Saving Family Pt 1

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 25th April 2016

Characters: Lanniya
Description: Lanniya follows through with her plan
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 15 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: F'lin, K'ale, Pierka; Council Approved; Pt 1 of 3

Lanniya

What she had seen in the aftermath of the hurricane had only deepened her
conviction about what she had to do. The images of bodies and wreckage
had been seared into her mind; all she could think was that they had ended
up that way. That somewhere, if she didn't rescue them, they had been cast
along some shoreline to lay lifeless and alone. It kept her up some nights
and the memories of the wails of her grandparents still remained keen in her
mind. She had dreams of her mother giving her that one last kiss and the last
embrace of her father. Sometimes their faces were misty as though her mind
wouldn't let her see that last detail; she feared that one day, she'd
forget their faces entirely.

Well, she wouldn't. It wasn't going to happen. Lanniya peered at the charts on
her little desk in her weyr, pouring over the details and trying to set them firmly
in her mind. That dock was there, this outcropping was here. She looked out
towards the ledge, waiting for Rukbat to finally set. Once it was dark, she'd
leave. Everyone would be busy with their own after dark activities and it
wouldn't be as noticeable when they slipped away.

She looked back at the charts. If she timed it just right, she could get there
before the storm hit, grab her parents, come back and no one be the wiser.
Which brought up another problem: what would she tell everyone when she
got back? How could she explain where her parents had been for the past
five Turns? That was the sticking point. Timing it was secret. She couldn't
exactly tell everyone how she had done it. She ruminated over that for a
long time, her brow furrowed. She could ask F'lin, but worried that he'd try
to stop her. So, even mentioning it was out.

Lanniya drummed her fingers against the chart and tried to think, even as she
studied it. She normally didn't do the planning stuff and it was harder than she
had thought. What to tell everyone. She could say that they had lost their
memory for a while, just like Pierka had, but that seemed too convenient. Her
brow knit as she studied the ocean chart. She knew where it had been thought
that the ship had floundered, but…she studied the currents on the chart and
followed them with her fingers. One that must have carried Pierka headed south,
but there was one place in the area that the current split. She looked closer.
One went south and the other went…her finger traced over it. North. Lanniya
followed the current with her eyes and began to smile. If she said that they
had been found in the North, that was plausible. The northern continent was
a big place. Maybe they landed there and were lost or hurt for a time. And it
took a long time to work and book passage back here. And since Grandfather
and Grandmother were Traders, they couldn't find them. They wouldn't have
known that Pierka and she were in a Weyr, so they could have traveled,
trying to find the caravan. It was perfect!

She beamed at her plan. She'd just have to explain it to them before she came
back. Her heart thudded. She'd get to see them again. She'd get to hug them
again. She held herself as she thought about it. And maybe, just maybe, Pierka
would be so surprised that she'd get her memory back! Then they would be a
whole family again. She felt her eyes water at the thought, then took a deep
breath and wiped her eyes. She had to concentrate. Rukbat was setting and
she had to get this area imprinted firmly in her mind.

**Do you have the image?** Lanniya glanced at Anaeryth, who waited patiently.

Extra straps for two more people were already set up, and the gold was keeping
an eye out for any unexpected visitors. }: I have it from you. :{
Anaeryth seemed confident.

**Is anyone watching?** Lanniya began to slip on her riding leathers.

}: No, it is the usual activity. Are you certain you want to leave the
messages? :{

Lanniya still was uncertain about that herself. Tomorrow was going to be her
birthingday and she didn't know if either of them had anything planned. If F'lin
or K'ale came looking for her or showed up to visit unexpectedly, she didn't want
them to worry. Or alert anyone that she was gone. **Yes. They'll be delivered in
the morning. ** She hadn't been specific in the notes, just that she might be gone
traveling for a few candlemarks for her birthingday and not to worry about her if
they couldn't reach her. And it wasn't a lie. She was traveling, just not in the way
that they would think. Besides, her image of the Weyr that she was going to return
by was of the Weyr at noon. It would give a nice excuse and wrap everything
up quite neatly.

Rolling up the maps, just in case, Lanniya looked outside again. It was getting
dark. Her hands fidgeted and her heart sped up a little faster. Almost time.

}: Calm down. :{ Anaeryth's voice soothed her rider. }: We have a good plan.
The images are clear. :{

Lanniya took long breaths, forcing her breathing to slow down. Neither she nor
Anaeryth would benefit from a case of nerves right now. She had to stay confident.
She carried her maps and tucked them in a side satchel strapped to her gold,
then took a moment to rest her head against the soft hide. **We can do this.**

}: Yes. :{ Anaeryth's voice was, as always, calm and without doubt.
}: You have planned well, Mine. We will succeed. :{ The gold peered outside.}: It
is dark now. :{

Lanniya exhaled and nodded. "Alright." When Anaeryth bent her knee, Lanniya
climbed up and settled in, then strapped herself. "Let's go spend my
birthingday doing something important."

Anaeryth crouched and then leapt into the air from her ledge, rising
from the Weyr with steady wingbeats. Lanniya closed her eyes, cementing the image of
the docks from long ago and making it clear and unmistakable. She had seen them first
hand five turns ago and she was sure she had them right. Anaeryth continued to
fly away from the Weyr until it was out of sight, catching an evening
thermal to glide higher and away. **Ready?**

}: I am ready. I have the image. :{

Determination steeled Lanniya's spine. **Let's go.**

The gold blinked /between/.

Last updated on the May 20th 2016

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Saving Family Pt 1