(My thanks to everyone who's read so far, and commented; I appreciate it! Just for reference points, the date is now in 2556, at 9.12.3, the same day Yarrow's marriage was dissolved... this chapter just ties up a couple loose ends with regards to that meeting. But it's useful for the story's movement...
Yarrow 11
"Petia, you are under arrest again, and sentenced to exile – in a different part of the Ring Islands," Lord Haligon said. "Weyrleaders, could we ask that a more consistent watch be made on that region, to prevent others from escaping?"
Yarrow looked over at the four – five? She wondered, since there was apparently also Lord Jaxom to think of who somehow had a dragon of his own – Weyrfolk, who nodded. Everyone looked grim, and she could understand why. The Abominators were a terrible force on Pern. "Definitely," F'lessan said, his mouth set. Flar was running a hand through his hair in frustration, and Lessa's eyes were blazing. "It's also something to keep junior weyrlings occupied while at their studies. We've left the Ring alone too much, clearly!"
Maybe, maybe not, Lessa sent to Yarrow who nodded. It was up for interpretation, really. You yourself mentioned about those 'documents'; this issue wouldn't have been settled so cleanly if it hadn't happened in the way it did. Again, there was that set to her lip that Yarrow didn't understand the reasoning for.
"Lord Haligon," Mink said, looking at Yarrow, "I will cooperate any way I can with this." He put up a hand as Petia seemed about to butt in again. "Whatever the decision."
Yarrow looked over at the Lords Holder gathered there. "Well, whatever else, this young man shows a great deal of the qualities we'd look for in a good Lord Holder," the man from – Benden, Yarrow thought – remarked. "Wouldn't you say, Larad?" The other man nodded. "Still doesn't excuse him though, I guess. What do you think, Haligon? Your father would have clapped them all in chains."
She looked at Haligon, who frowned. "No," he said slowly. "Father believed in what's right. He was swift in doling out punishment for what's wrong, but when something's more of a gray area – Da was less easy with those, and somewhat more careful. Lady Yarrow, for one thing do you honestly want to stay at Southern? Your parents were both Harpers; you'd be welcome back at the Harper Hall, I've no doubt. I knew your father; Porilan was a friend of mine. A very talented Harper."
Yarrow sighed. Part of her ached to go back to Harper Hall, to a place where she'd be understood better on so many levels, where she wouldn't be made fun of or looked down on for her disability again. The rest, though. . . .
Duty.
That word hung in her mind like a gnawing canker she couldn't get rid of, and she also knew that she wouldn't feel right till she'd finished the task her parents had been sent there to do in first place, and that they'd in a way left her to complete. And then there's Brevis. . . she thought, flushing a little. Well, that was impossible.
"I'll stay," she signed to Mink, who was looking at her sadly. "That is, if I can?" She looked over at Lord Haligon, as Mink translated for her.
The lord of Fort seemed a little surprised, but he nodded. "Well, then, milords, since we can't seem to get hold of Toric's closer heir, I guess we have no choice but to name Mink the true Lord Holder of Southern," he said. He looked a little uncomfortable at that decision, but she saw him clear his throat. "Would somebody take our – prisoner – to a cell where she can be held till transport is arranged?"
Yarrow had the satisfaction of watching Petia be lugged away by two dragonriders, practically spitting blood. Maybe Southern will be easier to take without you, she thought.
Mink tapped her on her shoulder. "You didn't have to agree to stay," he signed, and for the first time she felt a little guilty not being able to tell him her reasons. But she brushed that off as best she could.
"You're going to need help building the place back up," she signed back to him.
We will help too! Several dragons and their riders sent her at once, not all of them present at the table.