Dealing with Disaster (Tags: Wingleaders/Seconds, Headwoman/Asst, Master and Sr. Journeyman Healers & Dragon Healers)

Galadrieth had been the first to feel the loss of her daughter at Ista. The Gold was gone. Followed not long after by another. Both Istan Queens dead! Galadrieth's mournful keening. Her voice soon echoed by other dragons.

Karene didn't know what was happening at first but her Gold was thinking clearly enough to give her rider a little insight. A disaster at Ista. The Weyr and Hold. High waters, winds and rains. There was no way anyone could go in there right away. They had to wait what seemed like eons to send anyone.

Those who thought she was crazy for pushing for expansion of the Weyrs were probably rolling their eyes right about now.They didn't want her to be right. They didn't want the possibility of Pern wide disaster in the form of Thread to be realized. They would prefer to live in the small worlds they created in their lives and not thing about the future and what could happen. Albeit, the Weyrwoman of Fort was not a dreamer, not in the way some were but she did care enough about the people of Pern to be cautious and ready for the future. Because she was ready for disaster it made dealing with what was happening at Ista easier for her.

D'nier and a select few riders had gone to scout the area around Ista Weyr and Hold, only to be sure it was safe enough to send their own people in officially to save those who could be saved.

Now Karene had the good sense to gather those who would be the most useful in organizing for a rescue operation. The Wingleaders and seconds, Headwoman and her assistants and the healers and dragonhealers of rank were all invited for a quick summation of what was going to be done and when. Then they could all be prepared to leave on a moment's notice.

She stood behind her chair at the table, her riding leathers were on, hinting only the slightest bit at the recent birth of her son. Her red hair was braided back and her cool blue eyes were watchful, waiting for those who were summoned to arrive. The task at hand required organization and a very smooth plan.

While each respective craft and the individuals necessary to lead teams for the rescue of Ista were gathered for a meeting with the Weyrwoman, Senior Healer Jang went about fetching the other healers. The first person whose residence he visited was that of the dragonhealer and candidate Falyn. The girl's family were Istan Holders and he knew that she'd conducted much of her training at Ista Weyr, so she in particular would need to know about events transpiring. Falyn might also have unique insights as to directing where exactly they went once they got there, since she was familiar with the Weyr and Hold's layout, or perhaps point out other smaller cotholds they may need to send assistance to, who were known to see the worst of such storms given the geography of that area. There were plenty of things she could help with.

So, that being the case, Jang had gathered her to come with him.

It was apparent by the panicked voices and urgent whispers that word of the storm had already begun to spread, even as the leaders of emergency teams were being gathered in the meeting room with Karene. Many Weyr staff were already being put to work preparing crates of supplies, medicines and bandages, large amounts of fellis and numbweed, clothing, blankets, and the kitchen staff now had all hearths burning hot to prepare enough food and klah for those who would be working long hours to assist in the ordeal. They would also need to take food to the holds and weyrs who'd suffered the worst of the damages at least, because their own kitchens were likely too saturated with floodwaters to make food for themselves. 

Other holds and weyrs too, would surely be readying similar supplies and preparing their own personnel to help, but Fort had always led the way in such ventures. Rather, Jang knew that Weyrwoman Karene had always been the most aggressive in pursuing a leadership role in such things. That was one thing he really liked about Fort's Weyrwoman; even if some believed her to be very strict, she knew how to command her Weyr and keep it well organized and prepared. Not every Weyr could claim to have such a competent Goldrider at their head. Similarly, since the transfer of Bronzerider D'nier, who had been their Weyrleader over the last couple of turns, they had been lucky to receive him. He and Karene seemed to work well together, their personalities and skills complementing of one another. 



Entering the meeting room, Jang went to stand beside a chair near the head of the table, near where Karene now stood, waiting for others to filter into the room and Karene to take her seat, before he did. Motioning for the dragonhealer Falyn to take the place beside him, his eyes were cautiously upon the girl, knowing that the next few days, perhaps even the next few sevendays or the next few months, would be difficult for her to bear, given the circumstances that Ista found itself in at present.



[hope that works! ^.^]

Falyn’s hands opened and closed convulsively as she waited for the meeting to start. She saw Healer Jang motion for her to stand beside him, and she tugged the chair out from the table with trembling hands to await the Weyrwoman Karene’s sit. The Weyr was her home, now, but she had her family, and the members of the other Weyr to worry over as well. The young blonde hoped that she was able to keep her roiling mind in control as the Weyrwoman spoke, but she ached to be on the first dragon headed to Ista, and Fort’s Weyrwoman had to see her as someone who could keep her head, despite the fact that her family and friends were involved.

Galadrieth’s keening for the loss of the Istan golds, and likely the other dragons that had been lost, twined with the thoughts in Falyn’s mind and she fought the urge to run. She knew the dragons of Ista Weyr well. She had trained there, watched them grow, learned her art of Dragonhealing there. She’d seen the hatchings, touched the dragonets, made sure they were growing properly. How many now were gone?

The moment she had heard about the disaster, she had packed her supplies to leave at a moments notice. In fact, she had tried to bring them to the meeting but they had proven too cumbersome, and it was likely anyway that they weren’t being called to leave at that exact moment. The careful Weyrleader’s probably wanted to ensure that the hurricane and its disastrous aftershocks were over before sending in their personnel. Thus, her supplies sat piled by the door to her quarters, overstuffed and heavy, waiting for the moment she was called to task to leave for Ista and see to any injured dragons.

Falyn’s mind catalogued the places of Ista that would need the most assistance earliest, and while she couldn’t much help the people of the Holds and cotholds, she could tell those who could, like Senior Healer Jang, where they could be put to the best use. Grateful that her rank allowed her to be at the meeting, the Dragonhealer nonetheless felt the urge to be doing something, anything at that moment that could help, instead of sitting here idly waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. She tried not to dance on her feet in impatience, but the look of forced calm on her face could have broken at any moment.

Not knowing, or caring, if the Weyrwoman saw her, Falyn inclined her head to the goldrider in deep respect. It took a strong woman to run a Weyr of such size and keep it in order as she did. Strict as some people saw her, Falyn had the utmost loyalty to the woman. In truth, the dragonhealer would likely jump if the woman told her to, and ask ‘How high?’ as well. Even behind the scenes, Falyn took great care of the dragon’s of the Weyr, to keep them fit and happy. Distantly the woman saw Healer Jang’s eyes watching her carefully, and her face of calm - learned from her Lady Holder mother - stayed in place. After the incline of her head, her chin went up a bit in defiance and confidence. Obviously the Weyrwoman intended to help, and it meant a lot to Falyn to be allowed to the meeting, given that the situation was volatile for the daughter of the Istan Hold.

Coming to the Weyr to train had been a promise she had made turns and turns ago, and now that she was there, she hoped her brother was safe at the Hold, named heir, so that she wouldn’t have to return and take his place. She had, after all, failed to Impress at the many Hatching she had stood for, and yet they kept asking her to be there for the gold queens eggs. But watching gold dragonet after dragonet pass her by and Impress others was difficult, and Falyn knew she would likely turn down the next Hatchings. It was too hard to be denied a dream, over and over. But her pride in caring for all of the dragons, instead of just one, kept her going and filled her mind, body and soul with meaning. She did not want to be a Hold’s heir and be married off to the best prospective husband. The thought made a anger flash across her expression, which she quickly schooled back to emotionless calm. Falyn’s hand rested on the back of the chair now, hiding the tremble that had been apparent when she had pulled it out. She turned her head to give Jang a weak smile, before returning her attention to the Weyrwoman.

Meetings were so very boring. He couldn't be to blame if his attention was scattered. He should be able to focus when asked, even if the events at Ista made him wonder who would be needed to help there and who would be needed to remain there on a permanent basis and would that not delay progress at Igen?

Being the first Bronzerider would have felt better were there that many left behind who weren't Wingseconds. Still D'nier had asked him to pay close attention to the meeting and listen for him. Sh'nar wasn't one to ask questions of the Weyrleader, especially not if it kept Karene off of his back.

He entered noting the healers that were there and took no time at all to size up the fact that he should be seated near the Weyrwoman also. The handsome blonde took a spot next to Karene and across the table from Jang and Falyn. He made very little notice of them at first though, seemingly focused on the Weyrwoman.

"Weyrwoman Karene," he bowed with an effortless ease and straightened. He watched as she aknowledged his greeting with a warm smile and a nod. He stood too now, waiting as others continued to follow him in. Hopefully the meeting would be able to begin soon.

K'thane winced when he heard Galadrieth's keening, instantly checking with Remegath on the status of all the dragons at Fort.  But it wasn't any of their own that was missing-- the horrible event that had taken many lives had occurred at Ista, instead.

Most dragonriders, of course, knew someone who had transferred there at some point due to the climate, and its more suitable location for old, arthritic bones.  The bronzerider was no exception, and he had to wonder if those he knew were safe.

But now wasn't the time to dwell on that-- he'd find out soon enough just how many Ista had lost, and whether his friends were among them.  Right now was for sending help for those that were left, for saving as many as they could from whatever danger remained after the horrific storm.

It would be a difficult task, he knew, but with the combined help of each of the other Weyrs willing to send aid, they could cover much of the territory quickly.  They'd need riders for scouting, dragons for search and rescue, healers and dragon healers and whoever else they could get to help on the ground… Food, water, blankets, clothing… just for the immediate needs…

His mind whirling with potential plans, K'thane arrived at the meeting right behind Sh'nar.  Inclining his head to Karene and each of the others already in attendance as he strode in the door, he chose a seat and stood behind it, waiting for the Weyrwoman to take hers and call the meeting to order.

Karene waited until everyone she planned on being there had arrived, then she promptly called the meeting to order. She sat down in her chair at the head of the table and barely waited for everyone else to settle in their seats before she began talking.

"As you are all aware of at this point, we suspect a large storm has hit the entire island of Ista and that the Weyr because of being higher than the rest of the island was subject to higher velocity winds and debris. While the coastline and holds were subject to severe flooding and still the powerful winds and rainfall." Her tone was as grave as the subject matter. This was quite serious. The loss of two Goldriders was nothing to take lightly.

"Ista Weyr has lost both of her Weyrwoman. As such, Weyrwoman Belisse and Weyrwoman Ambriel who were scheduled to move to Igen when finished will now be moved to Ista Weyr and should be arriving there as soon as Weyrleader D'nier says that it is safe enough to send people in. Which brings me to the point of this meeting."

Karene did not want to take a long time on this. "The Wings are going to be taking healers and dragon healers along with some other personnel to help get things in order there. Empyrean Wing will be going directly to the weyr and offering assistance there. Dragonriders will be accompanying the healers and other personnel wherever they need to go. Each non-rider is to be paired with a dragonrider in case there is a need to get to safety quickly and also so that they have an assistant to help where needed." Moving debris off of people and clearing caverns to get to people who were trapped were on Karene's mind. The Hatching Cavern had been completely decimated from the sound of things.

"Halcyon Wing will be responsible for scouting the coast and minor Holds for injured people and animals. The people and animals will be brought to Ista Weyr for treatment unless the Lord Holder wishes to treat his people at the Hold. I will inform you if that is decided."

Karene was quite sure that everyone present was already raring to go. And would be going as well in order to organize things. "I will assign those in Empyrean Wing their partners for the duration of this assignment. I suggest having your dragons ready and that all healers have what they need packed and prepared to go in the next ten to fifteen minutes. We will probably be getting the go ahead at that time." She looked at all of them and then said, "Dismissed."

((All those with active characters in the Healer/Dragonhealer profession or with a drudge character will be paired with a rider from Empyrean Wing. You will receive a PM shortly))