Daring Heroics
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: Sia
Date Posted: 15th April 2025
Characters: K'leriac
Description: The floodwaters impact more than just the caves
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 5, day 5 of Turn 12
While Azure, Cobalt, and Cyan rushed to aid those trapped in the caves, Teal Wing was sent on sweep to survey any other flood damage in the area. The heavy autumn rainfall had swollen the rivers nearby and it was expected that there'd be more people in danger than just those that flagged for help.
What had been a manageable ford just days ago was now a great torrent, churning with debris and dragging trees downstream like twigs. K’leraic directed Obrianth to land just along the flood's edge, scanning the cluster of wagons half-submerged in the rushing water. A trader waded chest-deep beside a panicked runnerbeast, trying to cut it free from the traces before it was swept under. Others clung to their wagons, faces pale with fear.
Obrianth's talons sank into the muck and the bronze shuffled uneasily.
}: The current is pulling at them.:{ Obrianth warned.
"I see it." K'leriac's grip tightened on the straps. Obrianth could maybe lift one wagon out at a time, _if_ the wagons weren't lashed together, if the runnerbeasts didn't panic further, if the people could hold on to a lifted caravan. Too many ifs. He'd have to go. He reached into the pack of emergency supplies he'd strapped to Obrianth's harness and pulled out a length of rope. He slid down the dragon's side and sank into the mud with a gross squelch and quickly tied the rope to his harness, then attached it to Obrianth's chest strap. **Like we've practiced, right buddy?**
Obrianth’s low growl vibrated through his chest. }: Be careful. Nysarth is on the way. :{
The water was colder than he expected, shockingly so, and the current seized at his legs immediately. He fought against it, pushing toward the nearest wagon. A man reached out from the driver’s bench, clutching at his arm.
“Help my daughter"she’s trapped!”
K’leraic didn’t hesitate. He hauled himself onto the wagon bed, where a girl, no older than twelve, struggled against tangled netting meant to keep cargo in place. He grabbed his belt knife and slashed through the pieces, catching her as she stumbled free.
He turned, meaning to lift her up so she could climb atop the wagon until they could get the runners free, but the moment his foot shifted, something sharp and jagged raked along his lower leg. He couldn't see what it was in the opaque, brown river water, but a muddy wheel rim bobbed once in the water further downstream and disappeared from view.
Pain flared; sharp, immediate, deep. He hissed through his teeth but didn’t stop moving. He had the girl. That was what mattered.
"Climb up there for now, that's it." He encouraged as the girl scrambled up into the relative safety of the caravan roof. "We're going to get you out."
K’leraic turned back to the others. They had work to do.
K'leriac was numb by the time help had arrived in the form of two other wingriders from Teal, the last of the traders were helped to safety, the wagons pulled free, and the runnerbeasts collected on the far bank, away from the bronze and two greens. Obrianth crouched low for K'leriac to slowly clamber aboard, his usual grace tempered by fatigue.
}: You are bleeding.:{
“I know.” K’leraic’s voice was tight. He reached for the straps, but his fingers were slow to obey. "I'm fine, buddy. I'll get a bandage when we're done. Tell Isaoth we're back in the air."
Obrianth did not argue. He only launched into the air, continuing the route where they left off.
Last updated on the April 15th 2025