It Changes Everything
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: Clancey, Suzee
Date Posted: 26th June 2014
Characters: Bryvin, Caddwyl
Description: The Lord Holder is discovered.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 7, day 1 of Turn 7
The Steward paced on the docks. If he knew anything about his Lord the
short trip down the coast should have been nothing more than routine,
but it wasn't and Bryvin privately cursed the necessity that had sent
Morin into that unexpected squall. He should have been back yesterday
and Bryvin's teeth ground together while Captain's eyes watching him
pace.
Rain soaked boards squeaked protest at his repeated steps. The ship
he'd sent out to search was due back at any time but the magnitude of
probabilities was more than he could wrap his mind around now.
Sunstone was a profitable hold and growing leaps and bounds. But to
lose its Lord on such a trivial matter would devastate the Hold. He
had not named an Heir and had no acknowledged sons.
A voice called his attention to the sail rounding the point and he
shaded his eye against the light to better focus, but it was the
search vessel returning. He watched its slow progress to the dock.
A lanky sailor stepped off the search vessel. His face was solemn and
his eyes dark with concern. He made his way off the ship and onto
the dock just after the ship was brought alongside.
He was the first mate and looked the part, having been sailing his
entire life. He was also smart and understood the implications of
the news his ship, the Sun's Favor, had uncovered. His name was
Caddwyl and he expected to Captain his own ship someday.
He bowed from the waist as he approached Bryvin. "Sir, I bring
news." His face was now shuttered, showing only the normal marks of
a life-long sailor - ruddy cheeks, windswept light blond hair, and
eyes permanently squinted from looking afar.
The mans face didn't show much but Bryvin knew the news wasn't good.
"Go ahead," he replied with a heavy heart.
Caddwyl nodded, his own voice solemn and heavy with the news. He had
liked Morin and appreciated the chance to serve this Hold. "We found
his ship, crashed in the storm against some jagged rocks. He wasn't
too far off shore, he appeared to be angling for that small cove just
up the coast. " He stepped closer to the Steward and lowered his
voice. "There is no way he could have survived the crash. No way."
He went on in an even softer voice. "We found a body that must be
him; it was impossible to identify. But hair, shape, size, all were
just the same as Morin's. The rocks had beat him basically to a pulp.
It was very.. sad." Caddwyl's voice trailed off. "The Lord Holder is
dead." He finished, making the pronouncement final.
Bryvin's shoulders dropped and his jaw worked for a moment and the
reality of the situation washed over him. So many plans could go down
the drain without careful management and who knew what kind of Holder
the Conclave would saddle him with. "Alright," he said after a moment.
"Cover him up and bring him ashore. Tell no one who it is until we
have him safe inside the main Hold." Then more to himself he added.
"I'll have to send the message out at once to the Weyrleader." Though
he knew the drums were out of the question. The news would be winging
across Pern soon enough. "I'll be back in a bit to escort you to the
main Hold."
He turned away from the sailor and if anyone had been watching his
face in that moment they would have see the ghost of a very feral
smile touch his face before it changed back to one of stoic sorrow and
loss.
His faithful black and tan canine fell in step with him and padded
along side as they walked up the hill toward the watchrider's station.
Caddwyl nodded and stared curiously after the man he knew as a
faithful Steward to Lord Morin. An interesting man, this Bryvin.
He watched him walk away for a moment before turning to the task at
hand. As he went back aboard ship to find a way to bring the Lord
Holder's body ashore in secret, he considered what this might mean for
Sunstone.
What would happen now?
Last updated on the July 1st 2014