Friends Forever
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: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 31st July 2016
Series: Shipwrecked
Characters: Thayde, Zathris
Description: The two men say their goodbyes after months of being stranded on an island together.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 18 of Turn 8
"I hear you're getting to go home today." Thayde said as Zathris came in. The dolphineer hadn't been released by the healers yet because of the infection from the poisonous sting he'd gotten on the island. He was feeling some stronger, well enough to at least complain about being stuck in the bed. As odd as it sounded, Thayde had felt a bit panicky being separated from Zathris, probably because they had been so dependent upon each other while living on the island.
"I am, and grateful to you. I don't think without you I would have had a chance of surviving." If Thayde hadn't stitched up his injury, he could have gotten worse. In addition, just having another person there to help figure out ways to get food, shelter, and, frankly, keep his sanity. Had he been there alone, he might not have been rescued in his right mind. Zathris tugged at his tunic which, after having gone shirtless for so long, seemed both familiar and strange. "I do expect you to recover quickly and back home yourself before long. I should hope to visit - and perhaps you can visit us. You'll always be welcome at Amber Hills."
Thayde was grateful for the invitation. "I've never seen snow in person, send me word when you've got some good snow on the ground and I'll be there." For the first time he noticed how much thinner the Lord Holder seemed, he hadn't been able to notice it before because they'd been together every day, but now, back in his normal clothes and shaved, Thayde could tell.... Which made him wonder what he must look like to people who knew him.
"I will do that. We generally have a Winter Gather. Perhaps that would be a good time for you to come." It would be a good introduction on what sort of activities one could do in the winter and not limited to the most popular of them. "Never seen snow huh? I'll also be sure to let you know how to dress.::
"You mean swim shorts and a tunic won't cut it?" He grinned, wondering if Irabel would go with him to see Amber Hills.
"Definitely not. You'd get frozen. I bet you'd make a great ice sculpture, though." Zathris' grin lit up his face, helping to dispel some of the weariness that still clung to his features. "Could put you on display in the central garden."
"Well, I wouldn't want to drive your sensible hold ladies wild, so I suppose I'll dress for the weather." Thayde smiled. "I heard your Lady is here?"
"She is. She came as soon as they brought the news. I have to say, she was a sight for sore eyes." It had been like waking from a dream to finally have her there, the feel of her, her smell. Just to know he was home. Zathris arched an eyebrow. "You seem to have a fried of your own hovering about."
"I do," he smiled a little. "On the island I thought of so many things I would say to her if I saw her again, and now that she's here... Well, I'd rather be in my own clothes," he plucked at the thing the healers had given him, "and not sipping broth from a cup before any of those things are said."
"Ah, so...then such things haven't been said before?" From the way the woman had hovered around, Zathris had thought she was his lover.
Thayde made a face, "It's complicated. We went on a date before, it was disastrous, I've tried with her but it's always been... One-sided."
"Are you sure about that?" Zathris' eyebrows arched upward. "I know she's been here. I've not been as in bad shape, up and moving around, even checked on you while you were still out of it. She was even sleeping here." He nodded toward the chair near the bed. "Doesn't sound one sided to me."
The dolphineer lifted his shoulders, "Maybe, I guess we'll see." There had been times when he had felt hopeful about Irabel before, only to be disappointed. To change the subject, Thayde pointed toward Zathris's side, "Were the healers in awe of my handy work stitching your side?"
"Considering what you had to work with, it was well done." Zathris chuckled softly, noting the shift in topic, but letting it lie. "It'll be a scar with many memories, but that doesn't bother me." He shifted from one foot to the other, grateful that those his newer memories would be filled with those of his normal life and that Thayde would be able to continue to make some of his own. "Think you're ready to get back?"
"I am, I've got a dolphin partner waiting on me. I know she was taken care of by the other dolphineers, but I'm ready to see her again for myself." He didn't have children or family to get back to, Ada was the closest thing to that.
"I'm sure she was frantic with worry and will be glad to see you." Zathris had a great respect for the dolphins, though he could barely understand them most of the time. "Speaking of getting back, I should probably do that. I just wanted to see you before I returned to Amber Hills."
Thayde stuck out his hand to the Lord Holder, "Take care of yourself, and thanks for everything."
Zathris clasped it and held on to it tightly. "I expect to have you come visit from time to time, even before the snow. Perhaps I can steal away and visit you as well. I enjoy the water - and the dolphins." Despite their trials, Zathris had come to like and respect the man he'd been stranded with, and hoped that they could keep up the friendship they had formed.
Last updated on the August 16th 2016
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