The Maelstrom

Writers: Corrin, Duskdog, Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 13th April 2025
Series: The Perfect Storm

Characters: Saibra, M'kayre, N'kyri, I'serin
Description: The DFW Weyrleadership arrives at the Holdless caves
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 5 of Turn 12

Saibra

M'kayre

N'kyri

I'serin

Notes:
~*~

Aluneth's bugle was a brassy welcome as he spotted a beloved gold and
familiar bronze hide appear in the endless rain. }: Chioneth and
Bhelth are here, :{ he alerted his rider. }: The Wings are arriving.:{

I'serin was busy trying to help an older woman traverse some slippery
rocks. **I will join them shortly,** he replied. **Have M'kayre begin
sending riders to the spots you and I found. Let us see if Rathandra
and Evanram can be of assistance.**

Bhelth returned Aluneth's greeting, proud and excited to be coming to
the rescue and leading the cavalry in. It didn't really matter _what_
they were needed for, he just enjoyed having something to do.

As he relayed Aluneth's information to his rider, M'kayre made some
quick decisions as to who to send to each spot, and had Bhelth pass on
his orders, with instructions for the riders to call if they needed
more help, and not to take any chances doing something stupid. He was
more subdued than his dragon, but no less mobilized; as they had
appeared above he had surveyed for a good spot and, spying a group of
holdless on a good flat part of land, already seemingly hard at work
(probably for the first time in their lives, he reflected
skeptically).

**It looks as if they already have the beginnings of a basecamp. Tell
the Weyrwoman we'll set up here,** he instructed Bhelth.

Chioneth flew wingtip-to-wingtip with Oriath, dwarfing the blue as
they landed near some of the other Dragonsfall dragons who had been
carrying tents and other supplies. }:Are you okay?:{ The Queen asked
Aluneth, her whirling eyes making a quick assessment of her bronze
mate.

Saibra unbuckled and slid down Chioneth's flank, boots splashing in
the mud as she jerked up the collar on her rain slicker. "Do you think
I was naive to hope that it wasn't raining as hard here as it was at
the Weyr?" Her shoulder bumped into N'kyri as the soggy ground sucked
at her feet. Ever since R'enh had chewed her out over traveling to
Shadow Mountain without a guard, she'd taken to asking her foster
brother to go with her. He was far more entertaining than any guard.

"You were adorably optimistic," said N'kyri with a cheeky grin that
even the rain couldn't dampen. His posture was easy, but he lingered
closer to Saibra than usual. Normally his 'job' was a formality, an
excuse to spend some time with his busy sister, but he seemed to be
taking it more seriously today.

}: I am well, :{ Aluneth answered his mate as he quickly but gently
touched noses with her. }: I'serin is heartened that you and yours are
here but worried. There is much to be done and many people in danger.
He does not wish for it to spill over into our people. :{ On that
note, the bronze leveled his stern gaze at Oriath. }: Your rider is to
protect Chioneth's at all times,:{ Aluneth commanded. To Bhelth, he
said, }: Have yours take command while mine continues to assess where
best to send our resources. The tunnels are many. :{

"I'm starting to see that," M'kayre grumbled once the message had been
relayed, hands on his hips as he surveyed the mess. The number of
people who had already escaped hinted that the caverns were larger
than they may appear from the outside, and the whole dreary tableau of
mud and freezing rain and shivering people was enough to set a
weariness to his bones, even as his brain was eager to act.

}: We're assigning riders to transport those who have already been
helped, and making certain the others are properly equipped for
rescue,:{ Bhelth relayed to Aluneth once M'kayre started giving
orders. }:We are dispatching small teams in various directions to
rescue and report back anyone they find who requires additional help
until we hear from you to apply our efforts differently.:{

}: Understood, :{ Aluneth responded. There was a pause while the
dragon spoke with his rider again. }: Healers. And rope. These are
needed. I'serin says that some of the ones being retrieved have
wounds. He hopes that someone has brought klah. The waters are frigid.
:{

Bhelth also paused to consult. }:We have rope, shovels, picks, and
glows. Riders with healer knots will be assigned to the tents for now,
as we fetch non-rider healers. We shall leave domestic reliefs to the
Weyrwoman's command.:{ Aluneth relayed an acknowledgement.

**Instruct our Wing to begin placing the tents on this plain,** Saibra
relayed to Chioneth from where she and N'kyri stood on a small knoll,
looking down into the naturally formed bowl that sloped down to the
entrance of the mountain cave. "Well," she glanced sideways at her
foster brother. "Let's go say hello, I guess." There was an assortment
of women and children gathered in a huddle beneath the onslaught of
rain.

N’kyri followed her gaze down the slope to where the miserable masses
waited. His earlier grin had faded, tempered by the reality of the
situation.

“Let’s,” he said, offering his arm to Saibra-- not out of ceremony,
but for balance on the slick descent.

They all had a lot of work ahead of them.

Last updated on the April 15th 2025

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The Maelstrom