Asking For Aid

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 30th June 2017

Characters: Talwynn, R'axe, Alendran
Description: Talwynn and R'axe are sent to ask Lord Alendran for supplies.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 20 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: K'reyel

R'axe

The news from River Bluff was shocking to everyone. Talwynn knew
immediately that she wanted to help out and since she was retired and
her duties were more flexible, it was easy for her to get assigned to
assisting duties. Going to holds to see if anyone had supplies to
spare wasn't the most glamorous task, but she knew it was important,
so she didn't grumble outwardly at the assignment.

Her partner for this one was R'axe. She was strapping up Riveth in the
weyrbowl and gave him a nod. "Afternoon," she said.

"Good afternoon, Talwynn. My duties to Riveth, she is looking fetching
as usual." R'axe said with a little bow to the green dragon. Behind
him Jayth warbled his agreement with his rider's assessment of Riveth.

"She's doing well today," Talwynn agreed. "How are you and Jayth?"

"Good, all things considering." R'axe replied. "I wonder how many ugly
looks we'll get today?"

"We'll only get ugly looks because I'm ugly," Talwynn said in a light,
self-mocking tone. She was using it to cover up her nerves about this
whole mess.

"I think some Holds will be compassionate and others will be harder
cases. Where are we going first?" she asked more seriously.

R'axe shook his head at Talwynn's self-deprecating comment, but let it
go in order to answer her question, "Opal Cove."

"Sounds good to me," she said. The pleasantries over, she mounted up,
reayd to follow his lead.

When they appeared over Opal Cove, R'axe looked around at the
landscape with interest. He had never had reason to visit the main
Hold at Opal Cove, and so he surveyed the area with open curiosity.
R'axe wondered what kind of people lived at Opal Cove. Were they
friendly to dragonriders? They were very close to Dragonsfall, so that
surely meant they would be kind to their dragonrider neighbors, right?

Jayth called a welcome to the old watch dragon who lounged, raising
his brown arrow-head with interest at the blue and green in the sky.

Talwynn slid off Riveth when they landed and stretched out her legs.
The weather was colder than Dragonsfall and there was an icy wind
blowing in from the water.

They started walking into the main Hold. It was a sprawling building
with two spires and intricate carvings and she'd always loved its
design.

"I've visited the Tanner Hall a few times for special leather for
straps and gloves," she said conversationally to R'axe. "But I've
never visited the Hold itself."

"I guess it sounds crazy, even though there's only the river between
Opal Cove and Dragonsfall, I've never ventured into the main Hold here
since I moved in a few Turns back. I've always known it was here but
there's never been anything to really make me come over." Now he
wished he'd visited sooner, the architecture was beautiful.

"It's really pretty. I like overflying it. Always hoped for watch-duty
here," she said.

A guard stopped them as they walked into the main building. "Hail,
dragonriders. What's your business?" he inquired. His tone was
curious, not hostile.

"We are here with a message from Weyrleader K'reyel for the Lord."
R'axe answered, inwardly admiring the guard's physique and general
stature, but outwardly showing nothing but a polite face.

"Come with me," the guard said, leading them through the halls to the
office of the Lord.

As they walked, Talwynn admired the corridors. It was decorated with
fine carvings inside as well as outside. She would have liked to
linger, but the guard's pace was brisk and efficient.

"Dragonsfall riders with a message from the Weyrleader, m'lord," the
guard said when he showed them in.

"Welcome to Opal Cove," Lord Alendren said to them. His tone was
polite, but he didn't offer them seats or refreshment. "What does the
Weyrleader have to say?"

R'axe bowed politely to the Lord of Opal Cove, "River Bluff Weyr was
destroyed in an earthquake. Most of their inhabitants are having to
live outside, and we're moving as many of them as we can to different
Weyrs nearby. Weyrleader K'reyel requests any tents or supplies that
you might be able to spare."

"River Bluff? Shouldn't they be appealing to their _own_ Holds for
aid? I don't see why my supplies should have to help another Weyr that
doesn't even protect me," Alendren said querulously.

Inwardly Talwynn fumed at the statement. Was Alendren just being
selfish because he didn't see the need to help others who were far
away and he didn't know? Would be he this stingy if it was Dragonsfall
in need of aid? She had the urge to call him a selfish brat, but knew
it'd get them thrown out.

"The earthquake affected several Holds within their territories, which
are also struggling. Jade Harbor and Sunstone Seahold were both
affected as well. Your fellow Lords may need assistance," she said
instead.

R'axe wasn't surprised by the Lord Holder's attitude regarding aid for River Bluff. From the pristine condition of Opal Cove, and the fancy clothes that even the guards wore, it was obvious that the people there liked their shiny things, and wouldn't be eager to share them.

"Dragonsfall sends aid to River Bluff, your help would in a sense, be aiding Dragonsfall as we help other dragonmen, my Lord."

"Mmm, that's a point, young man," Alendran said. "How many might you need?"

"Tents? At least a dozen, more if you can spare it. Dry food supplies would be most helpful since most of River Bluff's were flooded in the tsunami. Dragonsfall has already sent our extras." Hopefully the upcoming harvest and tithes from the Holds were good, R'axe thought.

Hmm, it seemed demanding. But the girl had said that the fellow Lords might hear about it. Alendran considered for a moment, then pulled over a spare hide and wrote a note on it for the Steward authorizing him to relinquish 15 tents and a few day's worth of food.

"Take this to my Steward's office and have him load your mounts," Alendran said, hoping now they'd go away.

R'axe was relieved, he had been worried Alendran would refuse and then they would be sent away and return to K'reyel empty-handed.

"Thank you," R'axe gave a polite bow to Alendran and left with Talwynn before anyone could change their minds.

Once they were out of the Lord's sight, and following the guard's directions to the Steward's office, Talwynn let out a sigh. "That man has no regard for much outside of himself," she muttered.

"No," R'axe agreed, "he only wanted to give the supplies once you mentioned the other Lords doing so. He didn't want to lose face with his peers." Alendran hadn't given out of the goodness of his heart, that much was certain.

She shook her head. "Hopefully the Steward will give us supplies quick, and then we cane take them back home." Dragonsfall knew its duty to support other Weyrs, even if Lord Holders were morons.

Last updated on the July 4th 2017

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Asking For Aid