Reporting on Pern (Weyrwoman, all read plz)

[hrsegrl]

After her visit to the Infirmiry, Marisol recieved interesting news from a Search Wing. She had immediately called a meeting with Elisha. Although she had immediately told her that no one else was to come into contact with Marisol.

After clearing her throat, "Reports have come to me that there are some things going on in the Holds, things we ought to know." She glanced down at her kerchief. She had been coughing into it since the infirmiry. The information was not good, even if she tried to be a bit light about it. "A disease has befallen the following Holds, Telgar, Crom, High Reaches, Lemos and parts of Igen." She coughed a little then went on.

"Unfortunately it does not end there. Keroon has reported wild fires in the north that could potentially enter Benden destroying their southern grape crops. Igen has yet to have any rainfall this turn until yesterday when terrential rainfall began, flooding areas close to the ocean. "Again she paused. Marisol despised bad news.

"I'm not sure about Nerat, Southern Boll, Ista or Fort as the Search Party had heard nothing from those Holds. I have sent riders to those Holds, just for information. My suggestion is that after that, we should not leave the Weyr. The illness is contagious and from what the healers in the infirmiry told me, can be deadly to the old, sickly or very young."

[brimstone81]

Elisha listened intently to Marisol, wondering vaguely how it must feel to be giving the report to a younger woman when not too long ago the roles would have been reversed. Elisha was highly interested in news, and reflected on the words. Disease had struck her holds? Fires raveged the countryside? This was terrible, and would be terrible for Weyr business and economics, like trade. She knew that the Weyr went through wine like no other and an entire vineyard would be disasterous. Elisha rubbed her eyes. She wanted to ask, But what can we do, Marisol? but that would be childish. Elisha was the Weyrwoman now, with a dozen turns in queenriding experience. She would have to take control. She couldn't help but notice that there was no news from Ista.

"The illness is contagious and from what the healers in the infirmiry told me, can be deadly to the old, sickly or very young."

Marisol had said, and immediately the woman froze for a moment. "Elirian." she breathed. He was her only son, only child in fact, and she had no desire to loose him. She wanted to burst out of the room and grab the child and hide him from the sickness in her weyr. But she could not forget her duties.
"Yes, Marisol, we shall not have contact until this sickness has passed. I want the sick quarantined if this is contageous. It would not be good to let it spread. We should start with the creche, if children are succeptable. And- Marisol are you alright? Perhaps you should get some rest, I need you in tip top shape."

Elisha stood then, straightening her skirts, "If there is a sickness going around," She refused to call it a plague, though she was disheartened to hear that Lemos was among the holds where the disease was prevalent. She felt bad for Igen and Benden, but there was nothing she could really do except for keep it in mind for future reference. "We are not in the situation to help them all out with out risking spreading this disease. Now if you excuse me for a moment there is something I must do. If we are finished here, that is."

[hrsegrl]

Marisol, watched the woman's reactions. She knew Elisha was more than capable of taking charge from there. "Yes, the Creche would be a good place to start. Your son will be fine." She insisted, knowing that the boy's foster mother would be there.

"I'm going to Quarentine myself, except for those already ill. If there are one or two foster parents overwhelmed with taking care of a lot of ill children I will help from my weyr." Marisol meant that. If there was one or two children she could help get well, it would keep her mind off of her own illness and help the children not be around so many. Luckily there were not that many older people showing symptoms.

"In any case I'm sure Benden Weyr is helping with the fires and Ista and Igen Weyrs will be helping with the floods." She added so that Elisha would not feel it was an issue they need worry over. The illness however seemed to originate around here.

"Beynath has been wanting to see me. She refuses to believe I'm fit as a fiddle." Marisol stood up and coughing again, into her kerchief, she nodded at Elisha's dismissal.

[brimstone81]

The fellow queenrider nodded at her elder. Elisha only hoped that Marisol was right, that her son would be okay. If anything happened to him. She'd just- well she'd carry on, but behind closed doors she'd probably be a wreck. The Weyrwoman promised herself she wouldn't think about it any longer because Elirian would be fine, perfectly fine.

"I'm sure you're right about the other Weyrs helping, I just don't want them to think we don't care. Obviously for trade and even good will we do." Elisha might write to the leaders or something. They'll be wanting to hear from Telgar about the sickness anyway. She'd get to it eventually, but for now, she had to go get her son out of the creche. She knew Adeloth was close. . . but. . . maybe Elisha could make it and come back in time.

She bowed to Marisol at her dismissal and walked out at a brisk pace.