Taken By the Tide

Writers: Aaron, Avery, Corrin, Duskdog, Halyonix, Heather, Sia, Yvonne
Date Posted: 2nd April 2025
Series: The Perfect Storm

Characters: Saibra, I'serin, M'kayre, K'far, L'val, T'gyrlan, Oselle, Tsaera, E'kavas, A'len, S'lahr
Description: The leadership of DFW issues orders on how to handle the evolving crisis
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 5 of Turn 12
Notes: Feel free to spin off your own stories about what is happening!

Saibra

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" A'len asked of S'lahr as he saw the Wingleader leaving the Dining Hall with a thoughtful scowl that spoke of something urgent. A'len had learned to pick up on such things and had also learned how to pry for information without coming across as outright nosy. "Thread's not falling today, is it?" he joked.

S'lahr paused momentarily. Gave A'len one of his critical, guarded looks. "The Weyrwoman has called the Wingleaders to meet right now," he answered.

Interesting. "Well, then by all means, let's not keep the Weyrwoman waiting," A'len replied with a lightheartedness that belied the situation. He began heading towards the Weyrwoman's office.

S'lahr stretched his long legs to keep up. "The _Wingleaders_, A'len. Not all bronzeriders," he pointed out.

A'len resisted the urge to grate his teeth together at the distinction. "Well, we'll let her toss me out if she deems my lowly presence an issue," he answered, effectively silencing the Wingleader as they walked. By the time they arrived, there was a rapidly gathering crowd. As S'lahr strode forward to take his rightful place, A'len held back, gauging the mood. He took note of who was there, who was arriving...

And realized that his blasted Weyrleader son was not here.

He would have words with that useless boy later. For now, he nodded sharply at each arriving leader, quietly reaffirming that _he_ deserved to be here even if he didn't hold the same titular rank, while they all waited for Saibra to speak.

While K'far was not a wingleader, he felt it was wiser to attend and be told he was not needed than to assume.

The door opened again but it was the Headwoman who hurried through, looking out of place in her grey dress amidst the flight leathers. Her keys clanked at her side as she approached the table and whispered something to the Weyrwoman. But she didn't leave-- she instead took a spot at Saibra's side, her hands clasped and her expression opaque as she surveyed the men around them.

Saibra's eyebrow quirked at A'len's presence. "Bronzerider A'len, I thank you for your zeal, but this is a leadership meeting. Your Wingleader will pass along information to you presently. Thank you," she said, effectively dismissing the man. The older bronzerider left with bow but there was a glitter of anger in his eyes.

"Riders, thank you for gathering so quickly." Her eyes glanced at Tsaera as well. "Earlier one of our sweepriders was flagged down by a group of Holdless living in a system of caves in our southern mountain range. With the immense amount of rain, the run-off from the mountain has flooded the caves. They have several people trapped. We have agreed to help extract their people. For those who want refuge, Headwoman Oselle will be setting up tents, food, and clothing. We will need dragoriders to help in the rescue and in the transportation of these people."

"Teal Wing stands ready to assist," S'lahr said, stepping forward. "How many riders do we need sent?"

"Cobalt is ready to render aid as well," said T'gyrlan after a glance at R'enh. "It sounds like things are well set up to get these holdless back on their feet." Here he nodded at Oselle. "I understand we need to move quickly, but what precautions are in place to protect the people of the weyr who already look to us? We don't know who we'll be bringing in, and let's be honest-- some people are holdless for sharding good reasons." He didn't see the need to mention it outright, but the recent attacks at both Dolphin's Cove and Barrier Lake were very much on his mind.

"That is my concern, as well," M'kayre said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Saving trapped people is one thing -- something we're certainly ready and able to do -- but taking in a large number of strangers? In these times where we've already been compelled to protect our goldriders? We'll need further guard presence, which I'll organize once we've returned." He said it as if it were a foregone conclusion. "For now, Azure Wing -- and everyone else -- will be ready to go within no more than a quarter-candlemark." _Or else_ was the unspoken addendum. So long as I'serin wasn't here to take command, the dragonriders of Dragonsfall were going to live up to _his_ standards, and he'd not tolerate any laziness, shirking, or general shenanigans.

}:Aluneth,:{ Bhelth relayed after a silent command from his rider. }:Where are you?:{

}: At the caves. I'serin is assessing the situation, :{ Aluneth replied. }: He can see some forty people that need rescuing already but there are others trapped that we cannot reach immediately. :{

L'val had Kyverth give Cyan Wing dragons an order to prepare to be called up for rescue operations, while taking a hide and noting down who he'd prefer to call up for that from his own wing, given their individual strengths. As he listened for responses, he heard a slightly louder than usual commotion in the back of his head as the Wingleaders had their dragons send commands out to their wing's dragons. A full Weyr response on a non-Threadfall day wasn't typical, after all.

Which gave him a thought regarding organization. Wingmates tended to work very well together due to familiarity, so would it be more sensible to have nines from multiple wings arrive to make up a wing or two's worth, or to just have two unified wings arrive?

"Would the Weyrleader's preference be a small contingent from each wing, or to send two or three full wings, while holding back the rest for operative concerns around the rest of the territory?" he asked the Weyrsecond.

M'kayre did not ask the Weyrleader. As far as he was concerned, the Weyrleader should have conveyed his orders already if he had a preference.

}:It seems Aluneth and his rider may have their hands and claws full saving people right now,:{ Bhelth pointed out with uncharacteristic fairness. }:Can we just go now? I want to help!:{

"Azure, Cyan, and Cobalt will go," M'kayre decided. "As for the rest of you, stay, but consider yourselves at-the-ready for now. Select a couple of your best sweepriders, divide up sectors, and send them out to scout the rest of the territory. If these caverns have been flooded out, then there may be others elsewhere who require aid, as well. Report back anything unusual or which seems to require our attention. We'll assign the other wings to those tasks as needed if any arise. If we require further help at the caverns, we'll call for it."

"Please have your Wingriders escort anyone brought back to the Weyr into the Dining Hall. My assistants are ready to take their names and provide them what they need from there," Oselle said.

E'kavas half-listened to Roquath as he relayed the message to each member of Azure Wing. **Can you ask-**

}: Relsath and Panghuth will meet us there with Cyan. :{ Roquath said. }: The little ones are fine on their own. :{

E'kavas wasn't sure about that, but he didn't have time to think more deeply about it. "Azure is organizing." E'kavas said instead. "Are you leading Azure or coordinating from here, M'kayre?"

"Leading Azure, and coordinating on-site," M'kayre replied immediately. "I'll need to be able to see for myself in order to determine operations." He paused, then, reluctantly added, "If the Weyrleader chooses to take command once we arrive, then we'll reassess what's needed."

"Tsaera is going to be managing the incoming and outgoing dragonriders here, as well as overseeing the Holdless being funneled into the Dining Cavern, while I go to the flood site." She needed to see what was happening with her own eyes. "Once they're in the Dining Cavern, our Headwoman," she glanced to Oselle, "will see that they're fed, seated, and given basic necessities. We'll hold them in the Dining Cavern until temporary housing can be set up."

Saibra looked around at the gathered men in the room. "Thank you all for your quick responses. Keep in touch and clear skies." At that moment the rain seemed to intensify to a roar.

Last updated on the April 15th 2025

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Taken By the Tide