Something in the Wind

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 23rd September 2015

Characters: D'hol, Cyradis
Description: Confrontation to confirm the rumors.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 10 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: N'vanik, K'deren

D'hol

Cyradis

D'hol wasn't just mildly angry. He was furious at the rumors that had
found their way to him. He felt kicked in the shaffing stomach, deeply
betrayed and more than a little bruised around the ego. So as he
strode to Cyradis' office, he was glad to see the door opened. He
strode inside and shut the door hard behind him as he stared at the
Weyrwoman.

His jaw was tight as he struggled to rein in his temper and not bein
with screaming at Cyradis, which would accomplish little. Instead, his
fists clenched and unclenched as he swallowed. "Is it true?"

"Is what true," she asked mildly. She had seen too many of his temper
tantrums to be up in arms just because he slammed into her office in a
snit. She had a very good idea why he was angry and it only reinforced
her personal decision. She'd known word would somehow get back to him
and prepared herself for the explosion. That didn't mean she was
going to make it easy on him... not in the least.

"You bedded N'vanik. Before Panitath is scheduled to rise." He
breathed through his teeth. "Did Yumath nearly winning last time
frighten the two of you that much?" He suddenly wanted to throttle
her. "And you claimed you were going to be faithful to K'deren." He
took a slow step forward. "You're a hypocrite, Cyradis."

"You have an awfully big opinion of yourself D'hol," she answered
quietly. She took a sip of her tea without changing her expression. "I
love K'deren," she said looking him straight in the eye. "But he rides
brown and we both know Panitath will never ever choose brown." She
shook her head. "Sex and love are not the same thing."

Which was not something she claimed after his arrival. She had used
K'deren like a shield against him, claiming she couldn't dally with
him because of her feelings for the brownrider. For D'hol, knowing
N'vanik had once again claimed something that he desperately desired
was like a slap in the face. Hot, curdled hatred roiled in his stomach
at the thought of the Weyrleader. It was one thing to know that he had
ripped the weyrleadership away from him and had claimed Cyradis during
the flight, but quite another to know that she had gone to him
willingly.

His body was rigid with anger. She had deliberately stacked the
proverbial deck against anyone who would challenge N'vanik in the
flight. He had come so close the last time, hadn't fought with the
Weyrwoman and had even been as civil as possible to the sharding
Weyrleader in public to present a united front at _her_ request. He
wanted to ask her why. Why hadn't she looked to him, who had a history
with her, and could lead with her? More than angry, he was hurt. Hurt
that she hadn't even tried to give him an equal chance to prove it.

None of that showed, however. Instead, his face grew cold and
expressionless. "I see. "

Even that tactic she recognized. How was it she knew him so well after
all these turns? Well it probably had something to do with how much
she'd loved him... once.

"No," she said. "I don't think you do." She looked at him with a
question in her eyes. "Do you want to talk about it or do you just
want to be angry?"

"There is nothing to talk about. You've already made things extremely
clear." He spun on his heel and strode towards the door.

"And I have reason to. Evidenced by your attitude. Do you think we
would work well together at Weyrleaders D'hol?"

He stopped, his back turned to her. "Would't know. You've been trying
your hardest not to take a chance to find out."

"Or perhaps you've not taken the right road to win my favor." She
stated it boldly. "Have you ever known me to respond well to anger?
N'vanik and I have a good working relationship. We've had a hard road
getting here and I don't intend to lose all that work right now
because you 'might' be a good Weyrleader. He already is." Then she
shook her head. "There is something in the wind D'hol, I am not sure
what it is and I can't put my finger on it or even explain the feeling
but there is a change coming across the southern continent. I can feel
it. I just need stability at Dolphin Cove right now. This was _my_
decision."

"I worked for your favor before and look how well that turned out." He
snapped back, looking over his shoulder at her."Well, I hope your
'stability' works out for both of you. Don't expect me to make it
easier for either of you." He strode out of her office and slammed the
door behind him.

**And you almost won.** Her eyes closed and she rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Right then," she said to the closed door and picked up her tea. After
taking a sip she set it down. "I'm going to need something stronger
than that," she muttered and walked to her cabinet. Luckily she had
something very strong there which would be made to order at a time
like this. She poured two fingers into a small glass and carried the
amber liquid back to her desk.

He didn't know and she hoped he'd never figure it out but he was
dangerous to her stability. She loved K'deren and her weyrmate was the
one she wanted in her life. She didn't intend to let D'hol any closer
than he was already and certainly not into her bed. That could be a
disaster waiting to happen. After all she'd loved him once. She
couldn't let it happen again.

"No... I've made my choice," she lifted the glass to her lips and let
it burn away the toxins of the meeting and any reservations she might
have held.

Last updated on the September 27th 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Something in the Wind