A Cry in the Night

Writers: Kaysea
Date Posted: 12th March 2008

Characters: J'gen, Gyta
Description: J'gen is woken during the night by one of Gyta's nightmares
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 4

He could hear her groaning in her sleep from his sleeping chamber, the snuffle and whine of Zeign was audible too, probably what had awakened him in the first place. It wasn't the first instance that Gyta's nightmares had become part of his own, and probably wouldn't be the last time, either.

He rolled out of his cot, and padded slowly out into the living area of their quarters. Her moans were louder here, more frantic. Would this be the first time she would utter a sound since Syrita's death, he wondered?

The canine stirred from the bedside, turning to look at his master as J'gen entered the chamber. The canines tail was curled up between his legs, an obvious sign of distress – echoing Gyta's.

The child tossed and turned in her cot, her hair, even in the dim light from the outer room, was plastered to her face. Night sweats, too, had become a part of Gyta's life since her mothers' death.

"Ssshh! Sssh!" he slipped onto the side of her cot, his hand reaching out to touch her shoulder lightly. "Gyta, Gyta…." He shook her a little, gently enough to rouse her, but not too hard to bring her abruptly awake and possibly scare her more.
Gyta, its Daddy. Wake up Sweetling." He crooned.

}:She sees:{ Suuth intoned softly into his riders mind. }:She has been like this a while tonight:{
**You didn't rouse me…** J'gen tried not to censure his dragon, but wished he had been woken long ago, the child was deeply into her nightmare.

}:I did try – but you slept soundly, tonight:{ Suuth and he had been lifemates long enough that his dragon didn't take offence where Gyta was concerned. }:She calls…:{ "MAMA!!!" the child sat bolt upright in bed, her eyes wide but unseeing as her arms flung forwards as if to catch her mother before she fell.

Her posture triggered his memory of how she had looked up on the cliff-face that day. She had reached out for her mother, but there had been little the child could do to stop Syrita in her drugged state. Slow, full tears now ran slowly down the child's face, she was slowly waking from the dream, and instead – reached out for her father.

J'gen reached out and enfolded her, pulling her out from her bedclothes and into his lap, where she sobbed heavily. Did the word she uttered mean she was finally emerging from the state she had been in since Syrita's death? Not one word had passed her lips since that day two turns before, but now she had said the word distinctly. Would this mean she was soon to return to normal childhood, instead of this reclusive state she had remained in.

Hope surged within him at the prospect. Zeign moved closer, snuffling at the child. Slowly the canines tail emerged from between his legs and wagged slowly, but with intent.

J'gen lay a kiss on Gyta's forehead, as the child's sobs began to subside and she once again drifted into sleep – this time dreamless – J'gen hoped.

Last updated on the March 12th 2008

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A Cry in the Night