[Malvern] Carwyn of Green Alaiath [Formerly Benden]

[Alethryia]

A poem for F’rell...


Hush now — listen close my love,

To the cries outside our weyr,

The warning drums are beating,

Revolution drawing near.



The tides of change have risen,

Wreaking havoc in their wake,

This choice, alas, a prison,

To swim and not to sink,



I saw the silver curtain,

And as it fell, the screaming,

I weep still at the image,

Of blood and ichor spilling.



There’s no hope for returning,

To the senseless lives we led,

Yet still my heart is yearning,

For our love yet to live,



What have we been reduced to,

That our world has come to this?

When peace is not an option,

And war drags on — endless.  

[Alethryia]

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We’ve done it.

I wasn’t sure if we should, but I’ve thought it through-unlike my choice to join the Revolution-and Alaiath agreed, that it was best we transfer to Malvern. It will certainly be an adjustment, but it’s better than living in a weyr surrounded by the ghost of F’rell. I keep expecting him to walk through the door, or kiss me good morning, but he’s never there. I was torn over whether I could do this or not, being so far from home, my family, but nothing’s permanent. I can jump between with Alaiath whenever we need, and really it’s not so bad. I almost couldn't bear to leave when I said goodbye at the creche, their little faces just looked so downtrodden, but I explained the same to them-that this "goodbye" isn't forever. I think we’ll thrive here, it will be better to meet new people and get a fresh perspective on the Revolution—I think I need that now, with every new whisper of the Ten Districts I feel less validated for choosing this side. Albeit, they still have the ridiculous heirarchy, but at least there are opportunities for any rider to take up leadership, right?

Well, that’s besides the point, I’m not at Trine--I’m here….at Malvern. This is probably best for our safety anyways, things have been tense on the Northern Continent. I’m worried about the other Weyrs, about the Holds. Will they retaliate? I’m worried about Ceirrys being a candidate at Benden, maybe I’ll bring him here-is that fair? Ugh, I’ll have to ask him what he thinks and speak with mother and father—they’ll have an idea for how the Holds are reacting to Keller’s revolution.

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[Alethryia]

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I cannot believe what’s happened-I am still shocked. The fires were not the worst of the attack on Malvern. People have gotten sick--I will not dicuss the havoc wrought on my own stomach and bowels--if I were not young and hardy I would be among those lost to the wherhold. The crèch.....it’s too quiet. I cannot think on what’s happened for too long or I will be overwhelmed with sobs again. I've already had to tear out two tear-stained attempts at writing this passage. Alaiath has hurt too; she shares my pain at the loss of those so young. I will have to write something to commemorate them. I hope dearly that no attack will be made on Benden, I’ve never been so glad to have my family far from me, if I had insisted on bringing Ceirrys here he could have- Well he could be dead, he may not be particularly young or weak, but even the possibility of him having been affected by this attack is too much for me to dwell on.

How could I have thought of joining Trine, when they would stoop to such low levels as poisoning our young and old? I’ve heard of the attack on the firestone mine, yes-but there are other mines around Trine. While lives could still be lost, there was a time in Southern that holders lived without protection. While I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, and while I don’t agree on the potential harming of those under Trine’s protection, lives are not guaranteed to be lost. Poisoning a food supply? Setting flocks and herds loose to exasperate the situation? I am simply fuming—aghast, disgusted, and sharding beside myself with anger that too many children have died because of the resistance.

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[Alethryia]

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My hand shakes as I pen this entry, I have just heard of the attempted executions and the siege on Benden. I have sent Cappy to seek out Ceirrys, I must now that he was not harmed by the explosions.

Thank Faranth! She is back with images of Ceirrys alive and well in the candidate barracks. I am once again livid with the actions of Trine, when riders from the wherhold rescued our prisoners did we set explosions that could kill innocents? No! I am aghast at this sharding blood feud and can only hope for tempers to settle before more lives are lost.

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[Alethryia]

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Finally, something joyful to write about. I was awoken by Alaiath in absolute darkness, it must have been close to midnight, for the eggs at Benden were hatching. I stole mother and father away from the hold and we were able to make it in time to watch most of the hatching, including Ceirrys' own impression! He has met his match in a very tricky young blue, Faranth knows what mischief these two will get into. Mother and I shopped at the stalls in Benden and were able to acquire a beautiful flit egg as a gift for Ceirrys. Oh, how I wish I could be there to see his face when in absolute exhaustion he believes he may finally rest and his two new charges interfere! I feel wholly justified in exacting such form of revenge on dear Ceirrys, he played one too many pranks on me when I was exhausted as a weyrling!

There was also this most perfectly musical green dragonet that I simply must introduce myself to and another green hatchling that I should like to keep my distance from, she was quite a, well ... character. A small ditty to commemorate her by:

There once was a young dragon hatchling,
Who found a boy in need of pantsing,
Relentless, she fought,
And wouldn't give up,
‘Till brother blue came interfering.

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