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N'mol wished that he had known Kindra was going, and that he hadn't been tangled in a wing practice at the time. By the time Suunath was leaving and Tyeth informed him of it, the Dawn Fliers were already well into their practice. If he had left, N'mol would not only have been breaking his own rules, but he would have been abandoning his wingriders. As a Wingleader, his duty came first to them, so that was where he stayed. To have gone after the practice ended would have seemed strange, too, so N'mol stayed at the Weyr and tried to focus on planning with Ji'vren until Tyeth informed him that Suunath and her fuming rider had returned.

Of course, Bereck had done nothing to censor Kindra's tongue, so N'mol had no idea of how much she may have said that would have seemed offensive to the Hold-born new rider. Bereck was a Greenrider, N'mol couldn't have expected it of him, but he wished someone had gone with her who had the presence of mind and authority to keep her in check when she needed it. (Which really only left him, Narisa, or D'lin, if he thought about it.)

N'mol knew that traveling to the Hold that evening wouldn't help. Natai would need time to process her visit and come down from any bad feelings caused if Kindra had pushed as much as N'mol thought she may have. Instead, he spent the evening soothing Kindra and learning what had happened on her trip to the Hold. He was sure a lot of her story was colored by her own irritation with the proceedings, but he got the gist of it and decided that it couldn't be too soon for a visit to meet this new rider and make sure that she hadn't been entirely turned away from the Weyr by anything Kindra may have said. Only caution tempered his desire to go see the girl the next day. He knew part of his anxiety to meet her involved fears that the Revolutionists would get there first-- and they might very well not ask nicely, unless Keller changed strategies-- and stepped on it firmly. One day wouldn't hurt.

Tyeth had been all too happy to go meet a new Gold, so on the third day N'mol directed him to the Hold with the intention of requesting to speak to Natai through the girl's family. The Hold they appeared over was bustling with folk going about their business, but a quick sweep of his eyes didn't show any glinting metallic hide at first. Tyeth began gradually lowering his altitude, looking for a space large enough for him to land in without disrupting anything.

Other concerns came to mind on the trip down. N'mol was only 17 Turns and it sounded as if Natai was older, but N'mol looked older than his age. Though he was still a young rider, that appearance helped. However, it was his rank that helped his words hold weight, and he hoped that the new Goldrider would respect that rank as well, even though she was Holdborn and had never been to a Weyr.

I sense the Gold on the other end of the Hold. His Bronze sounded very sure.

Other dragons?

No, just one very young female dragon.

The other dragons were all accounted for, so that had to be her. Land us there, but try to give them enough space that I'll have to walk to them. If she thinks we're crowding her she might not want to talk. Kindra's already been here, and we don't know who else may have come calling.

Tyeth followed the instructions, sailing over the Hold to land on the outskirts. N'mol saw the Gold and her rider as they passed overhead. Mealtime, then. Maybe that would make the conversation flow more easily.

The giant Bronze landed with room to spare and N'mol unstrapped efficiently with the speed born of great practice. He slid off of his dragon, who rumbled softly in approval of the display of acrobatics, rather than climbing down, and removed his helmet as he started toward the young woman and her dragon.

Greetings, Gold Iachixth. I am Tyeth, of Trine, he introduced as N'mol walked over to handle the human part of the introductions.

Tyeth had landed far enough out that N'mol had the time to assess Natai as he walked over. Kindra hadn't been happy in the slightest that Natai hadn't chosen in that moment to travel back to the Weyr. N'mol didn't understand Natai's reluctance either (who turned down training that would help make her life easier and keep her and her dragon safe?), but he assumed it had something to do with her family and the inability to come to terms with leaving home. That was usually the reason that Holders hesitated to come to the Weyr-- usually they didn't already have a dragon, of course, but N'mol gathered that Natai's reasoning had something to do with that. Otherwise, he couldn't see a reasonable argument for not going to get training on being a dragonrider.

"Good afternoon. I'm sorry to disturb you." He smiled at Iachixth lolling on the ground in a very undignified manner and then turned his eyes back to Natai, the same charming, amiable smile on his face. "I'm N'mol, rider of Bronze Tyeth. May I join you?" He gestured between Natai and her Gold; knowing Kindra, she would have been so intent on talking to the new Goldrider that she probably hadn't thought to ask the first time.

Iachixth's instinctive and unexpected protection of her rider showed that N'mol had been right to wait a few days. He would have to talk to Kindra about how to handle other people; then again, Goldriders tended to expect to get what they wanted, regardless of the situation. Kestril hadn't been any different. The other option was that she had received a less-than-pleasant visit from the Revolutionists, one that had put her on her guard. That sent a coil of tension through N'mol's otherwise calm attitude.

Shall I quell her fears? Tyeth asked, eying Iachixth as her rider tried to talk her down.

No. Let me handle it. I don't think it's the Gold that's having the trouble meeting new people.

"I wouldn't dream of taking your lunch, but thank you. Please, don't stand on my account. I hope you'll let your dragon know I don't mean any harm." N'mol settled carefully onto the ground a foot or so from Natai, more to put the pair at ease than out of any actual fear. Dragons couldn't hurt humans, period. Whether the Gold postured or not, he wasn't in any real danger from her. "She has good reflexes." N'mol watched her for a moment, aware she was likely conversing with Tyeth, and then turned his eyes to Natai. He decided not to address that she was still referring to herself as a Holder and not as a rider; it could simply be ignorance, rather than willful rejection of her new status (he hoped that was the reason anyway).

"I'm from Trine," he shrugged the shoulder with his knots on it to emphasize, "So, once the other two riders who visited you returned, your names got around fairly quickly. Everyone's worried or curious about the pair of you."

It took Tyeth only a moment to understand that the young dragon, away from the Weyr has she had been, did not mean her own mother, but likely a relative of her human partner. He rumbled slightly as he settled into a sitting position, looking as regal as he generally acted. I am flattered by your generous and noble offer, but I have already eaten recently. Enjoy your lunch for the both of us, and don't dream of letting us interrupt you. A growing dragon needs as much food as he or she can receive in order to reach full stature.

His eyes whirled with amusement as he resettled his large wings, but then he looked contrite. My rider and I apologize for startling her. We only intended to come and introduce ourselves so that we could meet you. Tyeth lowered his head slightly so that he was closer to the ground. We did, I hope, leave ample space to give you both time to prepare for my rider reaching you. It was not our purpose to crowd you.

N'mol looked a bit alarmed as Natai tossed the entire uncut innards at her Gold and lifted a hand in protest before hesitating and dropping it.

"If I might make a suggestion as someone with a bit of experience with raising small dragons," he said, watching Iachixth carefully, prepared to leap into action if she gobbled the entrails up whole, as most young dragons would. "Regardless of what meat you're feeding her, cut it into smaller pieces. Dragon babies have been known to choke on their food if you don't. Iachixth clearly hasn't done it yet, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. Young dragons are... voracious when it comes to food." N'mol glanced back at Tyeth, recalling his own early days with his partner. "Baby dragons aren't like the predatory beasts of Pern. You can't just throw a chunk at them and expect them to remember to chew it thoroughly."

He glanced between Natai and her knife, but kept his face carefully blank. He didn't know this girl, so her temper and amiability was still a question, especially given the uncertain nature of her invitation to join her. Still, if she was doing something that risked her dragon, he would rather say something and earn her ire than let her kill her dragon.

He wanted to defend Kindra, because he knew her motives, but that would be less than prudent at this time, especially when Natai would have no reason to believe him unless she got to know Kindra-- which, at the moment, seemed unlikely. He left the topic alone for the moment; there were more important concerns than whether she liked Kindra or not.

Tyeth took the chatty dragonet's words with patience and tilted his head at her. Your wings are too small right now to lift you in flight, but I do not think that makes you a... "bug." When you get larger, you will have to be trained to fly, so that you do not hurt yourself when you try. We are all trained when we reach a certain size and age, so that we may carry our riders. Among other things. As for the worry, it comes from concern for your welfare and training-- and the training your rider requires.

Tyeth's eyes were green as he conversed with this small, curious queen. He had not had much occasion to speak with the young, but they were like any other dragon, only with simpler desires. There are many other places on Pern that I am sure are equally as fun. At the Weyr, there would be other dragons with whom you would be able to play and have fun with, also. Whom do you play with here other than your rider?

N'mol was lucky he wasn't prone to ruffled feathers, or Natai's tone when she corrected him might have offended him. Her comment about having a son was of more import at the moment, though, and it certainly complicated things. If she was married, a mother, that would explain her hesitancy in coming to the Weyr. It was rare for those who already had begun building families to Impress, simply because they usually refused to leave if they were selected by a Searchdragon. Natai, with her Gold coming to her, hadn't had much choice. N'mol simply watched Iachixth for a moment longer before returning to Natai. Her final question implied she expected he would tell her all the details of what rumors Kindra was supposedly spreading. However, even if she had been expressing herself to someone other than him, N'mol wasn't inclined to betray Kindra's confidences to a stranger.

"Kindra was unhappy with your decision, more than with you. I'm surprised that, as a mother, you didn't understand that." N'mol looked away for a moment, a disturbed expression coming to his face. Had Kindra not explained why it was important for Natai to return to the Weyr? Why she was so adamant about returning Suunath's daughter home? He couldn't imagine she would be that tactless, especially when Natai appeared aware that they could be kidnapped at any given time. "I am aware that Kindra isn't the best at expressing herself in polite terms. I don't know what she said to you to give you the impression that she would spread unkind rumors about you," he looked back to her, making eye contact so she could see he was being honest, "but please understand that the whole of Trine Weyr is concerned about the Weyrlings and dragons that are still missing.

"We had seven of our eggs stolen from Suunath's Clutch in the dead of night. Dragons who were supposed to hatch in safety and warmth hatched in dangerous circumstances, alone or surrounded by strangers instead of their siblings. Most of them we managed to save and return to the Weyr, along with their new riders, but a Brown left with the Revolutionists to save the lives of a Green and her rider, and Iachixth and you are here. To still have Weyrlings away from the Weyr is... stressful, especially for Kindra and Suunath."

N'mol began rolling a pebble in one palm, trying to decide how much Natai didn't know and how much he should reveal. "Are you familiar with the behavior of brooding Golds at all, Natai? Did Kindra explain why this Clutch was important?"

N'mol's eyebrows shot up at her accusation, but he let Natai speak her piece. She had mentioned a son, not that she had lost him. Judging from her reaction, he was assuming it wasn't death-- hoped that he hadn't stepped in so large a hole-- but it clearly hurt her all the same. "I apologize. You mentioned you had a son and I had meant it as an observation of your similarities, not as a guilt trip. I didn't realize you were separated from him. I'm sorry for your loss.

"Kindra hasn't spoken at large about the details of her trip here." N'mol smiled in amusement. "And she didn't mention anyone being covered in mud to me." He glanced at Iachixth, certain that the dragon had something to do with that. It would be like some of them to get into trouble at any opportunity, especially in a crowded place not suited to deal with the antics of a baby dragon.

A nickname from her rider, then. Interesting. The Gold's naivete made him desire to keep his banter with her light, and as always, a Bronze was a gentleman to a lady Gold. The deeper, adult discussions that N'mol was having with her rider would be too far outside the grasp of a recent hatchling, so Tyeth was free to leave that part of the conversation to him and indulge the little one in her flights of fancy. And who wins, when you play tag? Are you the fastest in the group?

And deep discussions N'mol was going to have with her, too. Duty was not always easy. "You weren't far off in your assessment of brooding Golds. I'll see if I can explain, though keep in mind I'm not Bonded to a Gold myself, so there's only so much I can get across." N'mol dropped the pebble he'd been holding and ran the hand over his opposing arm.

"You've doubtless heard of the uprising of the wherhandlers, how Benden and Malvren were rousted from their homes and ended up at Trine. Kindra, and myself, are from Benden. We came to Trine to help when we realized our home Weyr was already lost to us. Our Weyrleader didn't come with us; our Weyrwoman was killed before Suunath was even Hatched." N'mol was not going to dwell on W'lin. He was in the past now, and N'mol was more than happy to leave him there. He'd done nothing but bring trouble to the Weyr, even when he thought he was helping them. N'mol reminded himself to keep his story brief, so she didn't think he was giving her a sermon or a sob story. "The point is that, as far as we know, Suunath is the last of the Benden bloodline. She is also a very young Gold. Iachixth," he looked at the Gold still happily accepting her rider's ministrations, "Isn't just one of her Gold daughters. She is the only Gold daughter. This Clutch was Suunath's first. That she had a Gold in her first Clutch, especially since she Rose so young, was surprising." He gave a brief tilt of his head to acknowledge the accomplishment. "And it gave all of us hope that despite the wherhandlers attempts, the dragonriders would be able to continue. For Suunath, a first time mother, it made her very protective, and Golds are usually insanely jealous of their Clutches to begin with."

N'mol looked back at Tyeth, who sent a wave of comfort his way. Though the Clutch was not his, he looked at the eggs as Suunath's and the next generation of riders to be added to their wing. In that way, all were important. The Gold was important for another reason, of course, and he cared for her safety as much as the others. N'mol's shoulders relaxed slightly at Tyeth's soothing and he gave Natai a half-smile. "Dragons in general don't have very long memories. Suunath has likely forgotten how potent her rage was when her children were first stolen from her. As humans, we remember it very well. However, as you are beginning to discover for yourself, you feel what your dragon feels as they feel your emotions. While we observed, Kindra lived through that moment and the days that followed with her Gold. She felt that rage and fear as if it was her own, and she still remembers it. I'm not excusing her behavior," and he wasn't trying to, because Goldriders should know how to keep their manners even in tense situations, "But can you at least understand why, after being thrilled to discover Suunath's daughter was safe, hearing you tell her that you didn't want to return to the safety of the Weyr and return Iachixth to her mother would upset her?

"I know you have family here. Responsibilities." N'mol looked over at the Holders who had taken interest in his conversation with Natai, though none of them came over. His words were not demanding, but earnest and direct. Honest, because this was clearly a woman who would rather hear the plain truth spoken than have someone dress up their words with flowery language. "But now that a dragon has Impressed to you you have a responsibility to her, too. I'm sure it isn't an easy choice, what to do now that you've Impressed, but it's one you are going to have to make eventually. You, Iachixth, can't stay at the Hold for the rest of your lives."

There were easily a double handful of reasons for that, but N'mol seemed to realize he'd said a great deal and stopped himself from continuing. She would need to process that, would need to ask questions, would (in all likelihood) feel the need to again reiterate that she wasn't leaving the Hold ever. There was plenty of time to talk, and N'mol wouldn't burden her with more just yet.

Her legs were rather long for a hatchling; Tyeth hoped she would be a good sized female when she grew. I have not tripped in quite some time. However, I was once your size and I may have had less grace of movement than I do now. Herdbeasts are delicious, yes. They are the most common food we have at the Weyr. It is always pleasant to eat and then sun by the lakes. Tyeth watched Iachixth for a moment, and then sank down to a laying pose, his own tail twitch idly.

While Tyeth kept Iachixth occupied, N'mol studied Natai as she did as he expected, and went beyond it. She didn't even know the color of the dragons he was talking about. "Crimsons Clutch, if they survive to adulthood, yes, but they are mutation colors. Their breeding isn't guaranteed. Those who choose to breed instead of fight don't always Clutch. Most of the time, actually, they don't. A lot of that has to do with the weaknesses in the atypicals. Benden has no mutation colors. In order to hatch a mutation, the Weyrwoman has to actually break the atypical hatchling out of its shell because it's too weak to do so itself. If the hatchling doesn't die on the spot, he or she finds a rider. What follows is months of intensive care and a drain on Weyr resources."

N'mol smiled back, though he was of a split mind about her response. It seemed as if her warmth was just being used to push aside his words and take away his chance to refute what she was saying. Still, he wasn't about to be impolite when she was doing her best to react calmly and even appeared to be friendly.

"That's not really here or there, though. I appreciate that you're willing to learn the skills to keep Iachixth safe. That puts some of my fears at rest. I'll talk to Trine's Weyrleaders. However, keep in mind you're asking the Masters to, in addition to their duties to the Weyr, travel out here and reteach all of their lessons separately to you. Even if they do agree to do that, Natai, that's a temporary patch."

It was obvious that Natai's knowledge of the Weyr was even more severely limited than he had previously thought. There was the concern that Trine would send teachers out and she would ignore that she had to go to the Weyr anyway once they'd taught her what she needed to know, but the other option was not sending her teachers in an attempt to strong arm her into going to the Weyr, which wouldn't help either. It wasn't his call, in the end; he would just be the one to pass along her request. He'd never heard of Holders being so unaware of their duties to their Weyr before, though. This would not have happened at Benden.

"Iachixth is small now. I don't know what living arrangements you have for her, but she won't stay this size for long. Dragons grow quickly. Soon she'll outgrow doorways, she'll outgrow sheds, barns. There is no building in the Hold large enough to shelter her. However, dragons are tough. In all but the worst weather, she would be fine with sleeping outside." His tone was even, a concerned acquaintance trying to warn her of difficulties she appeared not to have even considered yet. "Except that as she grows the herds, if they aren't already skittish around her, will balk at her presence, be it sight or smell that tells them she is near. They know she's a predator, and when she begins picking her own food rather than having you kill and butcher it for her, they'll be in terror whenever she's near the Hold."

"Beyond that, you do tithe to Trine. The tithes serve to help feed dragons. You would be asking your friends and neighbors to not only donate some of their herds and supplies to the Weyr, but to sate Iachixth's adult appetite from their share on top if it. That's not meant to guilt you." He quickly held up his hands in defense, before she could get there. "It's just a fact. These are things you need to consider. Iachixth can play here now, but she won't long be able to run around in the streets of the Hold or play with non-dragon friends." He grinned and looked at Iachixth. "And she looks like the type who likes to play."

N'mol's smile was gone, but he wasn't about to rise to the bait with anger. She would want that, would want him to try to deny it anyway, to schmooze her so she could continue to take the moral high ground. He should have known it would end up like this from the beginning. Every word he'd said had been met with resistance. She was determined to stay at the Hold until the Revolutionists had her-- or her dragon caused so much trouble that she had no choices. And then she would probably go live in the jungle rather than go to the Weyr, because even though she had apparently already lost her son, she wanted to stay. That was unfortunate, and for a moment N'mol looked at her with sadness before his face smoothed out again.

Gently, N'mol, Tyeth counseled suddenly. She does not understand and she wishes everyone to stop trying to take her from her home. If you are not careful we may lose them for good.

This Gold was lost from the moment it Impressed to her. N'mol was reminded of the place and the time, however, and mentally took a deep breath and forced himself not to respond to all of her accusations and misconceptions as he wanted to. Nothing we would say could reach her, and I think that's she's latched onto what she considers a valid reason to villify me, I'm not going to get a second chance. She's still thinking about what's best for her and ignoring what's best for Iachixth in the hopes that she can make it work. There's going to be no getting through to her in that mindset. We just have to hope she doesn't get anyone killed.

"I'm sorry you see it that way. I don't need to think carefully. I reached out to all of the dragons who were taken from the Weyr. Gold or Green, yes, I would be here, asking you to consider returning to the Weyr. Even if Iachixth was a Crimson, I would be asking you to consider returning to the Weyr when you were ready. When a dragon Impresses, it is Impressed and it is valued, weak at first or not. Atypicals sometimes live full lives after Hatching. I'll concede that. I've seen proof. But the rest die on the Sands or after Impressing. Do you know what a rider goes through when their dragon dies?" N'mol's eyes were not exactly flinty, but they had lost their usual warmth and it was clear from the set of his mouth that he had realized she wasn't really listening, but he felt he had to try anyway. "I know you don't. And I hope you never have to find out." He wasn't going to take the time to explain it to her either; she would just say it didn't matter, because she had never seen a rider with his dragon ripped from him. She didn't understand and didn't want to.

"Since you are not willing to reconsider leaving the Hold, even for training, I will pass on your request to Weyrwoman Abigail and she can see if one of Trine's two Weyrlingmasters is willing to leave their home and duties to cater to you." N'mol stood and dusted off his pants. "I'm sorry I upset you. You're right. Other places will be willing to help-- in exchange for you going to them, now or when Iachixth gets older. Perhaps Trine or Southern will be more to your tastes than Benden. Trine's views, at least, are not Benden's. Trine's riders share the same view you do and they don't let any egg go uncracked, for good or evil."

He turned to go, then hesitated and turned back. "To note your threat, before I go." And it was a threat, even if she tried to hide it behind her false politeness and unwavering appearance of martyrdom. "Keep in mind that the men who stole Iachixth and their allies found it acceptable to ambush and outright murder humans and dragons alike. If your reason for not liking Benden is because atypicals don't hatch there, I can't imagine you'll like the wherhandlers any better. Their 'dud' or atypical wher eggs they kill without checking to see if there's viable life in it. I doubt they hatch atypical eggs there either. Be careful. I think they will come back for her. With emissaries making false promises or with ropes, they will come once they realize you're here. If you're determined to stay here, make a plan for when that happens. Unlike me, it's unlikely that they'll leave you when you ask, unless it's to try to use you for something."

What would happen when Iachixth Rose? N'mol looked down at the Gold and then glanced over at Tyeth, waiting with eyes whirling faintly with yellow. That was a ways off, and Natai wouldn't even consider it until the time was closer. He saw no reason to further alienate her by bringing it up now. He'd hoped he could explain things so that she would understand...

"I am sorry. Difference in views aside, I'm glad I at least had the chance to meet you." He bowed slightly to her. "Good luck and best wishes, Natai. Try not to let my visit ruin your day. If--" He stopped himself, then smiled faintly. No. Perhaps it was best if he kept his distance. She didn't want him in her home now, and that wasn't likely to change in the foreseeable future.

He turned and walked back to Tyeth, replacing his helmet as he went. It wasn't often that he drew such ire from others, but he knew in part it wasn't just him-- he had walked into this as the force trying to drive her from her home. He hadn't said or done the right things to soothe that fear, and so she had lashed out as soon as he had said something that was contrary to her personal views. However, Holders culled runt and crippled herdbeasts, and if sentience was the problem, than weak babies died here as much as anywhere else when they were unable to support themselves. The difference being that when they died they didn't take part of their caretaker's heart, soul and mind with them. Not to the point of suicide. He very much doubted that, true as that was, she would want to hear it, though. It was painful, to lose a rider, but N'mol knew when it was best to step away from a situation rather than continue contributing to it. It still stung and it was a failure on his part, none-the-less. Her view of Iachixth as "her baby" was another concern, but one he wouldn't bring up either. It was as if she viewed her not as a partner, but as a pet, or a permanent child. That dangerous kind of view...

Tyeth watched a rather defeated and concerned N'mol approach, and then looked back to Iachixth, only faint blue showing in his eyes now. He spoke to her as N'mol ascended the riding straps to his back. Good bye, Iachixth. I am sorry we upset your rider. Please be careful. It was nice to meet you and I would hate to hear that something had happened to you.