Alright, time to go already ...

[Kandarra]

T'rin sighed inwardly and shook his head. He wished the man could wake up and tell them where to take him. Uslanee could handle another mouth to feed, and they had a great Master Healer at the weyr, but in his opinion, the man should be with his family as he healed.

When asked if he had eaten, T'rin had to think about it, which is never a good sign. "I suppose I haven't," he said finally. "My first thought was to hunt Amparath. Thank you for offering a meal." He settled down at the table. "I'm trying to think how to get him to the weyr without disturbing him too much. I don't dare take him between, so we'll be flying straight, but I'm not sure sitting him up is good for his injuries. Do you have any ideas?"

[Drgnwlf71]

"No, no ideas." Nym had set the table and put two plates of food on it. "Dig in, sir.' Ranim watched the Bronzerider, knowing full well not to blow his cover. He wanted so bad to attack but he managed to restrain himself. He muscles tensed and even twitched a little.

"You want me to bring the Renegades in? I have dealt with them before and I know how they move." Ranim said. "First the woman lets the boy attack and then she moves in for the kill. By the looks of things, looks like I wandered in just in time. After the boy was done, I would hate to see what the woman would have done to this kid." He shuddered. "You see, she lets the boy attack first to weaken them and then she sail in and...." he made the slit throat motion with his right hand.

[Kandarra]

Nodding his thanks, T'rin pulled out his belt knife and speared some of the food on it. Taking cautious bites at first, he soon realized that it was actually quite good and ate a little faster.

"I think we'd better leave the renegades be," T'rin replied, thinking that he'd really rather not come up against them after Nym's decription of their tactics. "This man's welfare is much more important at the moment. Perhaps later we can organize an armed search, but right now, we just have to focus on getting him to a healer." He paused. "I'm sure the Weyrwoman would greatly appreciate your help. They, and others, have become quite a problem.

"Once we get back to the weyr, I could ask for us to meet with her," he suggested, gauging the man's odd reaction. He seemed rather tense for just eating breakfast. Noticing a few twitches, T'rin grew a little suspicious. His current body language was quite a contrast with offering him breakfast and the solicitous attitude he had shown before.

I am done, Amparath announced. I am in the clearing.

Good. I might need you, he said to the bronze.

"Ah, my dragon has just informed me that he's gotten his fill and is waiting a few lengths away," he announced to Nym. "If you like, we can see what we can do about transporting our friend here."

[Drgnwlf71]

"Dragon? What do we need the dragon for?" Ranim questioned, quickly. "I can transport the boy to the nearest cothold and they can take him to their healer." He narrowed his eyes at the rider and watched him. Hoping he -did not- take the boy, that would get the boy harder to get to. He had a plan but if he allowed this bronzerider to take over, his plan would backfire BIG time and he would be caught. He twitched again and approached the bronzer.

"May I see you knife? It looks like its in need of sharpening. May I do that?" He was stalling. But for what or who? It still remained to be seen.

[Kandarra]

The bronzerider was surprised at the quick suggestion of walking the man to a cothold. "Why, Amparath can help transport the man quickly to the weyr, of course. We have a Master Healer. After the Master sees him and he heals up a bit, we can take him wherever he belongs. Might as well get him the best of care as long as we're taking him somewhere, is what I figure." He paused. "Although, if you know a cothold with a good healer, Amparath could take us there, too."

Already somewhat suspicious, T'rin narrowed his eyes slightly at the request to see his knife, mostly at the way it was said. There was something up with this man. He didn't know what it was, but he was going to watch himself very carefully. "No, I actually just had it sharpened. But thank you very much for the offer. Can't risk a dull knife these days, hmm?" he commented. He pulled the knife in question closer to him, out of the man's direct reach, but did not put it in its sheath just yet.

Come as far as you can in the trees, he told Amparath, sending him visuals of the path he had walked. I am not comfortable alone in this situation.

I cannot get very far, Amparath said. There are too many trees and I am too big. I cannot see the building.

[Drgnwlf71]

Ranim watched the man, very closely. He was quiet for a for a few moments then, a knock at the door.

"Come in, Beast I've been expecting you." A boy of 13 came in the small house. His garb was torn to shreds like her had been in a wher attack. His face was bloody and he peeked at the boy on the cot and started to go after him. Ranim stopped him by putting his arm in front him.

"No! That boy has been through enough. Its bad enough you almost -killed- the poor lad!" Ranmin said. Quynn noticed the bronzer there and sighed.

"So, you brought me here to be turned in?!" he pulled a knife and attacked Ranim! Tia came in and watched for her turn to finish the job. This wasn't planned.

*They were supposed to attack the boy, not me!* Ranim thought. *Never trust a Renegade.* he swore.

"I will kill you and that boy!" Quynn exclaimed. Quynn tried to kick at Ranim. Ranim blocked and countered with a spear strike to the solar plexus. "That boy is under MY protection!" Quynn doubled over and recieved a kick to the face.

"I have the boy." Tia said and approached the boy.

[Kandarra]

As soon as the bloodstained and bedraggled boy came through the door, T'rin's prediction of trouble was confirmed. Shells and shards! he cursed in his head, at the same time thanking Faranth he had brought his knife. Unfortunately, it looked like he would need it. He held it out in a proper fighting stance, thanking Faranth again for the training he had gone through to learn how to properly wield it. Though, he knew instinctively, these people were unlikely to fight fair, and the bronzerider did his best to ready himself for that.

The small boy lunged at Nym as T'rin was still trying to make sense of their exchange. Seeing that Nym had it under control, he turned his attention to the woman. Shards, he hated the potential for harm here. Especially against a woman, even if she had been the one responsible for this man's injuries. But there was no room to be chivalrous here. He might easily lose his life, and Amparath's, if he wasn't very, very careful. That simply could not happen!

"I will not let you harm this man," he said. "You have hurt him enough. My main intention is to help him," and he pointed at the incapacitated man with his free hand, keeping his eyes on the woman. "I do not want to have to hurt you, but make no mistake, I will defend myself." He waited rather nervously for her response. Shardit! This wasn't what he wanted.

[Drgnwlf71]

"Beast! Let's go. There is nothing for us here." Tia commanded.

"But, but--the boy...." Quynn said. He watched Nym.

"NO! I will take the heat when we get home." Tiaholt said in a demanding voice. Then to the bronzerider.."I am not a fool, dragonrider. I will not attack. I wish to keep my life. Good day to you both." Tiaholt said and left the little house and headed towards home. Quynn hesitated.

"Come on, Beast...NOW!" Tia called from outside. She saw the dragon. She looked up as she passed.

"Not to worry, dragon. I didn't do anything to your rider." Tia assured him. "Only a fool would attack a dragonrider and I am not that."

Quynn hurried out the door to follow.

"I might hand him over for a price, Bronzerider." Nym said. "I want him as well to help me with out with my hunting. It's dreadfully lonely here."

[Kandarra]

Amparath bugled. You are in danger! I cannot reach you!

Just hold tight, nothing has happened yet, T'rin responded, trying to keep his dragon calm.

With a scarcely contained sigh of relief, he listened to the woman speak and watched as they left.

When Nym spoke, he turned to listen carefully, but at his words, T'rin gave a dubious look. "A price? Keep him here? You're speaking of him more like an animal than a human being! And I'm not sure I even want to know what those two were doing in here, or about your 'hunting'." Disgusted, the bronzerider barely restrained the urge to pace, and attempted to collect his thoughts.

The man had a house in the middle of the woods, had some kind of association with renegades, and had rescued this man and was nursing him back to health only to enslave him? Surely there were better cures for loneliness than that! He scoffed. A price, indeed!

"I don't understand your situation. I'm not in it. But there has to be some other option than keeping someone here, possibly against his will, to help you do.. whatever you do," he finished, waving his hand about.

[Drgnwlf71]

Nym sighed with regret.

"I am a mercenary." Nym simply said. "My situation is this. I need help. I don't want to do this anymore. I am good with the whers here and as well as the animals. My past comes to haunt me sometimes and I act upon it. I am ashamed of what I did." Nym was speaking the truth. "I have been following in my father's footsteps for five years now. I am tired of all the killings and the blood I cause and have caused. I want to go straight. Please, you can take the boy as my truce. Maybe I could be a healer of sorts or a those people that make weapons to keep my my mind busy.......will you help me? I am telling you the truth, nothing will happen to you. Oh, and name Ranim. I am sorry for deceiving you but you can't be too careful. I hear there are rouge riders out there somewhere though I wouldn't want to meet one face to face. I will do anything to get out of this line of work."

[Kandarra]

As Nym began to speak, T'rin's angry expression turned to one of shock, and then, sadness. There was no doubt this man was telling the truth; it was there in his eyes and tone of voice. The bronzerider felt a bit edgy, knowing the other man had killed people, but the regret was too evident for him to worry too much.

"Ranim. I'm going to be honest with you, as you have with me just now. I don't know if I can help you. I don't know if--" and he paused, searching for tactful words. "I don't know if the weyrwoman or any Holder would be willing to take you in, knowing what you've done. I can see you're being truthful, but many wouldn't trust you." He stopped, sighing a bit. "Honestly, I'm not sure I can trust you, myself."

He took a moment to think and go over all the options he could think of for this man. It was a sad and lonely existence, one that T'rin wouldn't wish on anyone. If Ranim was honest about his past, they could exile him, or put him to work in the mines. But they also might appreciate him owning up to his transgressions. It all depended on the Holder, or Weyrwoman, whichever they ended up going to.

Finally, he said, "There's a risk with being honest. They could send you to the mines, or exile you. But there's a small chance they would let you stay. You have to decide if you want to take that risk."

[Drgnwlf71]

"Like I said...anything. I am willing to take that risk. I want to change, sir and if I must work in the mines or be exiled, that's a chance I am willing to take. After five turns, I really hate what I do. There was a time that I loved it but, now..." Ranim shook his head. "I'm tired of it."

Ranim was a smart man but the things the he has done in the past might be overpower the freedom that he needs to staighten his arse up. He needs to and he truely wanted to change his life. It was a risk that he -had- to take in order to do this. He would even risk his life to change. Just once, he would like to have a chance at a normal life.

[Spirithawk]

OOC: Turns not years, just a reminder!

[Kandarra]

Thinking it over, T'rin happened to glance at the injured man. With alarm he saw a growing pool of blood around his shoulders. Fighting a panic, he quickly formulated a plan.

"Alright, Ranim, this is what is going to happen. I am going to move him to Amparath. He needs a healer immediately. You are going to have to decide right now if you want to come with me or not. I could use your help with him adragonback, but that is up to you. We need to get him to the Weyr." T'rin hurried over to the man, tied the bandages around his shoulders as tight as he could, and lifted him with an arm under his legs and an arm under his chest.

Somehow, he managed to open the door with his foot and carried the man as fast as he could-- Shards, this man was heavy!-- to the waiting Amparath. The bronze set out his foreleg, but T'rin lacked the strength to heave him all the way up.

"Please, Ranim?" he asked, hoping to Faranth that the man would aid him.

[Drgnwlf71]

"I will be coming with you." Ranim helped with the man. No more faking, no more pretending....he -was- going to change. Weather it be in working in the mines, exile or be free...it didn't matter to him one bit.

"I'm serious about this, sir. You have come here for a reason and that reason I believe is to save this man and me from a life of pain and suffering. I know I have done wrong. It's just that I have taken this long to realize it. I would like for you to take me in, sir. I will no run, nor will I protest."

[Kandarra]

T'rin sort of felt like cheering. In this, at least, Ranim was making the right choice, and that was a good sign! Making sure that both the unconscious man and Ranim were safely adragonback, he warned Ranim, then gave the word to Amparath to launch.

They glided over the trees in the direction of the weyr, and T'rin, despite the worries currently on his mind, was still awed at the beauty of this view. It was as if he could do anything up here, rushing past the trees with a stunning speed.

As they circled down to the Weyr Bowl, he was broken out of his trance. Amparath backwinged carefully, doing his best not to disturb the injured man too much. T'rin checked that the man was balanced against Ranim, then dismounted.

"Healer!" he shouted, running towards the Lower Caverns. "We need a healer now! Someone get him!"

[Marnark’tranarprol]

Ragule looked up from bandaging a slightly burned hand at the sound of frantic shouting. It seemed the drama never ended around here! More life and death arrivals? There was certainly something going on here that needed addressing. And no wonder the place needed Healers so very badly! It was a miracle the Journeymen that had been here before had not been totally overworked. As it was, the infirmary was barely keeping up at all.

Handing over his current patient to an apprentice, Ragule gestured with long arms, issuing orders. Though a huge man himself, he was in no condition to be toting people around at his age. That was a job for the younger whipersnappers that were around.

"Bring them in here, and be careful! I'll be ready!" Ragule turned from the doorway, starting to prep the area for an emergency. He'd gotten pretty good at telling from tones and activity how bad something was going to be even before he'd seen it. This one sounded like blood - lots of it. Possibly another knifing, considering the frequency of such events around the place.

Younger men than the Master hurried out of the infirmary, all the way to the Bronze dragon at a dead run. There, they handed the young lad down from bronze shoulders as gently as they could manage under the circumstances and still have some haste. One had thought to bring a sheet, and that was spread out between people as a makeshift stretcher. Honam was eased into that, and then the lot of them trotted back to the infirmary with their burden even as the sheet took on a bright red sheen underneath the lad.

When Honam arrived and was placed on the readied bed, Ragule took one look, and then swore colorfully. Not only due to the damage, but also because he recognized the lad. He'd checked him over not but the day before to make sure he was of health before he left the Weyr. "Didn't take him long to find trouble, did it?" Ragule knew that Honam had been of top health not but a few hours before hand. The dead grey pallor of his skin was quite alarming, to say the least, as well as the loss of blood.

"Get me milk! Hot-fresh is best, preferably from caprines or ovines!" Ragule ordered, sending more people scurrying about. Blood, he did not have. But milk was a fair substitute if he could get it down the boy's throat without drowning him. It would readily turn into blood very quickly in his system, faster than most food would. Of course, being of an animal of similar adult weight as well as raw was also highly beneficial. For some reason, bovine simply didn't work as well. While he waited for the milk to arrive, Ragule swiftly worked on stopping the blood loss. First one shoulder was padded and clamped by having a stout young man lean on it with all his weight. That secured - if highly temporary, Ragule moved on to the other shoulder. This time he took the time to see what he was dealing with. "Shards, that's deep. What in Faranth's name happened, anyway?!" He demanded, before setting to fixing it. He didn't know if he had time to deal with it properly or not, but he was going to have to chance it.

Thankfully, he was quite practiced, and with lots of hands on hand to help, he could work very quickly. Stitches were made in muscle to hold it together, leaving them to be clipped short by an apprentice as he made the next knot in line. That done, the bleeding slowed considerably. Even still, Ragule worked fast and hard, stitching the skin shut over it. "Bandage that. Go ahead and numb the whole thing out." He ordered, before moving on to the other shoulder. By the time he finished with that one, in record time, the milk had arrived. Skipping the bandaging for the moment, Honam was turned over and propped up, a feeder tube slid into place to get the milk down to his stomach. Only a pint was given to him at first, to keep from overwhelming his shocked system.

Ragule checked his eyes quickly, and frowned at what he saw. "It'll be Faranth smiling on him, if he survives this. He lost too much blood." He commented, before returning to bandaging the last shoulder. That done, more milk was applied before he inspected the rest of Honam's body. Battered and bruised, but nothing life threatening - other than being more blood outside of the vessels. Ragule shook his head ruefully, hoping that Honam would be the tough kind that would pull through. Gradually, Honam was fed a little at a time, not at a rate faster than the guts could process liquid - again in an effort to not drown him.

It was a tense time as the Master and his assistance waited to see if Honam would live. Unconscious limp rag that he was at the moment. As fast as milk would translate, it still was not instantaneous.

"If he lives - and right now that's a very big if - I wouldn't be surprised if he had memory issues." Ragule mentioned, to anyone who cared to listen. "Enough, remove that thing." He decided, as quite a lot of milk had already gone down. The feeder was summarily removed and Honam was allowed to just lay - though propped up so that his wounded shoulders were elevated, as well as his head, keeping him from regurgitating in his unconscious state.

Ragule turned to look at T'rin. "What happened? Why am I getting so many knifing victims anyway? Just what in all dragonfire is going on outside our very doorstep?" he demanded, more than a tad irate - even though he had no quarrel with the rider himself, the Healer vented his frustration in the demand for information.

[Kandarra]

T'rin followed the men hurriedly, unsure if he even should. They probably didn't need anyone taking up extra space. But he had a small amount of information to offer, and with Ranim, even more. So he continued trailing after the men carrying the stretcher.

A little green, though he would never mention his discomfort, he watched as they swarmed around the man, cleaning then stitching his wounds, and force-feeding him milk. The bronzerider stifled a sympathy gag. Finally, he saw where he could come into play when Ragule started demanding answers.

"Master, I found him with this man--" he gestured towards Ranim-- "who found him in the forest. From what he has told me, the man was attacked by renegades, probably from above, accounting for the depth and clean edges of the wounds, and left for dead. He brought him back to his shack to attempt to care for him. When I came upon them, I recognized that he needed a healer, and brought him here." He glossed over the part about the confrontation with the renegades. That was for the Weyrleaders' ears.

[Drgnwlf71]

Ranim was shocked that the bronzerider called the healer, 'Master.' He watched them both engage in the conversation but said nothing until he was spoken to. Ranim's mind was going a mile a minute. He was truthful about started over but would he live to tell the tale? If he was to die, the he would make a break for it. T'rin didn't promise him anything. He wanted to account for all his wrong doings and not die.

Ranim sighed and was getting antsy. He wanted the boring conversation over with so he could do what he had planned. That was redeem himself.

[Marnark’tranarprol]

Ragule cast a look toward the man to whom the rider indicated, before returning his gaze toward the Bronzer. "Renegades." He said, simply, wearily. Plainly, this was not the first time he'd seen to a victim of theirs. "And, might I ask, do you know he's not one of them?" Ragule asked, too quietly for Ranim to hear. The renegades were certainly getting highly out of hand. It was time something was done about them. Lock them all away in the mines to toil away to the benefit of Pern, rather than its destruction! If they truely liked sharp objects so terribly much, might as well give them a pickaxe!

"It is good you did not hesitate to get him here - any amount of time later and he may well have been dead." Ragule congratulated, if stiffly. Seeing so much violence in such a short time was surely hard on the man who's whole life had been devoted to the mending of man and dragon alike. He looked around for a moment, before spotting his cane. Stepping over, he picked it up and leaned on it wearily as the ache settled into his knees again. "I will keep you informed of this lad's condition, should it change. For now, I think it is best to let him rest." He cast a look over toward Honam's prone form, and shook his head. If he didn't know better, he'd swear that the lad had also been drugged, on top of being stabbed. Even that badly out of blood, it was unusual to be so totally out of it.

Ragule looked at Ranim again, before turning to T'rin. "Was he fed anything at all before or after the attack, do you know?"