarth. Then threadfall had been a nightmare. Now she had almost had a hatching go to dust. It was hopefully over though and she was out of the woods. Life wouldn't be going back to normal, but at least something better than this wherry shite.

Part of her wished a pair of familiar hands would just come up behind her and wrap themselves around her shoulders. Then a whisper that she would be allright. But she knew it was never going to come. Her father was dead. N'vanik was gone. R'enh was gone. At least Lenala had A'kades. He had stuck by her. Good for her. So Rhosyn shouldered her burdens and gave no further
indication to the rest of the world that she might have been close to losing herself under the pressure. The Weyrwoman had survived and she would count that as her duty. Would the rest of the Weyr ever realize the sacrifices she and the other queenriders made for it? It didn't matter. If they needed to be made, they would be.

Last updated on the December 27th 2015

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Tension Breaks & Drinking Happens