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Post by Lynn on Sept 28, 2014 23:27:32 GMT -5
"Us?" Shayden quirked a brown brow at him curiously, then a smile twitched his lips as he recalled. "Oh that's right. You're interested in everything. Just like any good Harper." His voice was light, teasing, and his smile reached his eyes. It then faded away once again and then back to his normal impassive look. "As for someone who knows what they're doing who can? No. The Rangers are too busy, and the Scouts won't 'waste their time' with us. They have a more important job. And honestly, I'd rather they find the Queenslayers than escort us around. Especially with the rumors of the Cotholders disappearing..." A frown now was etched on his features, and worry toned his gaze.
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Post by fairyeyez on Sept 28, 2014 23:29:38 GMT -5
Tillion smiled back at him for the teasing, tossing his hair back out of his eyes. When he continued though his features were focused and quiet. He reached out when he mentioned the rumors he reached out and touched his fingers lightly to the back of his hand. "Are you worried for your family?"
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Post by Lynn on Sept 28, 2014 23:39:45 GMT -5
"Very much so," Shayden replied, not seeming to notice the touch. His focus was definitely elsewhere, and his glance only flicked to the touch then back up towards where the rider had come hustling in. "It seems like more disappear everyday, and no one seems to know where they went. They just vanish, leaving empty cotholds or cotholds burned to the ground. The one time the attack came when a Rider was there, the Rider was murdered and his dragon slain before he could go even go Between, though there was no POINT to the slaying. With his Rider gone, he wasn't really a threat anymore..." Shayden shuddered ever so slightly, his fingers tightening on the fence boards. "My family is vulnerable. They're not CLOSE to White Plains, certainly not close enough that someone would notice them missing right away. I worry for them."
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Post by fairyeyez on Sept 28, 2014 23:46:43 GMT -5
Tillion shifted and turned toward him. With his family at Black Sands they were about as safe as they could be. "Is there anything that can be done to keep them safer?" He asked. The breeze picked up, cold with the storm coming in and he shivered. He glanced up to the clouds and then back down toward Shayden again a moment later.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 28, 2014 23:50:45 GMT -5
"No..." The despair in Shayden's voice was heart wrenching to hear, and he dropped his head so his hair veiled his eyes. "I wish Fiona had stayed here, even if she didn't wish to Stand as a Candidate. She would have been SAFE at least. But the attacks didn't start until after she'd gone home." He shook his head, then raised it once more and met Tillion's gaze, his own dark, but calm. "I keep in contact with them, and receive correspondence at least once a sevenday. Plus, my father has been flying over the Cothold at least once a sevenday as well to reassure me and himself they're still okay, and he tells me what's going on."
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Post by fairyeyez on Sept 28, 2014 23:53:44 GMT -5
Tillion swallowed softly, the fear Shayden felt for his family was palpable. He reached out again, resting a warm hand on his shoulder to offer some small form of comfort. "My father is the Lord of Black Sands Hold.. Maybe they could be brought there? So that they could be safer.." He was grasping for a solution, wanting to help in some way.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 29, 2014 0:06:30 GMT -5
"They wouldn't go," he responded immediately. "The animals are their lives. Without them, they have nothing, and they won't risk them." The explanation was simple, short and to the point. "Whoever is kidnapping cotholders always seems to either steal or slaughter their animals as well, if they have any." He looked to the other man and gave him a ghost of a smile. "It's appreciated though."
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Post by fairyeyez on Sept 29, 2014 0:13:48 GMT -5
Tillion squeezed his shoulder lightly where his hand was resting and nodded. "I'm sorry, I wish there was something I could do." He let his hand fall away and looked toward the forest. "It's a shame we can't distract ourselves exploring the trees."
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Post by Lynn on Sept 29, 2014 0:18:32 GMT -5
"True enough. However." He shrugged, then pointed up as a dark form swooped overhead. "That's our lovely Queen. She's probably going to hunt." He then smiled wryly as three large males followed her. "And there's her Honor Guard. Also known as the 'if she's attacked someone's gonna die' force." His head rose as he watched several riders make their way out as well and he grinned. "And there go the Rangers to act as Ground protection for her." He shook his head. "Poor Destinith. Everyone knows it bugs the heck out of her having to have all this protection. But at the same time she and her rider both know that if she doesn't there's a very good chance we might lose her as well. And the Weyr can't afford to lose its last Queen. She's far too precious."
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Post by fairyeyez on Sept 29, 2014 0:26:21 GMT -5
Tillion nodded absently, watching them a moment before turning his attention back to Shayden. "Do you need any help preparing for the storm?" He asked, offering him a change of subject.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 29, 2014 0:48:14 GMT -5
"We might some assistance bracing the outside edges of the Stable. But the inside section is good, sturdy stone. That's where we keep the birthing mothers, for the maximum protection for them and their offspring." He jumped off the fence and motioned Tillion to follow him, pacing towards the stone building. It had wooden extensions jutting to either side of it, made from sturdy hardwood, and as they drew closer, it was obvious that the right half was more completed than the left. "We're working on shoring it up, but we haven't finished it yet, so we're still at work on it." He motioned towards the left side, where there were several men working on bracing the walls and making sure the roof would hold. Tarps were also being put in place to protect the open area.
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Post by fairyeyez on Sept 29, 2014 0:57:57 GMT -5
Tillion was quiet as he followed him over, taking in what they were working on and what needed doing. He set his satchel down out of the way and then turned to Shayden with his focused expression. "Just tell me what to do to be most helpful."
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Post by Lynn on Sept 29, 2014 1:25:55 GMT -5
He nodded and moved forwards, motioning Tillion to follow once more. "Our main concern is shoring up the stable roof. We need to make sure that it won't come down on top of the animals," he explained, moving to help push a pillar up under one of the rafters. He then looked back to him. "And we also need to get tarps in place so they don't get wet or cold."
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Post by fairyeyez on Sept 29, 2014 1:31:06 GMT -5
He nodded and pushed his sleeves up, moving to help. He wasn't sure where things should go so he made himself useful helping to hold things or keep them steady as others worked. He hummed softly as they worked, not even conscious that he was doing it.
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Post by Lynn on Sept 29, 2014 2:14:00 GMT -5
The Handlers were humming as well, so it was alright, and they grinned happily as he came to help them. Between them they were able to get everything shored up and tarped just before the first claps of thunder began to sound, setting the animals inside to shuffling uneasily. The Handlers moved to quiet them, and Shayden watched calmly, making sure he wouldn't need to tranquilize any of them. His main concern was the pregnant cows and mares, and he padded deeper into the facility, motioning Tillion to follow him if he would and not overly concerned if he didn't. He couldn't get into TOO much trouble after all.
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