RCW: Shattered p2

Posted on Mon Aug 4th, 2025 @ 7:51pm by Gold Rider Lana & Sr Journeyman Thalia & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D7

Lana mumbled something as she awoke and turned on her side. She could remember everything from the way her googles had shattered and the scary moment when she had been flying with Kalaith blinde to the moment that she had woken up as Nikolai and Thalia had been trying to stitch up the wounds and she had fought them off which meant she had been knocked back out with fellis which made her feel terrible that she had done that. At least as she blinked she could see now which meant she had not damaged her eyes enough to make herself useless. She groaned as she remembered A’ren coming back and carrying her to the infirmary until she fell unconscious from the pain. How long had it been? She wondered as she sat up and looked at the low light level of the infirmary.

A'ren had hated leaving Lana, but he had had to leave long enough to check in with the wings. He trusted Nikolai and Thalia to watch over her. Once he had met with the wingleaders and checked on Kaliath he hurried back to the infirmary.

The Weyrleader had pulled up a chair next to Lana's cot and was nearly asleep as she started to stir.

}: You are awake! I was worried as you kept waking up and then going back to sleep again. :{ Kalaith explained.

*** I am here dear heart*** Lana assured as she shifted on the cot seeing A’ren jump in his seat as he woke.

“A’ren?” She questioned gently leaning out to touch his thigh.

A'ren blinked as he woke, surprised to hear Lana’s voice. “Hi,” he said, rubbing his eyes a bit.

Lana blinked a couple of times and sighed as she realised how much her face ached and as she moved she realised how bloodied she must look. “I must look a fright. I am sorry they had to drug me.” Lana murmured.

He shook his head. “You look much better now. You're not covered in blood.” A'ren shrugged a shoulder. “I'm sure it was painful. Wish I could have here for all of it but I had to check in with the wingleaders quickly before rushing back here.”

The woman did not want to know how bloodied she was or how they had gotten it off of her as she was still dressed which meant she was still pretty covered. “I would not have expected you to be here.” She stated rising unsteadily to her feet to find a mirror but frustratingly she could not see one. “Are the wings okay?” She demanded opening a couple of drawers still looking as she knew there was sometimes one handy.

A'ren frowned as he watched her searching around. “Of course, I was going to be here. And the wings are good. No casualties and only a few injuries. You were actually probably the worst.” He still had no idea what she was looking for.
“That makes me feel a little better.” She admitted making a ah huh noise as she found a mirror and pulled it out to inspect her face. She held it up and stopped dead as she saw the big scare curving across her eyebrow and down her face and across her nose. “Shards.” She muttered as Thalia appeared and took the mirror from the Weyrwoman.

The Weyleader blinked in surprise when Lana pulled out a mirror. Before he could stop her though Thalia came in and snagged it from her hand. “Lana, come sit back down,” he encouraged.

Lana glared at him for a moment before she took the route of listening to his tone and sat down. Lana glanced at the healer wondering just how bad it looked. She knew all dragon riders had burns and scars but they were not quite as pronounced as Lana would have.

“How bad is it?” She wondered softly finally speaking.

“It looks worse than it does but I am relieved that your eyesight was not affected by the glass shattering. I suspected you would get a chill from betweening from that but it seems you are tough Weyrwoman.”

A'ren thought for a minute that Lana was going to argue so it surprised him when she actually came and sat back down. Her poor face though. Not only the cuts but he had a feeling she would have quite some bruises.

“You are very fortunate,” he said.

“I was. What happened?” Lana wondered quietly.

“A weyrling dropped their Firestone stack and you were unfortunate enough to have been in the way of the items,” Thalia explained looking over the cuts for any signs of anything that could be out of place. She had done her best work in stitching the wounds as she knew that Lana would worry about how she looked. “It should all heal nicely. None of them are deep other than the one by your eyebrow.”

A'ren shook his head a bit. That wasn't an injury they saw very often. Thankfully it wasn't any worse than it was. “We will have to let the weyrlings know to be more careful.”

Lana nodded looking pretty glum. “No need to look so glum Weyrwoman.” Thalia said sensing the woman’s mood. She knew that looks sometimes played a part in Weyrwoman duties but the Healer was pretty sure that it would not matter at all.

“I’m…” She indicated her face. “And I need to get new googles.” She sighed softly.

A'ren looked over at Thalia. He knew Lana was going to take this hard. At least she was alive though. “we'll get the new goggles made. No worries there.”

“Of course,” Lana said glumly. “Can I leave?”

“Sure. I am sure you’ll heal up better in your own Weyr with a dotting Weyrleader.” Lana nodded and started gathering up the things that had been removed when she had been healing like her straps and arm braces. “That other issue is all on you sir.” The healer said with a wink as she left the room passing over a package with some healing supplies.

“Thank you kindly,” A'ren groaned, accepting the box. This was going to be hard. He knew Lana wouldn't take any of this well.

Lana took several moments to gather it all under one arm relieved that she had been left with her boots on and was uninjured other than around her eyes. The walk back to the Weyrwoman’s weyr was slow and awkward as several people stopped to check that the Weyrwoman was okay. Lana looked glumer each time to the point that when they got to the final set of stairs Lana whirled around and looked at A’ren. “How bad does it look truthfully?” She had not been able to guage from the small mirror and Thalia had taken it quickly.

A'ren stayed close. He knew everyone was worried but he could see it was starting to affect Lana. He slid to a stop when she whirled around. “It's not good and I'm sure you'll be bruised tomorrow, but Thalia really did do a nice job at her stitching.”

Lana sighed a little to herself and shook her head knowing just how right he was going to be she likely to be bruised and battered before it started healing up better. “I have really done it this time hmm? Positives it might stop a few people flirting for a little bit.” Lana knew it sounded vain and pitiful but after nearly ten turns as a queen rider she had seen the best and worst of people around her thanks to her position and looks.

“Just a bit, love. Definitely not an accident I have seen before. I am just glad you weren't hurt worse.” He rolled his eyes at her comment but knew what she meant. “No, no flirting for a bit. we are going to make sure those eyes heal properly.”

“Then I can flirt?” Lana said grinning as she turned to carry on up the steps into their Weyr. Kalaith’s head appeared instantly at the entrance. Lana rushed over to the doorway and took her great face into her arms, laying her head on the queen dragon's hide. “I am okay, beautiful queen,” Lana assured quietly. “You were so protective Kal.”

“Lana,” he groaned. There would be no keeping her away from that. He smiled a bit as Kalaith poked her head in. At least the queen seemed settled now.

Lana stayed there for a long time just savouring the love and affection between rider and dragon before she encouraged the queen back to her couch and her own sleep, hanging up her straps as she went. Several long moments later, she came back looking calmer but sad as she took in A’ren, who stood there. “What?” She wondered softly.

Zarminath crooned softly at his mate. It was always better when the gold was happy. A’ren shook his head. “Nothing just thinking about you still talking about flirting,” he answered with a small smile.

Lana stepped up to him, taking his face in both of her hands caressing his cheek. “I teased you. I am sorry. You have been nothing but patient today and I got feisty 'cause I am scared and vain.” She admitted. “Bronze Riders flirt with me but it’s harmless. I am happy here with you for as long as you put up with me.”

A'ren flashed her a smile as she touched his cheek. “It's okay,” he assured her with a smile. “You are still beautiful and that will never change.” he shook his head. “I plan on putting up with you till the day we die,” he assured her.

“Big proclamations tonight A’ren?” Lana wondered, smiling sadly. “I am not beautiful I am all cut up and bruised,” She caressed her thumb along his cheek looking deep into his eyes seeing that he truly meant it all.

“Beauty isn't just skin deep,” he assured her with a quiet smile. “and you are beautiful inside and out. Bruises and cuts fade and heal. You are so much more than just what people see,” he whispered.

Lana looked up at the man looking teary at his words before she looked away from his gaze, the love and steadfast support In his tone overwhelmed her. “Making me cry, Weyrleader.” She stated, moving away to brush away her tears quietly.

A'ren hadn't meant to make her cry. He was just being completely honest. He stepped up to her and touched her shoulder. “And every word is true,” he assured her.

Lana kept her back to the Weyrleader but nodded leaning up to touch his hand and slide it down till it was on her stomach. She closed her eyes as she took a step back so she was pressed against him. In all their turns together she had never been more thankful for his steadfastness than she was today. He had appeared at the right time and was saying sweet things to her that she was believing when only Kalaith ever got believed.

}: Because he is a good man. And Weyrleader, you should believe his words. I never worry about you when you are with Zarminath’s. :{ Kalaith commented.

“I know. A’ren you are the first man ever to say something like that who I fully believe.” She assured him back.

A'ren kept quiet as she stayed close to him. Sometimes silence was all that was needed. He smiled and kissed her hair, letting her know that he would always be there for her. “Good cause I would never lie to you,” he whispered.

Lana sighed, grabbing up his other hand wrapping it around her as she clutched him closer just wanting him there for a moment. His warmth was what she needed there and then. He was such a better person than her

}: Believe him. Tell him you know he does not lie. Zarmanith does not lie. :{ Kalaith pleaded. Lana lay her head back against him and nodded. Kalaith was right she needed to say it aloud

“I know Weyrleader.” She admitted.

A'ren held her close, silently letting her know he would never leave her. He smiled a bit. Sure they had had their ups and downs but he couldn't imagine wanting to be with anyone but Lana. They made each other better people.

Lana stayed like that for a long time before she let out a yawn remembering how late it must have been as she woke A’ren up when she had woken up. “Can we go to bed?” Lana knew she was bloodied but she did not have the energy to wash the blood off then and there. She hoped in the morning she would feel a little better or at least a little less tender to sort it all out.

“Of course we can,” he answered gently. He was reluctant to move but they definitely needed to get some sleep. A'ren moved around and held his hand toward her. “Let's head to bed,” he said softly.

Lana nodded. She could not think of anything better right then and there. She sat down on the bed and watched the man potter about and do what he needed for bed. She loved moments like this in the calm of the evening when it was just them, Kalaith and Zarmainath. It was just them and not the weyrleadership, it was moments that made her fall in love with him all over again.

}: One day you will have to admit that to yourself and him :{ Kalaith commented smugly as she nuzzled her own mate.

*** But not today Kal. *** Lana said. There was no need to delve deep into that realisation that she was coming to.

Zarminath yawned a bit before crooning at his mate. The bronze was very content where he was and he could feel the happiness coming from his rider.

A'ren quickly changed into his sleeping clothes and made sure everything else was back in order before turning to his mate. “Would you like to get into something more comfortable?” He offered to help.

Lana whipped her head around at his words to caught up in Kalaith’s conversation to have heard him the first time but the movement made her wince. “Pardon?” Normally she was capable of having two conversations but tonight it was proving impossible with Kalaith winning as she should. She took in his stance and what he was wearing and knew he had been asking her if she needed help. “Oh… No, I think I am okay.” She admitted leaning over to start on her boots.

He shook his head with a slight smile when he realized she hadn’t been listening at all. Although the wince made him cringe. “Here let me get the boots,” he said, kneeling down so she didn't have to. He had no doubt leaning over would make her head hurt.

Lana sat back up relieved as he knelt in front of her. “Thank you. Kalaith has a lot to say tonight. I was distracted so I appreciate your help.” She admitted as she worked on her bloodied jacket and shirt trying to not let the dried blood bother her as she remembered how much more head wounds bleed than any other injury.

“Does she? Well hopefully all good,” A'ren smiled as he worked at her boots. “Zarminath is half asleep,” he chuckled. His bronze seemed very content at the moment.

“We all are,” Lana admitted quietly as he got both her boots off and put them aside. The woman smiled and caressed his cheek before she scooted out of her trousers thinking that was enough clothing for now. She had no energy left. “Bed. I’m sure that the healer gave me more fellis than was necessary.” She yawned