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It had been three days since Alumanth went between, a full day since her rider had followed her into death. The Weyr had been simmering ever since--it had been bad enough when all they'd had to worry about were nosy Healers, strangely behaving flits, and whispers of plots afoot in the shadows. But the death of a dragon--slain by another dragon--it was nearly unheard of. There had been accidents in the past, yes...nothing like this. Those were the thoughts numbing his head as greenrider E'lai poured another glass of wine, for him and S'ren both. The stores had been very liberal with the allotment after the accident, and as long as the riders drunk themselves to stupor instead of fury no one seemed to mind.

"What I don't understand," E'lai said, frowning, "is why they're still here." He hadn't forgotten speaking with the others at dinner back then, what felt like ages ago--something had been going on. He didn't think that this had been planned (no dragonrider could premeditate the killing of another dragon--the idea was absurd) but...whatever was going had to still be going on. The Healers remained, though fewer of them. Some of the Benden riders remained. There had to be something they were remaining for...was it just the Hatching? To see what legacy poor Alumanth's eggs yielded?

"All sorts of odd things, though nothing that sounds actually believable," E'lai said with a sigh, taking a swig. "There's rumors about saying that Benden or the Healers or the both of them were--are--trying to carry off an egg. I didn't think anything of it at all until one of the Candidates--Salin, he's weyrbred--said something about overhearing talk of egg stealing...probably in some sort of jest, but that's not the sort of thing anyone ought to be joking about." He ran a hand through his long hair, shaking his head. "I'll be glad for the Hatching and for them to just leave." It'd be better if they'd leave before the Hatching, and let Trine mourn and celebrate in its own way. It didn't look like Trine would get the luxury of being left to itself, though.

Eltimioth's tail twitched irritably as she lay beside Tereth outside her rider's weyr. First the plots--and she was sure, unlike E'lai, that serious egg-stealing plots were afoot. And then poor Alumanth--the nerve of those Benden dragons! She'd've perched near where they were sequestered and sat there hissing all day if Brakiath hadn't made it clear such things wouldn't be tolerated. A pity, that...

"Ironic indeed," E'lai said wryly. "But it's no secret that there does seem to be a difference between us and them--even Queens transferred north not preforming as they ought to. There must've been a better way to solve their problem without letting things get to this point...if that's even what's driving them."

We would hunt, yes, Eltimioth agreed, her own eyes whirling in determination. And the problem is clear--they do not have any issue with letting dragons die in the egg, so why would they take issue to killing one they believe should not exist? We were all born for the same purpose--but while they believe elsewise, we will never agree.

He didn't like the venom, but he had to agree with what she meant. The schism of belief ran deep, and if the fight between Alumanth and the bronzerider really had begun with insults against the crimson...it only told them how much further they had to go. "We can only hope some good will come from this."

"I'd hope it's not the people or dragons, but who knows if there's been something in the climate--a physical cause would be the easiest to remedy...in a manner of speaking," E'lai said, shrugging. If it turned out to be some kind of infertility-causing plague, on top of everything else--that would be a bit much.

Because they are too busy thinking of their past success to realize the future relies on more than empty promises. When Thread returns, they will be sorry for the lack of them! Eltimioth seemed almost savagely smug in her statement.

"Or maybe by then they'll have seen the error of their ways," E'lai said softly. It probably depended how far off Thread's reoccurrence really was.

I have not-- Eltimioth began, but stopped midthought, head swerving to the entrance of the weyr with rapt attention.

E'lai jumped about half a foot when the firelizard egg warming by the hearth gave a loud crack, and he rushed over to its side, grabbing a few meatrolls he'd gotten for evening refreshment on his way. He'd been checking it thrice daily (Eltimioth wouldn't let him forget) but somehow until this moment it had once again slipped his mind. The egg gave another crack--Eltimioth was snaking her head in the entryway to get a better look--and then the kreeling came as a golden firelizard emerged from the shattered shell. E'lai sat there in absolute awe for a moment.

I told you I chose the best, Eltimioth said smugly. Now feed it!

E'lai hastened to comply, and tried not to get his fingers nipped off by the starving flit. "Slow down, there's plenty more," he said soothingly, though the gold (like Eltimioth he thought with a snort) seemed to pay him little mind in her quest for a full belly.

"I suppose Eltimioth might have better luck getting a gold to find her shiny things than one of the more distractable sorts," E'lai agreed wryly. The little gold had soon had her fill and scrambled up E'lai's arm remarkably nimbly when one accounted for her distended belly, and then settled herself on the greenrider's shoulder with a questioning trill of her own back to Ruby. "She'll be Kirel," he added, stroking the hatchling carefully along the back.

I shall have E'lai-mine teach her many tricks, Eltimioth said with a happy rumble.

Perhaps all of us shall train them both together, Eltimioth agreed. I am sure the little crimson one can learn many tasks. There was no telling what the green dragon was secretly plotting behind whirling blue eyes, but she was definitely going to be up to something.

Kirel cocked her head to one side as she listened intently to the song, and made an attempt of echoing back before deciding she'd overexerted herself and flopped her head down making a little whuff sort of noise that sounded remarkably like a sigh. E'lai couldn't help but chuckle at her. "Give it a few days, then, I'm sure you'll be able to manage the same," he reassured her. Kirel did not seem to be listening, for she'd closed her eyes and appeared to be quite soundly asleep.

"Nothing wrong with listening to Harpers," he added with a grin, "but if Ruby persists in her singing, you're going to have that Harpergirl Akaya politely demanding you help with that choral group of hers. Though, given Tereth, you're probably already doomed..."

"Judging by that lengthy silent discussion you just seem to have had, I repeat myself--doomed!" E'lai said, taking note of the all too familiar glazed eye look everyone got when speaking to their dragon. He hadn't expected Tereth to try and rope Eltimioth in, but really he shouldn't be surprised at all... "I don't know if she has the attention span. Or the ability to make anything resembling music, considering she prefers simply to be loud. I've gathered from my scant experience with Harpers that loud is not good in group singing. Humming. Whatever it is you'd be up to."

Eltimioth made a whuffish-snorting noise of protest at the slight to her character. I can be very attentive when I want to be. And I bet a better singer than most too!

"That would be your ego talking, my lovely green," E'lai said wryly. "Of course if there's a competition, you'll try your best if only to win bragging rights."

And I am not fit to be bragged about? Eltimioth asked slyly. E'lai rolled his eyes.