12/22/2002

05:13 PM

Logfile from Sk'lar.

 

 

Hold Courtyard

Crom hold's courtyard stretches out, its rooms standing tall against the mountains behind.  Imposing and dark, the previous inhabitants have mostly never thought much of decoration, but Crom's newest Lady Holder has taken it to her personal attention to add joy and color to the rather barren countryside.

A road leads out towards Telgar and the Hold's gather grounds, while little trails by the hold take twists and turns to a pleasant garden, the stables, the minercraft hall, and a charming and scenic trail through the valleys and hills of the Crom Area.

The air is crisp with the coolness of pending winter.  With the summer's heat gone and Rukbat's rays no longer shining down so intensely, Pern herself seems to be in quiet repose.   It is a fall morning.

You see Bellezza Wagon Train, Revtoqzen, and Evreth here.

The following dragons are here: Kahlendroth

From here you can go:

Hold Doors                Stables                    Hold Gardens             

Cothold Path              Mine Hall                  Scenic Trail             

Guard Office              Crom Road                                           

 

Sk'lar slides from Kahlendroth's tilted shoulder, bounces over the bulge of the dragon's foreleg, and then lands upon the ground with a *thump*.

 

Harper's Area

A small, vaulted vestibule serves as the entry way into the Harper area of Crom Hold. Muffled in the distance are the sounds of a choir in practice, pausing as the conductor provides guidance. Mingling with voices, clashing, is the sound of a group of beginner instrumentalists practicing.

Two glow baskets rest on either end of a table. Between the two and well lit is a hidebound tome about the Harper craft at Crom Hold.

Perched somewhere up high, you see Frosty.

Kasan is here.

From here you can go:

CraftheadSecond's Office  Classroom                  Crafters' Wing           

Crafthead's Office        Apprentice Dorms           Upperknot Hallway        

 

Re'a has arrived.

 

Kasan is dismissing the last of a class, by the looks of things, answering a few questions for confused apprentices, and shooing them away to their next class, which apparently is already starting, if the tuneless testing of instruments somewhere nearby is anything to go on. With a sigh, the tall journeyman stretches his back, and makes to start trudging his way towards the Crafter's Wing.

 

Sk'lar crosses into the Harper's area after coming in from the Hold area, his stride purposeful yet casual at the same moment. Riding jacket loosely opened, he pauses at the threshold to peer around the expanse of the room, gaze bland even as he searches the faces. As an apprentice passes him by, a hand snaps out to grip the collar of the boy's shirt, "Show me one of your superiors."

 

The sounds of a door opening echos briefly before being swallowed by the sounds of students as they pour from one of the classrooms, laughing and giggling, a few even going over a few scales upon instruments they'd been given in the class. Bumping the door with her hip, Re'a exits the class, smiling as she talks with a few of the older Sr. Apprentices, nodding as she bends over to correct a fingering upon a set of panpipes while juggling notes and music in the other arm. It seems the rider has come to Crom to get in a few 'specialty' classes the apprentices asked for, and for the moment, remains hidden behind the door.

 

Kasan hears the Weyrleader's command, and before the beleaguered apprentice can even turn around and dash back towards the hallway where it might be most likely for him to find someone higher up the ranks, the white-and-blue-clad Journeyman steps forward, his face and voice are soft and calm, but firm enough to reassure the apprentice. "My duty to Telgar, Weyrleader, how may I assist?"

 

Sk'lar releases his hold on the apprentice, giving the boy a little shove to direct him away. Gaze lifts up to note Kasan, or more correctly his knot before finally speaking, "I'm looking for someone. The father of one of our greenriders at Telgar. He is a harper here."

 

Re'a continues to talk to a few apprentices who surround her until a very nervous young apprentice goes striding back, still looking nervously over his shoulder. Turning, she peers around the door in time to spy Sk'lar and hear his words. Brows furrow as she tries to imagine what the Weyrleader might be doing here. Still, she sees Kasan is taking care of whatever it is, so she turns back to answer one last question.

 

Kasan nods knowingly, the ghost of a smile on his lips - not amusement, but in the answering of an expectation. "Yes, sir, I have been expecting you. If you would step this way, I will be more than happy to speak with you." His voice is cultured, almost formal. He indicates the classroom - currently empty now that the class is over, and free of prying eyes and ears that might relay too much in the way of rumour.

 

"Expecting me?" Sk'lar is not amused. And it shows in the tone of his voice as he watches Kasan for a long, quiet moment. Lips draw into a fine line, "You're Tss'a's father?" No surprise shows, just a steady, if rather drab consistency to his features is evident. He doesn't exactly look though as if he is going to budge anywhere.

 

Re'a finishes answering all questions, her head lifted to gaze about the door where Kasan and Sk'lar still stand, eyebrow quirked as she hears bits and pieces of their conversation. What's this about Tss'a? Becoming curious, she turns, even steps towards the two guys before she pauses once more. Whatever does Sk'lar have to say about her Wingsecond, surely, she should know too?

 

Kasan nods. "Aye sir, I am, and yes, I was expecting you." The journeyman shrugs. "So, in the interests of a private discussion, perhaps we should retire?" Again, politely - politely, note - indicating the classroom as a viable destination for this sort of thing.

 

There are times when Sk'lar is the very image of propriety, and there are times where, to be perfectly frank, he could care less. Right now, he could care less. Wry smile tightens upon his face as he turns to the side slightly, "This'll do as well as any." And, without warning whatsoever, especially considering how rather... well... completely devoid of any anger or any other such emotions, the Weyrleader swings back around with fist formed. This herder-bred boy has knocked a couple of yearling bovines right off their feet, he is bound and determined to box this harper the very same way.

 

It's a good thing that Re'a has been watching, isnt' it? In a very loud voice, she calls out Sk'lar's name, using her best drill tone - he should remember the one from his weyrlingdays. "Sk'lar!" Now, hopefully, he still has time to pull the punch.

 

Kasan goes from perfectly calm, the image of politeness, to dodging back two steps in the space of an eyeblink. His knee twinges once, making this slightly less than the graceful move it might once have been. Without his hand appearing to move, there's a dagger in it, and the journeyman is in a defensive stance. "Now /that/," he growls, "I was /not/ expecting." The dagger is deliberately but smoothly put away, Re'a apparently ignored. "I do /not/ wish this to go this way, sir!" The last statement ringing somewhat louder.

 

Sk'lar doesn't much care for being yelled at, if he even heard it at all. And seeing as apparently that 'surprise' punch didn't connect, he is of the opinion that well... this harper hasn't gotten his 'just desserts' quite yet. Also, not seeing past that cool anger of his, the knife is completely ignored. "Oh? Like Tss'a didn't expect you hitting her?" He launches forward, winding up for another swing for the Harper's jaw.

 

MEN! Sometimes, a girl just hates 'em! Seeing the yell didn't do anything to stop the fight, Re'a jumps into the middle of things, unmindful of the dagger she's seen, and the swing-up for another punch from Sk'lar. "Hold it right there, both of ye!" Hands are raised, along with her voice, she attempts to insert a bit of sanity here in the middle of things where sanity doesn't seem to reign at the moment. Apprentices gather 'round, whispering and watching to see how things turn out.

 

Kasan is suddenly holding a dagger in each hand, apparently concealed up his sleeves. Long viperish things, they are held ready, a duck-and-slash maneuver already started by the time Re'a jumps in the way. The journeyman, realizing that there's someone else there, tries to divert the swing, but doesn't quite manage, the blade rather rapidly blurring towards where Re'a's lower back has been placed...

 

Avaly has arrived.

 

Sk'lar almost growls at Re'a abruptly places herself in the way of things. Come on here, he is in the middle of trying to beat the holy living snot out of Kasan here. He doesn't need some greenrider getting in the way of things. Punch is pulled, but only just barely as it slides through the air just over her shoulder. He curses onces, before trying to duck around her and get at Kasan.

 

Re'a isn't going to let Sk'lar get around her, and she moves to intercept him again - putting her almost out of harms way of the dagger. Still, the wickedly sharp weapon skitters across her side, the blade slicing a long wound that begins to bleed immediately though she doesn't notice it, at first, so busy is she at keeping the two men from each other. "Sk'lar, stand down this instance!" Sure, he outranks her, but she's hoping the tone and stance she uses will remind him again of his weyrling days.

 

Kasan curses loudly as his strike gets the person who has placed herself in the way. Well, her fault, she's the one who went and lept into the middle of things. He backs off a step, both blades held ready, his body in a crouch. "For Faranth's safe, you dimglow, calm yourself!" He hisses the words at the weyrleader.

 

Avaly hears odd noises not normally associated with the hall, and she also has apprentices barging into her office and telling that she's got to come quick.  So, her door is thrown open and she starts stalking out, exclaiming when she spots the trio, "What in Faranth's name is going on out here?"  Dagger is spotted, as is the blood, before she  places just who it is she's looking at.  Deciding to just shout at everyone at once, she does so, "Weyrleader, Journeyman Kasan,  Journey- shardit, Wingleader Re'a!  Stop this at once!"  Yes, she sounds like a very angry hen, but, at least she's rather loud about it, fun harper training, "Get in this office at once."  She then glances around and spots a few apprentices who've been too scared to dart off, "Go!"  She's going to need some tea after this ..

 

This coming from the person who is constantly hurting innocent people? First Tss'a and now Re'a. Although, Sky doesn't quite know about Re'a yet, other than her yell at him. Her words causes him to hesitate for but a breath, but just enough to cause him to yell at her, "Get the fardles out of the way, Re'a." Anger is finally evident in his eyes, instead of the cool detachment of before. Gaze draws back over to Kasan, growling, "You stay out of my Weyr, Harper." But, just a few threatening words aren't nearly enough to prove his point. There is still a bit of punishment to give out here. The weyrleader reaches a hand out towards Re'a's side as if to push her behind him, before he launches forward again, reaching as if to grab at Kasan.

 

Re'a is quick, a hand reaching out to push Sk'lar back, a stitch in her side causing her to wince. But, a little pain isn't going to stop her, not when it seems both of the guys have murder on their minds this afternoon. Yelling at Avaly to help her, she remains between the two, dancing along with them as they attempt to get around her to each other's throats. "I will not... now STAND DOWN!" is shouted again as she steps quickly to block this new move from Sk'lar, hands raised to brace against his chest - if he tries anything, she's going to push - and she's no wimp.

 

(Kahlendroth) Ailaeth lands lightly on the ground and furls her wings.

 

Kasan doesn't move from the spot, though he does turn - on his right leg - to follow the dancing pair of riders. "You don't even know what you're talking about, Sk'lar. You don't even have a clue." Stance is ready, but not aggressive. He's not going to attack unless Sk'lar manages to get past Re'a.

 

Avaly isn't exactly a non-whimp, but, if she can kill a man with a plate, she can at least leap at Sk'lar since he seems to be the main aggressor today.  When no one really listens to her order to go into her office she circles around and makes a leap for Sk'lar's back, "Weyrleader, you're *struggle to stay attached* making a *muttermumble* scene."  Grip is nearly lost but legs are tightened rather nicely.  What a sight this must be ...  Trying to catch Kasan's attention she takes a moment to point to her office, no doubt she'll be thrown with that gesture, "In there, now Kasan."  Get rid of one, maybe the other can be talked to, or at least yelled at, not that she thinks Kas will listen.

 

(Kahlendroth) Ailaeth lifts her head from the patch of ground where she had been sleeping, whirling eyes turned towards the hold's doors, tail tip flicked against the ground as she senses the trouble that brews behind the doors. Crooning low at first, the green only grows more fidgety as time goes by.

 

Sk'lar is going to get past Re'a if he has to heft her over his shoulder and go at Kasan with one arm. He tries once more to look around her, but do now avail. " Shaffit, wench! Get the fardles out of the way! That son of a 'snake hit one of my riders, and I'll be sent between before I let him get away with it!" He tries to push back around her once more, only to be attacked from behind by a banshee, or maybe just Avaly. Grunting, he leans forward, yelling some curse or another.

 

(Kahlendroth) Kahlendroth was watching the doors with barely restrained anger, he eyes trained upon them with an every increasing whirl. At something or another, the dragon seems to startle, immediately drawing up to all fours with a growl deep in his throat. Talons rend the stones beneath his feet.

 

Re'a isn't going to let up, even if Sk'lar rains curses about her ears. Thankfully, the day is saved when Avaly jumps on the rider's back, distracting him from his goal. Hopefully, Kasan is listening - she's not turning away from the bronzer until she's sure he's not going to get around her - she figures Kasan to be the more level-headed one right now of the two. Go figure! "I will not until you calm yourself!" Wincing again, she drops a hand to her side, the black sisal having hidden the flow of blood until now. Still, she doesn't recognize it for what it

 

Kasan is anything but level-headed. One of them would be dead or unconscious by now except for female intervention. Unfortunately, it seems that the wyerleader's comment has finally triggered something, and the journeyman steps forward. "I did not hit my daughter!" he roars - yes, /roars/, with completely unrestrained anger. Now he as well is circling around Re'a, looking for an opening. And as soon as he finds one, it won't be just Re'a's blood dripping from the blade.

 

"Did," grunt cling goes the asst crafthead, "Did Tss'a say it was him?  If not, were you there?"  Still clinging Avaly now watches out for Kasan, ready to move herself into the way since she'd rather not have Kas slicing, dicing, or stabbing the weyrleader just now.

 

(Kahlendroth) Ailaeth finds her feet, wings rustling over her back as the bronze begins to growl. Both dragons stand before the doors, not leaving much room for people to come and go between them. Nervously, holdfolk gather, many wondering just what is wrong with the two dragons.

 

Sk'lar is completely and utterly without release now. Surrounded by women. Normally, he'd rather appreciate this position, especially with one clinging to his back. Alas, this isn't exactly a situation where he can enjoy such. So, without preamble, he stills. Stock still. The very vision of calmness, his words cold as ice, "Her father, the Crom Harper... from her very lips.... Yes, you did, you son of a 'snake. Are you going to hit Re'a because she is in your way as well? Try it and I swear I'll see my hands covered in your blood."

 

As soon as Sk'lar goes still, she turns, holding a hand up to both ment, her left hand now facing Kasan, eyes glancing between the two angry men. "Can we not speak of this in a civilized manner instead of acting like little kids out on the playground crying and fighting over toys?" Surely, now is the time to get the two into the office before gathering even more gaping apprentices about them. "Tss'a is my responsibility, before even yours, Sk'lar, and if Kasan has hit her, then doncha think I should be the one screaming at Kasan here?" This is all news to her, as seen by the slight confusion on her face, but she's not going to face that fact just yet. Another wince passes over her face, pain slowly making itself known as adrenaline slowly fades.

 

Kasan seethes with anger, daggers held in a tight grip and muscles taught with a thrust just begging to be unleashed. His voice is low, slow, and dangerous, as full of heat as the Weyrleader's isn't. "She told you it was an accident, but you don't seem to listen when you don't want to, do you?" He hasn't moved forward, but he's within punching range if Sk'lar decides to swing. The blood on his blade, and on Re'a, is ignored, he is completely focused on the opponent.

 

Avaly decides that it's her turn to growl so growl she does, "Weyrleader, before you go attacking one of my journeymen, come to me."  She keeps right on clinging as she continues quietly in Sk'lar's ear, still watching Kasan, "Do not turn this into a rift between the harpers and the weyr, things are bad enough without that."  She eyes Re'a then, "You ok?"  One of her 'men' is spotted and she barks at him to get a healer, even if Re'a might protest.

 

"Accident or no accident, you /hit/ her. You /hit/ her! You created the situation and you /hit/ her." Still extremely damning in Sky's eyes. As for the politics, he could care less at this moment. He remains as is, waiting rather patiently for Avaly to get off of his back, even if his gaze remains upon Kasan.

 

Re'a turns and points to Kasan's daggers, "Put those away, this instant, Journayman!" Using her best Weyrlingmaster tone, she turns back to SK'lar, believing that Kasan will listen to her. "Sk'lar.." Her tone brooks no arguements, or she'll loose her own temper - and he really doesn't want that to happen. He thinks she's bad when she's proddy. "Shall we /please/ go to Avaly's office now?" So what if Avaly is still clinging to Sk'lar's back? Sighing, she glances towards the hold doors, only now hearing the growls and sounds of distressed dragons from outside. "And calm your lifemate, Sk'lar - we don't need anymore trouble with the holders, do we?"

 

(Kahlendroth) Ailaeth lowers a head, one eye peering between the open doors, searching for her lifemate who disappeared inside, and knowing Re'a is upset. Giving a low crooning whimper, she waits, patiently though eyes hold a hint of angry red within their whirling depths.

 

Kasan doesn't take his eyes off Sk'lar, not even for an instant. The one clean dagger disappears up a sleeve, the other one's grip relaxed signficantly. Slowly, the journeyman straightens. "I am willing to resolve this ... accusation, calmly," he slowly states, though the anger is far from gone from his eyes.

 

Kasan's daggers are one of the many reasons Avaly is still clinging to Sk'lar actually.  She slowly starts to let go of Sk'lar when one blade is put away, "The other one Kas.  Give it to one of my men to clean and hold, or put it away."  She then addresses the weyrleader, "Will you calmly resolve this as well?"

 

Sk'lar is the very picture of patience as he simply waits for the 'all clear'. As soon as Avaly climbs down off of him, he opens his mouth to speak, but seems to hesitate at the sight of blood. Hrm. If it is Kasan's he might be pleased... alas, it it spotted on Re'a, eyes traveling down her side to the slice mark. "Re'a?" he questions softly, frowning at the sight until the connection is made. Oh dear. Oh my. He is looking back to Kasan, clear murder in his eyes. Smooth as sisal, the weyrleader slips between both women without a touch, and once free and clear, launches at Kasan once more with a growl.

 

Re'a gives Sk'lar a curious look before she follows his gaze to her side, where black sisal clings wetly to her side, her hand moving the material aside until the deep slice can be seen through the cut. Fingers come away covered in blood again, her face growing suddenly pale, and it's during this time that Sk'lar makes his attack on Kasan - darn MEN!

 

Kasan doesn't hesitate. One dagger is still out, and he doesn't waste time bringing the other one back. Murder's in the Weyrleader's eyes, and this is one harper who's not that easy to murder. Blade is sliced sideways, aiming for whichever arm is closest to him at the time, a silver blur in the air driven by a practiced hand. However, he doesn't back off, no dodging - if he's going to get hit, so be it.

 

Avaly hadn't fully let go, and therefore winds up around Sk'lar's ankles, arms closing even as her lip contacts the ground, "Shardit!"  She hates when her lip gets split open.  Shouting then, "So then Sk'lar, you can make people bleed but he can't?"  Hopefully it'll at least shock the man, even though it isn't much.  At that moment the healer Avaly sent for shows up and goes right for Re'a, fussy thing too.

 

Marion has arrived.

 

Sk'lar continues in his momentum forward, slipping once more out of Avaly's grasp. As one arm comes up, leather riding jacket taking the brunt of the hit, he shoves hard, pushing up and forward to try to catch Kasan in the gut with a classic tackle move. Arm that was sliced is already trying to reach to grapple with at least one of the Harper's arms.

 

One of those burly Journeymen that had been circling the crowd once called for by Avaly bends and pulls her out of the way once Sk'lar reaches Kasan and the fight is on. Another pulls Re'a out of the way so she can be tended to by the healer who fusses - quite loudly - even over the greenrider's screams for the two men to stop. "Kasan! Sk'lar!" Pleas are given, and a stern look is thrown towards the Journeymen to do something, and do it quickly before someone else is hurt.

 

There's a familiar face back in Crom Hold...  Though quite a bit taller and ganglier than when she was last here, Marion is still just as happy as ever, wandering along whistling a happy tune.  That is, until the noise of the fight reaches her ears.  Then she just looks a little confused.  She peeks around the hallway, green eyes blinking as she tries to see what might be going on....  And then squeaks.  "Rees, you're bleeding!"  Pointing out the obvious, of course.  That's what she's hear for.  Anyhow, once she's spotted Re'a, there's not a fight on Pern that's going to stop her from heading over there to see about her.  Out of the way!  Headstrong teenager coming through! 

 

Kasan isn't exactly used to being tackled, and struggles against the Weyrleader's weight. However, he isn't really all that strong. He slips a hand free to slice the dagger at something; then again - whether he got clothes or flesh, though, he can't tell - before the hand is pinned and the dagger goes skittering across the floor. Very much outclassed, he nevertheless tries to claw at Sk'lar's eyes with his other hand (until that one's pinned too, which won't take long), or maybe knee him in the groin. Though if Sk'lar's the brawler he seems to be, this isn't going to last long at all...

 

Re'a blinks as she hears a familar voice, turning to look at Marion as the teenager arrives in the middle of things. "I'm fine, Marion, really." Just explain that to the healer who says otherwise - and is speaking about stitches. She tries her best to get away from the Journeyman holding her, attempting to put herself in tht emiddle of the fight again, but to no avail - she's stuck in place, and helpless to stop the fight from going any further.

 

Marion wrinkles her nose, looking down at Re'a's wound, angrily.  "You don't /look/ fine," she points out.  "You look like you're bleeding."  She blinks a little, peering at the healer.  "Stitches?"  She wrinkles her nose, "Sit down Rees."  She glances over, then back, gripping hands into fists.  "You tell me which one it was, and /I'll/ go knock his head in for you." 

 

Sk'lar has looked bulls in the eye as a skinny teen, what's one knife-wielding Harper? Okay, maybe one rather skilled and mad knife-wielding harper, but that's besides the point. Sky doesn't quite have all of his senses about him at the moment. Another slice strikes weyrhide again, the sharp instrument slicing through clean to the shirt and deeper. He grunts, hitching to the side with one arm as the other comes around in an aim for Kasan's eye. Connecting or not, the Weyrleader overbalances, feet entangling in Kasan's and down he goes, heavy, hard. Of course, the back of his head conveniently smacks a table, a *CRACK* heard loud and echoing. *FWUMP* Down Sky goes like a sack of 'stone. Out.

 

Yes, it connected, and not lightly either, both strength and gravity combining for a powerful blow to Kasan's head. Fist strikes skull, skull strikes cold, stone floor, and the Weyrleader isn't the only one to suddenly stop moving.

 

Well, it seems the guys are lucky and won't have to face Marion's... or Re'a's.. wrath this afternoon as both hit the floor and lie still. Dragons roar from outside, and with a calm word to a green, soon both are quiet. Or at least as quiet as they're going to get this day. Waving a hand at the healer, Re'a throws the fussy man a glare and rushes forward to check both Sk'lar and Kasan, sighing as she realizes they're both going to suffer nothing more than major headaches ocne they come too. Still, by now, guards have been called, and the two are hauled off to sleep their anger off - in seperate guarded rooms.