A Sobering Delivery

Writers: Devin, Chelle
Date Posted: 13th November 2014

Characters: D'lorn, K'mai
Description: The two riders bring supplies to the ailing Hold.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern, River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 9, day 14 of Turn 7

K'mai

K'mai secured the last bundle. "You ready?"

The greenrider nodded. On the one hand, he hated to know that duties
like this were necessary. All those people were likely down there and
suffering. They couldn't do anything more, though, without risking
their own health and their dragons' lives. D'lorn sighed and pulled
his goggles down. Villith would follow the blue's cues. Hopefully what they were
bringing would be enough.

After strapping in, K'mai gave the signal to take off. In a short
while they were /between/ and then came out over the Hold. Sebeth
spiraled down to get close enough to safely drop the supplies. **Those
poor people.**

Villith waited, following the blue's lead. The green was careful, knowing
the height they could safely drop from. The Hold didn't even have a watchdragon
at the moment, but they did drum a greeting, acknowledging the sight of the
dragons. D'lorn hoped that some folk survived this-as they had the Plague.

K'mai began the delicate operation of unstrapping the supplies and
letting them drop one by one. Sebeth kept them as level as possible.

The greenrider did the same thing. Fortunately his dragon was smaller so
they were easier to reach. Villith hovered quietly though the wind started to
pick up. The bundles made small noises as they landed, waiting to be gathered
when they were gone. Were there still folk left to gather them?

K'mai hesitated a bit, looking down at the Hold. For now, this was all
they could do. The bluerider gave the signal for the return trip
/between/.

D'lorn didn't understand holders and how they lived since he'd been Traderbred.
It didn't mean that he didn't bemoan the loss of life he knew was happening down
there. Sighing, he followed K'mai and went /between/ to the cold that
waited there. **One, two, three** And they were out.

"Well, that was depressing," K'mai said when they were back at the Weyr.

"Yeah," D'lorn sighed. "Reminds you of what else we do for the holders besides
fight thread though. And of how much we need our tithe to live and what could
happen if there were no holders alive to send it." Everything was connected and
they all suffered.

K'mai sighed. He didn't like thinking about such dark things. "I need
a drink. And someone pretty to distract me."

"Ah well I'm not pretty. So have fun with that." As it was, he was
thinking to go and have a bath and then sleep for awhile. Something about seeing the Hold and
seeing no one outside had struck him.

"You're not even up for a drink?" K'mai asked.

"I don't know. I guess I feel guilty that we can go and have a drink
when so many of them are probably dead. Then again some of us die every Threadfall
but..it's not the same. We sign up for that." The greenrider was seriously feeling depressed.

"I intend to have a drink because I'm _not_ dead and I'm glad about
that fact. Also, I didn't sign up to fight Thread. It was a rumor when
I Impressed. It was supposed to be gone for good." K'mai wished he'd
been born in another time, but he accepted his duty.

That one had never really occurred to D'lorn. Perhaps that was true of many
riders these days. He just accepted it as his lot because it was what dragons
were born for. "I appreciate it, K'mai, and I don't judge you for it. I just think I'll
be a drag on your I'm alive party. Try me in a few days." The greenrider counted
and thought maybe that would do it.

"Alright. See you." K'mai waved. He headed for the dining cavern,
stripping off riding gear as he went. Drinking was definitely on the
agenda.

Last updated on the November 20th 2014

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A Sobering Delivery