Let's Do What We Can

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 23rd February 2013

Characters: Royan, Zathris
Description: Royan has to tell Zathris that his runner has been injured
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 24 of Turn 6

Zathris

Royan had sent the word to his brother. Now he was simply waiting for
him to arrive. The runner was in bad shape, but he didn't want to
proceed until he spoke with Zathris about the case, deciding what was
the best course of action for the animal.

Unfortunately, a sick animal wasn't a good reason to leave his work.
Zathris had to take care of some pressing matters before he could
excuse himself. He did so as quickly as he could without ignoring his
duties and made his way to the stables. "Royan." He called when he
saw the familiar form. "I received your message."

"Zathris," he greeted his brother. "I'm glad you could come. I needed
to talk to you about your runner. There's been a bit of a problem and
I didn't want to make the decisions without consulting with you
first." He motioned his brother over. There lying in front of him in
the nearest stall was Zathris' runner. They'd used some simple
medicines to put him out for the time being, but a decision would have
to be made.

"What happened?" The message had sounded urgent, but Zathris was
still shocked to see the state his prized beast was in. He moved over
to kneel beside the creature, his hand running along the runner's
neck.

"I _am_ sorry about all this. Some idiot decided to leave the gate to
the pen open. Five of our best runners got out, including yours. We
tracked down four of them. I've got some men still searching for the
last one. When we found yours. I'm afraid he was not doing well.
Apparently he got caught on a root and went down.
His leg is broken. We gave him something to help him

sleep, and I've set the leg myself. It's _not_ going to be an easy
recovery, though, Zathris. I need you to understand that. The break
was pretty bad. I've seen lots less injuries result in us having to
put a beast down. I don't want it to come to that, but you need to
know it could happen."

Zathris was familiar enough with runners to know something about them.
He nodded, his jaw tight. "Let's do what we can, everything we can to
heal it. He's a good runner." Shaffit, what a waste. "And the
person who was so careless?"

Royan frowned, crossing his arms over his chest, "A young apprentice
beastcrafter related to one of our other men. I have him sitting back
there," he gestured behind him to a small office in the stable. "The
lad's beside himself. Been blubbering like a fool most of the
afternoon. Shardit," he rubbed his hands over his face, "it's a
mistake any of us could have made, but we'll have to deal with him in
some way for his carelessness and it could cost us Mistral here, and
even Hagla, whom we still haven't found."

"Shaffit." Zathris side and gave his runner one last pat. He would
let Royan deal with the lad. It sounded as if he was at least
repentant of what had happened. "Do whatever it takes and keep me
abreast of his status."

"Will do," he replied with a nod. "I already have plans for him
mucking out every stall _every_ evening until Turns End and we'll see
what else I can come up with." He looked toward Mistral, his frown
deepening. "I don't want to lose any of them. I'm hoping we can to
save him."

Zathris hoped so too. Shaffit! "I have to get back to work, but I'll
come check on him as soon as I can."

Royan nodded, then turned to get back to work caring for the animal.

Last updated on the March 1st 2013

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Let's Do What We Can