Krohska << Previous | She'd make a good candidate, don't you think? Perhaps we could take her back to Tripaldi. Procionth's gentle voice startled Krohska as the dragonrider paced out of the Hold she'd delivered a message to. Her stride didn't falter, though, as she entered into the courtyard where the green-white was waiting patiently. We wouldn't take her back to Tripaldi; that's not our home any more. Krohska reminded her lifemate. That's why I'm delivering messages, remember. Krohska and Procionth's transfer from Tripaldi to Beach Shards hadn't been unexpected - Krohska had always intended to live at a different Weyr once she'd graduated from weyrlinghood. Tripaldi held too many memories - she was trying to forget her past and everything that had gone with it, and a relocation had been the first step. Beach Shards had been chosen merely of convenience. She'd forgotten, though, people's reactions to her scars. At Tripaldi she hadn't been the life of the party, but everyone had accepted her and looked over her to some degree - she could fade into the background, and everyone was used to the quiet green-white rider staying close to the shadows. At Beach Shards, people had to get used to them all over again. There had been very few malicious remarks, and Krohska didn't mind them nearly as much as when people tried to put out an extra effort to be welcoming. Mayhe, the Weyrwoman, was possibly the worst - the woman seemed nice enough, and didn't seem particularily uncomfortable in her prescence, but seemed to want to make a point that she wouldn't discriminate against Krohska because she had scars down her face. And she had to make the point over and over again, by repeatedly asked Krohska to deliver messages to Holders and the like. Krohska had begun to suspect that it wasn't only making a point of her openness, as she'd originally thought, but also a subtle jab at the Holders by the Weyrwoman to disconcert them. If that was true, then the goldrider's plan was working marvelously well - her prescence at Holds always had a mixed reaction. Right. Forgot. Procionth replied after a long moment. But she still would be a good candidate; we should take her back to a Weyr. Who are you talking about, and when did you become a searchdragon, Procionth? The dragonrider asked as she mounted the green-white. I merely offered my opinion on a potential candidate. I was talking about the girl... Kelei, was her name? You liked her. Krohska stiffened, and not just because Procionth had started to backwing away from the courtyard. I did. She reminded me of me, when I was a Lord Holder's daughter. You at least had a father and mother. A lot of good that did me. And which is why I worry about her - Kelei? - more. She should be a candidate. Procionth reiterated, preparing to go between back to Beach Shards. We'll tell Mayhe. On arrival back at the Weyr, and the informing of Mayhe of the prospective candidate, Krohska was rather suspicious to see a sly smile on the Weyrwoman's face. "Velaeth said that was what you were suited to be," She said slyly, "I have to admit I didn't believe her. I'm going to get you to change Wings, Krohska, to Tidal Wing. You'll join the searchriders." Krohska was rather speechless. "Mayhe - Weyrwoman - I know you don't want to be prejudiced, but putting me there is going a bit far-" "You and Procionth would be perfect," Mayhe insisted. "And your first task is to go get this girl... Kelei, did you say it was?" "...yes, but she's the heir to the Hold..." "Never mind, the Weyr has authority over these things." I hate to break it, but the girl's not there any more... the watch dragon just relayed it. She ran away. Krohska's body went instantly cold, and her head started spinning. She'd been the same age, tantalised by adventure. Yeren had offered her an opportunity - no, she'd offered it to him, and he'd accepted. She'd been spoilt, intent on proving she could survive... well, she'd done that... but at what cost... Kelei won't be the same. Krohska almost started crying. No, she'll be the same. Mayhe lunged forward, but seconds too late; Krohska collapsed on the floor heavily. They'll both be okay. They will. Krohska awoke the next day, feeling a terrible sense of dread - she didn't know why, until minutes after she'd become fully coherent. Procionth! Procionth! It was only because she felt physically sick that Krohska didn't try and leap out of the cot she was in and look for her lifemate. There were a few frightened moments before the green-white roused enough to reply to her rider. Krohska... I ran away... she ran away - Procionth, she ran away! Just like I did! I can't let her- She's at Ryslen, Krohska. Kelei'll be fine. She's standing for Impression there. She'll be fine. Krohska buried her face in her hands and started weeping silently, from both relief and something else she couldn't identify. And me, Procionth? What about me? You're a searchrider, and lifemate to green-white Procionth, and perfect. searchriders @ beach shards weyr |