A Surrogate

Writers: AL, Paula
Date Posted: 25th September 2008

Characters: Aileyan, Adera
Description: Aileyan finds out about Irlani's illness.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 4

In the short time that Irlani had been caring for Ravyan, she had
never been late. As a matter of fact, she was always early, picking
up the toddler on her way to J'gen's weyr to get Gyta. In that short
time, it had become obvious that Irlani was a very responsible woman
and took care to follow through. So when Irlani was late that
morning, it was an extremely odd occurance. When it got to the point
that Aileyan herself was going to be late, something had to be wrong.

When the fostermother didn't show up the usual time, Aileyan got
nervous. Finally she had no other option that call a little sister of
one her wingmates to babysit Ravyan. She just couldn't be late from
the drills.

Finally, a knock came upon Aileyan's door, but when the person
opened it, she came face to face not with Irlani, but with a woman who
looked to be a few turns younger. Her thin lips stretched across her

face in a friendly smile. "Aileyan?" No, not Aileyan, she seemed a
bit too young.

"She's already left for drills," the girl replied.

"Ah, I see." Adera glanced down the hallway. "Will you be willing to
let her know that Irlani is rather ill." She looked back to the girl
and smiled. "And I'm willing to care for Ravyan until she recovers."

"Good, then I can go back to my classes. The boy's still asleep." the
girl said and let her in. "I can drop a word for her on my way to the
classes."

"That would be great." Adera motioned toward the weyr, then stepped
aside when given leave. "Is there anything I should know about him?"

"Naah, he's normal two turns old. The brown flit is timid though, so
you probably won't even see him," she replied.

"All right." Adera smiled down to the child who was playing on the
floor. "I suppose you're off the hook then."

"Thank's," the girl said and left them.

***

When Aileyan arrived her, her friend's sister was gone and Adera was
happily playing hide and go seek under a blanket with Ravyan. She
looked up when the door opened, then stood. "Hello. You must be
Aileyan."

"Yes, I am, who would you be?" Aileyan asked sharply, her protective
mother's instict kicking on. Ravyan ran to her and she lifted her up
to tight hug. "How mom's little man?"

"I'm Adera." The young woman rose, clasping her hands behind her.
"I'm a friend of Irlani's - Gyta brought me a message from J'gen.
Evidently she's very ill."

Ravyan snuggled his nose against his mother's cheek. "Irlani is ill?
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Aileyan said. "How is she?" She was
naturally compassionate person.

"Atela," Ravyan said and pointed to other woman. "Atela plays with Rav."

Adera laughed. "Yes, I did play with you today." The young woman
ruffled the boy's hair then turned back to his mother. "The message
from J'gen said she was pretty sick. I was going to go check on her
after you came back. I'm willing to fill in for Irlani until she's
well and she lets us know she can take him once again."

"Can you come tomorrow morning early? I have drills starting pretty
early," Aileyan asked. Adera seemed like a nice person to her, Ravyan
accepted her and she desperately needed _someone_ to care for her son
when she couldn't.

"Sure." Adera nodded and waved to the little boy. "I'll be here
right after breakfast."

"Good. Thank you Adera," Aileyan replied.

Last updated on the September 28th 2008

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A Surrogate