Heard Round The World {Plot!}

new

Admin
Administrator

brect[M:-2154]

Posts: 3,754

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 1:56:53 GMT -5

Post by Admin on Feb 20, 2011 1:56:53 GMT -5

I used to hideaway and only try to save myself,
From falling in love, or staying up on the shelf,
I was afraid to walk the streets alone, or by your side,
Just waiting up for something that could save my life.

There are a million possibilities for every moment. The people of the world play a dance, the people in a Weyr play their part. At some point, they'll reach a certain orientation, placed just so from each other for this or that. True patience is a person being able to wait for one of those moments. The perfect moment. True patience is a terrible thing. Rukbat shown brightly in the sky. It was the middle of summer. True to form, the Weyr was at peace, the pass not quite yet upon them. One turn and then a half more. Then the war would start. In the meantime, the dance continued. Cooks in the kitchen. Crafters in the caves. Wherhandlers content with their sleep. The watchdragon and his rider on the rim, an older man and his scarred green. Herdbeasts lowed in their pens, bellowing as a dragon or two came down to feed. The wherries squawked their own alarm.

The new weyrlings were in the bowl, working under F'del with their dragonets. Basic exercises. The beginnings of a future. They marched in pairs, aware of each other or aware of the world, very rarely of both, but at long last, they were called back together. They formed neatly into a loose bunch, several weyrlings deep, young dragons beside them. Organization. The final piece of an ornate puzzle. A lone wherry cried out, though the feeding pens had been briefly left in peace. It's piercing cry, a warbling whistle, bounced off the walls, echoing up the bowl. As that whistling call began to fade, a new noise came. Snap. Zing. Bam. An arrow narrowly avoiding Pananarie's neck and lodged itself into Milune's chest. With a squeak of surprise, Eoth's claws dug into the ground. Then she winked between as her rider crumpled silently onto the ground.

The next shots were more accurate, but, while they were still harmful enough, they were not so fatal. An arrow punctured a chunk of flesh on Fahra's right thigh. With a shriek akin to that of a cat doused in water, she toppled over, shocked by the sudden change from lecture to violence. She gasped for air, trying to speak, breath knocked out of her as she fell. Hissing and fuming, Eriputh spread her wings wide, puffing out. She turned, placing herself firmly in front of her rider. That was a nasty, nasty trick! Whoever had done it was a good-for-nothing little prick. She would make him pay if he fell into her web. A second arrow, fired just a moment after the first two, lodged in L'ryn's left forearm. A final arrow, fired in the same second, punctured F'bee's hand, almost missing but puncturing through the flesh and several of the smaller bones quite effectively.

A fifth arrow struck Samael in the shoulder. In the exact same chunk of time, four more arrows were shot. Just outside the dining hall, dinner swiftly approaching, Loto and Myra, two young riders, freshly graduated as of just days previous to that, were shot in perfect unison. As their bodies fell, Mabiath and Avith winked out with terrified and confused keens. A tan and a cyan, gone from life. Near them, less than a second later, H'eath was struck in the chest as an arrow narrowly avoided hitting B'lor. Lunging into the air, Junaeth twisted. Then he too was gone, as the keening grew. The moment was growing thicker, noises beginning to threaten the snapping of bowstrings and whizzing of arrows. The final shot was aimed across the bowl. J'vert had been moving towards O'ris, wishing to speak with the weyrlingmaster. He and Canlarth took the bullet for him.

Nine arrows. No more. There was no time for more. The perfect moment had passed. It was shattered with a low, vehement, and hateful voice. Get them. Kalith stood on her ledge, her call going out to every dragon and wher in the Weyr, her copper body framing the form of her rider. Both of them were tense. Deadly. The Queen looked ready to strike. She had spied one of the them, red eyes locked on the man trying to slip stealthily from the weyr he had selected as his perch. However, the Weyrwoman held her. Kalith wished to fight, but nine people, just nine, was not enough to let the beast lose. Nine could be taken down by the whers alone, even in daylight. Fajra could see the killers, the assassins, moving to flee in what they thought was a stealthy manner. However, dragons could see them. Dragons saw all. What a waste of useful bodies.

Mayday Wing, move! Detritath's voice broke into the minds of his wingriders. Moving with numb precision, K'ber was trying to harness him as swiftly as possible. Elsewhere, F'lan stood just within the shadows of his weyr with Seceth. He considered moving, but his loyalty was limited. His main concern? E'rin. His jaw clenched, as did his fist. Seceth twined back and forth behind him, huffing and puffing. Foolish, foolish men. If no one else got them, he would. What fun it would be. Annith cowered, P'nay no help, her mind unable to comprehend the violence. W'al and Kerath were airborne, straps forgotten. Their purpose, however, was not to hunt. They swept down to help F'del, ready to defend the weyrlings with their life. The normally jovial purple was serious as a heart attack, though relaxed in body. Obelir, Bri, Obelisk, and Brisk stumbled out of bed.

And Sonia? While, one beast was let out that day. Aimeth flew fast and true. As per usual, she did so without mercy. Today was her day. Today there would be no love. She found the first assassin who broke cover in the bowl. Baring her teeth and breathing harshly, she pinned the poor man beneath her foreclaws, cracking his bow and arrows against his back. Her teeth were inches from his face, but sadly, she would not get to learn what it meant to kill. She thought it suited her. They'll want him; Sonia told the green, voice cold but tolerant. Her flitters, all but Eulo and Zola, who stayed behind to guard eggs, joined the green, picking and nipping at the assassin as he tried to squirm. Jary started scratching up his face. A few minutes later, Sonia appeared in the bowl and started ambling towards them. She looked a touched strained, but not overly concerned.

But there's the way out, stuck inside my head now,
Headed for a break down when I should be headed for the door,
Cause I found out there's no such thing as a miracle, a miracle,
No, you can't hide, it's the shot heard round the world, lights out.

Last Edit: Sept 25, 2012 23:57:12 GMT -5 by Cathaline

aikastarr
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 2:39:15 GMT -5

Post by aikastarr on Feb 20, 2011 2:39:15 GMT -5

Krysthanine had been quite content to just meditate. Yes. Meditate. It had been quite a time-passer, and Emith encouraged it, so it was bound to help out somehow. The week had been amazing; she had graduated, Lio had taken her out on a romantic dinner, and Emith seemed to have a growing feeling akin to fondness for Mikidith (though it is still uncertain considering this is Emith). The summer air was warm, and the Weyrlings were doing what they were doing, but something was wrong…

But Krys didn’t know it. Emith did. She was sitting in her statue pose, which she adopted when she was stressed. The gray wasn’t sure why, but she felt an impending doom falling upon them. She looked out to the Lake below, watching the Sky Stalkers with a critical eye. Her eyes whirled with mixes of fiery yellows and oranges, whirling faster as the minutes crawled by. She was one of the first to see the arrow whiz through the air; she was one of the first to keen, albeit quietly, for the fallen dragonet.

Krys was shaken from her meditation by the swiftly-amplifying sound of mourning. Aware of the severity of the situation, she moved quickly to her dragon’s side. ”What happened?” she asked. Arrows. Five killed, four wounded. The Zen is far from balanced, Mine. was the report back. Soon after, one command was given out, first by Emith’s queen mother (who had also targeted the whers, which mentally kicked Rethalt out of bed), and then by their Wingleader. Their mission: Seek and Destroy… Well, more of Seek and Hold Hostage, but the same thing.

Straps were tightened, gear was slipped on, and the first Daliborian-born Grayrider pair was off to catch the murderers of innocent Riders. It wasn’t hard to find them; they had a man pinned beneath them in swift time. It must have been scary, thinking that he would die under a dragon with “no heart.” But no, their orders were to seek out the assassins and capture them. Emith brought her maw inches away from the man’s face, clicking them for good measure. Krys had by now dismounted and leaned over the man’s face. ”Who sent you?” she snarled in his face as Drahaus popped from /between/ and commenced to attack the man. She called the black to a halt. ”Find others who have men under their feet, and report back to K’ber, you understand?” she instructed the flitter, giving mental images for each step. Drahaus gave a quick nod before taking off to find others. All Krys had left to do was wait now.

purnip
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 3:53:07 GMT -5

Post by purnip on Feb 20, 2011 3:53:07 GMT -5

They couldn't have asked for a better day, and perhaps that was why it couldn't survive. Pananarie marched along with her fellow Weyrlings, Demeth at her side matching her steps. Every day was becoming better than the last, which incidentally made every passing one the best day of her life. Ever since she Impressed to her godsend of a dragon, she found herself in pleasant company at all times. Demeth was supportive and kind, as well as patient; dragons as well as peers often found Pan to be far too social. But her Tan accepted her for who she was, and like the guardian angel she always imagined she had, Demeth never deserted her. Pananarie would never do the same.

Sisters of mind, just trying to survive the waltz of life, they enjoyed the warm weather while it still graced them. Pan was hardly paying attention to F'del, even if he was engaging. She was daydreaming about the future, when her dragon would be large enough to ride. They could surf the breeze on a humid day like this. Moving along, without a care for the world around her, she did not hear the wherries cry in the distance. She did not hear the whistling of a deadly object shooting through the air, headed straight for her.

All she heard was the sound that it made when it penetrated a fellow Weyrling's chest. There was a distinct contrast between the noise itself and the sounds of all that was natural about this summer's afternoon. Pan turned slowly, hand rising to her neck where she felt a tickle seconds ago. Her eyes grew wide in alarm at the sight of the arrow, the sound of a quiet scream, and the fall of Milune's form as her life was promptly claimed by the fatal wound. Demeth rose her head in alarm and threw herself over her bonded, eyes flashing such a pale yellow-white that they only served to further frighten the young Weyrling.

We are being attacked! We must guide our sisters to safety! She sorrowfully keened, but all the while she shoved at Pan to move her towards a better cover. Demeth wanted to mourn her fellow kin, but it was far more important to preserve those who still lived. Whatever was met with the cold hand of death could not be saved. It would be foolish to try. Those that survived were all those that mattered. The ones that fell could be mourned after the passage of danger.

Pananarie was horrified and enraged all at once. She wanted justice for the deaths of her peers. She wanted the people who were behind this attack to be stopped. But at the same time, she knew not of where they came from or why they were attacking at all. It was frightening to be jumped like this, without any warning at all, on such a beautiful day as this. Fists clenched as she bit back her tears, she moved onwards to safety, calling out to the other Weyrlings that happened to be near. "Over here! Everybody inside!" She was headed for the entrance to the weyr--the true fortress. To hide behind a wall was dangerous without knowing where the attacks were coming from. The safest bet was to retreat to a total enclosure. Demeth was just behind her, wings fanned out to catch any arrows if they dared to find Hers a target.

----------

At the time of the attack, Rhysia was not present at the weyr. She and her dragon were busy tying boats together to go sailing in the near future. Raeterith was quiet at first, hardly aware of the world outside their own, when she was suddenly aware of some disturbing news. Dalibor was in full alarm by this time, and the Green wouldn't have been a dragon at all if she couldn't have received it.

Her eyes flashed orange and red as she dropped what she was doing. With a growl, the dragon announced this ambush. Cowards! They've attacked our weyr! Come! We must catch them and make them pay for their transgressions!"

Rhysia didn't question it, hesitate, or waste any time for that matter. She too dropped what she was doing and shot over to her dragon's side, vaulting onto Raeterith's back like the boss she was. "Go! Just over the weyr bowl! We'll show them no mercy!" The Green gave a mighty roar and pushed off the ground like it was offensive to her, giving gravity the finger with one of the most rapid take-offs of all time. The very moment they were safe enough to flicker between, they did so. In the time it took to cough twice, they were just above Dalibor weyr. Just above the site of yet another tragedy.

But this time, Raeterith's lust for blood could not be left unquenched. The Green dove the moment she appeared toward's Emith's location. They knew wherever the faster dragons were, the assassins would be fleeing just a few feet away. She was flying straight towards the ground before she snapped back up to weave towards the trees. In case more attacks were being drawn, the Green continued to move in a more unpredictable fashion. But her destination was clear. Once she spotted one of those spineless assassins through the treetops, she plummeted towards him with claws extended.

But just then, a Brown wher had pushed the man clean off his feet and just out of Raeterith's grasp. The wher was raked across his back in the process, leaving a deeper gash by his shoulder blade where the contact was most kept. Wrynsk cried out in pain, and the wher turned to glare at the Green that only hissed in response. Out of my way, wher! The kill is mine!

No kill! Wrynsk barked back. But he didn't spend a second longer arguing with the dragon. He returned his attention to the assassin he headbutted and charged at him again as he was getting up. The Brown pounced upon him, a little rougher than he would have liked to be. Raeterith had upset him, and now his shoulder was hurting a lot. The man under his claws was screaming and every instinct in him demanded his blood. But this wher had just a little more self control that his brothers and sisters. He hesitated as Wrynri's plea echoed in his mind. You can't kill him! We need him! We need him!

Raeterith circled above, only to land just behind the wher she marred. She didn't seem to care about him, but rather for the man in his clutched. Give him to me! I'll tear his throat out if you can't stand to do it yourself!

The wher turned and snapped at the dragon, though he instantly regretted it when Raeterith snapped right back at him. Rhysia shouted above the confrontation, trying to calm her dragon down. "Rae! Leave him be! There's more of them out there!"

The Green bore her teeth at Wrynsk, growling at the ugly-looking thing before she turned her back on him and took off again. The Brown remained over the man he had successfully captured, once again fighting the urge to do what a dragon nearly did. He had to be better than that, but more importantly, he had to make sure he was doing his duties properly.

----------

A certain Whiterider wasn't much aware of what was going on until there was some discord to go around. Sjanseth was taking one of his afternoon naps when he was suddenly roused by yelling and screaming. He yawned, casting a dreary gaze in the direction of the attack. A few fighters were already on it. Meanwhile he keened for the losses the weyr suffered due to the attack and kept his mind open for any updates. He was not much of a fighter, and with B'wie being...well...himself, they weren't suited for this sort of thing. The best they had to offer at a time like this was moral support, and even so it was yet another talent they lacked. The weyr had dragons in abundance to spare for the pursuit of these hidden foes. There was no need for them to act.

Still, Sjanseth felt it was his duty to alert his rider of this.

A funny thing was going on, and had it not been in the works, B'wie might have foolishly involved himself putting several others in unnecessary danger. He was examining a fellis-drugged Cyanrider by the name of D'ix to record the effects of a parasite he discovered on the eastern islands on the metabolic system of its host. He already knew how to remove said parasite--it was much like a leech in most respects. And the boy wasn't really volunteered for this. He had to drug the dragon as well, which was a real pain. But he was doing this on request. Apparently a lot of people found the pair to be extremely horrendous and when he asked for a subject to use for this experiment, they were all quick to offer this kid on a silver platter. Now as long as D'ix didn't wake up, he was fine. The problem however, was that time was of the essence.

So the Whiterider rose his head for a moment, looked a little grim, rubbed his temples, and went back to work. "I'm afraid there's little we can do about it."

----------

Meanwhile, L'am was there for the very beginning of the attack.

He was at the feeding pens with Lebeth, who was just taking down his lunch for the day. The Bronze was actually a treat to watch, only because he fed in a very regretful manner. He hated the part where he was obligated to killing something. L'am did volunteer once or twice before to kill the prey for him, but the Bronze wasn't interested in the idea. He had this funny notion about needing to prove himself worthy of being a dragon of his rank. All the rider's words must have finally gotten to his dragon, after years of working with a creature so aloof it'd make one's head spin. But the Bronze was smart. Maybe he had the focus of a flitter, but he was good at remembering whatever managed to get through to him.

While feasting upon a herdbeast, the wherries at the end of the pen were becoming unsettled by something. Of course, L'am thought nothing of it. Lebeth was feeding right in front of them. But they weren't looking at the Bronze anymore. The danger had passed for them and they had something else preoccupying them. L'am only looked their way because he was zoning out, but he began to focus again when he could have sworn he saw something moving in the bush. Maybe it was just a wild wher, early to rise.

The eruption of pain and panic began swiftly thereafter. Lebeth jumped from his kill and gave a roar, maw stained with blood and for once looking utterly ferocious. Not again! No more! I'll stop them! I'm big enough this time! Memories of the fateful night that followed his hatching flooded through both the dragon and rider's minds. L'am knew instantly what this meant, as it happened every time this sort of thing happened in some form or another. There was an attack on the weyr. The details weren't clear, but whoever or whatever Lebeth claimed he could stop had to be captured. The situation needed to be dissected with care. If any death was to be avoided in the future, it was imperative to do so.

"Find out what you can! If people are attacking us, capture one of them! Do NOT kill!"

I swore I never would, Mine! I will keep that promise! But I must help! I'm big enough to save them this time!

Lebeth took a running start before flying towards the point of origin, but a couple of the faster dragons had already beaten him there. He flew over them, landing near and trying to detect any movement in the grass and trees. But it was hard. Whers were moving about here as well. He wasn't sure how helpful he could be, as big as he was. He gave out another roar. If anything, he could try to scare them somehow so they wouldn't hurt the dragons and whers looking for them. But on his own, he was having a hard time finding anything. Every time he moved around he had to watch his feet. Whers and dragons everywhere around him, he felt out of place. He lifted off the ground and decided to land a hundred feet out or so to keep a parameter. He looked to Emith and Aimeth expectantly, admiring them for being far better at this than he was.

L'am knew there was only so much his Bronze could accomplish when it came to rouges. Lebeth was giving him the details as he took his post. Aimeth was out there, so Sonia had to be alive. It was a great relief to have that cleared out of the way before he had a chance to worry about it. He knew it would have been next if he didn't have his dragon's report. But that didn't mean she wasn't hurt. Aimeth could have been the first on the scene because of that. Either way, the Bronzerider felt compelled to find Sonia to make sure she was alright. He gave Lebeth the order to stay put until their superiors told him otherwise. If they didn't, L'am would let him know as soon as he found the Greenrider. He sent Suede to be Lebeth's 'eyes' in case it'd help. The flitter was more than willing to do what he was told this time.

Admin
Administrator

brect[M:-2154]

Posts: 3,754

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 6:34:47 GMT -5

Post by Admin on Feb 20, 2011 6:34:47 GMT -5

My mind is muddy but my heart is heavy, does it show?
I lose the track that loses me, so here I go.
And so I sent some men to fight,
And one came back at dead of night.

Go, go, go! Kerath urged the dragonets, telling them to follow Pananarie. The purple could not go with them. He remained with Helioth, Eriputh, and Dorith, his rider trying to comfort theirs. F'del and Altith could keep an eye on the others, though Pananarie seemed to be acting appropriately. Hopefully Chelo and Seiseth would arrive soon, and O'ris and Rhyolith, though he was not sure of the status of either pair. They couldn't risk losing any of the weyrlings. They had to be protected. The assassins would still have arrows. Still fluid in motion, Kerath stretched his wings wider, shielding an indignant Eriputh from view. We need healers in the bowl; he called to Oveth, Ansyth, and Noyth. Fahra was swearing up a storm, not about to shut up but a little less interesting than normal. Her leg hurt like hell. Nothing felt broken, but it hurt so much.

Piteous appeared and curled around K'ber's neck as he took flight on Detritath's back. Her chirruped to warn of Drahaus's arrival and the iron stopped in midair, hovering near the rim to listen to the flitter speak. He was also ferrying communications from others and trying to keep an eye on everything. Chasing down felons was not his role in the system. Three of the assassins have been found. Others are looking for the remaining six. Majority must still be in the Weyr, but some have been spotted in the woods. K'ber nodded along, somber and serious, youth briefly dispelled as he gazed over the scene in front of him. Risk, send whers to the docks; the iron said, broadcasting to the gold and her children. They had to assure that no one got off the island. Fajra and Kalith sat near to the King, but their thoughts lay elsewhere, their picture far bigger.

Aimeth noticed Lebeth in the distance and his look. She gave him a hiss. Useless bronze. He couldn't even catch himself an assassin, let alone a dragon. She was aware of his recent loss to Ansyth in Izykeeyerdath's maiden flight. It didn't much matter to her. Just another thing that proved his uselessness. Sonia was approaching them, still making her way across the last leg of the bowl to where the green had made her catch. "Jary, I'd prefer you not try to remove his eyes;" she said. Her voice was quiet, as per usual, but audible. She spoke aloud so that the murderer in front of her might hear what her flitter wanted to do. Twittering and chattering, her fair scattered into the air, busted by their nearing bonded. Olya, Jary, and Ruy remained. Ife and Esti returned to Eulo and Zola. Their young owner continued at an amble, but at least it wasn't a shuffle.

Aimeth, looking over her rider's head, shifted, still dissatisfied by Lebeth's position. The captive beneath her claws scrambled free of her loosened grip. He tried to flee as the green let loose a snarl, head snapping back around. However, Sonia was upon them and she moved with cool proficiency. She picked up the head of one of the assassin's broken arrows and chucked it at him. While it wasn't an overly powerful toss, her aim was true and the heavy-duty metal cut his face, adding to his already marred appearance. She closed the distance between them, not about to let him escape as he tried to flee beyond Aimeth's attempts to recapture him. Her fist collided firmly with his face, even though the man was far taller and far larger than her. He appeared aware of this, because he chose fighting back rather than trying to escape both her and her dragon.

Fingernails scratched her face. A heel collided with her small foot. However, the pain never affected her actions. She kneed him in the stomach and scrambled at his arms. She dealt what damage she could and then wiggled free. He was bigger, but she? She was there to survive. She did not have to fight. She knew sometimes it was better to just take it, but when she fought, she fought properly. Like a bear trap, Aimeth's claws immediately folded over the assassin again and pinned him to the ground. She was hissing and growling, tail flicking furiously back and forth. The green's jaws snapped closed once, then twice, just above the man's scratched and most likely scarred face. Ruy, Olya, and Jary crowed their agreement, the background singers of her rage. "No, Aimeth;" Sonia ordered the green, barking the order. Don't kill him. Hold him properly.

Aimeth settled into her hissing and raging, blocking out the rest of the world. She had made a mistake. Normally, she would not have cared. However, the fact it had brought up the possibility of actually losing her rider, she was upset, more so than usual. Sonia let the green do her thing. She briefly checked over her flitters, ever the diligent caretaker. Then the pain in her foot became a little too distracting. She leaned her weight heavily on her good leg, trying to ignore the injury. That wasn't the proper time to check it. Her face and arms stung as well from scratches she herself had obtained in the struggle. At least they had caught a murderer. At least they had done that. Fat lot of good that would do. That day, Sonia was hardly feeling more optimistic than usual. She was tired. She hadn't slept much the previous night. Or eaten much. Her foot ached painfully.

I'm not calling for a second chance,
I'm screaming at the top of my voice.
Give me reason but don't give me choice,
Cause I'll just make the same mistake.

Lan
Weyrlingmaster

lanct[M:-1025]

Nomming ALL the kidpets!

Posts: 1,266

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 8:46:17 GMT -5

Post by Lan on Feb 20, 2011 8:46:17 GMT -5

Fahra! F'ton's eyes widened as the second of the deadly arrows pierced his friend's thigh. First instincts took over and he ducked to the ground, not wanting to make himself a larger target. Few things flew through his mind. Preservation of Poseith. Preservation of self. Preservation of... As the last of the arrows fell the real chaos ensued. Dragons rose from the Bowl to let loose their fury on the attackers. The young iron wished to joined, but kept himself by F'ton's side. He knew he was too young, and his rider needed him more.

They kill! Waroth roared, all fiery indignation ruling over her as she clenched her claws against the stone of her ledge. Nimara was quick to her side, looking over the chaos of the Bowl half ready to mount and take arms. The red seethed, her shrieks adding to the Copper Queen's own at the unforgivable actions that had just taken place. Her eyes caught the form of another of the murderers, one that had not been captured scrambling over the rim. HER rim. She crouched low. This was her catch.

Nimara was on her without another word. Together they flew, over the Bowl and over the Rim until the man in Waroth's sights were right below them. The red demon descended, all claws and righteous fury, and showing the most mercy possible she knocked him to the ground, flying low over him. Then she circled back, catching him as he tumbled down the hillside to pin him to dirt and stone with one foot. Her roar that followed was softer than the last, but directed right at the man's face would probably leave him close to deaf. Only then did Nimara dismount, standing to the side so the man could see her but far enough away that even if he did struggle an arm free of Waroth's mighty grasp he would not catch her. Meanwhile, the red fell silent, the only further giveaway of her ire in her tensing muscles and her sanguinely crimson eyes.

"Don't move. Or I'll let her kill you." Normally so congenial, the redrider's eyes were as dark and sinister as her dragon's, the mood of her scarlet dragon spilling over to her to further shadow her already dark mood. What she spoke was no threat, but a warning. She was the only thing standing between him and the stomach of the self-proclaimed fiercest red of Dalibor Weyr. Angry, but no longer struggling, the assassin fell silent. Whether he heard Nimara's words or not, he appeared to not want to take his chances with a giant, angry dragoness. We have one. He is, sadly, alive. Waroth spoke to Kalith, the first words she had sent to the Copper in a long time. Nimara held her and they waited for a signal.

We must move, F'ton. Poseith's voice came as the ex-dolphineer struggled to his feet. However, instead of moving without regard toward the shelter Pananarie had led the charge to, he moved to Fahra's side. Poseith, too, moved with him, taking up defensive position in case there were any further attacks to His or HisFriends. Taking charge he fell into step with Eriputh, standing behind her and the others and encouraging her toward the safety of the Weyr. Let's go. While not exactly commanding, there was an urgency to his otherwise monotone voice as he spoke to his green sister.

F'ton, without being asked, slipped Fahra's arm over his shoulder and acted as a crutch for her, guiding her toward where Pananarie and Demeth were already leading the rest of the Weyrlings. His arm around her side was strong and steady, despite the appearance of his light frame, and he held her tight as encouragement for her to lean on him instead of trying to walk on her injured leg. While he didn't push her faster than she wanted to go, he acted as a driving force to keep them both moving. He would not allow her to protest against his aid. She was injured and he would not leave her out there to die. Echelon landed on Fahra's shoulder, voicing in hushed tones sympathetic and encouraging chitterings as he nuzzled her cheek gently.

Last Edit: Feb 20, 2011 22:09:45 GMT -5 by Lan

Reky
Alphahandler

rekyct[M:-999]

SO PRO

Posts: 1,554

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 12:46:53 GMT -5

Post by Reky on Feb 20, 2011 12:46:53 GMT -5

It was as though whatever fates may be had become jealous of their tranquility in that moment. When the time was perfect, with all manner of things in balance and harmony, it was promptly shattered, and shattered fast. It happened around him like a flash of lightning; he could barely tell what was going on. There were a few things he knew for a fact. First, Jarith had gone rigid, and that disturbed him on a level deeper than anything else could. Second, the sounds that filled his ears were ones of chaos. There were screams, and the same keening from Jarith's hatching. The keening of death. And third, which he was most acutely aware of, he was scared. He shivered down to his very bones.

E'rin's eyes shot around like darts, trying to figure it all out. What he saw was little more than a blur. One of the girls was on the ground, and arrow sticking out of her chest. Where Eoth was a moment before, there was nothing. The screaming was all he could hear. Screams of pain, of fright, and the screams of his confused dragon beside him. He wanted to scream, too, but nothing came out. He wanted to duck, to cover his precious Jarith with his own body, but his muscles wouldn't work. Nothing was working. He was frozen in shock, eyes quickly gathering tears, until the will to move was forced upon him by Pananarie's voice. He choked out of his stupor, wide eyes searching for her and her tan. Jarith was shaking beside him, pressed tight to his side, a waterfall of words gushing from her frightened little head. It was a noise that had melded into the chaotic barrage of sound in E'rin's mind, but as he moved, he picked her out. E'rinLove! E'rinLove... E'rinLoveE'rinLove, oh, E'rinLove your Jarith is scared! E'rinLove... E'rinLove... He'd never seen or heard her like this. He worried that it was his fault; that because he was so scared, he was confusing Jarith, and if she would be happy otherwise. Maybe if she was happy, he would feel better. He swallowed hard, and simply followed Pan. As soon as they were inside and safe, he practically collapsed.

"Jarith... Jarith, I'm scared, too," he sobbed, voice shaking. He drew the white close to him, hugging her even as she shook her head and tried to dispel the negative emotions Hers shared with her. "I want daddy, Jarith." He sniffled. "And Rats and Mitzi and Merps and you..." Clutching her, refusing to let go, E'rin resigned himself to crying. He was too shaken. It wasn't just dragons killing dragons, now. It was people killing people.

Samael screamed. Pain shot through her entire body - enough pain that it took her a moment to figure out exactly where it was coming from. She lifted a hand across her chest to the arrow in her shoulder, fingers sliding up around the shaft, pressing at the blood that seeped out from just around it. It was warm and thick on her hands, a sensation that almost made her vomit instantly. Her rapidly blurring vision caught sight of Loto and Mabiath, and their deaths. Her heart clenched painfully, eyes tearing up. Her mind Searched, instinctively, for Naireth's, but the tan was ahead of her. Screaming, a sense of intense failure welling up in her primitive mind, Naireth flew down to meet her injured rider. She had failed to protect Hers. It was the most important purpose in her life, and she had failed. The first thing she had ever said to Samael was a promise - the promise to let no harm come to her - and she had broken that promise. Wailing, keening, pouring out her defeat, Naireth threw her wings out and sheltered Hers. Nothing else would hurt her. Never again.

SamaelMine, Naireth is sorry. Naireth promised she would protect you, but...

[/i] The tan's voice trailed off abruptly, replaced with the dragon's laboured breathing. She looked under her wing at Hers, eyes blazing with the passion of her apology and her mistake. Samael's knees had given out, and she sat hunched on the ground, still trying to keep the blood in her body. Her eyes looked up at Naireth. She didn't blame the tan at all, but she knew the tan blamed herself. She also knew, by the intensity of the emotions coming off of that tan hide, that Naireth would not move away from her guilt. Samael would not be able to tell Naireth it was not her fault, and nor would Naireth accept forgiveness until she had made things right again.

You need a healer, Naireth said simply and forcefully. She would not leave Hers until Hers was fixed. That was a promise she would not break. Not for anything in the world.

Likewise, Lin would not leave Memnorooth. They had heard Detritath's call, but there was nothing they could do. Mem's mind was a mess, trying and failing to make sense of it all. It was something Lin had not felt from the green since the day of their Impression when the Renegades had attacked. It was the same confusion and fright from that day, the same innocence incapable of handling so much violence. LinMine? What's going on? LinMine? What's going on?[/i] Each question was a duplicate of the first, and she had no idea she was repeating herself. Memnorooth's eyes were wide, staring at the scene from their weyr, and all Lin could do was hold to the green dragon's neck and stroke her spicy-scented hide. She had had a bath earlier today, and they had gone flying and had breakfast. Today had been so normal. It was unnerving how fast the normalcy had been stolen.

Elsewhere, Kesviry tried to console her anxious pink. Karath's tail lashed out, she screamed, and their weyr became a warzone. They are hurt! They are dying! KESVIRYMINE! she screamed. In truth, Kesviry was just as frightened. This was chaos. The Weyr was in hysterics. Karath was in hysterics and there was nothing Kesviry could do about it, because she was just as bad. A blue spoke to his rider softly, I'tier... I'tierMine. Will they be alright? I want to help. I need to help... I'tier knew that things happened for a reason, but there was little that was beautiful about men killing men. Verith's worry went out to every single person in the Weyr; he wished them safety and health and hoped they would all be alright. Brekken and Meyhineth closed themselves off from the rest of the world - they doubted their choice to transfer. This is terrible! Meyhineth whined. Why?! This was YOUR idea, Mine. Your GREAT idea.[/i] In another weyr, R'fus and Eondith were aware of it all in a detached way, as if watching from the other side of a pane of glass, and in the underground, Audren kept Ausk from the outside. The red wher was quarantined and vicious. The violence outside infected her almost immediately; her eyes whirled red with bloodlust, but Audren wouldn't let her have it. AUSK FIGHT. AUSK KILL. AUSK BLOOD. BLOOD NEED. AUSK NEED![/i] The wher shrieked and squawked her defiance and acted it out upon Hers. Blood dripped from the monstrous gash down her leg and her mind hurt with the effort to keep Ausk from hurting her any more, but Audren held.

Pond had burst out of between in a flurry of wings and distressed whistles. Cleo lept up from her chair, and Andry relayed what Pond had seen in a way that was coherent to the healer. She wasted no time, gathering up a bag with numbweed, redwort, a skin of water, rags, and plenty of bandages. Andry clutched to her shoulder and Pond flew ahead, leading her to where the weyrlings would be coming in, lead by Pananarie. Bag slung over her shoulder, Cleo hiked up her skirt, urgency overriding the concern for indecency. A couple other healers had come with her, bearing their own supplies, and she let them go to Fahra and L'ryn. She took F'bee as her responsibility. The bones in his hand were delicate and already shattered. She would need to be careful.

Mine-Own, we will bring them to Kalith,[/i] the iron said. R'len and Kaezeth left their Weyr immediately, duty calling them out to the sky where they could see. Kaezeth's sharp eyes spotted the assassins that had already been caught and the ones that were still fleeing, and one seemed close enough for them to swoop down and detain, but they were beat to him. There was one dual force in the Weyr that had no morality in either half, no control, no reason. Death! Death to them! Enlith's scream, high and cold, rang through the air like shattering glass. Her dark body, flashing emerald in the hot summer sun, arced in the air and then came down on the assassin like the arrow he shot. Her claws connected violently with his legs and they cracked loudly as they were slammed into the ground he was running on. She hissed, blowing hot breath down the back of his neck. Everything about her, from her stance to her very state of mind, had gone feral.

X'ni stumbled off her back. His eyes were wild. His hands and thighs stung, rubbed raw from riding the crazed Enlith. From his boot he pulled a dagger, shining for the most part but flecked with the rust of age. He walked like he was intoxicated, feet shuffling, dagger hand held to his side. He could smell the twinge of blood where Enlith's claws held the assassin pinned to the earth. He took deep, shaking breaths. He had seen E'rin, scared to death, his dragon crying, but the attachment to the boy wasn't that strong. He knew, though, that it would break F'lan's heart. He knew. And this was for F'lan. Everything was for F'lan. As he circled around to crouch in front of the assassin, he told himself that. This is for breaking his heart. He forced the victim's chin up with the dagger, not bothering to be careful about it. He let his cold gray eyes stare into man's, long enough to make an impression, and then he stood back up. He nodded to Enlith.

Only a foot away, he watched the green rip into the assassin's body. Her fangs punctured his lungs, her jaws crushed his ribs and skull, and she lapped at the blood like a greedy feline. Pleasure welled up inside of X'ni, spilling over his rim as a quiet chuckle and a smirk. Inside, he was giddy like a kid in a candy store. The energy that coursed through him was like fireworks. He felt more alive than he had since the war. Along with the renewed sense of life, he also felt free - free of the bonds that had had him behaving so well all this time. It excited him to be deviating again. The sadistic hunger in him was reawakened, and it was voracious. Calmly but still smirking, as he witnessed Enlith's handiwork, X'ni realized that he really wouldn't be needing the dagger anymore. Not now, at least.[/size][/blockquote]

Last Edit: Feb 20, 2011 14:08:51 GMT -5 by Reky

Azhdarchid
Jr. Weyrwoman

azhct[M:-1490]

Totes.

Posts: 1,627

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 13:50:50 GMT -5

Post by Azhdarchid on Feb 20, 2011 13:50:50 GMT -5

Qosis was working on the eastern brim of the waterfall pool, scraping algae from the pool's sides with a sharp-bristled scrubber mounted on a pole. He had been informed this was so that the algae could be used in a new Weyrhealer concoction. Qosis was already convinced it was more a matter of no one wanting a persistent fishy stink hovering amidst the romance of the waterfall and the nearby homes of the Weyrwomen. He was peeling a calcified cyan layer off the scrubber bristles when a scream of draconic outrage burned into his ears. An absent flick of Qosis' hand sent the glob of algae into his collecting basket, and then he turned to the rest of the Weyr.

At first there was no making sense of it: dragons all a-wing, or nearly smashing into weyr ledges in their efforts to-- to do what? Many of them were coming toward the Candidates' end of the Weyr, or more precisely: the Weyrlings'. And he had not yet lost his instinct to duck his head whenever a gigantic shadow lashed over it. He glanced to the Candidates working the other sides of the pool, but their expressions were not illuminating. As he turned toward the Weyrling quarter he caught a peripheral glimpse of a queen mantling her wings. And coming across the bridge in a fantastic hurry was a man he did not recognize as Candidate or Weyrling.

Or non-riding personnel, he decided after a moment. Not that he had met everyone in Dalibor, but most of them did not sprint about at a conspicuous full stride. At the far end of the bridge a Green made too shallow a landing to catch the fleeing man. She could only hobble after him then in the awkward manner dragons used on the ground. Her steps still closed admirable distance, but the man had already made it to Qosis' side. He ran past, thin and leggy, veering toward the Candidates' entrance to the Hatching Sands. Suddenly Qosis detected a second intonation in the dragon cries above: a death knell. With the fleeing man's back now in view, the ex-trader could make out a fine little bow and quiver strapped to it.

The assassin neared the steps to the Sands and a couple of firelizards blinked out of between, proceeding to mob him, their eyes tiny novas of orange and red. Qosis knew better than to doubt the flits' judgment. He tried to strip his algae scrubber of its bristled head, but the attachment would not budge. Even under the pestering of the firelizards, the assassin was still fleeing. So Qosis hefted the entire wooden pole, his only weapon. Not even his belt-knife was permitted as a Candidate. But his stride was much broader than the worn assassin's. He was not a dragon, but dragons could not readily fit in the side entrance to the Sands.

There was no viable exit for an assassin from the Hatching Sands, but there might be enough room to fire arrows once he was past the steps. Qosis took the stairs two or three at a time to ensure that did not happen. The moment he was in range the firelizards scattered and the wooden body of his scrubber swung around to smash into the stranger's head. The pole shattered on contact. The assassin missed his step and fell, chin bouncing off another, lower step and body tumbling to the bottom. The flits reappeared and pecked at his head and hands, bloody points scoring his skin. Qosis stuttered to a stop on the stair above. Perhaps the assassin had not expected a Candidate with an algae scrubber to pursue him. Or he just knew his own doom, and did not care.

Light refracted through the waterfall sparkled in a blue-white pandemonium against the corridor wall. Strobing over the limp body of the assassin, it traced the glittering flaps of the flits snapping at him. Qosis saw no larger blood pool, and none of the man's parts looked like they had been twisted the wrong way. Strangely he could detect the taps of his boots against the rock as he descended, even over the constant murmur of the water, but he could not hear dragons anymore. The assassin's body was unexpectedly small, but maybe it was the light, or the distance.

When he reached the bottom, the Candidate bent over the man to unlatch the quiver and bow. Those he tossed aside. He gave the assassin a rough turn-over to check his consciousness-- and liveliness --and froze. The face, and certain another features, indicated that this slim aggressor was female. Qosis blinked at the erratic swatches of blood dusting her nose and mouth. A little mechanically, he patted down her clothing and gloves and boots, pulling a bright bronze dagger from the cup of leather snugged around one foot. That he added to the weapon pile, and searched again till he was certain there was nothing else on the body.

The assassin's jaw was cracked and swollen. She remained unbroken in all the other important places. Rising, Qosis rested his foot and considerable weight against her stomach, and gazed into the Hatching Sands. No dragons there now, egg-sized or otherwise. And no one was waiting to rescue the assassin. Qosis had not even been shown this place yet by his current masters. Though he was surrounded by the chilled mist born where the falls hit the pool, a finger of warmth slipped off the Sands and caressed his face and neck.

This was not a place for killers. The only permitted blood should have been that of unlucky Candidates, and only on Hatching Day when there was so much to be gained for that little spit of violence. Had Qosis ignored the firelizards, he still could not have let such obtuse defiling of the Sands occur. Why? his brain asked as he bent down and picked up the assassin, one arm under her knees and one at her back. He was no Weyrbred. He had not been especially happy at the Search-- no, it had been an outrage. A joke. Rebalt had laughed and laughed, and expected to see him again all too soon. Then Qosis' father could tease him about the costly misadventure till he was a corpse. This reverence for the Sands was without origin, but it spoke into him like an old and familiar voice.

He bore the unconscious woman back up to the Bowl, throat unexpectedly dry.

-Plot Thread
-OPEN THREAD DIRECTORY
-Azzy's Chart Repository
-Miscellaneous Dalibor Info

claire
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 14:11:10 GMT -5

Post by claire on Feb 20, 2011 14:11:10 GMT -5

They were looking skywards when the first screams shattered the peace of the weyr. Both dragon and rider looked around wildly before realising the threat had not come from the sky; for a moment they were frozen in place by utter bewildered shock. What in the sharding between was going on? Who attacked a weyr? Never inclined toward idle gossip, the news Dalibor's issues with the renegades and other troubles had passed them by completely, and for a moment they were stuck in the stunned state of mind that this sort of thing did not happen.

And then with an outraged shriek Nimueth shot into the air, the Queen's furious command ringing in her mind. They were silent and intently focused as her wings caught the wind. Alien feelings of panic and shame pushed them hard, determined to make up for their failure on watch. For failed they had. It should have been their duty to prevent this, to see the threat coming even if it was from an unthinkable angle, and the blood spilled today was on them. Never mind that clearly everyone else in the weyr had been caught unawares too. They had been derelict in their duties and that was that.

They skimmed the rim of the bowl and banked sharply. Others were moving to catch the fleeing assailants, and there was no doubt that they would be nothing less than vengefully thorough. For their part J'en and Nimueth moved to cut off the easiest escape route from the higher weyrs, up across the rim and away; herding the assassins back towards those intent on capturing them. Later they might doubt their decision to transfer to Dalibor. Later, undoubtedly, they would have to answer for this. But for now there was only the chase.

Nimueth snatched up a straggling runner by the back of his jerkin with malicious carelessness, uncaring as her claws bit into his back and shoulder. At his sudden disappearance the others suddenly found reserves of greater speed. It wouldn't save them though. They others were closing in, and no human on foot could hope to outrun an avenging dragon. Another is captured, she announced to the weyr at large.

kia
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 14:33:09 GMT -5

Post by kia on Feb 20, 2011 14:33:09 GMT -5

A roar erupted from Rhyolith where she was. Someone had dared shot at her O`ris! They had tried to kill him! She was furious! She was rarely an angry dragon, but this was the last straw! She roared loudly and flew down to O`ris. O`ris stood there, staring down at the dead body before him. Lira wrapped her tail tightly around his neck to the point of choking. The Green hissed at the dead body and then up toward the direction the arrows had come. Rhyolith moved down and rumbled angrily. O`ris, we need to move! We need to make sure our Weyrlings are safe. Then she turned her head toward Detritath. Detritath, O`ris and I are going to check on the Weyrlings to make sure they stay safe. Move on without us! she said. O`ris leaned down and picked up the body, already going cold in his hands and the blood staining his arms. He got on Rhyolith and let the Cyan take them to the Weyrlings. But she landed away from them. The Cyan moved over to protect the Weyrlings after O`ris got off her back, O`ris stood there with the dead body in his arms. He had seen death before, but that arrow had been meant for him.

~~~~~~~~~~

Taburith heard Detritath call the Wings together, but M`grr refused to budge. He may be a part of this Weyr, but he had very little loyalty to it. This Weyr had not given him a reason yet to stand up in guard for it. So he turned over in his bed and laid on his stomach. He was not leaving. He refused to go. Besides, it would be best to rest up for the evening. Maybe Frino could use a little reward for being a good Handler. He chuckled as he closed his eyes. Taburith knew her Rider was not interested. So she laid down and yawned. The only one who could probably force her up would be a Queen, but they were all busy.

~~~~~~~~~~

Risk rumbled in her sleep and then was awake. She snarled viciously in an alarming way that scared Ridan out of his sleep. "What is it, Risk?" he asked quietly. The Gold refused to speak. She stalked toward the door, sniffing, growling, eyes whirling in red. Something was here. Something disturbing her precious Weyr. The Weyr she ruled at by night. And now something disturbed the peace. It was out of balance. Open door now! she growled viciously, Ridan never seeing her like this in such a long time. Not since they were in the last Weyr they were at. The Gold roared as she ran out of the door. Ridan knew she was not Running. There was no lust in in this run. Anger. Pure anger. Ridan realized he was naked and quickly changed. He ran after his Wher, who was far away from him at the moment. The Gold ran into the woods, trying to ignore the sunlight. Whers! Capture killers! NOW! she roared.

~~~~~~~~~~

Nia! Dragons are being killed! Who would do such a thing! Nia, we need to hurry! We need to protect now! Nikianeth shouted. With that, Nia was on the Orange`s back and moving around the Weyr. She would watch the skies. She would keep an eye on anything unusual that moved in the Weyr and around the Weyr. She could see the others moving in the woods and around the Weyr. She would have their backs.

~~~~~~~~~~

Emith! Emith! Mikidith was flying around the Weyr with Lio on his back. The duo had stopped by Emith and Krys` weyr to make sure that the Gray Rider pair was okay. But they were there. Panic ensued in Lio`s mind. Had Krys been shot! Jays! Shards! No, Faranth, not her! Please do not let her slip from my hands! I cannot afford another heartbreak! Lio grabbed Miki`s harness and the pair was up in the sky again. Faranth, where were they? "Krys!" Lio shouted, his eyes stricken with the panic that raced through his mind. K`ber was out with his Wing looking for the killers. O`sho had not called for his Wing yet. So, until then, Lio was free to search for Krys. He found her on the edge of the woods with some person. "Krys!" he shouted. Miki landed and noticed that this man was not a Weyr member. He growled lowly as he joined Emith`s side. Lio walked over to Krys` side as well. "So, is he one of the killers?" he asked.

~~~~~~~~~~

T`kor was getting things set up for the new additions to his Wing. He has recently acquired from new Riders and he wanted to make up some sheets and maneuvers for the new Riders to learn the Wing. Embraeth was out on a ledge, sun-bathing when the call broke forth. Arrows! Arrows had been shot and Weyrlings and Riders had been killed! Embraeth raised his head and roared with anger with the other roars that were called. Even though his Wing was not being out, Embraeth leapt into the air and flew over to his Weyr. "Emb, what happened?" T`kor asked, riding jacket and pants on Arrows have been shot. Weyrlings and Riders have been killed. Must protect the Weyr! Embraeth said. T`kor was quick to leave his weyr and begin his patrol of the Weyr as Emb flew a little low in the Weyr area, letting the small dragon sweep the skies above them. As T`kor turned the corner, he came face to face with Rayna. "Rayna!" he said.

Last Edit: Feb 24, 2011 11:43:17 GMT -5 by kia

veritas
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 14:38:53 GMT -5

Post by veritas on Feb 20, 2011 14:38:53 GMT -5

Working around dragons was something Jerrith hadn't yet got used to. He wasn't terrified of them like, oh, some of the apprentices had been when the Searchdragon had come, but they were still massive, and with so many teeth and claws all around, the youth was still apprehensive.

Scrubbing algae with the rest of the apprentices... at least beat mucking out the stables, and they were spread out enough that it didn't feel as oppressive as it might, but the business all around him didn't make his anxiety any less.

Then the dragons started screaming.

He didn't know what the sound meant. Not the faintest idea. Nor could he make any sense of what was going on around him. All he knew was a nameless dread that made his stomach turn, a crushing terror. His brush-pole clattered to the stone, falling from nerveless fingers as he wavered and sank to his knees, labouring to draw breath.

Some corner of his mind stayed lucid enough to hate himself for that useless response. Cowering wouldn't do anything, wouldn't help anyone - probably not even himself. He'd been Searched to be a dragonrider - how could he ever hope to become one, how could he ever think himself worthy and up to its challenges, if this was enough to cripple him?

Swallowing hard, he fumbled for his pole, using it to push himself back up to his feet. He blinked in a mostly-vain effort to clear his sight. Not good enough to make sense of what was happening around the Weyr bowl - dragons skimming over the rock, people shouting...

Wait, there was one of the candidates, a grown man, coming back up the steps... lugging a figure Jerrith didn't recognize. And while he knew full well he wasn't very social, he usually at least knew when he'd seen a person before. The one draped over the man's shoulders, he never had.

That one had some idea of what was going on. That one was showing initiative.

A deep breath, and Jerrith gripped his pole in both hands, jogging over toward Qosis. Jerrith might not yet have a clue what he ought to do, but that could be remedied.

"Ho!" he called out as he came up to the man. "What can I do?"

blue
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 15:13:33 GMT -5

Post by blue on Feb 20, 2011 15:13:33 GMT -5

H'cup and Tuthleth had been lazing in their new Weyr, enjoying the view of the bowl from their ledge and the peacefulness of the day. H'cup watched the weyrling marching around, remembering just a few turns back when he had been doing the same drills. Tuthleth sunned himself, worried about and caring for nothing besides the heat of the sun and how it hit his hide.

Then, suddenly, one of the weyrlings fell and the pink marching next to her blinked between. H'cup shot to his feet as Tuthleth's eyes opened and he began the hair-raising keen that marked the death of a dragon. That one loss would have been bad enough, but it was quickly followed several injuries, and then even more deaths. Tuthleth's eyes whirled faster in yellow and white as he sent H'cup his fear and confusion. H'cup had no answer for him. He didn't know what was going on. Dragonriders dropping dead, their dragons going between. Who would attack riders, especially with Threadfall only a turn and a half away?

Kalith's order broke the spell holding both dragon and rider and H'cup sprang into action, grabbing at his riding straps and tossing them onto Tuthleth's neck faster than he ever had before. He didn't waste any time fiddling around and making sure they were perfectly secure. They wouldn't be doing any fancy flying today, this was far too important for fooling around. All H'cup needed was something to hang on to, and as soon as he had that, Tuthleth leapt from the ledge. All of the assassins in the Bowl seemed to be contained, so Tuthleth flew out, to the woods where they were trying to escape, his eyes now whirling red with fury that someone would dare disturb the peace of his new home.

He spotted one and swooped down, wrapping his claws around the fleeing assassin without care for what injuries he was doing. Alive, Tuthleth, H'cup had to remind him, though H'cup himself didn't care all that much. Reluctantly, Tuthleth loosened his grip slightly, though he still held the man firmly enough to make escape or further attacking impossible.

Azhdarchid
Jr. Weyrwoman

azhct[M:-1490]

Totes.

Posts: 1,627

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 15:35:27 GMT -5

Post by Azhdarchid on Feb 20, 2011 15:35:27 GMT -5

Qosis blinked out into the Bowl for the second time today, and the mass of screaming, crying dragons had not dissipated in the least. Even worse, there was no sign of organization among most of the beasts. Riders lost themselves to the rare anger of their mounts as quickly as they lost to Flight-lust. But there was nothing palpable on the air for those unbonded, or at least not for him. Unlike a Flight, he could not taste even a drop of the cold thoughts stirred up in Dalibor.

Whoever the woman in his arms was, she surely had accomplices. And even those linked together with the fury of their Queen and Weyr did not know how many. He took a deep breath, slowly blowing out his tension through his nose. Then someone manifested right in front of him, their algae scrubber waving in his face, and the sigh turned into a snort of surprise. He blinked his widened olive eyes at the boy several times, gaze shifting briefly up to the scrubber's still-dripping bristles.

"Do you have any rope, Harper?" he asked after a moment, shifting the assassin in his grip pointedly. "If you don't, then go down those steps..." Qosis turned to the entrance of the Hatching Sands. "At the bottom is a bow, quiver, and knife. Bring them up. Do not trip on the bits of wood on the stairs. Put them here next to me, then go find some rope. Quickly."

When Jerrith had gone, Qosis' shoulders drooped as he looked back to the throng of outraged giants. If a Holder ever saw a melee like this, if a trader did...just a few breaths before Threadfall... He kept his lips pressed together straight, glancing over the assassin as she twitched in her impromptu sleep. The woman. That was the best sign so far that this was a dream, even if the knot in his gut told him otherwise. None of the dragons had approached him yet. They were still looking for other murderers. Their reportedly short memories, he thought, would be the only things keeping them from looking forever.

Last Edit: Feb 20, 2011 15:38:04 GMT -5 by Azhdarchid

-Plot Thread
-OPEN THREAD DIRECTORY
-Azzy's Chart Repository
-Miscellaneous Dalibor Info

purnip
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 15:40:39 GMT -5

Post by purnip on Feb 20, 2011 15:40:39 GMT -5

As the situation was being controlled by the various warriors that inhabited the weyr, L'am had to make use of his own talents to meet them at par. He made a detour for the bowl to pick up plenty of rope used in training and drills before he made his way towards the site of the attack. He could see Aimeth in the distance, shuffling through the bush. She must have captured one of the assassins, and if she was there, Sonia was likely to be close by. He only hoped that he would reach them before it was too late.

He kept an eye out for any suspicious figures as he drew closer, in case any had slipped past the assault. So far, it looked like the dragons and whers had the situation under control. With all the colors zipping above him, of every rank and creed, there was a better chance of them spotting the offenders than he ever could. But with rope hanging over his shoulders, he planned to be of use in the only way available to him. After those assassins were captured, they needed to be restrained. Lebeth, address the others. Tell them there is rope for restraining the fugitives.

The Bronze listened and complied, addressing every dragon within the vicinity. Minerider has rope. Tell me your positions if you need it and I will send him to you. He was getting ready to help L'am reach the others after he was done checking on Sonia first. No one was bound to get far anyhow. From the reports all around, a majority of the assassins have been captured.

L'am finally reached the Greenpair, only to find that Aimeth had one of the men pinned on his back and Sonia was off to the side, the stain of blood upon her. He didn't even notice how still the captured man was at this point, dropping the rope to the ground and quickly covering the space between them. "Sonia! Are you hurt?" He minded Aimeth's space enough to keep clear of her immediate proximity. If that Green was still in foul spirits, and she most certainly was, she would tear him in two for simply being around at the worst time. "I'm such an idiot! I forgot to bring bandages! Should I find a healer?" Genuine concern was etched into his features, the fear of losing her something he couldn't quite understand and just as equally couldn't bear to think about.

matsi
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 15:52:19 GMT -5

Post by matsi on Feb 20, 2011 15:52:19 GMT -5

S’id was standing there with Apoth with little emotion as he watched their Weyrling Master. He was tired, but that didn’t keep him from staying proud and holding his head high. It was all normal, all calm. Nothing different than any other day. Then the sound reached his ears. The whooshing of air, then the yells of pain. Instinctively, S’id fell to his stomach on the ground, and Apoth, after much silent encouraging from His, lay low for a few moments. The young Brown’s eyes whirled with red of anger and various colors of confusion and slight surprise.
MINE! They harm our people! They harm! The Brown was frantic as he raised his head again and watched at dragons vanished between and theirs fell dead. He let a sad song flow from his throat as he looked around at the other young Weyrlings that were his siblings. His eyes narrowed onto the bonded of Cyan Sister Dorith, F’bee. F’bee was friend of His own, and F’bee was hurt! Apoth growled and rose to his feet proudly.
MINE! F’beeYours is hurt! Blood stains the ground on this fateful day! His blood stains too! Apoth was furious. The small brown held his young wings open as he stormed to F’bee and Dorith. S’id was confused at first, then understood and leapt after his Brown. He grabbed his friend as soon as he got close enough and looked at the boy’s hand.
”Shard it, Runt!” He growled as Apoth touched noses with his Cyan sister. He had to make sure his Clutch sister was alright!
[colorC9B18D]Must leave. Must leave now, Mine. Follow green rider.[/color] Apoth started off towards Pananarie.
Leave Clutch Sibling and Hers with others. They take care of them. We must go, Si’dMine! Apoth was growling again, annoyed and slightly frightened by this point. S’id did not approve of leaving his friend, but he patted F’bee on the back and started after Apoth.
”Be careful, Runt!” He barked back at his companion. It was time to get out of here.

~~~~~~~~~

Catori was busy oiling Koketeth’s hide when the sounds of distress reached her ears. She blinked, confused, and looked up. Koketeth sat up on her ledge and looked around, panic dancing through her eyes.
Mine! Dragons and Theirs are dieing! They are being Killed! We must not go out there! We are not to fight yet! We cannot get hurt! I will not let Mine get hurt! Koketeth bared her teeth as she protectively wrapped herself around Catori. Catori was wide eyed as she saw dragons dancing in the air in panic and anger. There were cries echoing in the not so distant distance, and the roar of dragons.
Catori reassured Koketeth with a pat to the nose and sank into his protective wraps.
She wasn’t going to move…

~~~~~~~~~~~

H’to was sitting there, dozing, when Lanith leapt up and his two flitters vanished between. The blue rider stood up and looked around.
WE MUST GO! NOW! FIND THE KILLERS! Lanith roared, encouraging His to get on to him. H’to didn’t ask questions and climbed onto the Blue’s back swiftly.
MAYDAY WING! LETS GO! Lanith roared as the Iron’s voice echoed into his own mind. How dare someone kill the dragons of this weyr, of ANY WEYR!
Lanith stiffly opened his still burnt wings and leapt into the air. He was still stiff moving, so he circled once, gaining his balance. As he circled, H’to took note of the situation. His attention was grabbed by the sight of a familiar blue taking flight without a rider. Junaeth. Lanith watched his companion twist in the air, then vanish between.
’’H’eath…’’ H’to muttered softly as the blue vanished. Lanith let out a sad croon and turned towards where the arrows were coming from. He was going to kill who ever just killed his companion. Rage engulfed the Blue.
”No, Lanith. Help F’del and the others. Weyrlings are harmed by the look of it!” H’to had to really jab Lanith with his mind to get the Blue to listen. Finally, The blue followed the purple that had just landed by the weyrlings, and also landed.
~~~~~~

P’rth was already in the air on Aith. There was only one thing on his mind. Where was Amara? He was in a panic, watching the dragons that were taking to the sky and betweening. None were Veejarth. It was a slight feeling of relief. It wasn’t enough to make him stop panicking.
Aith, go to their weyr! P’rth growled as he looked around for Amara and her Black.
Aith crooned and tilted her wings towards the Weyr of the Black Rider. She landed with a thump, and P’rth was off of her back before anyone could blink. He slammed through Amara’s weyr door.
”Amara!’’ He bellowed as he panicked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

F’in was running on the ground with Foranith overhead. He was heading towards the wounded. He didn’t really know what else to do, so he would help this way…
Azra was being even less helpful. She was scared to death in her Weyr, hugging her flitter, pillies, and Dragon in confusion. She wasn’t sure what to do, or where to go.

veritas
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 16:05:23 GMT -5

Post by veritas on Feb 20, 2011 16:05:23 GMT -5

Reflex took over the youthful candidate. He had been commanded; he would obey. "I don't," he reported, turning on his heel and hustling toward the stairs. Over his shoulder, he called, "But I will."

Jerrith, of course, had no dragon, no way to hear that rope was at hand, no way to call for some of it to be brought. All he could do was move - move, and try to make some sense of what was going on.

Rope. Why would the big man need - but a bow? Arrows? Suddenly the shouts and screams made a sickening amount of sense.

Who on Pern would attack a Weyr, attack dragonriders? Even the most dimwitted drudge in the most remote hold should know a Pass was coming. Why would anyone seek to do harm to dragonriders at such a critical time? It made no sense at all.

But there were, he knew, many things in the world that made no sense, and yet they happened anyway.

Jerrith tucked the knife under his belt; gathered the quiver against his pole in the crook of one arm; and somewhat more awkwardly, took up the bow and balanced that combined burden with the hand that gripped the bow's stave. Back up the stairs - up was more effort than down, of course, but easier to stay upright. He set everything down as he'd been directed, leaving his pole with the lot, and without another word spoken he tore off, running for the stores as fast as he could.

He wasn't often given to the sort of introspection that led to him wishing he were other than he was. But as his chest heaved and his feet pounded, he wished he'd had longer legs.

lesa
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 16:39:13 GMT -5

Post by lesa on Feb 20, 2011 16:39:13 GMT -5

So much for a blissfully ordinary day in the Infirmary. He would recognize that sound anywhere. Arrows. Oh dear sweet Faranth. Even as the first of the keening started, C'fael was moving, darting around the well-known Infirmary with the swiftness of one of those deadly arrows. Extra numbweed, gauze, redwort, and thread all went to join the supplies already in his always-carried healer pouch. The largest, sharpest blades he could find were sheathed and shoved in his belt, as he didn't have time to assure the sterility of his eating knife. The two he grabbed would be sterile.

No words were spoken between the blond and his brown, there was no need. They were of one mind, moving rapidly. C'fael wasn't quite running, though it was close as he sped from the main infirmary out into the Bowl. The Healer made as if to go towards the Weyrlings, then stopped, the commotion to his right equally important. Or as far as he could tell equally important. Shard it all, no way to properly triage with injured in two different places.
Syth, take this to Cleo, C'fael handed the brown one of the knives, it looked little better than a toy, smaller than the brown's claws, tell her to cut the arrows close to the fletching, or at least cut the fletching off, and the head, if it went through. I'll be there to join her shortly, but we need to get all the injured to the Infirmary so we can figure out who to work on first. Ansyth growled his assent, eyes a dangerous mixture of red and orange, taking to the sky with a snap of wings. It wasn't far to the Weyrling lesson area, but far enough that running would be slower than flight.

The brown landed lightly as he could on three limbs, the fourth held to his chest to protect the knife from being dropped. Ansyth nodded at Kerath, holding the knife out to Cleo, relaying HisC'fael's message to the other Healer.
Poseith, could Yours help Eriputh's to the Infirmary instead of to your fellow Weyrlings? Ansyth asked courteously enough, considering that if he was human he would be face-palming at the iron Weyrling's actions. The emotion that went along with the draconically-impossible movement was hidden, even as the brown continued, Mineown is a Healer, and Eriputh's rider needs a Healer more than she needs to go with the other Weyrlings. Ansyth looked over the other Weyrlings. Beyond those that were dead, only Eriputh's rider would need assistance, all the others could travel under their own power, considering where their injuries were.

Shock would be setting in soon, if it hadn't already. Though shock was normally bad, if it got the Weyrlings to be able to move without feeling too much pain, it would be good.
HealerCleo, C'faelmine will be here as quickly as he can, to help you. Ansyth promised, before turning to Kerath, If yours has a sharp blade, if he could cut the fletching off the arrows, it would help C'faelmine and HealerCleo greatly for when the little ones get the arrows taken out. And I would request your help in keeping the little ones calm and safe on the walk to the Infirmary, if you would, Kerath.

While Ansyth acted as his emissary to the Weyrlings, C'fael was involved in his own Healing work. Slowly the brownrider approached Samael and Naireth.
"Tanrider?" he called out, unable to see Samael but knowing that had to be the truth of it, considering Naireth's hide, "I'm Weyrhealer C'fael." He ducked under Naireth's outstrechted wing, face impassive at the wound. Bad, yes. Life threatening? Not unless it got infected. "Let me help you to the Infirmary, where I can get the arrow out, that sound alright?"

--

Up on their high ledge, just enjoying the day and their newfound Lesson-less freedom, Lesa was horrified at what occurred below her. Faranth, guide them safely home! The cyan-rider hugged at the spotted noses shoving at her, Maieouth's larger one harder to get around than Halbert's smaller one. Segenam flew frantic loops around their weyr, eyes, as Maieouth's were, a whirl of red and orange.
Lesamine, why? Maieouth asked plaintively, Why did they kill? I don't know, Mai, the once Harper answered, stroking the cyan's cheeks and headknobs, I just don't know.

--

They'd gotten out of the weyr for a day. What a day to get out of the weyr. Veyerdoth was done with keening in misery. Now she screamed once, sharp and long before resuming the eerie silence she had taken up since she'd felt the death. Loto, and Maibeth. The pair who were Hers' few friends - Hers' only friends. Gone. Medusa shut her eyes sharply under her flightgoggles, opening anger-dark dry eyes, rather than the weeping that others might expect out of her frame. The pinkrider and her dragoness knew of one thing. Those who did this would pay, and pay dearly. Woe betide if they found the assassin hiding in the woods before another did. May not live to get to the weyr if they found the vermin.

--

As the arrows started, D'ji had one thought. Amisi! His little girl was safe in the creche, right? Right?! Frantic breaths, cries, screams filled his ears. He did the one thing he could think to, step in front of E'rin, blocking the whiterider from where (as far as he could tell) the arrows were coming, Hermeth babbling in his mind like the scared child the purple was.
D'jimine, what's going on, I'm scared D'jimine, we need to help, D'jimine, we need to help!

We are, Herm, D'ji calmed with the effectiveness three years of parenting had given him, we are helping, see how I'm guarding Jarith and Hers, and Demth' and Hers are making sure everyone gets inside safely? We're helping make sure Jarith and Hers get in safely, he said, pushing his fear back just as he had pushed it back when Amisi nearly tripped down the entire set of stairs at the Hold when she was first learning to walk, channeling that panic into something useful.

Once inside, the purplerider glanced around the gloom. Everyone was so afraid, and yet... perhaps it was his parenting (and having done this once before) that made him do it again, D'ji sliding down the wall to sit next to E'rin, one arm tight around Hermeth, the hand of the other gently on E'rin's shoulder, for the whiterider to take comfort in or ignore as he would. The purplerider felt he probably should be doing something organizational and assisting to keep the mass panic down, but right now. Well, right now he was more worried about the panic of one, than the panic of many.

Last Edit: Feb 20, 2011 16:59:47 GMT -5 by kia

claire
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 16:45:43 GMT -5

Post by claire on Feb 20, 2011 16:45:43 GMT -5

Varan hdd been sitting in the common area of the candidate barracks when the chaos began, having been amongst those lucky enough to not be assigned algae-cleaning duty. He went to the window as the sounds of panic rose from the weyr bowl and was greeted by a perfect tableau in shades of confusion and fear.

His first instinct was to reach to his belt for a knife that wasn't there any more. The second was to swear, which he did without hesitation. And then a strangely detached calm came over him, something not unakin to a feeling associated with the rare bandit attacks on the caravan. Already the attackers were being chased down by furiously bellowing dragons and equally incensed riders. Already the healers were emerging from the lower caverns to tend to the injured.

It might well have been that the best thing to do was to stay out of the way while those with jobs to do did them. But the idea of simply standing by uselessly in the midst of all this chaos was galling. Making his mind up, he turned to head down to where the weyrlings had been training, determined to help in any way he could.

----------

Calmera had been leaving the dining hall after a chore shift spent laying the tables, when all of a sudden with dull thumps two young riders mere yards from her sprouted arrows. For a moment she could only stare, stunned. And then the full reality of what had just happened hit her and she dived for the ground, instinctively minimising the target she presented. As the snap and whir of arrows filled the air she crawled over to the two she'd seen hit.

No pulses; gone in an instant.

As the sound of bowstrings twanging and arrows thumping into their target was replace by the enraged shrieking of angry dragons, she closed their eyes and arranged the bodies into more dignified positions, feeling oddly numb. She wasn't a healer...she couldn't help the living injured. She couldn't even help chase down the killers, not really. But the least she could do was to stay here a moment and afford some respect to these two people - whose names she didn't even know - whose fate could so easily have been her own.

----------

Having heard the call from Lebeth, Nimueth flew in low over the weyrbowl, homing in on the sense of where the bronze's rider was. The bloodied assassin in her claws had at least had the sense not to struggle when they were high in the air, but with the ground coming up fast he began to squirm again. She tightened her claws and enjoyed the shriek it provoked. The struggling stopped.

She flared her wings as she came in the land near the bronzerider, roughly depositing the injured assassin in an unceremonious heap on the ground. "You the one with the rope?" J'en said brusquely, unbuckling and sliding down to land lightly. Behind him Nimueth was growling ominously with eyes glowing red.

Birdy
Wingrider

birdct[M:50]

Posts: 22

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 17:02:49 GMT -5

Post by Birdy on Feb 20, 2011 17:02:49 GMT -5

[/b] Avna's scolding was cut off by a whizzing sound followed by a dull thump and before she could see what was happening she found herself surrounded by pale red wings and surrounded by four terrified green fire lizards. A shriek pierced the air and Avna fought the red's wings trying to see what was going on. Herath refused to budge only wrapping her tail around her rider as if reassuring herself that she was still there.

The red let out a terrible keening noise and the four fire lizards. Avna covered her ears, wincing at the noise. "All four of you, out of here. To the barracks with you," the girl snapped and the greens quickly disappeared leaving Avna alone with the red still curled protectively around her. "What is going on Herath? I demand you tell me," Avna instinctively ducked at the sound of more whizzing and screams of terror. They have killed her, my sister and hurt others. Herath will not stand for this Avnamine. I will tear into their flesh like I did my copper sister, their blood will be payment for this, the red said, her lust for blood apparent and Avna could tell that her eyes where whirling red even though she couldn't see them.

Avna could hear Pananarie calling for everyone to get inside and couldn't help but think that it was one of the first serious things she'd heard the tanrider say. She expected Herath to ferry her towards the weyr entrance but the red stood her ground. "What are you doing?!" she asked, pushing the wings and trying to escape her red prison. There are still some of my family here, I will not move until they do. Their riders are injured Avnamine, who will protect them? the red said firmly, and Avna shook her head. "Oh no you will NOT stay here Herath do you understand me? You will follow Demeth inside and keep yourself safe," the redrider snapped. Herath was silent as though thinking this over then Avna found herself being scooped up in one foreclaw and carried towards the entrance.

Struggling to break free and walk on her own Herath growled at Hers, "I can walk on my own Herath," Avna hissed but at Herath's look she shut up. The red hurried towards the entrance, and placed Hers behind the entrance, as far from the opening as she could. Then the weyrling curled once more around Hers and started thinking about all of the things she would do to the attackers when she got her claws on them all the while a low keening a constant noise in her chest.

It was a gorgeous day, Tomarth was stretched out and sunning in the sun. One of his lazily whirling eyes was focused on Demeth and the other on His who was sprawled on the bed, fast asleep. Snorting Tomarth shook his head and turned it a bit more to watch the weyrlings. A wherry's cry reminded him that he was very very very hungry and so he got up, flexed his stiff muscles and prepared to fly down and perhaps silence that very wherry. It was then that he heard it, not the twang of the arrow but the thud and the cry of a dragonet. Whirling eyes searched for the source and found it just before she blinked between. Paralee was woken by a low growl like nothing she'd ever heard Tomarth make before.

Seiseth had also been sunning himself, keeping an eye on the weyrlings and thinking fondly of the weyrlings they had been in charge of. At the sound of screaming he jumped to attention, Chelo at his side at once. Elsewhere a green wher stirred, blinking confusedly at being woken so early. She turned to Hers, relaying the news and hissed, ready to go at his command.

Invidiath and K'lay had been flying over the weyr about to blink between when the attacks happened. From her vantage point up in the air the pink could see Aimeth go after one of the attackers and a surge of jealousy rushed over her. She wanted to catch one too! To kill him for killing her kin. K'lay gently reminded the pink that she wasn't to kill but she didn't hear and looked for anything that might have been an attacker. Spying a shadow in a weyr she dove at it, slamming at full speed into the wall of the weyr catching herself with one foreclaw. She hadn't bothered to slow down and so the force of the impact shattered said claw. Hissing in pain the pink limped around to view the weyr. There was nothing, it had been a shadow, just a shadow. Growling to herself and nursing her claw she made her way towards the entrance and sat down surveying the bowl.

K'lay let out a squeak as the Pink's foreclaw broke, his own hand starting to ache. "We should get you to a healer Vidi," he said weakly but the Pink merely sat there and fumed, she'd wanted one of the kills to be hers.

[/size][/ul]

Last Edit: Feb 20, 2011 18:20:00 GMT -5 by Birdy

hatori3070
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 17:16:09 GMT -5

Post by hatori3070 on Feb 20, 2011 17:16:09 GMT -5

Jasra had been hiding out in her weyr lately, trying to ignore everyone and everything around her in her depression over her dragons Flight. Today it seemed that someone had other plans because there was a sudden flare of rage from Izkeeyerdath and Jasra could hear the sound of dragons keening. "What is it Iz? What's happened?" She asked, jumping up and running for her flight straps, throwing her clothes on at the same time. Her trio of firelizards fluttered around her, sending her confusing images gleaned from their friends who were already out there. She got the main gist of it however as she began buckling on the straps. There was blood and arrows and death outside.

DEATH! HURT! ENEMIES IN THE WEYR! Izkeeyerdath raged on her ledge, roaring at the sight of the overturned anthill that was now Dalibor. She screamed her fury, waiting only just long enough for Jasra to climb onto her back before taking off, eyes whirling an infuriated red that nearly matched her hide as she searched for the intruders. Kalith had called, ordering all dragons to find the intruding murderers, and so she would. Looking around she could see that several dragons had taken captives. Captives! She roared again, showing her fury at them being left alive. Why were they necessary? All they really needed was one, one to tell where they came from and where to find the rest so they could meet the same fate. But it seemed that only one other dragon in the weyr shared her sentiments. She landed with a thud next to the Green and her Rider, claws and teeth flashing as she whirled around, practically begging another one to show up so she could rip him apart herself.

Jasra jumped from her back, staggering slightly from the force of her dragons emotions. It hadn't even been this bad when she Rose. She knew that her dragon could be viciously protective at times, but this was something else. It was something akin to how she had been that first night. Only now she had the strength of a fully grown dragon behind it, feeding it, making it far stronger than it had been that day. Jasra was having difficulty getting a handle on it. She fell to a knee as she fought back the angry desire to kill welling up inside her. Her body shook and trembled. Jasra was afraid. Only some of that horrible feeling was coming from her dragon. She realized that she thought they deserved to die too. And why not? They had killed people, comrades, people that Pern needed to defend it from the coming threat of Thread. Why shouldn't they die? Kalith had simply ordered them to 'get them.' Whether they were alive or dead was not something she had specified.

Now that she was no longer fighting but embracing that enraged desire from both herself and her dragon, Jasra was able to stand. Her firelizards were going to land on her in their customary positions, but something about her made them not. They simply flew off to find a place to hide, Geree in the lead as they sped into a hallway and down a corridor until they found a nice niche. There they huddled together in a ball to wait out this strange and frightening new side of Theirs. Taking in her surroundings, Jasra noticed that someone else had beaten them to the punch, with one of them at least. A Green and her Rider stood nearby. Jasra recognized them as ex-Renegades, but had yet to meet them herself. It figured that only one of them would feel the same about the violators of their safety. Still, he and his dragon had protected the weyr they hadn't wanted any part of in the first place. She was being uncharitable to the one person who had the same idea as her. "Good job," she said. "He deserved it." There was an odd glint to his eyes as he watched his dragon that made her shiver. Would she have that same look if she got what she wanted? Did it really matter?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took only the sense of anger and sadness combined with the call from his wingleader to cause K'rin to spring into action. He and his Purple Daedalouth had been at the lake enjoying a lazy afternoon when the call went out. Murderers had infiltrated the weyr. People and dragons were dead, and it was K'rins duty to search for them with his wing and bring them in for questioning. It was no time at all before the pair were in the sky, Purple Spaz following in their wake as they flew high above the weyr for the best view possible. Seven were captured, one killed, one still on the loose. Daedalouth flew out from the weyr in widening circles, both he and his rider scanning the gorund as they went. They knew there was another assassin to be found. They had gotten a good distance from the weyr itself, hitting the treeline, when they spotted him running for cover.

Get him Daed. K'rin said to his dragon, holding on as the Purple plummeted from the sky. Daedalouth skimmed the ground, coming in fast behind the last assassin. He was just about to grab him when the man ducked with just about perfect timing, Daed's claws passing inches above the mans head. Daedalouth landed with a snarl and turned on the man, who had changed direction and was fleeing from the great beast as quickly as his legs would carry him. The Purple was having none of that. He lifted slightly off the ground with a few strong wingbeats and glided up behind the man again, this time moving too fast for him to dodge. He grabbed him from behind and landed once more, pressing the man to the ground beneath a single paw, hissing in his face while he bared his fangs. A faceful of hot dragon breath completed the intimidation. Daedalouth didn't want to kill anyone, at all, ever, and he wasn't about to start now for someone so worthless and cowardly as the man in his grip.We have the last of them Detritath. But one of them has been killed by the Green Enlith.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was one of those rare truly peaceful days at Dalibor, and B'lor had been determined to enjoy no matter how many times Neth asked if there wasn't anything better they could be doing. It didn't register for a moment when the arrow whizzed past him and struck H'eath, downing the other boy instantly. His dragon keened and disappeared, proof of the fact that he had been killed. "What-?" He said, staring at the body on the ground next to him, watching the blood pooling out from the wound. Though he was slow to react, Neth was not. He gave a keening roar and instantly shielded His from view, protecting him with his own body and wings from any more arrows. The next one might not miss. Zelen huddled on Hers' shoulder, getting as close to him as she could, looking for comfort, but the shell-shocked boy had none to give. The sight of that body, of H'eath dead, was glued to forefront of his mind. He had been alive until that arrow had narrowly missed B'lor himself and embedded in his now lifeless body. He had almost died. Why?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Talouse woke with a snort and looked around at her dark room, feeling the anger and sadness coming from Task as he pushed and clawed at the door. Out Mine! Out! Dragons dead! Killed! Risk calls, we go now!

[/i] Luckily Talouse was used to getting dressed on the fly. She threw on her pants and boots, opened the door, and continued dressing as she ran after her wher. Where did she tell us to go Task? What do we need to do? Keep bad men here. Not let leave. Find, stop! That was good enough for her. Blinking in the light of the day Talouse ran behind her wher as he followed his mother into the trees to search. Tardis followed them at a much faster pace than usual, actually keeping up with their mad dash to the trees. He was furious, angry that someone had entered the weyr and killed people while he and His slept, unable to do anything about it until it was too late. He would make the cowards pay! Talouse, Task, and Tardis were soon in the trees surrounding Dalibor, trying to ignore the sunlight as they searched for more of the invaders.[/center]

Last Edit: Feb 22, 2011 19:17:27 GMT -5 by kia

alix
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 17:28:03 GMT -5

Post by alix on Feb 20, 2011 17:28:03 GMT -5

Malissa was, dutifully and diligently as a bee, tackling her assigned chore of sweeping, cleaning, and generally straightening up the stores. It wasn't the easiest thing she'd ever done, by far, and she was a bit uncomfortable with needing to ask for help every time she needed to reach a high place, but it was far from her to complain. She'd been given a task and she was going to complete it, and that was that. Not doing so would leave someone else with an unfair share of the work, and she certainly couldn't have that.

She thought she heard the dragons making some kind of noise up in the bowl, but wrote it off as her own imagination, focusing a little harder on her broom and its path across the floor.

The sound of footsteps approaching did get her attention more firmly, though, and with a pinprick of maybe-guilt about neglecting her duties she moved towards the entrance, half leaning on her broom, half trying to hide behind its handle. Who would be running like that to the stores? Malissa had seen nothing in there that she could think of that urgent a use for.

When the owner of those footsteps appeared, she paused for a few moments, still hiding behind her broomstick, waiting to either be noticed or not. She was pretty sure she'd seen the boy around the candidates' barracks, but he wasn't a friend of hers, so she did what she always did around strangers: acted unobtrusive.

Last Edit: Feb 20, 2011 17:32:47 GMT -5 by kia

veritas
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 17:53:38 GMT -5

Post by veritas on Feb 20, 2011 17:53:38 GMT -5

Underground was easier. Away from the noise of the dragons, away from the shouts, away from the press of people, it was easier for Jerrith to focus on his goal. And focus he did, barely sparing a glance for the doors he passed - just enough to make sure someone wasn't coming through them right at that moment.

He was puffing hard when he pushed into the storeroom, barely noticing the candidate girl just inside the door. He couldn't take the time to rest, not when he had something important to do, but slowing down to scan the shelves was a welcome respite from the run.

A run that would only be harder on the way back, burdened by a coil of rope, he reminded himself. He needed to pace himself. Better to move a little slower and complete his task, than to dash out at full speed and run himself into the ground before he got back.

Where in between was the sharding rope? Even if the man who'd sent him on his way was only a candidate himself, that was no reason for Jerrith not to finish what he'd begun.

"Rope," he muttered to himself, as much to pace his breathing as anything. "Rope, rope..." Ah, there it was. "Rope." He slid his arm through a coil, settled it on his shoulder, and on second thought, grabbed another. It never hurt to be sure.

Thus burdened, he set out at... a jog. Not a dead run this time; the burning in his lungs kept him from that. But he hustled as much as he could, heedless of anything else but his task and the ground he had to cover for it.

alix
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 20, 2011 18:15:01 GMT -5

Post by alix on Feb 20, 2011 18:15:01 GMT -5

Rope. Had that other candidate really been talking to himself about finding rope, while panting like a runnerbeast ridden into foundering? Despite herself, Malissa found that she was curious. What could be so sharded important about rope? She didn't connect it to the sound of dragons she'd thought she'd imagined earlier; that was already half forgotten.

She looked at the broom, and the half-swept stores, then at the doorway she'd seen the boy leave through. Catching up with him and asking where he was going, maybe offering to help him carry (not that she'd be a marvel of usefulness in that regard, but the thought counted, right? And she was pretty sure he'd taken two coils of rope.), would only take a short while. Short enough that she could come back and catch up on her chores.

What that mattered, if she didn't catch up as quickly as she thought, she could always sacrifice some of her time off for it. So it'd be more like... borrowing against her free evening? It still wasn't entirely right, but the male candidate's curious behavior niggled at her.

So she leaned the broom into a corner, where it wouldn't accidentally be knocked over and trip someone up, and took off after the boy. Not at breakneck speed, but quickly enough (she hoped) that she'd catch up with him unless he went down some side corridor without her noticing. If she got to the surface without catching sight of him she'd leave it.

Gray
Wingrider

grayct[M:-350]

Posts: 870

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 21, 2011 21:34:16 GMT -5

Post by Gray on Feb 21, 2011 21:34:16 GMT -5

Taisa brooded, her hands pressed against her face. She had been stood up. Her dragon had not been there. Still she was upset about the hatching, so upset that she didn't even bother pretending she wasn't. Several dragons had betweened, none finding her worthy. What if her dragon was one of the ones killed? She still was having a hard time stomaching that hatching. So much that she had been ignoring others for the most part.

At first, she didn't feel it. That burst of chaos from the outside. But she was quick to roll from her bunk at the screams. Terror. Horror. Fear and anger. Each scream was unique, and each one chilled her blood. Quickly, she scrambled to the door, looking around at the other candidates that were in the room, wondering if they knew what happen. Confusion and worry crossed her features as she caught a boy by his shoulder.
“What happened?” She practically yelled, stunning the young boy ash she shook him lightly. It was all in vain though. He didn't answer. So she pushed him away and scrambled to the door in time to see dragons taking wing, a wave of anger hitting her in the chest. But why were they angry?

She had to get to the main part of the Weyr. That Tasia knew. Running from the room, she was quick to see why there was so much hatred filling the place. Former candidates lay dead on the ground, the wyerlings stuck through with arrows. Their dragons were gone. All gone. The fog of confusion that inhabited her mind only got thicker. Why were they dead? Who was shooting them? What was happening. In a slight daze, Tasia wandered to the main hall, her steps quick and light.

–

It was terrible. Ezekiel had been changing from messy clothes, pulling on a newer shirt when it hit him. A barrage of images and fear. Rhapsody fluttered around him,beside herself with fear. The pink managed to nudge her's from the room, sending him a final set of images, trying to explain her fear. Her distress finally causing her to blink out for the time being.

Ezekiel was nothing but confusion. He stood in the middle of the Barracks, trying to sort what Rhapsody had sent him, trying to figure out why his heart was heavy. He didn't have much time until he was assaulted and yelled at. Wrinkling his nose, Ezekiel tried to give the girl an answer. What did she want? Was she blaming him? What was going on? He wanted to be able to blink out like Rhapsody had.

She pushed him away and ran outside, leaving poor Ez even more confounded than before. He had to find someone he knew. Or someone who knew what was going on, so he followed Tasia. The weyrbowl was chaos. That's all he could think. There were dragons roaring, and people running. He didn't even have time to notice the dead weyrlings before he was swept into the main halls.

–

Lyr hummed, peeling potatoes happily In the kitchens. Now that was one job she didn't mind. She loved the kitchens, she loved the way they smelled. She liked the hustle and bustle of people cooking. She just liked the homey atmosphere. The kitchen was her favorite spot. They were also some of the last to hear about what was happening. So it wasn't until most of those assassins were caught that she was even informed.

Panting, a drudged explained it to them. Someone had attacked. People were dead. Some of the newer clutch ad betweened. Lyr took this in with an odd calm. She already knew that freaking out would not help. Someone would probably need help. Probably the healers. From what Lyr had heard, several were hurt. So, the young woman excused herself and headed to the infirmary. She hesitated, looking in before entering.

“Hello... Can any one use some help?” She was sure she could do some simple bandaging, or offer some emotional support. Part of her worried about Kidanyr. Hopefully she was kept up somewhere safe. Lyr didn't know how to feel about this. Who would attack a weyr? And why? Dragons were the most important creatures to humankind. They protected them, loved them. Who would want to hurt them?

☼Dawning of the Kidappocalypse☼

kitsufox
Guest

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 22, 2011 11:07:38 GMT -5

Post by kitsufox on Feb 22, 2011 11:07:38 GMT -5

L'ryn always enjoyed lessons. They made it easy to forget Helioth's bans and his moods and his attitude. Not that L'ryn didn't love him. He was his. And you're mine. The dragon's tone suggested that there could be no doubt of that, and it was only being said because his was fretting again. They probably would have gotten into another mental "discussion" about what was what if hell hadn't broken loose around them. Arrows flying, and finding their marks all around them. L'ryn's first instinct was to protect the dragon. Who was clearly experiencing the same instinct.

The pair scrambled towards cover, making very little progress as they tried to help one another and only got in each other's way. They didn't have the flawless teamwork of a flying pair yet, but they'd been told such things would come in time. They were in sync enough to both scream in tandem when the arrow buried itself in L'ryn's arm. They found reasonable shelter under one of the stones. Once they were both tucked into relative safely Helioth started crooning and snarling in turns. Don't worry, mine. Your Helioth will tear them into bits. We'll make them pay soon enough. L'ryn focused on the rambling of the dragon as it continued, trying to block out the searing pain and the fact that the arrow was still in his arm and the swimming of his vision. He used Helioth's worried, angry voice as an anchor. He couldn't pass out, he couldn't. Helioth needed him. L'ryn reached out with his uninjured arm, hooking it around the neck of the dragon and tugging until the dragon's head was tucked under his chin. The odd and misplaced thought that he wouldn't be able to do that for very much longer given how the dragon was already growing swept briefly through his mind. Let the rest make them pay. Stay with me.

The dragon didn't argue, just kept up his tirade about traitors and babykillers and things that needed to be crushed. But he didn't move. Blood dripped and pain lanced, but neither moved, ignoring the chaos around them as they waited for it to end, tucked into the dubious shelter of small stone overhang.

Last Edit: Feb 22, 2011 20:45:40 GMT -5 by kia

Admin
Administrator

brect[M:-2154]

Posts: 3,754

Heard Round The World {Plot!} Feb 22, 2011 16:18:54 GMT -5

Post by Admin on Feb 22, 2011 16:18:54 GMT -5

Words don't contain subtlety,
Tact eludes speech even in whispers,
Pieces of my broken thoughts mumble through my teeth,
You learn I can't keep myself straight.

Sonia's head jerked around at the sound of voice, nearly losing her balance as she tried to stay firmly rooted on one foot. The concern in the voice and on the face to which it belonged briefly made her think 'oh, it's Hat, just great', but those blotchy features were definitely L'am's. Did he have to act like that? Like he was genuinely worried about her? Right then hardly seemed like the appropriate time to mess with her. She dropped her gaze to the ground, frowning and biting at her lip. The first two gestures were for him. The third was simply because her foot hurt. "Don't you have something better to do?" Sonia muttered, tone sour and sharp. She was not in the mood to deal with him. Her patience had run out with people. The most she could give him was that she was thankful Aimeth hadn't noticed him, as she didn't want him dead.

Despite her quiet accusation, Sonia held little hope that L'am would leave her alone. His concern seemed rather genuine. She supposed he did want her whole and healthy. If she was dead, he couldn't go figuring her out, now could he? "I think he just broke something in my foot;" she said. Figuring she'd put him to use if he was going to waste his time asking her things right then, she supported herself briefly with a hand on his shoulder. Then she sat down, carefully cradling her foot in front of her. Another greenrider arrived then and she fell silent, mentally nudging L'am to go help J'en as if that might work on him like a flitter. Speaking up in front of L'am was easy enough right then, but if they had business, she wasn't going to disturb. Very gingerly, she pulled her boot from her injured foot, wincing as it came free. One of her toes was black and purple.

It was only Nimueth's growl that caught Aimeth's attention. She raised her head away from her captive, hissing and growling. Her body tensed. She snarled at the other green, looking ready to strike. She was only delayed from finally exacting her urge for violence by realizing that THE DEVIL WAS THERE! L'am certainly did nothing for the pale green's already foul mood. Sonia, trying to decide whether her toe was broken or merely badly bruised, raised her head, looking at Aimeth. She paused for a moment, merely watching the green. However, holding still wasn't going to cut it. "NO, AIMETH!" Sonia ordered as the green let out another shriek of aggression. The beast's young rider tried to stand up, spreading her arms to block the dragon from striking, but with only one boot and one good foot, she fell as soon as she was standing.

Fahra wasn't seeing clearly, pain the main feature of her existence right then. Pain and Eriputh, the green vengeful and furious but also eerily calm at her core in the middle of all the chaos that surrounded them. When F'ton helped her up, the greenrider merely continued her swearing and struggled to try to walk with him, gritting her teeth in between words. Eriputh followed, glancing back at Poseith, but then halted when Ansyth appeared. She hopped in front of F'ton and her rider, intent on halting them and redirecting their path. Her rider needed to be fixed so that they could get their payback. The green had no intention of helping the chaos. She merely wanted her fair cut of it. She merely wanted to come out on top. Fahra offered the green a grin as reassurance. She spoke quieter then, her swears muttered beneath her breath.

F'lan watched X'ni take off with Enlith from where he lurked with Seceth. He knew what was coming before it happened, but that didn't keep him from sighing in frustration when it occurred. The greenpair demolished one of the unfortunate souls who had attacked the Weyr. He shook his head and shifted, glancing down across the bowl. The weyrlings were moving. Good. However, he doubted the supervision of the weyrlingmasters. He lunged up onto Seceth's back. Without missing a bit, the blue took flight, pushing himself out of their weyr and into the air. They dove down, the blue spreading his wing barely in time to halt his descent before running into any of the weyrlings. Without waiting for Seceth to land, F'lan jumped down, rolling to break his fall. He leaped to his feet, ran into the rapidly filling space, and then dragged E'rin away from D'ji.

Fajra and a silently listening Kalith remained where they were, tense and ready but aware that their position would not allow them to join the others. It was a struggle for Fajra. Kalith wanted to fight and she wanted to do the same. Playing Weyrwoman wasn't easy when all you wanted to do was kill something or make sure your family was safe. Still, Weyr came first. Detritath was fielding information, steady and resolute. On his back, K'ber waited anxiously, waiting to do something but knowing that he was best suited to sticking with his dragon. Finally, the last report came. The assassins had been caught. They have been captured. One is deceased; Detritath told Kalith. She hissed her satisfaction, then spoke for her rider to the Weyr before disappearing into her weyr with Fajra. Secure them and leave them in the hatching cavern.

Constant fight to know wants
And let my energy be screamed out
You see my way before my eyes catch on and I don't trust you,
I can't keep myself straight.

Last Edit: Feb 23, 2011 23:34:37 GMT -5 by Admin