The Gang's All Here [T17]

[Vanech]

Time Reference: 10 - 15 minutes after What Wandering Wher...

---

Joined by Vanesk as soon as they left the tavern, the quartet began their quest to discover the whereabouts of the wild wher. Well, they began their quest to the hold proper. Vanech readjusted Vanesk's blanket to secure it better. Even with the blanket, the wher remained virtually blind due to the sunny day, so he kept his head down and followed Vanech closely behind and used his handler's boots as his way to track where they went.

Of the four in their little party, An'zell knew the way around the Hold the best, since it had been his home for the last few weeks. He walked them through the market and toward the buildings where the Lord Holder and his family lived and worked. The closer they got to the buildings, the increasingly concerned Vanech looked, the deeper his brows furrowed. He kept his council as to why but at one point, Vanesk leaned heavily on his handler with a concerned grunt and nudged him. Vanech put his hand on the wher's massive head, idly patting his bronze. "We'll be fine," said Vanech.


When they reached the Hold's large bronze doors, Vanech hesitated. In the center, splitting the two doors, was the Hold's insignia in white and blue with silver highlights that glimmered as the late morning sun hit them. "Nice workmanship," Vanech said, looking over the still-closed portal.

An'zell on the other hand, did not hesitate. His grin widened as he pushed the doors open and as they swung inward, he walked right through them and into the Hold proper. "I can't wait to tell Lord Heron the good news. He'll be thrilled to know! C'mon."

Upon seeing their shy friend so boldly go inside, Vanech exhaled a long sigh and looked around. A nearby out building provided some shade. "Here, Vanesk, you need to wait out here again. We don't know how well Lord Heron or his household is disposed to whers." He directed Vanesk to the shaded area of the building whereabout the wher settled into the shade with a grateful sigh. Then, he followed An'zell.

[An'zell]

An'zell pushed the main doors to the Hold open. The doors opened to reveal a great Hall that had three doorways. They could see that the doorway to the left opened into the kitchens, but the other two doorways lead to unknown locations. He walked in with a broad smile as he looked around but didn't hesitate there unless someone intercepted him, he'd lead them to the right. "Lord Heron's office is this way."

[Rokai]

After they left the travener, Arraya had been sitting on her girl's shoulder on the way out. Drago followed along behind and next to Vanesk. The light gold firelizard new Vanesk didn't like the brightness of the day, so took it upon herself to help. Because she was a gold after all, so of course she would do smart things. A quick hop and a pop and Arraya with to land on Vanesk head. If he left her, Vanesk would suddenly have more shade following him as Arraya fanned out her wings to cover his eyes from the sun. It did little more than what a hat would do for a person outside on a bright summer day.

Rokai did her best not to gock at the hold when they entered. Being from a tiny cot, everything on the main island was new and huge to her. There would be another time to go sightseeing, right now she was representing the Weyr's healers by delivering the salve and hopefully taking care of the wild gold wher. She knew she had to do well, the best way to impress was to be impressive. True she had managed to make her way her on her own, and survive losing her hold to fire and flood when she was 9. Still Rokai sought to prove herself, that she was worthy of being a rider. It was what kept her going in the low times of her life.

When Vanesk peeled off to sit in the shade, Drago followed him. Arraya left Vanesk's side once he was in the shade to be with her girl again. Rokai stayed close to An'zell as he knew exactly where they were going. Besides handing over the salve and the instructions, Rokai hadn't come up with what to say to the lord holder about the wher. Short of have you seen it and when. "I hope we find him not too busy to talk to us."

[Kira]

Kira followed her new friends toward White Sands Hold. She was more interested in the surrounding countryside on the way. She usually came to the hold by dragon or ship, though she preferred the former to the latter. This was her first time see the lands outside the hold proper. She smiled at fire lizard and wher, both doing their best in the morning light, though she did feel some sympathy for Vanesk.

It was a little disconcerting to see the market so meager in its offerings. Kira hoped it was just holders staying away, rather than suffering from the disease. She was quite content to let An'zell lead the way. He seemed so happy and at ease, she wouldn't do anything to interrupt him. She did wonder again why Vanech seemed so concerned. First about keeping his rank a secret, now, as they got closer to the hold, and meeting the Lord Holder, even his wher seemed uneasy. She didn't believe he was nervous about meeting the Lord Holder because of his position. No, it seemed to be something else.

She broke from her thoughts as An'zell pushed oper the hold doors. She looked around the great hall. Nothing had changed since she'd last been here, a couple of turns ago. "Lord Herron himself will tell you, he's never to busy for his people," Kira replied to Rokai. "Except in Threadfall." Distracted by Rokai, she didn't notice that An'zell started to lead them down the hall to the personal quarters, not the offices. 

[Lord Herron]

Before An'zell lead the group much further, a big bronze fire lizard flew up to the White Rider and chirped happily at him. Deesel flew around An'zell's head, dipping up and down as he did. He liked the rider and his dragon.

Not far behind him came the sound of heavy footsteps. "What is it Deesel?" A baritone voice asked and an imposing man with wavy salt and pepper hair pulled back in a short runner tail appeared. His dark eyes fell on the quartet, taking the group in, quickly appraising them before a broad smile spread across his face. "White Rider An'zell!" Lord Herron said as he walked up to him, his hand held out in greeting. "What brings you back to the Hold? You're feeling alright? Jak told me she had released you and Blue Rider G'age." He continued to smile as his gaze moved from An'zell to the party he was leading. "Who are your friends?"

[An'zell]

An'zell glanced over at Rokai when she spoke, but then looked at Kira in surprise. "You sound as though you know Lord Herron, have you been here before, Kira?" An'zell had time to ask before the fire-lizard bombarded him with excited noises. "Hello, Deesel," said the redhead with a soft chuckle that he sucked back into his mouth with a quick hiccup when Lord Heron himself approached them. An'zell felt suddenly sad and glad. Lord Heron treated the dragonriders with such respect and kindness over these last weary weeks that he'd miss the old man. They might be friends but that didn't make him any less nervous around the kindly Lord Holder. Usually between the two dragonriders, rarely apart, G'age did the talking to prevent An'zell from being in the spotlight. Heron; however, asked exactly the right question to ease An'zell's mind. He nodded as his face broke into a great enthusiastic smile.

"Hello, sir! Yes, sir, I feel good today. Only a little tired this morning but... but Rokai's arrival changed that." An'zell took Lord Heron's hand with one that had a slight tremble, but he'd managed to screw on his courage so he kept talking. The news was too good to not tell right away. "We've had word from the Weyr that Lyxias lifted the quarantine. Rokai is one of the Weyr's healers," he gestured to her shoulder knots. "She's come from Masterhealer Lyxias with an ointment that helps. This is Kira, the Weyr's new harper, and oh, this is... uh, Vanech."

[Vanech]

Vanesk grunted in relief and crooned deep sounds of appreciation to the little queen. She did smart stuff. His eyes whirred deeper blue but still remained shot through with the dull orange of his anxiety to be wandering around in the daylight hours. He refused to be parted from Vanech and even began to protest with soft grunts of frustration about laying the shade alone but Drago's companionship soothed the wher.
---



"Yes, that's true, he's very personable." Vanech gave the Hold's main hall only a passing glance before he turned to continue following An'zell. As though summoned by the mere scent of a bronze fire-lizard Lady Luck appeared in a POP and flew circles around An'zell and Deesel. She chirped at Deesel with an inquisitive sound before she swooped low and landed on Vanech's shoulder.

When Lord Heron appeared, Vanech stopped short and hung back to give the others some space so he'd be in the back. As though that'd make some kind of difference and Lord Heron wouldn't recognize him. Vanech inherited his sire's height and shot up early on so even though he had been younger when Lord Heron and he last met, his six-and-a-half foot height and his mother's stern hazel eyes remained distinguishing features. Even the tall Lord Heron had to look up a little to look into Vanech's eyes. Combined that with his customary Beastcrafter browns, he cut a figure hard to forget. Vanech knew well that a good memory served as a boon to anyone in Lord Heron's position, and the older man was renown as a people person. Lord Heron looked the same to Vanech as he had the last time they met. Maybe more white in his hair than before, it had been a few Turns since his sire's last wedding.

When An'zell said his name, Vanech visibly flinched in a flash expression that he was quick to bury with a schooled, neutral one. There was nowhere and no way to hide. He met Lord Heron's gaze with his steady hazel one and mustered a genial, genuine smile. He has to be at least somewhat surprised to see me this far south. And now that the quarantine had been lifted, what happened to Vanech and Vanesk in the few next days depended a great deal on Lord Heron's other thoughts about Vanech being this far south. "Good day, Lord Heron."

[Rokai]

Rokai had turned to look at Kira as she gave insight into the Lord Holder. An'zell spoke as if he could read Rokai's mind. No sooner had they spoken of the man, the appearance of the firelizard followed by his person stopped that conversation. Rokai couldn't help but chuckle at Deesel''s attention upon An'Zell. Firelizards like both of them.

Arraya puffed up her chest while partly opening her wings to show herself off to the Lord Herron. Her girl was important too, why else would she have a gold? Array let out a chirp when her girl was introduced. Rokai held out her hand to offer a handshake. "Greetings sir." The knots on her shoulder bore the colors of two crafts, a beastcrafter and a dragon healer. "Glad to be the bringer of good news." She'd wait for the official stuff for after the greetings, it was better that way. Re-adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder, Rokai would be help to off load the supplies meant for the hold as soon as possible. One reason was so people could go back to their lives, the other was a lighter bag made it easier to track with.

[Kira]

“It’s been awhile since I’ve been studying at the Harper Hall,” Kira said. “But yes, I’ve visited Lord Herr-” She stopped mid sentence at the arrival of Deesel and Lord Herron. She took a quiet step back as Herron spoke to An’zell, letting the White Rider handle the introductions. She noticed Vanech doing the same. She wondered why he seemed to have such trepidation meeting the Lord of White Sands, especially after agreeing with her about the man. His tone of voice implied to knowing Herron by more than just reputation. Emerald, her green firelizard trilled a friendly greeting to Deesel, but stayed on Kira’s shoulder, her tail wrapped around her throat.

“Hello Deesel. Good day Lord Herron,” she said to man and firelizard after An’zell introduced her, and bowed her head respectfully. Her cheeks brightened as he used her new title. It had come as a big surprise to her, and she was still getting used to it.

[Lord Herron]

If Herron noticed the slight tremble in An’zell’s handshake, he showed no sign of it. “The quarantine has been lifted? And an ointment? That is grand news indeed!” Herron replied, turning his attention to the young woman. He had come to learn from his dealings with the two riders these last few sevenday that An’zell wasn’t comfortable with a lot of attention. The young healer didn’t seem to have the same problem.

“It is an honor to meet you, Healer Rokai,” he said as he took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he bent over slightly and brushed his lips against the back of it, in a similar way as Vanech had with Kira. He then smiled at Arraya. “And you too, my lovely.” Deesel landed on Herron's shoulder, and lowered his head in deference to the young gold. "Your news is very welcome indeed!”

“Kira, my dear!” He said, turning to the young harper. “You didn’t tell me you were coming! And did I hear the White Rider correctly? You are now White Sands' Weyr Harper? That is splendid! Congratulations are in order!” Because they were out in public, Herron refrained from giving Kira a hug. Instead, he greeted her in the same way as Rokai. Deesel returned Emerald’s greeting with a friendly chirp of his own.

Then, he turned his attention to Vanech. He gave no indication of recognizing the young man, other than his eyes narrowing slightly. His gaze washed over Vanech, quickly appraising his appearance, noting what was present and what was not. His head barely moved, as he instead let his dark brown eyes do the work of rising to meet Vanech’s hazel. “Welcome to White Sand Hold Journeyman Vanech,” he said, still not betraying his thoughts. “You are a long way from home.” Deesel chirped a welcome to Lady Luck and then a friendly chitter, as if answering her.

Herron saw Rokai readjust her shoulder bag. “Please, come to my office,” he said congenially and waved them back toward the center passage. “You can set your things down while I will call for our Healer, Journeywoman Jakleen, and tell me more about what brings you all to White Sands.” He smiled warmly as he waited for the others to precede him.

[An'zell]

"Yes, it's been lifted. Not long ago at all." An'zell agreed even as Lord Herron shifted his attention to Rokai. Now that he'd made the introductions, An'zell felt that he might have a chance to fade into the background, and simply listen to the conversation as he preferred to do. Should I tell him about G'age leaving? I am sure he knows perhaps he came here first? Perhaps. It makes sense. The conversation moved on by then so An'zell lost the moment.

[Vanech]

"Thank you, sir. Yes, a long way from home," Vanech nodded as he concurred with Lord Herron. Nothing on him indicated his status or where he truly belonged save for his distinct and heavy Northern accent. As soon as they released their shake, Vanech began to pet Lady Luck. The beastcrafter had a feeling he'd need to account for the reason he was here, but the healer's business took precedent over anything he and the Lord Holder had to say to each other. Lord Heron's thoughts about Vanech would have to wait until they had a chance to speak alone.

As they walked to Heron's office Vanech continued to pet Lady Luck's green head. Allowing everyone else to take the lead, Vanech faded further behind them until he brought up the small contingent, which backfired since Lord Heron did the same. He wound up walking the closest to the Lord Holder. 

The fire-lizard's eyes half-closed by stayed affixed to Deesel, interested in his movements and whereabouts. She replied to his chirps with friendly coos and chirps of her own as though she too engaged him in conversation.

[Rokai]

Lord Herron's greeting was far from anything Rokai was used to getting, this was something more for a highborn not for someone that lived in a stable for part of her life. His attention turned to Kira, giving Rokai a moment to think of what to say next. Being sent out of official business of the Weyr, by the Weyr Leader no less was a massive upgrade from shoveling out stalls.

Arraya gave Deesel a sidelong look. Her hide shimmered in its preflight glow, someday soon the little queen would take flight. Depending on where her girl was at the time would mean any nearby suitors would have to pay attention to her. When Deesel gave his attention to the green, Arraya huffed and snorted.

Following Lord Herron to his office, Rokai smiled. "Yes there is a large package in here for your hold, sir. And instructions to create more." After a pause, Rokai continued. "I am also here about the matter of the wild Wher. The one the hold has had issues with when I first arrived at island."

[Lord Herron]

“I’ll have Deesel fetch Jakleen straight away,” Herron replied to Rokai. He turned to look toward the kitchens, just in time to see the young girl from earlier returning with another laden tray. A small smile came to his lips. Kahlia was always on top of things. “She’s our senior journeyman healer. We have been anxious to hear from Master Lyxias. Please, have a seat.” When they reached his office, his arm swept the room as he motioned for his guest to sit. Two chairs were sat in front of his desk, with another two to one side. “We have refreshments.” The girl set the tray down as Herron sat at his desk and scribbled off a quick note. The tray held five cups, a pitcher of klah, another of juice, and a small plate of meatrolls. There was also a small bowl of dried meat bits.

Deesel seemed to give Lady Luck all his attention as she returned his chirps with her own chirps and coos, his head bobbing up and down. At Arraya’s seemingly displeased huff and snort, he gave her an apologetic croon. He would never ignore one so glorious. But at Herron’s silent call, he popped out, reappearing on the desk. Herron quickly tied the note to Deesel’s leg and set him off to find Jakleen.

“You know of our wher issues as well?” he asked, addressing Rokai, though his gaze included Vanech. “We were just discussing this morning that we needed to find a wher handler who might be able to help us, and here one appears, I presume.” His eyes darted to Vanech before returning to Rokai. “I didn’t want to trouble Weyrleader Or’west over this, with this mysterious illness still loose. It seems we are once again in the Weyr’s debt.” He smiled warmly.

"Did you come alone, Journeyman?" Herron asked, addressing Vanech now. “If not, I can have one of the stalls in the stables set up for any accommodations you may need. I’m sure a nocturnal would not appreciate our summer sun.”

[Kira]

Kira followed the others in and took one of the seats away from the desk. Lord Herron’s business was with Rokai and Vanech. She didn't want to get in way. Emerald crooned softly in her ear. The young green wasn’t interested in Deesel like the other fire lizards seemed to be. Kira watched the Lord Holder as he got down to business, stoking her flit more to comfort herself than the flit. She fell into deep thought, only part of her ear on the conversation at hand. She hoped he had been on the mainland when the quarantine was put in place, and wasn’t here. She didn’t want to deal with him right now.