An Unknown Future
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 13th February 2025
Characters: J'nus, D'hol
Description: D'hol visits Kapera
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 2, day 9 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Kapera, Timassa, Cyradis, N'call, Cyradis, D'kere
Time stretched and J'nus wasn't sure if it was daylight or night. The background muttering of the Infirmary had eventually gotten to him, and so he'd relented to the needs of his body and left his chair by Kapera's side long enough to swallow a breadroll and find a book, which he brought back to her room and read aloud until his voice hurt. He paused to sip at the water someone had left at his side-- had someone come into the room? He should have noticed.
}:You should sleep,:{ Kopth rumbled in his mind. }:You cannot help her if you are sick yourself.:{
**I need to be here in case she wakes up,** J'nus replied. He closed his eyes and wished that he could bring Kopth into the Infirmary to be with them. He needed his dragon's sturdy presence.
There was a small pause. }:And what of tomorrow?:{
**What do you mean?**
}:Haloth has told me that he will lead the Wing tomorrow in drills, so long as you permit it.:{
Skybroom Wing. His Wing. J'nus winced, both horrified that he hadn't thought of them and unable to summon the energy to feel like it mattered. Kapera lay unmoving, barely breathing, dragonless, and somehow drills and Wing duties and ordinary life had to go on. It was ridiculous. **I can't...**
}:I know,:} Kopth said soothingly. }:I have already told Haloth that we will not fly while Riyanth's is in danger.:{
He should speak with D'hol and N'call and transfer leadership of the Wing over properly. The thought of leaving Kapera's room and talking about something so trivial felt insurmountable. J'nus rubbed his face and was startled at the rasp of stubble against his palms. }:I should... is Yumath's rider free? Ask Yumath if I can speak with him.:{
D'hol and Yumath had felt the loss of the Weyrwoman keenly. Yumath especially mourned his mate. Yet, there was J'nus who had been Kapera's strength and was now grieving. "J'nus," he said quietly as he entered the room in response to Kopth's request. "How is she doing?"
That question was impossible to answer, so J'nus shrugged. He didn't look up from Kapera's pale face. "Alive, I suppose. N'call will need to take over Skybroom. I'm sorry."
"I trust N'call and Haloth to do the job. You've trained them well." He walked over to where the bronzerider sat and laid a light hand on his shoulder. "I understand and there is no need to be sorry. I'd feel exactly the same if it were Cyradis laying there. But you must stay healthy. Can't Master Garion sit with her while you take a nap. I'm sure they can bring a cot in for you. Have they brought you anything to eat?"
"Yes. And I don't want her to wake up... alone." J'nus took Kapera's hand in his own. Unspoken was, 'if she does at all.'
"J'nus, for your own sanity you must think positive if she's going to survive this she's going to need you to _think_ she will."
It was hard to believe in a future right now. If he believed in anything though, it was Kapera. She was stubborn and strong-willed. If she wanted to survive, she would. And, selfishly, he knew now that he couldn't let her go. He tightened his grip on her hand. "I ran into D'kere. What do you know about the man who... did this? I know he's alive."
"He is," he said shortly. "But he's not your concern right now. You take care of Kapera and I'll handle him."
"I just... don't know what to say. If... when she wakes up." Kapera deserved to know what happened.
"Do you want me to send a mind healer?" D'hol knew the man cared deeply for Kapera and he'd be in the same condition if this had happened to Timassa or Cyradis.
J'nus watched the faint rise and fall of Kapera's chest. He loved words, books-- why did trying to find the right words seem like an impossible task? He realised that the silence was stretching long and D'hol was waiting for a reply. "I'd appreciate that."
D'hol put his hand on the man's shoulder. "We'll do everything we can for her," he promised.
"I know." But there wasn't much they could do. It was up to Kapera now, to decide if she would ever wake at all.
Last updated on the February 24th 2025