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Dolphin Hall
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Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr
River Bluff Weyr
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Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 24th April 2005

Characters: Kirbali, Kirine
Description: Kirbali and Kirine are stopped along the road.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 5, day 2 of Turn 3

The rhythm of traveling was threatening to put Kirbali to sleep. Birds were chirping, the wind was rustling leaves in the trees, and the sound of the runner beast plodding along... Had it not been for the simple fact that they were fugitives, having just kidnapped the two daughters of a Lord and Lady Holder, it would have been the perfect day for traveling.

She could feel the comforting body heat radiating from Faraline curled up next to her. The little child was precious, and Kirbali couldn't help but smile. Though the infant had been rather upset when they first left the Hold with her, Faraline had warmed to Kirbali during their night in the cot. She now never left her side. Somehow it made Kirbali feel comforted that the little girl felt so safe with her. It made it that much easier to convince herself that what they were doing was not really wrong.

Kirbali glanced at her sister out of the corner of her eye. Though Kirine was silent she was wide awake. She was staring straight ahead, absently patting the baby sleeping in her arms. Kirbali wondered what she was thinking. She was about to ask when she heard the sound of hoofs approaching from behind at a fast pace.

Kirine stiffened at the noise, her arms tightening around the infant. She didn't look back over her shoulder, though, trying to appear natural. "Kirbali?" She asked softly.

"Don't worry. They will probably just ride by. But if they stop us, keep to the plan. Let me do the talking." Kirbali put a protective arm around the infant sleeping by her side.

The pounding of the runner beasts feet seemed to echo the sound of her heart beating in Kirbali's ears. In a flurry, the runner beast, mounted by a guard of Amethyst Cliff Hold, rode past their cart without stopping. However, just as the women were about to breath a sigh of relief the runner came to an abrupt stop, blocking the road. There was no way to avoid it. They were going to be stopped.

Kirine made a sound almost like a whimper, her free hand finding Kirbali's and squeezing tightly. "They're stopping us," she said softly, staring straight ahead. "What do we do?"

"Stick to the plan, Kirine." The elder whispered.

"Halt!" The guard commanded as they approached. Kirbali did as she was told. The guard steered his mount closer to the cart. The guard looked closely at the infant still sleeping curled up on the bench, as well as the babe clasped to Kirine's chest. He eyed the two adults suspiciously. "Whose children are these?"

"They are my older sister's." Kirbali answered, tilting her head towards Kirine. She had tried to lower her voice as best as she could to make her manly attire more believable.

"Where are you taking them?" The guards eyes narrowed as he eyed the pair.

"Back to her husband, at Silver Mist Hold." The older girl fought to maintain her composure. She was a good lier, but both their lives depended on her at this moment. "She had brought the babe to our cot so our parents could see him. But then we heard rumors that babies had gone missing at the Hold. Our father thought it might not be safe. He told me to take them home this morning while he went to the Hold to join the search and..."

The guard rode around the cart. "Are these your things?" He asked, poking at a sack with his dagger.

She was about to answer when the sound of other runner beasts approaching at a fast pace suddenly caught their attention. Two more guards were coming. Kirbali's mind began to race. There was no way they could outrun them and no way to fight them. This could be the end of them...

The guards slowed as they approached their comrade. "Changly, we got word of a trader caravan half a days ride to the east. We have been ordered to check it out."

"I'm not done questioning these two, Brue. They have two children about the right age in the front."

The one called Brue edged his runner forward and looked at the two sleeping babes. "What's your story, lad?" He asked.

Kirbali repeated the fictitious tale in a surprisingly calm voice. Brue looked at the infant with brown hair and boys clothing. He then looked at Kirbali and Kirine, noting the similarities in their features. Looking directly at Kirine he asked, "Is that the way of it, then?"

Kirine's voice was soft but steady. "Yes, m'lord. It's as my brother said. I want to be at home with my husband until we know it's safe."

"That's enough for my satisfaction. Let's go Changly. The caravan is still a good ride away." Kirbali held her breath. Could they actually be in the clear?

"But, Brue, the children..." Changly protested. He looked to the third guard for support.

"We are looking for two girl children with red hair. These are clearly not the children we are looking for." Brue replied. "Come away now, and that's an order."

The two guards fell in line, Changly obviously reluctantly. Brue turned to Kirbali. "Don't dawdle along the way there boy. You make sure to get your sister and her babes home safe."

"Yes, sir." They both watched as the three guards galloped miraculously away. She took a few deep breathes to calm herself. Looking at Kiriine she said as confidently as she could, "See, nothing to worry about."

Kirine exhaled sharply, finally relaxing. She managed to give her sister a shallow smile. "Nothing at all."

Last updated on the July 10th 2006