Plot

[Bloody]

Gone away, gone ahead,
Echoes away, gone unansweréd.
Empty, open, dusty, dead.
Why have all the Weyrfolk fled?

Where have dragons gone together?
Leaving Weyrs to wind and weather?
Setting herdbeasts free of tether?
Gone, our safeguards, gone, but whither?

Have they flown to some new Weyr
Where cruel Thread some others fear?
Are they worlds away from here?
Why, oh, why, the empty Weyr?



The red star swung inexorably toward it's 11th pass, while the great Fort Weyr lay all but empty. A virulent disease had decimated the dragon population, and it seemed only the gold and bronze dragons were immune to it's taint. Dragonless riders fell to depression, they found peace in suicide or led tormented lives away from the plagued Weyr.

Thus there were only a scant handful of dragonmen left to protect the surrounding land. The senior weyrwoman took her own life rather than face the crushing adversity her weyr faced. The golden Archith passed between, and with her death some gave up hope. Others called upon the other Weyrs for assistance, though none dared to risk their resources to the disease. A brave few, mounted their dragons and moved on; undefeated.

It was left to Junior Weyrwoman Tanis and a scant handful of bronzeriders to re-establish a new weyr. A suitable location was found, and a new Weyr founded. In a coastal mountain, the gold Aurumth prepares to lay her first clutch since the decimation of Fort Weyr.

With a fresh clutch on the way, the riders named their new home Invictum Weyr; and here they stand unconquered.