Nicola hadn’t been the same since that night. The night she and Colask lost everything. Coryn, Orysk , Auntie, Uncle …so many others more. She frequently awoke in the middle of the night, convinced she was back to that night. Attackers on their way again to take her family from her.
Once again, like many nights before Nicola was roused from her vivid nightmares by Colask. Nicola! Wakey-wakey! The bronze tugged at bed sheets, lightly head butting his handler as she screamed in the solace of their quarters Past is past, hurt will hurt. Worry not mine, it gets easier Concern flooded the wher’s voice , head lovingly thrusted into her arms. He was there for her and no harm would come to her while Colask could help it. “Thank you Colask , im sorry I just miss them, so much. If I was awake then… if I just-“ tears started to swell up in her eyes, hands shaking with rage and disappointment. Walk will help, get fresh air. Come now!
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The weyrbowl always looked different during night time, with the sun setting a soft light adorned Weyr , a new picture of the Weyr was painted. Golden and bright. The pair walked slowly , aimlessly, wordlessly with no particular aim.
“I know it’ll sound silly but… I’ve heard around from other handlers that there was a holdless handler come in a little ago” Nicola broke the silence, running a hand through the smooth hide to calm down .”And… and maybe . Just maybe! Coryn and Orysk survived ? That they too got separated and somehow came to land here like we did?” Nicola held onto every little bit of hope she could, rumours of all kinds floated through the wherhandler’s common rooms , but just this one, she was so sure it could be her cousin. “And if she’s alive maybe au- Colask are you even paying attention to me…?”
Colask wasn’t even listening , in fact he hadn’t heard one bit of what Nicola had just said. He squinted at a figure, two figures actually! A strangely familiar wher , yet he couldn’t place his paw on it yet. He kept his eyes locked on them, trying so hard to remember.
And then it clicked like pieces in a puzzle. Without warning Colask started into a gallop towards them , he had to make sure he was right. Nicola couldn’t take any more heart break. She was left there , helplessly staring at a distance, not understanding until she heard Colask.
ORYSK! YOUR BROTHER HERE! ORYSK!