A Time For All Things

Writers: Miriah
Date Posted: 12th June 2014

Characters: D'hol, Z'an
Description: Mercy is needed and then given
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 16 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Gelira

D'hol

Z'an

The blue cried out in pain after emerging from /between/ and began a
wild spiraling decent. Vicarth bellowed, calling out his intent as he
spread his wings and positioned himself beneath the plummeting dragon.
There was a grunt as the blue landed haphazardly on his back and he
took a moment to steady himself against the weight. Scored flesh
bled; the stench of firestone and burned flesh filled Z'an's nostrils
as he gave the order to carry the blue back to the Weyr.

Emerging from /between/ with a chill pop, Vicarth settled on the
ground and hunkered low, allowing both the healers and the
dragonhealers to get to their patient. The brown ignored the hurried
voices and kept his eye on the sky, muscles tensed to return to the
skies the moment they had the blue and his rider in their care. The
moment the weight of the injured blue was off of him and his rider
gave the signal, Vicarth leaped into the air to return to his wing and
the fight against Thread.

They couldn't have returned at a worse time or position. Coming from
/between/ Vicarth and Z'an were immediately caught in a wild tangle of
Thread that caught the dragon's neck and upper shoulders and coiled
around his wings. There was a scream as straps snapped from scoring
and sent Z'an tumbling off of the big brown before anyone could blink
or call warning. Z'an fell, still screaming at his dragon's pain and
from his fall, watched in horror as his brown went /between/ and the
bond that had sustained them both for Turns was severed. His scream
deepened into a hoarse cry of denial and loss that was echoed by
sudden keening.

There was a slam against his body and a sickening crunch as pain
shattered his cry. There was a moment where he saw green dragon hide
before the world went blissfully cold and black

----

The moment the Wing landed, D'hol slid off of Yumath and hurried to
the infirmary. Promptly met by a Healer, D'hol wasted no time. "How is
he?"

The man gestured for D'hol to follow him, his face strained. "I'm
afraid the news is grim, Wingleader. He woke shortly after his arrival
and immediately began screaming, begging us to kill him." The man's
voice was soft as they threaded their way through cots. "He's sedated
now, but…" He exhaled. "His back is broken and it appears as though he
has lost movement and feeling below his waist."

D'hol closed his eyes for a moment and nodded. With the loss of
Vicarth, he doubted Z'an cared much about his injuries. To be
dragonless…he repressed a shudder. "What else?"

"He is badly scored along his legs. Honestly, Wingleader, if he does
survive, he will need intense care for the remainder of his life. I do
not believe that he will ever regain mobility or feeling below the
waist."

"Does he know?"

The Healer sighed and nodded. "I told him after sedating him. I don't
know if he understood completely."

D'hol's lips thinned. "I don't believe he cares at this point."

"True."

The Healer pushed back a privacy curtain and D'hol stepped past it to
look down at the battered man on the cot.

Z'an was awake, but only just. Where there had once been a merry spark
in his eyes, the dark brown orbs appeared dull and hollow. It was as
though every bit of life had been snuffed out of him and merely a
shell of the man remained. Those dull eyes lifted to D'hol at his
entrance. There were no jokes, no grins…nothing that could have eased
the tension as had been Z'an's habit. Instead a voice strained and
hoarse from his cries broke the silence. "Help me."

D'hol's jaw twitched rapidly as he laid his hand on Z'an's shoulder.
"Tell me what you need, Z'an."

"Help me." Z'an swallowed roughly, his eyes shadowed with a pain that
would never be eased. "Don't…don't leave me like this. I can't…" He
closed his eyes, tears flowing from the closed lids in slow drips.
"I'm begging you. Give me mercy."

D'hol took a long, slow breath and turned to the healer beside him to
speak softly. "Bring it."

The man paled, but nodded, stepping back to fetch what was necessary.
D'hol turned back to Z'an who kept his eyes closed tightly. He didn't
fault the man for his tears. The thought of living without Yumath was
unthinkable. He could have lived with nothing below the waist if he
had his dragon, but both? No, he'd want the same as what Z'an was
requesting. "Is there anyone you want to see?"

"No." Z'an opened his eyes slowly, his voice dull. "Don't let them
see me like this." There was a pause and he met D'hol's gaze. "My
things. Send them to Gelira at Dragonsfall. She's a weyrling. Tell her
to use them however she needs to take care of our babe." At D'hol's
nod, he began to relax but his hands clenched against the sheet.
"After…after it's done…take me to be with him. Please."

"I will."

Z'an finally completely relaxed, his upper body back slumped against
his pillow. The healer returned with a vial, the mercy draught. He
approached Z'an's beside, but an upraised hand from D'hol stopped him.
"I'll do it." He looked down at Z'an. "He's my rider. My
responsibility." He took the vial and carefully slipped his arm under
Z'an's shoulder to heft him into a half-sit.

Z'an took the vial with evident relief on his face as D'hol sat him
up. "Thank you." He opened it, the pain in his back forgotten as he
tipped the draught to his lips and swallowed without hesitation. His
throat worked to swallow and finally, he drained the vial and laid
back. "Thank you."

D'hol settled him back and stood beside him. He took Z'an's hand in
his and spoke softly, his voice rough with repressed emotion. "You
were a good rider, Z'an. It was a pleasure flying with you."

Finally, a peaceful smile lifted Z'an's lips and he closed his eyes
with a deep breath, willing the draught to work its will.

D'hol stayed as Z'an's breathing eased away and his hand went limp in
his. The healer checked him and confirmed that the draught had done
its duty. D'hol laid the still hand by Z'an's side and respectfully
lifted the sheet to cover him.

Last updated on the June 13th 2014

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A Time For All Things