Day 10 month 13, 256 A.L. – day 15 month 2, 257 A.L.
Kwanjath’s first clutch was laid bang on time, with the young queen laying quickly for the size of the clutch and several large eggs likely to contain large browns and bronzes. Sixteen eggs ties Azov with Ierne for the largest clutch laid since the end of the First Pass. What a shame, then, that the number contains at least four tiny eggs which the gold laid and immediately turned out to the edges of her clutch. No one’s willing to say it yet, let alone bet on it, but it seems that the clutch will have far fewer eggs hatch than were laid.
The town seems to be adjusting to the lack of riders in fits and starts. Head Medic Cody arranged with the Weyrleader for a rider to be posted at the hospital for emergencies at all times. Currently, the rider is being posted from wings without former Xanadu riders. The fire department has not been so lucky: they’ve lost over half their squad, and have no way to get water to a building in case of an emergency. They’ve asked the newly seated Town Council to dramatically expand the budget so they can hire new recruits, buy wagon horses, and commission a water wagon unit.
The most pressing problem for the average resident? The lack of ice. Ice chests around the town are hot and dry, and the merchants in the bazaar are not fairing much better. Restaurants are struggling and costs are spiraling up again. Buy that meat fresh and cook it right away – if you can afford it.
The closer to Turn’s End, the closer the special session of the Colonial Council gets. This special session is to redraw the electoral boundaries and to discuss other matters related to enfranchisement. Whatever it is, it has resulted in an upswing of the fine carriages and parties normally only seen during the real Council Session.
The special Colonial Council session to look at electoral boundaries begins at Year’s End. Some of Xanadu’s residents, especially the younger element, have got up a petition to present to the Council. It reads, “We the undersigned ask the Colonial Council to make land available for land grants and to restore the right to a land grant to all citizens who reach the the age of sixteen years. This will give the young people of Pern the possibility of supporting themselves, give them the right to influence their future by voting for Colonial Council representatives, and increase the supply of food as more land is effectively used.” Look out for signature-collectors!
After the cancellation of the last Fog Ball, Xanadu residents are relieved that the traditional Year’s End beach party is to go ahead, though there’s a rumour going round that Something might Happen.
With Kwanjath’s eggs on the Sands, Azov Weyr is beginning the Search process by assigning riders to visit places where people live and arrange for their dragons to meet people in the 15-25 age range. The coverage area has been divided between the wings, so some will be visited, so some riders will find themselves visiting tiny cotholds, others the larger Stakeholds. T’zen’s and B’nar’s wings both have visits to Xanadu Town among their assigned trips, but there’s a persistent rumour that only those who do well in drills will be assigned to visit the Town. It may reasonably be assumed that this year’s Search letters will spell out very clearly that dragonriders give up their rights to land or a life outside the Weyr.
OOC: Search on Second Pass follows the procedure in Red Star Rising: nobody is told that they’ve been Searched or immediately taken off to the Weyr. Instead, riders report back the names and locations of those whom the dragons identify as possible candidates, and those who are to be Searched are chosen and Search letter sent. It’s also possible for riders to hand in the names of suitable people that they’ve met outside formal Search visits. A few days before the Hatching, transport is sent for those who accept. See News Search for IC and OOC search information.
The Year’s End beach party at Xanadu was a fine and good-natured event; even the young protesters who staked out notional ‘land grants’ on the beach didn’t really cause any aggravation, and the Year’s End meteor shower turned up precisely on schedule – a particularly good display this year.
News was quick to spread on Day 27/Month 1 around Azov Weyr, that goldrider Nance had started having contractions in the weyrbowl around lunchtime. Much to the dismay of Isth (who is particularly precious about remarks concerning babies), and Nance herself, the dear little bundle waited a further two days to make an entrance. In the afternoon on the first of the month, a healthy baby girl graced Azov with her arrival, father D’von and the weyr’s midwives in attendance. Despite Nance’s disproportionately large stomach, the midwives report that Karen is an average weight baby, with a squashed little nose and no hair. Anyone thinking to visit the new family best beware; Isth is baring her teeth at anyone who so much as looks at the outer stairs sideways, and has responded to draconic enquiries with a stiff, << They are tired. >>
