Medical Misadventures of Avicath
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: Noli, Shawna
Date Posted: 22nd July 2025
Characters: N'tur, N'kevyn, D'boran
Description: N’tur has to help with a difficult patient
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 9, day 9 of Turn 12
“Here’s something for you, N’tur,” D’boran sounded uncharacteristically cheerful. “We have a dragon here who needs some stitches removed. He has historically been a terrible patient. It’s good practice for you.”
“We’re right here and I can hear you,” N’kevyn said sourly.
D’boran didn’t even bother looking at the bronzerider, his attention on the apprentice and the dragon. “The ones at the top of his flank are newer and need a few more days, but all those on the lower leg are ready to come out. Good luck. Don’t let him step on you!” The greenrider gave N’tur a friendly slap on the back before retreating to give him some space to work.
“Avicath isn’t going to step on you,” N’kevyn reassured the younger man, giving D’boran a glare as he walked away. “He’ll be very still.”
}:But what if it hurts? I don’t want it to hurt.:{ The massive bronze’s eyes whirled with concern as he turned to look at the dragonhealer.
“... alright. He’ll be mostly still,” N’kevyn amended.
N'tur eyed the large dragon doubtfully. He had heard stories of Avicath's visits to the dragon infirmary, and was not at all convinced by N’kevyn's reassurances.
**Graileth, see if you can distract him,** N'tur instructed his brown as he pulled on a clean pair of gloves. Then he grabbed the forceps and the suture removal blade to approach the bronze.
The bronze twisted his head to watch N’tur approach. Just before he managed to touch his flank, Avicath side stepped.
“Avi, you said you'd be good.”
}:I did not!:{ The bronze sounded strangely indignant at the implication he’d promised good behavior.
“Sorry. He's a big baby.” N'kevyn moved to the other side of the bronze, putting an arm out as if he could manhandle the dragon into standing still. “Try now.”
“Thanks,” N'tur said. As he approached again, he spoke lightly to the big bronze. “Hey there, Avicath. You don’t need to worry, it won't hurt when I pull out the stitches.” He kept both instruments in one hand, above waist level as demanded by sterilization protocol but slightly behind him. He reached out his off hand to the dragon's rather large leg.
“There, see, it won’t hurt,” N’kevyn said encouragingly.
Watching the healer suspiciously, Avicath stood still this time, though his eyes whirled unhappily as he waited. The first tug of the stitch, however, made him start to roar, then stop mid sound.
}:That didn’t hurt that much.:{ He sounded surprised.
N’kevyn chuckled, “You’re ruining his love of being dramatic by not making it hurt enough. How will everyone know how horribly he was injured if he can’t be loud and obnoxious?”
N'tur chuckled. “Well, he's welcome to stomp and bellow all he wants once I'm safely away from underfoot.” N'tur continued removing the stitches one by one, carefully cutting and tugging them until they were free of bronze hide. The final one, however, didn't slide out as easily as the rest, and N'tur winced as he was forced to give it a sharp tug.
N’kevyn saw the wince and reached up to put a steadying hand on the bronze. That didn't stop the undignified squeal that came from him when the last stitch pulled free.
“No, you can't kick him,” N’kevyn responded to the dragon's musings out loud, and Avicath grumbled. Leaving the bronze’s head now that the ordeal was over, he approached N’tur, “Nice work, apprentice. You have steady hands, and you're braver than journeyman D’boran was.”
The greenrider didn't even look up from his work.
“Thank you,” N'tur responded, somewhat dryly. “Although I'm not sure ‘brave’ is the most accurate description here, considering my pulse rate.”
}:I would not let him hurt you,:{ Graileth assured N'tur. The brown was perched on the edge of the ledge nearby.
N'tur spoke to Avicath. “Now don't scratch. Even though the stitches are out, the hide could separate if there's too much force applied.” To N'kevyn, he said: “You'll want to wash and pat it thoroughly dry. After a day, you can put some oil on to help with itching.”
“Eh, Avicath is a bad patient but he's secretly a big softy and he'd never actually hurt anyone.”
}:I am not!:{ The bronze protested again, as if it were a great insult.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” N’kevyn promised. “I learned my lesson about trying to nap when Tymmie convinced him he should just go hunting and not bother me.” N’kevyn pointed to the stretch of stitches that were a few days newer than the others.
“I’ll bring him back in a few days to get those out, unless I can talk Aydhan into helping. He's a little better for her, even though she doesn't have the dragon healer touch.”
}:Because Tym’s mean.:{
“... Possibly because Tymborikath threatens to sit on him,” N’kevyn added.
N'tur chuckled. “I imagine that would keep any dragons in line. Even a big strong bronze like Avicath here.” And he gave the large dragon an experimental friendly pat.
The bronze didn't flinch away this time, though his pleased rumble was more like thunder than a purr.
“Well, I'll let you get back to your work. Make sure D’boran gives you good marks for this,” N’kevyn said cheerily.
“See you in a few days,” N'tur responded, and turned to receive his next assignment.
Last updated on the August 1st 2025