A little help (Tags within)

Arriving soon after Lancielle, S'jiro was next to enter the Weyrleader’s office. S'jiro didn't care about being the first to arrive, but at least he wasn't the last. Maybe that spoke of his apparent 'lazy' tendencies, just as did the fact that he kept his hands tucked into his pockets with an attitude that matched his casual saunter.

Greeting Sh'nar with an outward jut of his chin as he went to stand by his friend. "Yo."

Letting his eyes wander, first making sure recognize the Weyrwoman who’d been awaiting their arrival so patiently ( ;P), S'jiro noted Lance's presence next. Grimacing inwardly, he wondered why a barely graduated Weyrling would be asked to attend a meeting that Bronzeriders had been requested for as well. There was nothing that a Green could accomplish that a Bronzerider like himself or Sh’nar couldn’t do even better. Surely, asking her to attend was completely unnecessary.

A Greenrider? S'jiro hardly stiffled the mental, derisive scoff expressed to Zemarath before turning attention away from Lance, deciding not to make the less appreciable facets of the meeting his focus.

The Bronze needn't say much in return, more curious about the purpose for the meeting; as far as S'jiro's thoughts on 'commoners', he already knew the full of it, and there was no way of making the Bronzerider any more affable toward them.

While S'jiro waited alongside Sh'nar, he rocked back and forth a couple of times onto his heels idly, hands still dug into his pockets. Why had they all been called here, anyway? Even if everyone wasn’t here yet, there was an interesting representation of Riders present. Considering that, he began to wonder if it had to do with the transfer to Igen Weyr. Maybe they were transferring sooner than anticipated?

Keeping all thoughts and outward expression to himself, S’jiro waited patiently for anyone else to arrive so that the Weyrwoman could bring to their attention just what this meeting was about.

---

Hurrying at a jog to make it to the meeting on time, S'dric was just glad to have a properly functioning riding harness. Coming from a wing practice earlier in the day, he'd found a weakness in the leather and spent the rest of his time up until now, seeing that the straps were replaced, and that nothing else in his riding gear was getting too noticably worn. Of course he routinely checked all of his gear, and made certain that riders in his wing also properly followed such routine examinations of their own gear, but one could never be too careful. There was always at least one rider who tended to want to procrastinate when it came to precautionary measures.


Not out of breath, but still breathing a little heavy considering the jog he'd just taken to get there, S'dric offered a coy smie as he entered the Weyrleadership office, nodding in greeting to Karene simultaneously. "Sorry to be almost late."
As if it mattered, since he was still there on time.

In any case, the Brownrider gravitated toward his cousin, whom he promptly greeted as well, smile broadening. "How are you?" It was not really a conversation starter, because they were here to hear what the Weyrwoman had to say, but out of courtesy, he wanted to ask. His attention though, did not linger for long on his cousin's face, only taking time to read her mood.


In all truth, S'dric had no real clue as to what the meeting might be about -he was as curious as everyone else, especially seeing such a mix of ranks and experience amoungst those gathered. Whatever the case, they would find out shortly. His eyes returned to seek out Karene, showing obvious curiosity behind them.

S'dric took on an expression of thought, wondering how serious the situation must be if they suspected there were people at Igen who were not loyal to the Weyrs; who would rather be without them or not have to support another. He understood that there were portions of the population in any holding territory that could feel resentful of Dragonriders for being supported by tithes from Holds who worked hard for those things but regardless...was their dislike of the Weyrs so great they would go to such terribly drastic measures?

The Brownrider glanced over at his new partner, Sh'nar, then, considering the task ahead of them. It would definitely be an interesting one.

---

Subconsciously glad that the Greenriders were being reminded their place, that he and N'kyr were both well-bred enough to interact directly with the Lord Holder, S'jiro thought that he would enjoy the opportunity to that the chance to do so allowed. They would make a fine example of Fort Weyr riders and continue to prove that he would be prepared for further opportunities that awaited him when they came to the time when they would be transferring to Igen Wyer.

Momentarily, S'jiro was confirming, "So the four of us will attend Telgar Hold first, to be briefed further by Lord Matoi himself? Following that, accompany the caravan to Igen Weyr where we'll meet back up with S'dric and Sh'nar?"

The young Bronzerider glanced back over to Sh'nar but then looking over each of the four who would be attending the Hold first. Finally his eyes came to rest on N'kyr, gauging the other rider's mood about the assignment briefly before he set his eyes back on the Weyrwoman.


After came her reply, the Bronzerider saluted properly, acknowledging her order.


[backpost to fill in for additional things here if need be before they take off]

---

The teams regrouped outside in the Weyr bowl after being dismissed, so that they could quickly prepare and then depart for the location of their given assignments. Lord Matoi and Igen Weyr were waiting.

S'dric took off beside Sh'nar , taking up his flank while S'jiro and N'kyr rode toward the head of the wing of Four which were formed by the remaining riders. Coordinates were shared and both Flights went Between.

Tashamoretta had resisted the urge to make a face as she realized S'jiro and Sh'nar were also present-- but barely.  She had grinned a little bit at S'dric's timing, though, and had blown him a kiss.  He was too fun to tease when she could get away with it.  Even if it wasn't necessarily the most appropriate time or place.

For solidarity's sake, she'd seated herself next to Lancelle, deliberately aiming for 'totally unaffected' by the presence of the bronzeriders in her posture.  Because, really, she couldn't care less that they were there, or that they'd tried ridiculous means of trying to get to her classmate.  Clearly, the color of a dragon didn't necessarily indicate the level of maturity of the rider.  Tasha just hoped Karene realized that, even as she wondered what the Weyrwoman could possibly want with the six riders she'd summoned.

Three bronzes, two greens, and a brown.  A ragtag group, to be sure, and not all from the same class.  So Karene's assignment would be anyone's guess.  Tasha did hope, though, that she and Lance wouldn't necessarily have to work directly with S'jiro and/ or Sh'nar alone.  N'kyr, though she didn't know him well, at least wouldn't be mocking the two greenriders like his counterparts had done in the past.

***

Said bronzerider had arrived just slightly early, as Lancelle and Sh'nar had done.  Proprieties had to be observed, and this was the Weyrwoman calling, after all-- no matter that he didn't always agree with her methods of leadership.  She had hand-picked him to go to Igen, though, had seen his potential, she said, and he couldn't fault her for that, at least.

Given the riders present, N'kyr was guessing this particular meeting involved the transfer to the new Weyr, though he did have to wonder why there were so few people in attendance.  He hid his irritation at the thought that perhaps Karene had also 'hand-picked' Sh'nar and S'jiro-- she had said he wasn't the only one after all.  But he personally thought he was a far better potential leader than either of the other bronzeriders, and if Karene was judging the three of them equally...  Then again, given the numbers, it was possible she was assembling a small wing of sorts, which would still need a 'leader and 'seconds, even with so few others to work with.  Someone had to be in charge and make decisions, if there was some task for them to accomplish, right?  And it only made sense to choose him, if for nothing other than the other two young men were friends, and it might be difficult to give one a higher position than the other.

Or so N'kyr thought.  Whether Karene agreed remained to be seen.

***

Whatever could usually be said of Tasha's ability to focus and take things seriously, the young greenrider certainly perked up at the thought of supply trains not reaching their intended destination.  Being from a trader family, she well understood just what natural phenomena could slow or divert a caravan, but it was quite unusual for the train to not eventually find a new route or send word via messenger of the reason for the delay.  Her own family's caravan had been slightly different, in that they tended to keep their own schedule due to the nature of their trade, but what Karene was talking about was a regular supply train not reaching the Weyr.

Had word not been sent ahead?  Was it only one train, that could possibly have fallen to some completely natural disaster like an avalanche or flood?  Or were there more?  How long ago had the supplies gone missing?

Her first thoughts, of course, were for the people possibly affected.  Were they all right?  Had they been found?  Did they need help digging their way past a blockage in the road?

Opening her mouth to interrupt the Weyrwoman right then, when she'd barely begun to describe the situation, Tasha stopped herself at the mention of raiders.  Surprised and a little angered that someone would dare take supplies bound for a Weyr, from a train traveling on prominent roads, the young greenrider had to wonder how it was possible.  Surely the dragonrider scouts who should have passed over the area would have noticed something?  Of course, they weren't flying over all the time, but still, many of the trade routes wove through mountain passes with only one possible entrance and exit-- weren't they trained to watch such spaces just for the event of natural disaster?

And just how had a supply train been left without the protection necessary to keep it safe?  Word of caravan raids had only been increasing over the past few turns; surely Telgar's Lord knew this and wouldn't have left his people unguarded?  It was the reason trader families rarely traveled alone-- there was safety in numbers, as well as the draw of a greater variety of goods for potential customers.  Surely the attacks hadn't been accomplished by a group large enough to overpower the entire caravan?

Itching to ask for more detail, the young greenrider rather impatiently waited for the Weyrwoman to finish describing her plan.

***

N'kyr frowned faintly as he listened to the Weyrwoman's report.  Of course, he knew there were Holders who opposed tithing to the Weyrs, as well as those who gave just the minimum, but he hadn't heard of entire supply trains going missing after they'd been sent.  At least not without some explanation like the weather.  Being more suspicious in nature, he thought it possible the Lord of Telgar hadn't sent the supplies in the first place, but he'd never heard rumors of such a thing happening before.  Times changed as did situations, but if that were the case, from what he knew of Lord Matoi, he'd be honorable enough to let the Weyrs know if it were a problem for him to tithe his usual amount, or provide any extra he was possibly sending to Igen.

Of course, the young bronzerider doubted that was the case, given how lavish the Holder's son's wedding several months back had been.

However, just because the man himself wasn't known for deliberately witholding supplies didn't mean his staff was entirely competent or trustworthy.  As was probably evidenced by the fact that raiders more than likely from his own Hold were responsible for the loss of the supplies, from what the Weyrwoman was telling them.  Whichever the case, if he was looking for help from the Weyr, Lord Matoi was clearly not in control of the situation.  Surely his own guard should have been able to track down the raiders and stop such an event from happening again?  Unless they were involved themselves, which would also reflect poorly on the Telgar Holder's judgement as to who he kept in his employ.

Perhaps they'd need the opportunity to question the Lord's staff when they visited, since Karene was apparently sending him with one of the other bronzeriders.  Whose abilities as an envoy were questionable, as far as N'kyr were concerned.  He didn't know S'jiro that well (not that he really could say he knew anyone well) though he thought he was remembering correctly that the other young man was the son of a minor holder.  And that being the case, he, N'kyr, should clearly take the lead in the situation.  He didn't really need help, did he?

***

When Karene finally finished speaking, Tasha quickly threw up a hand, waiting for just the slightest catch of the Weyrwoman's gaze before she rattled off the questions still plaguing her.  "So they know it was definitely raiders?  And the people involved are okay, they just lost supplies?"

That she and Lance could handle keeping a watch on a caravan was a given.  They might have their differences, but the greenrider knew her classmate was one of the best choices for the job.

"Lord Matoi has conveyed the information to me. The accuracy of his account may need further investigation. Whoever is attacking these caravans is a threat. More than one Caravan has been lost. Not all of the people are alright, in fact some are dead, some are missing still, along with the goods. I cannot impress upon you enough the importance of your mission. Lives will be on the line."

Karene was not going to sugar coat this for any of them. And the threat was far more organized than she was willing to admit to herself. Even as she sent these younger people into the fray, she knew this was more than theives. There was a purpose behind the attacks, something bigger than any of them were yet aware of. Whatever this something bigger was, she hoped her own riders would be able to figure out what it was and report back to her. After answering Tasha's questions, she sent them on their way.


Immediately Lancelle followed N'kyr and S'jiro out of the room, knowing Tasha would be with her. Lance was not convinced that N'kyr would be any more mature than S'jiro was when dealing with people whom he could see as lesser. As long as Tasha was there it wouldn't be too terrible. After going to her weyr to harness Raidenth, she met the others in the Weyrbowl. Taking off behind the Bronzeriders for Telgar Hold. As usual she did not take off before going over the image and geography with Raidenth. She wouldn't leave anything up to chance.

When they landed safely at Telgar Hold, Lancelle remained where she was, waiting for the Bronzeriders to lead the way, which she was sure would please them. There was no pleasure whatsoever in following S'jiro or N'kyr, however orders were orders. She would gladly do whatever Weyrwoman Karene asked of her and at least she would not suffer alone. I guess its a good thing I combed my hair.


Sh'nar didn't really mind working with brownriders. He would need their support if he had a Wing someday. This might prove to be a good mission for him. He could show that he didn't need another Bronzerider, that he could work with those lesser than him without issue. He did not have to have the more glamorous mission. He was going to investigate Igen Weyr itself. He had every confidence that S'dric would prove to be a capable and resourceful partner. The blonde man was glad however he did not have to work directly with Lancelle or Tashamoretta.

When they reconvened in the Weyr Bowl, Sh'nar took a moment to go over coordinates with S'dric before vaulting onto his Bronze's back and heading Between. Arriving at Igen's Bowl felt little different than Forts other than the lack of dragons and smaller amounts of activity. The Weyr Bowl was a dust bowl, quite literally. As Sh'nar dismounted from his Bronze, her sent Cymrioth to one of the higher ledges to keep an eye on things in the distance.

"S'dric, I think our first stop would be to talk to some of the people in charge. I don't think a Headwoman has been established but I think there must be someone controlling inventory. We find out who that person is and have a look at what has come in to Igen adn when the supplies began to taper off. From there we can ask questions of the staff who come in contact with the supplies most often. We may need to keep an eye out to make sure one person in particular isn't watching all of our actions. Do you have any further ideas?"