RCW: The Guilt Of The Dragonless

Posted on Thu Sep 4th, 2025 @ 8:21pm by Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: RCW
Timeline: M3 D17

K'ron quietly left the meeting with the Weyrleaders. How was he going to explain this one to Nerlyn? They tried not to talk about the ruins or the timing as those conversations never seemed to end well. But apparently he didn't have a choice now.

The bronze rider quietly walked into the weyr where he was greeted by a chirping Koda. The brown firelizard didn't leave the little green much as if now he needed to protect her too. It was a bit cute in K'ron's opinion.

Nerlyn was tired from night watch And only a few candlemarks of sleep to make sure she was able to sleep that night but was bent deep over the desk that was normally his drawing something onto the paper. She was so deep in thought on getting what she was working on right that she did not hear him come in or the chirp from Koda or her green’s sleepy chirp in recognising her pets friend.

K'ron slipped his jacket off and dropped it on the end of the couch. He then went looking for his mate. “Ner?” He called softly, just in case anyone was trying to take a nap. Besides of course the firelizards. He soon caught sight of Nerlyn. “hey love,” he said, kneeling beside her.

Nerlyn jumped and turned to look at the man blinking hard as if waking up. “Hey. I did not hear you come in.” She admitted quietly putting down the pencil leaning in to kiss him. “I was deep in thought.” She sighed wishing she had not been as it would only lead him to worry.

He cringed when she jumped. “Sorry. I just came in. I'm surprised our little talkers didn't wake you,” he smiled, looking over at the firelizards. K'ron raised a brow. “Thinking? You okay? All good?”

“No. I am sorry.” She smiled at him sadly as she glanced at the fire lizards. She should have been paying more attention. “Thinking just on this map. I am okay just a little… ” She showed him the detailed map of the coast around River Cove and held up the instruments she had been using to get it all correct. “… distracted.”

He looked over her shoulder, surprised by how detailed it was. “That is quite a detailed map,” he commented. She always surprised him. “Seems like you have everything covered.”

“You think so?” She wondered thoughtfully as she put it back down on the board that she was using to protect it. It had the coastline, currents and the wrecks off shore that still required exploring. She was trying to prove her worth to the craft before she got up big to do anything more than teach and do shore duties.

“I do. I didn't realize there was that much out there,” he admitted. Of course he had never really looked for the wreckages or anything as he was always in the air. “Very impressive indeed.” He knew he was just putting off what he needed to tell her.

“Me either. You cannot really see any of them from the air but now that I see things a little lower it’s hard to miss. Thank you.” She glowed at the praise from him. “I am trying to do things that will be helpful when I cannot be as helpful.” She admitted rubbing her eyes a little. It involved a lot of concentration which meant she lost track of time. “Shards if you are back it cannot be evening?”

He nodded. “I am sure they will appreciate it.” He was glad she knew that there would be a time in the near future where she couldn't do as much. K'ron shook his head. “Late afternoon. I had a meeting with the Weyrleaders,” he admitted.

“Oh well that’s okay then. I thought I was going to have to apologise to Raen for leaving him longer with Tula.” She said slightly relieved as she loved evenings with her son and mate. They were exactly what she needed after limited sleep on night watch and not seeing Raen for a day. ”Good meeting?” She asked not thinking it was strange that he had a meeting with the Weyrleaders.

K'ron sat down in the other chair. “No you still have time before Raen gets upset,” he assured her. He loved being able to have the boy with them the majority of the day. It was nothing that he had ever expected. “I guess so. Lana wants to go to High Reaches to search through their records.”

Thank Farenth, she thought not wanting to upset her son when everything about his life was changing with a second child on the way. She wanted him to know that he would always be special as he was her first born and the little boy that saved her. “That sounds cold.” Was Nerlyn’s only reaction before she saw a shifty look in his eyes. “What? Why do you look guilty?” She wondered.

He didn't know how but somehow Raen always knew if they were late. K'ron scrubbed at his face a bit. “Definitely cold,” he agreed, not looking forward to that part. He shook his head. “It's because of the ruins,” he answered quietly. “And your timing.”

“Oh…” Nerlyn’s face crumpled a little bit as she made a guilty expression and sighed a little turning back to the drawing picking up her instruments again.

K'ron reached over for her hand. “It's okay. Lana is just wanting to see what else is mentioned in older Weyrs. I just wanted to let you know I would be gone for a little bit,” he said gently.

Nerlyn let her hand be stopped and turned to look at him panicked. “You are going with her? Why?” She wondered, her voice was levelled but her eyes were panicking at how involved he was getting in her former life.

That had been the part he hadn't wanted to say but he wasn't going to lie to her. “I don't know. V'ros and I are going. I guess to help Lana look and V'ros is supposed to help the weyrling gold rider.”

“V’ros is going too?” If Nerlyn had not already been sitting down she would have needed to at that knowledge. K’ron and V’ros had barely spoken in years thanks to Nerlyn’s relationship with V’ros when she had been angry at K’ron and at her most self destructive.

K'ron nodded slowly. “He is. I know. This is a very odd situation.” He wasn't quite sure how the Weyrleaders had made their decision but who was he to argue?

“I swear if you do not come back I will find a way to get to High Reaches and bring you back. You and V’ros need to put the past behind you and do what you need to.” She whispered pulling her hand away from his to wrap her arms around herself. If V’ros was going it confirmed in her head that the man had known about her timing it been then were together.

“I am coming back,” he promised. There was no where K'ron wanted to be more than with Nerlyn and Raen. “We are,” he promised. “It's taken some time but we are okay.” It had been a real mess there for a while but now both bronze riders had found their mates.

Nerlyn just offered a nod as she stared at the man torn between hugging him to her and begging him to not go storming off to demand to speak to the Weyrleaders and beg them to stop this venture. “When do you leave?” She finally decided on looking away from him to the map trying to keep herself from worrying.

K'ron hated it. He really didn't want to leave her at all. Hopefully they wouldn't be gone long. “Two days from now,” he answered. He looked up at her. “I will come back as soon as I can.”

The woman nodded and looked at the schedule pinned to the desk and started to look through her craft schedule. “Okay, I just have day duty for next sevenday so that works.” It was only her manning the bell and doing map work. “I might just stay at the Hall with Raen.” She murmured thoughtfully. It felt strange staying there without K’ron and Tyreth.

K'ron didn't like this at all. He didn't want to leave Nerlyn and Raen like this. It didn't sit right with him. “Okay. If you need anything you know you can send Koda.” The brown would gladly helpout..

“No Koda is going with you,” Nerlyn instructed pointedly. She wanted to know that the group had someone way to contact back if things turned odd or they needed help. She knew Kalaith would make herself known especially knowing it was High Reaches and their senior gold was a weyrling it still felt odd. “We will be fine at Dolphin Hall.”

“Alright, if we can convince him,” he smiled. Koda could be stubborn at times. It still didn't feel right going to High Reaches but he had to stay positive or he would worry Nerlyn. “I know you guys will be. I just don't like being away like this.”

“Well, it is not worth cracking your shell over. We will have a little time away from the Weyr and the Weyrleaders have requested and you must go.” She said with a shrug looking from her schedule at him properly.

He smiled slightly, glad she understood. It made it a whole lot easier. “You're right. Hopefully we can put some of this behind us after this.”

Nerlyn nodded though she did not truly believe that was going to happen. It would just open more things to be explored in her opinion but she was not going to scare him when he was looking relieved. “Let’s hope.” She finally said. “I better get presentable to go get our son.” She murmured thinking that Raen being around might cheer them both up and she was truly just too tired to argue over it all again between night shift and the baby she was feeling it that day.

“I can go get him,” he offered. K'ron knew they needed to talk more but right now didn't seem like a good time. So much was still going on and he wasn't sure if they would ever get to the end of it.

Nerlyn sighed and shook her as she rose from the chair. “It’s okay. I need to get ready anyway. Can’t exactly go to the dining hall in your shirt now can I?” She said lightly trying to mood enough so she was not annoyed at the Weyrleaders and by extension him.

K'ron considered that before shaking his head. “As much as I would like that I would rather you didn't,” he agreed. “Then I'll wait here and we can get Raen together.” He hoped she wasn't mad at him.

Nerlyn shot him a look before she left the room. She took a lot longer sorting herself out into a vest and long skirt over boots. She was piling her hair up into a knot as she came out, deep in thought.

The bronze rider found himself wanting to pace. He didn't like this at all. He had two days to try to sort this all out before he had to leave. “Nerlyn?” He asked when she finally came out.

Nerlyn looked up at the soft voice. “Sorry. Ready?” She said softly considering whether she needed her jacket or cardigan.

He frowned slightly. “You okay?” He asked, worried about her. He knew this wasn't going to go well.

“Course. Just tired. I only had a couple of candlemarks so I could sleep tonight.” She said grabbing up her cardigan and the fire lizard into her pocket.

K'ron wasn't sure if she was being completely truthful or not. Right now though he wasn't going to push it. “Alright. let's go get Raen then.”

Nerlyn nodded, walking out the door and down the corridor in silence. She did not know where to place her annoyance and anger at the situation. She gripped the handles down the stairs hard as they passed several riders who nodded at the pair. Nerlyn kept quiet and carried on until they were in the bowl.

K'ron quietly followed. He wasn't sure if words would help or hinder at this moment. He nodded hello to the other riders as they walked by. He could tell Nerlyn was still upset.

Nerlyn noticed the fog that wrapped around the Weyr this time of year and stopped. She just savoured the noises of the Weyr that she had known her whole life and sighed, closing her eyes. “I’ll catch you up in a minute.” She murmured as her green fire lizard poked her head out of her cardigan pocket to see the fog.

“Ah okay,” he said, walking past her. He had no idea what she was thinking but it didn't seem good. He sighed softly as Koda cheeped in confusion.

Nerlyn was more like ten minutes but she soon caught up with him at the edge of the entrance to the lower cavern. She looked calmer and slightly happier as if she had gotten to a better place around what was going on. “Another foggy night.” She declared.

K'ron waited quietly for her. There was still time before they had to get Raen and he knew Nerlyn needed a few moments. “it is. Good thing we don't have far to go.”

“Well I don’t have to go anywhere other than the dining hall and then my … our bed.” She murmured, stroking Koda as she passed him and K’ron. The fire lizard looked confused and she did not want him to be that. She was cross but never at him.

K'ron raised a brow. she hadn’t called it her bed in a long time. This mission definitely had put a small division between them. He had to make it up to her. Koda chirped again, totally confused.

“What?” She demanded seeing the bronze rider raise an eyebrow and then Koda’s confused chirp as her green chirped her own confused into the mix.

“My bed? You haven't called it that in a long time. Are you sure you're okay?” He was worried about her. He couldn't help it.

She shrugged. “Slip of the tongue. I’m tired and I corrected myself.” She explained not quite catching his gaze for a moment before she sighed. “No. I am not okay with any of this but wheels are in motion that are out of my control now.”

He didn't believe that for a second. And when she finally spoke again it made sense. “I can tell them no. Surely I'han or K'vin or another of the bronze riders could go with Lana. It doesn't have to be me.”

“But it does. You and V’ros are the only ones who know.” Nerlyn murmured. “You are the only 2 people outside of the Weyrleaders who know what I used to do. Shard it.” Nerlyn kicked at the ground frustrated. She did not care for V’ros going but Lana kept the Weyr intact and K’ron was the love of her life. She needed both of them.

K'ron blew out a frustrated breath. unfortunately she was right. it did have to be him. Shard it all. “You’re right. I'm sorry. I wanted to say no.” He knew the Weyrleaders had had their reasons but that didn't mean he had to like it or agree with it.

“It should be me. After all these turns you are paying for me being a wherhead.” She sighed looking teary for a moment before she turned away. “Let’s just get our son and we can figure this all out when you get back and hopefully the Weyrleaders get the answers they want.”

“Ner, I'm not. Lana is just trying to get some answers. You just happened to be the one who figured out an answer for that time.” he didn't want her being upset. He knew now she had done it for the Weyr. K'ron finally nodded, walking to the crèche with her..

Nerlyn didn’t answer which made the little green fire lizard confused. She loved hers deeply but she was so happy and now so sad. She turned to collect their child. Raen being there would give them something other than him going north in 2 days.

K'ron silently groaned. This was getting them nowhere fast. He decided to just remain quiet as Koda looked back and forth between them. the poor firelizard really didn't understand why they were both et. upset