Who

Llewellyn, Va'os

What

Va'os makes a sunset trip to the fields to check in with one of the Herders…

When

It is sunset of the fourth day of the third month of the fourteenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Fields, Southern Weyr

OOC Date 08 Jun 2018 04:00

 

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Fields

Terraced over the rolling mountains of Southern's wilds, crops fight against the encroaching jungle that must be held at bay by diligent farmers. Guards are stationed at intervals across the hills, where the trees growth is thick enough to allow the lurking predator to hide. It's not Thread that threatens the luscious crops that cling to the side of the mountain, it's the felines and wherries larger than life that would partake of the feast that awaits the courageous. Each terrace lays claim to a large swathe of arable land; the fields themselves cover a vast portion of the hilly slopes. To cross the fields, from one end to the other, without runner or wagon, would take several candlemarks.


When the reports came in about the loss of some valuable breeding herdbeasts and the rumours that it was caused by felines, the Weyr was abuzz with gossip. It’s taken until now, with the sun lowering towards sunset, for Va’os to wander out towards the vast expanse of fields. At least the summer heat seems to be finally at an end? Only now there’s another worry… and one more dangerous and unpredictable than heatstroke and exposure. Having left Tsiroth back some distance, so as not to cause panic among the herds, the Weyrleader is on a hunt of his own. Probably just to get an update or see for himself what’s going on.

The Weyr's herders were busy enough, what with one class of weyrlings freshed hatched and another soon to be on the way. Most nights lately there has probably always been a surly senior apprentice complaining about how they were about to be eaten out of herd and home. And then FELINES. So is it really any surprise that the the herders are out in force tonight, keeping an ever vigilant eye on their charges? Llewellyn is one of those brave souls volunteering for the evening shift. The man and his hat are currently mounted and stationed on a bit of a hill, a crossbow conveniently placed in his lap while facing away from the Weyrleader's approach since most wild animal attacks don't come from the direction of the Weyr itself. But while Llewellyn might not original spot Va'os, the keener senses of Bo and Vine do. There's a couple of yips from a distance before the two black and white herd-dogs come bolting towards the rider. Llewellyn swiftly turns his mount around while raising up his weapon, but quick confirmation that it's neither hungry monster or possible cattle rustler, he gives a loud whistle to the canines and yells out "At'll do!" The two stop their rush forward, tails a-wagging for the moment while the herder tips his head towards Va'os. "Coming out for inspections yourself tonight?"

Thankfully Va’os doesn’t lose his wits with two canines charging at him, though he’ll slow his steps and take on a cautious, wary stance until they’re called off. Relief shows in the sag of his shoulders and a mental note not to sneak up on any Herders anytime soon. Not because of the canines, but he’s notice the crossbow Llewellyn has on him. “Sorry! Should’ve called out a warning.” he tosses out, while grimacing as he glances past to the jungles beyond. “You could say that! Got the reports earlier and been meaning to check in on things. Anything new to report?” Va’os has resumed his approach at this point, not seeming to care that walking the fields is tedious work. Maybe that explains the slightly envious look to Llewellyn’s own runner or maybe he’s just reminiscing of past times, when he had a mare of his own.

Plus, give that there's a whole herd of bovines nearby, walking in the fields can be slightly perilous work if you don't want to step in a cow patty or two. Llewellyn gives another whistle, longer this time and they two canines head back around the herd. Gotta keep that patrol even as the herder sets the crossbow back on his saddle and dismounts when he gets closer to Va'os. "Everyone's a bit uneasy, but you don't look like a feline. Still might want to avoid Zanan." The herder points a thumb over his shoulder towards a burly senior apprentice several dragonlengths away, on foot and armed with only a staff. "Near took out his buddy. And nothing yet. Serval got any word back from the wildlings in the area? Gotta be a desperate critter trying to pick a meal off at a weyr."

Given that Va’os has gone through weyrlinghood and worked with runners all his younger life, a cow patty is likely nothing! Or, at the very least, not a concern. As Llwellyn dismounts, he’ll dip his head in a belated respectful greeting, before peering to where the Herder points. “Noted! I’ll try to avoid him. Doubt they’ll be thrilled if I’m brought back with a concussion…” He smirks, for the weak humour but soon sobers with a heavy exhaled sigh. “Nothing reported in yet from Serval or the wildlings. You’d think the beast would’ve been tracked by now, but it’s doing well at remaining elusive! You think it’s a loner or do we need to be concerned it’s a whole group of ‘em?” Given that there were no felines in High Reaches, Va’os’ understanding of their behaviour is limited. All he knows is what most know: to avoid them and just how dangerous a threat they pose.

"At least he can haul you back," Llewellyn retorts with a snort of his own. Poor Zanan is probably going to end up on mucking duty for the next fortnight at the very least. More if he did end up accidentally taking out the weyrleader, but they definitely wouldn't leave an unconscious Va'os to be kitty chow. The herder's face has been pretty neutral, but the lack of news gets a grunt of disappointment. As for what he thinks, Llewellyn shrugs. "From what I hear, they usually hunt in groups. One could be old or injured or sick and off on his own…" But the man just shakes his head. They don't really have felines up in Keroon either! "Sick would probably be the worst one. Harder to predict what it's gonna do, plus it could infect others."

Va’os grins for a moment over the idea of being hauled anywhere but that soon leaves his expression. Thankfully, no one will be left for kitty chow tonight! There’s a grimaced apology for the lack of any helpful news. “If we get anything helpful, we’ll immediately pass it along.” he offers. Not that it’s bound to do much, except to reassure! “… so not likely that this is a solo animal? Because sick and injured wouldn’t be taking down a healthy beast. Unless felines act that different from your typical predator?” Va’os is half musing out loud, not really expecting Llewellyn to answer him. What the Herder DOES go on to say though? Brings him up short. “Infect other felines or we talking potential risk to the herds too?” They’re gonna need those animals in plentiful numbers! Lots of hungry dragons and soon to be even more baby dragon mouths to feed. That’s not even factoring in human consumption!

Llewellyn will just sob in his beer later, but for now he's hiding the disappointment well and just nods at the reassurances. "More like, fifty-fifty. There's some sick that more just goes crazy than feeble. Can even get extra aggressive." If not quite rabies, some sort of inflammation of the brain that looks a lot like rabies. "Usually things don't pass feline to bovine, but…" He shrugs. "We're watching." Watching the cows, watching the jungle, watching everything.

“Oh, that’d just be perfect, wouldn’t it?” Cue some Va’os sarcasm, along with the gesturing! “A sickness that makes an already aggressive animal even more crazed and murdery!” Just what anyone wants to hear, right? Thankfully, it’s awfully hard to be overheard in a field when speaking at normal volume! And the Weyrleader isn’t dumb enough to go raving about this to the masses back at the Weyr. “Usually… meaning it can happen?” He suggests, before glancing warily back towards those jungles. “Don’t envy you, man.” It’s not a job Va’os would want. “Anything you need of us?” he offers, seemingly on a whim or maybe just to veer into a closing discussion. He’s not here to distract Llewellyn from his work for too long, after all!

"Sounds like Southern," Sure, Va'os may have been sarcastic, but Llewellyn will agree with that since it seems like everything about the continent is out to kill folks half the time. Volcanoes, pirates, felines, storms, headwomen… it's always a guessing game of what could murder you next!As for the actual question, the herder gives a very solemn nod. "Depends on the sickness, but yeah." He reaches up to rub at his stubble while thinking about what they might need before eventually coming up with something. "More sweeps… not like dragons have much chance seeing through the jungle and finding a hidden feline but the smell of dragon and knowing there are bigger predators around may drive 'em off." While killing the murderous animal is the most desirable outcome, Llew will take just no more herdbeast going missing.

Va’os scoffs and almost laughs out loud before he catches himself. Clearing his throat, he’ll give a shrug of his shoulders. Sounds like Southern! It’s almost a good sitcom like tagline, if Pern had such things. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that and for reasons I don’t think I need to hash out,” Because he figures Llewellyn knows exactly how Bad News it would be. No need to play Captain Obvious to the Herder! There’s a nod given to the request, along with another offer of reassurance but no actual promise. “I’ll see if we can spare a few extra riders for you. Damned timing… If we’d had weyrlings at the right stage, I’d be seeing if the Weyrlingmasters could use ‘em.” Sadly, they’re too young and not even flying yet! Stepping back, Va’os dips his head in a farewell gesture. “I’ll let you get back to your duties.” The rest goes unsaid.

If there's one thing Llewellyn does know, it's how Bad News any sickness involving the Weyr's food supply might be. That's his craft after all. The herder gives a nod, not even willing to say anything more about it. His lips are sealed! He gives a bit of a shrug when Va'os starts cursing timing. "Figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. If you end up getting some pregnant riders, could give 'em something nice and easy to do. No betweening needed." But since Va'os is giving the signal for farewell, Llewellyn will give a bit of a salute himself and then mount back up. "Clear skies, weyrleader." And he'll go back to hoping there's no felines in his fields. And if there are, well… that's what the crossbow is for.

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