Nasty Business & Unanswered Questions
IC Date: Day 20, Month 11, Turn 2, 7th Pass
Players: R'hal, R'zel, Vanya
Location: Vanya's Room
Synopsis: R'zel drops by to give Vanya some more hides on dragon healing, but they end up discussing current rumors about the mysterious greenrider at Telgar. Then R'hal comes by to let Vanya know he'll take her up on Yanith the following day, and they all three end up talking about Yevide's unsolved death. Lots of unanswered questions result.
Vanya's Room,
Early Afternoon
There isn't much a person can do to disguise the fact this room is little more than a cave. The walls are stone, smoothed by hand or by some long-forgotten or long-gone machine used by those who first built the weyr. The door is solid wood, sturdy, the fixtures utilitarian. The basic furniture is all there -- bed, table, two chairs, wall shelves and a wooden storage chest. Simple. As is the occupant, since there is little in the way of fancy knickknacks or personal possessions. The bed has plain sheets, two down-filled pillows, and a warm, woven blanket in dark green. The chest holds clothes, and more blankets as a bastion against the cold, High Reaches winter. A glow basket hangs from the wall over the bed, another sits on the table, glows replenished whenever needed by those unseen people who perform this task.
On a shelf above the table are a bottle of ink, writing instruments, sand and some already prepared hides. Very rare and precious paper documents are carefully arranged on another shelf, held down by a polished stone collected from some place. Yet another shelf holds vials and bottles of lotions, astringents, and other containers of herbs and oils. The only luxurious thing here, if it can be called that, is a hand-made rug that lies beside the bed on top of a thick layer of reeds. Stone floors are notoriously cold on bare feet. A black cloak hangs on a peg by the door, as does a gittern, the instrument carefully wrapped in a protective bag. A basket, leather satchel and two pairs of boots sit on the floor beneath.
Having seen Sinopa off on another of her jaunts, Vanya returned to her room, carrying with her food and drink. Since it's another miserable day outside, remaining indoors seems a good idea, especially now the laundry's returned her quilts, and she's acquired a second brazier. So, it's with some pleasure she curls up on her bed, feet tucked beneath herself, a redfruit in one hand, and hides on dragon healing spread in her lap. The door is ajar slightly, giving anyone who passes a glimpse of the girl inside. It also is indicative that she's not adverse to company, if someone wishes to enter.
Not long after Vanya returns to her home comforts, R'zel, cheeks still round with a few hurried bites of food, comes strolling down the hallway. One arm's looped around a slip of much-written-on hide and a trio of slim books--old reports on various dragonhealing projects--while a cup of tea, no longer steaming, occupies the other hand. As he passes by Vanya's room, he tilts his head to sneak a quick look inside before using the cup to tap out a gentle knock.
Looking up from her reading, Vanya smiles. "Come in, R'zel," she says, voice pleasant. "Nice to see you again. My duty to Pangioth. I hope you're both well?" She sets aside the hides, stacking them neatly, and rising. "Won't you have a seat?" She smooths the stack of hides, bringing it with her to the table, then neatly adds it to another already on the top. "I was just going over some of the things you last loaned me. They're ready to go back to you, if you need them. I've all the notes I made as reference now."
"We're both well, and it's good to see you too. As always," R'zel replies with a grin. Shifting his books, he elbows the door open and takes the offered seat, a brief widening of his girin serving as tacit thanks. "All done already? You work fast." First the cup is set down, and then the reports follow. "Here's something else for you. I suspect you'll burn through them even more quickly," he notes, a rueful but bemused quirk to his lips. "How've you been? Has the weyrwoman been keeping you busy?"
Vanya smiles again, nodding. "I learned how to select key phrases and make notes, and I have that kind of memory which doesn't really let me forget what I learn," she says, reaching for the next stack of hides from R'zel. "Actually, Sinopa's been doing a little bit of visiting recently. Going to the various holds Reaches covers, making sure things are doing well. Kind of strengthening the ties, if you get my drift," she replies in regards to the weyrwoman. "It gets her out and about, let's her see and be seen, so to speak." She pauses, then, and seems a little hesitant. As if there might be more to add, but she isn't sure of mentioning it. "At any rate, it gives me time to read and research my own projects."
"I've still so far to go, when it comes to taking effective notes." A small sigh, and R'zel sits back, soaking up the explanation of Sinopa's activities. Green eyes fix on Vanya in silent study for the duration of her words, and brows twitch upwards at the hesitation. "Oh, nice. Must be fun to travel around. Good publicity of sorts, huh?" he wonders lightly. He reaches out to retrieve his cup, sipping at his lukewarm tea before resuming his questioning. "What projects have you been working on? And did you ever manage to find someone to take you around Pern for research?"
"Yes, Sinopa arranged for me to travel with one of the messengers while he took letters to a few of the other weyrs," Vanya replies to the last. "S'tel was very kind and patient. I'm afraid I didn't find much in the way of what Sinopa wished, but it did give us both a little more to go on regarding our research." She isn't very forth-coming regarding /what/ Sinopa wanted researched, but moves over to sit down at the table. "Taking notes is just a matter of being able to reduce long and often redundant essays into the essence of what the writer says. If you'd like to make copies of my notes, I don't mind. It's rather like ... well, the difference between saying 'I'm fine,' or going into mass detail about your day." She gives a shrug of one shoulder. "Some writers can't say anything in a simple way, so it's up to us to read it, then just jot down the gist of what they say."
R'zel glances at Vanya over the rim of his cup, then sips some more of the cooled tea. "Anything I might be able to help with?" he ventures at last on the topic of research. Ever willing to take on more work, that's him. However, he does offer the option of letting her just move on without an outright refusal. "Is there an easy way to decide what's important and what's not? I've always envied those speedreaders who could go through a dense book in a matter of hours, but the ones I asked never could explain how they, uh, weeded out the convolutions and redundancies."
Vanya thinks for a moment, then simply shakes her head. "I don't know how to explain it either," she admits. "It's kind of just ... well, it comes natural to some. I can read something and then tell you what to write down, rather what /I/ would write down, but that might not be what you get out of it. It's kind of different for each person, I think." As far as him helping is concerned. "I don't know, really. Sinopa rather asked me to not discuss it with a lot of people, so I'd rather not break my word to her." She pauses. "Don't take that as meaning I don't trust you, but she was rather adamant in that respect. I can say she'll likely want to talk to you about it anyway, since she knows you're interested in dragon healing."
"Oh." The cup returns to the table as R'zel ponders with furrowed brow. "Maybe note-taking will come with practice," he concludes, resting his chin on one hand. The free hand waves in airy dismissal. "No offense taken. My curiosity will just have to take the toll for not keeping in contact after weyrlinghood." Green eyes half shut, and he flashes a brief grin before returning to a more thoughtful expression. "So you two haven't discussed the matter with any of the other dragonhealers either? Weyrwoman Roa? Or Journeyman Neiran, even? He should have access to plenty of information, with the ongoing project."
"I don't know if Sinopa is aware of Neiran's interest in dragon healing, to be honest," Vanya replies, her tone thoughtful. "It's certainly an idea, and I'll let her know about him. I didn't even think of that." She considers this a moment, then shakes her head. "No, I don't believe she's discussed it with Weyrwoman Roa, or with Lexine. Perhaps she will soon. I do know she's planning a luncheion for all the goldriders. Maybe that's the reason." She's vague about it, but not rudely so. "I don't know Roa all that well, myself, either."
"A luncheon?" R'zel's half-shut eyes open again with some surprise, but he dismisses his own reaction with an one-shouldered shrug. "The weyrwoman is quite competent and professional in the infirmary. Other than that, I don't know much, either. And it would seem the Weyr gossips are too caught up in the latest relationship polygon to really talk about anything else." A roll of his eyes, but some thought brings a grimace to his face. "But... have you heard the whispers about some mystery greenrider at Telgar?" He darts a sharp, almost defiant look at Vanya's face, as though expecting her to shush him or worse. A second's pause, and he relaxes forcibly, settling back some more with a shrug of both shoulders.
"Yes, a luncheon," she says, nodding. "Sinopa would like to get to know all the other goldriders, both those of High Reaches, and those attending Caucus. Roa, included, I'm sure. Likely to welcome both her and Lexine here, since both of them arrived during the middle of that trial and all. Well, Roa was already here at Caucus, but you know what I mean. There wasn't much time for an official welcoming party or anything like that." But when R'zel mentions the "mysterious greenrider at Telgar," Vanya's hand freezes in the midst of reaching for a glass on the table. There's a pause, then, "I ... yes," she replies, voice soft and a flickered glance toward the open door. "I overheard someone mention something about it in the living cavern the other day at lunch." She doesn't add anything for a moment. "What've you heard?"
"Never knew they held official welcoming parties for transfers," R'zel murmurs into his chin-supporting hand. "But then again, I don't pay attention." His eyes pause on the frozen hand, then slide a sidelong glance to the open door as well, and finally come to a full stop on Vanya's face, making no secret of studying her expression. "I haven't heard much. 'Mystery greenrider at Telgar' is about as far as most of the whispers get before getting stonewalled. But it's strange that there's..." He casts a glance at the cup he's been using to stall and buy time, but unfortunately, there's no more tea. "It's weird that there's so much fuss about this. And that no one seems willing to discuss it." A quick grin doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Usually it's so much harder to make our gossips clam up, believe me."
Vanya moistens her lips. "Yes," she says, nodding. "Yes, that's certainly true." She looks at the table, then seems to realize her hand's hanging there in mid-air. Instead of picking up the glass, she lets her hand fall back into her lap. "I heard a couple of different things, actually," she says, voice very soft. "I heard there was a ... a strange green rider found at some small hold ... around the same time those missing boys reappeared." She doesn't seem to want to say anything more, but then just states, "The person I overheard said the green rider at Telgar was badly hurt, and the dragon was mind-locked by one of the Telgar golds." When she finishes, she looks up at R'zel. "Telgar was where they were going to send E'sere."
R'zel reaches out a hand to fidget with his now empty cup, turning it round and round in place, but when Vanya states what she had heard, all motion ceases. He sits stock still, transfixed by the news, eyes distant even as his gaze stays on Vanya. Finally, "Yes, I know." Presumably to the note about E'sere. "I don't understand." Pause. "Mind-locking isn't standard procedure." Another pause. His jaw clenches for a moment. "Are any of the big-wigs checking into this? Are they aware of the situation?"
Vanya looks down at the hands in her lap. "I haven't told Sinopa anything, but planned to discuss it with her soon. I --" She doesn't finish what she starts to say for a long time, then, "I mentioned it to someone I thought might be able to look into things, but I don't know if he did. He said he would, and told me it might be best if I didn't try to do anything myself." She looks up now, and there's a world of concern in her expression. "The weyrleader at Telgar is E'sere's cousin," she says, voice still low, "and E'sere told me he wasn't a very ... well, nice person. That S'lien was often cruel to E'sere when they were boys. I know E'sere lied about so much, but just the way he said that makes me think he wasn't lying about him. I also think that's why E'sere escaped. He hated S'lein because his mother, Lexine, left High Reaches for Telgar to be with --" She stops again. "I hope someone looks into this. I really do."
"Who?" R'zel can't help asking, but he's prompt in shaking his head. "Never mind." His chin sinks lower against the supporting hand. "I agree with him, that you shouldn't try to involve yourself, but..." He shakes his head, banishing whatever words would have followed. "S'lien. E'sere. I can't really see E'sere just taking the cruelties, but that would explain why he never cared for the idea of visiting Tillek." Straightening up out of his slump over one arm, he works his shoulders for a moment to get rid of the gathering tension. "I hope whomever you talked to is willing and able to deal with this, and deal with this well." Fingertips massaging at his temples, he makes a face. "The Reaches has had enough to deal with, lately."
"I think he will do his best, R'zel," Vanya says firmly. "He's right, yes, and I will stay out of this, if only because my leave should be over soon. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my knot." She looks down again. "I'm not afraid of speaking out, but if I did -- the only thing people would likely say is I'm just doing it to defend E'sere. But you didn't see the look on E'sere's face when he talked of S'lien." She takes a deep breath. "What I'm afraid of, is even if this is taken to, say, J'cor? What's to make our weyrleader do any more to look into this than he has to look into the death of his own weyrwoman? I've heard nothing regarding the investigation into Yevide's death, and it's been months. I realize things got side-tracked by the trial, but still. Nothing? Not even a rumor of a report?"
Her leave's ending? R'zel cracks a fleeting grin. "That's good news." Down he settles with chin on hand. "If you were to speak out, just don't mention E'sere's old history with S'lien, and you should be fine. It's not exactly common knowledge, I'd think." His head tips to the side in the beginnings of a headshake. "I'm sure there've been investigations into Y--" Hrm. His protest lapses into contemplative silence that is ultimately broken by a soft, grumbling curse under his breath. "I hadn't even noticed. Why wouldn't he bother to investigate the weyrwoman's death, though? I'm not sure it benefits anyone--except the murderer, of course--to avoid investigations."
"I don't know for certain there hasn't been an investigation," Vanya is quick to say, "but no one's ever come to me to ask anything regarding what I saw, or the evidence I held. It was given to J'cor the following morning, and I know it was untouched. No one to /my/ knowledge ever questioned E'sere or Morelenth, and I know for certain they didn't question me. I asked what was found in the wine, if anything, and all I got was a vague, no poison found in either, from the Weyr Healer." She shrugs. "So, even if secrecy's needed -- and I understand if it is -- then why has no one bothered to ask me any questions? I haven't heard of anyone /else/ being asked anything, either. With the way people talk around here, surely someone would have said something?" Another shrug. "Well, that's my thought, R'zel, and it just doesn't /feel/ right."
From outside comes the sound of brisk footsteps followed by a firm knock on the door. Whoever's there wouldn't have heard more than the last few words of what was said.
The door to Vanya's room is left slightly ajar, just enough to offer anyone outside a glimpse of the healer on leave and a young bronzerider sitting and talking at the table within. "No poison," R'zel repeats slowly, and he too shrugs. "Maybe allergies, then? It does seem strange, especially with the timing of..." Trailing off with an unexplained apologetic look, he leans back in his seat to glance toward the door, then to Vanya.
Vanya almost jumps out of her skin when the knock comes, but she recovers quickly enough. "Come in," she says, peering at the door, an expression of guarded wariness on her face for a moment. She doesn't say anything regarding the subject at hand, at least not until she recognizes her new visitor. "R'hal." There's almost relief in her tone as she rises to greet the brownrider. "What a surprise." And, yes it does seem to be a bit of a surprise to her. "How nice to see you this afternoon. My duty to Yanith. Is he still wanting to swim in the lake, even though it's raining and cold outside?"
R'hal pushes the door open as soon as he's invited and steps inside. Mild surprise registers in his eyes as he glances at the people within. "Hello, Vanya." He nods to the other rider. "R'zel." Smiling at the healer, he answers, "Wanting. Wanting isn't the same as doing: if he goes today, he's going without me. Not that it's that bad out now: just a bit windy." He hesitates for a moment, then explains his presence. "Which is why I dropped by: I was wondering if you wanted to try that flight tomorrow, assuming the weather's no worse than this."
"Wingsecond, sir," R'zel greets with all due respect. In the time it takes to say that, his chin comes off the supporting hand as the younger rider straightens up quickly, adopting better, or at least less casual posture. "1A flew well last 'fall." Green eyes flick from wingsecond to with bemused surprise, but the youth holds his silence for now.
Vanya grins at R'hal's commentary on Yanith and gives a soft chuckle. "I see you two know one another, so I won't bother with introductions," she remarks. "R'zel and I've been studying," she explains, gesturing at the stacks of hides and books, most of them looking as if they deal with dragon healing. "Amongst other things, like discussing different things we've heard lately." There's a flicker of what looks almost like guilt on her face. "Close the door and have a seat," she offers, gesturing to a third chair. "I can offer you hot tea, at the very least." She looks over at R'zel, then adds, "Offer's open for you, as well, R'zel. Tea?" As for the offer of the ride, she nods and says, "That would be fine. I know I'll be free for most of the afternoon, at least."
R'hal smiles at R'zel. "Always good to have one with no injuries." He turns to Vanya. "Tomorrow it is, then. And some tea would be very welcome: thank you." He closes the door, then walks over to the free chair by the table and sits down. Unfastening his jacket, he glances at the stack of hides, then looks up at the healer. "Sounds intriguing."
"A wingsecond's knot rather thwarts any attempt at staying unknown," R'zel remarks with a grin. "Always good, agreed." He glances toward the door when it is mentioned but turns back in time to notice the guilt on Vanya's face. Briefly, lips purse in silent, mild confusion, quickly shrugged off. "Yes, please. Thank you." The boy accepts the offer of tea with another grin, retrieving his cup from the table. "Is it the blend from the star social? Perhaps I should bring you the tea set I got there. Every time we're staying indoors from the weather, Pangioth keeps wanting to break it apart to see how it works." He rolls his eyes, but doesn't seem too annoyed over this.
Vanya rises, pouring water into her old, rather well-used teapot, then sets it atop one of the small braziers to heat. Mugs are taken from a shelf, as well as a basket of various blends of tea. "Acutally, I have several," she remarks to R'zel. "But, yes, I was thinking of the Bollian. It has such a delicate, citrus flavor." The fragrant basket is placed on the table, and before she can stop herself, she says, "Pick your own poison." She stops dead, then, and immediately apologizes, adding, "Considering what we were discussing before you arrived, that was incredibly bad taste on my part," she explains. Then, clarifying, "We were talking about Weyrwoman Yevide's unfortunate death, and how E'sere's trial may have interrupted the investigation. I don't know it has, mind you, but I've heard nothing much regarding anything in some time, now." A brief pause. "That gives me a bit of concern, to be honest. If Aivey didn't do it -- and for some reason, I don't think she did -- then that means there's still a killer loose somewhere."
R'hal looks at R'zel, eyebrows quirking. "How a /tea set/ works?" Then what Vanya is saying registers. "You don't think she did it? Did anyone think she did? I mean, she wasn't accused of it at the trial, was she? Certainly wasn't found guilty of it? If anyone was in the frame for that, it was..." He halts, realising who he's talking to. "Well, they asked you about E'sere, in that regard, didn't they?"
A faint flicker of a grin goes to R'hal. "My reaction exactly, sir. Not that it stops him." Though Vanya's line gives him pause, R'zel recovers in short order and sends her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, really." Leaving the basket where Vanya set it, he gazes rather warily at the basket, the wariness perhaps betraying his assurances. Green eyes narrow into an appraising squint at it as if the gesture might make the blends any more understandable, but finally, he splays out his lanky hands on the table, surrendering to his ignorance. "I was never much of a, uh, tea connoisseur," he concedes almost grudgingly, childishly reluctant to admit it. "The Bollian's fine by me." A glance at R'hal. "If that's fine with you, sir, of course." As for the talk of murder, he simply nods along and lets the wingsecond ask the questions.
"I was asked about it, but by E'sere's representative before the trial," Vanya replies. "I gave a statement regarding that, amongst other things, but they mostly questioned me about E'sere's poisoning, and if I knew of his involvement with Aivey." She glances over to the teapot, which is steaming nicely. "I wasn't on the stand very long, and I've tried to put the whole mess behind me. Aivey wasn't charged with Yevide's murder, though. I do know that much." She selects the Bollian tea, arranging in a small ball then gets a padded cloth to pick up the teapot and get it ready. The metal strainer is filled with tea, and then dropped into the teapot for steeping. In a few minutes, the aroma of tea fills the room.
"Nasty business. But then, they didn't decide he did it, either, did they." R'hal is frowning deeply, and though his eyes are fixed on the teapot and the brewing operations, he's not really looking at them. "Was it definitely poison? Could it have been anything else - some sort of natural cause, an illness? I didn't see it happen, but I gather she just collapsed, is that right?"
R'zel is quite content to watch the tea-brewing process, and an small, appreciative smile forms for the aroma of tea, though his face remains solemn in deference to the topic. "Could it have been chronic disease, perhaps? I remember a kid my age had respiratory problems," he suggests. "Healer Hall--or at least the posted healers at Igen--might have kept medical records."
Once the tea has steeped properly, Vanya pours three mugs, offering sweetener and some cream she collected from the kitchens earlier that day so it would be fresh. "No, E'sere was not found guilty of that, either," she says quietly. "I was not the first responder, but I knew the Journeyman who and she said most emphatically is was not death by natural causes. That's why her glass and the bottle from which the wine was poured came into my hands for safe-keeping." She sets the teapot down on the table, careful not to get it near the hides. "To make a long story short, the next morning E'sere and I gave the evidence to J'cor, untouched. After that, I asked what was found, and was told there was no poison found." She glances to R'zel. "Not that I know of, and nothing in the records to indicate such, to my knowledge. She certainly looked quite healthy when she entered the cavern with E'sere -- then she simply collapsed, dead."
R'hal accepts his mug and raises it in front of his face, breathing in to appreciate the delicate citrus fragrance. He smiles at the healer. "No cream for me, thank you; I prefer these fruity ones without." He takes a sip, then continues thoughtfully, "So, unless anyone could have got at the bottle and glasses while you were sleeping, it wasn't that that was poisoned. Must have been something she had earlier." His frown deepens. "Wait, you said /her/ glass? Just the one? Didn't he have one?"
"Yes, E'sere poured two glasses of wine from the same bottle," Vanya replies, also taking no cream in this particular blend of tea. "Both the bottle and her glass was placed in my care, and unless someone managed to slip into E'sere's weyr without Morelenth knowing, it sat on his desk all night without being touched." She looks a little embarrassed at the next, but says it anyway. "We shared the bed that night, and if E'sere had moved, I would have wakened. A healer has to be a light sleeper, you see." Her cheeks are bright red, though she should have nothing to be embarrassed about. "There are recipes for poisons used to kill tunnelsnakes and other vermin."
R'zel picks up a mug as well, staring into its depths for a moment before sipping. Mmm. The appreciative smile comes and goes. As for the possibility of something earlier being poisoned, he nods. "It would really depend on how quickly or slowly the poison acts." Pause. "If there was one. Aren't there ways to check by eye to see which poison's been used, if any?" Brows lift in query at the mention of E'sere's glass, and he looks toward R'hal, puzzled but unwilling to ask just yet.
R'hal catches R'zel's eye, then takes a deep breath and asks the obvious, if unwelcome, question of Vanya, speaking gently. "Are we absolutely sure that the glass that was in your keeping was the one that she had, rather than the one that he had? Could there have been a swap at some point?"
Vanya considers this carefully before she takes a sip of the tea. It's obvious from her expression that she's replaying the events of that horrible night. "No." That's finally said, and said firmly. "I found the glass by her leg, half-hidden by her dress. Though there were people crowded around, Journeyman Medina was there almost immediately after Yevide collapsed, and kept people from touching the body. She's the one who said it was not a natural death, and had me collect the glass. E'sere fetched the bottle to me, and J'cor left them both in my care." She ponders something, then shakes her head. "No, I'm certain it was her glass. The Weyrlingmaster was the only person really close to her at the time, and he wasn't drinking. And, yes, R'zel, there are some poisons you can tell, but others ... well, no. There aren't many ways of detecting what was used. In overdoses like E'sere's poisoning, vital signs will help, but when the person is already dead? -- not really. Not that I would know, at least."
R'zel relaxes somewhat when R'hal's gentle question receives its answer without any visible sign of upset. A nod, and he mulls over all this information over another sip of tea. "Do you remember who approached her throughout the night?"
R'hal is looking curious now, listening intently as he takes small sips of the hot tea. "Good question, R'zel - if she was poisoned, someone had to give it to her." He looks back to Vanya. "So the Journeyman saw her collapse? And so did you? What would have told her that it was not a natural death, then - was that your opinion, too?"
"No, I was on the dance floor with E'sere when she collapsed," Vanya replies. "And, his glass was set on the table where I'd been sitting when he asked me to dance, so there's no way it could have been confused for hers." Taking a sip of tea, Vanya looks thoughtful once more. "It was very crowded, but the only person I remember standing next to Yevide for any length of time was R'vain. Others came up to her, yes, but I don't recall any of them touching her glass." She sips again. "The first I knew of anything was when the dragons keened. Then E'sere took off and I followed him. By the time I reached her, she was dead, and Medina was already with her. E'sere helped me get to Medina." She pauses. "I remember seeing G'thon and Miniyal approach her, at one time. I didn't know that many people here, then. And, J'cor. Essdara wanted me to meet her, and headed her way when I went to dance, but I don't think she'd reached Yevide before the dragons keened." Another pause. "No, I'm fairly certain the only person with her at the time was R'vain."
R'zel sighs over his mug of tea. "So many possibilities." Absent-mindedly, his posture is slipping into a more casual one as he props his elbow against the table, ready to rest his chin on one hand again. "We wouldn't happen to have any toxicology experts in the infirmary, would we?" A shrug. "Did any guards approach, after her collapse?"
"R'vain." R'hal considers that for a few moments, but whatever he's thinking, he doesn't share. He repeats his earlier question. "Why did Journeyman Medina think it wasn't a natural death? Because if it was murder and Aivey didn't do it, and E'sere didn't do it, somebody else did."
"There weren't that many guards there to begin with," Vanya replies to R'zel. "Most of those who helped clear the hall were wingleaders and wingseconds like R'hal, here," she adds, shaking her head. "I don't know, gentlemen. I never thought E'sere could have done it. I don't think any rider could have, though I could be wrong. But a bronzerider? Kill a queen? -- no. No one will ever convince me of that. Morelenth was too distraught." She takes another sip of her tea. "I'm as baffled as you both are. I don't know what Medina saw to tell her it wasn't natural. She was already saying that when I reached her, which is why I went looking for the glass. And, I don't know who checked for the poison, either. Maybe some of the Caucus healers? I know I'm not trained for that, nor are most of the other healers posted here." She simply shakes her head. "All I know is what I've told you, and I don't know if the investigation was put on hold, moved away from the weyr, or shards, I don't even know where the body is!"
"I don't think any dragon would have allowed their rider to plot the death of a queen," R'zel agrees, dropping his gaze and letting it drift over the remaining half of his tea. "Journeyman Medina. Hmm. Could you ask around, Vanya?" Pause. His gaze shifts up, and he tilts his head toward R'hal, hopeful. "Or perhaps you could, sir?"
R'hal nods at what R'zel's saying. "It's hard to imagine a dragon allowing it. They'd be very distressed if they heard their rider thinking about something like that, and I don't know how you could plan it without them knowing. Could you stop yourself thinking about that unless he was asleep? I don't think I could control my thoughts to that extent, not about something like that." He lets out a sigh. "But then, I don't think I could poison anyone, either." He tilts his head as he considers R'zel's question. "Seems to me that we need to know why it didn't look natural, before anything else. That might tell you something about what was used, and if you knew that, you'd know how long it would have taken to act - and when she'd have to have been given it."
Vanya's lips compress into a thin line. "I dare not do too much. All it might take is the hall to hear I'm again involved in something controversial, and poof! -- there goes my knot. After I'm reinstated, perhaps I could make a few discreet inquiries, but even that is risky. I can tell you two what I know and don't know, and try try to point you toward where info might be found." She pauses, takes a drink. "If Aivey and E'sere didn't do it -- and I don't think they did -- whoever killed Yevide is still in the weyr. At least that's my opinion." She pauses. "One of my old teachers once said the thing to do to solve a mystery is look who has the most to gain. Only thing is, the one who benefited most from Yevide's death was, well, Sinopa." She lets that hang for a moment, then says, "And I don't think /she/ could have done it any more than E'sere. Sinopa is many things, but she is /not/ a murderess."
R'zel, a rueful quirk to his lips, nods at R'hal. "Right, we have to find proof it wasn't a natural death first. I should've thought of that." A wince of concern for Vanya. "I had a feeling." Pause. Delicately, he adds, "I wonder if the timing of your leave may have had something to do with Yevide's death, rather than anything else." Another pause to tip the rest of the tea down his throat. "Sinopa." Shrug. "Politics being the tangled web it is, someone else other than Sinopa could stand to benefit too."
R'hal gives R'zel a long look, after that question. "Well, the whole E'sere involvement, perhaps. If he was suspected...." Enough of that. "Sinopa, though. I can't see any dragonrider doing it. Nobody would willingly kill a dragon, whatever was in it for them. But if not, why would anyone kill Yevide? To get rid of outside leadership, seems the obvious reason. Sinopa at least impressed here. If I were Roa, though, with a possible flight to come, I might be worried."
Vanya nods. "The way resentment toward her and J'cor was around here, it could've been a number of people," Vanya replies. "R'hal has a good point. A dragon wouldn't knowingly permit their rider to kill another rider. Even E'sere had others to do his dirty work. I think the reason was Morelenth. Same for Sinopa." She takes a drink of tea. "Still, we can't eliminate riders since they could get someone else to do it." She just shakes her head. "The other thing to consider is if the killer is still in the weyr, and gets wind of someone asking too many questions, well, if they'll kill a queen rider, it won't stop them from killing a healer, or another rider. That's why I went with E'sere that night. I was terrified holding that evidence." She glances to R'hal, nodding. "I told Sinopa to be careful what she eats, and what Citalth eats. It could be someone who just has it in for goldriders, as much as anything else. We need to be very vigilant, and just ... well, not be too open about what we're doing."
"This is going to need vigilance and discretion. Probably a side helping of subtlety too," R'zel mumbles, looking at the empty mug. "I can already see I'm going to be horrible at this." His chin plops firmly on his hand in a thinker's pose. "Do either of you have anyone in mind to ask? Or a plan?" he asks, hopeful that one of the older participants in this conversation will think of something.
R'hal seems to be temporising. "Well, the first thing that strikes me is that just because we don't know of it being investigated doesn't mean it isn't. And the second thing is that there are two people who'd know. You've got the ear of one of 'em, Vanya, and I have plenty of reason to get into conversation with the other. What say we both try it?" After a moment or two, he adds, "You know, it could be that the only reason J'cor's not become a target is because his dragon's not going to win the next flight."
Vanya looks decidedly nervous, and chews on her thumbnail. "I admit I've been sitting on a lot of questions because I didn't want to stir things up. The weyr's peaceful, right now, for all the debate on which queen's going to rise next," she says, looking at both riders. "And, if we start asking questions and all, it may remind people things aren't quite as peaceful as it seems. It could also ... well, get someone else killed, and I'd really not want to think it was something I said or did to cause it." She looks down at her cup, then sets it on the table. "I'll help as much as I can. If it was poison that killed her, then that points to someone with knowledge the hall doesn't advocate." She glances up at the shelf where her father's journals are. "I was afraid they'd see my father's journal and think /I/ did it." She glances to R'hal. "Sinopa? I don't know if she knows. J'cor and Roa keep her shut out of a lot of things she should know about. J'cor, especially. G'thon brought Yevide here, so E'sere told me. They were, apparently, lovers or something. I don't know a lot of details about her, really."
R'zel nods in silence, glancing momentarily at the mentioned journals before looking back at the others. Or at least, he directs his gaze back in their direction; his eyes are distant with an unmentioned mental conversation that makes one hand reach out and clench hard around his mug. "Yes, that's a good start," he says of R'hal's temporised plan, an approving nod to go along with his words, and that's all he contributes for now.
"G'thon does seem to have a taste for younger women," R'hal says, sounding somewhat bemused at the thought. "And you're right, we don't want to get anyone killed; nor do we want to risk messing up any investigation that's already going on." He follows the healer's glance up to the shelf. "Your father's journal? Why, what's in it?"
She glances up at the journal, sighs and stands to retrieve two of the volumes. Vanya opens one of them to a page, then shows it to the brownrider. "There were tunnelsnakes and other vermin in the hold, and father made up some recipes for potions that would poison them and other vermin," she says softly. "It's deadly to the vermin, but I don't know what it does to humans, if anything. This particular one was slow acting, according to his notes, allowing the vermin to return to the nest and die there. A lot of vermin are cannibalistic, meaning they will eat their own kind, thus poisoning more than just the one." She takes her seat again. "There are lots of books out there that the hall doesn't approve. Home remedies, things like that. Some of them are dangerous because they use unapproved herbs and plants." Her voice is soft and a little nervous. "I'll talk to Sinopa, and see if she knows anything, but like I said, J'cor and Roa seem to shut her out of things. I'm not sure, but I'd hazard a guess where J'cor's favor lies when it comes to the next senior weyrwoman."
Green eyes blink, as much in an effort to clear his thoughts of the mental conversation as in slight surprise at R'hal's bemused tone. And ew, cannibalistic rats. R'zel tries to suppress a grimace, but it doesn't quite work, and his fingers tap out an idle beat against his tea cup. "Hopefully, they'll know something and be willing to help," he says with a sigh as he pulls his hand away from the tapped cup. "I've an shift before long." He pauses a beat, mouth twisting a little in indecision. "Will you let me know if anything turns up?"
"Lovely," R'hal comments, his distaste evident. "The rats. I'll see what I can get out of J'cor, if I get the chance. Can't promise when, though." There's a note of caution there. He drains his mug, then eyes R'zel consideringly. "Sure." He turns to Vanya.
"Well, I should be going, too. Any news yet on getting back to work?"
Vanya looks up at the young bronzerider, smiling a little, though it's a nervous kind of smile. "We will, yes. Thank you for bringing all these hides over, R'zel." She moistens her lips, then adds, "You're a good friend." She seems fond of the young man; that's obvious from her tone and demeanor. "Don't forget these," she says, picking up a stack of the hides and a leather-bound book, then handing them over. When R'hal indicates he's also leaving, Vanya turns to him, nodding. "I'll see if Sinopa knows anything, or can find out anything. And, no, I've not heard anything, but the three months is up fairly soon. Hopefully, I'll get word in a few days. Until then, well, I've got things to do." She smiles almost shyly at the brownrider, and busies herself with the tea mugs. "Both of you take care. Clear skies, R'hal, R'zel. My best to Yanith and Pangioth." To R'hal, she adds, "I'll be waiting in the bowl tomorrow, ready for the ride."
"Thank you, sir," R'zel tells R'hal before turning a concern-tinged smile on Vanya. "Don't worry, things will get better. Take care of yourself," he murmurs to the woman as he takes the offered stack of texts, cradling them gently in both arms before easing a hand out to snag the cup he brought in with him. "Clear skies, wingsecond, Vanya." Nods to both, and he's out.
"Clear skies, R'zel." R'hal puts his mug on the table and gets to his feet, smiling. "Tomorrow, then. Wear your warm gear. And thank you for the tea." With a quick half-bow to the healer, he bids her, "Clear skies," and makes his way out.
Players: R'hal, R'zel, Vanya
Location: Vanya's Room
Synopsis: R'zel drops by to give Vanya some more hides on dragon healing, but they end up discussing current rumors about the mysterious greenrider at Telgar. Then R'hal comes by to let Vanya know he'll take her up on Yanith the following day, and they all three end up talking about Yevide's unsolved death. Lots of unanswered questions result.
Vanya's Room,
Early Afternoon
There isn't much a person can do to disguise the fact this room is little more than a cave. The walls are stone, smoothed by hand or by some long-forgotten or long-gone machine used by those who first built the weyr. The door is solid wood, sturdy, the fixtures utilitarian. The basic furniture is all there -- bed, table, two chairs, wall shelves and a wooden storage chest. Simple. As is the occupant, since there is little in the way of fancy knickknacks or personal possessions. The bed has plain sheets, two down-filled pillows, and a warm, woven blanket in dark green. The chest holds clothes, and more blankets as a bastion against the cold, High Reaches winter. A glow basket hangs from the wall over the bed, another sits on the table, glows replenished whenever needed by those unseen people who perform this task.
On a shelf above the table are a bottle of ink, writing instruments, sand and some already prepared hides. Very rare and precious paper documents are carefully arranged on another shelf, held down by a polished stone collected from some place. Yet another shelf holds vials and bottles of lotions, astringents, and other containers of herbs and oils. The only luxurious thing here, if it can be called that, is a hand-made rug that lies beside the bed on top of a thick layer of reeds. Stone floors are notoriously cold on bare feet. A black cloak hangs on a peg by the door, as does a gittern, the instrument carefully wrapped in a protective bag. A basket, leather satchel and two pairs of boots sit on the floor beneath.
Having seen Sinopa off on another of her jaunts, Vanya returned to her room, carrying with her food and drink. Since it's another miserable day outside, remaining indoors seems a good idea, especially now the laundry's returned her quilts, and she's acquired a second brazier. So, it's with some pleasure she curls up on her bed, feet tucked beneath herself, a redfruit in one hand, and hides on dragon healing spread in her lap. The door is ajar slightly, giving anyone who passes a glimpse of the girl inside. It also is indicative that she's not adverse to company, if someone wishes to enter.
Not long after Vanya returns to her home comforts, R'zel, cheeks still round with a few hurried bites of food, comes strolling down the hallway. One arm's looped around a slip of much-written-on hide and a trio of slim books--old reports on various dragonhealing projects--while a cup of tea, no longer steaming, occupies the other hand. As he passes by Vanya's room, he tilts his head to sneak a quick look inside before using the cup to tap out a gentle knock.
Looking up from her reading, Vanya smiles. "Come in, R'zel," she says, voice pleasant. "Nice to see you again. My duty to Pangioth. I hope you're both well?" She sets aside the hides, stacking them neatly, and rising. "Won't you have a seat?" She smooths the stack of hides, bringing it with her to the table, then neatly adds it to another already on the top. "I was just going over some of the things you last loaned me. They're ready to go back to you, if you need them. I've all the notes I made as reference now."
"We're both well, and it's good to see you too. As always," R'zel replies with a grin. Shifting his books, he elbows the door open and takes the offered seat, a brief widening of his girin serving as tacit thanks. "All done already? You work fast." First the cup is set down, and then the reports follow. "Here's something else for you. I suspect you'll burn through them even more quickly," he notes, a rueful but bemused quirk to his lips. "How've you been? Has the weyrwoman been keeping you busy?"
Vanya smiles again, nodding. "I learned how to select key phrases and make notes, and I have that kind of memory which doesn't really let me forget what I learn," she says, reaching for the next stack of hides from R'zel. "Actually, Sinopa's been doing a little bit of visiting recently. Going to the various holds Reaches covers, making sure things are doing well. Kind of strengthening the ties, if you get my drift," she replies in regards to the weyrwoman. "It gets her out and about, let's her see and be seen, so to speak." She pauses, then, and seems a little hesitant. As if there might be more to add, but she isn't sure of mentioning it. "At any rate, it gives me time to read and research my own projects."
"I've still so far to go, when it comes to taking effective notes." A small sigh, and R'zel sits back, soaking up the explanation of Sinopa's activities. Green eyes fix on Vanya in silent study for the duration of her words, and brows twitch upwards at the hesitation. "Oh, nice. Must be fun to travel around. Good publicity of sorts, huh?" he wonders lightly. He reaches out to retrieve his cup, sipping at his lukewarm tea before resuming his questioning. "What projects have you been working on? And did you ever manage to find someone to take you around Pern for research?"
"Yes, Sinopa arranged for me to travel with one of the messengers while he took letters to a few of the other weyrs," Vanya replies to the last. "S'tel was very kind and patient. I'm afraid I didn't find much in the way of what Sinopa wished, but it did give us both a little more to go on regarding our research." She isn't very forth-coming regarding /what/ Sinopa wanted researched, but moves over to sit down at the table. "Taking notes is just a matter of being able to reduce long and often redundant essays into the essence of what the writer says. If you'd like to make copies of my notes, I don't mind. It's rather like ... well, the difference between saying 'I'm fine,' or going into mass detail about your day." She gives a shrug of one shoulder. "Some writers can't say anything in a simple way, so it's up to us to read it, then just jot down the gist of what they say."
R'zel glances at Vanya over the rim of his cup, then sips some more of the cooled tea. "Anything I might be able to help with?" he ventures at last on the topic of research. Ever willing to take on more work, that's him. However, he does offer the option of letting her just move on without an outright refusal. "Is there an easy way to decide what's important and what's not? I've always envied those speedreaders who could go through a dense book in a matter of hours, but the ones I asked never could explain how they, uh, weeded out the convolutions and redundancies."
Vanya thinks for a moment, then simply shakes her head. "I don't know how to explain it either," she admits. "It's kind of just ... well, it comes natural to some. I can read something and then tell you what to write down, rather what /I/ would write down, but that might not be what you get out of it. It's kind of different for each person, I think." As far as him helping is concerned. "I don't know, really. Sinopa rather asked me to not discuss it with a lot of people, so I'd rather not break my word to her." She pauses. "Don't take that as meaning I don't trust you, but she was rather adamant in that respect. I can say she'll likely want to talk to you about it anyway, since she knows you're interested in dragon healing."
"Oh." The cup returns to the table as R'zel ponders with furrowed brow. "Maybe note-taking will come with practice," he concludes, resting his chin on one hand. The free hand waves in airy dismissal. "No offense taken. My curiosity will just have to take the toll for not keeping in contact after weyrlinghood." Green eyes half shut, and he flashes a brief grin before returning to a more thoughtful expression. "So you two haven't discussed the matter with any of the other dragonhealers either? Weyrwoman Roa? Or Journeyman Neiran, even? He should have access to plenty of information, with the ongoing project."
"I don't know if Sinopa is aware of Neiran's interest in dragon healing, to be honest," Vanya replies, her tone thoughtful. "It's certainly an idea, and I'll let her know about him. I didn't even think of that." She considers this a moment, then shakes her head. "No, I don't believe she's discussed it with Weyrwoman Roa, or with Lexine. Perhaps she will soon. I do know she's planning a luncheion for all the goldriders. Maybe that's the reason." She's vague about it, but not rudely so. "I don't know Roa all that well, myself, either."
"A luncheon?" R'zel's half-shut eyes open again with some surprise, but he dismisses his own reaction with an one-shouldered shrug. "The weyrwoman is quite competent and professional in the infirmary. Other than that, I don't know much, either. And it would seem the Weyr gossips are too caught up in the latest relationship polygon to really talk about anything else." A roll of his eyes, but some thought brings a grimace to his face. "But... have you heard the whispers about some mystery greenrider at Telgar?" He darts a sharp, almost defiant look at Vanya's face, as though expecting her to shush him or worse. A second's pause, and he relaxes forcibly, settling back some more with a shrug of both shoulders.
"Yes, a luncheon," she says, nodding. "Sinopa would like to get to know all the other goldriders, both those of High Reaches, and those attending Caucus. Roa, included, I'm sure. Likely to welcome both her and Lexine here, since both of them arrived during the middle of that trial and all. Well, Roa was already here at Caucus, but you know what I mean. There wasn't much time for an official welcoming party or anything like that." But when R'zel mentions the "mysterious greenrider at Telgar," Vanya's hand freezes in the midst of reaching for a glass on the table. There's a pause, then, "I ... yes," she replies, voice soft and a flickered glance toward the open door. "I overheard someone mention something about it in the living cavern the other day at lunch." She doesn't add anything for a moment. "What've you heard?"
"Never knew they held official welcoming parties for transfers," R'zel murmurs into his chin-supporting hand. "But then again, I don't pay attention." His eyes pause on the frozen hand, then slide a sidelong glance to the open door as well, and finally come to a full stop on Vanya's face, making no secret of studying her expression. "I haven't heard much. 'Mystery greenrider at Telgar' is about as far as most of the whispers get before getting stonewalled. But it's strange that there's..." He casts a glance at the cup he's been using to stall and buy time, but unfortunately, there's no more tea. "It's weird that there's so much fuss about this. And that no one seems willing to discuss it." A quick grin doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Usually it's so much harder to make our gossips clam up, believe me."
Vanya moistens her lips. "Yes," she says, nodding. "Yes, that's certainly true." She looks at the table, then seems to realize her hand's hanging there in mid-air. Instead of picking up the glass, she lets her hand fall back into her lap. "I heard a couple of different things, actually," she says, voice very soft. "I heard there was a ... a strange green rider found at some small hold ... around the same time those missing boys reappeared." She doesn't seem to want to say anything more, but then just states, "The person I overheard said the green rider at Telgar was badly hurt, and the dragon was mind-locked by one of the Telgar golds." When she finishes, she looks up at R'zel. "Telgar was where they were going to send E'sere."
R'zel reaches out a hand to fidget with his now empty cup, turning it round and round in place, but when Vanya states what she had heard, all motion ceases. He sits stock still, transfixed by the news, eyes distant even as his gaze stays on Vanya. Finally, "Yes, I know." Presumably to the note about E'sere. "I don't understand." Pause. "Mind-locking isn't standard procedure." Another pause. His jaw clenches for a moment. "Are any of the big-wigs checking into this? Are they aware of the situation?"
Vanya looks down at the hands in her lap. "I haven't told Sinopa anything, but planned to discuss it with her soon. I --" She doesn't finish what she starts to say for a long time, then, "I mentioned it to someone I thought might be able to look into things, but I don't know if he did. He said he would, and told me it might be best if I didn't try to do anything myself." She looks up now, and there's a world of concern in her expression. "The weyrleader at Telgar is E'sere's cousin," she says, voice still low, "and E'sere told me he wasn't a very ... well, nice person. That S'lien was often cruel to E'sere when they were boys. I know E'sere lied about so much, but just the way he said that makes me think he wasn't lying about him. I also think that's why E'sere escaped. He hated S'lein because his mother, Lexine, left High Reaches for Telgar to be with --" She stops again. "I hope someone looks into this. I really do."
"Who?" R'zel can't help asking, but he's prompt in shaking his head. "Never mind." His chin sinks lower against the supporting hand. "I agree with him, that you shouldn't try to involve yourself, but..." He shakes his head, banishing whatever words would have followed. "S'lien. E'sere. I can't really see E'sere just taking the cruelties, but that would explain why he never cared for the idea of visiting Tillek." Straightening up out of his slump over one arm, he works his shoulders for a moment to get rid of the gathering tension. "I hope whomever you talked to is willing and able to deal with this, and deal with this well." Fingertips massaging at his temples, he makes a face. "The Reaches has had enough to deal with, lately."
"I think he will do his best, R'zel," Vanya says firmly. "He's right, yes, and I will stay out of this, if only because my leave should be over soon. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my knot." She looks down again. "I'm not afraid of speaking out, but if I did -- the only thing people would likely say is I'm just doing it to defend E'sere. But you didn't see the look on E'sere's face when he talked of S'lien." She takes a deep breath. "What I'm afraid of, is even if this is taken to, say, J'cor? What's to make our weyrleader do any more to look into this than he has to look into the death of his own weyrwoman? I've heard nothing regarding the investigation into Yevide's death, and it's been months. I realize things got side-tracked by the trial, but still. Nothing? Not even a rumor of a report?"
Her leave's ending? R'zel cracks a fleeting grin. "That's good news." Down he settles with chin on hand. "If you were to speak out, just don't mention E'sere's old history with S'lien, and you should be fine. It's not exactly common knowledge, I'd think." His head tips to the side in the beginnings of a headshake. "I'm sure there've been investigations into Y--" Hrm. His protest lapses into contemplative silence that is ultimately broken by a soft, grumbling curse under his breath. "I hadn't even noticed. Why wouldn't he bother to investigate the weyrwoman's death, though? I'm not sure it benefits anyone--except the murderer, of course--to avoid investigations."
"I don't know for certain there hasn't been an investigation," Vanya is quick to say, "but no one's ever come to me to ask anything regarding what I saw, or the evidence I held. It was given to J'cor the following morning, and I know it was untouched. No one to /my/ knowledge ever questioned E'sere or Morelenth, and I know for certain they didn't question me. I asked what was found in the wine, if anything, and all I got was a vague, no poison found in either, from the Weyr Healer." She shrugs. "So, even if secrecy's needed -- and I understand if it is -- then why has no one bothered to ask me any questions? I haven't heard of anyone /else/ being asked anything, either. With the way people talk around here, surely someone would have said something?" Another shrug. "Well, that's my thought, R'zel, and it just doesn't /feel/ right."
From outside comes the sound of brisk footsteps followed by a firm knock on the door. Whoever's there wouldn't have heard more than the last few words of what was said.
The door to Vanya's room is left slightly ajar, just enough to offer anyone outside a glimpse of the healer on leave and a young bronzerider sitting and talking at the table within. "No poison," R'zel repeats slowly, and he too shrugs. "Maybe allergies, then? It does seem strange, especially with the timing of..." Trailing off with an unexplained apologetic look, he leans back in his seat to glance toward the door, then to Vanya.
Vanya almost jumps out of her skin when the knock comes, but she recovers quickly enough. "Come in," she says, peering at the door, an expression of guarded wariness on her face for a moment. She doesn't say anything regarding the subject at hand, at least not until she recognizes her new visitor. "R'hal." There's almost relief in her tone as she rises to greet the brownrider. "What a surprise." And, yes it does seem to be a bit of a surprise to her. "How nice to see you this afternoon. My duty to Yanith. Is he still wanting to swim in the lake, even though it's raining and cold outside?"
R'hal pushes the door open as soon as he's invited and steps inside. Mild surprise registers in his eyes as he glances at the people within. "Hello, Vanya." He nods to the other rider. "R'zel." Smiling at the healer, he answers, "Wanting. Wanting isn't the same as doing: if he goes today, he's going without me. Not that it's that bad out now: just a bit windy." He hesitates for a moment, then explains his presence. "Which is why I dropped by: I was wondering if you wanted to try that flight tomorrow, assuming the weather's no worse than this."
"Wingsecond, sir," R'zel greets with all due respect. In the time it takes to say that, his chin comes off the supporting hand as the younger rider straightens up quickly, adopting better, or at least less casual posture. "1A flew well last 'fall." Green eyes flick from wingsecond to with bemused surprise, but the youth holds his silence for now.
Vanya grins at R'hal's commentary on Yanith and gives a soft chuckle. "I see you two know one another, so I won't bother with introductions," she remarks. "R'zel and I've been studying," she explains, gesturing at the stacks of hides and books, most of them looking as if they deal with dragon healing. "Amongst other things, like discussing different things we've heard lately." There's a flicker of what looks almost like guilt on her face. "Close the door and have a seat," she offers, gesturing to a third chair. "I can offer you hot tea, at the very least." She looks over at R'zel, then adds, "Offer's open for you, as well, R'zel. Tea?" As for the offer of the ride, she nods and says, "That would be fine. I know I'll be free for most of the afternoon, at least."
R'hal smiles at R'zel. "Always good to have one with no injuries." He turns to Vanya. "Tomorrow it is, then. And some tea would be very welcome: thank you." He closes the door, then walks over to the free chair by the table and sits down. Unfastening his jacket, he glances at the stack of hides, then looks up at the healer. "Sounds intriguing."
"A wingsecond's knot rather thwarts any attempt at staying unknown," R'zel remarks with a grin. "Always good, agreed." He glances toward the door when it is mentioned but turns back in time to notice the guilt on Vanya's face. Briefly, lips purse in silent, mild confusion, quickly shrugged off. "Yes, please. Thank you." The boy accepts the offer of tea with another grin, retrieving his cup from the table. "Is it the blend from the star social? Perhaps I should bring you the tea set I got there. Every time we're staying indoors from the weather, Pangioth keeps wanting to break it apart to see how it works." He rolls his eyes, but doesn't seem too annoyed over this.
Vanya rises, pouring water into her old, rather well-used teapot, then sets it atop one of the small braziers to heat. Mugs are taken from a shelf, as well as a basket of various blends of tea. "Acutally, I have several," she remarks to R'zel. "But, yes, I was thinking of the Bollian. It has such a delicate, citrus flavor." The fragrant basket is placed on the table, and before she can stop herself, she says, "Pick your own poison." She stops dead, then, and immediately apologizes, adding, "Considering what we were discussing before you arrived, that was incredibly bad taste on my part," she explains. Then, clarifying, "We were talking about Weyrwoman Yevide's unfortunate death, and how E'sere's trial may have interrupted the investigation. I don't know it has, mind you, but I've heard nothing much regarding anything in some time, now." A brief pause. "That gives me a bit of concern, to be honest. If Aivey didn't do it -- and for some reason, I don't think she did -- then that means there's still a killer loose somewhere."
R'hal looks at R'zel, eyebrows quirking. "How a /tea set/ works?" Then what Vanya is saying registers. "You don't think she did it? Did anyone think she did? I mean, she wasn't accused of it at the trial, was she? Certainly wasn't found guilty of it? If anyone was in the frame for that, it was..." He halts, realising who he's talking to. "Well, they asked you about E'sere, in that regard, didn't they?"
A faint flicker of a grin goes to R'hal. "My reaction exactly, sir. Not that it stops him." Though Vanya's line gives him pause, R'zel recovers in short order and sends her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, really." Leaving the basket where Vanya set it, he gazes rather warily at the basket, the wariness perhaps betraying his assurances. Green eyes narrow into an appraising squint at it as if the gesture might make the blends any more understandable, but finally, he splays out his lanky hands on the table, surrendering to his ignorance. "I was never much of a, uh, tea connoisseur," he concedes almost grudgingly, childishly reluctant to admit it. "The Bollian's fine by me." A glance at R'hal. "If that's fine with you, sir, of course." As for the talk of murder, he simply nods along and lets the wingsecond ask the questions.
"I was asked about it, but by E'sere's representative before the trial," Vanya replies. "I gave a statement regarding that, amongst other things, but they mostly questioned me about E'sere's poisoning, and if I knew of his involvement with Aivey." She glances over to the teapot, which is steaming nicely. "I wasn't on the stand very long, and I've tried to put the whole mess behind me. Aivey wasn't charged with Yevide's murder, though. I do know that much." She selects the Bollian tea, arranging in a small ball then gets a padded cloth to pick up the teapot and get it ready. The metal strainer is filled with tea, and then dropped into the teapot for steeping. In a few minutes, the aroma of tea fills the room.
"Nasty business. But then, they didn't decide he did it, either, did they." R'hal is frowning deeply, and though his eyes are fixed on the teapot and the brewing operations, he's not really looking at them. "Was it definitely poison? Could it have been anything else - some sort of natural cause, an illness? I didn't see it happen, but I gather she just collapsed, is that right?"
R'zel is quite content to watch the tea-brewing process, and an small, appreciative smile forms for the aroma of tea, though his face remains solemn in deference to the topic. "Could it have been chronic disease, perhaps? I remember a kid my age had respiratory problems," he suggests. "Healer Hall--or at least the posted healers at Igen--might have kept medical records."
Once the tea has steeped properly, Vanya pours three mugs, offering sweetener and some cream she collected from the kitchens earlier that day so it would be fresh. "No, E'sere was not found guilty of that, either," she says quietly. "I was not the first responder, but I knew the Journeyman who and she said most emphatically is was not death by natural causes. That's why her glass and the bottle from which the wine was poured came into my hands for safe-keeping." She sets the teapot down on the table, careful not to get it near the hides. "To make a long story short, the next morning E'sere and I gave the evidence to J'cor, untouched. After that, I asked what was found, and was told there was no poison found." She glances to R'zel. "Not that I know of, and nothing in the records to indicate such, to my knowledge. She certainly looked quite healthy when she entered the cavern with E'sere -- then she simply collapsed, dead."
R'hal accepts his mug and raises it in front of his face, breathing in to appreciate the delicate citrus fragrance. He smiles at the healer. "No cream for me, thank you; I prefer these fruity ones without." He takes a sip, then continues thoughtfully, "So, unless anyone could have got at the bottle and glasses while you were sleeping, it wasn't that that was poisoned. Must have been something she had earlier." His frown deepens. "Wait, you said /her/ glass? Just the one? Didn't he have one?"
"Yes, E'sere poured two glasses of wine from the same bottle," Vanya replies, also taking no cream in this particular blend of tea. "Both the bottle and her glass was placed in my care, and unless someone managed to slip into E'sere's weyr without Morelenth knowing, it sat on his desk all night without being touched." She looks a little embarrassed at the next, but says it anyway. "We shared the bed that night, and if E'sere had moved, I would have wakened. A healer has to be a light sleeper, you see." Her cheeks are bright red, though she should have nothing to be embarrassed about. "There are recipes for poisons used to kill tunnelsnakes and other vermin."
R'zel picks up a mug as well, staring into its depths for a moment before sipping. Mmm. The appreciative smile comes and goes. As for the possibility of something earlier being poisoned, he nods. "It would really depend on how quickly or slowly the poison acts." Pause. "If there was one. Aren't there ways to check by eye to see which poison's been used, if any?" Brows lift in query at the mention of E'sere's glass, and he looks toward R'hal, puzzled but unwilling to ask just yet.
R'hal catches R'zel's eye, then takes a deep breath and asks the obvious, if unwelcome, question of Vanya, speaking gently. "Are we absolutely sure that the glass that was in your keeping was the one that she had, rather than the one that he had? Could there have been a swap at some point?"
Vanya considers this carefully before she takes a sip of the tea. It's obvious from her expression that she's replaying the events of that horrible night. "No." That's finally said, and said firmly. "I found the glass by her leg, half-hidden by her dress. Though there were people crowded around, Journeyman Medina was there almost immediately after Yevide collapsed, and kept people from touching the body. She's the one who said it was not a natural death, and had me collect the glass. E'sere fetched the bottle to me, and J'cor left them both in my care." She ponders something, then shakes her head. "No, I'm certain it was her glass. The Weyrlingmaster was the only person really close to her at the time, and he wasn't drinking. And, yes, R'zel, there are some poisons you can tell, but others ... well, no. There aren't many ways of detecting what was used. In overdoses like E'sere's poisoning, vital signs will help, but when the person is already dead? -- not really. Not that I would know, at least."
R'zel relaxes somewhat when R'hal's gentle question receives its answer without any visible sign of upset. A nod, and he mulls over all this information over another sip of tea. "Do you remember who approached her throughout the night?"
R'hal is looking curious now, listening intently as he takes small sips of the hot tea. "Good question, R'zel - if she was poisoned, someone had to give it to her." He looks back to Vanya. "So the Journeyman saw her collapse? And so did you? What would have told her that it was not a natural death, then - was that your opinion, too?"
"No, I was on the dance floor with E'sere when she collapsed," Vanya replies. "And, his glass was set on the table where I'd been sitting when he asked me to dance, so there's no way it could have been confused for hers." Taking a sip of tea, Vanya looks thoughtful once more. "It was very crowded, but the only person I remember standing next to Yevide for any length of time was R'vain. Others came up to her, yes, but I don't recall any of them touching her glass." She sips again. "The first I knew of anything was when the dragons keened. Then E'sere took off and I followed him. By the time I reached her, she was dead, and Medina was already with her. E'sere helped me get to Medina." She pauses. "I remember seeing G'thon and Miniyal approach her, at one time. I didn't know that many people here, then. And, J'cor. Essdara wanted me to meet her, and headed her way when I went to dance, but I don't think she'd reached Yevide before the dragons keened." Another pause. "No, I'm fairly certain the only person with her at the time was R'vain."
R'zel sighs over his mug of tea. "So many possibilities." Absent-mindedly, his posture is slipping into a more casual one as he props his elbow against the table, ready to rest his chin on one hand again. "We wouldn't happen to have any toxicology experts in the infirmary, would we?" A shrug. "Did any guards approach, after her collapse?"
"R'vain." R'hal considers that for a few moments, but whatever he's thinking, he doesn't share. He repeats his earlier question. "Why did Journeyman Medina think it wasn't a natural death? Because if it was murder and Aivey didn't do it, and E'sere didn't do it, somebody else did."
"There weren't that many guards there to begin with," Vanya replies to R'zel. "Most of those who helped clear the hall were wingleaders and wingseconds like R'hal, here," she adds, shaking her head. "I don't know, gentlemen. I never thought E'sere could have done it. I don't think any rider could have, though I could be wrong. But a bronzerider? Kill a queen? -- no. No one will ever convince me of that. Morelenth was too distraught." She takes another sip of her tea. "I'm as baffled as you both are. I don't know what Medina saw to tell her it wasn't natural. She was already saying that when I reached her, which is why I went looking for the glass. And, I don't know who checked for the poison, either. Maybe some of the Caucus healers? I know I'm not trained for that, nor are most of the other healers posted here." She simply shakes her head. "All I know is what I've told you, and I don't know if the investigation was put on hold, moved away from the weyr, or shards, I don't even know where the body is!"
"I don't think any dragon would have allowed their rider to plot the death of a queen," R'zel agrees, dropping his gaze and letting it drift over the remaining half of his tea. "Journeyman Medina. Hmm. Could you ask around, Vanya?" Pause. His gaze shifts up, and he tilts his head toward R'hal, hopeful. "Or perhaps you could, sir?"
R'hal nods at what R'zel's saying. "It's hard to imagine a dragon allowing it. They'd be very distressed if they heard their rider thinking about something like that, and I don't know how you could plan it without them knowing. Could you stop yourself thinking about that unless he was asleep? I don't think I could control my thoughts to that extent, not about something like that." He lets out a sigh. "But then, I don't think I could poison anyone, either." He tilts his head as he considers R'zel's question. "Seems to me that we need to know why it didn't look natural, before anything else. That might tell you something about what was used, and if you knew that, you'd know how long it would have taken to act - and when she'd have to have been given it."
Vanya's lips compress into a thin line. "I dare not do too much. All it might take is the hall to hear I'm again involved in something controversial, and poof! -- there goes my knot. After I'm reinstated, perhaps I could make a few discreet inquiries, but even that is risky. I can tell you two what I know and don't know, and try try to point you toward where info might be found." She pauses, takes a drink. "If Aivey and E'sere didn't do it -- and I don't think they did -- whoever killed Yevide is still in the weyr. At least that's my opinion." She pauses. "One of my old teachers once said the thing to do to solve a mystery is look who has the most to gain. Only thing is, the one who benefited most from Yevide's death was, well, Sinopa." She lets that hang for a moment, then says, "And I don't think /she/ could have done it any more than E'sere. Sinopa is many things, but she is /not/ a murderess."
R'zel, a rueful quirk to his lips, nods at R'hal. "Right, we have to find proof it wasn't a natural death first. I should've thought of that." A wince of concern for Vanya. "I had a feeling." Pause. Delicately, he adds, "I wonder if the timing of your leave may have had something to do with Yevide's death, rather than anything else." Another pause to tip the rest of the tea down his throat. "Sinopa." Shrug. "Politics being the tangled web it is, someone else other than Sinopa could stand to benefit too."
R'hal gives R'zel a long look, after that question. "Well, the whole E'sere involvement, perhaps. If he was suspected...." Enough of that. "Sinopa, though. I can't see any dragonrider doing it. Nobody would willingly kill a dragon, whatever was in it for them. But if not, why would anyone kill Yevide? To get rid of outside leadership, seems the obvious reason. Sinopa at least impressed here. If I were Roa, though, with a possible flight to come, I might be worried."
Vanya nods. "The way resentment toward her and J'cor was around here, it could've been a number of people," Vanya replies. "R'hal has a good point. A dragon wouldn't knowingly permit their rider to kill another rider. Even E'sere had others to do his dirty work. I think the reason was Morelenth. Same for Sinopa." She takes a drink of tea. "Still, we can't eliminate riders since they could get someone else to do it." She just shakes her head. "The other thing to consider is if the killer is still in the weyr, and gets wind of someone asking too many questions, well, if they'll kill a queen rider, it won't stop them from killing a healer, or another rider. That's why I went with E'sere that night. I was terrified holding that evidence." She glances to R'hal, nodding. "I told Sinopa to be careful what she eats, and what Citalth eats. It could be someone who just has it in for goldriders, as much as anything else. We need to be very vigilant, and just ... well, not be too open about what we're doing."
"This is going to need vigilance and discretion. Probably a side helping of subtlety too," R'zel mumbles, looking at the empty mug. "I can already see I'm going to be horrible at this." His chin plops firmly on his hand in a thinker's pose. "Do either of you have anyone in mind to ask? Or a plan?" he asks, hopeful that one of the older participants in this conversation will think of something.
R'hal seems to be temporising. "Well, the first thing that strikes me is that just because we don't know of it being investigated doesn't mean it isn't. And the second thing is that there are two people who'd know. You've got the ear of one of 'em, Vanya, and I have plenty of reason to get into conversation with the other. What say we both try it?" After a moment or two, he adds, "You know, it could be that the only reason J'cor's not become a target is because his dragon's not going to win the next flight."
Vanya looks decidedly nervous, and chews on her thumbnail. "I admit I've been sitting on a lot of questions because I didn't want to stir things up. The weyr's peaceful, right now, for all the debate on which queen's going to rise next," she says, looking at both riders. "And, if we start asking questions and all, it may remind people things aren't quite as peaceful as it seems. It could also ... well, get someone else killed, and I'd really not want to think it was something I said or did to cause it." She looks down at her cup, then sets it on the table. "I'll help as much as I can. If it was poison that killed her, then that points to someone with knowledge the hall doesn't advocate." She glances up at the shelf where her father's journals are. "I was afraid they'd see my father's journal and think /I/ did it." She glances to R'hal. "Sinopa? I don't know if she knows. J'cor and Roa keep her shut out of a lot of things she should know about. J'cor, especially. G'thon brought Yevide here, so E'sere told me. They were, apparently, lovers or something. I don't know a lot of details about her, really."
R'zel nods in silence, glancing momentarily at the mentioned journals before looking back at the others. Or at least, he directs his gaze back in their direction; his eyes are distant with an unmentioned mental conversation that makes one hand reach out and clench hard around his mug. "Yes, that's a good start," he says of R'hal's temporised plan, an approving nod to go along with his words, and that's all he contributes for now.
"G'thon does seem to have a taste for younger women," R'hal says, sounding somewhat bemused at the thought. "And you're right, we don't want to get anyone killed; nor do we want to risk messing up any investigation that's already going on." He follows the healer's glance up to the shelf. "Your father's journal? Why, what's in it?"
She glances up at the journal, sighs and stands to retrieve two of the volumes. Vanya opens one of them to a page, then shows it to the brownrider. "There were tunnelsnakes and other vermin in the hold, and father made up some recipes for potions that would poison them and other vermin," she says softly. "It's deadly to the vermin, but I don't know what it does to humans, if anything. This particular one was slow acting, according to his notes, allowing the vermin to return to the nest and die there. A lot of vermin are cannibalistic, meaning they will eat their own kind, thus poisoning more than just the one." She takes her seat again. "There are lots of books out there that the hall doesn't approve. Home remedies, things like that. Some of them are dangerous because they use unapproved herbs and plants." Her voice is soft and a little nervous. "I'll talk to Sinopa, and see if she knows anything, but like I said, J'cor and Roa seem to shut her out of things. I'm not sure, but I'd hazard a guess where J'cor's favor lies when it comes to the next senior weyrwoman."
Green eyes blink, as much in an effort to clear his thoughts of the mental conversation as in slight surprise at R'hal's bemused tone. And ew, cannibalistic rats. R'zel tries to suppress a grimace, but it doesn't quite work, and his fingers tap out an idle beat against his tea cup. "Hopefully, they'll know something and be willing to help," he says with a sigh as he pulls his hand away from the tapped cup. "I've an shift before long." He pauses a beat, mouth twisting a little in indecision. "Will you let me know if anything turns up?"
"Lovely," R'hal comments, his distaste evident. "The rats. I'll see what I can get out of J'cor, if I get the chance. Can't promise when, though." There's a note of caution there. He drains his mug, then eyes R'zel consideringly. "Sure." He turns to Vanya.
"Well, I should be going, too. Any news yet on getting back to work?"
Vanya looks up at the young bronzerider, smiling a little, though it's a nervous kind of smile. "We will, yes. Thank you for bringing all these hides over, R'zel." She moistens her lips, then adds, "You're a good friend." She seems fond of the young man; that's obvious from her tone and demeanor. "Don't forget these," she says, picking up a stack of the hides and a leather-bound book, then handing them over. When R'hal indicates he's also leaving, Vanya turns to him, nodding. "I'll see if Sinopa knows anything, or can find out anything. And, no, I've not heard anything, but the three months is up fairly soon. Hopefully, I'll get word in a few days. Until then, well, I've got things to do." She smiles almost shyly at the brownrider, and busies herself with the tea mugs. "Both of you take care. Clear skies, R'hal, R'zel. My best to Yanith and Pangioth." To R'hal, she adds, "I'll be waiting in the bowl tomorrow, ready for the ride."
"Thank you, sir," R'zel tells R'hal before turning a concern-tinged smile on Vanya. "Don't worry, things will get better. Take care of yourself," he murmurs to the woman as he takes the offered stack of texts, cradling them gently in both arms before easing a hand out to snag the cup he brought in with him. "Clear skies, wingsecond, Vanya." Nods to both, and he's out.
"Clear skies, R'zel." R'hal puts his mug on the table and gets to his feet, smiling. "Tomorrow, then. Wear your warm gear. And thank you for the tea." With a quick half-bow to the healer, he bids her, "Clear skies," and makes his way out.