New Leadership, First Test (SEE BELOW) (14.12)

[kendrall]

(Dramatis personae: M'riel, Shayna, Ardalae, K'ryn, Eodira, R'en, Macira, Teshaera, R'bao)

He didn't know if he was dreaming. If he was, he didn't want to wake up. But reality was about to come crashing in on his life in more ways than one, and there was bound to be collateral damage involving everyone who called Izuko home.

Josiath had Risen, and now that she was the Senior Queen that meant Shayna was no longer the "acting" Weyrwoman, but was now the Weyrwoman. Oreath, a large Bronze dragon whom had come from two hundred Turns into the future, managed to catch the Gold and fly her. His Rider was a former Guardsman named M'riel - the very same individual who led a group of Riders from the future into this timeline, to learn how to fight the deadly rain known as Thread and then return to their own time.

The only problem was, Zalleah and T'rain had secretly stolen a Gold egg from their home at High Reaches and brought it with them. By taking the Gold egg meant the future Riders were now essentially stranded, and would have to make do with their new home. Fortunately for everyone involved, Sherath survived the cold of Between and successfully Impressed to a young girl named Siarie. M'riel knew, as did most of the observers, that the young girl would have to mature much quicker than usual, and it wasn't just physically. It would also require the new Gold Weyrling to mature emotionally and mentally, not just for her sake but for her dragon's and that of the entire Weyr. That situation, though, would have to take a backseat to what was about to transpire.

M'riel slowly drifted into consciousness, and could feel the warmth of another cuddled up next to him. Both he and the other occupant weren't wearing a single stitch of clothing, and it took him a while to figure out it was a woman he had shared the night with. Granted, M'riel had bedded many women before, both in and out of a Dragonflight. But the last woman he had bedded was his Weyrmate, Noemi. He hadn't been with another since that tragic day the Greenrider fell from the skies, a victim of Thread. He had nearly come close on many occasions to bedding someone, both male and female, but his Bronze had failed to win the Flight each time. Until this one.

Normally, he wouldn't mind the fact he was snuggled with a woman. But as he continued his passage towards full consciousness, he realized there was another person snuggled up against him. Another woman.

Wait. Another woman was in the same bed?

His eyes snapped open to get a sense of his surroundings. It began to dawn on him that he wasn't in his own bed, but he was in someone else's. Laying next to him was a woman with long, jet-black hair, a slightly thin but feminine build, and she was facing away from him. His arm was around her waist, the woman's arm entwined with his and her hand on top of his. Both were pressed against a very swollen belly.

M'riel craned his neck just enough to get a glimpse of who else was in the bed. Another female, and she looked painfully familiar. Ardalae. Behind her was someone else; it took him a while to figure out it was none other than K'ryn, Ardalae's weyrmate and lover.

It took M'riel some moments to realize what had just happened. Oreath had caught Josiath and Flown her, but Ardalae had either volunteered or was asked to be a stand-in for Shayna. K'ryn arrived much later after everyone else left; M'riel wasn't exactly sure if anything had gone on between him and the younger Bronzerider. What he was certain of, however, was the fact that all four Riders in that room had a very physical, if not highly passionate, encounter together. He also didn't know how it ended, but he'd be Betweened to explain why there were four people in the same bed.

Regardless, M'riel knew he was now the new Weyrleader, Shayna the new Weyrwoman, but that would ultimately prove to be the least of their worries. He had to ask himself one key question - Did they unintentionally harm the baby that was still in her womb, a child that wasn't his but whose father was a certain Bluerider?

M'riel didn't know, but either way he knew R'bao wasn't going to be very happy. There was no telling to what extremes the Bluerider would go to, but now that M'riel was the new Weyrleader meant he could take whatever measures necessary to put R'bao in his place. He'd have to worry about that later. He would also have to worry later regarding if there could be a deep, loving, genuine commitment between him and the new Weyrwoman. But right now, his old Guardsman training was kicking in. He knew he had to get Shayna and her unborn child to safety as quickly as possible. Turning back to Shayna, M'riel started to gently nudge her bare shoulder.

"Shayna," he whispered, "Wake up."

[sorra]

Shayna was in a deep sleep after the flight. It had a been a long flight and a very tricky one for Josiath. It was very likely that the gold would have a big clutch. But because of that Shayna was totally worn out and not able to move much or really wanted to. She had no idea that there were three other people in bed with her or even where she was.

She sighed softly and gripped the hand that was in hers when they started to move. Right now she was only thinking that she didn't want to lose the added warmth that they were giving her. It wasn't unusual for her to wake up with someone after all. R'bao always shared her bed unless he had night watch, so she wasn't worried at all. Besides, Josiath seemed content and kept sending happy thoughts to her rider so Shayna still slept peacefully.

She moaned softly when M'riel nudged her shoulder. She didn't want to wake up. "Mmm?" she mumbled, opening her eyes partway. She stretched a bit, but then gasped as a sudden wave of pain shot through her lower abdomen. "Ow," she whimpered softly, curling up tightly. Shards, what was going on?

Oh that's right. The flight. She was Weyrwoman. But the baby! She gasped again and tensed up in pain. No, not now. Please, Faranth not now.

[Katlyn]

Ardalae had started to wake the moment that M'riel's head turned to take a look her way, but only just. It was his soft spoken words that pulled her more towards conciousness. When it came to words, it didn't take much to wake the younger gold rider, her hearing having adjusted to her lack of sight to make up for it. It didn't take much sound register in her brain anymore. That, and there was a knudging in the back of her mind trying to get her to wake up as well. Copper had returned to her side and was perched a bit away, watching M'riel wake Shayna, and Shay visibly have some sort of pain. The flit kept knudging until she was awake enough to hear "Ow"

Her eyes shot wide open then, the brown immediately providing to her sight of what was around. Shayna...M'riel...her...K'ryn. Oh, Josiath had Risen. She remembered she had practically pulled her weyrmate into this, by telling him it was the only way to make sure both riders in the flight were taken care of. She felt bad about his involvement, as she was there purely on a voluntary basis. But now wasn't the time for that. She could see what Copper was showing her with her friend, and she had indeed heard the ow.

With one hand shaking K'ryn awake, she propped herself up on the other and turned towards M'riel. "Is she ok? What's wrong?" she asked him quickly, quietly. Had she failed? Oh shards, Faranth, please let her not have failed in this. It'd be her only purpose, to make sure that Shayna and the baby were safe during the flight. Please don't let her have failed that one, simple task.

[Mik]

Serguth had moved to his old ledge, curled up to fend off the chill of the night, as he had had to move from Josiath’s ledge at the return of her and Oreath after the mating flight. The scrawny blue had not slept well and was looking a little gray tinged as he kept his mind solely on his Rider’s for any sign of relief since the events that had shoved the worried bluerider out of Shayna’s weyr.

Outside the closed door to Shayna’s weyr, R’bao sat against the cold wall, his head on his folded arms on his knees, waiting for any sign of movement within so that he could find out if his lover was okay after the flight’s aftermath. Mik had his pudgy self curled up on his Pet’s feet, twitching in restless sleep as his link with his Pet also felt the extreme worry racking R’bao’s entire being. The bluerider had not slept a wink that whole night, far too worried about Shayna’s safety to even consider slumber.

Eodira sat next to Leer beside the Rider, waiting to see if she would indeed be needed, having decided that an early morning would be in store to be at Shayna’s weyr before she awoke. Mik’s message had forewarned her along with her knowledge of gold flights. With the preterm labor that the now official Weyrwoman had experienced less than a sevenday prior, the Flight, no matter how gentle it may have been, would probably kick up another bout of labor. This time, though, she was not so sure of trying to stop the progress. Shayna was far enough along that she could risk allowing the baby to come this time. It was just a question of how now.

[kendrall]

{{M'riel}}

M'riel winced as Shayna curled up in pain, letting out a whimper. She tensed again, gasping as if she was hurt. He heard Arda ask him if Shayna was alright, if anything was wrong. He shot up and quickly pushed back the furs, and realized the linens were really damp. Most of the moisture appeared to be coming from Shayna...

He growled, knowing full well what was going on. He turned to look at Arda and K'ryn. "Get dressed, the both of you. No time to lose. I have to get R'en in here so we can get Shayna to the Infirmary. She's going into labor again and her water just broke." His voice was unusually calm, but now carried an air of authority to it. He was now the Weyrleader, which meant his order was to be complied with, not questioned. M'riel searched for his clothes, and quickly put on his pants and his boots. He spared a glance at Shayna, then helped ease her into a sitting position. "Shayna," he said softly. "We've got to get you to Eodira. Here," he said, trying to help her get dressed. "Wear my shirt." He knew his shirt would almost reach to the new Weyrwoman's ankles, and it was a bit warmer compared to what she had been wearing before. R'bao's shirt. M'riel thought for a moment, then shrugged as he struggled to get the Bluerider's shirt over his head and down over his torso. No point in going out of the room half-dressed...

Oreath! he mentally reached out to his dragon.

Yes, Mine.[/color] The Bronze was very content with his new mate, but otherwise was alert.

Get R'en up here, fast! Shayna's going into labor again!

Is Josiath's going to be alright?[/color] Oreath knew his mate would be worried for her Rider if this wasn't handled in the right fashion.

If R'en doesn't get up here quickly enough, she won't. Nor will her baby. M'riel finally finished his dressing maneuver, and looked over at the other two Riders. "Chances are there won't be anyone out in the hallway. But by the time R'en gets here, I'm sure there'll be some onlookers. You two are not to say anything to anyone, under any circumstances." He turned back to Shayna. "Hold on, Shay. Help's coming."

Josiath's and her little are in danger?[/color] Oreath's eyes tinged yellow with worry. This wasn't going to be good.

Just do it, Oreath! Get R'en up here!

Arieth! Josiath's and her little are in trouble! Mine wants Yours to get up there as fast as he can! The Bronze sent a clear message of danger to the Green. He knew his mate wasn't going to take this very well.

{{R'en}}

No sooner than R'en heard the warning from his Green, the field medic shot upright in bed. He had spent the Goldflight with Ekaterina and Aquila; both of them were still asleep as far as he knew, but he couldn't afford not to wake them by his actions. R'en managed to peel himself out from underneath the furs, then got dressed as quickly as possible. He stopped for a moment, trying to think of where everything was. Oh, that's right. He never bothered checking in that stretcher from the Infirmary the other day. Eodira would no doubt not be too happy with the field medic, but hopefully she would overlook his lack of attention this time. Especially when it came to a medical emergency involving Shayna.

Wait. Shayna? Wasn't she...he wanted to slap himself. Shayna was the new Weyrwoman! But who was the new Weyrleader?

He'd have to wait to find out whom that person was. Part of him hoped it was M'riel. But he was sure he'd find out sooner or later. Grabbing his satchel, R'en raced out of his weyr. "Make way! Coming through!" he shouted. "Medical emergency!" He continued his flight through the corridors of the weyr, knowing he'd have to get to the upper floor where Shayna's weyr was. He shouted his warning again for the weyrfolk and drudges to clear a path for him, and when he turned the final corner he thought he saw two people sitting outside of Shayna's weyr. He slowed down a little, then groaned inwardly. R'bao and Eodira. No doubt the Bluerider had stayed outside of Shayna's weyr, since his Blue was unable to participate in Josiath's Flight. R'en also knew R'bao was probably worried for Shayna and their as-of-yet unborn child...

Oh, shard it. Again, R'en wanted to smack himself. Goldflights were often filled with raw passion, sometimes extremely physical between the Riders. He wondered if things had been a little *too* physical between Shayna and whomever she had spent the night with, enough to...SHELLS! Now he understood why Oreath told Arieth about Shayna's baby! Shayna was going into premature labor!

"Eodira!" R'en shouted. "The Weyrwoman's going into premature labor!" He knew both the Master Healer and the Bluerider would quickly rise to their feet with the news. The field medic raced past them, stretcher still in his arms; he stopped long enough to set it down on edge so he could open the door...

...only to find...*four* people? Shayna, M'riel, Arda...and who was that with them? K'ryn?

{{M'riel}}

M'riel heard the door open and looked over in the direction, only to see a shocked R'en with his mouth wide open, stretcher in his arms. "Don't just stand there, R'en!" M'riel practically shouted. "Move!" He knew this wasn't going to look good, but there was nothing he could do about it for now. R'en regained his composure, then quickly laid the stretcher on the now-empty bed. "Come on, Lady Shayna," the field medic said reassuringly, noting the heavy wetness on the sheets. He knew what was going on. "We need to get you to the Infirmary. You're going into labor again and your water's broke. Eodira's outside and..."

M'riel wanted to curse inwardly. He should have known the Master Healer would be nearby, especially with the last scare Shayna had endured with her pregnancy. "Eodira!" he shouted towards the open door. "Get in here, please. Shayna's water's broke, and R'en's about to...." Well, that was one problem he'd have to address, although he wasn't sure how to explain this quite yet. But his voice trailed off. Who was that behind Eodira?

Oh, shards. R'bao.

M'riel bit back a curse. R'bao had apparently stayed the night outside of Shayna's weyr, no doubt because he was worried about his child he was having with Shayna. Well, he supposed he'd have to deal with the Bluerider, too. After all, he was now the Weyrleader, and he wasn't going to hesitate to use his full authority to put the other man in his place if he had to.

[sorra]

K'ryn shifted beside Ardalae and reluctantly opened his eyes. "What's going on?" the young bronze rider asked, sitting up and realizing that he was in bed with three other people. Shards! The flight. Things had gotten out of hand despite their trying their hardest to keep Shayna and the baby safe. He looked at Arda. Had they failed already?

His face paled when he heard M'riel's words. The Weyrwoman was going into labor? Oh shards, they had to get her help. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to the baby and Shayna. He quickly searched for their clothes and handed Arda hers. "Come on, let's see if we can head off any onlookers," he said gently to his weyrmate.

Shayna remained curled up. She hurt so badly and she whimpered softly when her water broke. There would be no stopping the labor this time. Tears slid down her cheeks as she kept her arms wrapped around her baby. Surely she wasn't going to lose her baby. She couldn't. Her and R'bao had been so careful for so long. Why was this happening?

"It hurts," she whispered to M'riel as he helped her sit up. Her face drained of all color and she started to sweat as a concentration gripped her. She barely reacted to M'riel helping her get his shirt on. Right now she didn't care. All that mattered to her was the safety of her unborn baby.

Shayna? What is wrong? Josiath asked, sitting up quickly. Her rider was in pain and that wasn't good.

Shayna squeezed her eyes shut tightly. The baby's coming, Jo. It hurts badly.

The little? Josiath asked in alarm, looking at her new mate. Shay's little is coming. Yellow tinged her eyes.

Shayna slowly looked up at R'en and shook her head. "It hurts too much to move," she whispered. She didn't have the energy to even think about moving. It was taking what little energy she had to keep her gold calm. She had totally forgotten about Arda and K'ryn being there and she hadn't even noticed R'bao come in with Eodira. "Please, don't make me move," she begged, gripping the fur weakly as she cried out softly. She closed her eyes tightly, trying hard to fight the pain and blackness that were trying to pull her under.

[Katlyn]

Arda heard the pain coming from her friend, but the only thing that helped her know what was going on was M'riel's words. She paled considerably when she realized that Shayna was going into labor again. Whatever had happened during the flight, it hadn't been enough to keep the one thing she'd been meant to keep from happening, from happening. She pulled on the clothes that K'ryn handed her way just as R'en, R'bao, and Eodira entered the room.

Shards! Now this really was a mess. And K'ryn was caught up in it. She wasn't entirely certain if the outcome of her plan for this flight could get anymore jumbled and messed up, but she knew better than to think like that.

Completely dressed, she looked to K'ryn as her brown flit appeared and landed on her shoulder. "You go, I need to stay," she said to him. She couldn't leave Shayna's side now, could she? And would R'en and Eodira really insist on moving Shay, even with her friend begging them not to.

[Mik]

Leer’s head popped up at sounds within the weyr they sat outside of, his hearing more acute than any human’s and so the first sign of stirring within Shayna’s weyr. Eodira saw her wild feline’s movements and got up to wait to be able to enter the weyr at the first call or sound of distress, moving closer to allow the sounds within to come through the closed door a little easier.

R’bao jumped when Leer moved and again when Eodira moved for the door, leaping to his feet so quickly that his vision swam briefly from the sudden movements. Before he could really lean against the wall, he had his sights clearly back and turned troubled brown eyes on Eodira for the next thing to happen. Mik had been launched from his Pet’s feet at R’bao’s sudden mobility and so squawked in annoyance at the events that just deposited his chunky brown self in from of the big maw of Leer. With a hiss at the deadly creature, he scurried to his feet and shook his wings awake before placing himself on his Pet’s shoulder in upset.

At R’en’s appearance, Eodira gave him a stern look at his haste, not bothering to correct his manners at taking charge of the situation. She outranked him in any emergency and he better learn quickly that she did not take too kindly to his haste at times. She had already been in motion to get to the door, waiting for any sound within that told if Shayna was indeed in trouble, but unlike her respect for privacy, R’en decided that barging within the weyr was the method to go. Rolling her blue eyes, the former Raiderwoman left the stretcher that she had brought, just in case, where it had been against the wall. She knew that R’en had not gone by the infirmary to grab the one in his hands and so she would sit him down and discuss that matter later. Right now was supposedly the time to take in the situation and so the MasterHealer stepped into the weyr, brushing past R’en’s intrusion, unmindful of who might still be unclothed within.

R’bao was startled more by R’en and somewhat upset by the greenrider as well. Despite the growing “friendship” that the bluerider had been noticing in Shayna and M’riel when he saw them together, he could imagine that suddenly someone else ruled his steps to the love he gave freely to the goldrider of his heart. He lingered behind R’bao, spying Shayna in a stranger’s tunic, but not noticing that his own tunic resided on the taller man that had won the flight. His concerns were solely for Shayna and their child and hoping that Faranth would allow them both to be okay after all this trouble as of late.

M’riel’s words of command were also dismissed by Eodira as she watched the greenrider bustle past her to beat her to Shayna’s side. Did both men know that haste was not to be used that often in a stressful situation? It only served to cause more problems in the long run… “You will hush your tone, M’riel. Shouting only causes more stress to the problem,” the MasterHealer said as she made it to Shayna’s side and checked a few things in her face and wrist before asking the goldrider gently to uncurl so that she could gauge the problem at hand before they even thought of moving the pregnant woman. Her keen eyes had noticed the dampness of the furs about the goldrider and so there was not really a way to postpone this baby any further as Shayna’s body and the baby were saying that it was time for a new life to make itself known. “Shayna, sweety, I need ya’ ta stretch out a sec fer me, please,” she said calmly and clearly, paying no mind to the bustling about them. Right now, only Shayna mattered and no one else because she knew what the problem was.

R’bao barely heard M’riel’s command toward the greenrider that had passed his worried form in the doorway. Was Shayna okay? M’riel’s shouts at Eodira seemed to shake R’bao out of his stupor slightly and the bluerider stepped hesitantly within the weyr to try to get closer to Shayna without getting in the way of the crowd of folk already there. He was not afraid of anyone’s opinion of the matter. He was just extremely concerned about his Lover and their child.

Glancing at the room’s occupants, Eodira’s eyes fell on Ardalae as she heard Shayna’s low spoken words of pain. They would need someone to keep Shayna’s dragon calm, she knew. “Arda, have Fraith try to keep Josiath calm, so Shayna can concentrate on her babe,” the MasterHealer said loud enough for the other goldrider to hear her over the bustling, the first actual command spoken from the highest rank in the weyr.

[fireflash]

Tish sat bolt upright, all her senses tingling, her heart pounding. Concern racking her mind. Concern for what? she thought still slightly dazed. It was only then she realized she wasn't in her own room. Surveying the scene around her, her gaze came to rest on V'yel's sleeping form on the floor next to her. Tish's jaw dropped open, her mind momentarily going blank in stunned silence! Gradually she regaining her faculties, as realization of what had happened set in. More alarmingly she was totally naked! Her clothes and V'yel's lay scattered about them. Moving carefully so as not to disturb V'yel she got up from the floor in front of the fire and collected her clothes. She would have to deal with this later. Right now Josiath was upset and Tish had heard why, Shayna's little.

Pulling on her last boot she turned and made her way to the office door, winching slightly at the protest her muscles where making. That was some night! Smiling she took one last glance at the sleeping figure on the floor and slipped out. It was not how she really had wanted to spend the morning after and she just hoped V'yel would understand when he woke up alone. Shaking the thought from her mind she focused on the task at hand. She had been of some small use the last time Shayna had had baby trouble so she hoped she could again. Reaching out in her mind for Josiaths she projected I understand your bondeds little is on the way, would you like me to be there so you can see what is going on? I'm ready and able, you just have to tell me where to go. She hoped she had sent that across clearly, her head still felt a little fuzzy from everything the night before.

[kendrall]

R'en caugh Eodira's glare and realized he was getting ahead of himself - and her - and wisely put the stretcher to the side before moving to stand near Shayna's head. He knelt down again, trying his best to keep the new Weyrwoman as cool as possible to wipe away the sweat forming on her brow. It was best to let Eodira take over from this point; she was, after all, the MasterHealer and therefore he had to defer to her authority. Even she outranked M'riel in a medical emergency, and R'en shot the new Weyrleader a knowing look and gave him a barely imperceptible shake of his head. It was best if M'riel likewise deferred to Eodira's judgement for now, but once Shayna and her newborn were taken to safety; the Weyrleader would have to do his best to work with the MasterHealer until the whole situation died down. Only then could the man be able to assert himself in his new capacity.

The field medic likewise caught R'bao's eye. "She'll be fine, Searchrider," he tried to reassure the man. "Now that Eodira's here, the Weyrwoman and your child will pull through. Watch."

M'riel, meanwhile, simply glared at Eodira when she rebuked him, ordering him to lower his voice. He then caught R'en's headshake, and knew his friend was right; it was best if he deferred to the MasterHealer and work with her until Shayna and her newborn were safe. "I had to learn some basic healing skills during Guardsman training, MasterHealer," he said quietly but confidently, making sure to properly address Eodira by her title in a situation such as this. "Whatever I can do to help, let me know. I refuse to stand by idly and not do anything. Not with the life of the new Weyrwoman and her unborn child on the line." It was true; as the new Weyrleader it was his responsibility to ensure *all* personnel, from the Weyrwoman on down to the lowest of drudges, were safe and taken care of. It was part of him people rarely saw, his compassion for a fellow Rider in trouble. However, he chose to ignore R'bao for the moment, letting R'en's comment pass over him.

He then turned to Arda. "Please do as the MasterHealer asks, Arda," he said quietly. "Oreath will need some help in keeping Josiath as calm as possible, and I have a feeling she may listen to Fraith."

[sorra]

Shayna barely noticed all the commotion going on around her weyr now. Sweat now slicked her brow and her silvery eyes were dull with pain. She remained curled up although it didn't help with the contractions much and she whimpered in pain. She weakly looked up at Eodira. "But..." she started to protest, but knew it was pointless. She started to uncurl, but gasped in pain and gripped the furs. "It hurts so much," she whimpered.

Josiath sat up straight on her ledge. She didn't like this at all. She had forgotten that not that long ago her rider had gone through the same type of pain and she had been alright. She turned her head slightly, her eyes whirling red when Tish spoke to her. Please. I want to know what is going on. She hurts so much, the queen moaned. She is in her weyr right now, she answered the girl, getting to her feet and bellowing in alarm.

K'ryn squeezed his weyrmate's shoulder. "Alright. You stay with Shay. I'll make sure no one bothers you guys," he promised, kissing her cheek before slipping out of the weyr. They knew where to find him if they needed him.

Shayna continued to cry softly as she remained stretched out so Eodira could do whatever she needed to. Pain rippled through her abdomen, making her whimper softly. "R'bao?" she squeaked, hoping the blue rider was close by. She didn't care at the moment what the others thought. This was his baby too and she loved him and wanted him close to her. She looked toward Eodira. "Please, tell me the baby will be okay," she whispered, worry and pain laced through her voice.

[fireflash]

I really hope I don't get lost! she thought to herself as she ran in the direction of Shayna's weyr. She wasn't exactly sure of the exact location but she had a pretty good idea. Whilst running she continued to talk to Josaith Remember last time Jo, remember when Shayna's little tried to come before, you felt the alarm you do now, but remember everything was all right, the pain passed and both yours and the little was ok, I'm sure Eodira is already with her and things will be just fine! Turning another corridor and quickening her pace.

[Katlyn]

Arda looked up towards Eodira when she asked her to have Fraith try to keep Josiath calm. Then when M'riel repeated the request, she nodded, moving out of the way, though she wanted to stay with them. "I already have," she said, passing the request onto her gold, who had already moved to the ledge nearest to the bronze and gold.

((Momma-Jo, Mine says everything is going to be ok. That Eodira and the others are all there and Yours will be perfectly fine,)) she told her dam, trying to pass on a sense of calm to the older gold. She wasn't certain how well it would work though, with Josiath being both her dam and senior to her, the weyrwoman's gold. Hopefully between her, Oreath, and the hear-all, the three of them would have no problem keeping the gold calm.

[Mik]

Eodira noted R’en taking his place as an assistant in the situation and concentrated on Shayna, trusting Ardalae to start helping in calming Josiath throughout this ordeal. Not looking to M’riel, she spoke after his offer of his own healing skills, “Fetch some water, both warm an’ cool.” She knew that this particular weyr held both and so the task should not be too hard for the new Weyrleader. “You gotta uncurl, sweety. I need ta see where yer contractions’re at.” Once that particular pain wave passed, the MasterHealer placed her hands on the new Weyrwoman’s thighs to help her to straighten out for her.

Once straightened out enough, Eodira’s hands moved to Shayna’s abdomen, feeling the muscles ripple with each contraction, counting the time between each one and deciding that a trip to the infirmary would be just in time if done promptly and with little jostling.

R’bao stood in quiet nervousness, R’en’s words barely heard and even less so, understood as his brown eyes were entirely focused on Shayna. When Shayna called his name, the bluerider stepped forward, taking her hand in his to let her know that he was there even though he was too worried and nervous to speak much at all.

Eodira looked up at those within the room, knowing each one could help or hinder the situation. “We got ‘nough time ta git ya’ ta the infirm’ry, Shayna. Yer babe’ll be fine as long as ya’ listen ta me. Breathe deeply an’ as slow as ya’ can. We’re gonna putcha on a stretcher an’ move ya’, ‘kay, sweety?” she said, neither waiting nor expecting much of a reply as she knew the pain that the woman was feeling. The baby was low enough that they should be able to do a natural birth, though she was more than capable of performing a more invasive procedure and have both mother and child survive with little complications. Deciding that R’bao was too nervous to help easily, she looked to R’en and said, “Git the stretcher. Slide it ‘gainst ‘er on ‘at side.” While the greenrider was going to retrieve the stretcher he had brought, the MasterHealer turned to the bronzerider left in the room. “M’riel, ya’ an’ R’en’ll carry ‘er. No jostlin’ or we might not make the infirm’ry in time.” Turning blue eyes to R’bao, she decided on where he would be best of use at and told him, “Run ta the infirm’ry an’ tell ‘em ta ready the birthin’ suites fer Shayna. We’ll be right behind ya’. Go on. Git!”

R’bao reluctantly let go of his Lover’s hand and left quickly, breaking into a run shortly after coming into the corridor outside their weyr, Mik dropping into flight and following his Pet just as quickly, squawking at anyone that passed by too closely.

[kendrall]

M'riel wasted little time as Eodira gave her instructions; the new Weyrleader deferring to the Master Healer in this particular crisis. Wordlessly he left the room, not looking at anyone else and easily slid past R'bao. M'riel ducked into the hallway, then recalled where the nearest spigots were that had both warm and cool water. Fortunately, there were two buckets nearby - both of them recently cleaned and sanitized - and the Weyrleader quickly filled them both. One with warm water, the other with cool water. He made sure to put the one with warm water in his left hand, the cool water in his right, and he returned to Shayna's quarters without spilling a single drop. M'riel slid past R'bao again, and set both buckets over by the corner where no one would accidentally trip over them. "Warm water is on the left, cool water on the right, Master Healer," he said, just as Eodira finished her instructions to R'en, whom by now was sliding the stretcher on the indicated side. "Help me with this, boss," R'en said, and together the men neatly slid the stretcher underneath Shayna. Eodira turned to M'riel and ordered the Weyrleader to help the field medic carry the Weyrwoman to the Infimary. "No jostlin’ or we might not make the infirm’ry in time," she ordered. R'en didn't need to be told to ensure Shayna was secured for transport, and once he nodded to the Weyrleader, both men smoothly and easily hoisted the stretcher. "Hold tight, Shay," M'riel said softly as he and R'en started to carry her towards the Infirmary; the Weyrleader trusting the Master Healer to stay with them and to clear a path for all four persons involved.