How Bad Is It?

Writers: Paula, Eimi
Date Posted: 7th July 2010

Characters: U'kaiah, Telemon
Description: U'kaiah is injured during a Fall
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 9, day 17 of Turn 5

The fall had been going well. U'kaiah had been more than satisfied with
the performance of his wing. Just another half-candlemark or so and the
Thread would be over the frozen mountains and would no longer be of any
concern to them. **Do you need more firestone?** he asked his bronze
after a particularly satisfying burst of flame.

}:Yes. Not much left,:{ Kalamath replied, already turning to catch
another clump before it could fall down to the next level.

**Send the message in then,** his rider ordered, turning to look at the
pair beside them. **And tell P'jol that he and Solezerth are flying
very well this Fall.**

The brownrider gave his wingleader a salute before popping out /between/
to avoid crossing paths with a wingmate.

**Very well indeed,** U'kaiah smiled to himself.

}:They come,:{ his bronze informed him moments before a young blue
popped in close beside them.

The weyrling gave the signal that he was about to throw and U'kaiah
returned it to show he was ready. The moment the sack left the boy's
hand, however, he knew it was off target. A falling stack of stone
could be lethal to the lower flying levels, and so it was with no
hesitation that U'kaiah stood up in his stirrups and reached as far as
he could to grab it. He never lost focus on the canvas sack flying
towards them, and watched with total confidence as it landed in his out
stretched hand. However, he was at an unusual angle, and as he tried to
pull the heavy sack back towards his body he could feel the muscle in
his chest give a sharp pain that took him quite by surprise.

Groaning as he settled back against Kalamath, cradling the sack of
firestone against his body, he knew something was not right. He tried
to give the weyrling the signal to say it had been caught and he was
dismissed, but even trying to lift his arm that far caused more ripples
of pain across his muscle. **There's something really wrong...**

}:We will go back.:{ It was not a suggestion. Kalamath knew his
lifemate too well to suppose they could tough out the rest of the Fall.
As much as he wanted to kill Thread, he was worried for U'kaiah.

His rider knew better than to argue. After relaying the message to his
Second to take over, they went /between/ back to Dragonsfall.

~*~

After the emergency patients were treated and moved to the Infirmary,
Telemon turned his attention to those, whose first triage had labeled as
not-urgent.

"What have you got for me today, U'kaiah?" He asked the wingleader.

"You tell me, Telemon," the bronzerider said with a sad attempt at a
smile. "I reached for a firestone sack wrong and, well, my muscle hurts
like a son of a wherry!"

"Sounds like you tore something, let me take a look," Telemon said.

"Oh shards," U'kaiah whispered, hoping it wasn't as bad as all that. He
lowered the pack of ice so the healer could get a good look.

Telemon examined the injury, felt around his muscles, poked and pressed
and asked him to move his hand in differend ways, keep a sharp eye on
his
face and marking which movement created the worst wince.

"So how bad is it?" the bronzerider asked, pain in his voice. He knew
how bad it _felt_. Every little movement of that arm or too deep a
breath seemed to provoke an angry response from the muscle in his chest.

"Well, no torn tendons which is good news. However, you have strained
your pectoral muscle and that takes time to heal," Telemon said. "About
two
sevendays and you can't fly on your dragon during that period."

"Sevendays?" It wasn't as bad as a torn muscle, but it still put him
out of action for a couple Falls. "No flying at all? I understand
letting my Second lead the Falls, but what about drills?"

"Well, a slow, easy flight would be all right, if it doesn't require
holding on tightly," Telemon amended a bit. "You can move your arm, but
avoid movements that hurt," he continued. "I'll give some salve to rub
on the
injured muscle and something for the pain."
The weyrhealer didn't believe completely immobilizing the injury.

That didn't sound too bad. And it should be better in a couple
sevendays... Perhaps a break might be nice even. "Should I keep
putting the ice on it?"

"It's not necesssary after the swelling goes down," Telemon replied.

U'kaiah let out a drawn out sigh. "All right, then. I guess that's all
we can do right now, isn't it."

"Yes, try to get some rest now," Telemon said with empathy.

"I'll try. While I wait for those herbs, though, do you mind if I check
on my injured riders?" U'kaiah couldn't seem to imagine counting
himself among the casualties of the Fall.

"Sure you can. I deliver the reports later, after I've gotten them
written," the Healer replied.

"Thank you." Sounded like he'd have plenty of time to read them. "And
I'll take it easy. I promise."

"I'll get back to you, if you don't" Telemon warned him.

Last updated on the August 4th 2010

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