No matter what happens
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: Clancey, Emma
Date Posted: 12th September 2005
Characters: K'reyel, Mai
Description: K'reyel tells Mai of the impending tragedy at RBW.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 7, day 15 of Turn 3
"Mai?" K'reyel gently pushed open the classroom door. It was late in the day, so she was not likely to still be teaching, but may still be involved in her work.
Mai, oblivious to the goings on of other folk in the Weyr, was in fact busy over some hidework. Her students had left their hides piled on her desk and she was sorting through them.
When K'reyel's voice came through the classroom, she looked up and smiled that easy smile, her first thought being he was here for a repeat of that 'special' lesson they'd shared. "Here, love.." She called, from her small work area.
The bronzerider wandered over, taking in the sight of her as he came closer. After the meeting his father had just held, well there was the chance that this disease, whatever it may be could spread to people. He just didn't know what might happen if it did, and there was no way to know that for certain, yet.
He smiled as he came closer. "Got a minute?"
An eyebrow arched in inquiry; it appeared he wasn't after a re-make of that one particular lesson. The memory of it curved her lips, however, as she stood to greet him. "Aye, love. Of course. I always have more than a minute for you."
He leant over, put a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I need to talk to you, in confidence," he said.
Now both eyebrows arched. "In confidence, K'reyel? Must be serious.
You have a Harper's word, and your weyrmate's promise. What is troubling you, my love?"
"There's a problem here, it's not common knowledge yet."
Mai become serious then, and rose to her feet. She went to K'reyel's side and pulled him over to the sofa along the wall that offered her many, many naps. "Sit and tell me, bronzerider."
"The animals, herdbeasts, they are getting sick. They say that the plague started like that..." His voice trailed off. What if it did spread to people?
Scared by the trend his thoughts had taken, Mai reached out for his hands and held them to her. One tragedy after another, it seemed. "Oh no.." was her whispered sigh. "Let's hope we do not have another plague... that's an enemy we cannot flame away, and all the riders would be so vulnerable since they're more of them than ever." In that same soft voice. "What are they doing about it?"
"Keeping the sick ones away from the others for now, we're waiting to hear from the beastcrafters as to how to treat them. But in the meantime, you need to keep the kids well away from the animals. Faranth only knows what might happen if one of them gets sick."
Stark fear was visible for a moment in her wide eyes as he mentioned the children. For once, she was glad they didn't have any of their own yet.
Swallowing thickly, she took his hand, and nodding. "I will. We have finished some of the basic herdanimals lessons, and are onto Hold and Hall relations, so I can keep them inside if I must. Faranth grant me enough songs to amuse them." She said fervently.
"I'm sure it'll be okay, but I just thought you should know. If this 'thing' gets out..."
"It would be a disaster.." Mai rose to her feet and took him with her.
"K'reyel, please be careful. So much tragedy lately; I could not stand to lose you too. Let us hope it does not transfer to people."
"I hope so too." He reached out and pulled her close. "Do you know how much I love you?" Mai smiled softly, in spite of the impending tragedy and turned her face up to his, kissing him lightly along the jawline. "If its as much as I love you, then I might have some small idea."
"We'll have each other, no matter what happens."
She hoped so. Her eyes were dark with emotion as she looked up at him, and thought of their talk on children. A soft whisper of a sigh as she realized children should wait a bit longer still. "Aye, my bronzerider.. we always will." She said aloud, and wrapped her arms around him.
Last updated on the September 12th 2005