What Happened Here?

Writers: Devin, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 15th May 2025

Characters: N'vanik, Cyradis, D'hol
Description: N'vanik and Cyradis speak to D'hol about the tragedy at Barrier Lake.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 2, day 8 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Kapera, J'nus, Talryne
Follows "Hearing News During Fall", occurs at the same time as "Waiting"

N'vanik

Cyradis

D'hol

N'vanik held the door for Cyradis and then followed her into D'hol's office. "Weyrleader D'hol. Good--well, I'll just say morning since there's nothing good about it. I feel bad about getting you up so early . . . or I guess keeping you up." His fellow Weyrleader looked understandably rough. "We had 'Fall this morning when we got the news. We came as soon as we could."

He'd known they were here, Yumath never failed to tell him about Panitath's arrivals. "N'vanik," he acknowledged. "Thank you for coming," he said as his eyes drank in Cyradis' tiny form.

"D'hol," she nodded, acknowledging the pain she saw in his eyes. "How is Kapera?"

"J'nus is with her. The healers want her to sleep."

"Of course," she nodded again, feeling a bit awkward. She looked up at N'vanik.

N'vanik's heart squeezed, his chest too tight. "Tal went to see her, in case she . . . wakes up." He'd been there when Talryne first woke up after Ysanth died, had seen the empty, confused look in her eyes. She'd gripped his hand, begged him not to leave her alone . . . N'vanik took a shuddering breath. "It might help Kapera to have someone who understands." Then he told Cyradis softly, "D'hol looks like he could use a hug."

"Yes, Tal..." he nodded at N'vanik and the shadows in his eyes.

Cyradis squeezed N'vanik's hand and then walked swiftly across the room to D'hol and wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug.

D'hol's eyes closed as he buried his face in her blond curls for a long moment. "Cy," he started.

"We all need it sometimes," she interrupted but didn't let go for a long moment.

"I'd hug you too but that might be weird," N'vanik said with a faint smile.

D'hol smiled slightly, "It would," he acknowledged. "But thank you for bringing Talryne. That was very thoughtful." He slackened his grip on Cyradis.

She stepped back though she didn't move out of arm's reach.

"What under the Red Star _happened_ here?" N'vanik asked.

D'hol shook his head. "We don't know where he came from, or even who he is. J'nus interrupted his attempt on Kapera and very nearly threw him off her ledge."

"Nearly? Should've finished the job," N'vanik said. "So someone showed up, attacked Kapera, and Riyanth went /between/?" It didn't make any sense. If Kapera was still alive, why had her dragon killed herself? Or had the Weyrwoman been that close to death?

"We're still figuring out the timeline." D'hol ran a hand over his face, feeling the weight on his shoulders and hiding the slow burn of anger that had settled in the pit of his stomach. "He should have, but it'll be handled." His lips thinned and his jaw twitched. "Promptly."

Cyradis could see the implacable anger in both Weyrleaders and knew this was not the time nor place to suggest any kind of tempering their desire to end the man who'd done this to Kapera. Nor did she want to. Her own eyes blazed with intense need to avenge her friend. "Do it," she said.

N'vanik glanced at her, surprised. Then he turned back to D'hol. "Maybe try to get something out of him first. If this is connected to the shit we've been dealing with . . ."

D'hol locked eyes with Cyradis for a long moment, then allowed her to momentarily see the simmering rage that had been locked down tightly. The char on her cheek was wiped by a gentle thumb that didn't seem to fit the simmering anger. He then turned to N'vanik and his knuckles popped as he clenched his fists. "I'll find out and if there is anything connected, you and Cyradis will be the first to know." He moved to stalk towards his desk and poured them all a cup of steaming klah. "How bad did it affect Dolphin's Cove? Any injuries? "

N'vanik sighed. "A few. The dragons were panicking, trying to protect Panitath. . ." He let out another breath. "We managed to get it under control."

Cyradis welcomed the cup of klah, holding it in both hands. After the stressful 'fall and the even more disastrous event at Barrier Lake her legs suddenly felt a bit wobbly and she sank into one of the chairs. "Have you gotten any rest," she asked softly.

"Just as much as both of you, I'm sure." D"hol replied blandly. "I'll rest when I can. I'm worried more about J'nus, Kapera, and our Weyrlings right now. The death of a Queen..." He shook his head, his voice gruff. "All of us are struggling to deal with this."

"We're here for you, whatever you need," N'vanik told him. "And don't be stubborn about it. This isn't a normal situation and you shouldn't have to shoulder it alone."

Cyradis nodded. Her relationship with Kapera hadn't been as close as D'hol's yet she'd spent time with her when she'd been her 'second. "It's devastating," she said even though it felt like an understatement.

D'hol's nod was brief. "I don't think I can be stubborn about this." There was a flash of a brief smile. "I think you both know me too well to allow it, hm?" He took a sip of his own klah. "There must be a new senior queen as soon as possible." His lips thinned. "We have to have hope here."

"Are you going to wait for Tymborikath, or do you want to bring someone else in and see who Rises first?" N'vanik asked carefully. He'd been in the position of waiting for a new Senior Queen before, but shards, he'd never had one _killed_.

"I have some recommendations if you want them," Cyradis offered softly.

D'hol paused, took a sip of klah and exhaled. "We may not be able to wait for Tymborikath to rise." He pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing that a new queen may lead to a new Weyrleader. But for the good of the Weyr, it might be needed. He nodded to Cyradis. "Yes. I do."

"Alright," she said and walked over to his desk. She wrote a couple of names on a scrap of hide and then put down the pen. She walked back toward him and cupped his cheek. "Let me know if you need anything."

"And when Kapera wakes up," N'vanik said softly. "If she wants to stay, Tal and I are here for her. And for you, and J'nus."

Taking the hide, D'hol leaned his cheek against her palm and nodded. He turned his head to kiss her hand and looked up at N'vanik. "I'll be sure to let her know. I'll support any choice she makes. Personally, I think it would be better if she didn't wake. No one should have to live with that. "

"Some people do just fine," N'vanik said tightly.

It took a moment for D'hol to process what he had said and N'vanik's reaction, then rubbed his face with a grimace. "My apologies, N'vanik."

N'vanik gave a small shrug. "Been a long night for you." As defensive as he was about Talryne, he was willing to let it pass because of the stress D'hol was under.

"We should let you get some rest," Cyradis said as she returned to N'vanik's side.

Last updated on the May 23rd 2025

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What Happened Here?