It had not been long after landing that D'lin had been informed of what the drudge had referred to as 'The Incident' . He was pretty sure that the rather innocent sounding name had been given to keep him from falling into a rage. The truth was..D'lin was almost raged out - there was only so much anger and stress that a man could take before he simply slipped into weariness...and D'lin had pretty much reached that point.
So he had merely thanked the man who had brought him the information and wearily ran a hand through his hair before slipping off his dragon.Both of them were wounded..but he had to go to the tent for numbweed jars anyways 'Plexith?' He questioned the bronze.
'Go ahead..see to the little ones I can wait a bit longer, my wounds are not terrible' The bronze responded to the thought but unasked question. Patting the bronze leg in appreciation D'lin made his way to the tent where he had been told the healers and wounded had been moved to.
It wasn't hard to find the girl and her friend, they were - as expected - together. That was as it should be he reflected as he approached - everyone needed friends in times like this.
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 4:42 pm
Courath and Dizzian had been placed close together so should one wake before the other they wouldn't panic at being unable to see their lifebond. Both were laid out on rough spun cots and carefully tucked in with what blankets could be provided to keep their injured forms warm.
Beside Courath on the cot, as close to the injured green as the healers would allow him lay Devith tucked against his sisters injured side. He'd made it a point to position himself between her and everything else and even in his tired state the young silver still eyed D'lin with a very marked attention as he approached. Sizing the man up he turned his head silently alerting his rider to the bronzerider's approaching presence where she sat deep in thought on a stool placed at the head of of Courath and Dizzian's beds so as to keep watch over both.
Mine. Someone approaches. Devith warned as Hekate turned lifting a hand to brush a few strands of red hair from her face and focus on the approaching figure. The young dusky silver seemed to puff himself up his eyes whirling a rich orange flecked with yellow as he half rose, taking great care not to disturb his sibling in an attempt to shelter the green from sight.
Where before she had appeared tired and reflective a noticeable change took place as D'lin approahced. The girl straightened facing D'lin down, her face impassive and giving nothing away, but from how she narrowed those sharp golden eyes it was clear she was on the defensive. The bronzerider might get the very distinct feeling she was sizing him up, picking him apart and trying to decide how much of a threat he was going to be. Still she made no move to say anything merely watching D'lin like a firelizard would a tunnelsnake putting up a staunch emotional defense same as her dragon tried to put up a more physical one.
Dizzian was semi awake but refused to move, her eyes kept shut against any light. Moving caused pain, breathing caused pain, living seemed to cause her pain. She could hear muffled motion and feel the rough texture of cloth enfolding her. None of it seemed to matter much compared to the presence of Courath in her mind. The dull ache of numbed pain couldn't tell her how bad the injuries were, or even if they were hers or Courath's, all she knew is they were both still alive for better or worse.
Courath made a small noise of complaint as Devith shifted. She was more comfortable now than she'd felt since before leaving the encampment...she didn't know how long ago. While no Master Dragonhealer had been available, those at the camp had managed her well enough. Her torn wing was roughly splinted open and the entire left side of her body was slathered in a hardening coat of numbweed.
As the mood around her shifted Dizzian cracked an eyelid, wincing at what light was within the tent. She couldn't see much more than blurs but the blob of red in her vision could only be Hekate. Dizzian moved her forearm just enough to brush her friend with her fingertips, searching for a hand to hold.
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:26 pm
D'lin was no stranger to being sized up, both dragon and person had done so in the course of his life but the bold little silver and slit eyed gaze of his future rider would likely be ranked among the most critical. Normally he might be a little bit offended that people in his own camp thought the need to do so..but he was far to weary and tired, his own injuries throbbing in the background of his mind along with his dragons for such actions to register offense. Everyone was tired..hurt..and on edge, he couldn't hold this protective nature against him. Holding out his hands in a gesture of peace he sat down on an unoccupied cot across the small aisle.
"Peace little silver, I don't mean you or yours any harm" He assured the little dragon, prodding Plexith to add his own assurances to the mix while he turned his eyes to the humans, his gaze quickly shifted over the injured one - she seemed to be stirring slightly but still mostly out of it before settling on the other. "Your the one who found them yes? I remember you - the stands impression, very memorable" D'lin stated "I'm D'lin of Bronze Plexith, Wingleader of the Gale Stalkers - I can assure you that I'm on your side"
'Mine merely wishes to find out what happened - and to check on the little ones injuries' Plexith bespoke Devith in a kind tone - Plexith had a soft spot for hatchlings and the knowledge that one had been injured when they had left them in a supposedly safe spot angered and grieved him greatly.
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:04 pm
Feeling Dizzian's hand brush against her arm Hekate turned grasping the girl's palm warmly in her own and glancing her over to make sure nothing was wrong. Once she was assured Dizzian was fine she returned her gaze back to D'lin.
At his gesture of peace both Devith and Hekate relaxed somewhat, Devith more then his ever wary rider as at Courath's noise of complain he carefully folded his wings and settled back against his sister's uninjured side lending what comforting warmth his form could bring. Very well then. You may stay. Devith replied to D'lin with a small regal nod his voice rough from exhaustion, but no less commanding and proud. His assurance though still did not stop rider or dragon from watching him like a hawk though both took a slightly softer approach.
"Yes I found her. I followed their trail out of the camp when I noticed the two were missing." Hekate answered, Devith preening slightly at the compliment to their hatching. "My name is Hekate, weyrling of Silver Devith." She greets him with a nod giving Dizzian's hand a small squeeze or reassurance letting her friend know she was here.
The two-legger fixers say that my sister and hers will not leave us. Mine and I can only tell so much about what happened, but Mine believes we got to them just moments after they were injured. Devith replied to the bronze, at first his voice was one full of worry and anger, but softened slightly at the bronzes kind tone. As long as these two meant no harm to His or his sibling and Hers then he would tolerate and perhaps welcome their aid, but only for Courath. He and His would be just fine on their own after all they were the best.
Mine the rider of Plexith is here to ask us for information. He does not appear to be a threat, at least not one yours truly could not handle with ease. Devith informed Hekate with gave her silver a smile, the first in a long while before turning back to D'lin.
"So what is it you want to ask of us?" She questioned with a tilt of her head.
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:34 pm
Courath snorted then winced at the pain even the simple act had caused. ~ Of course I won't leave, you still need someone to bring your head down from the clouds brothermine...~ Mental voices required no breath or movement and while it was quiet, there was enough of that steel left within to be reassuring.
Dizzian gave a wheezy laugh as she heard Courath's comment. It ended with a hiss of pain but left what could be called a smile on her face. It was enough to bring her into full consciousness. Her vision remained blurred as she tried to open her eyes fully, the lids along with the rest of her face were too swollen and bruised to allow for proper working. Still she could vaguely make out the form of the young man talking to Hekate, she hadn't caught his name though. Another squeeze of Hekate's hand to draw her attention. "who...?"
'The human healers say that they will recover in time' Plexith relayed the silvers words to D'lin 'He believes that they found them moments after the attack - the green awakens' The bronze informed his rider.
'That is good to know Plexith, thank you' D'lin replied - his eyes moving towards the little green. She was badly wounded but if the healers said that she would pull through he had to believe that she would. 'She is a strong one, she will live' Plexith informed him.
"Thank the first egg that you found them, I dare say things would be far worse then they are now if you had not..I don't suppose that you know why they left the camp? How far away did you find them...if the whers and their handler's are getting too close we might have to move..I can't spa.."
D'lin trailed off as one of the healer's approached and tapped him on the shoulder turning his attention to her for a moment "Wingleader? The greenrider that you brought to us wounded.."
"Eliza yes?"
"She will not be able to return to the fight" And the women must have noticed the stricken look on D'lins face at this news because she was quick to add "She'll be okay with some rest, she's just not well enough to fight"
"Alright..thank you" D'lin responded turning back to the others and running a hand through his hair. That potentially solved one problem, although a stab of guilt coursed through him anyways. He had not gotten to her attackers soon enough. 'Plexith?'
'Velath is well'
"Nevermind - it seems I do have a dragon to spare, Eliza's Velath will stay in camp and help keep watch..but I'd still like to know how close they were...I don't suppose you caught sight of who did this?"
And then the wounded girl spoke. D'lin was quick to answer her - not wishing to stress her any more then she already had been, "Wingleader D'lin of Bronze Plexith, do not worry...we'll make sure you and your green are safe now" He promised.
He wanted to fuss at her for leaving the camp. He wanted to rage and yell and vent his frustrations with the entire situation - he was fighting a war, a war that none of them had been prepared for, that none of them really knew how to fight and the only thing on their side was the heart of his riders and their dragons and their desire to see their homes saved...the last thing he needed to be worrying about was weyrlings marching off into the woods.
But now was certainly not the time to be saying such things, everyone made mistakes and this weyrling had paid a dear price for hers...he was only grateful that it was a price that could be recovered from.
'I am Plexith' The bronze introduced himself to the green 'We will find the one who has done this if we can' He promised both the bronze and the silver 'Any details you recall would be helpful.'
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:37 pm
Hekate waited to answer the man's questions until after the healer left a frown tugging at her own lips at the woman's news. Not that it was too big of a deal for her, Dizzian shouldn't have been in the fight in the first place. She was too kind. . .to good of a person to be hurt like this and guilt still weighed heavy on Hekate's conscious that she had strayed in her duty and allowed the pair to wander off.
The red-haired young rider, watched ever with care by Devith shifted her eyes to her friend letting D'lin answer the question while she checked up on Dizzian. "Do you want some water?" She asked even as the silver gently nuzzled his green sister.
My head is only up in the clouds because I am so big it will not fit on the ground. Devith joked with her his tone unusually gentle for the commanding and egotiscally vain silver. Besides where would I be without you to admire me Courath? And be in quite a straight without my sister to fuss over. No other green will do, not at all. The silver crooned gently to his sibling.
Once D'lin had down and the woman had gone Hekate turned her her attention back to him considering his questions with care. "I can't tell you exactly why they left the camp. The Weyr is Dizzian's home and I know she's been very upset over this war and she hasn't gotten any news about her parents either. They're not in the camp so I suspect they're still trapped back at Trine. I guess maybe she just wanted to see if she could find them perhaps? I'd left to see about getting us something to eat and to go get some oil for Devith and Courath's hide and when I got back she was gone. . ." Hekate replied the last sentence falling away softer then the other the girl glancing guiltily away to stare at her injured friend.
"I shouldn't have left her alone. They were close to the outskirts of the Weyr when I found them or I'd have been there sooner. I don't know the exact details of the fight, but following her trail I spotted a handler with a large bronze wher that Devith told me stank of Courath's ichor. I think that was the main reason they didn't spot me and Devith because they could 't smell us over all the blood and ichor on them. I didn't get a great look at the pair, but I'll know them if I ever see them again." The young rider informed him with a growl her eyes narrowing with anger even as Devith added his own thirst for vengence into the mix.
I'm going bring that creature back for Courath to use as a chew toy. Devith snarled tail lashing his eyes whirling bright with anger.
She wished she could move her tail...she'd smack Devith if she could. It was also numbed and bandaged up tightly...to the point where she could only assume it was still attached, she vaguely remembered the wher biting it...might he have taken it clean off? She wouldn't think about it. ~ You're impossible Devith. ~ The comment was warm but she sighed, it was too tiring to verbally spar at the moment. Her body lay still, eyes lidded and chest barely rising as she addressed Plexith. ~ He was big, an old bronze. That's all I could really tell...seemed dim though, moreso than average for a wher. ~ Courath gave a little hic as she flexed her claws, feeling the sore muscles in her arms and legs protest. Her limbs were the least damaged part of her body, but she could feel each one there. Neither her nor Dizzian were prepared to know the rest.
Dizzian attempted to shake her head no before deciding that was a very bad idea. She closed her eyes again and fought down a wave of nausea before speaking again. " 'sno your fault... I shouldna gone..." She spoke in short quiet gasps, every breath aggravating her ribs. As if the damage to her head wasn't bad enough he'd had to go and lay the final blow to her chest... "He was old...said Trine was home..."
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 6:29 am
'All whers are dim' Plexith responded with disgust in his voice. The bronze had not always thought this, indeed he had had no problems with Whers until they started attacking. Now..now he despised them. 'But I have already killed one of the bronze beasts today, another one will be no problem' He told the hatchlings.
D'lin gave Hekate a sympathetic look as she looked away in guilt - he knew what it was like to have a friend injured and feel responsible for it. In the last few hours that had become almost common place as he led strike after strike against the Whers and the injuries piled up. Still he offered the women a bit of sage advice "It is hard feeling responsible for others - but as Wingleader I've learned that no matter how much we try to protect people it is impossible to keep them safe all the time..."
When the injured girl spoke again D'lin had to lean foreward a little bit on order to hear what she said "Thank you both... the information is helpful, I'm sorry I can't offer any information about your family, the riders are evacuating those they come across and some of those are being taken to nearby holds or electing to help fight rather then return to the camp here. There were not too many bronze Whers in Trine and even less that were visibly old, that should narrow things down nicely. I'll spread the word to the others - A handler and wher attacking a grown dragon is bad enough but going around trying to take out hatchlings is quite another." D'lin stated before standing up, his own wounds were protesting his lack of care and in the back of his mind he could feel Plexith's throbbing as well. There was little time before he had to go back into the field, he was awaiting only Crimson Cheryth's report on the other groups.
"As I said I am leaving Green Velath here to help keep watch - her rider is disabled but I will have Plexith instruct her to listen for Devith, I know you want to be with your friend but you have sharp eyes and you'll do no good for her sitting in this tent while a Wher sneaks up on it. Every once in a while - it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a little jaunt around the camp perimeter and make sure nothing is amiss. Don't fight anyone if you don't have to - alert Velath and evacuate the wounded. Fighting might be what you really want to do I know...but the wounded have to be protected first."
Although they had said the attack had happened on the outskirts of the Weyr D'lin still feared that the Handlers - some of them now fleeing the battle would find the camp and take out their frustrations on the injured within. That said he could not afford to stay here and keep watch himself - he would have to rely on the uninjured in camp to do that for him.
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