Words Are Powerful Things (Syn, Zi, Sho)

[shouriko]

Had she bothered with her flight gear? No, not at all. When the green dragon was assisted into the Weyrbowl by a familiar looking blue and his rider, Zurith and T'rell, she could tell by the scar on the dragon's face. She ran out with healers and had them begin on working on the wounds immediately. As for the rider, she didn't have much time to catch him herself, but she knew that he would be in as much pain as his dragon.

Kyrieth, help her stay calm so he won't be so distressed. Kaelu asked her dragon. Southern rider or not, even though he had been ready to flame against them, she couldn't bear to see the pain. In her heart she could feel it herself almost. If it had been Kyrieth she'd have been torn between rage and distress. "Rider, you will be guarded, but do not worry about your dragon, we will see her taken care of." Her smile was a little sad because he was now a captive, but at least she would see that they were taken care of. Prisoner or no, they were a rider and dragon in her Weyr.

Do not cry so, little warrior, you were brave and flew well. For that you have some respect from the others. Do not lose your courage to pain now. Your rider is with you. Kyrieth said, her voice calm and soothing, very motherly. It was nothing like the raw commands of anger and protection she had earlier. It seemed that the fight was over for Yeskith was coming in to land and so were the Southern dragons. I chose well when I decided on you, did I not, Yeskith?

Kaelu left two brownriders as guards with instructions that when the green was finished with treatment he was to have his hands bound and brought to a room with water and bread. At least for now she knew that asking for better treatment might get her into trouble. If she weaned the animosity out of her riders slowly, her guests could be treated better quite soon. Adrenaline still ran through them all, even her.

You have your wish, Kaelu-mine, you will get to speak with the Southern Weyrleader. Kyrieth had relayed the message then.

Like a shot Kaelu turned and ran back to the Weyr. Had she bothered with her flight gear? Not at all. She went first to a drudge and made orders for sweetrolls and water for the council room. This was what she had wanted for turns! From even before impressing Kyrieth when being Weyrwoman was just a thought about how she wanted to make a difference. She had her chance! M'tias must have thought of such a thing and for that she was especially grateful to him, he'd get a hug for sure! Oooh, she was so excited that when she was in the council room waiting for her Weyrleader and the Southern Weyrleader she did nothing but pace and sip her cup of water. Kaelu was half a mess, her hands a bit smudged with stone dust, her hair hanging all over her face and the only thing that hid her lack of womanly figure were the leather and wool flight gear. In the least she had undone the jacket so she wasn't so hot.

"When will they get here." She muttered with impatience.

She left two brownriders as his guards, both were Wingseconds and she knew that they were reliable else they would not have such a position. In that moment

[stolenhart]

He had left Knymawth under guard of a few greens and blues, the bronze watching his guards with an aloof sort of fatherliness. It would be a race to get free but he was sure, if push came to shove, he could beat his guards into the air and between. He knew where he was going, they didn't. And T'ran had said they weren't captives just hostages against further hostilities. As if the dragon cared. He snorted, feigning an attack on a young green, and chortled happily to see her dance out of his way with a quick scrabble.

T'ran smiled as well, turning his face into a parody of happiness. The rider beside him growled, reaching for his knife but T'ran merely lifted an eyebrow and shrugged. He was a stranger in this Weyr and his reputation unknown except to a select few who had heard the Harpers' stories. He'd try any rider and there were a scant few who could beat him much less match him. He was a rider in the prime of his life as was Knymawth and most knew it and respected it. Even among strangers, they recognized the power and agility in his muscles, the calculation in his predator's eyes, and the determination to survive in every line of his body. "Well?", he asked, his gravelly voice causing the aggressive greenrider to wince. "This way, sir". He might be the Weyrleader of an enemy Weyr but he was still a Weyrleader. The title won by a method even this den of derelicts recognized.

***
"Do not do this", V'las entered the Council Room and glanced around. M'tias was not here, good. He had made himself scarce since the Flight afraid he'd actually challenge the new Weyrleader to a duel. How he hated that little trundlebug of a man, M'tias was such a snivelling child and Yeskith. Was a more unstable pair ever joined? The rider still wore his riding leathers, the stench of firestone still present. Though Xyrieth had not flown the initial attack he had remained behind to protect the Weyr.

"Don't let that man be a guest in this Weyr. He will do something to Kyrieth or the eggs", to V'las the Southern Weyrleader was an evil man, to be feared and hated above all else. The man was a killer, he instigated the attack on Northern when the Weyrs had enjoyed a semi-truce. And for what? And it was well known he sent his riders to flame tithing trains and hound the Holds. He might even be in league with Hybrian. "Kaelu send him back to the South".

[shouriko]

When the door opened Kaelu's heart skipped more than one or two beats. She almost made a chair fall as she approached the door. Her forward movement was stopped when instead of M'tais or the Southern Weyrleader, T'ran, entered was V'las instead. Her green eyes blinked in mild confusion and it made her stop and think, but as reactionary as ever she couldn't help but begin with a "V'las?"

"Do not do this."

What? Why was he saying this to her? Didn't he know how she felt and what she wanted? Wasn't he like Delia and J'kul, always with her, always supporting her and teaching her and listening to her ramblings with a nod and a smile, even if they only knew that they could never be? Why was he saying such things? Was it because he hadn't become Weyrleader? He had all but vanished after the flight and had almost sworn off talking to her, or so she thought. She didn't understand how someone she counted as a reliable friend would do such a thing.

Anger began to run through her, "Kyrieth will be fine, she can more than handle anything and she has me to look out for her." Did he think she would not keep her guard up? Did he think her so fallible as a leader? Did he forget that she knew that half the Weyr questioned the leadership and that she was doing the best she could within her own power to lead them with a smile? It hurt so much. "And I will not send him back South until I have had a proper conversation with the man. I do not know why he came here or why he attacked us, but I will find out why. I will!"

She pounded a fist on the wooden table, cups rattling from the repercussion of it. Kaelu's eyes were squeezed tight, but when she looked up at V'las, they were filled with the fiery passion of anger and dampened by the hurt of betrayal by a friend. She stood up and took a deep breath, brushing hair out of her face. "V'las I appreciate you looking out for me, but what I really want from you is acceptance and support and you have not shown me either as of late. I did not expect this of you and I will not send him back. I have words to exchange, words I have had since before I impressed Kyrieth and I will not let them die. I will not lose this opportunity." Her gaze was strong, stern, and her loud voice curt. "I'd like it if you left now."

[stolenhart]

He just shook his head. "Kaelu, that man", he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. She had always put him in the friend catergory but that wasn't where he wanted to be. It never seemed the right time to tell her how he felt. He was doomed to suffer in silence it seemed. "And M'tias? Really? That worm won't", he caught himself before he could anger her further. M'tias would whither like a frost caught flower in front of the Southern Weyrleader, and secretly V'las thought Kaelu would as well. She was so young and T'ran, well he'd been fighting and leading a Weyr a long time. As long as V'las had, since he'd started fighting it seemed T'ran had always been on the other side of the line. "I am telling you now Weyrwoman", he wanted to let her know how serious he was. And it wasn't just him. V'las had drawn the short straw in his wing for letting her now, "This man is dangerous. Do not let him stay here", the whole Weyr knew what M'tias and T'ran had agreed on.

"Is this a bad time?", T'ran stuck his head in the opened door, glancing from Weyrwoman to Wingleader, their knots proclaiming who they were. The greenrider escorting him seemed embarassed at having caught the tail end of the arguement but T'ran was mildly amused. Dangerous was he? Well maybe, just a smidge. "I hope I am not interrupting something?", the face he put on was politely blank, though his eyes might have held a twinkle for the bronzerider's dilemma.

"No sir", V'las replied. He gave Kaelu a formal salute, nodded towards T'ran and exited with what was left of his dignity. He was going to have to take matters into his own hands to protect his Weyr. J'kul would be angry with him if he stood by and watched Northern go down in the flames of Southern treachery. His grandfather might even have a few ideas on how to proceed.

[shouriko]

"Stop!" Her stare became a glare quickly, "just stop right there! Don't you dare bad mouth M'tias! No one in this Weyr except for Yeskith has given him half a chance to show his true worth! If only others tried then maybe he would not seem so much a worm to you and others! Kyrieth chose Yeskith and that has value to me and to the Weyr, even if no one can see that yet!" How could he do this? How could he try and pin such accusations when there was no founding behind it? It infuriated her so much and to think he'd even try to start about M'tias. Was she really one of those few people who would support him and stand by him?

"I'll take my chances. He might be dangerous, but so am I." Kaelu's angry glare was sharp and full of fury. She might not know what would come of Yeskith and M'tias's leadership or Kyrieth's clutch or even by having the Southern Weyrleader here, but she was not going to hide away. She was Weyrwoman now and she would do all she could to keep her rider's safe, even if her reputation must be put at stake.

When the door opened she automatically snapped, "What?" Her green eyes and hardened expression softened a little. It was the Southern Weyrleader, come just as they had been discussing him. V'las was the first to reply and as was right he left, taking his stupid pride with him. Kaelu knew he was trying to help, but she had made a decision and decided to stick with it, just like Kyrieth had. She returned to the head of the table and took hold of her cup and sipped it slowly, one eye watching the scarred and battle-hardened man enter the room.

She put the cup down quietly and stared at him, taking in what she could and putting together all that she had heard about him. She had many questions for him, but those would have to wait. Kaelu walked tall and proud and approached him fearlessly, keeping in mind where her dagger was and the weak parts of man in case she needed to use them.

With a suddenly broad smile and an extended, stone-dusted hand she greeted him, "Welcome to Northern Weyr, Weyrleader T'ran of Knymawth, I have been wanting to meet you for some time now. I am Kaelu, Weyrwoman of Northern and Kyrieth's rider. I am certain that Weyrleader M'tias will be joining us shortly." She spoke as usual loud and caroling with a slight echoing effect in the room. She did not forget her manners or how to speak, she had been trained well. Her green eyes glittered as she appraised him, holding off on judgement until later. "Can I offer you some water?"

[stolenhart]

"Have you now?", he took her hand and instead of shaking it, laid a very perfunctionary kiss just on top of the dusty surface before releasing it. "Had I known I would have been welcome I might have come sooner. It is rare that I meet such women of your caliber and intelligence", he replied, a pleasant expression on his face. He studied her as much as she studied him. He did not miss the fact that she approached him fearlessly but he bet she had a rudimentary knowledge of her dagger. She wasn't a challenge to him, not physically anyway, maybe mentally though. Still he would cross mental swords with her another day.

"I would like some yes. Your Weyrleader", he had a slight note in his voice that said he wasn't used to the treatment he had been give by the Weyrleader, "rushed me to the Weyr as soon as we had shaken on our pact. I've barely gotten Knymawth settled in and we are concerned about our rider and his green", he added, putting a worried expression on his face. "That was a particularly nasty blow Ytaisuth experienced and I'en is so young, but I came here first to see you". He clasped his hands behind his back and glanced around. "That would be lovely, the stench of firestone takes my breathe away despite the turns I've been around it", he explained. He glanced over the maps, setting each detail into his memory. Like all riders he had trained himself to have nearly perfect memory recall of images. He'd be able to redraw the map to usefulness later.

[shouriko]

At first Kaelu didn't know what he was doing, but from the moment he pressed his lips to her hand she was instantly rattled and uncomfortable. This was not what she expected at all, but then again, he was Southern and they were not the same and neither was their treatment of women. She retracted her hand quickly and held it in her own, her thumb rubbing over the very slight amount of moisture that had been left there.

"I would not say you are welcome, but had it been only to speak you would have been. You might be here of your free will, but you are none the less hostage as well. You will hear what I have to say whether or not you want to." Kaelu decided it was best not to get too friendly right away. He was the leader of the enemy Weyr and might not care for her desires at all, only his own. Her voice was loud and insistent, but really, he didn't have a choice. He was a captive audience.

She went to the jug and poured a cup as he walked around looking at the maps. Kaelu quickly thought that covering them would have been a good idea but it was too late now. Besides, it was not like getting maps for the North would be all too difficult. Whether or not they were recent and dependable was another one entirely. Some of the maps were older versions and had not yet been exchanged for new ones though the landmarks were the same. The cup was held out for him as she intercepted his walk around the room.

"I would not worry about your rider and his dragon." Kaelu said, searching his eyes for whether or not he truly cared for their safety. If she cared more for them than he, and she not even their Weyrwoman, that would speak volumes. Her green eyes stared up into those of T'ran's. "I have seen to it personally that they are taken care of and looked after. I would not wish for a dragon and their rider to be harmed or in pain unless they have caused both myself and Kyrieth pain."

She left him the cup and took her seat by her cup, "Sit down, I have questions to ask you and if you indulge me perhaps I can answer some of your own if I am at liberty to do so." Kaelu already knew her first question and she would not hesitate to ask it. In fact, she didn't even wait for him to say that he would answer her questions. "Are you truly Overholder Lidal's, Hallek's, brother?" A very pointed and direct question.

[stolenhart]

"Hostage am I?", he said aloud, rolling the word across his tongue. And he would hear what she had to say whether he wanted to or not? He wanted to laugh in her face. She could not make him do anything he did not want to, she might ride a gold dragon but Knymawth had put his allegiance elsewhere and Kyrieth would hold no sway on him. But he let her think what she would, for now he was a willing hostage in the Weyr, and any information he gathered was more information than he had earlier.

"I think you from the bottom of my heart for their care. Na'z, one of my brownriders, would be most upset with me if I did not look after I'en as well as I could", T'ran explained softly, "I have always liked the young man, he's a good rider and Ytaisuth is a valuable green", he added. She did not need to know that he would sacrifice the lad if he had to, there were always other greenriders in the Weyr eager for a chance at glory. Still Na'z was not a man to alienate when it could be helped. "A worthy wish", he added on her comment of dragons in pain. A subtle threat there as well, perhaps? He would take it as such just to be caustious.

He did not sit down, instead he lifted an eyebrow at her prefunctionary ordering of him around. Was she going to interrogate him? "And if I have no questions for you to answer?", he asked instead of answering her questions. "What else would you indulge me in, in return for answering your questions?", a pointed and direct question of his own, and one necessary in establishing where he stood with her.

[shouriko]

"So long as you are here, you will be considered both a guest and a hostage." Kaelu reaffirmed as he repeated the word with amusement. She didn't think it was all too funny, but perhaps he was a very confident and sure man. He was likely a better than leader she. He must have all the right answers and not doubt himself no matter what he did. What a convenience for him.

She let him talk of the greenrider, I'en, and his green Ytaisuth. He was concerned in earnest then. That was one fear that was calmed then. No wonder he agreed to end this and surrender for the meeting here. It was perhaps his way of taking responsibility for making the decision to attack them rather than retreating back to Southern. Or were there other plans?

"I would only hope that the Southern Weyrwoman would accord the same kindness to my riders, but you are welcome all the same." Kaelu wanted to relax more, but she couldn't. If he was dangerous, she best keep herself dangerous as well. Kyrieth would do the same if she was in this situation.

Kaelu looked blankly at the man then, her cup raised to her lips with her elbows on the table. "None? I find that hard to believe." She took her sip and put the cup back down while shrugging and adding, "Oh well, then I shall have no questions to answer. What else?" Again, her expression was blank and almost entirely innocent. "Like what? What could I possibly have to offer except to promise you that while you are here you will be treated like the Weyrleader you are and your riders and dragons will be safe?" She thought about it a little longer and realized that he wanted more compensation than a simple exchange of information. What else did she have that she could give? "I can sing and play a little, I am Harper born and raised, but I assure you that I am not very good and have fallen out of practice."

[stolenhart]

"I can tell you that Gimna would", he replied. And she would, given the chance to do so. Hallek would not let her though, all riders were to be given to him and their dragons kept under guard at the Weyr. Lidal Hold was a short walk away so it was not too taxing on the dragons but it prevented escape for the riders since their dragons were not located nearby. He decided to sit down, taking a chair that was out of her reach, and relaxing into it. She might not be able to relax but he could. Like a feline he spread out his long legged frame and put a happy little smile on his face.

"Promise I will be safe? I am here against my Weyr's future conduct on behalf of my rider. Harm me and my Weyr will retaliate", he explained non-chalantly. "And do you really think that practing poor Harper skills on me is equal measure for information I would give you?", his look was incredulous as he looked to the sky for help. "I think perhaps a few concessions on the Weyr's behalf might prove beneficial to our future relationship", he glanced back to her. Hmmm what could he get from her for giving her harmless information?

[shouriko]

"By the way you avoid my first question I do not think it is far from the truth. You are indeed Hallek's brother and you are allied with him to conquer all of Pern. That would mean the the North is next and the only thing in your way is Northern Weyr." Kaelu decided to ignore him and his words and hit straight to the core. She revisited her question but rather than ask it, she deduced what she could from him. True enough she did not know for herself, but even her brother had gone South for some time, short as it was, and had heard that Hallek was unhappy with his brother in the Weyr. It was assumed that the brother was T'ran and not some other man because of other words uttered in dark corners at whisper loudness.

"You came here to see just what kind of competition we would prove to be since leadership has changed over. Am I wrong to say so? Perhaps you didn't anticipate a reaction from us because this is a time of peace and fair weather, but we are alert and we are not weak as you can see." She continued. Whatever he wanted from her he had better ask for. She could not read minds, but she had a keen eye and ear and was very good at reading expressions and body language. He might relax, but his eyes were not in tune with the rest of him. She was the same, Kaelu knew that her eyes were intensely staring at him as she rested her chin on a palm and smiled benevolently.

"Surely you have seen Kyreith by now. She is very large, is she not? And that body size comes with a formidable mind. I know I do not look like a very beautiful woman or even a strong one at that, but you should never judge a person right off the bat. I am waiting to reserve judgement on you and what to do with you. Your Weyr might retaliate if you do not return, but who will lead them in your stead? Weyrwoman Gimna. Word was she was deathly ill. Has she recovered enough for such a strenuous activity? And if they do not come for you, what then?" Kaelu was playing bad cop right now and it was a bit hard for her, but her loud voice had gone cold and seh decided to lower herself to T'ran's level of conversation. Perhaps this was how it was done in the South.

She smiled a little more friendly as she finished, "If there is something you want, you had better be forward about it."

[stolenhart]

“Do not think it far from the truth?”, he repeated, rubbing his chin. Definitely time to shave again, when he had the chance. “Well the truth of the matter is I am not Hallek’s brother”, he replied off handedly, then before she could accuse him of lying, “I am Garek’s son, that I cannot help, but my mother was a drudge in the kitchen whereas Hallek’s mother was the Lady Bernae. I may share blood ties with him but I have never claimed him as my brother and I never will”, he glanced towards her now. “As for taking over all of Pern why would I need this Weyr? I could not live here and still lead Southern, could not live there and lead Northern. As for allying with him”, to show is hatred of the thought he actually spit on the floor of the council room, “I’d sooner ally myself with a tunnelsnake, I would trust it a lot easier than I would trust Lord Hallek of Lidal”. He did not like people equating him to Hallek, in his mind they had little in common.

He laughed. “Competition? If I thought you were competition I would have brought my entire fighting force, instead I barely brought a wing. And would you think me stupid for not anticipating a reaction? You must believe I sit here because I have too. I chose not to fight, an action which will surely cause me trouble from my brother once I get home. I’ve not earned any friends by being here, by letting your Weyrleader persuade me to this. In fact it’s earned me quite a bit of enemies and I would not be surprised if Hallek decided to cut my head off when I return”, he added, his eyes meeting her’s as he dared her to continue on, which she did.

“Who will lead them? You think I am the only bronzerider? There are others and I have left orders as to who will step up should I not return. As for Gimna, she is too much the bleeding heart to lead a charge for my safety. But Hallek?”, he pursed his lips, “he would come after me, if something was in it for him. If he thought he could wrangle more power from me he would come”, to answer her next question, “If they do not come? Then I will leave, either alive or dead. You keep me here at my whim and only because of my rider. I will not leave a defenseless man behind”. She really did think he was stupid. This is what happens when women were given too much control, they thought they could walk all over a man. If he didn’t know better, he’d be amused by her audacity.

“Forward about it?”, he shrugged, “Ask your questions and I’ll answer what I can. I’ll hold what I want for another day, a day when you are not so hostile towards your unarmed, alone, and outofplace prisoner. Continue your interrogation”.

[shouriko]

It was as if a switch was flipped, instantly he reacted to her words and in those moments in which he responded to her and rebuked her words, she recognized a personality. It seemed that T'ran was not unalike her. But more than one switch was flipped and the coldness of her voice and the intensity of her gaze softened. She giggled a little to see him so agitated about her aligning him to Hallek, almost as if it were a very annoying pet peeve of his. Yet she did not interrupt him and just sat there smiling at him, glad to finally have something coming out of him that made sense.

"Eh, eh, eh, you mentioned him as your brother just once, I thought you didn't do things like that?" Kaelu pointed out at one point though and smiled playfully at him for it. Still, that was the only time she broke into his monologuing reply.

It did answer other questions that she had and rather than resting her head on her hand she sat upright and held her cup in both hands once more. Yet she did not drink and let the silence fill the room again, giving him time to contemplate his words and for her to think more about her next ones. This was really rather fun and she was glad to have this chance. They are were alike in that they both disliked Hallek, though T'ran's dislike seemed more like hate. There was more to his story than he let on, but he had revealed enough of it for her to see it was there. Her thumbs stroked the cup back and forth and she looked into the glistening water and saw her own vibrant green eyes and smile.

"There is a lot of turmoil in Southern Weyr, is there not?" Kaelu was smiling, but her eyes were saddened. "I can tell by the tone of your voice and how you speak of your relation." She was not so callous as to disrespect him by calling Hallek his brother to him. It seemed very painful to say so. "You are a responsible man and you hide it, but you care a lot about the Weyr and your riders, do you not? You do not want Hallek to hold any sway over the Weyr any more than we want him to hold sway over all of the South and to desire to hold the North. We are more alike than you might want to accept."

With that her smile warmed and her eyes sparkled again as her emotions once more moved from one to another. At least she hadn't gotten angry at him yet. It'd be hard to keep her in her seat if he did and that was a side of her she did not want him to see as of yet. He had already glimpsed it somewhat when he first arrived. Why was V'las acting like that anyway?

"I thought you might be more open with me if I pushed a few buttons and I have a tendency to do that on accident more often than on purpose, but it seems like it worked. I'm glad I read you right by that. I don't want this to be an interrogation though, I'd prefer a conversation, but sinc eyou have no questions for me, it is rather one sided, don't you think?" Kaelu was bright and chipper all over again and her guard had fallen slightly in being so. Oh she was well aware that he could easily overwhelm her and get a lot out of her if he was friendly enough, but for now it was best to be herself.

"How about we no longer pretend we are someone we are not. I am not overly serious, though I take things very seriously when it involves my Weyr and the people within it. I am sure that you are the same. I have another question and it seems very pertinent as of late. Do you agree that a woman riding a dragon is really a crime worthy of banishment? From what Mirrium has said to me about you, I do not think you support it. Why send her away then? Do you not have enough riders in the Weyr to support you and your decision? Surely Weyrwoman Gimna would not want to see her go?" Kaelu's voice had some concern in it as she recalled the condition that Mirrium was in and how the optimism came mostly from Mirrideth. "I do not wish to offend, but is not the choice of a dragon worth any merit in the South?"

[lucius]

"Hardly."

M'tias strode in just then, still smelling of firestone though his hands were slightly stained with green. He had no idea why he had been urged to help Healers when his knowledge in dragonhealing was low, but the green, delirious and nervous, took his attention more-so than the politics. He met with the rider briefly after being waved off. Then he washed his hands and placed the green rider's nice wooden bow somewhere Yeskith could keep an eye on it. The bronze would not let it get stolen.

Compassionate, aren't we? Uneven teeth bared and the wide nostrils flared. But M'tias would not respond to Yeskith's provocation, and made his way to the council room where Kaelu was waiting.

And so he came in, saying his one word of entrance before taking an awkward position near the door. He felt as a caged animal would, eying T'ran with a fearful ferality that came with being confronted with a man larger and stronger than he. And that was most of them. He could still remember how easy it was to be pinned down, gagged, forced into--

But such thoughts were pressed away. He didn't seem to submit, just announce a degree of caution. "It's like that in Northern, too," he said, glancing at Kaelu and then to V'las. He had little care for whatever personal relations Kaelu kept. His Yeskith could fly her Kyrieth and Kaelu could sleep with V'las for all M'tias cared. Kyrieth might have been Yeskith's but Kaelu wasn't M'tias's. He'd have no idea what to do if that had happened.

Though V'las didn't see that, did he? Regardless... "I'm expecting people to complain before long. Already got one of the ancient brown riders jabbering at me. Letting 'lessers' fight, keeping others at the Weyr, caring about the conditions of an injured green, much less an enemy one and a small one. Bah. Women or not, if it rides blue or green the rest of the idiots in the Weyr see it as less than human."

That's quite enough, Saint Mattias.

M'tias halted, shifting a bit as he looked at the others again. Then, tentatively, "Your rider is asleep and appears to have dislocated a knee while being jarred in the straps. He's asleep, though, and the green rests uneasily. The joint is back in place and I've had Yeskith keep an eye on the rest of your dragons."

I can think of twenty things I could do to that bronze.

Yeskith, shut up.

The bronze chuckled in amusement but otherwise did nothing. M'tias sighed, then waited for someone else to speak before either he or Yeskith said something stupid. They were always doing that...

[shouriko]

"M'tias!" Kaelu's voice rang with a new tone of excitement and familiarity. She did intend seem to leap from her chair as she rose and her chair bounced back away from her. She was glad he was here, she could learn more from him as well since he was such an internal person it was hard to learn much about him. That and she had made a point to be very supportive of him and extra diligent with giving him as much attention as he gave her, professional or no.

"Are you thirsty, too? I can pour you a cup of water if you'd like?" Kaelu asked, pulling another cup closer and reaching for the water jug. Her green eyes bright and happy as she waited for his answer. As he mentioned the greenrider and the dragon she asked, "They are all right then? That is good." She smiled, glad that things were not so bad.

She reached into her pouch and found a small rag and handed it to M'tias seeing the ichor on his hands. Kaelu decided to pour him a cup anyway. He looked like he needed it even if he didn't want it. That too was offered to him and she stood with him for a moment quietly as she glanced at T'ran and then back to M'tias. She couldn't speak quietly and her voice carried well here, there was no point trying to hide what she was going to say.

"Thank you M'tias for handling things the way you did. You did splendidly and your idea of a wing of nothing but blues and greens is brilliant. I think you should follow through with it." Kaelu's voice was a little softer, but like she knew, it was still far too loud. She lowered her green eyes a little, not knowing what effect her words would have on the man or if they would even matter at all. "Weyrleader T'ran and I were having a nice discussion and I would like it very much if you would join us."

[stolenhart]

T’ran was just about to answer, to defend his position when M’tias came in and pretty much made all the same arguments that T’ran had heard for turns back in Southern. The only difference is T’ran did care about his blues and greens he just didn’t want women riding them. Still it was an opinion of his and not to be fostered off onto other riders.

“We have the same opinions in Southern it’s just a little more cemented”, T’ran commented blithely. “To answer your questions Weyrwoman, no I do not think being Impressed by a green is worthy of punishment. As for my support base, it is very fragile at the moment. With who my relations are, I have to walk a very fine line when it comes to power and authority. If I do not want to be seen as Hallek’s puppet I must uphold Weyr tradition and custom, at least until I am sure my Weyr supports me. Vandyith is due to rise again, if the Weyr votes for a closed flight then you will not be receiving anymore of my weyrlings and if they vote for an open keep a patrol on Ista”, he added.

Gimna would be offended at another Weyrwoman questioning the goings on in her Weyr, questioning her. T’ran wondered just what Gimna would make of this loud obnoxious woman, she’d probably politely smile, let the girl talk herself into stupidity and then ignore her. Gimna was good about that kind of thing. “Gimna understood why I did what I did”. He paused and then added, “The only dragon’s choice of any merit in the South is the one the Search dragon makes”, there was a note of finality in his voice, as if he would not continue on discussing that line of conversation.

“We already had our discussion earlier”, T’ran told Kaelu. He was referring to the quick meeting on the battlefield where M’tias had invited T’ran back to secure I’en’s well-being and care.

[shouriko]

Kaelu was saddened by what the men said and it stung. It stung enough that she could feel a bubbling in her stomach, a key signal that she was going to have another outburst just like she had with V’las. Why was it that because of color or origin or even sex one person was less than another? Everyone was equal in one way or another and they rose and fell by their own merits. It was the same with her, though she worked very hard, even she could fail and fall out of favor and that would be her measurement or at least one of them.

“I see.” Kaelu’s voice was icy only because she was in earnest trying to control herself.

Kaelu-mine, no one thinks the same, you know that. Even I do not think it is right, but he has good reason, does he not? Kyrieth’s calm voice echoed in Kaelu’s. She was the soothing logic when irrational emotion ran rampant in her rider and knowing that her rider wished to be professional, she was going to help as best she could.

I know, but… Kaelu was aching to refute them, but she was not so judgmental. She was emotional and irrational and reactionary and she knew that very well. “I understand that there are expectations that the masses have for the leader and there are times in which the leader must follow their will instead of their own for their benefit rather than the benefit of the individual. Yet that does not make it right. Was it not many turns ago that a woman riding a green was a key component in stealing the Southern gold egg that caused this war between Weyrs? Would that not only be the reason why Southern has not trusted women riding dragons? I have often wondered as much myself, but who am I to say what has brought about the current state of the Weyrs?”

Kyrieth’s mind touched Kaelu’s with encouragement, See, much better now that you are in control again. The gold sat outside, but with their bond it was as if they were there together in the room with them.

“I cannot say I know the future, but I wish for the future to be different from the past. You, Weyrleader T’ran, are unhappy with Hallek as OverHolder Lidal? I am unhappy seeing my riders and dragons leaving for war that I find unnecessary and having a threat not only to them, but all of the North. My wanting to talk to you, whether you wish to include M’tias or not as I do for he is Weyrleader, is to find a truce. If I must show you all of the North and her people in order to do so, then so be it.”

Kaelu’s voice strengthened again as resolve returned and she continued, “I will not let you out of my sights until I have gotten a word of truce from you so long as you are Weyrleader and I am Weyrwoman.”

[lucius]

M'tias managed a smile for Kaelu as she poured him water, and so long as he kept his eyes on her he wasn't so terrified. But he felt weird staring at her and he didn't want to be caught unawares. So he drank and slipped closer to the others, still wary. Her words. Brilliant... He had expected to be berated. M'tias was used to his ideas being seen as stupid and senseless, but amazing... It felt good.

"I think I might," he said, tightening his hand on the glass of water. But the good was gone. T'ran was speaking. He bit back the urge not to laugh. Yeskith, however, was not so reserved, and it took a lot of strength to keep the bronze from taking complete control.

Rip his miserable face off.

No, Yeskith, humans don't do that.

Then let me do it.

Hush.

Yeskith growled, and M'tias could feel the urge to strike rising. But he would not let himself loose. The bronze could sulk, but M'tias was among people now and he was going to act like a human. He and Yeskith could go for a patrol later and rage like monsters. For now...

"According to the Search dragon I was worth only a green." There was bitterness, from both M'tias and Yeskith. "The rest of the Weyr agreed. So tell me: did my Yeskith have merit in his decision? Or am I just special because I'm a bronze rider? A man?" His hands shook and his voice had a new note. "But you have your reasons, I guess, and I have mine. To each his own."

Social grace was hard but he knew pressing the subject further would result in fighting. And if a fight broke out, M'tias would go down in an instant. "Your dragon spoke with mine," he said. "And you realize that I held Yeskith back. If Yeskith could have his way you and your men would be nothing but bones. He and I are not... Entirely agreed upon everything."

You would have loved to see them burn.

Perhaps. And Kaelu spoke. He listened, calming a bit. Women did that to him. He was never sexually nor romantically interested in them, but they made him feel less afraid. There was one weyrbred girl not much younger than he was, and she was always nice to him. He could never remember her name, but he met her a few times before he Impressed Yeskith and she made him less nervous for a few hours. "Not just a word," M'tias added, his trembling visibly slowing. "Actions. Words are malleable. Actions are not."

Peace. Really, M'tias, you're pushing for that?

"I know I've already done more than what Southern has ever done for me." He raised his hand. "That blood stain was from treating your green. That's why I was late." And then came the realization that he was still in a room with Kaelu and two men. The fear came back but it wasn't as powerful. If Kaelu should leave, however, it would be likely he would cease to function.

[shouriko]

Kaelu was suddenly immensely for M'tias being there and even more so for being Weyrleader. He too felt the same way. That a dragon's choice had great merit, more so than many a man would allow. Her green eyes looked at M'tias as he spoke, his words a little shaky, and placed her hand on his shoulder. Her smile was genuine and sincere and full of great appreciation.

"I was told I should have impressed a blue dragon, so much so that I had thought so myself, yet Kyrieth is not blue nor male. She saw something in me that no one else saw." Kaelu said, remembering her days as a candidate in which being both harper and holder had earned her some deal of criticism. She understood what it meant to be like an outcast and it was why she always took the side of the lesser party hoping to give them her strength like she had needed it before.

I am definitely not male and certainly not blue. How you ever thought so is quite beyond me. Neither would have suited you very well. Green hardly. You are meant to ride me and ride gold through and through. Kyrieth snorted, likely wrinkling her nostrils as she said so.

Kaelu's smile waned away a little and she looked at T'ran. "M'tias may want action, but it is only as Weyrleader that I expect him to say such things. I will settle with your word of honor for a start. I understand that Southern is renound for their honor-bound system. I would not think you exempt from it." Her smile was small, but friendly, almost welcoming. Though the discussion was a bit tense, she tried to soften it.

She took M'tias's hand and began to wipe at the dried ichor with the rag, dampening it a bit. She knew that the running of red blood and green ichor happened, but she didn't like it. "Yes, and she is doing better now." The ichor was hard to come off, but it was and she held tight to his hand, not willing to let it go. "I would like to stem this flow of ichor and blood."

The heavy burden of knowing that she was unable to fight because she was the rider of the young gold and Weyrwoman weighed in on her shoulders. She was not allowed to fight with those who protected them all. The only thing she was allowed was to keep the Weyr itself ready to receive and give comfort to the riders and her people. Which reminded her... there were new guests and as such she needed to see the Headwoman about that. How many?

Her green eyes flashed at T'ran a moment, "How many are in your wing? I assume that they will not leave without you so I must make preparations for them here. Your I'en will stay with his Ytaisuth in the infirmary, but including you, how many will I be accomodating? I need to get linens, furs, and perhaps some changes of clothing for you all." Kaelu would not be a good Weyrwoman if she did not do so and that would be simply shameful. Northern was just as hospitiable as any other place if not more so under her leadership.

[stolenhart]

"You will not let me out of your sight?", he asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Weyrwoman I do not think you want to go making that promise to me", T'ran replied. Despite the Northern Weyrleader being in the room, the look he gave Kaelu was one that said he knew exactly what she looked like under her clothes and it was just a matter of time before he saw it in real life. "But", he shrugged, "I might not be Weyrleader for long, so I won't hold you to that promise".

"I admit Weyrleader, that you have a great deal of trust in your dragon but so do I. And I don't think I'd be bones as easily as you seem to imply", T'ran defended himself and his dragon. He was not one to brag but it was a simple fact that Knymawth had survived many skirmishes. "As for the color choices of your Search Dragons", he sniffed, "that is not what I was referring to. We train our Search dragons not to color pick their candidates. We merely want them Searched, that is the choice I was referring to", he explained to them. How could they be so daft? Search dragons were not the smartest creatures around, being mostly greens and blues, and of course a blue or green would Search for blues and grees. Shaffing idiots.

He laughed. "My wing has already left. I sent them away when I agreed to our meeting and my hostage status. I would not give you any more hostages than I must", his laughter was rueful. He well knew he could escape anytime he wanted, unless they chose to injure or kill Knymawth. Doing so would result in an unhappy T'ran, and an unhappy T'ran was not one to mess with. "So it's just me and I'en, until I'en is healed. When he is healed I have leave to go, until then, I am here against his good behavior", he stood up, preparing to leave. There was nothing more he wanted to discuss, his opinions were firmly set and he did not trust these Northern Riders. They never kept their word. "And Weyrwoman", he paused by the door, "there is very little you can do to keep me if I do not want to be here. And the little you can do would make me worthless to you". That said, he left rather abruptly, finding his guard outside the door and striding away.