Worrying

Writers: Jane, Vix
Date Posted: 9th September 2007

Characters: Ch'bal, Ylisahn, Toncha
Description: Ch'bal and Toncha visit Ylisahn to ask advice about their grandfather.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 2 of Turn 4

"Good afternoon, weyrlings," Ylisahn said, finding two of them in her office when she returned there. "What can I do for you?"

The two looked at each other.

"It's probably nothing," Ch'bal said to his sister, as if continuation of a conversation they'd been having.

"But we _are_ worried," Toncha insisted, glancing toward the Headwoman to include her.

"About - Not your dragons?" Ylisahn asked in some concern. "You know the Weyrlingmaster would be the man to speak to if that was the case?"

"Oh no, no - Vaith and Vorth are fine," Ch'bal assured her.

"More than fine," agreed Toncha.

"It's just. . . we. . ." The boy's words faltered.

"It's Grandda," put in the girl, her eyes filling with tears. "We don't know. . ." her voice trailed off in a strangled sob.

"We haven't heard from him," her brother told the Headwoman. "Not since the hurricane."

"Oh, now that's a reason to worry. Do you think we should ask one of the wingleaders to have somebody check on your cothold? Or contact his Holder and see if he knows anything?"

"It's a very small cothold," Ch'bal explained, "so I doubt that it would be of much concern to the Holder."

"And very near the coast," Toncha added. "Do you think the wingleaders would check? I mean. . . they're very busy."

"But the dragonriders ride sweeps over every dragonlength of Pern. They're sure to be passing over your grandfather's cothold - as long as you can tell them where it is." Some hold folk couldn't. If they hadn't been exposed to maps - the a dragons-eye view of the world - then they often couldn't identify where they came from.

"What if. . . what. . ." Ch'bal glanced toward his sister, reluctant to speak, but steeling himself to do so. "What if the cothold isn't there any more? I saw what the Weyrbowl looked like after the hurricane."

"It may be that," Ylisahn said slowly, not dismissing the young man's fears. "But it may be something else, as well. Your grandfather might be isolated - so much has been disrupted by the storm. Ships no longer calling in along the coast on their usual schedules, tracks wiped out by the rain and slips. Now, who's the Holder responsible for your grandfather? I think the Winigleader will want to start his investigation there."

Ch'bal fought to keep his composure, aware that Ylisahn's measured words had set off sniffling in his sister. "Our cothold answers to Topaz, but the closest named place is Four Orchards Hold."

"Well then we'll ask the Wingleader responsible to check there. Toncha? Here." Ylisahn pulled out one of the many handkerchiefs she seemed to need during the day and handed it to the weyrling greenrider. "I think you'd better cheer up a little before your lifemate gets distressed."

The girl stopped, eyes wide, at the mention of her dragon. She reached out to find that Vorth was still sleeping, though stirring slightly. She quickly swiped at her eyes with one of the handkerchiefs. "Yes, Headwoman."

"That. . .It wouldn't be considered to be abusing our privilege as dragonriders?" Ch'bal asked her. "We were warned in classes that as dragonriders we're here to serve, not to expect more for ourselves."

"I don't think Pern needs worried dragonriders, especially weyrling ones. You're very precious to the Weyr, you know. Now, do you think you should speak to the Weyrlingmaster about this? Or the 'Second? If you're worried about anything, he should know."

"Probably," the boy replied quietly.

"But. . . but you were so nice when we got here. We thought you would help us." Toncha gave the Headwoman an accusatory look.

"She _has_ helped, Toncha," her brother chided her. "She reminded us of the right thing to do."

"And I hope I've reassured you that it's not going to be too much trouble for somebody to check for you." Ylisahn put a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "I'll speak to one of the Wingleaders, don't you worry."

"Oh. . . sorry." The younger of the siblings looked genuinely miserable, but whether due to the uncertainty of her grandfather's fate or her earlier comment was not evident.

"Thank you, Headwoman." Ch'bal bowed stiffly. "We appreciate your help in this."

"You're welcome." She patted Toncha's shoulder once more and sighed. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more."

The girl nodded tearfully. "We'll let you know how it turns out."

"Please do. Things might not be as bad as you imagine, Toncha."

"I hope not," murmured Ch'bal. He rose to his feet, his sister doing the same. "We'll go speak to the Weyrlingmaster now."

Last updated on the September 13th 2007

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Worrying