Holdless and other problems (Tags within)

[HG]

((For : A'lez, D'seus, B'ren, Or'yn, S'nuo, U'ski, Emera (assuming Raelwyn has been sent away to help Haven set up their own Dragon Shield))

Zorometh stood on his ledge, overlooking the Weyr below him. His was troubled. Many were troubled after the events of the Hatching the day before. What were they going to do about Danuth's and Fenrith's? There were other things weighing on the minds of the leaders of the Weyr. Eriol had given his report to Raelwyn and A'lez about the Holdless being spotted close to the Weyr. Then they had caught Sorlen, Geoff and Amnixiel.

All of this activity was not for nothing. Thread too was a big threat to them now. D'seus had his leathers on and was with his dragon for a moment, peering out at his home. So many things could go wrong if this situation was not handled well. He gave Zorometh a scratch above his eyeridges and then walked out of his weyr towards the Meeting Room. He arrived, poured himself a cup of water and began to pace the room. Never one to be idle long, most people in this group were accustomed to his need to be on the move.

D'seus was in the habit of working with A'lez now and he had always gotten along well with Emera. He knew of U'ski and had heard good things about him. S'nuo was a Search rider for many Turns and now a Candidate Master, there were few at the Weyr who did not know of him. He had not however worked very much with either men. B'ren and Or'yn would be new to these meetings so who knew if they would speak up and if they did what they would say. He was prepared to hear some rather naieve statements from both young men.
--
Or'yn. Get ready. You are expected in the meeting room. As Rath was speaking Or'yn was pulling his leathers on. Ugh. Mornings would be so much better if they happened in the afternoon. Still he would arrive on time to the meeting. Rath really got peeved when Or'yn was late to important things. So the youngest of the Bronzeriders had made himself get out of bed and bathe. Now he finally had everything on that he needed to wear and only had one thing left to do. KLAH!

Oh Faranth he needed something to wake him up. So he chugged down a cup of klah then washed his mouth out so his breath wouldn't smell. No matter what Or'yn did to get ready. There was always a carefree, disheveled look about him. So when he arrived on time to the meeting, he was greeted with some rather interesting looks from the others. B'ren he was most comfortable with out of anyone. The others he knew of but did not know well. Learning under the tutelage of A'lez and A'miri was interesting since the two clashed much of the time. Still it was nice not to be prepping at such a young age for the postion of Wingsecond.

Or'yn only had one thing on his mind at the moment. What was this meeting about and was it going to be boring? Rath was lucky. He got to enjoy the rest of his day whereas Or'yn was stuck in the meeting room with a bunch of older cranky men and women. Be so much nicer to go for a swim and then sun on the ledge.

[Ise]

Emera had been the first one in the meeting room. Sort of. She was in and out of the room for a little as she brought food and drinks in for the riders. Pitchers of hot klah and cold water, some breakfast pastries still hot from the kitchens. She had learned long ago that food and drink made meetings like this go so much smoother. The kitchen staff was already prepared to bring lunch to them if the meeting happened to go that long as well.

Finally, Emera felt that she had things set up and fell into one of the chairs, her gold flitter popping out of between and taking a perch on the back of her chair. This was the first time she had been able to sit for more then a few minutes since the hatching had started. Once the dragons had started to hum, she had been working in a frenzy. Even when she had been watching the hatching and seeing her great niece Impress, she had been sending out orders via Orlai. And once Eira had Impressed, she had left the sands to make sure that work in the kitchens had gone smoothly before making sure that enough heardbeasts were being slaughtered and cut up for the new dragonets. All the work had been exhilarating and she hadn’t even noticed that she had been up and moving the whole night. Now that she had a moment to rest she realized how sore her feet where and how tired she was physically. Oh the joys of aging.

She watched as D’seus had started his pacing back and forth and had left the younger man to his thoughts for a while.
“D’seus, be a dear and bring me a cup of khal. And try not to wear out the floor too much with your pacing. I think I already set a rut in the stone…”

Wing meetings were something he was use to. Meetings with all the leaders of the Weyr were something new for the blue rider. Of course, now that he was taking over as the Weyrling Master he should have expected something like this. He was sure that part of this meeting would have to do with two of his new weyrlings, the Holdless boys who had Impressed some how. The hatching was all everyone was talking about and the stand impressions and the twin blues had been a favorite topic.

The dark skinned man entered the meeting room, muttering a soft greeting to everyone there before he helped himself to a glass of water and took a seat near the foot of the table. He sipped at his water as he looked around at the others, his gaze resting a little longer on the youngest riders in the room; Or’yn and B’ren. It seemed odd that they were here but they were both bronze riders. And with Raelwyn and Eriol both out it was probably a good idea to have some more people who may have different ideas on things.

B’ren was actually excited about this meeting. A big meeting for all the leaders of the Weyr and he had been invited to it. He must have made a good impression on some people. He had been up early so he could preen a bit and give him and Zeuth a chance to talk about the meeting and what it was going to be about.
“Has to be about the Holdless. Maybe just those two that Impressed or maybe about all of them, I don’t know. But come on, what else could it be?”
I agree. It has to be something important. And I doubt we would be invited if it just had to do with the new hatchlings. It could have to do with Thread though.[/i]
B’ren thought about that as he got his hair nice and flat before running his fingers through it and giving it the slightly mused look that he liked.
“Hrmm maybe. Guess we’ll find out. Wish me luck and hope I don’t say anything too stupid. Though I should be good, I don’t think there are going to be very many women for me to charm.”
Zeuth let out an irritated snort and a mental ‘shooing’ out the door.

Entering the meeting room, B’ren managed to be polite and respectful. He said hello to everyone and complimented Emera on how lovely she was looking, earning an eye roll from the Headwoman before he took a seat next to Or’yn.

[Marnark]

"Oh good, I am glad to see you all here already." A'lez said as he strode into the room without any preamble. Walking right up to the table, he looked around at everyone and then gestured at the chairs provided. "Sit, please. You too, D'seus." He gave his colleague a pointed look that only just barely hid a glimmer of amusement.

Yes, he knew the man and his habits. But he also enjoyed messing with him, whenever he got the chance. "You'll make them nervous with all that walking." He justified, before helping himself to a seat at the table as well.

"Alright. Where are we starting this morning." A'lez asked without the usual question inflection, setting a pair of scrolls down on the table in front of him. But he made no move to open either one, instead leaving them tied securely shut. He looked around at the circle of faces, and then settled on Emera. "I know this is rather unconventional, but I want to know what you know, young lady." He said, respectfully. Never mind she was probably the oldest person in the room. "You are on the ground where we really are not. What have you been hearing?" Undercurrents were something he really needed to keep track of, and she was more or less his ear to the ground as it were.

[Lady Smara]

Being from A’lez’s wing, S’nuo had actually walked in with his wingleader. He still wasn’t sure if this was the place for him to be, he certainly felt out of place among so many ranking individuals. Sure, he knew them all and had spoken with each of them at some point or another. Individually they did not intimidate him – it was this meeting where they were all there discussing important matters that left him unsure if he should have been there or out washing his dragon. In comparision, and with the exception of Emera, his dragon was easily the smallest of the group. In a way, he felt a little small because of it.

As his wingleader instructed them to sit, S’nuo quickly took a seat next to the Weyrling Master. A fellow blue rider as well as a trainer for the younger folk, S’nuo felt a little more comfortable next to U’ski in a room full of bronze riders and headwomen. Shifting in his seat a little bit, he considered reaching for a hot breakfast roll that sat so tempting on the table, but as A’lez began to speak to the headwoman Emera, he pulled his hand back quickly.

Turning to listen, he found himself curious about what had been in the scrolls as well as what the headwoman had to say. There were a lot of interesting topics S’nuo wouldn’t mind hearing about, such as that holdless boy impressing and the case of twin dragons. On the other hand, however, there were also things he was a little scared to be taking a part of the meeting for. Threadfall, for one, was going to be soon upon them. What scared S’nuo the most, however, was the treat that the holdless boys proved was there when they were caught.

[HG]

He smiled at Emera's comment, obliging her by getting her the klah she asked for. "Ah, yes. Well we wouldn't want that. Although it would leave a lasting impression on all those that come after us. They could sit here and wonder who walked there so much to create a rut. Guessing by the topic of this meeting, we could be here long enough to make a rut in the floor." However improbable that might be. He poured the klah deflty and gently set the cup before the Headwoman.

D'seus was pleased to see the young people were on time as was U'ski. Zorometh had gone to doze on their ledge. While he went back to pacing for only moment before the Weyrleader arrived, S'nuo right on the man's heels. Despite what some people might think of A'lez's words, D'seus was not one to feel wronged when given a command. He did pace quite a lot and if it were not in his nature to do so, he would probably get a little annoyed if it were someone else doing the pacing.

The Shadow Wingleader took a seat nearest A'lez and listened. Emera was the one he wanted to hear from first. It was a good idea. She was the eyes and ears of this place.

[Ise]

Emera took the drink from D’seus, thanking the young man and taking a sip. That was a little better. She let herself enjoy a few relaxing minutes before A’lez and S’nuo joined them and A’lez quickly took charge of the meeting.

Sitting up and looking a little more alert, the older woman let out a snort at being called ‘young lady.’
“A’lez. Most of my children are older then you. I stopped being a young lady when you were still at the breast.”
She gave the Weyrleader a little smirk before growing more serious.
“Since last night, the only talk has been of the twin dragons and the two that Impressed from the stands. Maybe a quarter of the Weyr actually knows that those boys are Holdless. Everyone else is still just talking about non-candidates Impressing for the first time in who knows how long.”
She paused for a moment, taking another sip from her drink before setting the cup down and tapping her fingers lightly on the table.

“People are nervous right now. Right now everyone’s happy and excited because of the hatching, but give it a week and you’ll see. People are worried about Thread, about the Holdless and about the North. How long until the Weyr starts to see Thread Fall? And what are we going to do about the Holdless? It’s not going to be long before the whole Weyr knows that two Holdless Impressed at the hatching. And while some of them will be happy with the ‘dragons never choose wrong’ bit, others are going to want to know why they were even allowed to go near the sands. People are on edge right now. And they don’t know what’s going on or what the riders are going to do.”

Emera shrugged a bit before picking her cup up again. People were scared and nervous, and the fact that they couldn’t do anything didn’t help matters. The Headwoman wasn’t surprised, nor was she too worried about it. She herself was frustrated with some of it as well. But Thread Fall was best left to the dragon riders, not old women. And the Holdless would be dealt with by the Dragon Shield and the other guards of the Weyr when the time came, not by the weavers or cooks of the caverns.

[Marnark]

A'lez only smiled at Emera for her comments on her age, not bothering to reply. Her older status was exactly why he'd called her a young lady. But apparently she didn't appreciate that very much, so he made a mental note to not do it again. Pissing off the Headwoman was not a wise thing to do, no matter who you were!

But the things she said raised very good points, and he nodded. "Alright. I do hope that those young dragons did choose wisely. But that raises another point." He prodded the table top with a finger. "Why were those holdless boys in the hatching cavern? Stands, sands, or otherwise. Why weren't they locked up?" He looked around, hoping someone had a sharding fine answer for him. Holdless were not something to go blithely allowing to wander around thither and yon. Especially not with a reported Holdless attack on the way. Further more, especially since one of those two had been briefly tortured by the Shield. Even with the best of intentions, those lads couldn't have had any warm fuzzies for the Weyr in the least. A disaster waiting to happen - now attached to a pair of unfortunate young dragons. A'lez also held no illusions that the Holdless regime would not bat an eye at slaughtering their own to kill the young dragons, either.

That was probably the only saving grace at the moment. Maybe those lads knew that they were between a rock and a hard place with no where to go unless they fully joined the Weyr. The Holdless were no friends of theirs, anymore, either.

"Thread is not a worry for us the way everyone is making it out to be." A'lez sighed. "Hopefully they will both get used to the idea of it as well as calm down too." He commented. Really ... this was the South. Not only did the South have dragons, but it also had grubs! Even without dragons, the South would be just fine. It always had been. All they had to do was stay inside when it fell. Now, in the North that was a whole different story. The North had neither dragons nor grubs. That was worrisome. For soon there would be nothing left up there but a barren wasteland.

[HG]

There were many opinions and ideas that would be thrown about now that Emera had given her point of view on matters. He heard many of the same things. Some of his riders were from the North and he knew they were concerned for their families up there. When He heard A’lez bring up the Holdless boys he knew no one in the room presently had known the boys would be in attendance. That was something between Raelwyn and Eriol. Neither of whom were here to defend their judgment at the moment.

As soon as he could D’seus interjected, “I don’t think dwelling on why those boys were there will get us anywhere now. The question is not do you trust them. Do you trust dragons? I don’t think a dragonet would impress to someone who was not worthy of them. On top of this, we need to keep in mind that they must obey a Gold’s command. They have no choice. The Holdless boys whether they like it or not are now part of the Weyr.” He paused, stifling the itch to get up and walk about the room.

His face turned to A’lez, “I know this is a lot to ask especially of the other Weyrlings but they need to be given a chance. This has been a drastic change for both boys. They are going to be emotionally challenged and to boot people are automatically going to avoid them. “ He then looked to the Weyrling Master. “This is why, and I hope you will agree with me on this, I think it might be a good idea they see a counselor or mind healer for the duration of Weyrlinghood.“ There was something wrong with their heads not their hearts or a dragon would never have impressed to either of them.

D’seus was not done now though. “I agree with A’lez. Here in the South we have little to worry about as far as Threadfall goes. However it might be a good idea to alert cotholds that they need to be inside a stone made building when Thread does Fall. “ He could have some of his riders travel to cotholds and inform them or they could get some of the other Weyrfolk to go on foot. There were also the more and more prevalent Firelizards. If they could convey messages to the farthest cotholds that would save everyone some time and effort.

“The North is a different story entirely. What are we going to do about the situation there? Personally I know some riders are going to resent helping a people who sent their ancestors away. There are also some riders who are from the North. These men and women are ready to fight in the North to save their families. It is likely if we do nothing. There will be no one left in the North at all.” He could not imagine his entire family being wiped out before he had the chance to save them. How could he deny his riders the chance to do so?

[Lady Smara]

S’nuo had listened carefully to the conversation thus far. He was not sure how he felt just yet to the holdless impressing, but as a former searchrider he truly did believe that the dragons knew best. It was not going to be a matter of the dragons accepting the two boys into the Weyr, but the people here. A culture shock for both sides, to be sure.

Even so, as the conversation turned to thread, S’nuo had to admit he was always brought up that if thread was in the sky, the dragonmen had to fly. This was the whole reason behind their very existence – to fight the thread and to protect the people. Yet even as he thought that, the holdless came fresh to his mind and their attack upon the Weyr.

“If I may…” he said quietly once the higher ranking bronze rider finished. He was not about to cut in if they were not ready to hear his opinion, after all, he only rode blue. Seeing that he was given the floor, S’nuo decided to speak quickly.

“As dragonriders, any Harper could tell you it is our purpose and duty to fly against thread. We have little choice in the matter. I only have two questions to ask – if we fly thread in the North, will they accept us or once again turn us away even in their darkest candlemark?” Lifting a finger he pointed to it as he spoke, lifting a second one as he continued. “And two, with over half the Weyr gone during threadfall protecting the North, who in turn will protect us from a second attack from the Holdless? We’ve already lost Gold(s) at Haven. Is our duty and purpose worth the loss of our own Queen’s Golden Daughter?”

[Ise]

“I’m sure people will calm down a bit once Thread actually falls here. Hearing that something is going to work is different form seeing it. They’re going to be scared and it doesn’t help that they can’t do anything about it.”
Emera shrugged a little. She had done what she could to help ease fears; scolding some for spreading the fear, talking to others to help calm them, and keeping most of them too busy to have much time to worry about it. The hatching had helped at least, though it was bound to bring in a whole new set of worries. It was a never ending cycle.

The Headwoman was curious about the Holdless boys that had Impressed but she had nothing to do with them. She listened and sipped at her drink, sending her flitter Orlai off with a silent command. Emera had never been sure what to think of those head healers but if there was a chance they could help those boys it wouldn’t hurt to try.

U’ski thought about D’seus’ comment, scratching at his chin lightly before nodding.
“I agree that having someone look at them and try to help them would be a good idea. But I think all the weyrlings should do that for a lesson or two. Those Holdless boys have already been singled out enough as is. Plus, there are a couple of kids in that group that have had negative dealings with the Holdless already, couldn’t hurt to have them talk to someone as well. I’m less worried about the younger one, G’off. He got one of the twin blues. He’s forced to deal with another rider and I think that’ll help him. The older one is going to be the bigger pain but so far his dragon is keeping him in line. This is a smaller group of weyrlings then the last one but I’ll be splitting them into two groups, try to separate those Holdless boys from each other a little more. And if S’nuo doesn’t mind, I’d like for him to help out with lessons a bit, a third and forth pair of eyes would be good.”

The weyrling master was not going to allow the Dragon Shield to stalk his lessons. Not only would it be a distraction for everyone, but it would just go to further ostracize the Holdless boys from the rest of the group.

U’ski let out a little snort. Would the North really be so stupid to turn down their help if they offered it? Were their Holders so proud that even when their people were dying around them they’d refuse to take dragon riders back and admit that they needed them?
“If the North doesn’t like us being up there then I say forget about them. You can lead a runner to water but you can’t force it to drink. If those in charge of the Holds would rather die then welcome us back then they can die. It’s no skin off my nose.”
S’nuo made a good point as well. How much were they willing to sacrifice just to help out the people who had banished them? Of course they would have to try and help the North, the handful of Northern riders forced their hand in that matter. But even they would have to see how hopeless it was sooner or later.

So far B’ren had sat quietly and listened to the others talk. They all seemed like they knew what they were doing while he was still trying to figure out if he had to raise his hand to talk or not. A slight frown touched his features as talk turned to the North. They would have to do something, or else N’var and the rest of them would end up acting alone. Clearing his throat a little to gain their attention, B’ren tried not to act as nervous as he felt speaking in front of so many important people of the Weyr.
“Look, Or’yn and I have been with our Northern riders for the last two turns. If the Weyr doesn’t do something then they’ll try to take care of it on their own. And the sooner something is at least said about plans for the North, the better. They’ve been here two turns and are antsy for the chance to go home. I also assume we’ll be able to get support from some of the Holds, I mean why else would they have sent their kids if they weren’t actually interested in help from us?”

[Marnark]

A'lez shook his head. "While it is certainly a minor point, at this point in our problems, the issue still needs to be addressed. The Holdless lads should never have been allowed to wander loose. Much less attend a hatching. Allowing them to blithely wander around is putting what little security we have at risk. They never should have been allowed out." He reminded. "But, as previously stated ... it is not a pressing concern at the moment, but certainly one to be adressed. We need to find out why our prisoners are not staying prisoners."

"The dragons I trust. The lads I do not. Riders have a mind of their own, and at times can sway the minds of their dragons. But I agree. Counseling would be good for them, not only to adjust, but to also keep an eye on where they are standing mentally. Also, U'ski, it would probably be wise to have your dragon check with theirs regularly; those young dragons will have a window into those minds much clearer than even a counsilor." He suggested.

"Certainly, send messengers to the cotholds. So far as the north goes, I already have plans in progress to deal with that conundrum. There isn't a whole lot we can do, as only two Weyrs to a whole planet. But we can do something, even if only token. Food can be harvested from the wilds here, and shipped there. The children and some hand picked others can be brought here to integrate into our society. Spread out, however, so the Northern culture cannot cultivate here and cause more problems for our already stressed abilities. I plan to spot-fly up there, to make a point of an introduction. I am already picking out a team for this endeavor, but it will be a small team. Half a dozen dragons, tops. But this plan is not going to be shown to the Weyr at large for now ... the last thing I need is all the Northern riders clawing at my back for a chance to go." A'lez paused for a moment. "The rest we'll have to play by ear. I have been informed that the North is torn by war, not just the thread of Thread. The Lords are not all in allegiance. So steps will have to be taken carefully."

"We will not, under any circumstances, put our own people and homes at risk for another continent. We will do what we can, but trashing ourselves to try and save them is no way to offer any kind of assistance." He clarified, with a nod to S'nuo. "Our Queens will not come to harm due to any effort we make there. Simply because we will not put forth steps that will threaten our Queens."

When B'ren spoke up tentatively, A'lez turned his attention that direction. Again, he nodded. "This is exactly why I do not want them told I will be leading a small excursion North. They will all want to go. After initial steps have been made, they can know. When I know what I am dealing with. Before that, not a word is to be uttered to them. Some of the Lords sent representatives here to find us, but not all. As previously stated, the North is in a state of war. Some Lords will look for our aid, the others will not. This is why it is imperative that we watch which way we step, how we step, and when. I have already done significant research into where we will go initially, to whom we will speak, and even when we will arrive. Presentation is everything." He pointed out.

[Lady Smara]

At U’ski’s mention of helping with the weyrling lessons to help with the holdless weyrlings, S’nuo nodded. If it was allowed by A’lez that he miss a few extra wing practices, he would be more than happy to help out with the lessons. He already had plans in motion to take less of his shoulders as the Candidate Master and put more weight on the shoulders of the candidates themselves. They were of more use to the Weyr studying crafts and keeping their hands busy rather than lounging around the candidate barracks waiting for the next classroom lesson. Especially with thread on the horizon, S’nuo would not have able bodied men and women sitting idly.

While his new rank privlaged him to be part of this meeting, there were topics he had opinions on, but he did not feel his opinions would be of great importance. At least not yet, not when they needed more light in general shed upon the situation in the North.

“Agreed, A’lez.” S’nuo said full heartedly to the younger man who lead them. Walk carefully, offer the help, but always keep an eye on the home and hearth.

[HG]

D’seus listened intently to what everyone had to say. Especially A’lez, he felt the man was at least fit to be a leader even if he would go about things in a slightly different fashion. Things were still being discussed and dealt with which was important. He was having trouble with sitting in his seat though so he stood up a moment and reached for some water. Filling himself a glass, he then set it back on the table and sat back in his chair. If only he could pace!

The Wingleader nodded. “I’ll have Shadow Wing take care of messaging the cotholds.” He said, trying to be helpful. Making certain everyone had tasks to do was good for the Weyr. Working together was what the Weyr was built on. “If U’ski or S’nuo has need of them. My riders would be willing to come and help out with the Weyrlings and Candidates.” He even had some riders who were dually talented. They were both riders and crafters.

If A’lez was forming a group to go North, D’seus needn’t worry about who was going. That would be up to A’lez. There were a few Northern riders in his wing. If they were gone for a few days it would not matter to him. They could make up for missed drills when they returned.
--

Or’yn listened to everyone and found the whole thing quite boring. Ugh. Like he had a say in any of this. The older riders would decide no matter what he mentioned. The only thing he was thinking about doing was trying not to fall asleep. Some of them were really concerned about the impressed Holdless. Not that he wasn’t but he figured the dragons were going to win the battle. Humans stood no chance against the willfulness of dragons.

“If you are sending people North, N’var ought to go. If he doesn’t he’ll just go by himself.” Or’yn added. It was true. N’var was ready to go find his family. He needed to know they were alright and if someone else was chosen for this mission. Or’yn could see the aftermath of that now. The last things they needed was a rogue rider. That was kind of a catchy phrase, rogue rider. “He was their leader after all.”

Other than that he doubted the others would have much conflict about who went. Some of them might not even want to go. Or’yn was born and raised at the Weyr so he certainly did not feel compelled to go on the mission.

[Ise]

B’ren glanced at his fellow youngen bronze rider and nodded in agreement. He couldn’t even start to picture what sort of trouble N’var would start if he wasn’t allowed to go North with A’lez and the rest. The young man also wondered just how A’lez was going to make sure that not everyone found out he was planning a trip North. There were a number of gossips within the Weyr, him being one of them. And the bigger the secret, the faster word of it got around.
“Yeah, I would make sure you take N’var with you. Or else he’ll probably just try to go on his own. Especially if he finds out about this while Raelwyn and Aeriath are at Haven.”

He wasn’t sure if their new little queen would be able to give out commands that everyone had to follow or not. The power that gold dragons held over the other colors had always been a mystery to him and was likely to stay that way. Zeuth was as willful dragon as well and B’ren was pretty sure that his bronze would be less then responsive to any orders the newly hatched queen tried to give. Maybe when she was bigger then his foot he would be more willing to listen.

The blue rider was happy to see that S’nuo didn’t seem to mind the idea of helping out with some of the weyrling lessons. And he appreciated D’seus offer of sending some of his riders to help with lessons as well.
“Thank you, I’ll take any help you can offer. I’d like to keep the Dragon Shield away from the lessons, having more riders around to help keep watch over might make them more willing to go with that. And for some of the later lessons, having more personal attention from a rider would be good for the Weyrlings.”

The trip North sounded interesting but not one that U’ski wanted to be a part of. He was curious about the North but it was a mild curiosity. If he never saw the North he wouldn’t be too upset about it. He did feel bad for some of those kids who had come from the North but sooner or later even they would have to realize just how much trouble their home was in and that there was very little that could actually be done to help them.

[Marnark]

A'lez looked at the people around the table. Really? Were they serious? Where had they put their brains this morning? They certainly weren't in their skulls. If they were, they certainly weren't connected. "N'var, or any rider associated with a Lord's family up there, is the absolute last person I want to even know about this, much less to have along. I am not going over there to engage in political posturing. I am going to ascertain facts, gather data, and to make a statement. I do not need things getting in the way of that. I have already started working on a small handful that I think would benefit the mission. N'var will never be on that shortlist." He answered sternly.

This seemed to be the only spot his opinion differed from the rest. Though it was a strong point. This mission was something he'd been working on meticulously for months, taking into consideration every possible happenstance and outcome. This wasn't just a whim just thought up.

"No one in this room will breathe a word of this upcoming mission to anyone other than the occupants of this room. If word gets out to the Weyr in general before the mission is long over with, this whole gig will be jeopardized. I am not here to pander to the whims and desires of a handful of self important riders. I am engaging this endeavor to save as many lives as I can. I also do not wish to be swamped with requests to be on that team by every rider wishing to make the trip. I have better things to do than to deal with that." A'lez added, making sure to include the younger members in his stern gaze. Not because of any special awareness of how talkative they may or may not be, but more in awareness of how with youth came a lack of wisdom and general lack of discretion. "Violators of the trust of these meetings will not be invited back again." For indeed, if staff meetings were meant to include the general populous, they would be held in the bowl where all could attend and shout at leisure. Sometimes Leaders had to make informed decisions that some others would not be particularly happy about.

"If N'var does take it upon himself to stray places where he is not authorized or properly prepared to go, someone have their dragon sit on him. N'var is not leaving this Weyr."