Vigil (1/2)

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 12th July 2006

Characters: M'galec, Abrei, Talrian, U'kaiah
Description: With M'galec's help, Abrei finally makes it to Dragonsfall, where Talrian and U'kaiah are waiting for Talryne to wake up again.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 4 of Turn 3

Abrei

Abrei forgot all about the indignity of being wheeled around Dragonsfall like an invalid when she saw her cousin's face for the first time. Talrian looked weary with grief and worry that only grew more pronounced when he saw Abrei's leg. "Abrei? What happened to you?" Glancing over her shoulder at M'galec and judging that standing might get her dragged right back to River Bluff, Abrei gave Talrian a tired looking smile. "I'm fine. Just a little clumsy." Abrei's gaze shifted to U'kaiah and she gave him another small, tired smile. The Dragonsfall bronzerider looked over her head to her companion. "Thank you for bringing her, bronzerider."

M'galec shook his head. Thanks was not necessary. He wheeled Abrei closer and took note of the healer knots on Talrian's shoulder. "I am sorry to meet under such circumstances, Journeyman. I am M'galec, Weyrlingmaster Second, Journeyman Healer, and rider of bronze Dwarkanath. If I can be of any service..."

"Thank you, M'galec." Talrian knelt next to his cousin, hesitating until Abrei leaned forward to wrap her arms around him. It seemed to loose something inside him, and before Abrei could say anything, Talrian had buried his face in her lap with his hands clutching the chair and his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Abrei gave U'kaiah a somewhat panicked look as she moved one hand to rest on Talrian's shoulder, obviously out of her depth. She could hardly push her cousin away--not when his grief was so real--but she had no idea what she could do to comfort him. M'galec decided it was best for him to give the Weyrhealer and her cousin space. He walked around to the other side of the bed to stand next to his fellow bronzerider. "How is she?" he asked quietly.

"She's sedated at the moment," U'kaiah said flatly, pushing the scene of grief to the back of his mind, observing it like an impartial bystander rather than a family friend. He would think about it all later. Now he had to stay strong, for all their sakes.

"And when she's awake?" his companion asked softly.

"We'll just have to see," U'kaiah replied noncommittally.

On the other side of the bed, the words pulled Talrian's head up. He glared at the two dragonriders for a moment before tilting his head up to meet Abrei's eyes, his expression angry. "Why does everyone keep talking about her as if she's as good as dead?" he demanded in a harsh whisper.

Abrei sighed and reached out to wipe the tears from his cheek, remembering the times in their youth when he had done the same thing for her. He'd always been older and wiser, but she was the one who had learned her craft in a Weyr. She knew in a way he never could how remarkable it would be if Talryne survived this, let alone managed to reclaim some sort of life. She just didn't know how to express it to him in words that he would understand.

"Sir," M'galec said gently, "The girl you knew as your daughter was forever changed the moment she Impressed. She was not Talryne any longer, she was mixed, combined with her dragon. She became one with her, and just as you cannot unmix an egg and make the yoke and the white whole and separate once more, you cannot unmix your daughter's mind. She is forever linked to her green, and now her green is gone. I am so very sorry sir, but your daughter will be in misery that you or I can only imagine."

Talrian's face crumpled again, and Abrei reached out for him. Tears filled her eyes as she looked down at the dejected slump of his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Talrian. I'm so sorry." The bronzeriders could only watch in sympathetic silence. M'galec had voiced what most riders knew, but rarely allowed themselves to think about -
life without their lifemate... There just was no life after. Not really.
Even if they survived, it wouldn't be _them_ any longer. Both silently reached out to their lifemates, basking in the reassurance that they were still there, that they were not going anywhere they could not follow.

Eventually Talrian pulled back, composing himself with an obvious effort.
His hands came up to brush at his cheeks, and then at Abrei's. Standing, he leaned down to brush a gentle kiss on his cousin's forehead. "Thank you for coming, Abrei."

Feeling uncomfortable with his gratitude in the face of her uselessness, Abrei let her gaze fall to the floor. "You should thank M'galec," she replied quietly. "They've been keeping a close eye on me this time around." Talrian managed a shaky smile as he turned to look at M'galec, one hand still resting on Abrei's shoulder. "Well that's a job I wouldn't want. But I'm glad someone's taken it."

"Your cousin is one of the most talented healers I have ever seen. We need her, sir," M'galec said with a small smile.

Abrei was oblivious to the praise, her eyes on U'kaiah. She could see the pain in his eyes, carefully restrained, and wished for a futile moment that M'galec was gone. The only person who had ever been a real friend to her was standing across the room, hurting as badly as she did. And she was stuck in a sharding wheeled chair, unable to even stand. U'kaiah caught her eye and looked into her for a long moment. He see it in her eyes. But he gave her a small smile to reassure her. It was not time for him to grieve yet, though he certainly would when it was all finally over. He had to keep himself together until then.

Reading the emotions in his eyes, Abrei struggled to suppress a sigh.
"U'kaiah, if I know my cousin at all, I'm sure he hasn't eaten in longer than he'd admit. Maybe we could all go and find something to eat? Maybe...
maybe she'll be awake when we get back." Abrei doubted it, though. Not if the healers here dealt with trauma like this the same way she did. But at least it would give Talrian a chance to pull himself together.

"I will request a meeting room be made available for us if you like," the bronzerider nodded.

Talrian looked torn, but a stern look from Abrei forced him to nod. "I would be grateful for a chance to get something to eat. Thank you, bronzerider."

As one bronzerider left to make arrangements, the other walked back around the bed to stand behind the Weyrhealer. Putting his hands gently on her shoulders M'galec said, "She will be asleep for some time yet. It is best to renew your strength while you can. She will need you all when she wakes up."

Last updated on the July 12th 2006

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Vigil (1/2)