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Post by Bacchante on Aug 17, 2011 21:27:15 GMT -5
Given her own not insignificant discomfort, Zen was easily able to detect Riki's. Similing as much as a dragon could, she gently bumped the girl with her nose. Gently being enough to knock her down, of course, but not enough to hurt her. <You need only be sealed away, child. Not neccesarily with anyone. As you have so expertly surmised, I am quite sympathetic to your fears. B'ach will be tending to the eggs below for a time, but I doubt he'll be much longer.>
The Wraithqueen pondered the day's events and her own peculiar conundrum for some time, before coming to an effective conclusion. <But since we can communicate from a distance that will not, thankfully, be a problem. If you wouldn't mind picking it up on your way back to your room I would appreciate it. Then you may lock yourself in for your safety, and read to me!> The queen seemed very pleased with herself. No need to mention that B'rac had already wrested confessions from those below and rounded up the small batch of conspirators.
-Zen, dearest, could you ask Riki to come up and see me for a moment? I'm just heading up now. B'ach was quite amiable, and totally unaware of the brief flash of annoyance that preceded his dragon's reply. <Of course, Mine. Not a problem.> With a grumble, Zen rolled back into her comfortable depression and on to her back. <Bad news, little one. B'ach wants to speak with you. You know where his office is. Don't worry, he probably just wants to talk about the attack today. You'll be fine.>
Probably.
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Post by Lyrikitty on Aug 17, 2011 23:48:29 GMT -5
Riki nodded eagerly as Zenith explained her plan, and it seemed easy enough. Stop by the library on her way out, grab said book, and lock herself in her room alone so she could read for Zenith without interruption, or questions being asked. However, before anything was set in stone or put into action, or before Riki could even respond, a ripple of irritation filled the room. Zenith was a large dragon, and Riki was sensitive to dragons, so it seemed. It was only natural she noticed the change in Zenith when her rider bespoke her, though the girl knew not what caused the feeling.
She was given an answer though, as Zenith informed her that B'ach wanted to see her as well. Her heart stopped beating for a moment, worried she was going to be in trouble. In fact the girl was certain she was in for trouble. The attack earlier hadn't gone well, and somehow she was going to take the fall for it. Idly she wondered if it would be plausible to hide under Zenith should B'ach get mad at her. Perhaps the Wraith would take pity and protect her, seeing as Riki was more than willing to help the Queen with her rather delicate situation.
She glanced at Zenith, hoping to find some sort of reassurance in the dragon. She didn't want to voice her concerns, knowing they were possibly foolish and pointless, but at the same timeshe didn't really want to face the man entirely alone. So far, each time she'd encountered the Weyrleader she had been around others. When he stole her out of Solse, there was a crowd. In lessons, there were numerous other candidates. If she chanced across him in the Weyr there were always people around. She wouldn't have other faces to hide among this time.
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Post by Bacchante on Aug 18, 2011 3:47:30 GMT -5
B'ach swept through the archway from his throne room to his office at decent clip, his cape billowing as he pulled it off and tossed it on to his desk. He didn't break stride as he moved into the antechamber where Zen, and unbeknownst to him Riki, awaited. "Oh, Zen, I just don't-" The Weyrleader began and stopped quickly, seeing Riki there already. Quick as a flash he had pulled off his leather gauntlets and dashed over to her. Gently, tenderly, he turned her face this way and that: His deep set eyes roaming over her as he finished the inspection and circled her looking the girl up and down with a grim expression.
Then, quite surprisingly, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the Egg, you're alright. Come, come." He ushered the girl out of the room, into his office and the more comfortable chairs in there, carved from birch and with actual cushions. Calling for some hot drinks, B'ach sprawled himself in his own chair with an even greater sigh. In the light he looked haggard and wan, black bags having formed under his eyes. "Father relayed to me most of what had happened. I'm glad you're alright."
Shuffling through scrolls on his desk he finally found the one he was looking for, after having accidentally swept it to the bottom of the pile several times. "Amazingly efficient, my father. Already had a report ready for me when I returned from my preparation. Let us see... Fenelius and Ryles. No sympathy for the former, but much for the latter. Ryles isn't the brightest lad, easily led. Not hard to crack too. Fenelius' father, Fenrius, apparently wishes to apologize to you in person for his son's awful behaviour toward you. He's one of the old Council of Shades, who were in charge when I was growing up. The majority of them are like Fenrius, quite happy to hand over the reins. But a few..."
Almost absently, B'ach's hand went to trace the outline of the scar that so badly marred his face. From an assassination attempt gone wrong, due to a disgruntled son. Not unlike the attempt today. "This appears to be an isolated incident. Fenelius was talking with a pair of Hold girls about the history of Skrull, and they fed his ego too much. He used one of them to rope in Ryles with a promise of, well, if we're being frank about it he was basically promised her. I doubt it would've been honored had they succeeded." He unrolled the scroll a bit more.
Obviously B'rac worked very, very fast and Riki had been talking with Zenith for longer than she had realized, because B'ach went on, "One of the girls has been caught and will be sent back to her Hold, her parents to be informed of their shame. The other is missing, but we believe she fled out of fear. Fenelius has been stripped of the right to Impress and will never regain it. His father is arranging for him to join the fishermen at Skrull Coast hold. Ryles, we are more forgiving. He has aspirations to join the Ghost Guard, and has passed his tests: Barely, but passed. If he succeeds he will be put into Hold Rotation, so you won't have to worry about running into him."
The young man paused, scratching at his milky-brown scalp for a few moments. He seemed a little wary of Riki at the moment, but for no apparent reason. Until, that is, he opened his mouth. "However... For the crime of attempted murder you are perfectly within your rights to have one or all of them condemned to death by battle. Traditionally, they'd be used as servants doing the most difficult and dangerous jobs until such a time as a conflict broke out. Then they would serve as poorly armed and equipped shock troops. Or, as we call it, firestone fodder. It's up to you, Riki."
And with his green eyes piercing deep into Riki, he once again gave the impression that things weren't all that they seemed. This was a Moment, with a capital M. Just like when he had held out his hand to her so long ago now and given her one last chance to back out. The only question in his mind is which way she would take it.
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Post by Lyrikitty on Aug 18, 2011 9:24:32 GMT -5
Riki tensed as B'ach rushed forward. She expecte something bad, but with surprising gentleness he took her face in his hands, turning it to inspect her closely as if he thought to find some mark on her. His touch was oddly warm, somehow she had been expecting it to be harder, colder, more distant. It brought to mind his moment of softness with one of the runners, before he had taken her from Solse. She was almost saddened when he released her to walk a circle around the girl, and she stayed still as he finished looking her over, a sigh of releif being exhaled by the man and his comment which startled her more than his sudden gentle touch. He had been worried for her. More so than she'd thought he would be. Had no one informed him that she'd escaped utterly unharmed from the incident? It seemed not.
This irritated her for some reason, and as she was ushered to the other room and a more comfortable seat, she watched B'ach. The dark circles under his eyes worried her. Had he not been sleeping lately? Frowning and thinking over the condition of her Weyrleader, she listened as best she could to what he was saying. When it dawned on her what he was saying, all thoughts ceased but what, exactly, to do. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Ryles, the one's name had been. He wasn't that bright, she'd already observed this, but... He was also the sort who was good at taking orders, and she suspected he might be fairly loyal so long as he had a healthy respect for someone. Someone who had already put his friend on the ground without ever touching him. One hand left her head to lightly drum the arm of the chair. The girls needded to be removed, more likely than not. At the very least they needed to be kept from Impression. And Fen, or rather Fenelius... A life as a fisher was hard, but not bad.
Something in her stomache shifted uneasily at her thoughts, but ignoring it she lifted her head to set her gaze on B'ach. "If I may suggest a different fate for Ryles and Fenelious? Ryles is not entirely at fault. He seems the sort who will follow a leader faithfully. He wasn't eager to cause me harm. You brought me here with one thing in mind for me, did you not? You brought me here to put me on your Sands with the hope I would Impress Zenith's mate. Should this occur, I may very well need someone loyal to me above all others. Ryles could easily be said person, and he could act as my personal guard if he Impresses. It will aloow him to be closely watched, as well as worked hard." She held no grudge for the boy, she'd seen his type before. It was Fenelious she had more distaste for. "As for Fenelious, sending him away from the Weyr may be prudent, but it doesn't particularly punish him, unless he happens to abhor the smell of fish. Perhaps keeping him in the Weyr, and assigning him to the duty of keeping the beast pens clean would be seen as more uncomfortable. It occurs to me this wouldn't occupy all of his time, and personally I would rather he not have much free time. In the hours he is not tending to the beast pens, I suggest he be trained for battle. I agree that he should not Impress, he would be a problem for you if he did, however he should be given a chance on the ground when he is thrown into battle, should he ever be."
She drew a deep breath, and continued to drum her fingers. She was thnking heavily on her actions, not speaking lightly with what she thought should be done with each. "I also think Fenelious should be looked at as a troublesome and dangerous stallion. When a stud becomes too unmanagable and unruly, you geld him. I suggest this for Fenelious. He will not be influenced by pretty girls, nor will he maintain much want for power. The girls could be used to offer peace."[/color]
She hadn't told B'ach that Daisyth had contacted her the other day and mentioned trouble was brewing in Crystal Caverns because of Skrull's actions. She knew her father, and he would not have taken Riki's removal kindly. However, he could be pacified with two lovely new drudges. "My father is causing trouble in Crystal Caverns right now, due to the indelicate way in which I was taken. While I appreciate yuor rescue to a depth you may never know, I can look back and say some things should have been done differently. Perhaps conflict could be avoided by offering him the two girls as drudges, and an apology as well as a peace treaty. I acted, for much of the time, as a drudge for him anyway. Fetching food and drink for my father, as well as cleaning his Hold and whatever various other tasks he may invents for them, would be a fitting punishment for them, and it could smooth things out and prevent an impending conflict. Perns has enough trouble with Black Sands, it does not need more."
Finished, she looked at B'ach quietly. She had spoke with careful certainty in her tone, even though now she felt nervous, as if she had done something wrong by suggesting something other than what the Weyrleader had chosen. She didn't show any outward sign though, in fact her gaze remained even and her posture collected. Her fingers stilled to rest on the arm of the chair, and she drew a bracing breath, awaiting B'ach to tell her she was a fool for this idea of her's.[/size]
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Post by Bacchante on Aug 18, 2011 22:31:03 GMT -5
Zenith trembled as she felt it. The rising fire and fury. The growing hatred and rage. The maelstrom of burning acid that poured into her rider's mind. Desperately she tried to speak to him, to break through, only to find a freezing wall of icy rage being held between them. Slowly, she forced herself to relax. If B'ach was still himself enough to shield her from the full brunt of his emotions, he wouldn't do anything drastic.
In the small room, the crash of the Weyrleader's hands smashing into the table had knocked several items off it. He had been listening attentively to Riki's proposals, nodding in agreement, until the last one. At that he froze, becoming more and more still as she went on: Seemingly oblivious. He had remained as such for a few more seconds afterwards until, in a flurry of movement, he had thrust himself to his feet, slammed his hands down on the table and leaned forward to look at Riki with a contempt in his eyes that was almost unlike anything he'd ever given.
Almost... But not quite.
"How dare you." The words cut like the air better than any knife could ever hope to do so. Especially with B'ach like this: Fury etched into his face and his malevolent aura billowing around him like his finest cloak. "How. Dare. You." It could be said that the most chilling thing was his tone. Calm. Measured. Level. No raising of voice or shouting, just a simply bony hardness that matched the intensity of his eyes. From their deep-set hollows the dark green orbs bore holes straight through Riki's skull. If looks were made of flame, half the Weyr would be alight right now.
"I think that, perhaps, you have misread the situation. That you misunderstand why I have taken an interest in your case. You see, Riki, it is my duty to ensure that punishment is dealt and while I agree with thoughts in that regard the unasked for diplomatic advice is most troublesome. For you see, Riki, you are still but a candidate. I am simply affording you the same rights any of my Weyr would receive. But they would not be so foolish as to presume that they had any sort of leeway to so openly try and tell me to do my job."
Forcing himself to move, B'ach turned himself to the side. He clasped his hands together in front of him and looked sideways at her. It had the added benefit of making it so that he was looking down his nose at her, and the light on his scar fell so that it appeared much more menacing than usual. "But that is not what truly troubles me. You were a bright girl, or so I thought, but please note my use of tense. Since you are not of my Weyr, not one of the sycophantic drones on my council, I might have listened to you had it not been for a simple fact. You asked me to do two things I will never do."
The one word in his last sentence was punctuated by a furious blow directed at his chair, sending it flying across the room. Perhaps it was petty, but then again the act prevented him from indulging in the urge to do the same to the girl. Which would be very wrong. Intellectually he knew that. But emotionally, he wanted nothing more than to scream and slap her as hard as he could in the hope it would knock some sense into her.
"I am happy to go before the Weyrleader of Crystal Cove. I am happy to ask his forgiveness, and pay recompense to him. But never, so long as I draw breath, shall I ever apologize to that piece of dung, that spineless worm, the horrific monster that told you he was your father. And nor shall I give any people to him, no matter their crimes, because nobody, nobody deserves that treatment!" This time, punctuation was added through a fist smashing against the table, knocking even more things clear.
The twitching in B'ach's eye as he struggled to keep calm was quite observable, as was the constant clenching and unclenching of his fists. "I don't care what he may have said to you. I don't care what you think. That man does not deserve to walk on this earth, and he does not deserve to call you daughter. The sole reason he is still alive is because you asked me to spare him. That's it. While I will admit that I had little thought in what I was doing at the time, I regret none of it save that I did not drive my dagger into his heart right then and there. I wouldn't even have had any trouble sleeping, Riki, and do you know why? Because I only lose sleep over murder. You don't murder monsters. You execute them."
With a savage grunt, B'ach bore down on the desk with both hands again. The skin of his fists was cracked and bleeding from the force of the blows, the stone surface showing visible damage from where he had hit it. He stared down, not trusting himself to move. "I just don't understand. I would give out a thousand punishments for a thousand crimes, and never would I order something that leave a person as I found you. I just don't understand how you could."
A long, tense moment passed. Then: "Get out of my sight. You will sit your last test in three days, and stand before the Wraithking in seven. When you fail, and now I know that you shall, you are free to go where you wish. But I never want to see your face this close to me again because I'm terrified that if I do, I might just end up becoming just like your 'father'."
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Post by Lyrikitty on Aug 19, 2011 8:23:23 GMT -5
As B'ach raged, Riki kept his gaze evenly. As he slammed his fist and shoved things about, she watched stoicly. She had made an error, but not in the manner he was thinking. As he looked down his nose at her, she rose from her chair, head lifting to meet his gaze in what could almost be described as a challenge.
"You know only how he treated me. I did much of the work of a drudge but with the added curse of relation to him. His drudges are taken care of fairly well, despite his temper, it is those who share a link of blood to the man who suffer the most. In suggesting they go there, I was offering them a reasonable life and a peaceful settlement for the Weyr. Forgive me, oh great one, for offering them better than I ever had."[/color] She kept her gaze for a moment longer, feeling tears start to well at this confession. She had been treated worse than the drudges at her home. She had often done the same work as they, and on the side taken beatings simply because she looked like her mother, simply because she was related to Rileson.
"You would have been better off hitting me, B'ach. At least then one of us would feel better." With that, the willowly girl turned and walked away, fighting the tears which wanted so badly to come. She needed to hold on to them until she was away, safe and unseen by all. This Weyr was harsh and cruel in it's own ways, and she could deal with that. She would handle it the same way she had before, at home. She would swallow it down and fight it every inch of the way. When she finally broke, it would when there was no one around to try and put the shards together again.[/size]
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Post by Bacchante on Aug 19, 2011 8:52:49 GMT -5
B'ach waited until she had gone. Then some more. Then quite a bit more. When he felt he was capable of moving without trembling he did so, out of that room and into the antechamber where his partner fixed him with a cold, angry stare. He matched it, pound for pound. "Don't even start." Was all he said to her, striding over to his chambers, entering and slamming the thick door behind him. As soon as he was out of sight, Zen softened. The great creature curled herself up with a keen of distress that echoed in the chamber.
That... Had not gone well. No, such a thing was quite an understatement. He'd anticipated a simple debriefing. Not a flaming row. With her, of all people! It was truly unthinkable. Before this moment, Riki had been the most promising candidate. But now...
<She still is.>
The flash of red that welled up in Zenith's head when she said that let her know that she should probably shut up. While B'ach was no real threat to her, both functionally and theoretically, she still tried to avoid direct contact with him when he was like this. It was the problem with being a Wraith. She was meant to balance him. And that meant that all of his hatred, his fear, every negative emotion... Zen absorbed them all. Absorbed and sealed away, quite deep. It wasn't a perfect system, but they tended to burn themselves out in the darker reaches of her brain before they could do any harm.
But when he was like this, all bets were off. Traditionally, Weyrleaders were trained from a young age. Prepped and prepared to lead, to control themselves in every facet of their lives. Those who didn't Impress the Wraith became the trusted council of the new leader. But with B'ach... No Weyrwoman, no trustworthy council, no real friends. Just him. A rock. An island. Every problem in the Weyr piled upon his head.
And with the levels of self-loathing that he was reaching in that little room, she could but pray that the situation changed soon.
For all their sakes.
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