Lord Aurik was dead.
The healer sighed, and left the room, preparing to tell the rest of the Hold.
Rea gasped, refusing to believe it. Her father was dead. Ishani nodded, confirming it. Her face was firmly set, determined not to show weakness of any kind, but the Lady Holder's sorrow was painfully clear.
Rea turned, blinking back tears. Cavan was slowly walking away, his feline meowing sadly beside him.
She ran up to her room, where she spent the rest of the night, oblivious to anyone else.
The Hold woke up in a frenzied state the next morning. First, the Lord of the Hold was dead, and they would have prepare the funeral. But the solemn mood deepened when the Hold gates were discovered wide open, and the Lord's oldest son, his heir, was missing.
Chaos broke loose as people yelled, panic-stricken. Eventually, the nearest Weyr was contacted, and asked to keep a lookout from dragonback. Amidst the chaos, few noticed that the tear-streaked face of the Holder's oldest daughter was missing from the Hold.
Rea sighed, blinking back tears. She watched the meandering path of the little stream, emerald eyes overcast with worry and sorrow.
By now, the summer's brilliant green of the trees had given way to the wild fire of red and gold that signalled the beginning of autumn. A chill wind howled, tearing at her hair, and she shuddered.
The crackling of fallen leaves drew her out of her somber thoughts. She turnes to see Alcuin standing behind her, worry clear in his eyes. "Rea?" He whispered.
"...Father died." she said, green eyes downcast.
"I heard." Alcuin said, hanging his head.
"And...Cavan's missing." Rea finished.
Alcuin looked up. "What...?"
Rea nodded. "He was gone when everyone woke up this morning. He probably left late last night. He...He could be lost, or injured, or dead-"
Alcuin knelt down beside her, arms around her shoulders. "I'm sure he's fine. Cavan can take care of himself. Besides, the dragonriders are looking for him, aren't they?"
Rea nodded, hesitantly. "But, what if something happens to him. Like, wild felines or something?"
"Wild felines only live on the Southern Continent, love." Alcuin said dryly. "But if it makes you feel better, we could go look for him."
Rea jumped up, giving him a quick kiss before running towards the Hold. Alcuin sighed, following her.
Alcuin blinked as he stepped inside the stable, where Rea was already leading Treowe out.
She frowned. "What, did you think we were gonna go on foot?"
"Of course not." Embarrased, Alcuin quickly jumped on behind her.
Rea grabbed the reins, grinning, and urged Treowe towards the open gates.
Rea shivered as Treowe slowed to a walk. "It's cold out here." She said, shivering.
"That's why you should have brought a cloak." Alcuin stated from behind her.
A large, black shadow flew over them, causing Treowe to rear up in panic. Alcuin gasped, falling from the runner's back. The black shadow landed in front of them, reavealing a large, black dragon. A tall, curly-haired man appeared beside it.
"Delduwath! Hold on a minute, you'll scare them!" He was saying.
"Bit late for that." Alcuin muttered, causing Rea to glare at him.
She was busy trying to calm down Treowe. The sorrel runner eventually calmed down, keeping a wary eye on the black dragon.
"Sorry about that." The man said. "I'm J'ril, and the dragon that scared your runner is Delduwath." He glared at the dark dragon. "We're searchriders from Tiynarea Weyr." He added.
Alcuin spoke up. "My name is Alcuin, from Magesterial Hold."
"Rea, from Thane Hold." She said from her position beside Treowe.
J'ril nodded. "I take it you're looking for the missing Holder's son, then?" He asked.
Rea nodded. "He's my brother."
J'ril turned to his dragon, probably talking with him. "Delduwath says your brother is fine, but her may not be coming home anytime soon."
Rea blinked, confused. "What?"
J'ril continued. "He's been searched. He's already been taken to another Weyr."
Rea sighed with relief, a bit surprised. She waited with Alcuin as the dragonrider consulted with his dragon again.
J'ril laughed. "Apparently it runs in the family." He said. "Delduwath says he thinks you should come with us to Tiynarea Weyr. There's a gold-green on the sands. He says the two of you should stand for her clutch."
Rea gasped, glancing at Alcuin. A grin slowly crept onto his face. "Of course we'll stand! Right, Rea?"
Rea paused. Now that she knew Cavan was safe, she could go home. But Alcuin would surely be going. Could she take this chance of a lifetime? Could she live without Alcuin?
She looked behind her, at Treowe. "What about Treowe? We can't just leave him here."
J'ril paused for a moment, thinking it over. "Well, he can stay at the Tiynarea Weyr stables. I suppose you can just ride runnerback to Tiynarea. It's not that far from here."
Rea nodded, smiling. "Let's go then!"
Treowe raced off, his two riders on his back, as a black shadow flew overhead, leading the way.