Beasties All Around(Tags, Brim, Kayla)

[thedreamerlady]

Adreazioh led the large bovine by it's nosering to the makeshift enclosure. At this point, the Gathergrounds were the only place that was big enough for the beasts who were brought in from outlying holds that had been closed down. While Holders were being reassigned their beasts were left out here, and taken care of by various workers in the large hold.

Ario was relaxed- the animals were placid, and calm, and he felt good surrounded by large beasts that could kill him but didn't, and wouldn't as long as he didn't bother them. When frantic mooing started, and the beast he'd been leading easily refused to move, Ario was startled.

When the shadow's from a large beast pasted over him, Ario was startled to realize that there was large creatures in the air, that had come out of no where.

Standing with a large cow next to him, the boy stood, shabby brown clothes hanging loosely, staring up the graceful creatures, his mind registering one thought.

Dragons.

[brimstone81]

Gwyn had been assigned to Search, and she was quite happy with that. Gwyn loved flying and travel, and Search provided her with fulfilment of that desire. Aurath had been pleasant this morning, the weather had been fair, and Gwyn was quite refreshed. A beautiful day to go to Telgar Hold in search of candidates for Adeloth's clutch. She hummed as she assembled the green's riding straps and put them on.

There was a small group assembled including a blue, Ragoth. She smiled to the other riders, and soon enough, once assembled they took off and sailed between. They popped over Telgar Hold, and landed swiftly not too far from the beasts, and no doubt spooking some of them. Good thing Gwynhaver had fed Aurath already. She dismounted and inquired Aurath silently, to which the green replied, I like that little one. . "Who?" Gwyn strained to see through the herdbeasts.

[kayla]

Ragoth had also noticed the scrawny lad and pointed him out to his Rider almost immediately upon Jeyna dismounting. Could you bring the boy over there closer? He seems like he has good potential.

Jeyna nodded looking for him, "I'll try. Try not to be too scarey looking." She winked to the Blue, "We don't want the cattle stampeding."

She moved over to Gwyn, "Has your Aurath mentioned anyone yet?" She didn't want to prejudice the Green, but if both dragons had noticed someone, then there was a good chance that that it was the same person, and a sure sign that they had a definite Candidate on their hands.

[thedreamerlady]

Adreazioh blinked in shock. Dragons- several of them, in shades of blue and green he could hardly even image, and they had landed. Of course the animals were still lowing, and crying, and he really needed to get the one he was holding into a pen. He was a small teen, and even the strongest couldn't stop one of these went they got antsy. Effectively shutting the dragons out of his mind(it wasn't like they were going to be interested in him anyway), he muttered soothing phrases that really made no sense to an outside ear.

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

Enald heard about the dragons, perhaps moments after they arrived. He had to say, the system of informant was probably the best in all of the Holds. After telling the man to bring his Lady Wife, he strode out, heading towards the Gathergrounds, the only place big enough to handle multiple dragons.

He hoped that Lesh didn't bring Kimlye- the little girl wasn't old enough to hand the amount of dust and manure that currently infested the Gathergrounds.

[kayla]

The news reached Leshya only shortly after it reached her husband. She was finishing nursing Kimlye, so she finished what she was doing and then handed the precious little one off to a nanny. "She should go down for a nap easily. She might cry for a little while." Probably would, in fact she'd already screwed her little face up and was turning red as she ready for the protest. "She doesn't like when I'm not the one to put her down, but with a full tummy, she'll go to sleep pretty quickly even if she fights it."

She kissed her forehead, then moved to a mirror to fix her top. She would have taken Kimlye with her, but the dragons had landed in far too dirty a place. While she was fixing her top, a servant knocked at the door. She moved to open it, only to receive Enald's summons. She grinned, "I was just on my way."

She was only a few minutes behind her husband and smiled to him, a little sourly, "How do you think they'll take it?"

[thedreamerlady]

Finally securing the cow in the large pen with the rest of them, Adreazioh walked up and down the length of the pen singing a song whose tune was clear, but not much else. Feline's made about as much sense. A few weeks ago, he would have gone right into the pen, but a Beastcrafter had told him a story about a man who'd been gored and stomped to death- so he didn't.

"A'lla y'un's s'n t'all'a."

~~~~~~~~

Enald offered his arm to his Wife, and continued on to the Gathergrounds- they were nearly there.

"Probably not well. Apparently their Queen clutched another thirty, and they want to have sixty or more choices for the dragons. But, you're the sister of a Queenrider, I don't think they'll do anything to you."

He smiled at her, knowing this was probably going to hurt her a lot more than it would hurt him- after all, his sympathies with the Dragonriders were much less than those of his wife.

[brimstone81]

Gwyn smiled at Jeyna, "Hey. Well Aurie seems to like 'that little one.' I can only assume it would be that holdboy right there among the beasts." She looked out at the man-child. Too skinny, she thought immediately, though Aurath firmly cemented her previous though. He will do. Gwyn stopped her observation of the kid to turn to Jeyna, "Would Ragoth agree? Aurath seems firm in her choice that he might do alright at the Weyr."

Others come. Gwyn took a turn about, no dragons followed them, but then she saw people coming from the hold to the gathergrounds. The greenrider peered, "Who do you think that is? Look fancy already."

[kayla]

Jeyna grinned, "He already has. I just didn't want to direct your Aurath's direction anywhere in particular. Since both dragons agree, I believe that we have us a Candidate." She laughed, "Though I think we'll need to feed the boy up some first."

She tilted her head watching the boy a moment, "I think, since we're the ones who made the beasties nervous, we should probably let him finish what he's doing before we approach him."

And then Gwyn pointed out something that she had not yet noticed. She turned to see and frowned, "The Lord and Lady. I'm not surprised that they've come to greet us, but this may complicate matters."

*****

Lesh took just a moment to rest her head on her husband's shoulder. "They won't do anything to you either. I just hope they understand that we have to do this."

She had not argued fiercely with her husband, but had rather offered a slightly more tempered proposal, that they be allowed to have a say in each proposed Candidate. It may be that some areas of the Hold may be more able to afford a young person the chance at impressing. She also knew full well, that most of the time the answer would have to be no - and that was what broke her heart. But she knew the necessity and accepted it.

[thedreamerlady]

"Greetings, Dragonriders." Enald called. He was using his rarely heard commanding voice- one pitched to be heard over almost anything. It made him seem mature, and it was one of the things he actually used that his father had taught him. He knew his Telgarian Blue tunic and pressed pants looked crisp and that he cut Lordly picture. It would do- and his wife was as beautiful as she always was.

Though he didn't look it, his nerves were trembling. He didn't think that there had been a refusal of a Search at Telgar in all remembered history. Though what he was doing was right, and he didn't doubt in the least he could do it, he did wonder what the repercussions would be. If his Hold did it, then there would be a precedent. Would the dragonriders allow it?

If Telgar was to prosper, this would need to go smoothly. He just wasn't sure that was possible.


~~~~~~~~~

His blond mop of hair falling loosely around his head and ears, Adreazioh stopped his singing, and returned to watching the dragons and there riders. He watched as the Lord and Lady of Telgar(at least, that's who he thought they must be, with such fine clothing).

He could also hear what the Lord was saying, but it didn't mean much to him, It would have been easy to figure it out, but that would have been time away from watching the sunlight hitting the Green hide of that pretty Green.

[kayla]

"Looks like we should go pay our respects." She grinned to Gwen. "This should be interesting."

Jeyna had vaguely heard rumors that Telgar Hold had had a bad a time with the plague as the weyr had. She hoped that there would not be a problem, but she knew that young people could be a very highly valued resource.

Keep an eye on the boy. We don't want him slipping off while we're talking to the Lord and Lady.

Will do. He shows promise. I like him.

I know. Let's hope there's not a problem.

She walked forward with Gwyn and when she was close enough that there was no need to show to speak to the Lord and Lady, she bowed - Jeyna does not curtsey, ever - briefly, though definitely sufficiently. "Lord Enald, Lady Leshya."

*****

Leshya was wearing a simple but elegant gown in Telgar's colors. It flattered her, but did not fit too snugly as she still had a bit of baby fat to burn. Because she had been on bed rest and the healer dictated what she ate, she had gained a bit more than she wished, though she was confident that she could lose it.

She gently squeezed her husband's hand. Letting him know that while she hated it, she agreed with their course of action.

"Dragonriders, welcome to Telgar Hold. We extend to you our welcome and our hospitality."

[brimstone81]

Gwyn nodded to Jeyna. They should pay their respects and get to searching candidates were much needed, and she couldn't imagine that the holders would be too long winded. Not to mention she would never guess that they would ever refuse their search. Not with the strong belief among the dragonriders that thread would return. Of course she grew up among holdfolk, she knew that they would be apprehensive. Maybe that's one reason why she was picked to go on search, she could communicate between hold and weyr since she knew both.

Aurath watched Adreazioh with some curiosity. He was looking at her, and her eyes whirled with contentment. Warm sun and attention, what more could a green ask for? She knew he wasn't frightened, and she lowered her head to peer better at him. She made not a noise. Yes, he would do. I will not let him from sight. You talk with them. Will do lovie, She chuckled to herself before turning to the Lord and Lady of Telgar.

"And we thank you for that, Lady. As you might have heard, our great queen at Telgar has laid another large clutch. Thrity eggs, though no queen this time. We need candidates, and while we hate to Impose, we are on Search." She said as lady-like as she could. She wanted to sound very professional. She looked at Leshya while she spoke, and wondered if she had stayed at hold, if her Lord Holder grandfather would have arranged her to be wed to a Lord Holder. Or a Lords son. She looked very fine, her dress enviable. As a greenrider she would never see such a nice dress.

[thedreamerlady]

Enald bowed to the Dragonriders. They hadn't offered names, but on a usual Search they wouldn't need to. All they would need would be to obtain permission, and be on their merry way.

That would no longer be true in Telgar.

"I am glad to hear Adoleth has clutched again in such great numbers, I'm sorry to say that we may have trouble accommodating your request." Enald attempted to look apologetic, though he was not skilled at that particular expression. "Myself and my Lady Wife would not wish to deny you Search, but we must insist on a case by case basis for any candidate you may wish to Search."

He hoped the increase in tithe would keep any unfortunate incident from occurring. Or that they wouldn't agree, and then disregard what he'd told them.

"Our hold has been devastated by the Sickness, and we have great need of our men, and our girls."

~~~~~~

The Green had shifted her head, and her eyes looked tranquil. Adreazioh wasn't sure why he'd decided the Greens were female, and the Blues male. He only knew that she looked feminine, but not in a Holdless way. He liked her.

He tilted his head to the side, and smiled at the pretty green. He wondered if dragons themselves could smile, and pondered if it would be frightening or sweet. Sweet- did dragons like sweet, or did they only eat meat? Did they cook it? He'd heard dragons could make flame, so he supposed they could.

Perhaps the dragonriders were here to eat? They certainly had a lot of meat, and the 'crafters complained of the plenitude. That was foolish. Better too many than too few. Meat was tasty. Not that he got a lot, but the few pieces he did get were delicious.

[brimstone81]

Gwyn pursed her lips, what was she to say? The Weyr needed candidates! Elisha and V'rak would not be happy. The gall of Telgar Hold! Closest to the Weyr and everything! Of course it was Telgar Hold's duty to allow Search and supply tithe in return the Weyr would protect it from thread. Of course these fools would be ignoring the signs! She kept her face neutral, and took a breath before speaking, "It is unfortunate that you feel that way. We too, have lost many of our children. And we won't be needing any girls.Can't we work out a base number, even? 10 young men? 5? Our dragons have picked out a skinny lad, can we at least take him. We are thankful for your tithing."

It wouldn't do to make enemies of Telgar Hold for the Weyr. The Weyrleaders wouldn't be very happy. Though when thread seared the sky, they would change their tune, she was sure of it. Gwyn looked at the bluerider next to her, "Anything to add, Jeyna?"

[kayla]

Jeyna did not have anything to add. Gwyn had done a good job, in her opinion, advocating the Weyr's position. She would wait to hear the answer of the Lord and Lady before adding anything. She shook her head slightly.

The bluerider had been watching the two, and she felt like they were only trying to do what was good and necessary for their hold, but like Gwyn, she believed that Thread would be coming soon, and if the couple handicapped the Riders, then they would, in fact, jeoperdize their own Hold.

*****

Leshya gently squeezed her husband's hand, this time she was not offering her support, though he had it, but seeking support from him. He had been correct in realizing that this would be more difficult for her, even hurtful, though she fully agreed that it was necessary.

"I'm afraid you misunderstood, Dragonrider. We are not forbidding you from searching at all. And we do understand that what we are requiring is a hardship." In fact, Leshya did believe fully that Thread was approaching, but she was aware of the situation at the hold far better than the Dragon Riders were, and she knew how valuable the age group which tended to be searched was, especially now.

"We are simply insisting that each case be decided individually. For some of our holds, there may only be one young person left alive. If you search that individual, than you may have deprived a family of their only heir or of a necessary hand around the Hold." She did not feel it necessary to tell the Riders that they had even taken in the Holdless to fill out Holds in some cases, that was Hold business, but it was also telling of just how hard the Hold had been hit.

"Its not your responsibility to be aware of all these circumstances. But as the Lord and Lady Holder, it is ours. We are simply insisting, that in this time of hardship, you accept that we are aware of the situation better, and when we are not aware of a particular situation, we can ascertain it quickly." She hoped that they would understand, and knew that her husband probably felt like they should not have to explain themselves, but she felt that they did. The Weyr needed to understand that Telgar was trying to effect a compromise that would promote the continuing well being of both Hold and Weyr.

"You mentioned that your Dragons have already noticed a lad. Which one? As we said, we're not denying any Search at all. The shall be the first case. And I assure you, Riders, we will be fair."

[brimstone81]

They just didn't understand, not just any one would do! Gwyn couldn't make her green choose a candidate, the dragons already knew. But she, as always just held her tongue. She took a deep breath, what to do? They surely couldn't come back with nothing. Thiry eggs had to have choice!!. Yet the Holders, she felt, wouldn't budge. At least they were letting them Search at all. She took a glance at Jeyna, and then straightened her back a little and looked at the holders. "If you please, our dragons have picked that skinny boy over there." She turned and motioned to Adreazioh, "The one looking at my green. I would also like the rider to go through your hold for others. If you approve?"

Aurath let out a low rumble. She was amused by the man-boy. She could not tell all of his thoughts, but she could sense he was curious. Sharding right, too. She was beautiful for a green, wasn't she? Aurath puffed her chest a little more.