Amharath smacked her lips appreciatively. “These sugarmelons are delicious! What great timing, first to cleanse my palate after that salty food, and now, a refreshing breakfast! “
Lifeanth was not quite so enthusiastic. “They need ants. And there are rather a lot of them … ”
“I’ll be happy to eat more later! And we can give some to Zephannie if she gets hungry.”
“Do Gem Guardians even EAT people food?” Lifeanth wondered. Her mother tended the familiars at WindSky Weyr at night, but had not really discussed feeding them. And gem guardians were a fairly recent discovery, with new breeds being discovered monthly. She looked at her half-sister, whose mind was clearly already elsewhere, and said “I guess you want to head over to the Couriers’ Station right away….”
“Yes, it’s more than an hour past dawn, so our reply should be waiting!”
But when they arrived, they learned there was no return message. In fact, the scroll had not even been delivered! The bogsneak behind the counter was apologetic, knowing how unprecedented this was.”I assure you, every effort was made, but it proved impossible for our courier to reach the destination you indicated, and under the circumstances, I’m sorry, we won’t be refunding your expedited delivery fee…" ”What? What do you mean
‘the circumstances’? I need to know what’s going on!” “We did our part, I promise you, but there was a barrier to completing the delivery, clearly dragonmade, so we are not responsible for ….” “Hold on, right there, what kind of a barrier? WindSky Weyr is open to all! Where is this courier? I need to speak to them!” The bog looked like he was about to make some excuse, but the sound of raised voices could be heard from behind the door closed in back of him. He reluctantly opened it and spoke to whoever was back there, and a young female skydancer stepped hesitantly into the room - followed by a familiar face.
“Simon! What are
you doing here?” The Weyr’s main courier himself!
“This IS a Couriers’ Station” he said wryly. Then more soberly, “I can verify this lass’s story myself,” he said, “I’ve seen it!”
Amharath and Lifeanth were more confused than ever, since they hadn’t gotten the story yet. The bogsneak ushered them to a waiting room and bustled about making tea. Nothing like tea to soothe frayed nerves.
The courier began her tale: “The Winds were with me, and I made good time, but as I approached I began to feel more and more strongly that I should just turn around and forget about it. But I’m a courier! So I pressed forward, and then these symbols started flashing in front of me, like those pirate flags, all grim and skeletal. It gave me the creeps, but I tried, I really did, even though it was a strain, and that’s when those symbols got stronger, like, and started to hurt my eyes! I was afraid I’d go blind! So I turned around to come back here, even though I hadn’t… I didn’t … “ She looked about to cry.
Simon patted her consolingly. “It’s all right, you have not disgraced the couriers, you clearly gave it your all!” The bog had tea ready, and he poured her a cup, which she accepted in trembling hands. Simon continued as she sank back gratefully.
“I’d been running deliveries all week around the fringes of the WindSwept Plateau, and was anxious to get back so Greenworth and I could get some R&R together here at the Jamboree, but I ran into the same Keep Away spell she did! And it’s just as she described. It’s a strong one! I’d be willing to bet it takes all of our
Windchanters to keep it going. They really don’t want anyone going in or out! Maybe there is some danger they are trying to contain, if the skull & crossbones motif is any indicator.”
“But why wouldn’t they just ask for help?” Lifeanth interrupted. “There’s a ton of dragons right here I bet would jump at the chance to bust some enemy skulls together, regardless of flight.”
“I don’t know the answer to that, little one.” From anyone else, Lifeanth would have bristled at the appellation, but from Simon she didn’t mind so much. “I have some ideas on trying to gather more intelligence on the situation, but first I need to rest. It really takes a lot out of you trying to fight against a Keep Away! “ The courier nodded mutely in agreement.
“You should spend the day with us!” Amharath agreed.
“Say, can you cook?”
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