Truth and Spin
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: Bree, Emma, Yvonne
Date Posted: 22nd November 2005
Characters: K'sedel, Abrei, Tsaera, Torian
Description: Abrei, Torian, and the Weyrleaders meet to discuss the results of Tulyav's autopsy and breaking the quarantine
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 8, day 22 of Turn 3
Torian and Abrei arrived in the Weyrwoman's office looking tired but relieved. Abrei waved the older healer into a chair and stood behind him. "It isn't the plague," she said without preamble, knowing the Weyrleaders would want to know that before anything else.
Tsaera closed her eyes in relief. Another next-to-sleepless night spent worrying over the Weyr, the eggs on the Sands, on the people in her care... the relief washed over her like a tide, and it helped ease some of the guilt over Tulyav's death. "Thank the Egg. That's the best news I've heard in weeks."
"At worst, whatever he caught wasn't much more than a cold," Torian continued at Abrei's nod. "If it's the same thing that's plaguing the beasts, I can't say for sure... but there's no indication that it can be passed from one person to another, or that it would be anything more serious then the sniffles in most cases. Master Tulyav had a heart condition that was completely unrelated, and probably had been bothering him for some time."
"And you're _certain_ of this?" the Weyrwoman asked.
"Beyond any doubt?" asked K'sedel at virtually the same time as his Weyrwoman.
"Without a doubt." Abrei said firmly, looking to Torian who nodded his agreement. "I can't say that your worries about an outbreak are over--but I can say that Master Tulyav wasn't a victim of it."
Tsaera was quiet for a moment, ostensibly to collect her thoughts but in reality to swallow the grief that had stolen her voice. "K'sedel, you'll have to meet with the Wingleaders and make sure that they know exactly what has been going on and that they can transmit that to their Wingriders. I'll speak with Solieira and have her do the same with her staff."
"As soon as I can get them together. And I'll have J'an attend as well, with a hatching approaching he needs to know what's going on."
"Please." Tsaera pursed her lips, then turned to the healers. "Master Torian, you say that there is very little chance that whatever this is, this beast plague of ours, has very little chance of transmitting itself to humans. None of the dragonhealers have seemed overly worried, and the dragons themselves are remarkably adept at avoiding sick animals. What is your opinion on our quarantine?"
"I can't speak for the affect on beasts," Torian replied slowly. "But as far as the danger goes to other Weyrs... I see no reason why travel can't resume."
The Weyrwoman thought for a moment. "Maybe we ought to lift the quarantine then, K'sedel. It will be a show of confidence and help discredit rumors of a human plague, which we can't afford right now."
Not with eggs on the Sands.
"That's a definite possibility. If we behave as if there is nothing to worry about, then people will believe it. I'm hoping that our confidence will become contagious."
Tsaera tried not to smile at K'sedel's joke. Hopefully it wasn't deliberate. "I'm tempted to go for it, even if another Hold or Weyr ends up with the same infection that we've got. I know it's selfish, but I'm not sure that we can keeping up the quarantine is worth it if there doesn't seem to be much of a threat to people."
It hadn't been deliberate, thought K'sedel, but if it lifted the mood slightly, well bad puns were perhaps acceptable. "I'll notify the Wingleaders later, have them pass on the information."
"And I'll keep an eye on the situation in the infirmary," Abrei replied belatedly, hoping no one would notice the fact that she'd lost the thread of the conversation. She'd given Torian the chair because she was afraid she'd fall asleep if she let herself sit down.
"All right." She'd speak with the Beastcrafters herself, and hopefully work out a compromise. "Contact me tomorrow before noon with news, even if it is that there is no news. I'll announce the end of the quarantine tomorrow afternoon and outline whatever preventative measures need to be taken to hopefully keep the disease from spreading." She reached out to lay a hand on her Weyrleader's arm. "On behalf of both of us, thank you for attending to the Weyr at such short notice, Master Torian. Hopefully when we meet again it will be under much more pleasant circumstances."
Torian rose tiredly to his feet and gave the Weyrwoman a polite bow, somewhat marred by the fact that he was a little wobbly. "It was my pleasure. All I ask for in return is the chance for a few candlemarks rest before I return to the Hall."
"Of course. There is a guest weyr prepared for you already." A large one, with a private bathing chamber and a small sitting room.
Solieira would have a fire lit to drive away the damp and a small meal waiting, and someone watching the door to attend to the Master Healer's wishes. "It's yours for as long as you wish it."
"Tempting as it is to abuse your hospitality, my wife will make my life a misery if I don't return first thing in the morning..." Torian rubbed at his sore back and grinned. "But for now... if you could find someone to lead me to that bed, I'd be very grateful."
"Come with me when we go, and I'll find someone to escort you."
Tsaera rose to her feet as well. "Is there anything else that we need to attend to?"
Abrei shook her head and smiled at Torian, tucking her hand through his arm. "I'll come with you and get Torian settled in, and then find my own bed."
Last updated on the November 22nd 2005