Worrisome news
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Paula
Date Posted: 24th February 2006
Characters: Rigella
Description: Rigella and her sister receive worrisome news.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 20 of Turn 3
Rigella and her sister Naerigga were having a diner together. They were using this rare moment when both were free at the same time to catch up with each other's lives and weyr gossip.
"So, L'lias said that. Hey, isn't that Ches?" Naerigga's story was interrupted when a brown firelizard appeared out of /between/.
"Yes, he is, he's bringing message," Rigella noticed.
Naerigga cut a piece from her meat and tangled in the air. "Come on, old fatso, here's tasty bite for you," she called. The flit landed on the table between them and the young greenrider gave him the meat.
"Old fatso? Is that respectable way to address our father's firelizard?" Rigella asked when she removed the letter for Ches.
"No, but it's accurate. You have to admit he's a plump one. What is it?"
"So he is, wait one sec." Rigella unrolled the paper and started to read.
Naerigga watched with growing concern how her older sister's face turned pale. "Tell me," she asked with subdued voice. It obviously wasn't good news.
Wordlessly, Rigella just handed her the message and covered her face with her hands. Naerigga read it. "Oh, my!" she let out a shocked breath.
"Where's Maverick's Bend?" Rigella asked.
"Near Rising Moons weyr. A cattle hold," Naerigga answered absently.
"How do you know?"
"After an almost a turn in transportation duty? There not many places in Southern Pern I haven't been."
"Can we go there?"
"Sure, meet me at the Weyrplateu after a candlemark. I need to get straps and check the /betweening/ -coordinates."
Rigella nodded and they both got up. Neither had any appetite left.
** ^^** Candlemark later **^^**
Ceerith landed near Rigella, who had wrapped on her flight jacket. The green crouched and Naerigga bent to help her sister up on her back. After the straps had been secured around Rigella, the green took off. As soon as they were high enough, they went to /between/. They came out over a beautiful hold in arms of the mountains, with sparkling river and rolling hills. Neither girl's noticed the place's beauty.
"Quarantine flag!" Rigella shouted.
"I see it!" Naerigga shouted back. Ceerith buggled a greeting for the watch dragon, who answered.
}: The blue one warns us away. There's illness in this place :{, she reported to her rider.
** We know that, dear heart. Land on the watch height. **
"If stay on dragonback, we probably won't catch anything," Rigella said directly to her sister's ear.
"Probably!" Naerigga sounded alarmed, just as Ceerith landed next to the blue watchdragon.
The dragon's rider rushed out. He was young, about same age with Naerigga. "Hey, you're not allowed to come here! This place is under quarantine!"
"We know. Our parents are here. Look, I'm healer's apprentice, I know what I'm doing. If we stay up here, we won't be infected. Please, can we talk with our mother, Naerella. She is Master Rigmor's wife," Rigella explained.
The bluerider looked uncertain. "Erhm, I have to ask. Please, stay there." He rushed back in.
After, what felt like an eternity for the waiting sisters, the bluerider returned with their mother Naerella.
"Mama!" the girls cried in unison. Rigella was shocked to see her. She looked so haggard, tired.
"My girls! What are you doing here?" Naerella asked.
"We came to see you and papa. Are you alright? You look like you had lost weight," Rigella answered. She wanted nothing more than to rush to embrace her.
"I'm fine. I was sick but now I'm recovered."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because we didn't want to worry you. I had the mild case of it. Your father's another matter. He got the more severe strain. He's unconscious." Naerella had troubles saying it.
Rigella was blinking tears away, Naerigga bit her lip to control her fear.
"What can we do?"
"Nothing, love. Go home, I'll keep you informed. And, please, send my love to Rignaer and Naemor too."
After that they exchanged few more words, but then they had to leave. Ceerith returned them to Dragons Falls weyr and landed on her home ledge.
"Could... could you sleep here tonight? I don't want to be alone. I'm frightened for him," Naerigga asked timidly when they dismounted. She sounded like a little girl.
"Of course I can. I'm afraid too," Rigella said and wrapped her into a sisterly hug.
Last updated on the February 24th 2006