A Quest [Ruin!]

Oil, oil for his leatherwork. Oil for the harnesses he was working with, and oil for the leather Requias wore during Reylia’s lessons. Oil. He needed it, and he knew it was here because this was where Xiro’el had been when searching for oil. Luckily he had spread the word about the randomly locking storeroom door and it seemed like it wasn’t going to be a problem anymore; of course there might be one or two wherhandlers less than pleased at their new route—but until the problem was fixed it was more important to ensure that the weyrfolk were safe from starvation and death.

Well, that was sort of dramatic. He brandished the glows in his hands as if a lantern and continued picking through various openings, and satchels, and boxes, and pots. So many supplies; the shards did they even do with all of these supplies—some of these things he couldn’t put a name or a purpose to, but they had to have some use yes? Room after room; there had to be some great area full of oil: Stars above knew they went through the stuff like runners went through grain—what with all the dragons. But where was it?

He hadn’t heard the Wherhandler, and he certainly hadn’t expected a flit, but luckily for everyone involved he was used to firelizards winking in and out of existence above his head and demanding immediate attention: Thought typically it did mean someone was in the process of dying, so he couldn’t help that the trilling creature made him round with a look of dead seriousness. That faded though, and was replaced with amusement: This amusement doubled when Sigard appeared from between and chirruped his own greeting to the Black.

Friends indeed! The Blue settled on his bondeds shoulder and looked at this new assortment of creatures; a two-legger, a nightcousin, and another same-as! Lovely. Sebolaren, for his part, was of course not bothered. ”No need to apologize; the last flit I met tried to eat my face—so believe me when I say that your Black is a welcome change. My name is Sebolaren, I’m a Candidate,” he couldn’t have missed the glowing eyes of the wher if he’d wanted to, but he couldn’t help the rising excitement—he loved meeting Wherhandlers!

He gave a bow to the man and his wher; regardless of colour he was honored, ”I am pleased to meet you and yours, Wherhandler—I hope I haven’t caused an intrusion coming down here so late: I’m trying to find oil for leather.”

”Well met, Khemres and Khesk; I’m always absolutely thrilled to meet members of the Wherhold. I’ve spent a lot of time in Ruatha on runnerwatch; maintain the safety of a Weyr through guarding overnight from intruders and predators—that is no easy task: I sleep far easier at night knowing I’m so watched.” He extended his hand to clasp the other man’s; though he could easily hear the uncertainty and the stutter, he didn’t think much on it—the man had bonded and would grow into that bond: Didn’t all men?

Sigard for his part was warbling with excitement and flashing images back at Zetri. His giant human, and his giant human’s smaller man: His giant human owned the smaller man see, and as the smaller man belonged to the giant as the Blue belonged to Sebol then he would listen also to the smaller man and there was another firelizard his brother and his brother was very opinionated and listened to the smaller man more because the smaller man was tricky and so was his brother like a wherry set to steal things from the kitchens very tricky! The thoughts poured from that small, but incredibly wise mind, in a torrent that flowed from one thought to another, and when he was finished, Sigard lept from Sebol’s shoulder and spun in a circle to lead Zetri out into a chase up and down the storeroom corridors.

”Sigard isn’t so bad himself, he can be a wee bit mouthy sometimes; he’s a twin—the other Blue is Avsiran who likes to play pranks. I’m sure if you tell him your Khesk will eat him he won’t get any smart ideas, and yes, please, I’m utterly useless down here: I’ve only been at Dalibor for around seven months but I’ve never had much of a reason to wander this deep; until a few days ago when Xiro’el of Cyan Tigreath became trapped in one of the rooms—then there was a rescue, and then I needed oil, and here I am; mostly lost and poking around. So yes, please, I would appreciate any help!”

”I’m sure you’ll be fantastic, Wher’s choose a lot differently than dragons do, and they aren’t afraid to make sure their bonded rise to the challenge; if he found you worthy then you are—no doubt there.” He shook the offered left hand without hesitation and offered up a trademark grin. ”I understand that, though I may not look like I have a burden to bear, there are things I’d prefer the world didn’t see, but we both know those scars don’t make us who we are.” He nodded, automatically forgetting that his more subtle facial movements might be hidden in the dark being that he spent most of his time in the daylight.

”Indeed, it was peculiar—twins—odd thing that, and I’m sure he wouldn’t; well unless that Green gets ahold of you, and then I’d suggest it for the best. Although to be honest, Sigard took a liking to the little wherry for reasons I will never understand, and I agree, they must make it a maze to train the Wherhandlers: You find those of us from topside that get lost within one twist; hones the senses.” He was glad the Wherling didn’t wait for a response, because to be honest trying to follow those words with a mental map had already lost him; he was pretty certain he hadn’t been inside any storerooms save this one where he’d plucked out Xiro’el.

He fell into step behind them with a smile, but he left his glows behind: For some reason he just felt like he was intruding upon a culture far too sacred; he would in no way impede the sensitive eyes of the Wher—those eyes could see here far better than he could probably see in the light of day. It was all rather exciting actually. His own fingertips brushed along the wall paces behind Khemres’ and he made extra certain not to accidentally tread on Khesk’s paws: That would certainly be embarrassing. Far away his Sigard was having all the fun in the world playing with Zetri; and that made Sebolaren happier still.