A/N: Here it is, Chapter 12! I'm really sorry this story took me over a year to finish. Here it is, the final chapter. After this there will be an epilogue, and that's it! Thank you everyone for staying with me! Enjoy!
Tessa took a deep breath before entering the room. In it sat the holders from the North. They all regarded her with a look of disdain for a moment, before they resumed to their own conversations.
"I would like your attention, please," She said politely.
"Yeah yeah! Get on with it! Why'd you want us here, anyways?" The Lord holder of Nabol said.
"The illness.. that's wiping out entire civilizations. There's a way to stop it." Tessa said quietly.
"How?" The Lord Holder of Benden asked, looking intrigued.
"The disease doesn't spread well in warmer climates, so by moving to.." Tessa continued, being interrupted.
"We aren't moving anywhere!" The holder of Fort yelled, cutting her off rudely.
"Yeah! We've spent thousands of years perfecting our holds, and you want us to abandon it on some flight of fancy?" The holder of Ruatha said.
"Suit yourselves. Do not come begging us dragonriders to move your decrepit, sick bodies when you change your minds." she said coolly, leaving the room.
Well, that didn't go as planned, she thought.
They are foolish. Once the people here of the amazing recoveries of those who went South, they will travel on their own.
Tessa smiled. "You're right," she said to her dragon, "You are absolutely right," She went outside and mounted Cireth.
"How's B'non doing?" Tessa asked lightheartedly.
Branath said he's doing much better. Today he's supposed to talk to the Lord Holder of Southern about letting northerners come there. He may not like it so much..if only he knew the true reason why we must move everyone South.
"No one knows but us, and we should keep it that way,"
Are you certain we should hide it from B'non?
"People don't like to know their futures, no matter how hard they try to conceal that fact. They don't want to know they are doomed, that their time is limited. They want to live in the dream that everything will be just fine..humans need security, Cireth." Tessa explained.
Where are we going to now?
"We should go to individual nomadic camps. Those who refuse to live in a hold. They may listen to us." Tessa suggested.
For their sakes, they had best.
"Let's go! We'll avoid going between."
Why? It's so early, I doubt it'll harm the eggs.
"We can never be too careful,"
If you insist... Cireth said, flying straight.
After a good amount of time, Tessa said, "Look there! A camp! Cireth, let's go down there," Cireth circled down and landed softly. Tessa slid off and waved a greeting at the concerned looking group.
"Weyrwoman..Tessa, was it? Is there something you need?" A man asked, stepping forward. He was most likely the leader of the group, Tessa observed.
"There's nothing I really want, but I'd like to inform you of something about the illness,"
"Oh? What is it?"
"It seems that, it doesn't survive well in warmer climates. I'm trying to get as many people as possible to where it's warmer to prevent huge losses,"
"I see..we've all already had it and recovered..except my daughter," the man said.
"She is ill?"
"She was the first to come down sick. She still hasn't recovered."
"How long has it been?"
"About two or three fortnights."
"She's in serious danger, then. She may end up having complications from being ill so long,"
"Could you.. take her to Southern? Please..she's my only child,"
"Of course," Tessa said, smiling warmly. He walked her over to his daughter, who was being carted by runnerbeasts. She was wrapped in many smiles. He picked her up.
"Nezri, you'll be okay now. The weyrwoman is going to take you to where you can recover better."
Tessa took a good look at the girl. She was obviously too ill to really respond. The man strapped her onto Cireth's harness before giving Tessa a sad look.
"Please..take care of her," he said.
"She'll be fine. Don't worry," Tessa said sliding onto Cireth.
Shall we go between?
"No. the shock of the cold will make her much worse. Let's fly straight"
That's going to take forever.
"I know. But if we can instill some faith in the dragon riders, that we truly care and will go to any length for the people of Pern..then..maybe they will listen to us when they truly need to,"
Something still worries me..
"What is it?"
In the future, Honshu was destroyed.
"I had almost forgotten," Tessa's brow furrowed in concentration.
I don't know much about building structures, but it had to have taken a lot to collapse the stone like that.
"Your right, Cireth. I certainly do not like it one bit,"
Just how far in the future were we?
"I have absolutely no clue," Tessa replied, solemnly.
Tessa had been dozing lazily on Cireth's back when the dragon awoke her.
We are here
Cireth circled down to southern hold slowly. By the time they landed, a few people had come out to greet them.
"What do we owe the pleasure of your visit to?" A woman asked.
"This girl is very sick. I was asked to bring her to where she could recuperate," Tessa said, lifting the small girl gingerly off of Cireth and handing her to a capable looking young man.
"Is there anything else you require?" The woman asked cordially.
"No," Tessa's voice was a little bit harsher than she would have liked, but it couldn't be helped. Her mind was elsewhere. Without even realizing where her legs were taking her she began walking. When she stopped, she was in front of the room where B'non was recuperating in. She chuckled inwardly before entering.
"How are you doing?" she asked quietly.
"Much better,"
She looked at him, he was sitting up in bed and gazing at her. She blushed meekly under his scrutiny.
"I'm glad. How long til your up and running again?" she asked, trying to sound like a proper weyrwoman.
"Oh I'm ready to go alright!" he said, leaping up suddenly, catching her by total surprise in a warm embrace. She smiled softly and relaxed in his show of affection.
"So how did the conference with the holders go?" He asked, trying to make conversation.
Tessa stared at the floor.
"Absolutely awful," She said, unmoving.
"Bah! Don't worry about them. It'd take threadfall for them to change their minds on anything," he joked.
"B'non..that's really not funny," she said quietly.
"I know..sorry. It's just.. You looked like you thought it was your fault they didn't want to be a part of our plan," He tried to comfort her.
"Maybe it is," She sighed softly.
"Tessa..if there's anyone that could get into those numbskull's heads, it'd be you,"
A soft presence at her mouth alerted her that he was having physical contact with her. She nearly gasped when he pulled away, anxious for more. Those days in another time..alone with only Cireth.. she still felt lonely from it. Even though she wasn't alone anymore, she often felt like she very much was. Sensing her disappointment, B'non kissed her again. Her hand slid it's way up to his cheek. She felt a strong arm around her back, pulling her closer. His other hand was now slipping through her hair gently. She strongly desired this moment to last forever. His loving embrace, his lips pressed against hers, the gentle warmth and protection he offered, she didn't want it to go. Not ever. Eventually, they pulled away, smiling at each other.
"Tessa, I love you,"
Their moment was rudely caught short when Aniceth appeared above them, squawking loudly. The little queen dropped a piece of paper before flitting off, most likely to play in the water with Cireth. She unfolded the parchment carefully, and a smile crept across her face as she read the cryptic message:
Benden will follow gold.
"What's it say?" B'non asked eagerly.
"Looks like I made an impression after all," she smiled wide, handing the paper to B'non. Once he read and decoded the message, he lifted her up and spun her around.
"Once we get Benden, a few others may listen to us as well!" He said excitedly before slipping into a coughing fit.
"Calm down before you kill yourself. Sheesh," She rolled her eyes at his childish outburst.
"Okay.." B'non said, sitting on the bed.
"I'm going back to the weyr to sort things out. I will see you when your better?" Tessa asked.
"Sure. I'll be ready to go back soon." B'non said happily.
"Until then..." she said, giving him a gentle kiss and walking outside. She slid easily onto Cireth's back and they began their journey back to Benden Weyr.
"I hope.. the future we saw.. is distant enough for us to evacuate everyone." Tessa said to Cireth.
We cannot know for certain, but we should take comfort in the fact that in the future, we did not see anyone. We didn't see any runnerbeasts out exchanging news between halls. If there we gathers, we would have known from the large masses of people traveling. Instead, we saw absolutely nothing. Perhaps, it can be assumed that we managed to get everyone into a safer place?
"You're right, Cireth." Tessa said smiling.
Do cheer up... I do not like it when you are upset.
"Sorry. I just have this dark feeling like something is going to happen." Tessa explained.
Whatever it is...I'm sure we can get through it together.
Tessa patted Cireth's neck affectionately. Sure, being a dragonrider was difficult, but she wouldn't give it up for the world.
As the weeks and months passed by, Tessa and B'non managed to convince most of those in Benden to move to southern. Those who were living in Benden were divided into three places; Honshu, which had grown to encompass the surrounding area, Landing, which was now the main hold in the south, and of course Southern Hold. Unfortunately, the lord Holder of Fort was giving Tessa and B'non an incredibly difficult time with allowing his people to move south, as evidenced by his actions at the meeting they were currently in. Tessa sighed in exasperation.
"Why does it matter if people move South?" Sarol, Lord Holder of Fort demanded.
"The climate is much preferred for overcoming illness, Lord Holder." Tessa said politely.
"Who cares? Those who were too weak to overcome it are dead anyways." Sarol argued.
"With all due respect, in your hold nearly a thousand died. What will you do when illness strikes again?" B'non said tactfully.
"Again? What do you mean again!? Plagues and Influenza don't go around that often!" Sarol spat.
"Usually, no. But the increasingly cramped quarters are spreading things faster than they used to. Why not start your own hold in the south? It's much easier to come up with enough food to feed everyone when there is no bitter cold season where crops cannot be harvested." Tessa said.
"Everyone gets fed just fine at Fort Hold." Sarol said. Tessa took note that his chin couldn't get any higher.
"If you say so. But do remember, Lord Holder Sarol, if something happens, the dragonriders will not be able to help you. We are positioning in the South, where the majority of the Pernese people are. Benden has been divided among Honshu, Southern and Landing. It's much easier to help protect people when they are within a shorter distance." B'non stated.
"We don't need your help," Sarol spat, "We haven't needed your help for a millenia!"
Slam
Tessa managed not to wince as she pounded her fists on the table. Her anger with this unreasonable man had reached it's limit.
"Suit yourself." she said, walking out. B'non followed close behind her. Once outside, she sighed.
"Tessa, we did our best.." B'non said gently.
"I know..but it's just not good enough,"
"Why is it exactly that we want everyone South? Most are already moved, and I'm certain others will come down before too long, so what's the rush?" B'non asked.
"I just...have a feeling.. that the Northern lands are no longer safe, that is all." Tessa said. She desperately wanted to tell him the truth, that the North will become barren...but she couldn't. She knew this was her burden alone to bear.
"Tessa, I believe in you. I also believe that no matter what happens, everything will be okay."
"Thank you." She said, leaning against him. He embraced her briefly.
"Let's go back to the weyr." B'non suggested. Tessa merely nodded in response and climbed onto Cireth.
Weeks passed quickly. The movement south slowed to a stop. It was a typical morning, Tessa was in the lower caverns enjoying a meal with B'non when an alarmed fire lizard popped in from between over her head. She recognized it was belonging to the holder of Honshu.
"What's going on!?" She yelled, leaping up. She contacted Cireth to get the images from the frantic fire lizard. Cireth projected the image to her. Tessa saw three men with bundles near a support column. They placed the bundles down, lighting a fuse. They hurried out. Seconds later a loud bang was heard, as Honshu collapsed on itself.
"Let's go! We have to help them! B'non, get on Branath and find the three that did this!" Tessa ordered. B'non nodded and raced outside.
Tessa contacted Managath mentally, telling him that they'd need all the help they could get. Tessa was slipping on her riding gear when she heard footsteps behind her. She whirled around and saw T'rin, who took no time in getting his gear on and slipping onto Managath.
"Cireth..have Amarth and Perzenth accompany us! We're going to Honshu!" Tessa ordered.
Cireth let out a rumble, and soon after Amarth and Perzenth were stirring from where they had been napping. Tessa slipped onto Cireth's back and they climbed high above the bowl. She saw Branath take off and go between, in a hurry to catch the culprits before they could escape. Tessa sent Amarth, Perzenth and Managath the mental image of Honshu, and the three dragons blinked between.
Black
Blacker
Blackest
Tessa gasped at the site. Honshu had completely collapsed on itself.
"Amarth, Perzenth, search for survivors! T'rin, you and Managath start digging them out! I'm going to Southern Hold to request assistance." Tessa barked out the orders, a spitting image of Lessa herself. Lessa, Tessa thought, what would you do in this situation?
Soon, Tessa and Cireth were above Southern. Cireth landed quickly, not caring if she disturbed people. Tessa slipped off and raced into the main hall, where there was a long line of people waiting to inform the Lord Holder of their requests. Tessa pushed past them, receiving angry glares.
"Lord Holder of Southern, Honshu has been attacked. We have yet to understand who did it, or why, but I come here in ask of assistance to help get the survivors out. Will you spare volunteers?" Tessa asked, bowing to show respect.
"Rise, weyrwoman! You need not bow before me! I will send out the watchwhers and those bound to them to assist you." The Holder said.
"Thank you." Tessa said, spinning around to leave.
"When you find out who is at the heart of this, please inform me!" The holder called to her retreating back. She did not give a response, but intended to inform all of Pern about the attack, anyways.
Tessa slipped onto Cireth's back once she was outside. Cireth made a large circle on their way back to Honshu, in case they could spot the culprits. No such luck. They watched the recovery effort from above. Every time someone was pulled out they were placed on dragonback and flown straight to Southern Hold for medical care. Tessa sighed, the site was depressing. Something nagged in the back of her mind, however. She remembered when she had gone into the future and seen Honshu collapsed. Cold fear overcame her. That time was coming. She desperately needed answers.
"Cireth, let's go to landing."
Why?
"That is where we will find answers." Tessa explained,
Before long, Cireth was landing gently outside of the old AIVAS building. People scarcely went in there now, only when in search of information. Landing was fairly populated now, predominantly by those interested in learning about the dormant volcanoes. Tessa searched through the records, all on the expensive white pressed paper. There had to be some mention of why the North was made barren by the odd device. She picked up the most recent records printed by AIVAS before it shut down, and began reading them. For the most part, it was dull things- who asked what questions and that sort. Then she came across something.
Record of incoming message from Earth:
In search of planet to colonize. If you are there, REPLY. If you do not comply within a week, we shall recreate Earth on Pern, down to the grasses.
Tessa could barely decipher it, as Pernese had evolved very differently from the Earthen language, but she understood the general drift. Was this..why? But, this was nearly 1,000 years ago! She concentrated deep in thought, remembering an old teaching ballad.
From the distant stars we came
A dying planet is our mother
We slept for many ages
Before reaching here,
Pern, our fresh start...
Tessa knew for certain there were lines missing in her memory, and for the life of her couldn't remember the second stanza. But now it made sense. It had taken them 1,000 years to get to Pern. Now they intended to take it back. But, why didn't someone reply? This bothered Tessa greatly. She shook her head to clear her doubts from her mind and walked outside.
Tessa!
"What is it?" Tessa asked Cireth.
Above us..
Tessa craned her neck up to see what Cireth was talking about. In the far distance, a silver object reflected the sun brilliantly.
"No.." Tessa's voice had the force of a scream, but came out as a whisper.
What shall we do?
"I...I don't know! It's coming fast..we have..to stop it from reaching here.."
If we had firestone, I could burn it out of the sky...
"But we don't! And we're running out of time!" Tessa climbed onto Cireth's back.
Cireth rose high into the sky.
"Can we destroy it before it reaches the ground?" Tessa asked.
Worth a try..
Cireth let out a loud bugle, a battle cry as she tried to rip the device to pieces. It was harder than most rocks, and she couldn't even dent it.
"Now what?" Tessa asked.
There is a way to make it disappear..
"There is no other way, is there Cireth?"
Not that we have time for...
"I love you Cireth."
I love you, too.
Cireth latched tightly onto the threatening silver object with her wings.
Black
Blacker
Blackest
Branath let out a painful cry, quickly followed by the other dragons.
"TESSA!" B'non yelled, knowing in his heart what had happened.