Intro: Kalaht's Delimma((OPEN to any patrol))

[Spirithawk]

P'rin let out a yell when he saw the lad go down. Kilzanth let out a menacing growl towards the other bandits and then swung back to the boy. The bronzerider hurriedly tied the spare straps around the girl so she wouldn't fall off and slid out of his own. "Stay on Kilzanth." He told her.

The bronzerider leapt to the ground when the dragon was close enough, pulling his long belt-knife from the sheath at his waist. He was glad he had sharpened it after making those shoes for the traveling lad. The black-haired young man's blue eyes blazed with anger.

"You'd best be on your way. This boy and the girl are now under the protection of the Weyr. I am duty bound to stop you from harming a citizen." His words were spoken in a quietly deadly voice that still carried. He stalked forward, his lean frame tense and ready for anything. Kilzanth continued to rumble menacingly deep in his wide chest.

He motioned for the good samaritan who had knocked the bandit on the head to watch his back. There were other bandits behind them. "They will be brought to justice." He assured the man, but his eyes never left the form of the bandit second.

[Drgnwlf71]

The 2nd in command had a thought. Why go after a boy and Harper when there is more booty for a dragonrider, and a bronzerider no less. He approached P'rin. Not a word and attacked. He sliced into the left side as a passed and grinned.

"Youse'n cummin' wit meh. You'll make a much better profit than tha boy OR that Harper and -you- will be sold into slavery, not the boy and you'll never sees your dragon again!" He laughed sinisterly.

[seneth]

As the rider leapt down to face the bandit, Klivin used a brief moment to check on the unconscious boy. Kneeling down beside Kalaht, he made quick work of ripping the base of his shirt, which he folded and pressed against the injury. “That’s the best I can do…” With a weary rub of his knuckles and knife in hand, he caught the riders intention and nodded.

A moment later he found himself back to back with a bronzerider, his expression grim and his eyes focused on the bandits before him. Too much is at stake, to give in to minor details such as numbers… Klivin shrugged, before offering a dry chuckle as the bandit suggested that he could keep a rider away from his dragon. Or vice versa…I take back any mention that these men were educated… He grinned, before eying the other bandits like a class of naughty children.

[Drgnwlf71]

Daria was too afraid to look down. She disliked being in high places. She couldn't do anything but watch. She could handle herself. Just because she was young doesn't mean anything these days.

"Hey! You dimglow, what are you stupid? Don't you know a dragon can't survive without its rider? If the riders separated from their lifemate never to return, that breaks the bond."

"I's don't care! I hates 'em!"

"That's 'I hate them'...my Farnath, don't they teach these kids -anything- these days?" Daria yelled from the dragon.

"I'll gets youse!" the 2nd in command said, jumping up to grab her.

She laughed at him. "Haha! Unless you have wings, you can't get me, you wherry-brained wher!" She chuckled. "Wha-what's that? I can't understand you! Could you speak a little more clearly?!" she was taunting him, distracting him.

"I will get youse!" the bandit said, frustrated.

"Youse? I've never head of that word before. What is a youse? A mouse? Yeah, that's it! A mouse!" she chuckled. She was having fun. "If you are a mouse, then the bronzerider must be the feline! Predator and prey...what a delightful setting! The hunter becomes the hunted!"

The taunts were working. Daria smiled as the bandit got all mad and jumped up high to grab her. "Told you, you have no wings...." She stuck her tongue out at him and laughed at him at his attempts to reach her.

[Spirithawk]

P'rin wasn't quite as prepared for the bandit's attack as he should have been. He let out a yell of pain as the white fire sliced through his side. His dragon's resulting bellow was deafening. The bronzerider gritted his teeth and raised his knife. The dragon's eyes blazed red, whirling faster than they had been before.

P'rin stalked forward, ignoring the pain in his side and the blood oozing from the wound. He'd need stitches, but he wasn't in danger of bleeding out anytime soon. He was more worried about the injured boy and the safety of the Harper and the girl on his dragon.

Kilzanth saw red. He flapped his wings once to get out of range of the slashing bandit and then dove. His wedge-shaped head struck out against the man, knocking him to the ground. His roar scared wherries out of the trees.

The dragon planted his hind leg on the bandit, pinning him to the ground. Some of his talons cut into the man's flesh, cutting a few of the nerves in his arm. P'rin walked forward, his blue eyes icy with fury and pain.

"You forgot one thing. Dragons protect their own."

I should kill him.

"No Kilzanth, don't kill him. He doesn't deserve it." The man turned towards the other bandits. "Anyone else want to try to attack a dragonrider? I can get the whole Weyr here in a second. I suggest you put your weapons down now."

P'rin felt a little dizzy, but he kept his head up. He didn't want to show weakness and give any of the other bandits an invitation to attack. A brown flitt appeared, chittering.

"Falarn, go find some guards." He sent the flitt a picture of the hold guards. The flitt cheeped and rushed away.

"Is the boy ok?" He didn't turn, but addressed his question to the man who had left the bandits to help.

[Drgnwlf71]

The second in command knew terror for the very first time in 20 Turns. He hit the ground with such force that he slid five feet from where he was and was stopped by the dragon's hind leg. The bandit's eyes were wide and he burst into a cold sweat. He struggled to get free.

"Youse cans not holds meh down! I hates dragons!" he swore. "They're nots but a over growns flitter!"

[seneth]

At the girls brave taunts towards the bandits Klivin bit back a smile, “My thoughts exactly…” He murmured to himself, his eyes glistening in amusement. In truth he didn’t know what to think of the situation anymore, it was hardly a heroic tale…though, without the rider and his dragon, they’d all be skinned and ready for the spit. It also wasn’t a tale of wits, something most the bandits seem to lack. Suddenly with a yell of pain and a ear shattering bellow, Klivin winced with hands clamping instantly to his ears.
The Harper had only briefly taken his eyes off the bandits, but it offered one man the confidence to surge towards the rider. “Speaking of wits…” The Harper whirled in time to disarm and knock out an overconfident brute. “Did I do that…” He wondered with a bemused expression, as he turned back to the other bandits. His face contorting into a menacing scowl, I hope the rider is okay…the boy too…

What came next was a whirl of bronze, blood and wherries…and after turning to see the rider injured but alive, he found himself kneeling beside the boy. “He’s alive…” Klivin said finally, as he carefully propped up the boy to elevate the injury. “I’m no healer…but the boy needs to see one soon,” He added, pressing the cloth to the injury to slow the blood flow. His eyes not missing much as he kept his knife close at hand.

[Spirithawk]

At the man's words, Kilzanth pressed harder on the man beneath him. He snaked his wedge-shaped head down to view the man with one whirling, jewel-faceted eye. The dragon's hot breath had the stink of firestone as he breathed out angrily at the second in command.

Tell him he'd better shut up or I will shut him up. The little cousins can't do as much damage as I can.

"Kilzanth said that he will shut you up if you don't. I'm inclined to let him. You attacked a dragonrider. That's an offense that will have you exiled, if you don't take a one way trip between."

He walked forward, and reached up behind Daria to grab a rope from the pack he kept on the dragon's saddle. He tapped the great bronze's leg. "Let me tie him." He bit back a reaction to a spasm of pain as the dragon slowly lifted his leg. The bronzerider trussed the bandit up like a wherry.

"You're lucky that it goes against what we are to end your life here and now. We'll let the justice system deal with you. I don't think the Lord Holder will appreciate you attacking people in his lands, even if they are largely uninhabited."

Falarn emerged, chittering. Help was on the way. "We do need to get him to a healer but we will have to wait until someone comes to deal with these fools. Girl do you wish to get down so Kil can guard the rest of them?"

[Drgnwlf71]

Kalaht had to help. Despite his pain in his shoulder, he took up one leg at a time and slowly stood. He walked toward the bandit, staggering but slowly.

"Just because he's tied, doesn't mean he has a plan to escape. He's working on a plan right now. I can tell." Kalaht had dealt with his man before. Last time, he was at home and this bandit attacked him when his brother was alive. He was going to stab him and his brother protected him. "I have dealt with him before. It was when when Tommy was alive. That's why they want me...so they can give me to this Master of theirs." He glared at him. He drew his knife and shoved it up against his throat. "The dragons may be able to kill.....but I can! Who killed my brother? Was it you?" he said a low, menacing voice. "Answer or you lose your life!" This would change Kalaht forever if he did this.

"Yeh thinks I's scared of youse?!" he laughed.

"Wrong answer!" Kalaht poised the knife so that it would slit his throat. "Why did you kill my brother!

---

Admin's Note:[/hr]"

"A Hold Guard gets killed, goods profit ins dat." he said. Kalaht yelled in fury as he decided he would be the judge and jury. Someone had to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life.

Daria looked at P'rin.

"Yes, please."

[seneth]

“T…take it easy lad,” Klivin insisted with a worried frown. Physically it was too soon for the boy to be on his feet, …but what about his mind. The Harper thought his eyes running over the other bandits. There’s too much pain, too much death…but why? The man wondered as he reached out to pick up his own knife. There was enough death through age, accidents and…illness, without need for murder. He thought sadly, brushing the dust off his knees. And some wonder why I didn’t foster my own son…

Suddenly at the raised voices he whirled round, his brown eyes looking to the rider, the dragon…no. Upon sighting the boy a chill of dread hit him, He’ll regret it… He thought weakly as the bandit continued to push the lad. Suddenly at the boys yell of fury the Harper tucked away his own knife and lunged.
Hoping the rider saw this as an attempt to help, he grabbed the boys knife arm. “Don’t let them win…” He gasped, as he moved to restrain the boy and turn him away from the source of his anger. “Don’t give him an easy way out…your safe now…” Klivin insisted, knowing that he’d be more than willing to take Kalaht with his son to his new station. There the boy would be safe, he’d make sure of it.

[Drgnwlf71]

"Safe?! I'm never safe when its bandits on the loose! I want them all dead starting with with HIM!" Kalaht said, without remorse. "He killed my brother!" he shouted. The shout echoed through out the forest. The shout scared some wild wherries from the trees. Kalaht let him be restrained as he collasped. He began to cry, grieving for his dead brother.

"Shut him up!" he growled. "Or I'll shut it for him!" he swore.

[Spirithawk]

P'rin hurriedly stepped forward and kicked the bandit in the temple, knocking the man out. "Now, he's not going to open his maw for a while." Kilzanth bent down to allow his rider to help Daria off his back. P'rin bit back a cry of pain as he stretched the slice in his side. Once the girl was down, the bronze launched himself, circling slowly around the group of bandits.

Falarn returned, showing images of riders mounted on runners. "Help is on the way. I will be taking the children back with me to the Weyr until we find out where they belong. You're welcome to come to Harper." He had remembered that someone had called the man a Harper, and it made sense. He also remembered that Christae had mentioned a harper being stationed in the Weyr. He wondered why they hadn't sent a rider for the man, but he figured that this might be the Harper that was coming to live at the weyr for a time.

"P'rin of bronze Kilzanth, Master Tanner, at your service. What are your names?" He had taken his pack from the dragon when he took Daria down and he pulled out a spare tunic. He tore it into strips and used one strip to gag the unconscious man just in case he woke up. He used the other strips to press against the wound in his side.

"They won't be on the loose anymore. He will be exiled for attacking a rider and a Harper, so will the leader. The rest will either be exiled or sent to work in the mines in chains, never to be released. Now, let us try to stop the bleeding in your shoulder lad."

[seneth]

Letting the boy shout out his frustration, Klivin merely held onto him. His expression calm and reserved, as he kept a tight reign on his own anger and sadness. These men truly did deserve whatever punishment was laid on them, but not by Kalaht’s hand. Revenge would eventually lead to regret and a murderers charge. I wont see him wasted on some Island or the Mines… The Harper thought grimly, his eyes looking to the wherries.

As the boy collapsed Klivin eased him to the ground, his fingers coaxing the knife from his grasp. “Let it all out lad…” He murmured softly, his eyes turning to the bronze rider. At the man’s offer he nodded with a slight smile, “If your fine bronze can take the four of us, I’d consider it an honour. But these children…take preference.” Klivin said firmly, his expression taking a stubborn light. As he wondered if there was a way he could protect, or maybe apprentice them. Well I wont know until I’ve reached the Weyr…Klinorfin is currently safe where he his…

“A pleasure to meet you Master P’rin and bronze Kilzanth,” Klivin smiled formally, with a half bow to both of them from where he knelt beside the boy. “I’m Journeyman Harper Klivin, soon to be stationed at Dark Moon Weyr.” He said confirmed, before turning back to Kalaht. The fact the rider had been injured hadn’t escaped him, as he cursed his foolishness for not bringing anything but the clothes on his back. My son did say… With a slight frown he turned to the rider, his eyes scanning his side. “Do you have any numbweed…

---

Admin's Note:[/hr]” He asked, not sure if any other plants here were similar to those up North.

With an inward sigh he noted there was still much more he had to learn.

[Drgnwlf71]

"NO!!! The mines won't work, they'll escape! They all must die! That's the only way." Kalaht angrily spat. "He killed my brother!!He must pay with his life! The others made me watch. I will do it if no one else will! Get off me!" he growled, angrily at the Harper. It didn't matter if the bandit was knocked it but was relieved that he was. His words just angered the boy more as was his intention.

"You think because I am short, you think me weak. Even though I am hurt, I'm still going to find a way to end your sharding life! I am NOT weak....I am strong." Kalaht told the knocked out bandit. "You! You killed Tommy! You will die, not by my hand but eventually you will die or wish you were." His left shoulder gave out on him and he collaspsed again.

Kalaht gave the Harper his knife. "Here. Take it. I'm done." He used the Harper to get up and gave him a hug. "Names Kalaht, sir. Harper Klivin? Just get me out of here."

[seneth]

Klivin knew that any reassurances he offered would fall on deaf ears. If mine done fall deaf first… He winced, shaking his head at the boys demand. The boy was both grieving and injured, and now more than ever, he needed to know there was someone there for him. Someone to… As the boy collapsed Klivin pushed aside his thoughts to support the lad. “Easy there…” He said softly, his brows furrowed into a concerned frown.

When the knife was willingly given up, the Harper took it with a proud nod. Tucking it away as the boy determinedly rose to his feet again. He’s surely a fighter… He thought with an inward smile, as he carefully returned the embrace.
At Kalaht’s request he nodded, “We’ll get you out of here…” Klivin reassured him, his eyes looking to P’rin for confirmation. If anything, it’d be good to get the boy away from the immediate area. But the bronze rider had the final say, as only he knew how far the Weyr and a trained healer was.

[Spirithawk]

P'rin winced. The boy would be doing more damage to himself thrashing around like that. "Lad, they won't escape the mines." His voice was gravely serious. "I've transported prisoners to the mines before. Whers guard the prisons by night, and they have vicious canines by day. By the end of the day, the prisoners are too tired to do anything but sleep, and they are up at the crack of dawn. Most do not even live out their sentence. Life in the mines is a death sentence, and worse for some than exile."

You hurt. We need to get you and the boy to a Healer.

"I know Kil. We're going soon. Just waiting for the guards to get here to take care of the rest of them."

He looked towards the ones he had helped rescue. "Falarn sent images that they were on their way. It isn't that long a ride from here. Kilzanth will get us to the weyr in the space of a few minutes. It would take an hour or two straight flight. We do patrols over the span of about 4-5 hours. I was just about to swing back around. Good thing I hadn't, or I would have missed that."

A few minutes later, the contingent of riders arrived, ready for anything. The bronze was circling the bandits, but they were soon rounded up and tied to the back of the runners to make the trek to where they would be held. The unconscious man was slung over a pack beast's back.

"We will be calling on you all to testify." The guard said. P'rin assured them that they would be there and then called his dragon down. Kilzanth crouched down as low as he could to make things easier for the injured parties to mount.

"Let's go. If everyone is ready, we'll launch. Harper, do we need to pick up your things?"

[Drgnwlf71]

Kalaht sighed and helped himself to the dragon. He looked up. Kilzanth was HUGE. His eyes got bigger at the bronze, towering over him. He look at his talons. Golly, they were big too! Heck, he could build a house underneath him and STILL have enough room to have a three or four Runners and maybe a guest house, even!

"Shards! You are hhuuugggee!" he spoke to the bronze. "Gee, I wish I could get one like you! You are totally awweessoome!" Kalaht said a bit overwhelmed.

[seneth]

Nodding at the bronze riders words, Klivin straightened to his feet, brushing the sweat off his brow and the dust off his knees. Oh what I’d do for a… With a wry smile he stopped himself. All that time in the Harper Hall…I must be getting soft. The Harper told himself, brushing aside any thought/memory of the sea journey to the Southern Continent.

There was nothing he disliked more than boats…well, other than letting his mind wonder. It has to be my age, he thought as he eyed Kalaht before turning to P’rin. At the mention of how close it was, he shook his head in disbelief. “There are no words, or melody, to sufficiently describe my gratitude Bronze rider,” He said with a ready smile and a flourishing bow.

At the welcome presence of runners and riders, the Harper did his best to assist when not observing. His eyes and ears not missing a beat. From the large herding bronze, to the bandits trussed up like wherries for the spit. Oh If I’d only an ounce of drawing ability… The man thought wistfully, before nodding at the request for them to testify. There was no way he’d miss that for the world, he added grimly. His expression only softening, at young Kalaht’s reaction to the bronze.

“Don’t suspect the lads been this close to a dragon…” He said softly for the riders ears alone. I know Fin hasn’t… Klivin thought guiltily, as he toyed with the offer to return briefly to the hold. “My son…he’s both my assistant and apprentice…he’s at the Hold with our belongings.” The Harper admitted briskly. “The lad is safe and happy where he is, and its more important now, that we get you and Kalaht to a healer.” He said ending on a firmer note. Knowing that if he was permitted a runner, or the possible assistance of a draongrider, he could collect Klinorfin tomorrow at the latest.

With that he turned to the fine bronze, ready to assist or be instructed with the mounting.

[Spirithawk]

"It is my duty as a rider. We protect and serve." The bronzerider proudly declared. P'rin managed a grin at the Harper's words and the boy's excitement. "Much less a bronze." He replied. He helped the lad as best he could onto his bronze's back.

"It wouldn't take long to pick up your son and your belongings," P'rin assured the man. He gestured for the Harper to climb up. "I can't help you up." He was almost ashamed to admit it.

Mine, you hurt. The boy hurts. We go home.

"Kil, we can pick up his son." He argued with the dragon.

I take you home.

"Kilzanth." There was a warning note in the bronzerider's voice.

No. We will ask someone else to fly the boy and their belongings in.

"He's being stubborn. He has volunteered one of the weyr's riders to bring your son and your belongings into the weyr. I think he's probably bespeaking the Queen right now. She'll order us home. If you let me know what hold your son is in, we can send someone right away unless you need to help him pack. Then we can just go back and you can ride whatever dragon is sent back to the hold to pick him up. Someone will be happy to bring a Harper back."

Priath's rider would be happy. She wants to get her Journeyman's knots.

After everyone was settled, the dragon launched himself into the air. "Brace yourself." The rider's face was pale, all the more reason for them to head back soon, especially since the boy was injured as well. "My dragon's clutchmate's rider is a Harper Apprentice. She would likely be happy to get your son. She hopes you will be willing to teach her. She was about to walk the tables when she was Searched. We haven't had a harper stay long enough to finish her training though."

Ready?

"If everyone is ready, we'll go. It will be very cold. Brace yourself and hold on to me. Kilzanth won't let you fall. We'll be at the weyr in the time it takes to cough 3 times."

The bronze gave a warning and then winked *between*.

Black
Blacker
Blackest

The rush of warm air was welcome as the bronze spiraled down into the Weyr Bowl. He bugled a greeting to the watch dragon. His wings stirred up dust in the bowl. They needed a good rain to help lessen the amount of dust.

"Let's go find a healer. Kilzanth will bespeak Priath and see if she wants to make the run to get your son."

[Drgnwlf71]

Kalaht looked down and was absolutely amazed as they landed. He chuckled. "The people look like dolls from up here!" he laughed. He started to have a panic attack. He was getting too excited. He had shortness of breath and couldn't gasp for air. Terror washed over him.

Kalaht couldn't talk because he was hyperventilating. He was an excitable lad but something it gets to much but must learn how to calm down before its too late. He pointed down to the lot of people and that he hadn't seen that many people in his life. Once on the ground, he felt better and relaxed a bit but he was still having a panic attack because of the dragon ride and because of the coldness of /between./