Fanning Flames

Writers: Avery, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 29th July 2016

Characters: Corran, Nohria
Description: Corran receives frightening news.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 7, day 8 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Eraklin (NPC), K'ran, Karhal, Goulan (ONPC).
Note: This happened to fit the criteria for Challenge Week Two, "Favors". Thanks, forces of serendipity!

Corran sat on the bed with the letter in his hands, reading it one more time. He was supposed to be packing up to leave for home, but his mind was still reeling in disbelief at the news. He'd begun to think all the banditry issue would do was cause trouble here at Amber Hills, and he'd been glad his parents were far away.

But now they had their own misfortune. He'd have to leave Amber Hills to see to them. And what would happen in his absence? But what would happen to his family, if he didn't go?

Nohria wasn't supposed to be at the guards' barracks. It didn't need to be cleaned. But there she was, hovering outside the door, because Eraklin had returned a couple days prior with word the deed was done. She had felt so much when she heard: Relief Corran's parents weren't hurt; sorrow and regret that such measures were needed; worry for Corran and what he might do. But getting him out of the Hold was so necessary. She should be glad he would have to go, yet she also felt guilt for having a hand in this.

She shouldn't say anything. Their conversations had been so awkward after the hatching at River Bluff Weyr, especially after her meeting with Goulan and her nightmare. Her feelings were so tangled, but at least she could still say she hadn't fallen for the guard. She liked him, yes, wanted him physically, but desire and liking someone did not equate love. Though really, it would be better if she left now, so she turned to go.

The sound of scraping attracted Warden's attention. The brown firelizard had been perched on a rafter. When he saw a familiar figure, he cheeped loudly at Nohria. He remembered her. His person thought a lot about her. She had helped him. So the flit dropped down to land on her shoulder.

"Yeek!" Nohria jumped at the unexpected weight, and gawked at Warden in astonishment. This was the first time she'd ever had a fire-lizard on her person. "What are you doing here? You're going to give me away," she whispered. "Come on, shoo." She tried to chivvy Warden off her shoulder without raising her voice or making too many wild gestures that might scare him overmuch.

He cheeped even louder. Instead of leaving, he dug in with his claws to balance. Was this a game? It was fun!

"Ow!" Nohria yelped, not nearly as quietly as intended; her clothing didn't have the padding wise flit owners sewed into the shoulders of tunics and other garments. Warden would likely draw blood very soon, so she tried to catch his middle in her hands. "You're going to give me away, silly boy! Stop that!"

The flit shrilled at the grab. She was supposed to wiggle! Or pet! Grabbing was not petting!

Inside the barracks, Corran felt a sudden surge of alarm from Warden, and a sound outside. He worried that something had gone horribly wrong, and started towards the door, boots slapping against the stone.

Unfortunately for her, Nohria heard that. "Oh, no," she moaned. "See what you've done?" she scolded Warden wearily, and turned around just as the door opened. "Hello, Guard Corran. I appear to have picked up a passenger. Might you know him?" she weakly added, trying for a joke
since she wasn't sure how else she could handle the situation.

Corran was very glad to see it was Nohria and Warden, and not something like a full-fledged bandit invasion. "I do indeed. Warden, what are you doing now? Are you getting stuck in things again? Because after the bottle incident…"

"No, I was just passing by and he decided to say hello." Nohria tried nudging the little brown one more time. "You don't look well. Are you sick?" she inquired, as if she didn't know what was happening in his life.

"No, I haven't had to be back to the infirmary since my head got hit." And he was glad for that.

He wondered for a moment if he should tell her. But Nohria was his friend. Or so he'd thought... "I'm packing to go home."

"You don't look happy about that," Nohria pretended to note. "Is something wrong?"

"A fire," he said. "They'll need to go somewhere... I don't know what would happen. But they're too old for this." He sighed. "I can't believe our home survived the quake only for there to be a fire."

Nohria felt a flash of alarm, and then told herself not to be ridiculous. His parents were the stubborn sort; they wouldn't abandon their home because of fire damage, right? And surely they had neighbors who would shelter them. There was no need to worry. So, playing her role, she stepped up to Corran and touched his chest without really thinking about it. "It will be all right," she said soothingly. "They have you and K'ran to offer aid, so you don't have to worry."

Warden shifted as Nohria came closer, and extended his nose to touch his owner even as he continued to not want to dislodge himself.

"Karhal approved my leave request, but not for long. I hope my brother can help. I have to send him a message with Warden, anyway." the logistics were overwhelming and he felt tired. He raised up his hand to touch it to Nohria's.

His skin felt far too pleasant on hers. "Well then, he can do that now, and I'll help you pack," Nohria said briskly, as if taking control of the situation. "Warden, off. Guard Corran needs your help." She had no idea how to make the fire-lizard understand that, though.

Warden cheeped in a sad tone. Corran held out his hands and beckoned the flit, who finally disentagled himself and crawled onto his person. Corran headed back into the barracks and sat down on his bed, reaching for a writing implement. He added his own handwriting to his mother's note.

"- going out there to see what can be done. Don't know what I'll find - C"

Then he tied the little envelope to Warden's foot and stared the brown straight in the eye. "To Rogueth. You know him? Rogueth. Big bronze. You like him." He imagined the dragon very carefully, and Warden warbled and flew off into the air before blinking /between/.

That done, Corran sighed again and turned to Nohria. "I am sorry he annoyed you."

"I've had worse animal encounters," Nohria said truthfully, slipping a hand under her collar to probe the irritated skin on her shoulder. Satisfied no blood was drawn, she put her hands on her hips. "Now, your packing. Depending on how long your parents will need you, you should have at least three shirts and three pairs of trousers, and a good pair of boots."

"Maybe four shirts because traveling. But no more, as I don't have the time off," he mused. "Thick socks and…"

"Gloves and a jacket. How many of these do you have?" the drudge inquired. "I can show you how to fit nearly everything into one bag." If he traveled light, he would be gone sooner and hopefully not come back for at least two sevendays.

"Jackets two, gloves three pairs, and that would be appreciated." He brought up a travel bag and began to lay out the pants and shirts, but then rolled up smallclothes himself to tuck into the side, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Nohria didn't even bat an eye. She'd seen men's underthings before. Instead she worked swiftly and accurately, folding up clothing and packing the bag, trying not to think about how this was getting Corran's scent on her hands.

"I appreciate the assistance," he said after a moment. "You're probably very busy and you don't need to waste time with my problems."

"It's nothing." Nohria bit her lip. "I- I guess I couldn't let you go off without some kind of word, or assistance, or- or lingering awkwardness." She had to say something, so why not that? Even if it wasn't entirely true. (Or it was.)

He hadn't expected that and blinked. "I'm grateful. For that."

"Really, it's nothing." Nohria gave him the bag. "There you go. Virtually everything you need except for the gloves, boots, and coat, all in one place."

"That's very handy. And I'll be wearing out the rest," he said, taking the bag from her and starting to tuck the spare gloves into it.

"I'll miss you, you know," he blurted out.

Oh. Damn. She hadn't expected that. And knowing Corran, it was sincere. It looked as though the previous awkwardness hadn't cooled his desire to court her. The drudge wished Warden would suddenly come back and save her from having to reply, but she wasn't so lucky. "It will be strange not having you here," she stated, figuring that was good enough. Would she miss him too? Hopefully not.

"Well, I should take care of things," he said after the moment dragged out. He'd said something wrong again, but he didn't know what. His mind was too muddled by worry to think it through. "I guess I'll see you when I get back?"

"You will," Nohria agreed. "Good luck." She inclined her head and made for the door, as if to resume her duties.

Last updated on the August 3rd 2016

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Fanning Flames