A Warning of Danger

Writers: Devin, Miriah
Date Posted: 10th December 2020

Characters: N'vanik, Shady Lady
Description: N'vanik learns of whispers against the Weyr from his shady source
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 8 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis

N'vanik

A slow sweep of the broom pushed little dust clouds along the hallway
as the older woman clad in drudge's clothing moved quietly along the
hall. She seemed to keep her eyes down as weyrfolk bustled past her,
but quick little glances revealed that she was watchful. Humming
softly to herself, bent to appear far older than she was, she slipped
into the office with a quiet knock. "I need to sweep, Weyrleader. Do
you mind?"

That voice... N'vanik looked up from his hidework in surprise. He
quickly smoothed his features into a neutral expression. "Not at all,
come right in."

She slipped in and like before began to sweep around the edges of the
office. Her humming was soft, but as she got near the desk, the
humming shifted to a soft murmur. "I've news for you, N'vanik."

That explained the unexpected visit. "What news?" he asked in a low
voice, his eyes dropping back to the hidework on the desk.

Sweeping close to the desk, she pulled out a cloth and began wiping at
the corner, idly chasing a non-existent dust fragment. "There's
murmurs of something being planned against the Weyr. And it'll be
soon. From the Emerald Falls area. Next month. "

"What is this plan?" N'vanik frowned. There had been unrest among the
holders for a while, and it had only gotten worse after Grevan's
trial. Would someone try coming after J'ackt again? They'd better
not, or he really would find a way to put them out for Thread.

"Unclear, but it will affect everyone." The woman's words were quick.
"I know there's at least four men involved. I couldn't get their
names; they are being discreet. But they have someone already in the
Weyr." She swept around the desk. "A young woman with a grudge who's
been placed specifically to get it started. She's been here for two
months at least. They may have more."

N'vanik pushed back a wave of rage as he tried to focus on the
information. How could he talk to Cyradis about this without bringing
up how he'd gotten the information? Who was this woman and how could
they track her down? "That's all you know?"

"So far. I do know that they're the ones who put the notion into the
boy, Grevan. They're trying for bigger now. They want the Weyr to
hurt. Watch your back, boy. Could be you or your Weyrwoman they're
after now. "

The thought of someone going after Cyradis... N'vanik closed his eyes
and blocked off that thought before Loseth could react. "Thanks for
bringing this to me. Keep digging, find out more if you can. If you
get me names there'll be a bonus for you, and maybe some extra work."
If he could get the people who set Grevan on his path, N'vanik would
make them pay, one way or another.

"Aye, I will. But I'd keep a watch. You got a lot of people coming in
and out of this place. You find a way to end this trouble, N'vanik.
It's not good for anyone, Hold or Weyr. My advice... give them their
show and ounce of flesh and blood. You go after them that is planning
this, they'll just be martyrs to those who come after. Give the
Holders the blood they want, the men aiming to hurt the Weyr'll not
be as likely to attract followers." She held out her hand expectantly.

"I'll not give them anything. Any blood they take from my Weyr I'll
pay back ten fold."

}:What 's wrong,:{ Loseth's voice was alert and edgy.

**A bad report.** N'vanik put his mental walls back up as he slid open
a drawer. He grabbed a few marks and handed them to the woman. As the
money passed between them he looked her straight in the eye. "You
better not even be thinking of playing both sides. Not in this."

"I'm not that stupid, N'vanik." She snorted and quickly slipped the
marks into a hidden pocket under her clothing. "I may play both sides
from time to time, but not when it'll cost me more than it's worth.
Just be wary of anyone new who's arrived in the past few months.
Anyone." She paused, holding her broom. "I can promise you though,
they hurt you, my boy...I'll have 'em found. I know someone who might
be able to do it far better than I could if I can get a hold of them.
They'll pay with their own blood."

N'vanik made an amused sound. "You getting sweet on me in your old age?"

That brought a snort followed by a low, husky chortle. "Boy, I'd eat
you alive and make you enjoy every second of it." She picked up her
broom. "I take care of what's mine, N'vanik. Just like you. I've known
you too long." With a fake hunch, she bent and began to sweep again,
headed out of the office. "Mind what I said, N'vanik. I'll let you
know if I hear more."

"Thanks." He let his voice carry this time. Anyone that might overhear
would only think he was thanking a drudge for cleaning.

What to do about this? Explain that he'd gotten a warning about a plot
against the Weyr from the Holdless women he paid to pass him secret
information? Yeah, that would definitely go over well with the
Weyrwoman. N'vanik stared down at the hides on his desk, not really
seeing them... until he did. He dug around his office until he found a
piece of old, much scraped hide. Then he took a pencil in his left
hand, to disguise the handwriting.

"To the Weyrleader of Dolphin Cove,

"I must warn you of danger..."

Last updated on the January 13th 2021

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Warning of Danger