Southern Hospitality

[chimera]

9/1257

The large square room glowed with white light from panels in the ceiling. Tables on one side of the room held rectangular box shaped devices with separate vertical panels. ‘Computers’ in the ancient tongue. Another table held close-viewers, or ‘microscopes.’ This room was the current center of operations for Lakeside’s Ancient Study Team. Panels on the top of the cliffs gave energy to run the ancient machines, and the lights. Teams were working to recreate those panels, the wiring, and the lights for the main Lakeside cavern complex, just over a days ride -non-winged- from this location. Five turns of work and study, and they were just starting to be able to use what they were learning.

When Kalliope and her family first found this complex, the smooth, squared off corners in every room gave glaring testimony to the alien origins of the people who had made this place. Stories said some of the old Weyrs up north had similar construction, but no Lakesider had ever seen such before. The lights had worked, even after how ever many years since people last inhabited this place; and Kalliope, Amari, and Ch’gan had wandered for hours, exploring and exclaiming over each unusual room, each unfamiliar device.

One of the smiths tracked through the room on the way to the workshops farther back in the complex, muttering about glass not flat enough. Every smith in the Wing was here, working in one area or another. Each smith had several helpers, who were quickly learning some of the tricks of the smithing trade, unofficial apprentices.

Kalliope spent most of her time on the ‘computer,’ learning as much of the ancient’s knowledge as she could. If they could be believed, Pern’s dragons had been bred from much smaller beasts, fire lizards supposedly. Which opened interesting questions. Could dragons be modified again? If so, what kind of modification would be most efficacious? The Lakesider’s territory was primarily forest and jungle. The smaller dragons had a much easier time than the larger ones did. Perhaps they could reduce their size just enough to make them better suited to the forest. The possibilities were mind boggling, and gave Kalliope many sleepless nights.

Currently, though, Kalliope paced.

They are over the stranger's Weyr now. The far-seer is working well.

Can you get coordinates from what they are showing you?

Djanath hesitated before replying. I am directing them to go a little lower. The visuals are clear, but I don't want to come out too high above the ground.

What does the place look like? How many dragons?

It is a large, strangely shaped caldera, in two halves. There is one very large lake, that is where we will go. The clearest pictures I can get are of the lake. There are many dragons and riders here. The people seem very busy.

Kalliope nodded. The strangers had appeared a month or so after Turns End. They had to be aware of the Wings in the area, but had made no overture to Lakeside as of yet, and Kalliope had not heard of any contact with either Ierne or Montane. Not that she would, necessarily. Well, if the new riders would not come here to say hello, Kalliope would go to them, and find out what they wanted here in the South.

Got it. There is an area between the lake and the wall that is distinctive enough. It is near to an opening into the caves, but not heavily trafficked. It should be perfect.

Tell our scouts to come home then, before they get challenged.

Done

Kalliope stopped pacing rather abruptly. What tone should she take at this meeting? They had made no aggressive moves toward Lakeside territory, which boded well for ‘live and let live’ politics. If they had smiths, they could be tremendously helpful to Lakeside’s newest endeavor, although Kalliope wasn’t really sure if she was ready to share just yet. Maybe when they had the power system worked out and replicated, she would be willing to offer lights --MUCH more efficient than glows-- to the other communities, the newcomers as well as the other Wings: for a good trade return, of course.

An information gathering mission only, then, at this point. Go, see who they are, talk to their leader, find out why they are here. That decided, Kalliope strode quickly out to the front of the complex, where Djanath waited. Kalliope straightened her clothing before climbing astride the small gold dragon. You have the visualization, clearly? Upon receiving the affirmative reply, Kalliope directed Djanath to make the jump.

The gold dragon didn’t leap into the air on flashing golden wings. She ran forward a few steps, then jumped as if clearing a hurdle. At the top of the jump, she disappeared between and reappeared in the space between the largest lake in the southern caldera and the walls. She dropped the few feet back to the ground, and trotted to a stop.

I am Djanath, Gold of Lakeside Wing. My rider asks to speak with your Senior Queen's rider or your Weyrleader.

Kalliope dismounted, facing the lake. Anyone approaching from the caverns behind would see a woman with dusky skin and short spiky black hair, dressed in light brown suede pants and tunic, trimmed with feline fur at neck and hem. Behind her was a small, stocky dragon with diminutive, useless, wings. Kalliope and Djanath waited to be noticed.

[chimera]

[OOC:]What the heck happened to my color fade? I didn't tell it to do that!

[Neeq Machine]

Kaycy had just been minding his own business, standing and staring out at the lake in mournful contemplation. It was getting colder every day, and there was no way that he would be allowed to go anywhere. Where would he go? The North hated him, he was (worse than) useless as a pirate vanguard flier, and the coalition hated him. But here he was. He'd clearly made some mistakes, but hadn't he proven his loyalty? It was petulant of him not to expect that people had lost friends and family to the retaliation of the northern Weyrs to be angry with him, but he'd apologized.

He'd never wanted to be a rider. He'd never cared about this thrice-damned coalition, or Thread, or dragons. He just wanted to be a harper, to play his viol, and to be with Lokin. And here he was, blamed for the only battles of dragon-on-dragon that the world had ever seen. Lokin wouldn't talk to him. Winzerith was... well, Winz was Winz -- stolid, caring, and utterly adoring and protective of his rider. He didn't even remember the boy he'd lost in the first moments of his life. It was the joy and pain of draconic memory.

Out of nowhere, a gold dragon appeared, thudding to the ground not a dragonlength away from him.

Kaycy's body reacted before his mind did: his legs buckled, his jaw dropped, and he hit the ground hard, completely unbelieving of what had just happened. Fecking Faranth's Flight! Had a gold dragon just popped out of between in the caldera fifteen fecking feet in the air?? Yes, yes one had. He closed his mouth and swallowed. Hard. As the dragon apparently addressed him, and as Winzerith came diving down out of the sky, landing heavily and leaping to land protectively over his rider.

Why are you here, Djanath of Lakeside Wing? the blue asked stridently, his wings mantled and growling deep in his throat, teeth bared. It was the most defiant and aggressive that Kaycy had ever seen the dragon. You could have killed my rider, leaping between so close to the ground! Kaycy scrambled up, hauling his sorry self up from underneath his dragon. It was most undignified.

Quiet, Winzerith, the man commanded. Winzerith stopped talking, and his growl diminished slightly, but he kept his aggressive stance. Kaycy had always had some degree of control over his blue -- likely a result of his force-Impression of the dragon. It was another thing that people found to gossip about him.

"My ladies," the harper said, bowing deep. "I am Kaycy, of blue Winzerith. I'm afraid you frightened him -- and me. If you would be so willing, I will take you to our leader." And Winzerith, you will back down and tell Trilliaenth that a Lakeside Wing goldrider is here to see him, please. The dragon slowly folded his wings back along his side, with obvious reluctance.

Trilliaenth, in case her message did not reach you... 'Djanath, Gold of Lakeside Wing' is here to speak with you or with Lyraneth's.

[chimera]

This is where things got dicey. Kalliope had no idea about the nature of these people; whether they were a threat to her or not. She came alone, to indicate that SHE was not a threat to them, but there were riders waiting upon her call should this meeting go badly. Her aim here was strictly to ascertain who these people were and what their intentions were, here in territory that had long been empty of any riders save the three Wings.

Kalliope had no sooner slid to the ground beside Djanath, than the gold reared up onto her hind legs, hissing and bating her wings. The wings were obviously malformed, too small to be of any use in the air.

Why we are here is none of your concern, Blue. Is the quality of your Weyr, that blues chastise Golds?! We travel the way we must, that also is none of your concern. Your rider is unharmed, help us complete our mission here, or get out of our way!

Kalliope whirled, crouching to face what had to be an attack, based on Djanath’s behavior, hand stopping just shy of the hilt of her sword. The gold’s words in response turned perceived attack into mere insult. A man was rising from the ground, no doubt startled by their precipitous and… unusual mode of arrival. An angry blue stood beside him. Kalliope straightened back up, hands moving out and away from her sides in the universal gesture of “Look, I am not touching my weapons; I come in peace.” At the same time, Kalliope rounded on Djanath. Are you letting our status as Wingleader go to your head? If a blue were chosen at next turn’s end, you would be obliged to obey that blue and his rider. So get off your sharding high horse, and remember why we are here. We know nothing of these people, they may choose their leaders like us-- that could BE the fardling Weyrleader for all we know!

Djanath settled back to all fours, and dipped her head in mute apology to the blue and then gently rubbed her nose, cat-like, against Kalliope’s back.

"My ladies, I am Kaycy, of blue Winzerith. I'm afraid you frightened him -- and me. If you would be so willing, I will take you to our leader."

“I apologize for our reaction. We weren’t sure of our reception here. We chose an area that was unpopulated as of a short time ago, as far as we could see. I am sorry to have startled you. I am Kalliope. I believe you’ve met Djanath.” The last bit was said with wry humor, given that Djanath had nearly taken his head off in at least two different ways.

[Neeq Machine]

(my apologies! Somehow I didn't see this. Thanks for the bump.)

Winzerith made a whining sound of anger as Djanath started berating him. The deformed gold was a snobby thing, waving her twisted wings about at proclaiming herself the most important creature to tread the earth. If he hadn't been so afraid for Kaycy and angry and the queen for putting him in danger, the blue might have been more easily cowed. But one thing was certain, and that was that he would protect his rider first and foremost. He had defied queens far more frightening than this one -- been brutalized by the queens' interrogation after Kaycy's defection to the North, defied the High Reaches' queen's command in leaving, and in stealing her eggs. Djanath did not frighten him (much). But he obeyed Kaycy.

"My lady Kalliope, your apology is accepted, and you have our apologies as well. Our Weyrleader Kes'len has surely been hoping for a chance to meet with the... dignitaries of the surrounding peoples." Kaycy bowed again, a brief and courteous motion. He was a harper, trained in the courtly affairs, and he treated her as he might have treated a Lady Holder or the daughter of a Lord. He had no knowledge of her position - the rulers of Orro were elected, after all. She might be any number of people, but the fact that she was a goldrider and that her gold claimed eminence suggested that she knew that the northerners relied on the flights of their queens to determine the leadership of the Weyr.

"If you will follow me, Winzerith can show our hospitality to your lady gold-" Kaycy inclined his head respectfully towards Djanath- "should she desire to hunt, swim, sun, or speak with other dragons." Won't you? Kaycy asked sternly. The blue, seeing that clearly his aggression towards the gold would not be tolerated, set back from his stance, sitting back on his haunches and curling his tail around his feet.

Forgive my earlier ire, my lady, the dragon said pleasantly. I was frightened at what-might-have-beens. Is there something you might desire while your rider goes to speak with our Weyrleader? His voice was political and crisp, with a touch of deference. Winzerith was a loyal and calm beast, and his nature trended towards steadiness, not sharp emotion. The role of a submissive dragon was an easy one to adopt, particularly as he was often submissive to Kaycy.

"Right this way," Kaycy said cheerfully, beckoning the goldrider as he headed towards the entrance to the internal stairs that led to the area where offices had been made, including Kes'len's own. With a bit of luck, they might run into Siobhan as well, though the queenrider and Weyrwoman was often out training with the bluerider Re'laur. But Kes'len would surely be there-- Trilliaenth bids me inform you that Kes'len will meet with the woman in his office. She came in a rather informal manner, and he will respond likewise.[/color] Kaycy sent his mental thanks, and returned his attention to the woman.

[chimera]

"My lady Kalliope, your apology is accepted, and you have our apologies as well. Our Weyrleader Kes'len has surely been hoping for a chance to meet with the... dignitaries of the surrounding peoples. If you will follow me, Winzerith can show our hospitality to your lady gold- should she desire to hunt, swim, sun, or speak with other dragons."

Kalliope smiled in delight at the man’s courtly behavior. “You remind me of the songs of the old Holds and their harpers. The people of the Wing haven’t seen such a formal dance in many generations. ARE you a harper? I know some people that would love to trade songs with you, if that is the case.” The harpers of Lakeside Wing had the ancient teaching ballads, as of the time they left the north, and still taught them regularly even though they no longer really matched the Wing’s current situation. New songs had been created over the turns, but it would be a lasting joy to have a new influx of songs and stories. Kalliope gestured for Kaycy to lead the way. “Djanath has fed recently, but thank you for the courtesy. I expect she might like to learn how dragons in a more traditional Weyr live. I suppose I am making an assumption there,” Kalliope looked around at the caldera, “but this certainly fits what we would consider a traditional Weyr…”

"Right this way."

Kalliope followed, dark eyes trying to take in everything they passed. It was different from the rough hewn caverns of the main Lakeside complex, but also different from the ancient’s smooth square spaces. The caldera was quite huge, though, and could house many more dragons than all the Wings combined. She wanted to ask all kinds of questions, but was still unsure of how that would be perceived, courtly courtesy notwithstanding. So she held back the curiosity bubbling up, by sheer force of will. Hopefully answers would be forthcoming; maybe not to all the questions she had, but to some of them.

Forgive my earlier ire, my lady. I was frightened at what-might-have-beens. Is there something you might desire while your rider goes to speak with our Weyrleader?

Djanath’s voice was sheepish and apologetic. I should not have spoken to you as I did. My rider is Wingleader because of HER deeds, not because of my color. I forget that sometimes. Are your leaders chosen by dragon biology, as they did of old? Kalliope may be limited in the questions she could ask, when and to whom, but Djanath had a bit more freedom in that regard. She had to be careful not to reveal too much too soon about the Lakesiders, but Kalliope had let her know what she could give away easily, and what she must not say. Do you have very many queens and bronzes? If Winzerith was at all paying attention, he would notice that there was definitely more interest in bronzes than in golds…

[chimera]

Kalliope was shown to what was obviously someone's office. A good sized room, with the rough, rounded walls of standard Weyr construction. So different from the straight square edged rooms of the Ancients. Kalliope took a seat in one of the chairs facing the desk, and waited politely for the weyrleader to come. And waited. She sighed and re-crossed her legs. And waited. And waited.

And waited. Obviously something was going on, an emergency of some sort. If not, then these people were deciding not to deal with her. Their choice, but still, it would be nice if they just said so, not made her sit and wait for so long.

After another long while, Kalliope stood and wandered about the room, looking at the items on the walls and on the desk. It was rude, but so was making your guest wait for hours. Some maps, some notes. Kalliope was being rude, but she was not rude enough to read private communications.

She sat back down and waited a little longer. Finally she gave up. It was glaringly evident that they had no intention of meeting with her. Djanath, anyone around you?

Not at the moment. They are remarkably non-communicative. They seem so involved in their own activities that they are not at all interested in us.

Yeah, I'm getting the same reaction here. I think its time for us to leave. Kalliope stood and went to the door. She could hear voices softly murmuring off to the left, but she had come in from the right. Slowly she retraced her steps back along corridors and down stairs, passing only a few people who showed no interest in a stranger's presence in their midst. Finally she emerged from the door near where Djanath waited. Kalliope climbed up onto the gold dragon's back, looking around to choose a route for their run. Tell that blue that if his leaders decide they want to meet us, he can let you know. But given their enthusiastic response here, I doubt they will. Have him tell his rider he is welcome to visit our main encampment to share songs if he likes, but don't give him a visualization until he asks for one. Kalliope took one last look around, then Djanath began her run. A few loping strides and they were Between.

Back at the main Lakeside holding (Kalliope would not return to the Ancient caves directly to prevent anyone unauthorized from finding it) the Wingleader sighed in frustration and disappointment. She had hoped to find common cause with the newcomers. She had hoped to find... Kalliope slid down from Djanath's back. She wasn't really sure what she had hoped to find. It was probably more curiosity than logic that drove the failed visit. Well, that was done. The strangers were not a very friendly people, and certainly lacked curiosity. The Lakesiders had plenty to keep themselves busy without worrying about the newcomers. They would keep a watch on them, to be sure, to make sure than unfriendliness was not because of inherent aggressiveness. But if they wanted to meet or negotiate anything they were sharding well going to come to her. Kalliope's mouth moved; something halfway between a smile and a grimace. Yeah, she was a little bit pissed. They would have to be really nice to make up for this.

[chimera]

should have bumped after the edit, but did not, so I bump it...