[ORP - Circus] Audience with the queen

[Tuatha De]

It was a long, hard ride from Xanadu Rest to Calderra. Especially when you were traveling by runnerback. On dragon wings you could simply envision the place and be there and back again in less than a candlemark. But Kairau had never been one for dragons. There were no dragonmen among the Matanu; what little experience he had with dragons mostly involved seeing those who had been selected for the Choosing and returned to the Hall with their dragons... and even then, he watched them from a distance.

He'd saddled up a steady dapple-grey mare, collected what supplies he'd need for the journey, and taken the road at the greatest speed he dared to go. Runners were not tireless any more than people were, and he had no interest in laming her. Still, by the time that the great bowl of Calderra came into view, he was weary and saddle-sore and the mare was blowing hard breaths out her nostrils with each stride.

The starcrafter imagined he must have made an odd sight: a pale and road-dusty figure on horseback with his striking black facial tattoos, his mare clip-clopping between bright-colored stalls and carnival games. What was this? Some kind of traveling fair, or a group of traders come to a Gather? He hadn't been expecting to come at a time of celebration. No, his mission was an urgent one. He had to speak with the Weyrwoman as soon as possible. He slowed to a sedate walk to avoid running anyone over, but did not dismount - the height gave him a better vantage point to see over the crowd. He was seeking a dragon, any dragon that might have a rider who could point him in the right direction. Rank knots and dragon color meant nothing to him. As far as he was concerned, the only thing he knew was that the Weyrwoman's dragon was gold.  

[a pet dino]

Laeydon & Malefeth
Malefeth loved the fair, every day she had Laeydon make her a new crown of flowers and ribbon, which they now owned in every color, and then went about seeing the fair. It seemed like every day there was a new show, or a new stall to look at. Personally Malefeth didn't care much for these shows, but HerLayedon loved them the best so she sat through them. Today was no different, and they had just finished watching a show with a strong man currently. He had almost selected HerLaeydon to be part of it but Malefeth quickly put a stop to that. After all he was just a human, and if he dropped Hers he would pay.

"Wasn't that a wonderful show dear? I supose when I become Weyrwoman and we are in charge we should bring them back more often. From what I hear they don't come a lot to the Weyr. We should change that." Laeydon mused as the two walked side by side. It was beginning to get time for Malefeth to go home and get another coat of oil placed on her. It wouldn't do for her to be out here looking dusty! 'Yes, I spose we could bring them here. Or rather just you and I go to where ever they are when we want. We will be able to control the skies.' Malefeth responded, earning a laugh from Laeydon.

It was then that Laeydon spotted someone on a runner. They looked as if they had just come a long way and also that they were looking for someone. "Hello, may I help you?" Laeydon said politely. Even though she wasn't the Weyrwoman yet it didn't hurt to have practice. For her part Malefeth just eyed the runner. What a horrible way to travel, and to think hers use to enjoy riding those things! Never again.

 

[Naree]

Sahmina and Vina were walking through the carnival, enjoying each other's company as mother and daughter, instead of Weyrwoman and Master StarSmith. Tiameth was sunning herself up on the heights, watching her young wander around with their chosen. So much had happened lately, so many warning signs, both women were pouring over records and were in contact with Fort Weyr, hoping to find anything that might explain what was going on.

"Perhaps it is time, Vina, that I take an apprentice. My eyes, they are tired. I can't read some of the older charts anymore. And this strange light, the streaks in the sky... I know it means something." The older woman sighed. Getting older was such a pain.

"I know, Mother. I have talked to Fort's Weyrleaders. They are searching for answers as well. There are hints about bright lights before the Quake. But the records from Landing are lost or hidden. Just like Landing itself," the gold rider sighed. "Once the weyrlings are a little older, I may take a trip north. Laeydon hopefully will have a full rein on Malefeth by then..."

If only she could find the right clue.  

[Tuatha De]

Gold?

But a young gold – a very young one, from the size of her. Kairau took in the pair with a puzzled, curious expression when the young lady addressed him; she must be a new goldweyrling. He’d heard nothing of the latest hatching and the events surrounding it, as he’d been on the road at the time with no real contact with the weyr. And she was offering to help… Well, where there was one gold, likely she’d know how to find the other. “Yes, you might be just the person I was looking for.”

But conversations were awkward when one party was on runnerback and the other was on foot. Kairau dismounted gingerly, hitting the ground on light feet, but when he turned there was the unmistakable stiffness of stride that indicated he’d been riding hard for far too long. “Journeyman Starsmith Kairau, of Xanadu. At your service. I need to speak with the Weyrwoman as soon as possible.”  

[a pet dino]

Laeydon & Malefeth
Laeydon smiled. He seemed nice, and when he said she was the person he was looking for it piqued her interest. He had come a long way, why would she be the person he was looking for? Part of her feared it had something to do with her uncle, but as soon as he told his title she threw that thought out of her head. Starsmith? If she remembered correctly Vina's mother was master Starsmith here at the Weyr.

"Of course, I can take you to her at once. I know she is here enjoying the festival. I will have Malefeth ask Tiameth where exactly." and with that she looked at her gold expectantly.

'Why does he need her? Aren't we good enough for him.' she huffed, who did this silly boy think he was? HerLaeydon was better then the currently Weyrwoman, and one day she would take her place. 'He has come a long way. Please find Vina for me.' Laeydon replied sternly. Malefeth's eyes wirled unhappily for a second before she complied.

'Tiameth. Mine is talking to a starsmith that is looking for yours... They are by the strong man show, where is yours?' she inquired. She wasn't a messenger, but hers was so happy today and she didn't want to ruin it.

 

[ForgottenFlights]

Sahmina and Vina

Tiameth, enjoying the sun and attention from those around her, was a little startled when her daughter bespoke to her. Not because of the talking but because the little gold had an interesting message. Interesting. I will let them know. I believe they are near the food vendors.

Vina paused as Tiameth spoke to her. Arching an eyebrow, she turned to look around and try to find Laeydon. Placing a hand on Sahmina's shoulder, she had the older woman stop. "Someone is looking for us. A young Starsmith from Xanadu. Interesting, don't you think?"

Sahmina nodded and looked as well. "Just might just be what I need. A new set of eyes. Well come on, let's see if we can find them. Perhaps he or she has brought records that I can look over."