Seeking Assistance
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Emma, Estelle
Date Posted: 18th July 2005
Characters: T'moran, K'sedel
Description: T'moran asks K'sedel if he can spare any riders to fill the gaps in his Wings
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 7, day 3 of Turn 3
Having had a good response at Dragonsfall, T'moran asked Haldarth to take them to River Bluff with his heart a little lighter. There was at least a chance, now, that he would be able to lead enough full Wings to fight Fall over the Weyr on the eleventh, and he might be able to provide some help with Lord Enrizial's wretched burrows as well.
They left the chill air of Dragonsfall behind them and reappeared in a warm drizzle of rain far above River Bluff Weyr. Haldarth bugled a greeting to the watchdragon and stated their errand - to see the Weyrleader. Moments later, the response came back.
}: Nikornath's rider has heard about what happened and will see you immediately. :{ Haldarth shifted his wings so that they began a long glide down towards the tiny shadow in the cliffs that marked the Weyrleader's weyr. }: They send their sympathies. :{
** Let's hope they can send some riders as well, ** T'moran said as they approached the weyr, the small shadow becoming a gaping cave mouth with a wide ledge before it. Haldarth landed neatly and shook off streams of rainwater from his wings. ** Could you let Nikornath's rider know I'm here? **
}:Haldarth's is here,:{ reported Nikornath to his rider. **Tell him to make his way here,** was K'sedel's reply. He went to stand outside his weyr, catching the eye of a drudge, and sending the woman for refreshments. Socialising was not the topic of the day, but a little lubrication never hurt matters.
T'moran slid down from Haldarth's side and hurried into the shelter offered by the ledge above the Weyrleader's, where he took off riding cap and goggles and shook out damp hair. "Thank you for seeing me, K'sedel."
"It was the least I could do, under the circumstances. Please, come in," he said leading the way into his weyr.
The Dolphin Cove Weyrleader followed him in, leaving a trail of wet footprints on the stone floor. "I'd like to thank you and the Weyrwoman also for sending your Weyrwoman's second to offer assistance so quickly. Without the healers River Bluff has offered, I have no doubt that many of my riders would have lost their lives."
"It was the least we could do," he replied diplomatically, mind filing away the fact that Lenala had already been there. That must have been something Tsaera suggested.
Before his line of thought could continue much further, there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Come!" he called.
"Your refreshments, Sir and Sir," said a young drudge carrying a tray.
K'sedel signalled her to put it on a table, after which she left. "Klah?" he asked of T'moran.
"Thanks." T'moran accepted the hot drink gratefully and cupped his hands around it, blowing on it gently. "I don't know whether Lady Lenala told you, but I was hoping River Bluff might be able to spare some riders to fill up Dolphin Cove's Wings, until our injured have recovered and we can get enough permanent transfers and new graduates from the Weyrling Wing to replace those who will fly no more. Dragonsfall has already been kind enough to promise some, but even so I'll be hard pressed to put together enough Wings to fight the next Fall."
K'sedel nodded as he took a drink from his own mug of Klah. "Is there a need for specific colours, or just riders in general?" he asked. There were a few days between falls at Dolphin Cove and River Bluff. the distance alone saw to that much. And time meant his riders would be able to recover.
"I'm short of experienced bronzeriders - we lost a good few Wingleaders to injury," T'moran admitted. "But I appreciate that they will be the hardest for you to spare. Losses were also heavy among the green dragons, and they will be vital in the coming days." The sheer size of the larger dragons means that a direct hit by Thread was less likely to be fatal or crippling than for the delicate greens. In normal circumstances their agility and smaller size compensated for that, but when the mistake had been made many had followed orders which led to their deaths. "Really, the situation is so difficult that any riders you can spare would be welcome, regardless of colour."
"I understand," replied K'sedel. "I'll speak to my Wingleaders later and see what we can organise. I'm sure that something can be sorted out fairly quickly." He took another drink from his Klah. "Have you spoken to M'zin at Dream's End? I'm sure they would be only too willing to help out there as well."
"I intend to." He just hoped he wouldn't have to go around _all_ the Weyrs of Pern to get the riders he needed! "If you can spare any riders who've spent time at Dolphin Cove, their experience with our Wings and our particular climate and weather conditions would be an advantage. Though it's not essential, of course."
"I'll have word sent to you later in the day," K'sedel said. His mind threw up a few names of riders that would like the chance, but he didn't want to send anyone unprepared to Dolphin Cove.
"Thank you." T'moran got to his feet. "I wish I could stay longer, but there's so much to be done at Dolphin Cove. You can be sure that any riders you can spare will be given a warm welcome at my Weyr."
"If there is any other assistance that we can give, name it."
"I think we'll manage." He smiled briefly, hoping that was true. If that wretch of a Lord Holder actually went ahead with his threat of withholding their tithes, there would be more shortages than simply of riders - but he thought he could handle a fool like Enrizial. "Good day!"
Last updated on the September 7th 2005