Just In Time (1/2)

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 1st April 2019
Series: The Wingleader's Surgery

Characters: Cyradis, D'hol
Description: A farewell letter arrives too early and stops a plan.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 24 of Turn 9

Cyradis

D'hol

A drudge hurried towards Cyradis, trying to move as quietly as she
could so as not to disturb the gold wrapped around the new eggs. She
thrust out a carefully folded note. "For you, Weyrwoman."

"Thank you," she said and also accepted the tray she'd brought for her
while she sat on the bench nearest Panitath. She opened the folded
letter and reached for the cup but it paused halfway to her lips and
slowly the glass sank back down toward the tray as she read.

~~~
"Beloved Cyradis,

By now you've heard the dragons keening and I know you are confused as
to why Yumath and I are gone. I have been ill for several months, and
in the past two, it has steadily worsened, causing great pain. The
Healers have told me that there is likely small chance that I could
survive even if I had chosen the method that they preferred for
treatment. I could not tell you and didn't want to inflict further
pain as I have in the past turns. I loved you far too much to burden
you further.

I do not know if you will be relieved or grieved by my passing. I hope
it is neither. I do ask that you remind Kielya every day of how much
she was loved and remember that despite everything, you were as well.
I wish I could have had more time to show you just how much. Just know
that you were in my thoughts at the very last.

You are a fine Weyrwoman, Cyradis, and will continue to be. Please
store what belongings I have for Dheymin, Kielya, and Ma'din. There is
a small box in a cabinet above my bed that contains a lock of hair.
Please send it to Wylra at Dragonsfall Weyr. She'll know why.

All of my heart,

D'hol"
~~~

A scream of rage, denial, and loss tore from her throat and the cup
smashed back into the tray. Panitath lept to her feet stepping
carefully around her eggs }:What is wrong:{

"Where is Yumath?" she screamed at her dragon.

}:He has gone to fight Thread:{ she gave the equivalent of a dragon
shrug still not understanding why that should make her rider so
furious. }:He said goodbye when he left.:{

"By himself!" she tore into Panitath. "You didn't think that was strange?"

Panitath's eyes began to whirl with distress. }:He is fighting and
flaming now.:{

"He is trying to _Die_!" She yelled across the cavern. Anyone else in
that cavern could have seen the gold lower her head almost quivering
at the waves of anger and grief coming off her rider. }: Get him back
here now and don't let him leave until I say so.:{

}: Yumath,:{ Panitath echoed her riders rage }: Come to the Weyrbowl
_now_. You and yours may not die today.:{ The command was an
imperative that could not be disobeyed.

---
Both dragon and rider were nearly blacked by char as they chased the
Fall, little bits of heated ash speckling both. D'hol reached into the
last sack for the final stones as Yumath threw his head back, then
jerked as Yumath stilled, dropping slightly until his wings steadied
them. If it had been any other gold, Yumath might have resisted the
summons, but he could not disobey the command of the senior gold.
}:We have been recalled. Panitath demands we return!:{

Before D'hol could counter, Yumath appeared above the Star Stones,
eyes whirling with flecks of red. }: What is the meaning of this,
Panitath? You recall a fighting dragon in the middle of Threadfall? It
is not done! :{ He landed with scraping talons in the Weyrbowl, sides
heaving with both his frustration and his rider's own growing anger.
He bent, allowing D'hol to dismount.

Agitated and angry, D'hol yanked his straps loose and slid down to the
ground, then seeing the nearby Weyrwoman, standing with her hands on
her hips, he tore off his goggles and helmet and approached with
jarring footsteps. "What do you think you're doing, Cyradis?"

"Keeping you from taking a bronze in his prime to the final between
wherry brain," she screamed at him. Heads all over the bowl turned
toward the commotion. She shook the letter at him. "What's this?"

Ready to meet her screams with his own ready anger, he was about to
erupt with a scathing reply before she shook a familiar piece of hide
at him. He stiffened and his teeth clacked together as his jaw tensed
as he spoke through gritted teeth. "You were supposed to get that
later this evening." He wanted to throttle the drudge he'd entrusted;
she was supposed to have delivered the letters _after_ the evening
meal, not before it!

"Obviously after you'd managed to kill yourself and Yumath." She
stepped up to him and poked him in the chest. "_You_ don't get to
suicide today." she said then slapped him with all the strength in her
small frame. Gasps and laughter echoed around the bowl.

Last updated on the April 12th 2019

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