Not at all surprised by the rebuff by his father, D'mitri shook his head in denial of the Lord of Emon's assumption. He was about to speak when the man left. The Bronzerider sighed. Though not surprised, it still bothered him when his own father rejected him. He had hoped being away for so long would have softened Genral towards him, but apparently that wouldn't be the case. He shook himself out of his dreary thoughts when his step-mother said his name. He smiled slightly at her in gratitude and nodded. "Of course, my lady." He turned to Pin'us. "Go check in with T'nel and his group to see what, if anything, they've learned so far. I'll come find you when I'm finished speaking to Lady Perisa." Once the other man was gone, he turned his attention back to his step-mother. "It's good to see you again, step-mother. How have you been?"

Pin'us grumbled at so far being treated like a none person. His mind was planning some... minor harmless revenge on D'mitri for that as he slipped away towards his dragon already asking Mmomenth to find where T'nel was. He somewhat figured if he found T'nel then he'd probably find the rest of them.

As he walked out he couldn't help but to notice the clouds over the mountains, some seeming to almost brush the tops. That couldn't be good.

(Sorry Pin'us post was crap)

------------------------

Cold earth. Always cold. Apart from warm months, then it was somewhat more bearable. Bare footed feet pattered over barren lands where everything was dead and asleep for the winter. Still somethings survived. As she approached a trap with a rabbit in it she heard the beat of dragon wings causing her to scamper back with a hiss. "Dragons? Whats dragons doing here? no dragons ever here for ages! Come to hunt and search? To kill?" she hissed to herself staying put beneath a ledge of rock hoping to not be seen. Hoping she'd not already been seen.

She couldn't hide long. Had to forage. She could feel it in the air. The icey cold stillness that was getting stiller and stiller. A rock fell down the side of the mountain near her, clattering its way down - unnaturally loud in the still surroundings, broken only by the soft whisper of icey cold winds that had picked up oh so slightly. Big storm coming soon. Had to make sure she had enough to survive.

Survive. No dragon wings, safe to go. Swiftly she scampered her way back over to the snare breaking the small things neck before freeing it, setting it for another animal. Then she went off, deeper into a small stubborn pine forest. It was nearer her cave home, and she knew it was a good place to pick up fire wood. She spotted another rabbit sighing as she'd not brought her stones to try and take it down.

Instead she concentrated on checking the rest of her snares, two of them had wild wherries in them, the third had a rabbit. Swiftly she started to make the firewood into bundles leaving it tucked beneath a series of rocks before taking the meat first, not wanting to lose her hard earned catch to some mangey wild mutt. Checking warily at the edge of her shelter she scampered out once she was sure the coast was clear. Amuth dearest, I'll have to rouse you now. I come back bearing meat, two wherries and two rabbits and they're heavy she spoke to him smiling at his comforting snort. It didn't take him long to swoop down to land and she gently stroked his head and sinuous neck before she tied the meat on and then scrambled up onto his back. Other dragons are around he spoke to her, I want to speak with them he added on almost childishly.

Ellone stiffened stroking her dear browns neck. Sssh Amuth. If they find out about us they'll kill us, they'll kill you or me and I couldn't stand to lose you she scratched his neck feeling him take off in flight to head up to the cave. Their weyr. It was high and wide enough a cave Amuth could fly right in and land before allowing his rider off, the two of them walking deeper back into the cave out of the way, around a bend so that the fire was never seen from the outside. It wasn't much but it was home.

Perisa looked uncomfortable with the bronze rider's openness with her, and more so with the use of the phrase 'step-mother'. She clasped her fingers together in a tight lace and gave the man a wan, fatigued smile.
“Please, D'mitri, don't worry about my well-being. You've much more pressing matters to attend to than me, if that Weyrleader of yours sent you here. Genral's right, you've no actual warrant to be here in the Hold, short of Search or Sweep. The Gather's months away. What else is there?” Unlike her unrepentantly blunt partner, Perisa had a concern with angering the Weyr. Tithes had just been sent off, but the balance between Hold, Hall, and Weyr was on an ever-changing scale. If Genral did anything to upset the ratio at this moment, not only would the Hold be out of willing riders to keep the peace, but they'd be out a good portion of their wares – more, if it ended with Genral having to hire out paid guards once more. She glanced at D'mitri.
No, no more guards.
--

T'iron dismounted from his brown lifemate and gave his wingleader a frustrated, half-hearted salute.
“T'ana's gone off on her own. I can only assume it was after we'd been given confirmation on Route Six's holdfolk. The man I spoke with, Enris, said that the local holders don't have the cleanest of records. Seems he thinks a storm's coming in, too, but honestly he just seemed eager to get away from the dragons. They do tend to scare some.”
Chairoth grumbled disdain at the idea, but didn't disagree. Enris was a twitchy fellow.

“It's also entirely possible that this may be related to the thievery at Jenau earlier this Turn. They never found the folk who did it, and if the holding near 'Six is little more than home to squatting holdless, we may be killing two birds with one stone.” T'iron, though he didn't like the idea that something could be so easy, wasn't afraid to voice the option. One never knew in the 'Wastes.

Norvien leaned over Iskath's side, shifting her weight for a clearer view of the bedraggled countryside. The numerous crags and rocky outcroppings in the mountainous terrain would have been ideal locations for lurking bandits, though, Norvien wasn't how well equipped she was to spring an ambush on potential murderers.
You keep forgetting you have, oh I don't know...me. The draconic interruption on her thoughts brought forth a laugh and a nod. Her green was right, what threat could she possibly come across?

We're being followed. Iskath's teasing tone has shifted to alert, her eyes beginning to muddle with slight worry.
Who is it?
Kamiyath. The rider mulled over the information, knowing T'ana to be one of the Weyr's informants. Well, at least the company was on their side!
And...
And?! Who else could be in the skies? B'rien didn't mention all of Equinonx flying over the route!
There's a grounded dragon, not of the Weyr.

Norvien's brow furrowed: who would be out in the brush in this weather? Let alone without proper identification? A rogue rider? The idea sent a slight chill down her spine.
I don't see anyone else on the road, take us down to them, but keep our distance, all right love?

((sorry for the delay and the lack of action in zis post x X))

D'mitri cleared his throat, becoming all-business in an instant. "It has come to the Weyr's attention that there are some brigands that have been terrorizing trading caravans. An entire wagon of the Weyr's tithes went missing recently--people and all. Weyrleader B'rien has asked Rider T'nel and me to get to the bottom of the matter. Do you or Lord Genral have any information regarding these occurrences?" He figured it best to be matter-of-fact, while not divulging too much detail. Not that he knew all that much detail, of course, but that was neither here nor there.

((Sorry it's late...and short.))

Perisa shook her head in grim understanding. She'd not heard of such thievery - had she, there would have been a quick and (for all she cared) bloody end.
"I'm sorry, D'mitri. I haven't heard anything of the sort. Genral only sees that the tithes get as far as the trails before bringing the guard back home. A whole caravan of tithes and holders..."

Perisa took in a sharp breath, quickly mulling over the worst-case-scenario, and the Hold's best chance at retreating without the loss of Weyr duties.
Genral would not want to part with any extra tithe with the winter months fast approaching.
Neither, in fact, did his wife.
"D'mitri, your best option is to see to the trail routes. Routes Five, Six, and Eight are the only currently-cleared out paths. We don't usually keep any more than those open for traders until spring arrives.
I'm sorry I don't have anything better to offer."

Not far beyond, the shutters could be heard being closed tightly at the oncomings of high winds. Emon's Lady pursed her lips and gave the bronze rider a squinted look, "Be careful out there, D'mitri. You know how bad the winters get here. And please, give the Weyrleader and your new Weyrwoman my best."

Amuth felt it. Another dragon approaching. Ellone gave a hiss at hearing the news, every part of her wary find shelter, get out of sight she thought to him. She'd just returned to the valley floor with Amuths help to continue her foraging trip. Now as he took off to return to their cave she'd become like a hunted animal.

Her eyes cast about sharply as she looked for some sort of weapon - she'd left the knife back in the cave. Her eyes alighted on a sharp stone, and she picked it up sharply with a low growl. Her hand flexed about it feeling its weight and balance.

With a make shift weapon procured she started to move finding a bit of scrubby bush that was only just clinging onto life. A second hiding place was nearby. She'd remembered setting this cave up first as it was closest to her foraging ground. The scrubby bush was her own personal landmark for it. Quickly she darted from beneath its sparse cover, trying to get to the cave - the only route being over exposed partially mountainous terrain, with plenty of loose rubble - without being sighted.

D'mitri nodded in understanding. So neither his father nor his step-mother had heard anything about the raids. "Five, Six, and Eight. Right," he murmured distractedly, his mind already on making plans. "Thank you, Perisa. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be sure to let the Weyrleaders know that." With a nod, the Bronzerider turned around and left.
Mor, he called to his Bronze, contact Mmomenth. Tell him to tell Pin'us to find me in front of the main entrance. I have a plan.

The day was growing late and the winds had begun to pick up, and still the greenrider pair could find no sign of their destination.
This is pointless, Kami, we can't see a thing. We should turn back.
Since when do you back away from something?
Mmf. This wind worries me, is all.
You worry too much, heart, and besides--
The green's sudden pause caused the woman to glance at her with a frown. It was unlike Kamiyath to stop mid-sentence, and even more-so to not pick right back up where she left off.
What is it?
I thought I saw.. No, never mind. But it would appear that we are inadvertently following someone.
Oh? Who?
I think it's Iskath and her rider. I'm not sure though, it's hard to see, but I'm quite certain it is them.
We should land. Now.
No, I think we'll be okay.
The woman grunted, a scowl appearing on her pale face, but she did not argue. She trusted her dragon to know her limits, especially in this weather, and if she thought they'd be fine, then, we'll, she'd just have to believe her. She could not, however, quell her fear as the winds began to pick up, forcing her dragon to make constant corrections to keep them airborne and steady. It was at that moment that the woman noticed something that just may save their lives. If they could reach it, that is.
Kami! A cave! There's a cave, head for it!
I'm trying!
What do you mean you're--KAMI! That was not funny! The woman focused all of her attention to the straps holding her to the green's back. She wasn't sure which would break first - her hands or the straps - as the dragon lurched this way and that. She tried not to think about it.
It wasn't on purpose, I swear! Now shut up and let me concentrate! ARGH! Seconds felt like hours as the dragon battled the elements, fighting desperately to stay in the air and maneuver herself towards the caves, and not thrown to the ground, or worse, smashed into the rocks above it. And then, as if nothing had happened at all, the winds died down and the exhausted dragon was able to steady herself.
There, I think the worst is over. Are you alri-- The question was never finished, as out of nowhere a strong gust of wind assaulted the mostly relaxed pair, sending them hurtling towards the rocky outcrop. A dragonic scream was promptly drowned out by the sound of breaking rock and the roaring of the wind.

((Bad post is bad. And sorry about my tardiness, wasn't intentional.))

In hindsight, Norvien should have been more perceptive of the weather, or at least more responsive. In hindsight, she should have had Iskath drop in altitude as soon as the grounded dragon had been noticed, but she did neither. Not until she felt the winds begin to grow did her thoughts switch from adventurous bandit-hunter to frantic pilot. As the winds howled against her ears and Iskath suddenly veered right, Norvien clung to the straps with desperation.
We’re landing now! Quickly, I don’t want to leave the other two out here! Can you make it?
Of course! We’re close enough. Do not let go.
Wouldn’t dream of it. The turbulence turned the greenrider’s stomach unpleasantly, reminding her how much she hated flying in adverse weather. Iskath did her best to stay level, tucking in her wings quickly between gusts to drop down. The cave was in sight, and as the green dove through the murky clouds, Norvien felt the relief grow. They’d reacted quickly enough, had gotten out of harm’s way.

Iskath slid roughly onto the lip of the cave both she and Kamiyath had spotted. Her talons dug into the hard surface as the rough landing jostled her rider like a rag doll. Norvien grunted and tightened her already white knuckles, bracing herself as best she could.
Nothing broken? Good, now make room for Kamiyath, they’ll be right behind us, she spoke quickly, and although shaking slightly, scrambled out of the straps and slid onto the damp floor. Iskath moved away from the cave’s entrance, scooting back as far as she could. Norvien rushed to the entrance to help guide T’ana. She watched eagerly as the greenpair struggled in the air. They were close, they, they’d make it just fine. She winced as they were shaken by the gails, though, hope filled her chest as she witnessed the winds die down, releasing Kamiyath from her battle.

“Thank Fara—“ before the words fell from her lips, Norvien watched in horror as fate had other plans for the rider and dragon. The force with which nature struck T’ana from the sky felt like a physical blow to Norvien’s chest. “T’ANA!” She roared the woman’s name without restraint, taking as many steps forward as she could, only able to watch as the pair fell and with the most hideous of sounds. Her heart felt as if it would stop beating at any moment and her throat was tight and dry.
Iskath bugled frantically as her eyes whirled with fear, the sound of her scuffling toward the cave entry echoing in the chill. “No!”
Let me go to them!
You’re going to make me watch the same thing happen to you?! Shards no! Iskath, stay where the shells you are and call Xanth NOW
Iskath made a sound akin to hissing, but did as she was told, torn from obeying her rider and denying instinct.

Xanth! Kamiyath and T’ana have fallen on the Route! The winds were too strong and they didn’t make it to cover. Norvien and I are in a small cave now, waiting. We need to get to them! Iskath tried to sound as level as she could, but the worry and anxiety in her voice was dominating.

Kamiyath! Are you all right? Talk to me!