Let's Begin The End {Plot!}

[Admin]

And the sun will set for you,
The sun will set for you,
And the shadow of the day,
Will embrace the world in gray.

Rukbat was setting over the Western Continent. Everything turned to shadow. The jagged, rocky pillars of the plateau plains cast darkness across the yellow and red splashed ground. Scrappy woods turned sinister with twisty, spiraling trees made gray and brown in the dying light. Brightness seeped away from the land which was parched in the summer warmth, the heat a small improvement from the death of winter. While small patches of life offered hope, they were dimmed by the sunset. The painted sky was beautiful, but it held no comparison to the expanse of the wild continent. Most was untamed. Most held little life beyond twining trees and sparse grasses. In the growing night, beauty was fleeting and found only in the gray. A lone patch of white flowers stood in a field. They were striking, against all else in the harsh, dimming light.

A little camp had been set-up in the middle of nowhere, out where no one would think to look, out where no one went, tucked into tiny valley that couldn't be seen properly from the air. It wasn't used that much, the little clustering of supplies. The renegades weren't exactly the group most likely to all get along when put in close quarters. Squabbling lovers, murderers, despite some claims, they weren't the sort of people to all put together, except when directed towards a vague goal. Thus was the plan of a certain brownrider in their number. Thus was the plan of a certain brownrider who was their leader, aside from perhaps a certain orangerider. He gave them little goals, and steady food and supplies to use. The camp had the open cache. Several others were hidden around. They were prepared, for most occasions. They were prepared to survive.

Abeneth appeared in the sky, swooping down over the camp in a wide dip. Against the faintly lit sky, his hulking, deep brown, scarred body was framed in an odd, fuzzy line, making him distinct but hard to see in detail. With a powerful sweep of his wings, he sailed past the camp, senses keenly seeking out any danger that might lurk. Then he slowly twisted his wings and swung back around to actually sink into the hidden hollow where their temporary home had been made. He made not a sound, though he guessed one of the others was likely to notice them. Probably Alizadehth. He wanted to call out to her, tell her that he was back if she was nearby, but he focused on the task he had been given instead. He couldn't. He had his orders. He was a part of a plan, and he would carry out what was required. On his strong back, two humans perched.

One of them gave a sniffle, face screwed up. It had been cold, and he wanted his mom. Or his dad. Or Daidoroth. Or Kalith. Or Afzal. Someone. Anyone at home but Oblivion, who was mean! Osro refused to cry, but he wasn't happy. He didn't know what was going on and the man who was holding him firmly wouldn't let go even though he knew how to stay on a dragon! He got to sit on Kalith and Daidoroth often enough now that he could walk when his parents were watching him! He was supposed to be quiet. The man had said. Part of him wanted to scream, but he didn't. Though he would never say it, a little part of him was scared. The big brown that he rode had lots of scars, more than any of the dragons he had seen at Dalibor. Who was the brown? Who was the man? They hadn't said either of their names. They'd just said to be quiet.

"Shh;" D'ror assured the little child, though his intensely pleased expression was hardly reassuring as Abeneth came down to land amongst the boxes and tents of the camp. The hatching had been an excellent cover to kidnap the Weyrwoman's son. He had been working on that little job for quite some time. Gathering the information he had needed without relying on his unreliable vagabonds had been difficult. However, it had all paid off. He had little Osro. Things had been a little askew, the circumstances off, but he had managed. The plan had been executed, and he had what he wanted. To start. Things weren't over yet. To begin, he had to deal with his little pets. Varya wasn't going to be pleased to find out what he had done. She rarely was, but she always stuck around, didn't she? A lovely, amazing, beautiful, useful creature, she was.

"I wan mommeh;" Osro tried, growing less and less perturbed by being shushed. He had only just begun to speak, but he did it with a confidence. He was a smart little child, and he had purposefully waited. There had been something he had wanted to say, and why should he have spoken before that? On the back of the brown, he had many things to say, though, and he wasn't going to be kept from saying them. "I wan daddeh;" he added louder. Mommy would probably be very mad if she found out he was outside of the Weyr. Daddy would be better. Daddy was big and strong. Of course, mommy was too, and she was much scarier. Especially with Kalith, who was bigger than Daidoroth. He didn't know who he wanted! "I wan ta go home;" he decided, voice reaching almost a wail, the pitch climbing higher in his agitation.

"Shush;" D'ror ordered him, wrapped one arm more firmly around the child's middle. The little shake that the simple action gave Osro quieted him, which pleased the brownrider. Abeneth touched the ground, settling his weight carefully and silently in a manner that was surprising for his bulk. He was trying very hard. He didn't want to disturb the little one on his back. Both of them, despite the oddness of their manner, didn't seem entirely incapable with children. Carefully cradling the boy in his grasp so he couldn't wiggle free, D'ror slipped off the brown's back, landing gracefully despite his growing age on the ground. He set Osro down, but he held the redheaded child's hair firmly, showing less care then as his grip became almost painful. He looked down at the tiny boy with a twisted smile. Osro stared back, and he no longer made a sound.

Abeneth took a step away from them, settling his weight. For a moment, he exchanged a few pieces of information with his rider. Then he looked up towards the sky. Renegades of the Western Continent, come here; Abeneth called, the order given strength only because his rider had told him to make it strong. The call was stretched out to Alizadehth, Sjueth, Enlith, Yusriyath, Taburith, Seceth, Thauth, and Tossiteth. There were nine renegades in their group. Nine renegades against an entire Weyr, and the rest of the world. There was a reason they couldn't fight fair. There was a reason they couldn't simply let things continue. Most of them wouldn't protest, what he was working to arrange. Only Varya. Maybe Y'nis. A few of the others might give him odd looks, but they could be twisted. So it began. The beginning of the end he wanted.

And the sun will set for you,
In cards and flowers on your window,
Your friends all plead for you to stay,
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple.

[Reky]

Whirling, faceted eyes were watching the sunset, the last few fiery rays of Rukbat's light skipping out across the horizon to wash her hide in orange over emerald and black. She had been a little edgy lately, moreso than usual. She'd been alternately ignoring and arguing with her rider, which he claimed was driving him insane, to which she retorted with a short 'You already are!' It did drive X'ni up the wall and back down again, though, and he sincerely hoped she'd just get up and rise already and stop being so hormonal. Enlith was prone to false alarms, though. Or maybe she was just so grumpy all the time that X'ni couldn't remember which kind of grumpy was the about-to-rise grumpy. Either way, today, she'd been especially bad. X'ni was sleeping off the stress.

Enlith paid very little attention to the sleeping rider nestled between her front legs. He was snoring... very quietly, but still, she could hear it, and she was attempting to block it out. It was ruining the sunset. It was ruining any chances of her feeling like she was alone for once. It was ruining her chances at feeling like she was queen of the world, watching this sunset, the only thing on the face of the planet and the most beautiful thing, because she knew she was attached to that quietly snoring human. Well... the snoring was kind of cute. And she did like him... Oh! But he was still there! That little--

She perked up. Blinking a few times, she wondered what the message she'd just received could entail. Something was up... Oh! It would be wonderful! Something bad, no doubt! Deliciously bad. She worked her way into her sleeping rider's mind.

Mine! she snapped. X'ni woke with a start, and the green continued before he could argue, Abeneth and His request our presence.

Blinking sleep from his eyes, he stood. He groaned... but then things sank in. Oh, my gorgeous Enlith, dearie, honey! It's gotta be good! They were renegades, after all. They had to do something eventually, besides hide out here in the middle of nowhere. They had to make a move. This... Oh, they were both hoping this was it. It had to be.

He swung up onto her back, behind the third neck ridge, and held tight to her dark-hide neck. She lifted into the air with a powerful push from her hind legs and a sweep of her great wings, and they were flying for one a few short moments before she circled downward. Claws touched to earth, and she settled herself down. As X'ni jumped off her back, she folded her wings in. She could feel his hand brushing up her neck and to her cheek. He slinked forward, curious, devious eyes on D'ror, Abeneth... and the child. The child! Oh! And the way D'ror was gripping the child's hair... This had to be good.

"My, my," he chuckled, a slick, twisted smile spreading across his face. He leaned against Enlith's neck, cocking one hip out. The smile still stayed, seemingly permanent. "What have we here..."

[jack]

We are called. Dark eyes lifted quickly at the rumbling dragon's words, narrowing at the distaste in the strong Iron's usually relaxed tone. Abeneth. With a long sigh, the blackette sat up from his comfortable nest of hand-tanned furs, grumbling in malcontent. His choice of hideaway--a cave of sorts with a trickling stream--was cold..and he was quite happy napping away in it. Being forced to arise from his slumber--at the order of D'ror, no less--did not please him. So with a great sort of reluctance he dressed himself semi-sloppily, shrugging on a ragged, stolen flight jacket that held the knots of a Blackrider.

He stared at the knots for a long moment, his eyes narrowed with unveiled hatred, and he reached out at long last, brushing his fingers over the rough emblem. His fingers trailed down the arm, touching the wear and tear left over from age. Coldly, his grip curled, but ever-looming Sjueth rumbled before him, and with a hissing scoff, T'el started forwards to the entrance of the cave. Immediately a great Iron blockade met his eyes, moving like a slithering serpent to allow him past. Absently, he stroked the thick scales as the animal moved, and Sjueth gave an appreciative mumble when--by accident--his nails clicked over an itchy spot. The rider smirked and patted the gleaming hide, but all at once was back in business.

He was more reserved these days, quieter. He was sure many of the renegades--those who knew him at least--had noticed the way his eyes would drift more to the sky. The way his jaw would work and his stare narrow, his mind whirling on thoughts and ideals that his "boss" would surely disapprove of. He had also grown distant, keeping himself even more away from the others. But he was careful today. The urgency in the call...meant today was going to be...an interesting day. Licking his lips, the youth climbed up the Iron's shoulders, resting astride the massive creature's neck without flight straps. The dragon flexed beneath him and rose slowly, his wings rustling as T'el set a manic grin upon his lips and--for good measure--took a long swig from the wineskin he'd set to carrying again. The alcohol--not the finest of stuff--burned as it went down, but the blackette used it, giving a crazed giggle from the taste.

Sjueth--ever present, ever thoughtful--touched His's mind gently. T'el's grin twisted even more when the dragon's mood lifted with sweet amusement. His was fine. His...was fine. "Alright, Sju! Let's go say hi to bossmaaan." With a rumble of agreement Sjueth lifted up into the air, his immense wings giving him easy lift and sailing him effortlessly towards the meeting ground. Below was Brown Abeneth and a Green that neither dragon nor Sjueth knew--a new member to the "gang", no doubt. But the pair was uninterested as the Iron landed, proudly displaying his strength and beauty as he strode powerfully to one of the circle's edges, looming above the other's proudly.

T'el dismounted smoothly, sliding to the ground in the practiced motion of a fighter long-used to flying. He ran a hand absently through his curled locks as he did, a slide smirk on his features as he slunk his way around to the gathered group, his attention alighting snidely over D'ror's handsome frame for a moment, before darting down to the child clutched in the man's grasp. Immediately, his eyes narrowed, his nose scrunching up as he frowned, looking up to D'ror with a snap. "...why, by Faranth is there a baby here?!"

[Nia]

M'kiru was not asleep. He was awake, leaning against Thauth as they laid on the beach they'd apparently claimed, watching the sun set over the water. It was a nice scene. He closed his eyes, happy to just relax and watch the sun with his dragon. He wasn't a King, he wasn't even a sub-King, he was the lowest of the low... but that didn't matter out here. No ranks mattered. They were free to do what they wanted without being repressed by anyone. And without being harassed by anyone, M'kiru thought, opening one eye in annoyance. No one was around, though. No one to bother him. Fine. Whatever. He liked being alone. It was peaceful.

But it wasn't to last. Thauth suddenly sat up, causing M'kiru to fall backwards. What was that for?! At least tell me when you're going to stand up! he snapped, sitting up and brushing the sand out of his hair. Abeneth is calling~ I think it's importaannnttt,

[/i] Thauth said with his singsongy tone, poking at His with his nose. M'kiru narrowed his eyes. What could D'ror possibly want? Did they have some sort of plans that M'kiru had forgotten? For a while he'd actually almost forgotten their goal, getting so caught up in the drama of being a Renegade. Well... there wouldn't even BE any drama if it wasn't for that sharding guy....

The blond decided it didn't matter, the only thing that mattered was that D'ror had possibly gotten them closer to their goal of bothering Dalibor (in a bad way) and hopped on to Thauth. He looked out at the ocean one last time, watching the sun grow closer to sinking. If he'd been a more passionate (or intelligent) person, he might have thought of some sort of metaphor. But he wasn't, so he didn't, and instead rolled his eyes and Thauth took off, snapping his wings open and flying off towards their meeting grounds. What a pathetic place... having to hide like that. They were pathetic, weren't they? Maybe that was what the meeting was about.

As they neared, M'kiru saw a Green he couldn't place, a Brown that was Abeneth and Sjueth. Of course he gets here first, M'kiru thought darkly as Thauth landed. The dragon had his own thoughts on the matter, but M'kiru ignored him. Thauth was annoying and M'kiru didn't feel like hearing the Black's crazy thoughts right now. Instead, he dismounted smoothly (Thauth was small even if he was big for a Black, so it was easy) and headed over to the group gathered around D'ror. If it could even be called that, there were only three people there at the moment. He narrowed his eyes as he approached, hearing T'el's comment. A baby? he thought with confusion as he moved next to T'el.

"What's so important about a baby?" he said flatly, crossing his arms across his chest. He didn't see anything all that important about the baby and was rather displeased that D'ror had called them for something so small as a kid. For all he knew, it could be D'ror and Varya's kid that just learned to walk and he wanted to show off or something equally ridiculous. It didn't seem worth his time.[/blockquote][/size]

[kia]

They were lounging once again in the middle of nowhere with little care that someone would spot them. But Dalibor did not even know who they were. They were low ranked, but they were also very under the radar. Of course, M`grr did not care. He rarely cared what others thought after that incident. With his eyes closed, his face seem to screw up in an awful position as he thought back to that faithful. Stupid Weyrs. They were too concerned with rank, with getting tithes, with making sure the Queens were appeased. Then again, being a Renegade, they had to appease Alizadehth and Varya, but at least they were free to go wherever they wanted to go. It was a thrilling experience, riding on the back of Taburith, going with the wind, not having to return by nightfall to a Weyr full of hypocritical people. He snorted rather loudly at the thought as he felt Taburith shift slightly by his side. At least he had her. She was the last shred of hope and peace that had kept him from literally tearing that one man apart. The one man who ruined everything for him. And the Weyr would pay for their neglect.

Mine, Abeneth calls us. Do you think there will be other male dragons there? she crooned, standing up and stretching out like a cat. She was a small Green, but she acted like an Orange sometimes. M`grr swore that she could have been an Orange since she was very prideful, but she always reminded him that if she had been an Orange she would not have Impressed him. M`grr would chuckled and always reply with a True, and I would have never known why I never Impress my whole life without you.

M`grr jumped up as quickly and acrobatically as he could. He was not the most agile, in shape, or able to twist himself around, but he made sure that when he needed to fight or defend himself that he was in the best shape that he could be in. He walked over to her and laid a hand on her side, feeling her hide under his hands. She was a beautiful Green, and he had never seen one of her color before. Most Greens were that typical shade of green, very definable, ranging from a light color to a dark color. But Taburith... they almost thought she had been a new Queen color until she Impressed him and told him she was a Green. For that, M`grr was very thankful. "Maybe, my dear. There are not a lot of females. The only ones I know of are you and Alizadehth. But try not to anger the Orange. I want you whole so we can fight together," he said.

The Green seemed to purr like a cat, her eyes a beautiful turquoise color full of pleasure and happiness at the moment. Good. I can show off my hide to the males for when I Rise they will chase me. Alizadehth cannot have all the fun, and I should be Rising soon, hopefully. It has been a bit since the last time I Rose, she commented, her head and eyes looking over her wings and body for imperfections. M`grr laughed and grabbed the harness, pulling himself up and ordering Taburith to fly toward the encampment. With a croon and bugle, she quickly betweened to the location. She was quick to notice all the males in the area, but she also noticed another Green among the group. She rumbled with discontent. For a while, she had been the only Green in the Renegade group and had relish in that thought. Now that there was another Green, Taburith only saw her as competition for the male`s attentions. She hissed in the air, but she was so high up the sound would not reach the ground. M`grr sighed and patted Taburith on her neck, telling her it was okay and to please land.

The Green landed and M`grr was quick to get off. Taburith wanted him off quickly so she could repair any damage that might have been done. She had to prove that she was the prettiest Green in Pern and that the males should look at her. Have fun, M`grrMine, she said, then quickly moved off toward the other dragons. M`grr looked around and seemed to grin, almost like an idiot. But his eyes had a look in them that seemed to say he had an idea and was not stupid about what was going on. But, as he grinned, he noticed the little boy near D`ror. "What is with the kid, D`ror," he said drolly. "I did not think you were into that sort of thing. Men and women I had assume, but little children?" he asked, the shit-eating grin still on his face. He was ready to find out what was going, what was next on the plan, and where did he position in those plans. There were not a lot of Renegades, so Renegades versus an entire Weyr would be disastrous. They needed cunning, and most of the world`s most cunning minds were already standing here in these camp.

[Admin]

Or will the walls start caving in?
It could be wrong,
Could be wrong,
But it should have been right.

F'lanMine, the brown has called; Seceth informed his rider in a cheerful, insistent voice. From his perch high up on the top of a rocky pinnacle where he was watching the sunset with even pride, he rose, and he dipped down to where his rider was making himself busy on the ground far below. He landed with a thump and extended one leg in preparation. F'lan didn't immediately come, aware of the eagerness of his odd blue but busy stacking up the sparse undergrowth he had collected. Once they were tucked around a tree, he brushed off his hands and finally turned to the waiting Seceth. Solidly but nimbly enough from training he still remembered easily despite his dragon's maturity and their choice of living arrangements, he clambered aboard. Wiggling in order to make sure his rider, who gave a glare, was steady, Seceth took off.

F'lan didn't bother to wonder what their leaders wanted. He simply settled himself for the ride without straps. Seceth did all of the wondering for him. Were they going to fight? Were they going to set something on fire? Had someone betrayed them? Had someone gotten themselves killed? It couldn't have been Enlith and X'ni. They would have known that. It couldn't have been D'ror and Abeneth, and the brown sounded too good for it to have been Varya and Alizadehth. That still left five others, if he remember right, that could be dead. The blue wiled the short, easy flight with thoughts of death, flicking his tail about in a happy, lazy fashion. F'lan spent the flight trying to ignore his dragon and mainly thinking about food, sleep, X'ni, and other basic interests. He was mostly unconcerned with would happen. What would come would come.

Lightly with a playful air for his bulk, Seceth settled down amongst the others near Enlith as they slipped into the camp. There was another green about, but his long-time friend garnered his interest first. The others, an iron, a black, and Abeneth, were mostly ignored, except for some cheerful looks. Hello Enlith! This is so very exciting, isn't it? Finally something to do! And it looks like it's going to be good; he chattered to the green as he assessed what was happening. A little child. A kidnapped child. He drew in a deep sniff, peering closer at the young boy, wondering exactly who he was. He smelled of dragons. Even below the smell that hung off all those that was present, the child had the musky odor on his clothes and skin. A child from the Weyr! Abeneth and his rider were planning something wondrous! Something dramatic and fabulous!

F'lan slipped off Seceth's back and made his way over to X'ni before he considered anything else. He didn't make an physical contact with the greenrider, but he hovered protectively. In the present company, he was on edge. He didn't trust the renegades, not with his life, not beyond their plan. They were like having a dozen of his sisters running around him except that they didn't care about him enough not to try and kill him. Unlike most them, he offered no protest or exclamation over the sight of the tiny redhead that D'ror held. The brownrider would explain in due time, and he would follow what orders were given, so long as it didn't involve too much murdering. Thieving and robbing were much more up his alley, from his childhood days of being a miscreant. He'd handled plenty of dirty work in his time, but he liked pillaging more than other things.

Kill your prayers for love and peace,
You'll wake the thought police,
We can't hide the truth inside,
It could be wrong.

[Kila]

Varya was training. Run, swim, dive, dodge. Varya was always training. Never would she be caught weak, never would she allow herself to be bested. Alizadehth was frighteningly strong, and the fortitude and shrewdness of her mind lent strength to Varya’s, but the young woman on the run could not afford to be only intellectually prow. It was her job to make sure she was always physically and mentally at her best- always ready. She had more than just herself to look after. She was protecting her other runaways, her Renegades. It was not what she had left her Weyr to do, but it was something. In the wilderness, surrounded by enemies, she had to fight to stay alive. She could not afford to be off her toes or her game.

MineOwn, Alizadehth interrupted. Abeneth demands that we go to him. She relayed this message with contempt, stressing the word ‘demands’ with almost a sneer in her voice. She would not be ordered about and she resented that the foolish Brown even tried. It was not like him. Abeneth was clearly smitten with her and always did all he could to please her. It was sweet, but sweet was not a thing that she had a lot of time for. Still, she chose him in flight more often than not, and had a small soft spot for the dopey creature that she would never own up to. He was one of her most fiercely-guarded possessions.

What does he want? Varya asked suspiciously, stopping and wiping the sweat from her eyes. Or rather what does D’ror want? This time her voice reflected a similar contempt. However dysfunctional, the man was her weyrmate. She hated how she had let him in and cared for him. She didn’t want to care for any man, and she had certainly learned her lesson, and yet she did. One day she would just have Alizadehth kill the troublesome man and get it over with. He was more stress than he was worth.

Abeneth did not say, but it was D’ror who man him call. Abeneth would not speak in such a way on his own, she reported loftily. She resented the trifling man who upset Hers and made her Brown speak in such an unnaturally demanding manner. Neither of them was above her. We should go, though. Abeneth’s is always coming up with stupid plans and placing us in danger, she hissed. And they must be chastised for speaking to me in such a way.

Varya smiled at her dragon’s indignance and sent her soothing thoughts. You’re right, of course, she said. She dipped a piece of cloth in a stream close by and wiped the sweat from her body. She slipped out of her soiled clothes and pulled on what was at hand. As she jumped onto Alizadehth’s back she saw Yusriyath sailing by above them. Y’nis hung dangerously from his single strap and waved like a loon. Varya and Alizadehth frowned in unison. The flamboyant Purple did not need to be out flying when he could between where he needed to go. It attracted unnecessary attention to them and Varya had spoken to him about it before, but the zany pair too much enjoyed their joy rides.

Alizadehth did not follow their example. Leaping into the air gracefully, she betweened low in the air to the supply camp that Abeneth had sent her the visuals of it. She did not care for it, and spiraled down distastefully to let her rider off. Varya jumped down quickly and Alizadehth settled her wings on her back, immediately swinging her head around to look for Abeneth. Varya wasted no time either in heading off to look for D’ror. Almost all of the others had gathered and were loosely congregated in one area of the camp. She could see Abanth’s form over the other dragons and knew that D’ror would be among them. She marched to join them, silent but strong, nodding to each of the Renegades that acknowledged her. When she reached the inner ring of the crowd, however, she stopped dead in her tracks. D’ror was there indeed, but what he had with him took her totally by surprise. But not for long.

”What- in Faranath’s name- have you done?” she demanded in staggered speech. Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible, and she released the air between words with a hiss. She began moving forward slowly, her fury and her volume growing with each step she took. ”What have you done, D’ror? Do I even need to ask who this child is? Who he belongs to?” She bored down on him. ”It’s the Weyrleaders son! You took Dalibor’s child! What were you thinking!?” She was in his face now, screaming with anger and mingled disbelief at his stupidity. ”Do you have any idea of the implications of your actions?! Any idea what you’ve done!? You’ve struck the first physical blow, D’ror! Stabbed them in the back and fled, leaving them with a reason to follow and hunt us down!” Her small, muscled body trembled with fury and she moved in close to his face, their noses almost touching. ”He is a child, D’ror. A child. He is innocent. Why would you involve him? I never knew you to sink so low.” Her eyes smoldered with disgust.

Realizing what was going on, Alizadehth also screamed with fury. Bearing her fangs she roared frighteningly, digging her claws violently into the earth and lashing her tail about. She was right! Abeneth’s had ruined them again! Put them in harm’s way! The man was irresponsible, irrational, and mad. HOW DARE HE!? She lowered her shoulders as if preparing to charge, but from amongst the crowd Varya found enough control to restrain her. Don’t. Alizadehth roared again in protest, angered at the lack of blood on her claws. She instead set her flaming gaze on Abeneth. You wherry of a Brown! How could you let Yours do something so stupid! she raged, her words cutting. You are useless! We will all die because of you and Yours!

Varya blocked her out, knowing that if she did not have the cool control that Alizadehth normally imposed on her to keep her sane she would break down in front of all these people. She could feel it coming on. Hysteria swam at the edges of her mind and her insides tightened and squirmed. ”You fool,” she said, only to him. She looked down and saw D’ror’s hand twisted into the frightened boy’s hair. The Weyrleader’s son was terrified. It was a credit to him that he had not bawled in fear, but his eyes were wide and rimmed with tears. ”Let him go,” she said gravely, taking D’ror’s wrist in her hand with an unnecessary amount of pressure and moving it away.

Osro looked up at her with big eyes. She was scary- she had screamed and she was scary- but the strange man’s hand pulling his hair and his scalp was scary too. She had been yelling that he was wrong and now she was looking kindly and sadly down at him. She held out her arms to him and he relented to the lesser of the two evils, allowing Varya to pick him up and hold him on her side. He clung to her now. Right now she did not seem to want to hurt him, was angry at his kidnapper, and was something that he could cling to. His head throbbed and he looked around at the strange place and the strange people. He wanted to go home.

Varya held him gently, her arms a strong cradle around his little frame. Now with Osro safely in her arms, she turned back to D’ror. She met his eyes and studied him for a few moments before abruptly and sharply slapping him across the face. ”Go ahead and tell us all your hair-brained scheme,” she said, turning and walking away toward a crate by the edge of a nearby tent. ”We’re all stuck in it now, for better or worse.” She sat down on the crate and set Osro on her lap. Even if he grew curious he would not wander or squirm now- it was too dangerous. She watched D’ror expectantly through narrow eyes. The sooner all this was over the better. She could try to figure things out and salvage some sort of plan. It didn’t matter what words came next, though, for in her heart of hearts Varya knew that they were doomed. They would not be able to repent for D’ror’s foolish actions.

[Reky]

More came. An iron, a black, a green, and at the latter Enlith's back arched. She hadn't heard the hiss, but she could tell the other green was feeling competitive. She knew what that sort of 'I'm better than you, and I know it, and I will make sure everyone else knows it too' vibe was like. That cocky, self-centered, vain sort of vibe. She hated it. Well, she knew she herself was beautiful. She was definitely, definitely up there on the list of best-looking greens, with her nigh black hide and emerald overlay and good proportions. See, but she wasn't constantly trying to shove it in everyone else's faces. She didn't make a hobby of it. But when other greens pulled this move? She couldn't just stand there! Shard it, she hated it so much! So she flared her wings, and arced her neck gracefully, and held her head high and proud. Yes, she was beautiful. Yes, Taburith should care. Yes, she was being a hypocrite right now. Pot, kettle, black, but too bad.

X'ni noticed. Oh, shards, yes, he noticed. And he was hoping intensely that Enlith would just take her pride and shove it up where the sun didn't shine, because he would hate for this to become some big show-off contest, because greens... Faranth. Those moody, hormonal things. They could really, really show off. And probably get very violent about it. His desperate prayers were answered, though, as a saving grace rained from the sky. Namely, Seceth and F'lan. Almost immediately Enlith was distracted and relaxed her pose. She was grumpy, pissy, and... pissy, still, but the excitement of the current situation got to her.

Oh, doesn't it? Definitely good! she said to the blue, eyes whirling with anticipation. It's very, very exciting. Finally, we won't have to sit around and do nothing! And if it'll involve what I think it will... it will be very, very fun. Very fun. Like the old days, Seceth.

[/i] She rumbled, deep in her throat, sort of laughing.

X'ni was smiling at F'lan presence. Shards! Even having him in the same general area made him feel fuzzy and jittery. He managed out a little, "Hey, hon." and brushed his hand, fleeting, against F'lan's. Then his attention was back on D'ror and the toddler, but not for long. The spotlight was stolen. Shards, it was more than stolen. It was loudly, violently, and rage-filled-ly snatched up and held high above everyone else's heads so they couldn't get it back. Faranth, that orangerider... he had to remember not to piss her off.

Beside him, Enlith tensed in surprise and fright.

D'ror, D'ror, X'ni thought, picking his name up from the woman's shouting. He clicked his tongue. You're in trouble! Time out for you.[/size][/blockquote]

[4horseshowgirl4]

Theirs was not the happiest existence ever. It was not even an interesting existence, for a renegade. Raelle had never been very bold, anyway. Temperamental, yes, short-fused, yes, but she was almost the least likely of the bunch to go stir up trouble intentionally. She was a coward, barely venturing from camp ever since Alizadehth's Hatching. They had supplies shipped to them; no need to go steal or seduce for food and clothing. Raelle moaned and griped about the threadbare tunics and thin Flight jacket she wore, but she wouldn't do anything about it, or go scavenge for something better. It was just too dangerous out there. Time had dulled her fear slightly, but she still felt like there was a Dalibor guard watching her every move. Camp was safer. She'd kept to herself, mostly, snapping at people when they came too close, not even bothering to write to Xela at the Weaverhall. She'd heard plenty of fishing stories about what she and T'el had been up to-- and if T'el wanted the kid, fine, let him have her.

Mine, Abeneth calls, some sort of meeting,

[/color] Tossiteth said from his comfortable position curled loosely in a small cave, Raelle leaning against his shoulder. Raelle got to her feet and Tossiteth gracefully mimicked her. They slipped out of their cave, Raelle hopping onto Tossiteth's back a moment before the small Black took wing. They were among the last (or were they the last? she couldn't remember how many of them there were now, but it seemed that everyone else she knew was present...) so it wasn't difficult to see where everyone had congregated. Sjueth's massive silver bulk, Alizadehth's bright orange, Thauth's not-quite black... and, of course, Abeneth's dull brown hide. Tossiteth settled amongst them, but not too close to any of them. They had no friends among this group, no amiable faces towards which to gravitate. They hadn't intended it like that, but they weren't the most affable people around, and Raelle was not too pleasant a person.

"What is it, D'ror?" Raelle said irritably a mere moment before Varya spoke. She sounded irritable because she was, typical for her. D'ror was clutching a child. Why was a baby so important that he had to call all of the renegades? They would be far easier to spot in a huge herd like this... Raelle couldn't help but scan the skies every few seconds. Why had she ever left the safe confines of the Weyr again? Why had she not fled the second the actions of a few of them had incriminated them all? She didn't like Weyrs, hence why she joined this lot, and maybe it wouldn't be so bad if sharding T'el weren't here...

Raelle gasped when Varya deduced that this child was not only a Dalibor baby, but the sharding Weyrleader and Weyrwoman's kid. "Are you completely insane?!" she half-shouted, voice rising to an incredibly high pitch in her growing hysteria. He had to be. It was the only explanation. Dalibor hadn't done anything to them, not yet. Why did they, the renegades, have to be the ones to declare war? There were only a handful of them against a Weyrful of fighting wings. Sure, the lot of them were a lot tougher and handier with a knife than most Dragonriders had a right to be, but it didn't take much common sense to realize that they were simply outmatched.

"You sharding idiot! Do you have a death wish? Fajra and O'sho are gonna kill us! And they've got like ten times the number of dragons we do! Why'd you have to drag us into this?!" Raelle continued to rant and rave after Varya had finished. Her voice was raised and her face was red, whether from anger or fear, or, probably, a mixture of both. This was bad. This was very, very bad. Damn D'ror. Maybe she needed to get off of this continent before it was too late, but she knew she couldn't. They would come hunt her down and kill her. She'd have to stand her ground with the rest of them. Her eyes flicked to the sky again, and she took another breath as if to continue, but she barely managed to contain herself. Shouting at them wouldn't do. Besides, she was too scared to do anything but stutter incoherently. Her knuckles were white on Tossiteth's riding strap. The Black tensed underneath her, as fearful as she was.

Shard it. This was not good. They had managed to coexist with Dalibor for a few Turns, but this was clearly the end of that. They had reached a breaking point. Something had to give. Raelle was terrified that it would be them.[/right][/font]

[Admin]

Alone on a train aimless in wonder,
An outdated map crumbled in my pocket,
But I didn't care where I was going,
Cause they're all different names for the same place.

Just like the old days; Seceth echoed in a thoughtfully cheerful voice. Just like the old days, except no Faalay, just as was best for him and his rider. He wasn't concerned about dying or death. His attention was on the fun of the situation presented to them, even when Alizadehth and Tossiteth became agitated. He understood. He saw how it could be wonderful, in the most fun sort of way. He didn't consider the good or evil. He just wanted to be a part of it. Lazily, he stretched out one of his feet. Nearby, F'lan felt a faint shiver at the greeting and touch from X'ni but tried to concentration on what was happening. He was tense and focused. He worried about the death and the dying and the doom. He worried about Seceth, Enlith, and X'ni. It was a bad situation, but he trusted D'ror to at least not mess it up entirely. He spoke not a word. He listened to them all.

Everything went well, at first. T'el, M'grr, M'kiru, F'lan, and X'ni arrived and made comments, which he ignored while he smiled at them in a pleasant manner. He kept a hold firmly on Osro. A small part of his air was protective of the boy. Yes, his actions weren't kind or moral, but he wasn't going to do any lasting harm to the boy or allow any of the others to do anything. The little mite was vital to his plan. Nothing was going to jeopardize his system. In silence, he waited. Then Varya showed up. As he had expected, she wasn't pleased when she figured it out. He let her take Osro without any protest, moving with the motion of her forceful actions against him. He had no reason to personally keep charge of the boy, and he didn't mind watching a furious Varya brood over the child. It was adorably warped and amusing, her lovely wildness.

Raella also offered protest, but, easy to expect from her, it was more self-centered. He let her fall silent, smiling neatly at all them until quiet fell. He had been asked what he had been doing, and he was perfectly willing to explain. "They have, for your information, about sixteen times the amount of dragons we do. It is not terribly bad odds, in our circumstances, but given Kalith and Callistath and the fact several other Weyrs will likely back them even in dire straits, a full battle is ill-advised;" he answered the blackrider to them all in a clear, rhythmic voice. His gaze swept over them, testing the waters. X'ni and F'lan were in good spirits for them. T'el and M'kiru were grumpy, but looked like they wouldn't be so objecting. There was just Raelle and Varya to sway more into his grasp, and Y'nis, but the purplerider was an odd but easy one.

"That is why my plan isn't to fight. Mommy and daddy weyrleaders aren't going to want their boy hurt, now are they? We've bluffed quite well, towards who we are. The mere act of kidnapping will set off alarms;" he said evenly, gazing between them. He paced, but in a calm and refined manner. Varya could take him, but he wasn't concerned. He had a control. He had dragged them into it, and that was part of the point. "They will want him back, and they won't be able to find us. We can move, and they can't follow it if we move fast. We have places we can hide. The Weyr only has so many dragons, and we have all the cards;" he assured them, a sharp smile splitting his face. His plan wasn't as simple as he laid it out. He held things back, but they weren't important. It was simple enough, the step that was occurring then.

"There are things we can use. Supplies. Assurances;" he said, trailing off into implication that they could have anything. With that little bit, he concluded, offering a slight shrug as if to suggest it was their choice. It wasn't. They were all involved, which got its own hint in the way his eyes continued to sweep over them, poignant in each look but never settling. With the end of his little explanation, he leaned back against Abeneth, who was perfectly in place for a motion. The brown was acting particularly apathetic and submissive. He was trying to avoid looking at Alizadehth too much, and he doubted that saying anything to her would please her in the slightest. Instead of anything else, he simply let out a quiet, thrumming croon. He was calm and ready, but he wasn't entirely vested in the plan. Much of his attention was acutely on the orange.

The coast disappeared when the sea drowned the sun,
And I knew no words to share with anyone,
The boundaries of language I quietly cursed,
And all the different names for the same thing.

[Kila]

Yusriyath had landed and let Y’nis off just in time for the quirky young man to see the show. Hopping cheerfully of his bonded’s back after a pleasant joyride across the continent, they had ambled over with the rest as Varya had made her way through the small assembled crowd. Y’nis leaned slightly up on his toes as Varya’s voice began to rise and she began to advance on D’ror. What has the madman done this time, YaMine? He makes your friend so very angry! Yusriyath questioned cheerfully. He made cute, excited eyes at Taburith, who had met for a short time before. Maybe they would have time to visit after the ever-so-important meeting. Dunno, Yu, Y’nis shrugged, still peering on his tip toes.

A resounding smack drifted through the air, and Y’nis saw Varya picking something up. Someone? Faranth, Yu! It’s a little boy! D’ror kidnapped a kid! Y’nis exclaimed, quite shocked. He could see from her face and the way she walked away that Varya was furious. He would have to find her later when she had cooled down. Oh nooooo. The others say that it is Dalibor’s hatchling.
Dalibor’s hatchling? What do you mean? [
The Weyrleaders’!
Ohhhhhh.
That was bad.

Y’nis and Yusriyath listened with interest as D’ror explained his plan. Sixteen times our numbers? The man really is mad. But he was something else for being able to be with Fajra as he did. Y’nis did not understand the plan completely, the best he and Yu could gather it was something akin to blackmail and leverage, so they just stood in the back trying not to look too confused.

Varya eyes glared back at D’ror every time he chanced to look her way. ”We have no choice now,” she said bitterly when he had done, speaking more to him than any of the others. ”To return him would be suicide. We have to run now. And hide. Like tunnelsnakes under rocks.” Her distaste for the idea showed on her face. What didn’t show was how it pained her. She had said her piece, though, and rose, collecting Osro into her arms. It would be useless for D’ror to object to her taking him. Someone had to look after the boy, and the Renegades weren’t exactly model babysitters. She walked dignifiedly to Alizadehth, putting Osro on her back and then climbing up behind him. She noted how he took easily and bravely to sitting on a dragon, but was to distressed to be pleased by it. Get us out of here, Alizadehth. Please. The Orange complied vehemently and whole-heartedly and took off with her two passengers. She glared witheringly at Abeneth as she went, flying so that her hide flashed brilliantly in the sun and then betweening.

Varya’s right, Y’nis shrugged agreeably enough. He was rarely stubborn and often only needed to be convinced to follow a plan or go along with someone else’s ideas. But wasn’t this a bad thing, YaMine? Yeah, Yu, but there’s nothing we can do about it now. No point in crying over the past! he deduced, folding his hands together behind his head and leaning back against Yusriyath. Oh yeah. I guess that’s right! Yu agreed, as if he had just had the epiphany himself. They waited with the others to see if D’ror had anything else to say.

[kia]

Taburith knew the other Green had felt the threat. She should! Taburith was the better Green in this group. She had been here first, anyways, and therefore she was the better Green. She was quick to flaunt her hide color off, thinking herself unique. A nearly black Green was not that special. She had seen similar almost black Greens at her old Weyr. But an almost metallic Green, that was a rarity in itself! She noticed Yusriyath looking at her with cute and excited eyes. She remembered the Purple from before. He had been a very nice dragon, and had complimented her well. She liked him all ready.

Varya is definitely not happy, M`grr mentally spoke.
Is that who was screaming? I do not doubt her. D`ror did risk out safety with his stunt.
But how was he suppose to get his point across? Walk up to them and ask them for food and for them to leave us alone after all we have done so far?
Taburith snorted mentally. I guess you are right. Werys are so predictable. They never listen. It is all politics to them. All they care about is if their Queens are sated and they get their tithes at appropriate times.
Is that not how it is out here some?
Alizadehth is easy to follow. At least she cares for us some. The only dragons that Queens of a Weyr care about are other Queen and their possible suitors.

M`grr listen to the statements and arguments being presented here. He crossed his arms, listening carefully, agreeing with Varya some and also with D`ror. They were two different people, and that was very obvious. If only these two could put their tempers and egos aside, the things they could do for the group and for Pern. He shook his head and chuckled lightly. Why could others not see this? But, then again, M`grr was slightly use to it. After all, his past lover had used him to get away with his own evil desire, thus turning M`grr into this somewhat hateful person. Life throws curve balls, and he caught it when he should have not swung. And not it was stuck to him.

Varya took the kid with her. They were left with D`ror to explain the rest of his plan. The GreenRider turned toward D`ror. "So, what was the whole point and real reason of stealing the kid? Supplies, we can get on our own. We catch our food and we can always get excess stuff from holds. Assurances? These mountains protect us. What is exactly going here~" M`grr spoke, an almost purr in his voice, like a feline figuring out how to catch its prey. He felt D`ror had more to tell, more to speak, more to the reason. And M`grr would wait until that reason presented itself to all of them.