The Search

Writers: Paula, Emma
Date Posted: 25th August 2017

Characters: L'cor, Oria, Dessa, Desliw, Desskar
Description: Dessa is Searched.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 8

L'cor

Oria

"You can't do that. I'm a crafter now, you don't have that kind of
authority over me," Dessa sounded thunderstruck when she faced her
father across his desk. She had been warned, visiting her family while
she waited for her first assignment as freshly promoted journeywoman
harper, was a mistake. Shells, she had know it was bad move but she
came anyway. She had wanted to see them before Hall sent her Faranth
knows where. She had forgotten how stubborn and hidebound her father
was.

"You are still my daughter and you will do as I tell you," cotholder
Desskar thundered.

"You will marry the man who I choose you."

"And who would that be?" she asked with morbid curiosity.

"Lord Corowal," Desskar replied smugly. "He's widowed now, free to marry again."

Dessa's jaw literally fell and she was even more appalled. The gall of
the man! "Lady Felyna's body isn't even cold yet! Besides, isn't he
mother's cousin? Does he even know about this?"

"I haven't approached him yet," Desskar replied. "And being cousins
isn't too close of a relationship."

Dessa felt slightly more safe now. She suspected Lord Corowal never
would agree to marry _her_. Most likely he was going to laugh her
father off. Besides, her mother was unclaimed and illegitimate. Not
very good credentials there.

She was still shaking her head in disbelief when she left her father's
office. She ran into her oldest brother in the hallway.

"I could hear you two all the way here," Desliw grinned.

"Can you believe him?" Dessa pointed towards the office. She and
Desliw had always been close despite the age difference or because of
it.

"He's just making fool of himself. His ambitions are going to bite him
in the arse," Desliw remarked. "You still coming for a dinner tonight?
The kids are looking to spend some time with auntie Dessa."

Her reply was cut off by the brassy call outside. She recognized it. "Dragons!"

They hurried outside just in time to see two dragons land in front of
the cothold.

"Ready?" Oria asked as Degrorth settled herself.

"Always," L'cor winked and slid down the side of his big bronze lifemate.

Oria unfastened the last buckle, before gently slipping down to the
ground. "But it's her job to find candidates today, we just get to
watch."

"Should I fetch the Holder, sir?" The guard posted outside the
entrance asked from Desskar.

"Nah, let's not bother him, I can handle this," Desskar replied. He
was going to ignore his father's instructions to hide away the
womenfolk when dragonriders arrived. He stepped to greet them, Dessa
on her heels. "My duty to you, bronzerider, greenrider. What brings
you to our little Hold?"

L'cor nodded, by now he'd had enough practice leading a team that it
came almost naturally. He didn't have to pretend he was a Lord Holder
like his father anymore. "If you would," he smiled. We're on Search
today."

"You're welcome to Search here," Desskar replied. He didn't have to
call out people, the arrival of dragons had already drawing them out.
He withdrew, being way too old to be Searched. Dessa wasn't, so she
joined the line of hopeful youngsters.

Once it was clear that all the eligible people who wanted to try were
present, she asked Degrorth to come and do her thing. Nobody quite
knew what it was that search dragons actually saw in a person, maybe
it was more of a feeling, but whatever it was Degrorth was good at it.

L'cor had become very competent at escort duty his eyes scanned the
growing group of people for anyone muttering behind their hands or
throwing 'looks' at his searcher. Of course this searcher had a
particular reason for his unwavering attention. He hid his
concentration behind a mask of a bemused smile.

**Keep an eye on those two over there,** he told his lifemate.

A giant bronze was nothing to trifle with, and though he'd never
actually hurt a human he _would defend_ his and those in his charge.

Desskar gave those mutterers a stern glare. He didn't share his
fathers views of the Weyr but he did share his temper. So while he was
around, those dragonriders were welcomed and respected guests.

L'cor noted the glare and his lips tilted in silent approval. At least
some holders knew their duty to the Weyr. He continued to watch
silently as Degrorth sniffed at one or another of the young people
presenting themselves to be searched.

Desskar was looking L'cor with puzzled expression. "Excuse me, do I
know you somewhere? You look familiar."

"I don't think so. I was raised at Green Valley," he said with a bit
of a smile. "But maybe you know my father, Lord Corowal."

"Of course I know him. He's our mother's cousin actually," Desskar
replied slowly and shared a look with his sister.

"Cousin L'cor, I'm pleased to meet you," Dessa replied after answering
Desskar's look with raised eyebrows. She have him a little curtsy.

While the others were talking Degrorth had finished casting her gaze
over the gathered young people. "She says she has found one, possibly
two candidates, if they are interested." Reaching into her belt pouch
she withdrew two search tokens, "The boy in the blue tunic," she said,
handing him one of them. "And you," she said walking up to her
weyrmate's cousin. "She says you could impress as well." The token lay
in Oria's offered hand, waiting for Dessa to decide whether or not to
accept it.

Dessa took the search token. "Thank you," she was not at least bit
surprised to be Searched.

"Well met cousins," L'cor held out his hand. "L'cor of bronze Tonuth,
and this lovely lady is Oria of green Degrorth and my weyrmate. We are
very happy to find you," he added to Dessa and included the boy in the
blue tunic. "You can come with us now, or we can come back for you
when you've had a chance to prepare.

"Well met," Desskar shook his hand.

"I would like to come with you, if you can wait long enough for me to
pack. It's shouldn't take long, I just brought change of clothes from
the Hall," Dessa replied to his question.

"No problem," L'cor said to the young woman and then turned back to
his new found cousin.

Last updated on the November 2nd 2017

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The Search