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The Finer Points of Dragonhealing


Date:  January 21, 1998
Place:  Telgar Weyr Outer Infirmary
Game:  PernMUSH
Copyright Info:  The World of Pern is copyright(c) to Anne McCaffrey 
l967. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is a registered copyright.

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Kassi's Note:  Kassima's never had much interest in being a 
Dragonhealer.  It's just not the sort of thing she'd do--she's more
the type to be a fighter than a mender, and besides, she'd doubtless
put stitches in crooked given her lack of talent at sewing.  All the
same, she decided to attend this lecture given by Richenda; while she
may never be a healer herself, that doesn't mean she's not interested
in knowing how her own lifemate might be cared for.  Thanks, Riche;
this was fun RP, and you made the talk a pleasure to attend. :)

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The Log:

You go beneath the rocky overhang that protects the Infirmary entrance.

Richenda returns the smile and greeting. "Hello, everyone. Do come in."

Jayna shrugs as Shadow takes flight from her shoulder.

Maylia moves into the Infirmary from the bowl.

Jaeleka moves into the Infirmary from the bowl.

Tierth moves into the Infirmary from the bowl.

Shadow settles quietly on a corner chairback, watching the proceedings.

Lysseth moves into the Infirmary from the bowl.

Tierth sticks her head in, then proceeds the rest of the way as Lysseth
follows.

Aladis smiles, "Where would you like us, Richenda?"

Aladis leans, easily, against her dragon's side while Asabeth pokes her
nose at the nearest cabinet curiously.

Richenda reaches a hand for Asabeth and answers kindly, "Your sweet girl
here needs to be -- Asabeth, no, dearest, that's not for you -- in the
front, Aladis. You should be near her, if that's all right."

Jayna gestures toward the blue firelizard. "Is he alright in here, ma'am?
He's well behaved, in general."

Aladis nudges the green's side, who gives Richenda a thoroughly crestfallen
look at being told no. The green heaves a sigh and moves into position as
Aladis directs her. Once the green is in place, Aladis takes up a spot nearby.

Richenda gives Jayna a nod as she waits for others to arrive, patient and
quiet.

Tierth inquisitively pokes her nose around at the dragon couches, and the
people gathered, whuffling over some heads.

Aladis calls over to Kassima, "Congratulations, Kassi. I haven't had a
chance to visit since I heard."

Kassima meanders into the room a few steps ahead of Lysseth, who just
follows the green dragon convoy. The rider half of the pair flashes Riche a
quick smile before looking around for somewhere she can sit. Eventually,
she settles on Lysseth's foreleg once the dragon has found a nice,
out-of-the-way couch to place herself in. "Evening, all," she calls in lieu
of a wave, since her hands are occupied by Khari at the moment.

Asabeth warbles brightly to Tierth, then, hoping Richenda isn't looking,
she stretches out her neck to sniff at the cabinet holding the wing mending
equipment.

Jayna smiles at Kassi and Khari. "She's already grown so much!"

Jaeleka keeps wandering closer to Kassi, peering to get a look at the baby.

Richenda isn't looking. She, like so many maternal types, has eyes all over
her head, apparently. She clears her throat, pointedly.

Davidon moves into the Infirmary from the bowl.

Asabeth pulls her head back and immediately affects an innocent air. Her
bright eyes whirl blue and green at Richenda.

Kassima grins over to Aladis. "Thankee!" she calls back, then pats a
section of green foreleg. "Want t'come sit here, Jae? Aye, Jayna, she has!
Nearly fits the jumper Tinya made, now... ooops." Just a touch abashed, she
pipes down at Riche's throat-clearing.

Tierth warbles back, delicatly making her way past the gathered people, to
investigate what Asabeth's so fascinated with.

Davidon waves his 'pass' as he comes into the infirmary. "I made it!"

Aladis shakes her head, rolling her eyes. "One of these days, Asabeth,
you're going to get flung off a cliff." She grins.

Rennick walks in from outside the room.

Lysseth just watches the two younger greens with as much perplexity as a
draconic expression can hold.

Jaeleka smiles at Kassi's invitation,dragging her feet a lot less than
normal as she takes the offered seat.

Richenda flashes a loving smile at the steward in the back of the
infirmary, then, positioning herself near Asabeth, she inquires cheerfully,
"All right. Who here faints at the sight of blood? Or vomits? Or faints at
the sight of vomit? Or vomits at the sight or smell fo vomit?"

Maylia shakes her head at all the questions, leaning against Tierth's
forlimb. She's dealt with plenty of all above.

Jayna squinches her nose. "I can take vomit. Don't like it much, but I can
take it."

"Nay me," Kassi replies brightly. "Blood and vomit are fine. Err... so
t'speak, anyway." She flashes Jaeleka a warm smile as the girl seats herself.

Davidon rubs his arms free of the chil and finds a place to sit, nodding
and waving to those that he knows.

Jaeleka makes a face throughout the entire list.

Rennick lets out his breath in a huge sigh and gives the headwoman a
resigned glance.

Richenda tells Kassima gaily, "You change diapers. You're entirely immune."
She espies Davidon, beaming a welcome to him, then goes on to say, "Well,
my wonderful mate will tell you that when I was a tender young lass some
three Passes ago I started working on my first dragonic patient, heard him
bellow, saw some ichor, heard and saw the rider retch, and was promptly
unconscious until my second Turn of marriage. So if you're a tad squeamish,
fear not. It will pass."

Rennick mutters to himself, "For some."

Jaeleka eyes the baby, and then Kassi with a whole new respect.

Davidon grins fetchingly at Richenda and bobs his head again from where he
stands amoung the crowd of other trainees.

"Some three Passes ago?" V'dan murmurs, wide-eyed and apparently taking
Richenda quite literally. "Wowza. She doesn't look *that* ol--"
Fortunately, a brownrider nearby takes on Kassi's usual job and thwaps him
upside the head before he can say more.

Richenda places herself onto a stool and then inquires in general, "What do
you all think of when you hear the term 'dragonhealer,' hmm?"

Aladis says, quietly, "Work."

Maylia casts a glance up to Tierth's whirling eye, and quietly says,
"Saviour."

Kassima grins at Riche, not disagreeing at all with the sentiment. "Someone
who treats injured dragons," she promptly states, never one to ignore the
obvious. V'dan adds in his nasal tones, "And who climbs in their mouths and
scrapes out weird gunk, too!"

Jayna thinks a moment. "Well, it's someone who cares for a dragon who's
hurt, or ill. Someone who helps the dragon heal."

Rennick coughs into his fist. "Right," he mutters, then turns and heads
out, walking hurridly.

Rennick starts off down the long tunnel to the inner cavern.

"All of that, I think is correct," Richenda says with a nod, though her
eyes follow Rennick's hasty departure with a shadow of dismay. "I rather
appreciate that note about climbing into a dragon's mouth. A healer must
always be prepared to do whatever he or she must to care for a patient."

Asabeth opens her mouth, helpfully.

Maylia nods primly at Richenda's last comment, agreeing fully.

Jayna grins at Asabeth, wondering if the lecture's about to include some of
the mouth-climbing.

Kassima's aren't the only eyes who turn to V'dan with startlement. This has
got to be the first time, outside of Fall, that the poor guy has said
anything useful. Ever. Chymeth's rider follows up on his prior comment by
helpfully noting, "They have to purge constipated dragons, too."

Davidon frowns, "that's about the most awful job there is. Though I've
never had to pick food from a dragon's teeth...."

Richenda laughs. "Yes, we often purge dragons who've gotten plugged up. And
I've climbed up into Herath's mouth and I've had my hand in places that
most people would find abhorrent. All because I love these creatures --"
And she rubs the inside of Asabeth's gaping maw, "and want to stop their
pain."

Jayna weighs the options mentally. Picking teeth. Purging constipated
dragons. She's leaning toward preferring the teeth.

Asabeth croons at Richenda, waiting for the woman to move back before she
closes her mouth again. She rests her head behind Richenda, as a nice
backdrop, and looks content.

Jaeleka tilts her head to one side. Actually listening. And without any
unpleasantness. Amazing.

V'dan opens his mouth, no doubt to ask just where Richenda's hands have
been, but he is blessedly shushed by that same brownrider wingmate. "Is
that why most people become Dragonhealers?" Kassi asks after eyeing the
other greenrider for a moment.

Richenda withdraws her hand from Asabeth's mouth as she answers Kassima
with a soft smile to both lips and voice, "Yes, indeed. Though...if you
consider it, dragons keep Pern safe. Contributing to their well-being helps
Pern, by extension. Me, I simply like helping a dragon and seeing their
eyes go from orange and yellow to blue and green. So. I know the riders
know some vague bits about caring for dragons, as does our visiting
Candidate there, Davidon...what do the rest of you know? Jayna?"

Jayna thinks a moment. "Well, ma'am, I came to the weyr while Kimbrith's
eggs were hardening, so I got to help out with a few things. . . like
bathing a dragon or two. And I know about oiling."

Davidon lifts his hand and wiggles his fingers, grinning playfully at the
mention of his name.

"Very important chores, very important to keeping a dragon's hide supple
and soft. That's essential to a dragon's well-being, of course, because
it's what protects him or her in the terrible cold of /between/." Richenda
pauses for the all-important task of scritching Asabeth's eyeridge, then
goes on. "What about you, Jaeleka? Do you want to be a healer?"

Jaeleka blinks, shocked. And looks about in case there might be another her
sitting here. "Uh..um.." She shrugs. "I like dragons. I just wanted to see."

Maylia flashes a smile towards Jaeleka, before turning her attention back
to Richenda.

Richenda smiles appreciatively and gives the girl a winning, approving
smile, then looks toward the riders. "Are you all wanting to be
dragonhealers or just interested in better care for your lifemates?
Kassima, I know your answer..."

Asabeth gets the utterly blissfuly look of a dragon well-scritched. It's
also a somewhat comical look.

Aladis thumps her lifemate's side affectionately, "I've been in for the
long haul for a while, Richenda."

Kerlyn moves into the Infirmary from the bowl.

Tierth murbles softly, head whuffling towards Richenda.

Richenda, winking at Aladis, gives Kerlyn an enthused wave as a welcome.
"Maylia, my dear?"

Maylia grins, and shrugs. "I've been out of Healing for a long time. And I
kinda miss it... I was thinking 'bout doing dragonhealing."

Kerlyn gives an embarassed nod as she slips in around the back of the
crowd, arriving unusually late.

Jayna listens to the different responses, fascinated to all the different
reasons people want to learn about dragonhealing.

Davidon moves over slightly, making room for Kerlyn should she want to.
"The most important things always take the most time and effort."

Kassima grins wryly and comments, "Aye, I fear I'm nay precisely the model
of a modern dragonhealer-type." Lysseth rumbles in amusement, clearly
agreeing with her rider's assessment. "Oh, shush, lump."

Kerlyn nods a quiet thanks, taking the space offered by Davidon.

Richenda's expression indicates her agreement with Davidon's statement and
Kassima's self-assessment. Then, after Kerlyn is settled, she notes whilst
continuing her Asabeth scritching, "Very well then. Let me begin by saying
this. It is my considered opinion that every last person in a weyr, from
age seven and above, should have a grasp of emergency care for dragons.
Even if you scrub pots and clothing for Telgar, you are here to support the
dragons and riders. Period. That's what we do at a weyr. And our first
focus is to ensure the dragons are cared for, because by Faranth and Aunt
Formikaa's fingernails, the riders ought to be able to care for themselves."

Jayna nods her heartfelt agreement.

Jaeleka sits up just a little straighter, looking almost proud to be
here..she's older than 7.

Asabeth wraps her tail about Aladis' legs, giving a little tug. The
greenrider stumbles back, ending up leaning against the dragon's side.
"Yes, yes. I'm here," she murmurs, as she looks back towards Richenda.

Kerlyn's head nods once, very sharply, though a small frown appears as
Richenda closes. That sounded suspiciously like a slight dig.

Maylia nods repeatedly, shushing Tierth and reaching up to scritch her
eyeridges.

V'dan looks a touch sheepish at that, perhaps because his hair is--as
always--in a disarray, and his clothing is--also as always--being worn
backwards. But he gives a meek nod nevertheless. Kassi's own nod of assent
is more thoughtful as she settles back against Lyss's shoulder, rocking
Khari just a bit to keep her quiet.

"Now then." Richenda's posture and tone indicates she's getting down to
business a bit more. "Threadscores are not by any means the only injuries
dragons sustain, but they're altogether too common. I might add here that
riders also get Scored a bit more than I'd care to see happen, and anyone
in the weyr can be called upon to assist where that's concerned, too. But
that's neither here nor there. What I intend to discuss tonight is our
immediate concern, which is Threadscores. Now then. What can kill Thread?"

Jayna says, promptly, "Fire. Water."

"Water, extreme cold, fire, and agenothree," Kassi replies immediately.

Davidon figures the whole room willl speak up but murmurs, "Water and
fire," for his own answer.

Maylia ticks off on her fingers, "Water, fire, cold." And at Kassi's
addition, sheepishly adds a fourth. "Agenothree."

Kerlyn doenst' reply, but her head cranks around, watching the other
participants to see who gets the answer right, looking a little as though
pushups would be in order for anyone with a rider's knot who missed this one.

Aladis remains quiet by her dragon's side, perhaps not feeling the need to
call out answers, though she nods as several are spoken for the first time.

Jaeleka taps a slight beat against her leg, grinning.

Richenda pats Asabeth and leaves the green be as she (Richenda, not
Asabeth) commences to pace. "Yes, all four of those are correct. Redwort
will too, to a lesser extent. But extreme cold, which is why Thread doesn't
get to the ground in winter -- the SOLE blessing of our mountainside weyr
-- will kill Thread. That's why 'scored dragons and riders kill Thread
/between/. Agenothree, as any weyrwoman can tell you, is handy stuff. Fire
likewise, though I've yet to see a dragonrider carrying -that- kind of
torch into Threadfall. And water. In theory, any dragon who has been
'scored will go /between/ to kill the Thread. If the dragon
cannot...well...that's a dragon that probably will not live to see the next
dawn."

Asabeth rumbles imperiously and Aladis, shaking her head with a faintly wry
smile, says, "Asabeth wants to add 'dragons' to the list."

Richenda cannot resist grinning at Aladis and Asabeth.

Jayna listens with a bleak expression as Richenda talks about scored
dragons who can't get between.

Richenda takes a breath, then continues without any hint that she had that
bleak statement a moment earlier. "All right. What we -should- see on the
ground, therefore, is a Threadscore after the Thread has been killed. The
first thing that should be done when a 'scored dragon appears is...what?
Does anyone know? Ideas? Thoughts?"

Jayna raises a hand. "Numbweed, ma'am?"

Richenda nods to indicate she heard Jayna's answer, then glances about her
for other suggestions.

Jaeleka offers hopefully "Calm the dragon? Don't they get kinda scared?"
She blushes. "I guess you can't really do that unless their yours."

Davidon smiles faintly, "flush with water and numbweed the scoring? I'm
sure asking the rider should go in there somewhere as well. Some folks hate
to have their dragon fussed over."

Aladis's tone is wry as she says, "Get the rider drunk."

Kassima merely nods, impassive. She and her green may not have been 'scored
yet, but she's certainly seen it often enough in others. "Find a way t'calm
the dragon down so that 'twill let you approach?" she hazards, smiling
ruefully at Jae as her answer echoes the girl's.

Maylia raises her hand, quietly saying. "I know that with people, you want
to clean the score well with redwort, then numb it."

Kerlyn frowns just slightly at Aladis's suggestion, but her eyes are
quickly back to the front of the class.

This last from Aladis wins a smile from the dragonhealer, but Kassima and
Jaeleka receive her accolades. "Calm the dragon. First and foremost.
Dragons would never knowingly harm anyone, but in the haze of pain,
especially if badly scored, they must be calmed first. A rider should try
to achieve this, but if he or she is too badly injured, a gold dragon can
be called upon for her assistance. In this manner the queens are entirely
irreplaceable."

Jayna ohs, listening attentively.

Maylia blushes a little, nodding. Of course, calm the dragon.

Jaeleka looks shyly pleased.

Telgar Weyr> Aladis says, "Kerlyn's gonna spank me. :)"

Richenda says to the others, "My question was a bit too general, because
you're all right in some way. To continue. Once the dragon is calmed enough
to receive treatment -- and a healer must never touch a dragon without the
rider's permission or, should the rider be unconscious, the weyrwoman's
permission -- healing can begin. Redwort comes first, of course. What does
that do?"

Aladis says "Kills germs and prevents infection?"

Kerlyn glances down at a reasonably well worn red stain on the leg of her
riding pants, but again elects not to answer aloud, instead listening
attentively to those around her.

Richenda prompts, "Which is important because...?"

Aladis says "Infection will make your job fifty times harder, cause more
pain and worse scarring. It can prevent healing and cause the loss of body
parts."

Jayna scratches her head, a bit reluctant to get another answer wrong.

Maylia beams. She knows this one by heart, but she offers a shorter version
of what she's memorized. "It's an antiseptic, so it prevents infection." As
an aside, she adds, "And it protects the healer's hands 'gainst numbweed."

Davidon frowns slightly and asks, since he's been getting two different
'stories', "Ah, what about the numbweed first? To make the pain go away"

Jaeleka looks thoughtful. "You said redwort could help kill thred too,
right? Is that why you use it first too? Just in case?" She doesn't mean to
speak out of turn, but by her tone, she wants to know.

"Ahh. There are a few schools of thought on that, Davidon, yes," Richenda
comments with a nod. "To me -- and yes, Jaeleka, but the other reasons are
important too -- redwort takes but a short moment and is essential to
promoting proper healing."

Jayna nods. "Makes sense," she says.

"If'n the wound were packed with numbweed," Kassi asks, rather slowly as
she thinks about this, "then mightn't the redwort fail t'reach all of the
wound if'n 'twere applied second? Or would it get through despite the
numbweed coating?"

Davidon nods, taking mental note of Richenda's comments.

Tinya moves into the Infirmary from the bowl.

Tinya walks in, a wineglass in her hand, and blinks at the large number of
people present.

Davidon waves hello to Tinya with a wide smile.

Jayna smiles quietly at Tinya and turns her attention immediately back
toward Richenda.

Kerlyn scoots over to the side to make room for Tinya, which crowds Davidon
just a little more.

Richenda nods with appreciation to Kassima. "That is something I've always
found curious, Kassima, but the combination seems to work. Don't ask me."
She grins, waving Tinya in, and goes on. "Numbweed must be applied rapidly
thereafter, however, because a dragon in pain is a horrible thing. Well,
pain is a horrible thing with anyone, but dragons share their pain with
their rider. To end the dragon's pain is to help the rider as well. You
will always note a rider will insist that his dragon be cared for first
before allowing himself to be treated. Now. Numbweed. Where's the stuff
come from, that icky and smelly salve we slap on wounds?"

Telgar Weyr> Richenda feels like the Professor Kingsfield of Telgar. I just
realized I use the Socratic method.

Maylia opens her mouth, then shuts it. She knows details about the plant,
and the brewing process. But she's going to give others a chance.

Telgar Weyr> Kerlyn oohs- I hope that doesn't mean you'll be concluding the
class with a Hemlock toast?

Telgar Weyr> Jaeleka grins. Well, you have Jae's attention at least. thats
an accomplishment.

Aladis says "Icky smelly numbweed plants that require much icky smelly
boiling."

Kassima nods to Tinya from where she's sprawled casually on her green's
foreleg, rocking Khari gently. She glances over at V'dan as he grimaces and
remarks, "That icky and smelly boiling process that sends sane people
fleeing from the Weyr."

Jaynais pretty sure she knows the answer to that one. "It's a plant, right,
ma'am? The one that we pick, then boil?"

Jaeleka makes a face. She didn't always manage to avoid being around for that.

Telgar Weyr> Jaeleka thinks..you know there are chores I just bet they are
/so/ glad there are kids of just hte right age and size around for.

Telgar Weyr> Kassima watches Aladis and V'dan compete for the Smartmouth of
the Day Award. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Aladis is older and thus better. :)

Telgar Weyr> Aladis says, "But it's Richenda's own fault for using those
descriptors. :)"

Tinya ahs softly as she realizes what everyone's doing in here, and finds a
wallspace to lean on over on the edge of the crowd, occasionally sipping
from her glass.

Richenda tells each of those who answered, "Yes, you're all entirely
correct. Numbweed comes from the plant similarly named and makes a greater
stink than old B'garrel does after he's had river grains and beans for
dinner. But I'll take that stench and I'll take that task any day, because
there's nothing like having it sooth away pain. It's the most tremendous
boon to Pern. I do hope," she adds with a mischevious wink, "anyone
interested in dragonhealing is prepared to boil numbweed."

Kassima abruptly looks very, very relieved. Probably because she's *not*
here because she's interested in dragonhealing.

Davidon smirks, deciding not to answer that, he's had to help with the
stuff enough, he doesn't want to think about the next time he'll have to do
it. Too soon for his tastes by the expressionon his face.

Maylia's face mirrors Jaeleka's but she nods. "I've done it before, I can
do it again." Is her quiet comment.

Kerlyn murmers quietly, "I'd be happy to help.. in my spare time." And she
does have .so. much of that.

Jayna nods agreement, suddenly serious.

Telgar Weyr> Richenda says, "Awright, who let all the wise acres in my
infirmary? ;)"

"Dunno 'bout that," V'dan says, scratching at his disarrayed hair. "Never
thought of comparing the two before." One can just see the ideas for future
stench contests percolating through his head.

Aladis shoots V'dan a wary look, shaking her head a bit.

Richenda chuckles. "All right. After the wound is numbed, if it's nasty
enough an experienced healer will stitch the wound shut. The old numbweed
washes out of the injury, by the way. So...Jayna. What's the first thing we
do with a 'Scored dragon?"

Jayna says "Calm the dragon, ma'am. Talk to the rider or a Weyrwoman."

Telgar Weyr> Jaeleka is innocent. They were here before me

Richenda beams. "Excellent. All right, then. Maylia. What comes next?"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima had to bring V'dan, lest she give into her innate
temptation to heckle and get Kassi slapped for it instead. :) Better him
than me. ;)

Telgar Weyr> Richenda ducks offknot again for a few. :)

Maylia says "Clean the wound with redwort, ma'am."

Telgar Weyr> Aladis says, "Kassima's a bad influence on me. :)"

"Very good! Jaeleka, what do we do after redwort, hmm?" Richenda asks of
the youngest there.

Jaeleka can't help but make a face again. "You pack it with numbweed. Yuck."

Telgar Weyr> Kassima shows off the solid black knot that marks her as a
Master Corruptor of Pern. :)

Telgar Weyr> Jaeleka eeps! and is /sitting/ with her

Richenda turns slightly toward Davidon, "And if the wound's bad enough,
after it's numbweeded, we...?"

Telgar Weyr> Jayna wows at Kassi. "That's a big knot you've got there."

Davidon looks up at Richenda from eyeing the back of his hand, "Stitch it
up right away ma'am. Well, a capable dragonhearler would at any rate."

Telgar Weyr> Ceria waves.

Telgar Weyr> Aladis has the sudden image of a healer trying to cauterize a
dragon wound. | Healer hides large glowing metal object behind his back,
"Now, brownrider. If you'll just look up there, you can see the star
stones..." Then, "Quick! Knock him out while he's distracted!"

Telgar Weyr> Jayna waves to Ceria. :)

Telgar Weyr> Kassima snugsnugs the Squad Leader, and tosses a waffle
Ceria's way. Hee! Owwwww, Aladis. :)

"Indeed." She gives Davidon a small smile, as if considering something,
then turns back to the class as a whole. "Questions, anyone?"

Telgar Weyr> Maylia waves to Ceria, while giggling at Aladis!

Jayna tilts her head. "Uh. . .ma'am, would the same things be true if you
had a scored firelizard?"

Davidon looks like he very much would like to ask a question, but keeps it
to himself so that other people can ask things.

Aladis pipes up with a serious question, shockingly enough, "What substance
do you use for internal stitches on deep wounds?"

Kerlyn gievs Davidon a light elbow, noticing the look on his face, "Best to
ask, lad." she murmers quietly, "Never know if you'll need the information
later."

Jaeleka raises her hand.

Kassima calls, "If'n you don't mind, Riche... how healed--or minor,
whichever--does a dragon's wound have t'be ere a rider can tend to it
herself? Change bandages, and whatnay. I recall that for serious ones, 'tis
the task of the Dragonhealers alone; for minor 'scores, though, can a
knowledgable rider be trusted to attend 'em?"

Davidon smiles at Kerlyn, "I can ask when the meeting is over. It's about
my um...tests."

Kerlyn nods by way of reply, her head already turning to catch the answer
to Kassima's question. "Problem I see is that many think they're more
knowledgeable than is actually the case."

Maylia leans forward slightly, to hear the answers to the various
questions, particularly Kassi's and Aladis'.

Richenda smiles, nodding to Jayna. "Yes, indeed. Though in a smaller scale
and without the rider bits added in. And...I'm sorry, Aladis. Do you mean
what do we use for the stitches? Sterilized thread. Jaeleka, Davidon, a
moment...what's that, Kassima? Yes, yes...riders should see to their own
dragons' minor scores -if-, and only -if-, he or she is not injured and
thinking unclearly. If the score is bad, then no."

Aladis shakes her head, "No. I've seen it once, a wound deep enough to the
muscle area that it had to be sutured inside as well as out to hold the
muscle together. At the time, I didn't quite have the presence of mind to
inquire as to what they were using.

Richenda looks to Jaeleka then. "Yes, my dear?"

Jaeleka frowns, deep in thought."Well, I wanted to know two things - is
agenothree more like using fire or cold? And," she nods as she got hte hard
word out right. "What if you ran out of redwort or numbweed - or they
spilled or something and you didnt have it? What do you use then?"

Frowning, Richenda answers, "Well, we should never have the second
situation, but water's the best thing by far. It doesn't remove pain but it
will wash the wound clean. As far as agenothree...well, dearie, I'm no
smith or weyrwoman but I think of it as something that freezes the stuff."

Jayna ohs. Jaeleka's asked good questions! She listens carefully to
Richenda's answers.

Aladis settles in against Asabeth's side to listen quietly.

Jaeleka sighs, unsatisfied, but closer to an answer than she was on her
own. "I know you shouldn't. But sometimes things happen. I just wondered.
Cause if they weren't theere and you didn't know, then people might just
stand around when they should be helping."

Richenda chuckles quietly and murmurs, "I understand. Anything else before
I address Davidon's question? And oh...those who wish still to be
dragonhealers should let me know formally so that I can discuss your
schedules with Rennick or your wingleaders."

Kassima shakes her head leisurely. "None here, Riche. If'n I think of any,
I'll be sure t'pester you the next time I find you in a dragon's mouth or
some such."

Jayna giggles at Kassima's comment. "I'm interested in being a
dragonhealer, ma'am, but I don't want to hold up you and Davidon. Can I
talk to you about it when you have a spare minute? Not that I think that's
likely, with all you do!"

Richenda chortles, nods to Jayna, then, on a more serious note, concludes,
"A dragonhealer's responsibility, his or her -honor and priviledge-, is to
ease the suffering of our protectors. Remember, if you want to help me to
help them, you're not committing yourself lightly. Thank you all for
coming, and I'll let you know when our next lecture shall be." She waves,
then turns toward Davidon expectantly.

Davidon mumbles idly about also scrubbing floors and purging weyrling
dragons as added benifit before turning to Richenda. "I was just curious as
to when I might try the test. Fahloran at Igen just made capable, so it got
me thinking about how perhaps it wouldn't hurt to have a go at it. If you
think I'm ready."

Maylia, too, tries to get Richenda's attention, letting her know that she'd
like a moment of her time later on.

Richenda winks at Maylia, then answers Davidon with a pensive smile.
"You're at Igen," she points out, "or should be. Shouldn't you?"

Telgar Weyr> Richenda oocly hugs y'all and thanks you for coming and enduring.

Kassima gets to her feet, wincing as her back pops at the movement. "C'mon,
lump. Should get the spawnlet t'bed. She's half asleep already." With a
smile and nod to Riche and the others in the room, the greenrider and her
dragon make their way out to the Bowl.

Telgar Weyr> Jaeleka says, "twas fun :)"

Telgar Weyr> Kassima snugsnugs a Riche, and had fun! :)

You walk out into the bowl.