Departure (adventuring party)

[Alsivor]

Off-kilter, Aleda stepped a little further away from Kalpeth. She didn't understand the oddness that lingered. They were at Igen Sea Hold, nothing unusual, though why there was Thread, she couldn't fathom. Was J'fel out of his mind? He'd said /plague/ not Threadfall. These thoughts flashed through her mind as she tried to orient herself on the ground, pulse pounding still from the odd trip Between and the rush of spotting Thread.

The other little details didn't add up for her yet, especially with the approach of the Healer, the question being asked and her mind snapped into 'work mode'. "We have no injured, Master," she reported swiftly with a shake of her head. Polite and professional. Maybe even /pretend/ like you're not Caminar, she reminded herself as she lifted her chin, squared her shoulders and walked forward a little more. "Telgar's duties though, and should you require assistance, I have a healer's training." Leave it at that. Work out the details of her knotlessness later.

She tipped a look over her shoulder, checking for the others in the chaos of their sudden arrival and that's when she finally took note of the parti-colored bronze. For that, she only smiled at the unexpected addition to the party.

[neopanther]

Obeying orders was something P’nset was pretty good at, Sarjenth slowly came to a landing, a soft thud could be heard as he came to a landing. The brown looked down at the blue, and to the other brown, the two odd dragons of Igen were different.

I feel as though this is something unfamiliar.
Mmm. Either. Perhaps, I get the feeling it is unfamiliar, purely because it is not of ours.
Of our what, Sarjenth?
Thread is not due in Igen, Mine? Nor in Pern.
Sarjenth had a point, their time was in an interval, why would thread fall now? How had he failed to realise that? Even in Igen sea hold, why would the red planet’s orbit be so disrupted as to be close enough to Pern to cast it’s spores upon them?

The brown became silent for a moment, for the brown found it disconcerting also, but he pushed it to the side of his thoughts for now, and listened to the conversation that passed between the human and the dragons, each.

Hostenth’s bonded will meet with us after the thread fall.
Hostenth?
Yes, P’nset.
I know of no Hostenth within Ista Weyr. Or, for that matter, any Weyr.
Neither I, bonded.[/i] P’nset’s mind was slowly coming to the conclusion that the image J’fel had given them was of some ‘time’ in the future, or perhaps the past. Whatever was going on, this wasn’t their time.

So we have done the ‘timed’ it? Mine?[/i] P’nset sighed.
So it would appear.
Confusion was still present, what turn was this? The only way to find that out would be to ask, however, how could they ask these riders of their own time? Of their now? It would be a remarkably stupid thing to do, and make them all seem like such idiots, however, perhaps this bonded of Hostenth would be a better one to talk with this upon, alone, obviously.

Was it before, or after theirs, how could they have travelled to this time with just so much as an image like what Jordeth had given them? As though they had been simply travelling between? Why were they here? Why would J’fel send them to another time, to help fight a plague? How would J’fel know of another time? How could he give them an image of future or of past?

Then Suspicion reared its head once more. P’nset’s eyes narrowed, he would have to pay close attention, see if he could glean any information in the meantime. But for now, his mind settled on one question alone.

What exactly is in J’fel’s mind?

[Omnia Munda]

Yes, agreed the Igenite brown, bemusedly, to Kalpeth: no one called them, it was true. A thread of yellow wound 'round the rims of the dragon's thoughtful eyes, a draconic wince to accompany whatever work was being done on his injured paw. But he tilted his head and observed as yet another strange Telgari beast descended from the sky and, after sending a silent tendril of greeting to Glosolith, he made a point of lifting his snout a little higher to look at the spot where she'd emerged from between. The question was clear without the beast conveying it in words: Any more?

He returned his attention slowly to the two greens, bronze and brown now assembled. I am Josteth. He was, in those words, sharing his awareness that of the four only one had introduced herself to him - but more formal introductions would be demanded soon.

If the healer master recognized Aleda's heritage, he made no sign. "No injured," he echoed, and took a step back as though he quite clearly felt this to be signal of something wrong with which he could not assist and, in over his head as he was, preferred to retreat to the shallows. "Well," he said, and barely suppressed a clearing of his throat while his gaze skittered off to mark the figures of two riders approaching. They were cutting their way expertly on foot through the gathering crowd of holdfolk staring at the Telgari dragons. "Well," repeated the healer, anxious. "It's not bad yet, but when the wings return, maybe I can use you then."

He refixed his gaze on the Caminar woman and, without so much as introduction said, "Pardon me," and turned to make haste through the gathering to return to his assistants and whatever work he could make busy with there. This business, it seemed, was not for him.

By then the riders were within hailing distance and so they hailed, beginning with high-handed salutes. The taller of the two raised his voice above the murmurs of the crowd, effectively quelling them with his first words. "Igen's duties, and Igen Sea's as well, dragonriders. I'm Josteth's M'sella, and this is G'sten." He tipped his head toward his companion, whose pale and wan face marked him as the blue's rider.

They'd come to a stop a respectful distance from the nearest of the Telgari - Kalpenth and her riders, so far - and taking their position as a cue, the holdfolk backed up so the Igenite riders held the foremost point. It was quieter, now.

"My wingleader's Hostenth's Br'ven," continued M'sella, his expression grim but strange with a brow raised and his eyes keen; he was too interested in these strange Telgari. "The 'fall's petering out; they'll return soon. Will you wait with G'sten until then? I'll speak to the Lord and arrange a - "

The pause was long and tangible. M'sella looked at each of them briefly, his brows now furrowed, as though he was perplexed by what he was about to say and hoped for answers in one of these Telgari faces. Alas, he clearly found none. He finished his proposal, dissatisfied in demeanor and in tone.

"- room for you to meet in."

[Invisible]

It wasn’t, in G’tet’s mind at least, a good idea to step too far away from where Kalpeth was so he had to wait for the others to join him. She continued her pestering about fighting although gradually the new arrivals and the new place distracted her. G’tet let out a small sigh and watched Aleda with the locals until he was sure there would be no trouble. Since no lynch mob appeared he finally relaxed and took a good look around.

We’re definitely a long way from home, Kal. Are we going home now? No, Kal. Not yet. We have to do what we came here for first. Although I’ve got no idea how we’ll do it. I wasn’t really expecting to be here. Neither was I! When the brown and bluerider introduced themselves G’tet wondered exactly what to say in return. Finally he settled on the truth. “G’tet and Kalpeth. From Telgar. If G’sten doesn’t mind keeping us company I don’t see any reason for us to not wait with him.” He glanced at the other riders he’d arrived with to see if they would object. Likely they would at least speak up. He debated introducing Aleda, she was a woman, it would be polite and gentlemanly, but what if she wanted to do it herself? He settled on just falling silent to give her a chance to do so.

Kalpeth meanwhile turned her attention to the injured blue. Curiosity got the best of her and she asked Does it hurt badly? We do not have thread. She thought to ask the brown the same question, but let him alone. I’m Kalpeth! I would have flamed too if I had been allowed.

[neopanther]

Unclipping as he went, P’nset swung his leg over Sarjenth’s neck he dismounted, sliding to the floor, and raising his form to straightness. He stepped forward so he was roughly in line with the others.

P’nset listened through Sarjenth, the brown relaying the words the dragon gave, Jostenth, being the other brown’s name. Both dragon and rider recognised this to be a plug for them to return with their own names, he just prayed that whatever time this was that their names wouldn’t be recognised. For if they were, how exactly would they explain it?
There is little we can do for that bonded.
I know Sarjenth, but it’s a risk, especially when we don’t know what is going on around here.
Aye, but rest assured; this Jostenth and His bonded know not of Kalpeth and Hers.
[/i]
Taking solace in this fact, as his bonded had suggested, he gave a mental note of consent towards Sarjenth, who relayed;

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, we are Sarjenth and P’nset. Of Telgar as you rightly know. The brown’s tone was placid, as he watched the pair of dragons with intrepidity.

So the brown Jostenth’s bonded was M’sella, the green’s was G’sten, and the one for whom they waited, Br’ven was the bonded of the aforementioned Hostneth. P’nset mentally mused over how wingleader and his presumably ‘seconds’ bonded’s names were so very similar. They had fallen upon a shard of luck when they had met with these pair, the brown rider being wingsecond to this Wingleader was indeed fortuitous and certainly cut out the middle person, as it were.

P’nset nodded as M’sella said he’d see if he could get a room for conversation. What could be considered a slightly nervous glance, was shot at Th’ane, but P’nset raised his voice for the first time since arrival in the company of the other riders, “I believe I speak for us all in saying, we would be grateful for it, M’sella.” P’nset inclined his head, giving a respectful and thankful nod towards the other brown rider.

[Tabula Rasa]

If Th'ane wasn't meant to be on this mission, if his being here was a breach of protocol, the blond-haired man seemed confident enough as he fell in beside the other Telgari and listened as the Igenites introduced themselves. "Th'ane and Sideraveth," was his gruff offer, head dipping into a nod for the brown and greenriders' names. There was another nod for the offer of a room and a meeting with Igen's Lord, though P'nset's thanks seemed eloquent enough that the bronzer felt no need to add another. "Please accept our apologies if our arrival has caused any confusion."

[Omnia Munda]

G'sten, from his expression, minded keeping the group company. He did not, however, mind it enough that he couldn't grit his teeth and step forward with a nod, accepting his post. Perhaps the strain of his dragon's threadscore kept him silent.

The brown, less pained, responded bemusedly to Kalpeth, though he no longer troubled to maintain his communication private. It was for all the Telgari as well as his blue companion to hear: You have no thread? Beat. We have had it for over forty turns, says my rider. Perhaps you have forgotten it.

M'sella accepted with nods the visitors' introductions, then put his back to them and strode across the square toward the Hold's stairs. He had barely got that far when a shadow appeared on the square's stones, corresponding exactly to the appearance of a bulky bronze in the sky above. His conference with Josteth was quick and open for the Telgari to hear: as he descended, the wounded dragon informed Hostenth of what he'd learned of the strangers - names mostly, plus: Kalpeth says she has no thread, but would flame if we wished it.

Then Josteth was alighted before the assemblage of Telgari, his rider popping free from the straps and sliding to the ground in a series of practiced movements. The removal of his cap and gloves were almost flourish. "Br'ven, Shine wingleader," he introduced himself, one brow furrowed and the other crooked high, expression otherwise severe. "Igen's duties. My 'second has the rest of the 'fall; I hope you don't object to my hurry to meet you."

He was a tall and dark-haired man, perhaps thirty or thirty-five turns behind him and no shortage of decades yet to face: younger than M'sella, but very senior to G'sten, who'd stood aside to let the bronzerider address the group.

"Hostenth says you have no 'fall where you're from. Or - "

But there were holdfolk looking on, and Br'ven paused, frowning first at Aleda, then at Th'ane.

"It won't be long until the wings return. We haven't time. Follow me." And he lit out at a march the same way M'sella had gone, leaving it to the dark watchful eyes of his bronze and the other Igenite dragons to observe that the Telgari obeyed.

[Invisible]

The indignation in Kalpeth’s tone was clear to those who heard it. And she made sure all those around her heard her words. I would not forget such a thing! To G’tet only she asked Would I forget, G’tet? Not thread. Not that! G’tet patted his green’s neck as he answered No, beauty. You would not forget thread. They just got it wrong. Not where, but when. Words that should have been considered more carefully perhaps because before G’tet might stop her Kalpeth informed the natives He said I would not forget! It is only a when not a where. Proud of herself for not forgetting she was confused by the suddenly shared worry from her rider. What it is? Are you hurt? Did you get hurt? No, Kal G’tet assured her quickly. I am just not sure… Well, herd’s out of the barn, nothing to do for it now. Kalpeth peered around before asking Herd? Where? I am hungry.

Her words made him laugh. Kalpeth always made G'tet laugh even if she was not always sure how or why. As he got himself under control he looked at Aleda and then towards the uninvited bronzerider. Remembering a look between them he gestured to Th’ane. “I shall leave it to Th’ane to escort you in, Aleda. If he is an oaf I shall sock him for you, just give the word.” The first sentence was said with all seriousness, but the last was clearly a tease even if the wink had not been seen. Kal? Keep an eye on things out here, will you, beauty? If anything odd occurs let me know right away. What would be odd? I don’t know to be honest. Just let me know what goes on. And see if you can learn anything more from the locals. Anything might help us. Kalpeth settled down, agitation over being grounded passing quickly now that she had a task. I will do that. Then there will be a herd? So it was a chuckling G'tet who followed after Br'ven

[Alsivor]

(With apologies - this should get Aleda caught up within scene. I've been having some issues with Aleda's headspace since I went away for work last week.)

Thankful for the foresight that had her dressed not in Caminar fashion but in the duller hues of the plantado and trousers no less for the flight Bewteen, Aleda inclined her head to the healer Master. "Of course, sir. If you have need of me, I suppose I will be nearby," she mustered something that seemed to make sense by way of answer and turned to look over her shoulder where more of the Telgar dragons were landing, clustering together.

Oh. They weren't flying up after the Thread after all. Aleda shaded her eyes against the setting sun and looked up and up. More dragons winging in and the sky here was at least clear, even there was still that ... line. The line in the distance, silver-edged and menacing. It made a shiver trail up her spine. She resettled the satchel she'd grabbed off of Kalpeth's back in the crazy shuffle on her shoulder and took a few steps back towards the riders, aligning herself near G'tet with a little smile and a low-voiced: "Well isn't this /interesting/." She still felt strange, like she'd stepped through a mirror and out to the other side and everything was the reverse of what it ought to be. But she could at least joke a little to make herself feel better. The greenrider's remark earned a little roll of her eyes. "Oh please," she murmured back to him, "an escort?"

Aleda missed most of the introductions except for Br'ven's and as he looked her way, she looked right back, lifted both brows as if challenging him to say anything about her lack of any sort of knot. Next her gaze skipped to Th'ane, even as her feet started moving already: no matter what the riders were doing, if things were going to be spoken about or decided, she was going along.

[neopanther]

P’nset smirked at the antics that went on between Aleda and G’tet, the green rider really didn’t quite know what he had on his hands with that one. It was rather amusing.

Sarjenth relayed the topics of conversation to his bonded dutifully, and P’nset listened attentively to the words aimed at them from Br’ven, Shine’s wingleader. Well, that made him a little less authority than he had been hoping for, it wasn’t good to be dealing with anyone less than possibly the Weyrleader, or woman, both even depending on when this was. Br’ven called for them to follow, a little hesitant at first, certainly. He looked at Sarjenth, ran a hand down that mahogany coloured hide of his, as much for reassurance of himself as for the dragon. He began to follow after the wingleader, it could not hurt their cause, besides, Kalpeth had seemingly yallowed the wherry from its pen, and given away their details. Something he would have kept from the wingleader as best as he could, but then he was not them, and P’nset did tend to keep more than necessary to himself.
Behave around these Igenites.
When do I misbehave bonded?
True, P’nset smiled to himself, But see what you can get from those around, perhaps it could be best to encourage Kalpeth to keep her maw closed. Before she goes and tells them we’re here to cure Moreta’s plague. Faranth forbid it. And maybe the Igenite dragon’s hold a little information, draw what you can from them – if anything.
Peace to you, all will be fine, I’m sure the omniscient J’fel has sent her for a reason, she is valuable, if a little scatter brained.
Aye, and you’d imagine her bonded would keep her in check more often.
Mine, it is not our place to judge, we know not how they relate with one and other.
You know you irritate me, occasionally, with just how logical you are. Was it 40 turns he said they had had ‘fall? And we were in the middle of an interval? So we are what about a minimum of 100 turns out of our own time?
It would appear so mine. If not longer, considering we don’t know which pass of the Red star this is. P’nset flt his heart sink, well atleast this way there was struly no one who would recognise them, unless of course they had done something remarkable enough to be written a ballad about, not that that was incredibly likely.
Oh, and please ask Sideraveth, what his bonded believes to be safe topics within this, I think it would be best if we knew, considering the awkward situation, and if we let him just talk the rest of us seem like blithering idiots with no mind of our own.
I shall.
As Sarjenth settled down, neck strertched forwards, front legs crossed beneath his chin, he talked towards Sideraveth,

Sideraveth, Mine-own wishes to know what Yours would deem ‘safe’ to mention within this meeting. Obviously, P’nset was considering any mention of their sending to cure a plague that may or may not be starting out of the question, it would not do to go scare mongering. Though perhaps they could trust this one.

[Tabula Rasa]

The bronzerider listened as Br'ven spoke, and he was ready to meet the other man's eyes when they settled on him. Though Th'ane said nothing, his chin dipped down in the very faintest of nods. There was no sense in denying what seemed to be true and what these Igenites had already deduced. What the shells is J'fel doing? Has the man lost his mind?

But, G'tet was speaking now, and Th'ane's own name brought his thoughts back to the moment. He looked to the 'healer' and then to G'tet. "I assure you," he answered with a quirk in the corner of his mouth, "she'll have no complaints of my treatment of her." He fell into step beside Aleda and trailed after the wingleader. Offering his arm to her, he ducked his head down and murmured, more for her ears than for everyone's, "What do you make of it?"

Sideraveth had given up his crouch and settled into a proper lounging posture, his tail draped over his darker back leg so copper gleamed on tarnish. Jeweled eyes swirled slowly and his head lifted, nostrils quivering to sniff the air as Sarjenth addressed him. We will follow their lead, for now, came the bronze dragon's reply. Th'ane says we must know more before we know of what we may speak. Be watchful. Be wise.

[Alsivor]

Aleda pursed her lips faintly at Th'ane's words but she only smiled charmingly as he fell into step with her. "I am sure I will not," she said audbily and shot another look over her shoulder at G'tet, before lightly placing fingers on the bronzerider's arm. Oh the picture of decorum.

For his ear , lowly and meant only for him, she had this: "What do I make of this? Much confusion. Fighting Thread is not what the Weyrleader sent us for and why /is/ there Thread, here? The Caminar will need to know, to prepare." And since he was here anyway: "It's supposed to be the plague we are here to fight." She frowned lightly and continued on, walking in tandem with the bronzerider on the heels of the Igenites.

Clever as she could be, the fact that they had in fact traveled through time had not yet occurred to Aleda. It didn't even register as a possibility. Yet.

[Tabula Rasa]

"It's supposed to be the Plague we are here to fight."

Th'ane had been preparing careful words for Aleda's confusion. Tumbling possible sentences together in an attempt to gently inform her of their strange situation. But, that simple statement stopped his thoughts entirely.

They stopped his feet, as well. The bronzerider jerked to a halt and simply stared down at the woman by his side, eyes wide and mouth slightly open. "That arrogant, idiotic, selfish, infantile..." Th'ane's mouth snapped shut so that he could clench his jaw tightly. "I should turn everyone around now," he hissed, "only I'm not sure how we'd survive the jump a second time. I don't even know how we made it the first."

[neopanther]

P’nset, who had obeyed silently, and had been trailing Th’ane, heard what the rider had cursed.

“That arrogant, idiotic, selfish, infantile...I should turn everyone around now, only I'm not sure how we'd survive the jump a second time. I don't even know how we made it the first."

Obviously Th’ane was talking of J’fel. But, it wasn’t that that had caught his attention, his mind began throwing up walls, walls of confusion, of dislike and disbelief. What did he mean, he wasn’t sure they’d survive a second jump?

P’nset, despite his minds befuddlement, kept his composure fairly well, but he caught Th’ane by the forearm, slowing him a little on purpose, so his words wouldn’t be too overheard by the passing foreign riders. Though, on second consideration, they were the foreign ones here weren’t they? But he pressed on with a softly spoken, harshly worded question.

“What do you mean Th’ane?” His words bitten off, stress showing only in his tone, “I was never made aware that this was a one way excursion.” He tried to keep his features as placated as possible, but his tone displayed his discontentment. He had not bargained for this, he did not even want to think about not being able to return home. Was this some sick, twisted joke J’fel was playing?

Yeah, I know, I’ll send that Caminar rider, because he doesn’t belong here, he’s a Caminar and a rider? How could he? I know I’ll send him to another Weyr, and not just another Weyr, Another Weyr in another time! That’ll give him an even bigger identity crisis! P’nset cursed harshly under his breath, a sour and venomous taste seeping through his mouth, making him feel remarkably sick.

Please tell me you heard that.
Aye.
Well don’t worry about an opinion then Sarjenth,
Sideraveth recommends we keep our tongues guarded until we know more.
Well thank you for that at very least. But, do not avoid me! Not you of all of them.
It is something we can do nothing about now, it is too late, our fate is decided. P’nset-mine, do not fret, I will always be by your side. Little solace as it was, P’nset did find a great deal of comfort within his dragons mind, it kept him distracted from the pressing matter of being able to return ‘home’.

Sarjenth turned his attentions back to the bi-coloured bronze. Thank you, We shall keep our lips sealed off as best we can until that time. Polite, as always.

[Alsivor]

Though her hold on Th'ane's arm was light as they walked, Aleda still staggered a little when he came to that sudden halt and she turned curious eyes on the bronzerider at the stream of imprecations that fell from his lips. The sabedoria did not understand, though the expression on the bronzerider's face combined with his words drew a frown to her face.

P'nset's grab at Th'ane's other arm shifted her focus briefly and her troubled expression deepened. "What do you mean, turn around?" she whispered back urgently. "Telgar to Igen Sea is not so far." This to Th'ane and then looking past him to P'nset she shook her head. "One way?" Both of her eyebrows flew up and her nostrils flared. "Expendable ..." she muttered the single word under her breath, eyes suddenly flashing with barely contained anger.

Still the other riders were getting ahead and the only way to get oriented in this strange situation was to continue on. She looked to the other two and tipped her head towards the hold.