The Case of the Glamous Goldrider: The Solution

Writers: Corrin, Estelle, Sia
Date Posted: 2nd September 2025

Characters: L'keri, N'kyri, Aydhan
Description: L'keri and N'kyri continue their investigation with Aydhan
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 4, day 27 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: K'mai

L'keri

N'kyri

Aydhan

So far, the search for K'mai's glamorous goldrider could not be said to have been an unqualified success, but L'keri was not the dragonrider to be deterred by setbacks.

"Never mind. We have one more possibility left to check, and she sounds promising," he said cheerfully. "Let's find Aydhan. Onwards and upwards!"

"Onwards and upwards!" N'kyri echoed gamely, falling into step with L'keri.

"Now let's see... if I were an acting weyrwoman, where would I hide?" He gazed thoughtfully around the field of the weyr bowl, at the freestanding buildings and distant docks. "You know, I bet I'd be lounging on a chaise somewhere near the water, sipping a sweet citrus wine, petting a snow white feline and plotting my next amusement."

"That sounds wonderful. Who's doing that?" Aydhan said from behind them. She did not have a glass of citrus wine, but a covered container of klah and a basket of dinner fixings tucked under one arm. It was supposedly her turn to watch the clutch of firelizard eggs in her weyr, but she'd abandoned the duty and asked Tymborikath to watch them.

L'keri turned and his eyes widened in appreciation at the sight that met his eyes: a redhead carrying a basket of food. **Rhalith, I think I've just met my ideal woman.**

Somewhere on the cliffs, his dragon snorted, but he didn't miss a beat. "Us, apparently!" He bowed. "Allow me to introduce myself. L'keri, of brown Rhalith, and this is my wingmate N'kyri of Oriath."

"Of Dragonsfall," added N'kyri as he bowed.

It was clear enough from her knots who the redhead was and he straightened with a dimpled grin-- absolutely unabashed at having been overheard. "Can we convince you to join us? We might need your help finangling the wine from your kitchens, and I'm afraid we don't actually have a snow white feline, but we'll certainly endeavour to amuse you."

Aydhan recognized the starstruck look on one of their faces and met them both with an appraising one of her own. "I’m sure we seem like a sunny utopia compared to Dragonsfall right now, but I promise you, lounging at the beach isn’t as glamorous as you’re imagining. There’s a stiff breeze off the lake, and folks are mostly dressed these days.” She said mournfully, as if she didn't just have back-to-back summers. “But I'm sure we can find an indoor chaise for you to lounge in. Come amuse me, gentlemen."

Well _that_ was a promising response if he ever heard one! Invigorated after the day's disappointments N'kyri flashed his co-conspirator an excited glance and then his attention was all on Aydhan again, blue eyes bright. He stepped forward to take her basket and offer his arm. "Lead the way!"

L'keri fell into step beside them on her other side. "We Dragonsfall riders are hardy folk, ma'am, but we do prefer a cosy weyr and good company," he said, catching N'kyri's eye. All his instincts were telling him they were onto something here. Even now, they could be heading for the very weyr in which K'mai had spent the night! "And perhaps our reason for visiting this beautiful Weyr will make an amusing story."

Aydhan let N'kyri take the basket and her arm and allowed them to fall into step with her. Their banter was amusing enough, and it wouldn't be an awful way to spend the rest of an afternoon babysitting.

The Weyrwoman Second's weyr was spacious and, thankfully, warm, in no small part to the hearth warming the clutch of firelizard eggs her weyrmate and children had stolen from a beach. There was,indeed, a chaise and a nice couch besides, which she gestured for them to make themselves comfortable as she did her goldrider duty and checked on the eggs. She returned to them with a mugs and a small bottle of mint liqueur, which she added in a generous splash to the klah.

"Now that we're settled, gentlemen, what's brought you to Barrier Lake Weyr?"

"Well." L'keri settled back on the couch, stretching out his legs and inhaling the scent of the klah with great appreciation. "My wingmate and I happen to be on a quest. It all started, as the best stories often do, when we were gathered around the hearth of the dining cavern at Dragonsfall, after a hard day of drilling in the icy mountain air, with a gale howling around the cliffs outside..."

He cleared his throat. "Anyway, the conversation turned to which Weyr, besides our own beloved Dragonsfall, it would be most fun to pay a visit. Many favored the beaches of Dolphin Cove or Ista, with their sun and sand and scantily clad bathers, while others spoke up for the legendary Fort and Benden of the harper ballads, or the wide seas and free spirits of Windswept Islands. But N'kyri and I both argued for Barrier Lake. What could be more exciting than a brand-new Weyr, built from the ground up by the most adventurous, unconventional dragonriders of Pern?"

"It's a wing-wide contest of sorts, at this point," said N'kyri, picking up the thread with a flashing grin and an ease that came with long familiarity. As he spoke, he watched the goldrider for any change of expression, any hint of recognition. "Our friend, K'mai, started us off with a wild, nearly unbelievable story-- though he named no Weyr nor riders. L'keri and I are intent on topping him, and we're hoping Barrier Lake is the place to do it."

That wasn't a name Aydhan had expected, and it was surprising enough that she had to laugh. "I expect you two will be quite successful." She said, "I don't know K'mai to have topped anyone."

"Not in this story, anyway." L'keri resisted the temptation to glance at N'kyri in triumph. **Tell Oriath's rider I think we have a winner...**

"Have you met K'mai, then?" he asked. "He didn't say, but I'm hardly surprised. If I had the pleasure of meeting so delightful a goldrider, I'd keep it a secret, too. Some of our wingmates are the most incorrigible rakes."

"Oh, please. I can handle any Dragonsfall rakes." Aydhan said, "I am _shocked_ that he didn't boast. He was certainly proud of himself when he left my weyr too late to make his wing drills. After we both had left for work, mind you. Like the feline that had gotten into the cream."

"Oh, he did boast, profusely. He just refused to reveal any names," said N'kyri blithely as Oriath sent along his excitement through Rhalith. "Honestly, I was half sure it was all a big con until just now..."

He took a sip of his klah, eyes never quite leaving hers. "But now I'm curious, Weyrwoman... just how many rakes _can_ you handle?"

Aydhan never dropped her gaze either, though her smile took on a wicked edge. "At least two, if they can find it within themselves to temper their egos."

"Then consider our egos well and truly tempered, ma'am." L'keri couldn't suppress his grin as he looked sideways at N'kyri. "Sounds like it's 'case closed'."

N'kyri elbowed his compatriot sharply in the ribs. "Sounds like an _invitation_," he hissed.

He hadn't really expected Aydhan to rise to his impertinent question, but she had and then some. Now there was a Golden opportunity in front of them, if he didn't misunderstand-- if they didn't fumble it. "The lady believes she can handle us both. I don't mind sharing, do you?"

"Ow...ah, not at all." L'keri rubbed his side surreptitiously. "Now we've solved our little mystery, we find ourselves with free time on our hands. And if one Dragonsfall rider is a good time, then two should be double the fun." He winked. "At least."

Aydhan laughed, low and pleased. She plucked the empty mug from L’keri’s hand, set it neatly on the table, and crooked a finger at them both. “Come on, then. The chaise is comfortable, but my bed is better suited for proving yourselves.”

There was no need to tell them twice. They raced to the bed.

Last updated on the October 3rd 2025

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The Case of the Glamous Goldrider: The Solution