To the Rescue

Writers: Chelle, Jerome, Paula
Date Posted: 29th January 2010

Characters: Zandan, Gawyan, Sarban
Description: The Hold's guards leave to help with the fire at Red Rush hold.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 7, day 11 of Turn 5
Notes: Red Rush Hold

Zandan marched back and forth in front of the row of guards, his hands clasped behind his back. He inspected the troops with a critical eye and gave one a reprimand for a tear in his uniform. In general, he was pleased with what he saw.

"Okay, men, at ease. We got a job to do," he said and stopped, facing them. "The Holder of Green Acres has reported holdless making a camp on his area, and wants us to drive them away. He is worried they might steal from his herds. Any volunteers?"

Before he could continue, a message boy ran in. "Captain!" he called, "Urgent!" He handed Zandan a note which the Captain read quickly.

"Forget that, there's fire at Red Rush Hold, and we're needed to help," he glanced at his troops. "All of us. You, go find out from the Steward more details. Like how in shells we'll get there in time," his fingers pointed at Gawyan.

Sarban was in the thick of it. Through his understeward's flit, he was trying to keep in touch with Corowal and what was going on there so he could be getting ready and sending help from where he was. Plus, there was the day-to-day operations of a major Hold that he had to deal with anyway. The Hold's harper was keeping communication through the drums open. The watchdragon had returned from dropping Corowal off, and was now his line of quick communication to the Weyr.

With Miranek gone to help, he was speaking to one of the journeymen to set up a ward for those that weren't severely injured and could be moved to Emerald Falls. And to collect supplies that Miranek might need. Then, he started to make his way back to his office, to hear the latest news.

"…Sir? Are you in there?" Gawyan was getting apprehensive at the thought of coming back to the guard captain with a delayed reply; he was about to knock on the Steward's door again when he noticed the familiar figure turn the corner. "Sir Sarban!" He was at the start of a sprint before he caught himself, reverting back to the guardly formality he couldn't help but affect. He strode in a brief march towards Sarban. "Sir, the captain had the troops mustered when news of the incident arrived. Still, it would be a long march to Red Rush Hold. The full extent of the fire is still unknown."

The Steward approached, then he stopped walking to hear what Gawyan was saying. He didn't recognize the young guard and he didn't bother to correct him-he was receiving reports of the fire's progress as soon as they came in. "Tell the Captain he has full permission to take enough runners from the Hold's stables to get the men there that he deems necessary. Once you arrive, however, send holders back on them to retrieve supplies. I'm sure Corowal or Miranek will have a list." With that, he dismissed Gawyan.

The guard captain was on his way to the stables when Gawyan caught up with him. "Captain, the steward has authorized us to take runners, as many as you deem necessary. No further details were given about the fire, other than that we are to send some of the holders back on our runners, to retrieve supplies. Lord Corowal has gone ahead of us."

"All right. Let's get geared up and mounted up!" He grunted and barked out a command. "You and you, get the runners from the stables! You and you, get the gear we need," he pointed to men at random. "And let's hurry up!"

Axes, buckets, pike poles…what else? Ladders, but high enough ladders would need wagons; that might slow them down. At least some of them. Gawyan tied a bucket and the longest pole he could find; he would make do with the pike pole to climb into windows and bedrooms. With an axe on his back he mounted the runnerbeast and steered towards the captain. He looked around for his friend Bradel.

When everyone was ready and mounted up (which didn't take that long), Zandan signaled his men to move on. They headed for Red Rush hold at full gallop.

Last updated on the January 31st 2010

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

To the Rescue