...when there's a free for all (2/2)
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: Corrin, Duskdog, Iluva, Sia
Date Posted: 15th April 2025
Characters: M'kadja, N'dhavi, K'valas, A'garyn
Description: A few of the holdless reflect on the weyr’s largess-- and Akadja’s past actions come back to bite him
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 7 of Turn 12
Notes: Please feel free to reference the events of this thread. Reading order: Don’t start here! 1. …when there’s a free for all 2. Watch ‘em run amuck 3. When our ranks begin to form
(cont.)
Suddenly--
“Where’d you get that?” The voice was sharp, rough with accusation, cutting through the chatter of the table.
A little way down the table, a man had stopped eating, his gaze fixed on Akadja’s chest with a look that could strip flesh from bone. Thenard. A fellow holdless, but there was nothing fraternal in his expression now. His eyes were locked on the necklace resting against Akadja’s chest, the carved beads and polished bone gleaming faintly in the glowlight.
Akadja followed his gaze, then blinked languidly. “Oh, this old thing?” His voice was light, almost amused, as he ran a thumb idly along the cord. “Can’t quite recall. Had it for ages.”
Thenard’s lip curled, his grip tightening around his spoon as though he wished it were something sharper. “Liar,” he spat. “That’s mine, you dirty thief.”
Akadja stilled--just for a breath-- and then a slow, dark smile unfurled. It was the sort of smile that didn’t reach the eyes, all teeth and baited danger. “I’m not dirty, Thenard. I’m exceptionally clean today, thanks to the dragonfolk and their hot springs. And I didn’t steal… this.” He leaned back slightly, shoulders loose, fingers trailing over the necklace like a lover’s caress. “I paid for it.”
Thenard was red, choking on outrage--
--and Akadja raised his voice and pressed on, shedding all pretense. “I _paid_ for it twice over in risk and guts. _You_ left it to be washed away in the flood like it was nothing. It’s _mine_ now.”
There was the screech of wood on stone as Thenard shoved to his feet. “You smug little--”
Akadja flipped his knife from an eating grip to something far more sinister. The blade caught the light as he leveled it on the older man. “Wanna make something of it?”
The words were soft, almost inviting, but Akadja’s eyes were hard.
Thenard froze, fist clenching and unclenching at his sides as his eyes took in the blade and calculated the worth of the necklace, his honor, and his chances just then. The moment dragged on, taut as a wire. Then, with a sharp jerk of his shoulder, he turned and stalked away, boots thudding against stone.
Akadja watched him go for a long moment. Then, he didn’t smirk, didn’t gloat-- he just flipped his knife back down with a smooth flick of his fingers and resumed his meal.
Kavalas watched them like an avian. His own knife remained in his hand, absently cutting pieces of redfruit and popping them into his mouth. He only knew the men vaguely, from the few days he and Aegaryn had spent so far in those forsaken tunnels. He didn't much care who owned what, but he recognized the posture. The tone. Stepping on someone else's turf. Testing boundaries. He leaned back just a little, casting a glance at the food still on the table. A brawl here would be such a waste.
Aegaryn arched a brow at Kavalas. He didn’t think either of them would do something so profoundly stupid here of all places, though as he watched Thenard spewing flames at his forced retreat, he realized his opinion of their fellow holdless had almost grown more generous in the scant few days they had been at Dragonsfall. Almost.
Naldhavi hadn’t moved -- in fact, he had frozen completely without realizing it, his eyes following Thenard and Akadja’s movements, waiting to see if something was going to happen. He’d throw in with his brother in an instant, but a knife fight in the middle of this bountiful dinner would really spoil the mood, to put it mildly.
He let out a breath at Thenard’s retreat. “You know that’s gonna be trouble eventually, right?” he asked Akadja in a low voice.
“Would you rather I gave it back?” Akadja arched a brow at his brother as he speared some more roast.
“Nahh, it probably looks better on you, anyway.” Naldhavi grinned.
Last updated on the April 25th 2025