The Savior from the Sky

Writers: Heather, Suzee
Date Posted: 18th November 2014

Characters: K'ale, Rethisa
Description: Rethisa is noticed by K'ale on her journey.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Zathris

K'ale

Rethisa's teeth chattered together as she plodded along, staggering
slightly as she put one foot in front of the other. She had started
out walking in the snow from Verlow's cothold, but the temperature had
warmed enough that the snow was gone, replaced instead by a
bone-chilling rain. Rethisa preferred the snow, at least then it was
only her feet that were cold. Now she was soaked from head to toe. At
night she would huddle beneath her cloak to sleep, and when it wasn't
raining she would get a little fire going, something her brothers had
taught her when she was a girl.

"No fire tonight." She sighed, speaking out loud to herself as she
looked up at the grey skies which covered the entire expanse of the
sky.

As cold water sluiced down her neck and back, Rethisa continued to
walk. She knew that she was headed in "about" the right direction of
Amber Hills, and she hoped to stumble upon some farm or inn at some
point that would give her a dry place to stay for the evening, and
perhaps a bit of food. The best part about the cold was that she felt
so numbed through and through that she had practically stopped feeling
the biting hunger pains she had experienced earlier. The only rule
that Rethisa adhered to as she walked was refusing to think of what
happened to Pevran and Shadow in the Wind.

K'ale loved to fly in the rain, even a cold one like this so it was no
surprise to his wingmates when he volunteered for the message run this
morning. He started by making his delivery to Opal Cove in the snow,
then to the warmth of Jade Harbor and finally he was on the leg toward
Amber Hills. Of course he could have /betweened/ all the way there but
he'd wanted to feel the rain for a bit. An oiled hide covered him like
a cloak and tucked around his legs. He remained warm and snug and
rainfree inside it.

}:Single human below:{

**What? In this rain?** The nearest habitation was dragonlengths away
**Let's take a look**

Imalkyth spiraled down toward the person and K'ale was dumbstruck by
the bedraggled figure. **do you see anyone else around?** He wanted to
be sure there was no trap down there, even though this was a very odd
place for one of those out here in the middle of nowhere.

}:No one else:{ Imalkyth's sharp eyes had been on the lookout as the got close.

**Let's see what's going on then,** the brownrider urged.

They backwinged and touched down a ways away from the woman. "Are you
alright," K'ale called from his seat.

Rethisa fought the urge to hide, after all, she had seen a dragon once
before at Jade Harbor. This was also her chance for help.

"Um, yes, I am fine just... Rather cold." Rethisa did not really want
to divulge all of the details about her journey or why she was
stranded in the middle of nowhere. She did not know this rider and
could only hope that he was as sterling as some stories made them out
to be. After all, he was not a bronzerider, so hopefully he was not
the indecent sort, and he did not ride a blue or green so he was no
man-lover either. Those would have been the qualifying marks that her
father would have used to judge a dragonrider.

He dismounted into the mud and approached the woman. "You're an
awfully long way from anywhere," he said with a concerned frown. He
didn't see any sort of pack or collection basket which would normally
indicate a purpose for being out in this rain. "Are you sure I can't
drop you somewhere closer to your destination? It wouldn't be any
trouble for Imalkyth."

A ride? Rethisa could barely feel her trembling knees as relief
flooded through her, bringing a fresh wash of tears pressing hotly to
the backs of her eyes. "A ride would be wonderful." She croaked before
clearing her throat. "I am on my way to Amber Hills."

"Alright then," he said. "Over here and I'll get the straps hooked up
for you." He led her back to his brown who extended a wing to shelter
the humans from the rain while K'ale dipped into his pack to attached
straps he always kept there for a passenger. Amber Hills was a bit far
and gone from where she currently was but he didn't comment as he
worked. He didn't feel the need to pry into her business. "Are you
expected at Amber Hills or know anyone there?"

"Expected? No." Rethisa debated on whether she should tell her
relation to Amber Hill's Lord Holder, after all, she didn't want to
give reason to shine any bad light upon Zathris. "My brother is
there." She settled on saying as she carefully kept her face half
shielded with her hair and hood. She doubted the bruises on her face
had faded completely and the last thing she wanted was more questions.

He nodded and didn't try to think it through. If she'd wanted to go to
the Weyr he would have taken her there. If she knew someone at Amber
Hills he would take her there too. "It's where I was headed anyway,"
he said with a smile. "Up you go," he said. Imalkyth offered his leg
for her to mount and K'ale showed her where to step.

"Thank you." Rethisa said as she followed the dragonrider's lead and
took a seat where he directed. She had never ridden a dragon before
and she was amazed by how high up it felt on the brown's neckridge.
Dragons really were magnificent creatures. "Oh, I am Rethisa, by the
way. I appreciate your assistance."

"K'ale," he said with a smile though in getting up the side of the
brown he'd seen the obvious markings of a beating on the woman. Much
as he'd like to take her to the Weyr and have her seen by the healers
there, he'd respect her wishes and take her to her brother. He pulled
a second oiled skin out of his pack and draped it over her. "This will
keep the rain off," he said. Not that it would really help her at this
point. She was likely soaked to the skin.

"Hang on Rethisa," he said as he tucked the protective skin around
her. "We'll have you warm soon." Once he'd buckled them in and settled
into his own seat Imalkyth leaped into the air. /Between/ wouldn't be
fun but thankfully short.

**Amber Hills** he formed the picture and blackness enfolded them.

Last updated on the November 20th 2014

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The Savior from the Sky