What Have You Done? (1/2)

Writers: Miriah, Estelle, Devin, Aaron
Date Posted: 20th February 2024

Characters: Zandan, N'vanik, G'fand, Draffyl, Calbarran, Shuvan
Description: Dolphin Cove riders, with assistance from Emerald Falls guards, come to the Weaver Hall to arrest Master Shuvan for his involvement with the poisoning at the Hatching.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: R’ayl, Corowal

N'vanik

Master Draffyl leaned back in his chair at the big desk in the
Hallmaster's office and rubbed his eyelids, which were starting to droop
in the early afternoon warmth. He eyed the papers before him listlessly
- applications from junior journeymen for a sought-after teaching post
at the Hall - and wondered how long it would be until the bell rang for
the evening meal. He could always ask Shuvan to take a look at the
paperwork. The other Master usually made such good decisions, and it
would give him the time for a few minutes' nap...

A sudden rapping at the door startled him to wakefulness, and he cast an
irritated glare at the apprentice who rushed in, barely waiting for
permission. "Yes? What is it?"

"Dragons, sir! A whole Wing of them!" The apprentice lowered his voice a
little at Draffyl's skeptical look, but not by much. "Look outside!"

The Weaver Hallmaster considered scolding the boy for interrupting his
rest over what was likely just a transport rider, but they hadn't asked
for one, nor were they due for Search - and there did seem to be a
commotion outside. He pushed himself to his feet and crossed to the
window, then rubbed his eyes in disbelief at the sight that met his
eyes. The apprentice might have been exaggerating about a Wing, but
there were more dragons than he remembered seeing before at the Hall at
one time. Though it was hard to tell from a distance, most of them had
passengers in what looked like Emerald Falls guard uniform - and was
that bronze at the center of the group the Weyrleader's?

Zandan patted the dragon transporting him with his usual, suppressed
longing. ***I should have one, a pretty green or blue.*** The thought
was quickly pushed back and replaced with professionalism. He glanced at
his men. He had picked them based on loyalty, so there were few who
weren't among the best. But they would follow his orders without questions.

The blue, Olisrath, carefully but briefly nuzzled his erstwhile
passenger. He felt somehow that he knew the man, but he had no reason
to�" none, apart from the fact that his G'fand had once, long ago, lived
at the place the man was from. Nevertheless, he liked him. He was going
to bring justice to the ones who hurt the little one.

G'fand nodded to Zandan as his guards formed up.

Calbarran slid down from the sturdy blue that brought him. It was not
the most natural of dismounts, but he managed to avoid looking like a
fool as he hit the ground. He was head and shoulders taller than most,
and he looked like he could throw a full grown man over his shoulder
with one arm. His face was a mask of determination, but he was more
nervous than he would have admitted. This was a grave matter, indeed.

**Thanks for the ride,** he thought at the blue. G'fand had once told
him they could hear it if they were listening. Calbarran doubted it, but
he thought it anyway. He took his place before Zandan and waited for his
orders.

N'vanik dropped from Loseth's neck, doing his best to tamp down on his
anger. The goal was to get his hands on Shuvan and if he went in flaming
that would likely make things more difficult, and that could give Shuvan
a chance to run. He scanned the quickly growing crowd, looking for the
Hallmaster.

Draffyl soon emerged, with a stern look for the hall folk who'd come
outside to stare. "Back inside! You've all got work to do - and _you_
should be at your studies, not gawking at the dragons," he added with a
particularly ferocious glare for a group of apprentices. "Anyone still
out here who shouldn't be within half a minute will be seeing me in my
office." The crowd began to disperse, reluctantly, though he was sure
there'd still be a lot of eyes at the windows.

Still irritated, he approached the bronze dragon. "Weyrleader - and
Captain," he added, recognizing Zandan with growing unease. "This is an
unexpected visit."

"Master," Zandan replied to the greeting with a polite nod. This was
dragonriders' show, so he was letting them to deal the master. He
directed his men to cover all the exits, back doors and side doors.

"And don't forget to keep an eye on widows too!" he barked at them. He
knew quite a few apprentices who had snuck out of windows after lights
out. Their quarry was probably too big to slip out of the window, but
you could never be too careful.

Calbarran nodded and took up his post, going left beyond the front
entrance and watching the side exit and the nearby windows.

**Would the captain like it if I helped to watch?** asked Olisrath.

}:He might,:{ G'fand agreed. }:If Loseth approves, fly up and watch from
above.:{

Olisrath eagerly relayed his request to observe from the air to the
weyrleader's bronze.

}:Yes, watch,:{ Loseth replied, eyes whirling with a hint of red.

"Hallmaster Draffyl," N'vanik said in the most neutral tone he could
manage. "We're here on behalf of Dolphin Cove Weyr and Emerald Falls
Hold to arrest Master Shuvan for his involvement in poisoning the
hatchlings." His hand clenched around the helmet he held at his side.

"What?" Draffyl stared at him, too astonished for formality. "But that's
impossible! Master Shuvan is a highly respected craftsman. I've known
him for Turns. Besides, I don't believe he even attended that Hatching."
He watched the guards surrounding his Hall, his unease turning slowly to
anger. "Do you have any evidence for this outrageous accusation?"

"We have the word of an apprentice who was Searched from here, who was
sent to gather information for Shuvan. He was told Shuvan would help
clear his brother's name -- Grevan's name. The man who tried to kill one
of my bronzeriders." The Weyrleader's voice was rising and he took a
deep breath. "Grevan's little brother, sent to the Weyr to provide
Master Shuvan information -- about Hatchings, about dragon anatomy.
Information that was used to poison the hatchlings."

It wasn't lost on the Master Weaver what was happening in the courtyard
below. Hissing between his teeth in utter frustration and fury, he
grabbed a satchel and slipped from his room. **Stupid boy! I should have
never relied on a boy or a feckless girl at the Weyr. Blast them! If I
ever sink my hands into those brats...**

He didn't rush; he didn't want to make a scene or even be noticed more
than absolutely necessary. Instead of the regular passages that a Master
would take, he made his way to the halls more frequented by the drudges.
All he had to do was get to his runner.

"Do you mean Furayl?" The Hallmaster's lip curled. He never should have
admitted that boy to the Hall. "You'd take the word of an apprentice
over a Master? The little runt must be lying to save his skin."

Loseth let out a cry of anger and N'vanik narrowed his eyes. "The only
danger to his skin was his dragon nearly dying from poison."

Draffyl turned rather sickly pale at the bronze's reaction and took an
involuntary step backwards, towards the safety of the Hall. "Or -
perhaps the boy was mistaken. Master Shuvan may only have been taking a
friendly interest in his apprentice's time at the Weyr. I suggest," he
continued, trying to regain some of his dignity, "we all go up to my
office and let him explain for himself."

N'vanik fought an urge to snap at him. What he wanted was to tear this
place apart, find Shuvan, and flay him alive. "Bring him out here first,
then we can go talk in your office." He wanted eyes on Shuvan as soon as
possible and any delays just gave the man more of a chance to escape.

Zandan took few steps closer to the Master crafter, with menacing scowl
on his face. He positioned himself to obviously protective stance next
to the Weyrleader. "You want me to dispatch my men to search the Hall,
Sir?" he asked from N'vanik. Corowal had ordered him to fully support
the dragonriders and besides, he has always liked the weyrfolk.

N'vanik studied the Hallmaster. "Well, are you going to bring him out or
do we have to search?"

"This is absurd. Neither of you have any right to search my Hall -
certainly not on the word of one apprentice!" Draffyl could hardly
contain his indignation. "Out of respect for the Weyr, I will send for
Master Shuvan. I'm sure he will answer any questions you have. But if
any harm comes to him, my Craft will not soon forget it." He turned and
stalked back towards the Hall entrance, gesturing to one of the group of
apprentices who were gathered there to watch.

Zandan gestured to one of his men. "Follow him, make sure he really
sends for Shuvan and don't warn him to hide instead," he instructed.

Yes, he was paranoid.

The indicated apprentice dashed into the Hall, moving quickly and making
the guard rush to keep up with him. Coming to a thick door, he rapped
quickly and then waited, bouncing on his toes. “Master Shuvan?”

He knocked again, but heard nothing. Frowning, he slowly opened the door
and poked his head in. “Master? You’ve got a…” His voice trailed off as
he saw the scattered belongings in the normally very neat work area.
“Master Shuvan?” He stepped fully in and looked around, noting the hides
now on the floor and the loom only through half a weft. It looked as
though it had been abandoned. He frowned, then heard a cry at the
window. Hurrying forward, he heard a sudden pounding of hooves and
watched as a runner burst from the barn across the hall, carrying the
missing Master towards the gates and the surrounding forests.

Moments later, Olisrath had him in his sights, and he dove down from
where he flew watch above the Hall to tail him.

}:I have my eyes on him!:{ he sent to Loseth. }:The runner cannot outfly
me.:{

**But if he makes it to the trees, we may still not see which way he
goes,** G'fand cautioned. **Get in front of him.**

Calbarran cursed when he realized he had posted on the opposite side of
the Hall from where the Master was now fleeing, and he ran to rejoin the
others.

N'vanik ordered more dragons to join the chase, then he turned a
narrowed gaze toward the Hallmaster. "He's running."

Last updated on the February 23rd 2024

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What Have You Done? (1/2)