Checking On You

Posted on Thu Nov 6th, 2025 @ 9:48pm by Gold Rider Jena & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D19

Jena knocked on the Weyrleader’s office door and waited for him to call her in before she opened the door. She wanted to check in with him as Lana had gone that morning and the Weyr felt strange knowing that for the first time since she had been there, she was doing the night cavern meetings. Lana had prepared her but she wanted to do one last check in with A’ren especially when he was not happy about Lana’s need to go North and look at the records more. Something more was going on but she did not know what it was and K’vin had told her to stay out of it until the Weyrleaders were ready but she wanted to help them and the Weyr.

A'ren was finishing up some hide work when the knock came. He had needed to keep himself busy so he stopped worrying about Lana but he knew he wouldn't actually sleep until she was home. “Come in,” he called.

“Good evening Weyrleader.” The gold rider said politely as she slipped into the room. She could see the strain of the day etched into his face much like her own most likely. She had been leading the Queen’s wing and wanted Lana back doing what she did best.

“Good evening Jena. Is everything alright?” He didn't need any problems right now but of course would handle them if need be. He just hoped that Lana returned soon.

“Oh yes. I just wanted to check in before I saw the women of the lower cavern for the meeting.” She murmured quickly to avoid any panic and stress. “Is there anything you need me to pass on? Anything I can help with?”

A'ren relaxed a bit. He had every confidence that Jena could handle things. he just didn't like Lana being away from the Weyr. “Thank you for checking in. I think right now everything is good.”

“Nothing to pass on to Tula or the women?” She wanted to doubly confirm as she leaned over the chair that was in front of the desk. She could see he was stressed so it would be easy to forget things. She had seen him look like that before when things had reached a peak with Dragon Hold.

The Weyrleader shook his head. “No surprisingly it has been very quiet today,” he answered. Which he was grateful for but at the same time it gave him more time to worry about Lana.

“Relief evident on your face Sir with Lana gone.” The woman commented quietly as she decided to just broach the subject. She had never been a sly one or anything in the grand scheme of things. If she had questions she asked them which was why she needed to know.

“Very,” he agreed. It wasn't that he didn't know how to lead or what to do, he just wanted Lana back home. “It's been a long day with her gone. Has everything been good on your end?” He wanted to make sure Jena was okay too..

“I am absolutely fine. Amethyst Wing is self-sufficient in how it runs thanks to the fighting wings drills but … A’ren why has she gone North?” She finally demanded. She couldn’t hold the question anymore, especially as the man looks so glum as his mate not being there.

A'ren hadn't expected that question after all. He blew out a frustrated breath. “Their hides go back much farther than ours do. She had a few questions that she was hoping to find answers to in the old hides,” he said.

“But what is she hoping to find?” She wondered, looking worried. She had seen Lana like this previously when F’cone had been Weyrleader and she had worked herself into a mess. “The last time she was like this was just before she lost the baby.”

A'ren hated to think about that time. It had been a very dark time and one that didn't need revisited. “She's okay. She has some questions pertaining to those ruins you came across. She is just hoping to find out a bit more.” He couldn't rightly tell her about the timing yet.

“I trust you more than I trust F’cone because I had a similar conversation and he told me it was all in my head at least you are telling me the reason.” Jena sighed softly wishing she had never gone on that sweep and felt the strange vibe in that area. It felt all kinds of strange that there was something she was missing but had no idea how to confront the Weyrleaders about it.

He gave her a tired smile. “I promise as we get more information that we can pass on you'll be the first to know.” He had no idea what Lana was going to find but he knew they couldn't keep Jena in the dark forever. “Yeah sounds like F'cone,” he chuckled softly.

“Good job I like you and the Weyrwoman.” They really had been better than her parents had ever been to her growing up. “Is all of this why I saw him walking around cracking his shell over?” She wondered grinning a little. They were both on the same side when it came to that man at the very least.

“I have to say we like you too, Gold rider,” he grinned. A'ren rolled his eyes with a slight laugh. “Yeah, that's probably why,” he admitted. He knew F'cone was mad at him.

Jena blushed a little. Truly how had she gotten so lucky to impress at River Cove and have such amazing people to teach and lead her? “Want me to have a word with him or just let him stew? I am surprised you did not send him with Lana to be honest.” She admit seeing they were having an honest moment.

“Let him be,” A'ren answered. F'cone would never be happy. He sighed softly. “Considered it briefly but he would have made things worse.” Lana had been right. F'cone would have stirred up the Weyrleader there.

“Hmm he was not quite as political as you are. He did have a habit of rubbing some of the northern Weyrleaders the wrong way.” Jena admitted thoughtfully. She had only been to one meeting and she had never seen quite so many egos in one place. “So we have to deal with him whilst Lana gets to go south. Doesn’t seem fair somehow.” Jena teased softly.

A'ren bit back a laugh. “You know you are exactly right. It doesn't seem fair at all. Well then, we'll just have to let her know that when she gets back.” It felt good to laugh and not worry about Lana for a few moments.

“You can have that conversation, Weyrleader. Feels like it affects the fighting wings more.”
Jena said sliding that to him instead of it being her responsibility. She would do a lot but she was not telling Lana that F’cone was discussed like this. “But she does seem happier without him being as involved in her life,” Jena said as she rose to at least make her presence known to the women of the lower cavern by being on time for the nightly meeting.

“Point taken,” he smiled. He wouldn't expect Jena to tell Lana all this anyhow. “Yes, she does. It's good to see her like that again. And thank you for coming to check on me.”

“I will check on you tomorrow too.” The junior queen rider assured. “Someone needs to check on you so you do not sulk. Lana gave me strict instructions to make sure I see you at least one meal daily in the lower caverns so be aware.” She laughed a little as she looked him over carefully just confirming to herself for one last time he was okay.

A'ren smiled. “Thank you, Jena. I will make sure I come down.” He shouldn't have been surprised by the fact Lana had told Jena that.

The woman said nothing but saluted and disappeared out the door. She felt a little more at ease but not completely. Maybe tomorrow she’d make headway on what was going on.