Fire at Smithcraft Hall

Fire at the Hall!

Annik - Friday, October 18, 2002, 5:36 PM

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[Day 28, Month 2, Turn 42, Tenth Pass]

Smithcraft Lounge(#440RJM)

Looking around the room, it is difficult to believe that this is part of the Smithcraft hall. The thick carved panel walls lend an air of elegance and the bright tapestries add color to the room. Several couches are placed around the room, with low wooden tables that are covered with scrolls and slips of hides, and of course pots of the famous Smith klah. Set into the eastern wall is a hearth which almost always has a pot of stew simmering over it. All in all, it is quite cozy and very relaxing compared to the rest of the hall.

A thick ornate door to the west leads to the business hall, and a smaller door to the north leads directly (and efficiently) into the kitchens.

Contents:

Loren

Klah Pitcher

Emalethe

Obvious exits:

Kitchens Business Hall

Loren sits near the hearth, warming his feet. His hands enfold a steaming mug of something. Turning his head from his meditation of the flames, he smiles when he sees who came in. "Ah! Come join me. The mulled cider is perfect for a cold night."

Annik smiles as she steps in. "Oh, it's nice in here. My office is a bit too drafty for winter nights." She regards the beverage selection thoughtfully. "Hmm, I guess I might as well have some cider for a change." She fills a mug full of the cider and takes a seat by the hearth.

Loren turns back to regard the flames and muses. "We ought to see about getting you something to warm up the office. A hearth of your own wouldn't be too difficult."

Annik nods as she looks down at her cider. "This needs something to go with it. I think I'll go look around in the kitchens," she says and gets up, heading through the kitchen door.

Annik returns with a plate of cookies and sits back down. "Ah, there we go. Much better."

Loren raises an eyebrow, taking in the cookies. A long arm snakes out and steals one. Crunch.. "Yef, muff beffer!" he mumbles as he chews.

Annik grins and sets the plate down on a table. "I figured you'd do that, so I brought enough to share," she says as she picks up a cookie for herself.

Smith Meadow> The night is calm, and cold, the sort the Telgar region is known for. The air has that crystaline clearness that makes everthing seem like a miniature setting done on an artists canvas. The only thing moving is the continual smokes rising from the different building's chimneys and stacks.

K'ran shuts the door tightly behind him as he walks into the lounge.

K'ran has arrived.

On watchrider detail, K'ran's making cursory rounds of the Hall, and stops in at the lounge before retiring back to the meadow where his lifemate's hunkered down against the evening chill. "Duties, Craftmaster, Craftsecond," he offers up, pleasantly, to Annik and Loren, when he catches sight of them. "Quiet night, eh?"

Annik hears the sound of the door and turns from where she sits near the hearth. "Evening," she greets the rider. "Yes, a quiet winter night, as usual."

Loren turns from his musing by the fire and nods. "Sure is. Come and take a moment to warm and refresh. There's mulled cider in that pot." he point to a pot hanging from a hook at the hearth. "And Annik has cookies!"

Brightening, K'ran chuckles, "I'll definitely have a mug of the cider, but I'll save the sweets for the trip home? My boy wouldn't forgive me if I had cookies without saving any for him. But thank you, you're very kind." And he moves to the hearth, to help himself to the drink while shaking his head slightly. "So different, here, than watchriding at the Holds."

Annik chuckles at Loren as she munches on one of the said cookies. "You sound like a little." Turning to K'ran, she asks, "In what way?"

Loren retakes his seat and indicates with a wave one near the hearth. "Oh?" he adds to Annik's question.

"Cozier, here," explains the Telgari rider as he breathes across the top of his drink to cool it a trifle. "Holds always seem to be these huge, impersonal places where, you know, everyone's kind enough... in a distant sort of way. Here, on the other hand, feels like *home*. Has the smell and the feel and the look of a place that's really lived in and worked in."

Annik smiles proudly as she listens to K'ran. "Well, I like to think that's how it is here."

Loren grins softly. "Exactly.. we don't waste space, there's not enough of it in these old halls. And of course this," he looks about the lounge, "doesn't need to be any larger to be efficient. We have the dining hall for big gatherings."

K'ran helps himself to sit on the edge of a divan at the foot of one of the couches, and confesses, "I always look forward to days here, you know. Mother used to tell me that I could have been a Woodcrafter or Beastcrafter, but it was always the Smiths' work that seemed magical. Jays, that fireworks display that you all put on? People are still talking about that, at Telgar."

Annik grins brightly. "Glad to hear that. I think the fireworks are a favorite project around here, since it's a lot of fun for everyone - Smiths and spectators alike."

K'ran's curiosity's piqued, here, and he must ask, "Does it take long to learn how to put them together?" as he sips, idly, from his mug. "Not that I'd want to compete with you all, but I'd love to get my hands dirty with something like that."

Padraigon enters the room, shking of fhis coat and setting it on a chair near the fire. He looks around, and sees quite a few people of Importance, and finds a small couch set a little aside from the chatters.

Annik shakes her head. "No, it doesn't take very long to learn how do the simple ones. The elaborate ones will take longer, of course, but the basics are terribly complicated." She smiles and offers a wave to the visitor.

Loren nods in agreement. "The tubes, and powders, have to be prepared very carefully. It's not entirely safe, you see. One mistake can cause a lot of injury. That's what makes it a little difficult to teach. I suppose small crackers or flares wouldn't be too difficult though."

When Annik's gaze strays to the newcomer, so does K'ran's, and he flashes a quick smile toward Padraigon which he accompanies with a pleasant, "Evening, there." Another swallow of cider and he's supposing, "Mmm. Might be safer for me to, you know, just look in. I wouldn't want to have a clumsy moment and blow myself to Belior."

Padraigon listens on, shaking his head at the talk of fireworks. He looks to Loren, and smiles, "Hello sir, pay no nevermind to me." He says, looking to the door as hopeing someone might show.

Sauscony shuts the door tightly behind her as she walks into the lounge.

Sauscony has arrived.

Loren raises one eyebrow then smiles. "Well, help yourself to some mulled cider, if you like. It's a cold night out and something warm is always in order." he offers the visitor, lifting his own mug. He turns back to the watch rider and smiles. "Flares are dead easy. Just a little powder twisted into a scrap of note hide. Lots of fun to toss into a hearth when no one's looking." he chuckles.

Annik nods in agreement with Loren. "It's easy to blow things up, definitely. The hard part is getting things to explode the way you want them to." She lifts her hand to wave as she catches sight of the healer. "Evening."

Padraigon grins to Loren and nods, "Aye, quite cold, lovely isn't it?" He replies, chuckling at his comment about flares.

K'ran's expression's turned thoughtful -- and not the good kind of thoughtful, the mischievous kind -- as Loren explains the manufacture of flares. "Mmm," he breathes; Sauscony's appearance spares his little mind from further ruminations on the subject, for he's turning a smile her way, and lifting his mug in a salute that accompanies his, "Duties to Healercraft."

Loren motions for the healer craftsecond to join the group. "Hot mulled cider in the pot." he points to the hearth and the pot dangling from a swing arm hook. "Oh, Smithcraft's duties to Healercraft, ma'am." he impishly adds.

Sauscony slips in quietly, rubbing her hands together. "That sounds perfect." She notes, looking rather chilled and in need of something warm. "I have spend my lifetime in cold climates, one would think I would be used to them." She pauses before rememebering her manners. "Healer Hall's duties to Telgar Weyr and the SmithCraft."

Annik drains her cider and finishes off one last cookie. "I think it's about time for me to get some sleep," she says and stands.

K'ran takes that as his cue to get up, and drains the rest of his cider as he stands. "Get some rest, Craftmaster," he says, with a smile. "I need to see to Indrath, anyway. See you in the morning?"

"Perfect" Soz sighs as she drains her cup, "I think I had better head back to my office and hopefully some sleep." She offers K'ran a quick smile. "Clear skies, Weyrsecond."

Annik nods at K'ran and smiles as she heads for the door. "Goodnight."

K'ran dips his chin in a nod to Sauscony even as he waves away her formality; "K'ran, please," he asks, and then goes.

K'ran lets in the distant noise of the business hall briefly, before the door shuts behind him.

K'ran has left.

Loren rises, "Me too. Long day tomorrow. We've nearly got the spring tithe of ageenothree ready, so I've been getting the wagon loads figured." He drains his mug and sets it on the big table as he passes. "G'night!"

With a tug, you open the door and are greeted with the distant cacophony of noise coming from the work hall as you walk out.

You push open the door to the meadow.

You begin the long walk down the hill, eventually ending up in the lower meadow.

[Time passes as people sleep peacefully]

Smith Meadow> A shouting voice, almost imperceptable, comes through the main work hall's big doors. It's too indistinct to make out any words, but there does seem to be a note of excitement to it. A new tendril of smoke seems to be rising from behind the main work hall, but strangely, not from any of the stacks that prickle the massive building's roof.

Smith Meadow> Frantic shouts can now be heard faintly from the main complex. "Fire, fire! Help, fire!" The cries get louder and louder, the voice apparently moving quickly towards the meadow.

Smith Meadow> Void pops out of *between*, a rush of ice cold air, a blur of darkness, flash of bronze and a chirp announcing his presence.

Smith Meadow> Void has arrived.

Smith Meadow> "FIRE! Someone help!!" The yelling is now definitely coming from the meadow, and there are sounds of banging doors and anxious murmuring as people rush outside.

You begin the long hike up the hill, eventually reaching the meadow outside of the Work Hall.

Main Meadow(#700RJ)

The meadow ends here in a cluster of buildings dominated by the huge grey slate edifice to your south. This two-story building serves as the work hall for the smithcraft; if the stream of crafters rushing in and out of its double doors weren't enough to indicate its use, the almost constant sounds of craftwork from the hall would be. Snow coats the ground in thick banks, piling up to either side of main walkways. The trees are devoid of any foliage, and the people hustling back and forth are bundled up tight.

Glancing around, you note a few other buildings - the Dining Hall, partially connected to the Business Hall, to the east; the Apprentice Hall conveniently close to the Dining Hall, in the northeast; the smaller Journeyman's Hall directly to the north; and the Resident's Hall, to the northwest.

Contents:

Sauscony

Void(#4141DJOUbp)

K'ran(#15377PJOce)

Indrath

SnowSmith

Obvious exits:

Sled Run Work Hall Dining Hall Business Hall Residence Hall Journeyman Hall Apprentice Dorm Lower Meadow

A bronze fire lizards pops into existance above the meadow and emits one startled chirp, then arrows for the loew meadow.

Void heads down the hill towards the lower meadow.

Void has left.

Annik trudges up the hill in a hurry, and it's obvious that her clothes have been hastily thrown on. "What's going on?"

Wen walks out of the apprentice dorms.

Wen has arrived.

Sauscony sprints out of the hall, her infirmary jacket in one arm, her pack tossed over her shoulder. From her state of dress she simply threw on what was there, her tunic inside out. But she is dressed.

By the time the shouts of alarm come, K'ran's been out with Indrath for at least a few hours, and he's startled out of their reverie together and swearing fluidly as he sprints down toward the cries for help and the banging at the doors. The bronze hesitates just a moment longer before springing into a glide over the meadow to reach the doors ahead of his rider, and bellows a baritone note that's certain to wake anyone nearby.

Wen rushes out of the apprentices dorms, while crowds of apprentices gather near the doorway. "Stay inside," she commands firmly.

Billowing smoke is visible rising from the back of the main complex, while here and there, bright yellow-orange flames lick up at the night sky.

Loren comes up the hill from the lower meadow.

Loren has arrived.

Annik turns around to see the main work hall and her jaw drops. "What in shards and shells...??"

Loren pulls his cloths in to some semblance of order and rakes a hand through his hair as he crests the edge of the meadow. ... "Faranth! .. Buckets! Get the buckets!" he calls to the apprentices and journeymen piling out of their halls, then heads into the main work hall.

From above, Lysseth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

By now, many Smiths and residents have gathered in the meadow, staring up at the fire, and a few panicked voices rise above the din.

From above, Eneryth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

Sauscony finishes putting on her infirmary jacket, her eyes widening as she stares for a moment at the growing inferno. Her gaze sweeps the meadow as she selects a corner away from the hall. "Bring any injuries here!" She yells, a voice trained by turns of 'instructing' apprentices

The Smith craftsecond shoulders the massive doors open, revealing the scene inside to the meadow gatherers. He runs across the workshop floor, peering up at the smoke billowing above and heads for the chemistry workshop.

From above, Lysseth doesn't bother with trumpets to the watchpair on this particular occasion; she circles only once, to get a good look at the fire, then arrows swiftly, sharply down.

From above, Lysseth spirals down to a landing on the main meadow.

Lysseth spirals down and lands carefully on the meadow.

Lysseth has arrived.

Annik stands still for a second, then manages to shake herself into action. "Where's the watchrider? Someone tell him to..." Then she sees some dragons above and stops. "Oh. Good."

From above, Hroth emerges from Between with a blast of cold air!

From above, Hroth emerges from between along with a small group of the Skyfire wing and decends down into the meadow.

From above, Eneryth spirals down to a landing on the main meadow.

Eneryth spirals down and lands carefully on the meadow.

Eneryth has arrived.

From above, Hroth spirals down to a landing on the main meadow.

Hroth spirals down and lands carefully on the meadow.

Hroth has arrived.

Loren takes one peep through a crack in the workshop doors then turns and pelts back towards the meadow. "DOwn! Everyone down!" he yells as he dives out into the meadow.

Suddenly there's a thunderous CRASH from the area of the work hall. Some part of the building has given way, and clouds of smoke and sparks shoot skyward. The main work hall doors burst open, letting out a searing blast of air strong enough to knock anyone nearby off their feet.

Kassima slides down from Lysseth's neckridges to land beside her with ease.

Lysseth cocks her head at her rider, rumbling quietly as Kassi gives her eyeridges a grateful scratching.

Kassima has arrived.

F'lone removes his straps and slides down Hroth's side to land softly on the ground.

F'lone has arrived.

F'lone slides down off of Hroth at the head of the small wing and moves towards K'ran and Indrath, his eyes focused on the hall after the loud crash.

Indrath's coasted toward the workshop the better to lend strength to batter the doors down should this be necessary, but pulls up sharply with a cry of protest as Loren calls that warning. K'ran, who's charged down toward the blaze, is among those knocked to the ground as the doors fly open with the blast, but, soot-streaked, picks himself up and calls out to Loren, "There any chance anybody's left alive in there?"

Annik loses her balance as the force of the air hits her. "Faranth, no!" she gasps and scrambles to her feet. "We've gotta get that fire out! Everyone, find as many large containers as you can, and start a line down to the river! Now!" She hurries towards the gathering riders. "We need help getting that fire out!"

Kassima's scramble down from her dragon's neck is decently-timed: in the lee of Lysseth's frame, she misses most of that blast, though the green's eyes whirl the more orange for it. "What the shards *hap*--never mind, nay important. The people who can't get out! Where are they?" A handful of her Wingmates in hastily-assembled attire appear one by one above and follow her down, quick to nod to Annik and run for the buckets; Kassi, herself, seems more intent on the aforementioned people: "Or--shells and blazes, is there nay anyone left *to* free?"

Loren hits the snow with a skiding belly flop, then rolls as the concussion hits, steam and smoke follow him. He lays on his back, stunned, staring at the watching stars above, then gets to his elbows with a wince. "I saw no one. I think they all ran." He levers himself up to a sitting position, then peers about.

J'an has arrived.

Wen turns back towards the apprentice dorm as the crash reverberates through the meadow. "You heard the Craftmaster. Search the dorms for anything that can hold water and bring them out here!" The apprentices quickly rush back inside to fulfill their task.

Of course, Soz hit the ground as she is told, but that doesn't stop the healer from glaring as she peeks up. She is indeed a sight as she scrambles to her feet, assessing the ruins with a calculating eye. "Hopefully not." She mutters as the healer moves to join the bucket line, her muscles needed. Not her skills. For some reason, this seems to infuriate her.

F'lone wasn't that far from Hroth when the blast hit and only gets pushed back a bit. He rushes over towards the others

With a groan, Loren gets to his feet and scoops snow out of his jerkin. Turning to peer at the conflagration a moment, he steps over to Annik. "I think we'll need water from above to save the rest of the hall." he advises.

Annik grabs a few buckets as residents run up and add them to a pile. "Use the snow if you have to! Just don't let those flames spread!" She shoves the buckets toward any rider that happens to be nearby. "I don't care how you do it, but we need your help getting that fire out."

K'ran dares closer to the yawning doors, half-ready to bolt into the blaze if there's a possibility anyone's left inside -- and he's forced to throw up an arm to protect his face from the heat. Indrath's swerve spared him the blast, and he's instead angling down toward the meadow again, finding landing space among Thunderbolt's worthies. "From above? Shards and shells; buckets'll spill before we can get 'em where they're needed. Any chance of filling up 'thrower tanks with water? Those'd do."

Smoke continues to rise from the rear of the main work hall, dust and ashes permeating the air.

That answers Kassima's question, and she turns her attention to directing her Wingmates: "Bucket-line, like with the Records Room, some of you remember--Maidil, you brought the towels? Keep 'em handy--Amelyssan, go help finding buckets, and the rest of us will stay to the line." A few nods and grunts of assent are the only response, the hastily-roused riders rather more focused on the task at hand. "J'an, you made it; good--grab a bucket, will you? And fill it with water!" Like it'd have another purpose right now.

Loren nods to the craftmaster and turns to the riders. "Hides can scoop water from the river.. Anyone know where there's sail cloth? That can make a good sized bucket for the dragons."

Sauscony moves smoothly as she shifts the bucket from behind to ahead, her gaze is watching for injuries, the healer squinting into the ruins before shaking her head.

F'lone turns back after the blast and moves towards his wingmates. Luckily, they had been practicing some drills at the time of the summons and have a few things that might be useful. "P'ter, Maril. Grab those lines. Maybe we can use them." he directs his wingmates. He turns towards and makes his way towards Annik. "You have any large tarps or covers. Something that can hold water? We've got some rope and can make some make-shift barrels to carry water over the fire." he says to the craftmaster.

K'ran shakes his head helplessly at Loren at that -- "No clue," he calls back, over the din, and with another look around at the efforts getting underway, curses beneath his breath and darts back to Indrath's side. His fingers fly over the fastenings that hold a couple of oilcloth sidebags to the dragon's straps; once they're free, he upends them, dumping an assortment of personal effects into the snow, and then charges down toward the river. The bronze's eyes spin orange, and he takes to the air again to follow.

Annik brushes hair away from her face. "'Throwers and sprayers... Shards, most of those would be in the work hall. Shards, shards, shards! We may have a few others elsewhere... Someone go look for the sprayers!" She turns to F'lone and nods. "We should. Someone go find the tarps!" A journeyman quickly approaches bearing a few large heavy cloths. "This is the best I could find," he pants.

Loren helps form the bucket line, shivying apprentices and residents into some order. "Try not to spill it all!" he calls as some get a little too enthusiastic. The journeymen and masters take position near the workhall, splashing the buckets into the smoking ruins.

Wen leads a group of apprentices down towards the river. "Stay together and follow me! Make sure to fill those buckets and pass them on to the next person without spilling the water."

F'lone nods and takes the tarps and runs behind K'ran towards the river, followed by P'ter and Maril. Hroth and the other two dragons follow behind Indrath.

Kassima calls to K'ran as she passes a sloshing bucket to the next person in line, "Nay a bad notion--aught t'keep it contained; what was *in* that building t'burn like that--" She doesn't really seem to expect an answer, nor does she cease working as she talks. "Shells, and that's nay a bad notion either. V'dan, take m'place here!" The greenrider automatically does so, leaving his Wingleader to run from dragon to dragon, reaching to remove strap-pouches; Lysseth's rumble stills any startled complaints at this sudden theft, and never mind all the random belongings left strewn about. "These will do as more buckets. Here, some of us can be taking those cloths, Craftmaster!"

F'lone tosses a tarp to both Maril and P'ter. "Tie the rope's to the corners. Then drag it in the river to gather water. When we get above the fire, drop one of the corners to release the water. And for Faranth's sake, don't get too close." he says, looking directly at P'ter as he runs.

Annik beckons to one of the assistant headwomen. "Go find the largest, sturdiest bedsheets that you can. Even if they won't hold water, they can hold snow or dirt if we have to dig for that!" She swivels around to face Kassima, probably not even hearing what the greenrider has said. "The dragons can dig up dirt and drop it from the air to smother the fire, can't they?"

The business hall door slams open and a figure emerges from the smoke, a desperate coughing sound arriving at the same time. The figure stumbles, but still manages to get clear of the worst part of the smoke. "It's ... allright! I was the last out!" he calls between racking coughs then collapses. It's Journeyman Noutil.

"In this winter ground? Well, they can be *trying*," Kassi says, eyeing the dragons a bit dubiously but evidently not inclined to argue against the possibility. "Wait, wait, though, a thought. The Glasscraft's here--d'you have sand, quantities of sand? We could certes be dropping *that*, 'twould be swifter t'get."

Wen hands a full bucket to one of the older apprentices, continuing to call out instructions. "Stay close the river and keep passing buckets as quickly as you can."

Without a pause, Sauscony hands the bucket to the person before her, the healer moving towards the fallen journeyman with haste. "Lets get him out of the way." She comments to a passing apprentice, now infirmary assistant. Together the pair carry Noutil to the side, where Soz's gear waits.

Indrath meets K'ran at the river, where the rider's filling first one and then the other of those oilcloth sacks with water. If he's even heard Kassima the extent of his acknowledgement is a brief eye-contact and a nod, and after he's fashioned precarious ties of the bags back to his lifemate's riding straps, climbs astride his bronze. "I'm going," he calls, with a nod toward the roof of the hall. "I'll be looking for those sacks of sand when I get back, hey?" And then, then Indrath's springing back aloft, and angling for the conflagration.

F'lone, P'ter and Maril all finish tying the ropes to the tarps and swing up onto the backs of their dragons. They gather up as much water as can be held in the tarps and glide over towards the hall. Hroth moves directly to the edge of the fire, where it hasn't gotten to the other part of the hall yet and releases his load onto the edge, drenching the part that hasn't been engulfed in fire yet. Meanwhile, P'ter and Maril dump their loads over the center of the fire before going back to the river to get more.

Annik shakes her head sadly. "We keep sand where it's most useful, in the glass workshop, and I'm sure that must be in flames by now. Can you use the snow though? The sheets'll hold that at least."

Loren looks away from the main workhall and sees Noutil's emergence. A few lines of concern leave his forehead when he hears the pronouncment then more leave when he see's the healer take charge of the injured man's care. Turing back to the flames, he tosses bucket after bucket to the nearest flames then advances to the edge of the workshop. "Allright.. this is just a few burning boards blown into the main work hall. The rafters and beams are still sound in here." he calls back to the line. "The chemistry workshop is where the worst of it is."

Loren shouts to K'ran and Indrath. "The chem workshop is the area next to the river! I don't think there's mcuh roof left, so if you can douse that, it'll save a lot of time!" He thinks abit. "Mind the smoke and vapors, though. No telling what's in them!"

Kassima lifts her hand in hasty acknowledgment back to K'ran; "Be careful of breathing in that smoke! Indrath might want t'hold his breath!" she yells after him, though at this distance and over the flames he may not be able to hear. "Here, Alicienne, S'cot, you heard the Craftsecond; get some of Maidil's towels wet and see if'n you can beat out some of those flames. And tie more wet towels around your mouths, for Faranth's sake; I don't want t'have you having t'be carted out of there next."

Sauscony nods to the apprentice before she pulls out her listening tube, moving the endpiece against the unconscious man's chest. Her movements are swift, but without haste. She left out a deep breath as she nods to the apprentice, "He is breathing." She says quietly, "But not well."

Annik hears Loren and brings both hands to her face in shock. "The chem workshop? Oh Faranth, the water wheels! Circle around to the back and try to get at it from there!"

F'lone and his wingmates return to the river for another load. Hroth and F'lone once again dump their load on the part of the roof that isn't burning while P'ter and Maril dump theirs directly over the chem lab where the fire is thickest.

Indrath's effort's similar to Hroth's -- and Loren's exhortation must have somehow reached his rider, for he fights the thermals rising from the blaze to that corner of the hall where the flames are at their worst. K'ran upends first one of the bags and then the other, dropping water upon the wreck of the chemistry lab -- and when that work's done, the bronze winks into the void, only to reappear airborne and soot-streaked on the other side of the river, and angling for a landing.

Annik grabs two buckets and sprints around to the side of the workhall. "The worst of it is back here! We need to stop it from spreading to the wheels!"

Kassima whistles sharply to her Wingmates to make sure they heard Annik's order; they did, and comply, while the greenrider turns to her Wing's dragons. "Lysseth, relay to those of ours, they should try t'be digging dirt in case that sand can't be found; make piles of it, and we'll load it onto those blankets for dumping. C'row, Servoth's strongest, and then Gromnith, so you'll be taking dirt-loads when they're ready; got that?" Evidently they do, since there are some terse grunts of acknowledgment.

Loren nods to Annik and gather's up a dozen smiths, then heads for the backside of the workhall complex. "Yes'm. We'll save them!" He turns to the others. "We'll approach them from the races, they'll supply the water if we can splash it far enough." he's heard to explain as the group angles for the east side of the complex.

Loren enters the dining hall.

Loren has left.

Annik directs most of the bucket brigaders towards the back, though a few are left at the front. "Stay there and make sure the fire doesn't start coming back this way. Keep it soaked!"

Mahalia emerges from the dining hall.

Mahalia has arrived.

Mahalia looks for the bucket line?

Mahalia heads down the hill towards the lower meadow.

Mahalia has left.

Hroth hovers over the river as F'lone lowers the tarp to gather more water. As he drops a bit, F'lone tosses the last tarp towards the shore where K'ran is. "There's an extra tarp, K'ran." he shouts down as he pulls up the ropes, the tarp full of water. Hroth then glides back over the hall and dumps his load over the lab, followed shortly by P'ter and Maril.

Mahalia comes up the hill from the lower meadow.

Mahalia has arrived.

Wen encourages the apprentices to keep going. "We'll keep concentrating on the front. Watch for any flames, but be careful!"

Mahalia tucks her scarf tighter around her nose and mouth and runs to join the line of apprentices at the river.

K'ran's bouncing down from Indrath's neck and into the river to refill those sidebags as more Starblaze riders appear: J'hale and U'sef, who've arrived late because they've taken the time to dig blankets out of Telgar's stores. They're spreading this out and piling mud upon it, and at an incongruously exhilharated flash of a grin from their wingsecond, remounting their dragons to carry it aloft and dump it over the blaze. K'ran nods, then, to F'lone, and after hoisting those makeshift waterskins back onto Indrath's straps and climbing to the dragon's neck, has the his lifemate catch the extra tarp in his claws as he takes flight.

Annik moves back towards the riders. "What can you see from up there? How's it look? Is it dying at all?"

Kassima has left the bucket brigade for the moment in favor of spreading out some of the found sheets for dragons to pile dirt on, as well as assisting in the piling. With the ground not at its softest, it's not rapid going and plenty of muttered curses can be heard from her direction. "Faster, faster--" It's more to herself than the digging dragons, a group that includes her Lysseth. "Here's one. C'row, Amelyssan, go!" The bronzerider and brownrider extract themselves from the bucket line to set about getting that load of dirt airborne and taken over the burning workshop; it scatters, upon Servoth dropping his side, upon the flames below, and the heavyweight pair return for a second helping. "I don't think it's spreading any," C'row yells over his shoulder as he shovels dirt beside his Wingleader. "But I didn't see much through that smoke."

Kassima meanwhile calls to K'ran, "Did you have any luck with that sand?"

The smoke is thick and dark as it billows up into the sky, but the flames do seem to be decreasing little by little.

Wen passes a full bucket to Mahalia. "Keep it going," she calls down the line. "We don't want those flames to start up again."

Once Indrath's released the corner of the tarp and his lifemate's once again upended the oilcloth sidebags, he angles back toward the river with J'hale's and U'sef's dragons. Down to Kassima K'ran calls, "Couldn't find any -- just using the river-muck, which's heavier, but seems to work just as well, and dismounts to assist in the piling-of-the-tarps. "Come on, J'hale; worry 'bout your nails in the morning, hey?"

Mahalia takes the bucket, holding it out from her to prevent spillage as much as possible, and quickly passes it to the next apprentice in line.

As Noutil begins to regain consciousness, the journeyman begins to flail about, requiring the combines strength of Soz and the apprentice/infirmary assistant to hold him down. Finally the healer is able to get him to stop, perhaps the sudden look of fear that dances across his face may be some clue as to the tactics she used.

Annik paces, not able to stay still as the hall continues to burn. "How's it look back there?" she calls to the end of the bucket brigade that's closest to the fire. "Still going, but it's dying down a bit," one of the other masters calls back.

Wen passes another bucket to Mahalia, pausing to glance at the girl. "How are you doing?"

"And 'tisn't much like making a mess of the place is going to matter," Kassi wryly mutters, eyeing the smoldering building. "I wonder if'n the flames are down enough t'be getting inside... mayhaps soon." The dragons keep up with the ground-digging, now that it's begun, and continue to form loads for the two large dragons to carry up, while Alicienne and S'cot return to report. "S'cot thinks the wee fires are mostly out in the Main Hall," Kassi calls to Annik after listening. "Except in the back, near the worst of it." With the digging now well underway, she abandons that to return to the buckets, eyeing one rather muddy strap-pouch belonging to a Wingmate wryly as she passes it along.

Mahalia pauses to adjust her scarf again. "I'm okay, Ma'am," she replies. She straightens her back while she has the chance, then reaches out for the next bucket.

Annik nods at Kassima, then turns to the group in general. "Okay, some of you with buckets, wrap wet cloths around your mouth and nose, and try to get to the fire from inside. Advance on it, but be careful!"

Wen nods at Mahalia. "Let me know if you need a break." She takes a full bucket and passes it on, while at the same time sending an empty bucket down the line.

From above, Susurrath slowly wings downwards from the sky high above.

Kassima nods back to this, and turns to call, "Maidil! Now's the time for the rest of those towels!" The young bluerider scrambles to gather the very large amount of towels she seems to have appropriated from Telgar's supplies on her way in, and Kassi borrows one of the buckets being passed along long enough for the towels to be dipped in them. One she ties around her own face, and she brings her flight goggles down to cover her eyes; a pair of blueriders follow her lead. "Take a towel each, y'might be able to beat out some of the flames, but if'n they're high then wait for a sharding bucket--Lyss, tell Servoth and Gromnith t'stop with the dirt, that won't do with people in there. C'mon, you two."

From above, Susurrath spirals down to a landing on the main meadow.

Susurrath spirals down and lands carefully on the meadow.

Susurrath has arrived.

An older journeyman runs up to Annik excitedly. "We found some sprayers down in the store room!" Annik waves the journeyman towards the river. "Go fill them up with water and try to use them from inside the work hall."

From atop Susurrath, N'laren notes the situation and then slides down quickly. He takes one of the towels, douses it and ties around his nose, just under the goggles that he still wears, and approprates one of the sprayers for himself.

Mahalia pairs with Kanoa, one of the few apprentices to be of height to her, and they grab a towel each and a tub of water between them to follow the riders towards the building.

Starblaze's riders dump more loads of river-muck on the flames, K'ran and Indrath followed by J'hale and his brown, and then U'sef and his blue. By the time they return the blankets are being passed 'round, and the Weyrsecond shouts, "'Nother load might bring down the roof on people fighting their way inside; let's try fashioning these into big bags of water, and help that way, hey?" And the group of them sets to work doing just that.

Annik grabs a towel and soaks it with water, holding it up to her face. She takes a sprayer as they are brought back up from the meadow and heads towards the work hall. "Let's go, but leave some sprayers for the riders up in the air. They may be able to get the flames in the back better."

Wen shakes her head at Mahalia and Kanoa. "Apprentices stay out here! You're to stay away from the fire and help fill buckets."

Kassima gestures Ylysse and Maidil to come with her, and the trio of riders makes their way, gingerly, into the burning building. The sound of a cough's followed by a sharp, if muffled injunction: "Breathe shallow and through the towel, that's what it's *for*! Here, over here--" The voice fades as its owner and her Wingmates venture further in, and likely they're too focused on attacking the flames to talk much in short order anyway.

Mahalia and her partner look back, puzzled, and looks towards Annik, then they shrug and put their tub down and fo back towards the bucket brigade.

Annik turns her face away as she approaches the work hall entrance. "Keep going out there!" she calls out as she enters.

You head through the giant entrance into the Hall.

Work Hall(#457RA)

Once inside the Work Hall, it can be seen that it is not, in fact, a two-story building, but rather one huge open room. Bustling smiths of various ages and descriptions abound as they busily go about their work. This is one Craft Hall that never rests! Machines have been stationed along the walls. Some of the machines are of familiar uses, others, however, are not. The sounds of industry -- grinding, sawing, drilling and such -- could almost deafen the unprepared.

The two huge doors leading out to the meadow are on the north wall of the building. A smaller pair of doors leading into the Business Hall are to the east. Resting in the center of the room, and taking up a good portion of the space, is a very large well-used table. Southeast lies the door to the infirmary, where the best emergency care for injured smiths is given. To the south are another pair of doors leading to the Chemistry Workshop where strange odors occasionally drift out. Southwest is the way to the Hall's bathing rooms. To the west, a double pair of doors open into the blazing heat of the Glass and Metal Workshop.

Obvious exits:

Meadow INFirmary Bath Business Hall Chemistry Workshop Metal/Glass Workshop

Kassima walks through the giant entrance from the main meadow.

Kassima has arrived.

Smith Meadow> N'laren joins another group slowly making it's way into the hall, the wand of his sprayer twitching to and fro as he scans for flames and people.

Smith Meadow> The bucket brigade seems tireless as crafters and residents continually send full buckets towards the flames.

Smith Meadow> Eventually K'ran and his wingmates rig up rudimentary bags out of the oilcloth tarps, and fill those bags with more riverwater. They mount; the dragons take up the oilcloth and soar out over the flames -- and release all at once to suffocate the blaze still further.

Annik moves through the room uncertainly as the smoke blurs her vision. There's no mistaking the searing flames, however, and she points the sprayer nozzle towards the fire and flips it on. Water bursts from the hose's end, thankfully reaching the blaze.

Kassima, Ylysse, and Maidil are at work near the entrance to the Workshop, each running full buckets to the fire to throw and the empties back for the brigade. "That smoke's something awful, Master," Kassima muffles through her towel, "but it looks like the river muck's helped some--" When the sprayer cuts into action, she's quick to get out of its way, gesturing for her Wingmates to likewise leave room.

Smith Meadow> Mahalia pulls the towel away from her face and drops it on ground as she returns to the bucket brigade. She spares a glance for her hands, then takes the next bucket handed to her and passes it on.

Smith Meadow> Wen motions for the apprentices to follow as she moves a little closer to the hall. "It looks like they're advancing, so lets stay as close as we can."

Annik just nods at Kassima's comment about the smoke as she attempts to keep her face away from the fire. "It seems to be working. A few more loads of water from above, some more sprayers down here, and we should have it under control."

Smith Meadow> Finally Sauscony has her patient stabilized and quiet, his breathing does sound a bit ragged, which could account for the worried line on the healer's forehead. "Is there someplace I can take him? I need to get him out of the cold and the wet." Her question seems addressed to noone in particular, just anyone that may know.

Smith Meadow> A journeyman pauses as he passes by Sauscony and her patient. "I bet you can find a place for him to lie down in the Journeymen's hall. It's furthest away from all the commotion anyway."

N'laren walks through the giant entrance from the main meadow.

N'laren has arrived.

"K'ran and his are keeping up with the water from above, I'm told," Kassima reports distractedly, aiming a bucket's worth of water at the smoldering wall. "Ylysse, will you get me--" The elder bluerider's already anticipated the request, though, and her next run back isn't with a bucket, but with one of the loaded sprayers. "Thankee," she says, and turns it onto the fires. "'Tis burning badly, whatever was in here."

Smith Meadow> Mahalia finds herself closer to the hall, still passing buckets, and closer to the front of the line.

Smith Meadow> Sauscony nods her thanks as she carefully slips Noutil onto the carrier, grabbing one end while the apprentice grabs the other. "Careful now, no jostling." It might wake him.

Smith Meadow> Sauscony heads into the journeyman hall.

Smith Meadow> Sauscony has left.

N'laren carefully ducks under a soaked and blackened beam and moves on into the hall, spraying in shorts bursts at the base of more smoldering wood.

Annik steps closer as some of the closest flames begin to die down. "It was our chemistry workshop. Full of chemicals and explosives," she replies wryly.

Smith Meadow> Indrath leads Starblaze's dragons back to the river, where they gather up another load of water in preparation for another run over the blaze. K'ran lays a hand on his lifemate's neck, though, a moment's pause –

Smith Meadow> Wen stays at the head of the apprentice's line. "It looks to be dying down somewhat, but keep those buckets coming. We can't stop until we're sure it's all gone."

Kassima makes room for Ylysse and Maidil to empty their buckets before aiming at a higher tongue of flame threatening a wall; "That," Kassi agrees, as wry, "would likely explain it. I wonder what started in the first place. Did I hear right, that everyone got out alive who was in here?" She keeps her out of the way of N'laren's work, though absently, with more of her attention on her own.

Annik aims her sprayer at one corner, attempting to spread out the water flow. "I can only hope. There shouldn't have been many people in this part of the hall at this time of night."

Smith Meadow> -- and they're aloft again, battling thermals thrown up by the fire and circling in toward the worst of the heat to dump this latest load of water there.

Smith Meadow> Mahalia nods from her place directly behind Wen and passes another bucket forward.

Smith Meadow> The time wears on, but thankfully the inferno does not. The flames being to diminish slightly. Fire still licks at the building in places, but now in isolated areas.

"I glimpsed the Healers fussing over someone," Kassi notes as she edges further into the room, the better to angle her spray away from Annik's towards areas less attended. "I don't know who or how badly they were off--" She pauses to cough, and curse under her breath. "But hopefully 'twill be all right. Can't say as much for the building."

N'laren walks slowly towards the wall with his group, spraying lingering flames as they go.

Annik hears a clatter as a smoldering board collapses from within the chemistry workshop and winces. "I don't think he was burned, but then I'm no Healer. My main concern is that everyone is okay, since buildings can at least be rebuilt." She grimly steps forward until she's at what used to be the entrance to the chem shop.

Smith Meadow> Wen halts as she gets close the rear of the hall. "This is close enough. We don't want to get near the damaged areas. I am sure they are quite unsafe."

Kassima agrees emphatically, "They can--and I'll wait 'til some other time t'be asking what this will be meaning for tithes and Craft supplies," with a grim sort of levity. Behind her, Ylysse has returned to the bucket brigade outside, but Maidil works at smothering lingering, smoldering places that the waters haven't quite put out.

Smith Meadow> When the Starblaze Wing dragons return to the river they're soot-streaked and weary from the exertion, but set about refilling the makeshift bladders at their riders' urgings. This time, when they take to the skies again, they're more sparing with the water, showering the areas still aflame rather than attempting to deluge one specific spot.

Annik steps away momentarily to get her face out of the smoke. "I think we can call the rest of the riders in here to finish it off, unless there's still something in the back that we can't get to?"

Kassima lifts her goggles long enough to let her squint through the smoke, or at least attempt it. "It sounds worth a try," she says. "If'n we're careful of the smoke and fumes methinks we can manage. I'll have Lyss send word?"

Annik nods and readjusts her towel. "Please do. I'd like a report on what's happening out there."

N'laren kicks as a pile of black sooty debris looking for any red coals that my flare back to life.

Kassima unfocuses; when she refocuses, she reports--after a quick glance for that debris--"Lysseth's told them. I'd guess they'll be in shortly."

Smith Meadow> Again Starblaze's dragons land, and this time their riders dismount; while Indrath inspects the accumulated grime that's attached itself to his flanks and muzzle, his rider darts toward the smouldering work hall, J'hale and U'sef in tow.

K'ran walks through the giant entrance from the main meadow.

K'ran has arrived.

Smith Meadow> The Thunderbolt riders who'd remained outside take on that unfocused look that signals communication with their lifemates, then head in search of the nearest bucket or sprayer before starting towards the Work Hall.

Smith Meadow> The call comes down the line that there's nothing left to be done from outside. Wen turns to the apprentices with a heavy sigh. "I know you're all tired, but we still have to wait and watch to make sure that the fire does not flare up again."

K'ran's appropriated a bucket from someplace on his way inside, and trailed by J'hale and U'sef makes his way toward the knot of firefighters within. "Coming up behind!" he calls ahead, so there'll be no surprise.

Annik slowly advances again with her sprayer. "Try to make sure it doesn’t get up to the ceiling again. We don't want things falling on us."

Smith Meadow> Mahalia nods and looks at her hands once more, flapping them from the wrists. She looks at the building smoking in front of her.

Kassima, standing just inside the entrance to the ruined workshop, continues to aim water at the flames, but her goggled eyes dart continually over her shoulder until the first of her riders trail the Starblaze contingent in. "One of you trade sprayers with me," she calls through her towel-mask to them. "This one's nigh empty--" And no fool she, she steps aside to leave room for those incoming to reach the flames. "Right, Craftmaster. I'm in *full* agreement there."

N'laren turns as K'ran enters, then moves on to the next pile of debris which he and cohorts careflly pull apart and douse the red that glows within.

Smith Meadow> Desh walks out of the apprentice dorms.

Smith Meadow> Desh has arrived.

Annik nods at Kassima and switches off her sprayer. "This needs to be refilled." She hands it to a journeyman who runs off on the errand. "Does someone have an extra towel I can use in the meantime?"

Smith Meadow> Wen keeps a steady eye on the apprentices as usual, even in this crisis. "Keep those buckets full, just in case."

With that bucket still in hand -- J'hale and U'sef are quick to get to work helping douse flames -- K'ran reports, briskly, "Most of the flames are dead along the outside. We've done as much as we can from the sky; looks like there might be some embers still, given how much smoke's still coming up, but the good news is that it's unlikely to spread given how much snow's on the ground."

Smith Meadow> Desh checks his bucket, then turns his attention back to the hall with a wrinkled brow.

"Maidil?" Kassi calls to the bluerider evidently in charge of towels, at least among her riders, and the younger woman offers the towel she's been using to the Craftmaster. "I can go get another from where I left them with Masth," she explains, getting an approving nod from Kassi. Meanwhile, V'dan passes the sprayer he brought in to his Wingleader and takes her emptied one outside. "A good thing, too," she volunteers. "Would have been worse mayhaps if'n this had happened in high summer. If'n those meadows had caught flame--"

N'laren pauses, eyes scrutinizing the area around him carefully, especially the walls. He trails after his group, pitching in where needed.

Loren steps into the noisy work hall.

Loren has arrived.

Annik does her best with the towel while she waits for her sprayer to be refilled. "Loren, there you are," she calls as she sees the craftsecond. "How are things outside? They say it's mostly died down out there."

Smith Meadow> Mahalia looks down to the ground around her, where she is almost completely surrounded with full buckets that have made it this far and stand waiting to be used.

Loren returns, looking worn and tired. He looks about the once efficient and tidy workhall and sighs. Approaching the craftmaster, he forces a smile. "I think we saved all the exterior works, but, if this penetrated the floors, I think the main shafts will need replacing, or at least splinting. I left six out on the sluce to watch for any outbreaks." he reports.

Smith Meadow> All of a sudden there is a commotion from the back of the work hall complex. It seems that there's been some flare up. "Pass the buckets!" Wen calls as the request is relayed down the line.

Smith Meadow> Mahalia sighs and starts picking up the buckets around her feet and passing them on, although the creases in her forehead clearly show her concern.

Smith Meadow> Desh grunts and passes on his bucket to the next in line, grabbing one from the person behind him. "Shells," he mutters, horrified. "When will we ever get this fixed?"

One of the journeymen enters hastily with a full sprayer. He hands it to Annik, who hefts it back on and heads towards the remaining flames again. "I think once we can get in there we can finish it off," she says as he reaches the scorched entrance of the chemistry workshop.

Smith Meadow> Journeymen and riders queue at the main workhall doors, each taking two buckets full of water before disappearing into the steaming depths of the building.

Kassima glances briefly towards the Craft leaders, but her eavesdropping is, if nothing else, inefficient--spraying any flame that seems inclined to reach, however halfheartedly, for a wall is keeping her plenty busy. "Methinks the river muck helped considerable," she mentions to the Starblaze team in an aside. "And the water, too."

N'laren finally comes to a pause where his work group meets with another, and he pauses to survey the sooty faces around him. He hefts his sprayer in his hands, noting how empty it is and finds a nearby journeyman to exchange for a full one.

Smith Meadow> Wen sets her mouth in a firm line. "The faster we work, the less chance it has to spread again."

From behind Kassima, somewhere, K'ran mentions, "Hope we didn't get much on you," in a tone that's stained with wry humor. "Everyone's alright, mostly? No serious injuries, aside from that one that Sauscony's seeing to?"

Smith Meadow> Mahalia silently passes on buckets as they come to her. Her weary expression shows that she has no energy left to spare on talking.

Smith Meadow> Desh passes along buckets, lips pressed together. "Can we get this fixed? We have the resources, yes?"

Loren blinks in the reeking smoke and fog filled room, peering towards the chemistry workshop's blasted doorway. "I think... it may be safe to get to the opening. All the reactives should be nuetralized or diluted by now.. but the flooring may be weak." he advises the craftmaster.

Annik carefully crosses the threshold into what was the chemistry workshop, though most of the front wall has been incinerated. She aims her sprayer at one of the burning timbers, making her way along slowly. "Use extreme caution in here," she warns. "I can see that the integrity of these walls has been compromised to the point where something could easily give way again."

Those warnings give K'ran that much more reason to be careful where he puts his feet, and so he'll follow along more cautiously, while bellowing back outside, "More of those full sprayers in here, will you?"

"Only a *tad*," Kassi drawls back over her shoulder, with as much lightness as the situation will allow--almost as much as normal, with the fires showing promise of being defeated in due course. "But I doubt 'twill make any difference; we're all a mess anyway. I don't *think* 'twere serious injuries beside that one; d'you know what happened t'him--?" At the phrase 'the flooring may be weak,' she instinctively steps back, having taken a post slightly inside the doorway to have a better angle for the flames. "*Now* they tell me... agreed, Craftmaster. Falling through the floor sounds nay more appealing than having the ceiling fall on you."

Smith Meadow> Wen nods at Desh as she helps to pass buckets along. "Of course. It will be a long process, but there is no doubt that we can make repairs."

The craftsecond preempts a sprayer from a hargard and begrimed journeyman, Neilson. "Go check with the healers on the injuries for me, will you? And take a moment for yourself while you're outside." he murmers apologetically. "I can do this." he explains to the blank faced metalsmith. Then Loren turns to cross into the chemistry.. former chemistry workshop. He carefully steps over glass shards and roofing slates, spraying flaming beam and rafter remnants as he goes.

Annik moves very slowly as she trains her sprayer on the last flames in her path. "Can we get some buckets in here, too? The flames may be out, but embers are still hot enough to start another fire. Or people with towels? Just be careful where you step."

Smith Meadow> Desh's head bobs as he passes more buckets. "I - shards. At least it'll give something the Architecture apprentices to work on, I suppose. With supervision and all." He still sounds subdued and upset.

Smith Meadow> The buckets halt again as the outbreak is put out. Again those outside are told to wait and watch.

"Right," says K'ran, with a terse nod, and heads back outside to try and organize that effort.

Kassima blows a breath through the damp and rather grimy at this point cover of her towel, murmuring something about how it's been a long time since she's had to use a sprayer like this. Still, she keeps at it, creeping warily and training the spray against those fires nearest her. Considerably weakened by earlier efforts, they die without much water being needed, but the surface continues to smolder. "You heard the Craftmaster," she directs to her own riders, and three of them edge warily into the room with towels and buckets to attend to the places that still glow red.

Annik's shoulders sag as she continues to douse the room. "I think we're past the worst of it anyway," she says wearily.

N'laren nods to one of the people working with him and heads out the door for a new sprayer.

Loren looks about the room, "I agree." he calls. "If the floor held up to the roof coming down, I'm betting it's still sound. Let's get more crew in here to help."

N'laren pushes open the large metal doors to the meadow, disappearing as they close behind him with a heavy thud.

N'laren has left.

Smith Meadow> Susurrath takes flight into the air above the Hall.

Smith Meadow> Susurrath has left.

Smith Meadow> From above, Susurrath flies up near you from the area just outside the Smith Hall complex.

Smith Meadow> From above, Susurrath soars higher and higher into the sky, winging towards the Telgar area.

Kassima doesn't comment immediately on that; she aims and watches the water from her sprayer in silence, pausing only to wipe the back of her wrist over the surface of her goggles to clean them. "It doesn't seem inclined t'flare back up t'what it was," she finally agrees, cautiously. "All things considered, I'd hazard it's nay lasted as long or been as bad as it could have been... though I'm nay expert in such things."

Smith Meadow> A figure emerges from the workhall, but so besmudged and blackened he's not easily recognized. He stumbles to Wen and murmers somethign to her then looks about for the healers. He makes his way off to where they are working without a wave, or anything.

Smith Meadow> Wen finds a full bucket and moves towards the work hall. "They're asking us to come inside now and help pass buckets so that they can finish it off. Follow me," she tells the apprentices.

Smith Meadow> Desh nods tiredly, turning about to trail after Wen. "Understood. It's finished out here?"

Smith Meadow> Mahalia trudges doggedly after Wen, full buckets handing from the end of each of her arms.

Loren gives the green rider an acknowledging nod. "I agree... your dragons got the worst of it knocked down before it could get totally involved, it seems. Our thanks to Telgar's helpers!" he smiles as he progresses towards the back of the ruined area.

Smith Meadow> Wen nods and leads the apprentices up the work hall entrance. "Yes, there will still be a few people out here to watch."

Wen walks through the giant entrance from the main meadow.

Wen has arrived.

Desh walks through the giant entrance from the main meadow.

Desh has arrived.

Smith Meadow> Ayanne has arrived.

Loren toes a charred timber with a boot toe, scraping the charcoaled surface down to sound wood. "Huh! That's not as deep as I thought it'd be." he muses then goes off to spritz a licking flame nearby.

Mahalia walks through the giant entrance from the main meadow.

Mahalia has arrived.

Annik nods and manages a small smile toward Kassima. "Yes, thank Faranth you all came to help. I don't think we could've beat this ourselves." She glances out to catch sight of Wen and the apprentices. "Send the buckets in here, but be careful!"

Kassima laughs quietly, the sound barely audible through her towel. "The thanks there belong t'K'ran and Starblaze primarily, t'F'lone and a couple of the Skyfireans, and I suppose in some measure t'mine--I'll pass on those thanks t'them, at least. For my part, you're welcome. 'Tis nay more than our duty t'you." She nods Maidil towards a patch she's just finished spraying; the young bluerider advances to examine the wood, and give it a good thump with her much-begrimed towel.

Mahalia pauses in shock in the doorway until the apprentice behind her prods her forward. Her widened eyes take in the sooty wreckage as she stumbles forward with her two buckets.

Smith Meadow> An elderly brown, bearing Fort markings on his riding gear, hurries to a landing amongst the dragons in the meadow. Quickly, a few people descend, followed by another who moves more slowly. They all scurry towards the Hall, bags and such in hand.

Ayanne walks through the giant entrance from the main meadow.

Ayanne has arrived.

Desh trudges in slowly, peering about. "Oh, shells..." he mutters, though he gets himself into line to pass buckets.

Ayanne arrives, preceeded by a small handful of apprentices and journeymen. Not able to move quickly, nor to pass buckets really, the Healer Craftmaster for now just acts as shepherd.

Annik extinguishes a few small flames and begins to concentrate on the glowing red embers. "A few dousing in each spot should do it, I hope. Pass the buckets in, but don't come too far in - it could still be very dangerous."

Wen remains at the head of her apprentices, taking the buckets that they pass forward and handing them to those inside the chemistry area.

Picking up a reasonably sound table leg, Loren levers up a mangled heap of lead sheeting, then spritzes the smouldering embers underneath with the sprayer on his back. "I think the ageenothree condensation boxes are a total loss, Annik." he calls. "I suppose the lead can be remelted and formed." he adds then looks up to the starry sky above.

Kassima has by now gotten a little distance into the room, and is wielding one of the water-sprayers against weak licks of flame and dying embers alike; accompanying is one of her riders, beating at embers with a damp rag that used to be a towel. Some other of the riders have returned outside to see to trying to clean up some of the mess that the firefighting has left, both of their own belongings and of the meadow in general. "Is all the agenothree gone?" she asks, with some dismay.

Desh bows his head, passing along buckets, murmuring encouragement to a newer apprentice who hasn't quite become as strong as he has in nearly two turns at Smithcraft. He raises his head, eyes widening, at the mention of agenothree.

Annik keeps a steady stream of water pouring onto the smoldering walls and wreckage. "All chemical production will have to cease until we can figure something out," she acknowledges. "Thankfully, we do have some reserves, but we can't make more."

As Healer journeymen hurry to whosoever is injured, Ayanne directs the apprentices in setting up a triage just outside. The woman uses her cane liberally in gestures, occasionally grabbing one apprentice by the arm, and redirecting him. "You, help out in there - yes, in there, they need you. No, Trenlin, not you, you're setting up redwort and numbweed. What?" She's close enough to Kassi and Annik to overhear. "No more agenothree?"

Loren returns his gaze back to the smoking wreckage. "Maybe the roof collapsing was a good thing. The fumes are dissipating well." he observes while prying timbers over to spray their undersides.

Wen also pauses briefly at the talk of agenothree, but she quickly motions for the apprentices to continue passing buckets.

Kassima rattles her tongue in dismay, freeing a hand to clear her goggle lenses again. "That won't be good news for any of the Weyrs. I'm sure each one has some in supply, but if'n there's none new available for very long...." She allows that to trail off, focusing on directing the water. "I a'course wouldn't presume t'speak for our Weyrleader--evening, Craftmaster," and she nods quickly to Ayanne as well as to the crew behind her, "—-but I'd *presume* that Telgar will want t'assist with the agenothree problem if'n we can."

Desh mutters, "Didn't even think of that," pretty much to himself. The smaller apprentice he was helping nods anyway, though.

Annik sadly looks around at the charred remains of the workshop. "All of our tools and equipment have been destroyed. We can rebuild, of course, but it'll take time. It's a good thing it's winter, and I hope High Reaches'll be able to spare some for awhile, since they won't need it immediately. Igen and Ista, however, are a different story. We'll get production back as quickly as possible, but I have a feeling that the other workshops have some damage as well."

Loren can be seen to be allready mentally inventorying the salvageable bits and pieces of wreckage. He stomps his foot on the flooring slates every now and then, perhaps testing for soundness. The stonework walls don't seem too badly damaged either. "Well, We might get the ageenothree production back if we canibalize what's left in here. But I think we'll have to set up someplace else. No way this, " he waves his left hand at the room's desolation, "can be put right anytime soon."

Ayanne's apprentices actually aren't setting up, they're taking over the field triage from those who set up earlier, giving the smithcraft apprentices roped into duty there a much needed break. They, and the journeymen, begin treating the various bumps and scrapes acquired, as well as other apparently more serious breathing problems. Ayanne herself doesn't waste much time on greetings - no duties offered, though it's not exactly the right time. "Wingleader, Craftmaster," is the extent of her greetings, as she peers about the wreakage.

"We'll nay need it either, most likely," Kassima volunteers, "at least nay in quantity; Benden, too, may have some t'spare. 'Twill be up to the Weyrleaders, but hopefully something can be arranged; and in any event 'tis a concern that might better wait for another night. Tonight's had worries enough." With the flames around her fairly well kaput, she finally turns off the sprayer, turning about towards the entrance. "Trade you this for a bucket?" she asks the nearest brigade member with tired whimsy, who happens to be Desh. Then, "Methinks I can't disagree with you, Craftsecond. Even if'n the floor's all right, even if'n the walls *were* all right, that roof...." Or lack thereof.

"Certainly, Wingleader. If you wish," Desh says immediately, passing along another bucket and stepping out of line quickly to reach for the sprayer.

Annik sprays until the water runs out again, then she flips off the sprayer and steps out of former chemistry workshop. She blinks as she see the Healer Craftmaster. "Oh, Craftmaster, forgive me, I didn't see you before. Thank you for coming."

Wen eyes some of the younger apprentices that look like they're about to fall over. "Master Annik, do you think you have things taken care of in here? If so, I will let the apprentices get some sleep."

Ayanne surveys the damage briefly, but is more concerned with the damage to people than structures. "Had to see for myself, Master Annik," she explains, before stating, "We'll be ensuring you've got sufficient healers over the comming days to ensure that everyone gets the care they need. I hope you don't mind us occupying some space?" A shout from the healers outdoors catches her attention, and with a quick, "Excuse me," the Craftmaster heads out as quickly as she can.

It's hard to tell if Kassi's smiling, with the towel over her mouth and the goggles over her eyes, but there's a smile in her voice as she passes the sprayer over: "Thankee, Apprentice." With the bucket she's granted in turn, she pours water over a few final areas that were concerning her, then follows the Craftmaster's suit in exiting the structure.

Loren helps some other smiths move a beam, then wet the underlying area, before turning off his sprayer. "I think that's the worst of it. I want a watch in here, all night." he informs newly arrived journeyman Emdrien. He manages a strained laugh at the clean faced glasssmith. "Well, you missed the worst of it." he tries to put a bright side to it.

Annik nods at Ayanne as she goes, then nods to Wen as well. "Yes, please do take some of the apprentices back to the dorms if they need to sleep. They may stay if they're still wakeful enough to help."

"I'll volunteer, Craftsecond," Desh immediately says. "I got here late, after all." He was away on an errand.

Loren turns wearily then beams. "Ah, Apprentice Desh. Excellent. All you need to do is watch for more smoke. We'll do an inspection under the flooring at daylight." he points to some rising wisps of steam and fumes. "No need to waste time or water on those, just smoke." he informs the journeyman and apprentice.

Wen nods and gathers up all the apprentices that no longer have enough energy to stay. "Classes will be stopped for the time being, of course, until we have a better idea of what needs to be done. I will speak to you about it in the morning."

Desh nods to Loren, holding Kassima's sprayer. "Yes, Craftsecond. Yes, Apprentice Master."

Kassima pulls the accessories off of her face, leaving her looking rather odd--where the goggles and towel were, her face is mostly clean, but between that are near-symmetrical swaths of grime and pinkened skin. "If'n the fire's well-out, methinks I'd best get t'my lifemate and gather our things--methinks K'ran will probably be handling the report t'N'var about the situation... if'n you need aught in the way of assistance from Telgar, though, I'd nay hesitate t'be sending word."

Annik smiles weakly at Kassima. "Please convey our utmost thanks to all who helped out. I'm sure you'll be hearing more from us tomorrow."

Loren wipes a grimey paw on a pant leg then offers a handclasp to the Telgar rider. "Our utmost thanks to all of your people too. With out you, well..." he just shakes his head.

Desh clutches the sprayer and bows. "Thank you very much, Wingleader."

Wen quickly and quietly ushers most of the apprentices outside.

Wen pushes open the large metal doors to the meadow, disappearing as they close behind her with a heavy thud.

Wen has left.

"Rest assured 'twill do so. I don't doubt they'll be glad of 'em," Kassi tells Annik earnestly. "Though a'course 'twas only our duty t'you 'twere doing." She accepts that handclasp without reservation, her own hand none-too-clean but firm of grip. "Our duty; our pleasure, insofar as a crisis like this can ever be called aught like a pleasure. Pleasure t'help it nay be worse, inasmuch as we could; I'll say that. You're quite welcome," she adds to Desh, then steps back and gives the Smiths all a sharp salute before heading for yon exit.

Kassima pushes open the large metal doors to the meadow, disappearing as they close behind her with a heavy thud.

Kassima has left.

Smith Meadow> Kassima spends some time speaking with what few of her Wingriders linger in clean-up, and in gathering her belongings back together in some makeshift contrivance given that her strap pouch is still likely soaked; then she mounts her dragon, and they're away.

Annik lets out a deep breath now that most of the commotion has died down. She takes a good look at what remains of the work hall and quickly buries her face in her hands.

Smith Meadow> Kassima climbs up to Lysseth's lower neckridges with the aid of the riding straps and the green's thoughtfully offered foreleg. She gives her lifemate a fond pat on the neck once she is aboard.

Smith Meadow> Kassima has left.

Smith Meadow> Lysseth springs from the ground, the air from her wings churning up dust as she takes to the skies.

Smith Meadow> Lysseth takes flight into the air above the Hall.

Smith Meadow> Lysseth has left.

Smith Meadow> From above, Lysseth flies up near you from the area just outside the Smith Hall complex.

Smith Meadow> From above, Lysseth disappears into Between.

Desh's face scrunches up, and he looks about forlornly.

Loren finds a more or less clear spot on the big table and hoistes himself up to sit. With a sigh, he peers about once again. "Lots of cleaning for the apprentices, I see. Oiling too. No telling what the fumes will start rusting."

"How did it happen?" Desh asks quietly, rubbing his soot-smeared cheek.

Annik sighs deeply and moves towards the table where she nearly collapses onto it. "Oh Faranth, what're we gonna do..." she murmurs to herself. She looks up at Desh and shrugs. "I have no idea. I woke up to the sound of someone yelling 'Fire', I got up here, and the fire was already going."

Loren shakes his head, staring at his feet. "I don't know. Journeyman Noutil said he was the last out, before he collapsed, so we'll have to wait until he can talk." he offers then looks back at the chem workshop remains. "When I peeked in, it seemed all the roof beams and joists were flaming... the table tops were smoking and the tops of the ageenothree condensers were smoking, but nothing on the floor seemed to be aflame. I saw one joint in the roof sag and ran for it."

"Oh," Desh says softly. "I... I guess we'll all have quite the project to work on, now." He peers up at the sky, biting on his lower lip. "Is Journeyman Noutil alright? Was anyone badly hurt?"

Annik just shakes her head. "It was utter chaos when I reached the meadow. I saw Noutil, and last I knew he was still alive. I didn't notice if there were other injuries, though I'm sure there must have been some minor ones."

Loren only shakes his head. "Master Sauscony seemed to have things well in hand, but I know Noutil was coughing badly before he dropped.... this, " he nods to the chemistry workshop ruins, "is pretty bad. I don't know how we can rebuild it by summer. Or even if we should" he replies.

"Why shouldn't we?" Desh demands, sounding surprised.

Loren points to the other workshops. "If Telgar's dragons hadn't been able to drop water and mud on the flames, we'd have lost all of this." he informs with a nod for emphasis. "And the way those beams and joists were flaming.. well, I've never seen wood burn like that. And until we understand why, I don't see anyway we can justify rebuilding in the same place.

Annik sighs and shuts her eyes. "I just want to wake up and realize that this was all a nightmare... Maybe we shouldn't put the chemistry workshop in this location. It houses such a high concentration of chemicals and explosives that I suppose it was an accident waiting to happen. It's probably not a good idea to put it so close to the other shops."

"So we'll move it away," Desh says quietly. "We'll rebuild. This is... an opportunity, is it not?"

Loren wryly raises an eyebrow, a tired grin gracing his features as he examines the apprentice. "Well, yes. We'll, at least a temporary ageenothree workarea. There's enough material, I think, left in there for that."

Annik nods solemnly. "We'll have to figure out a lot of temporary solutions while we make plans for reconstruction. I don't know if I even want to look at the metal and glass workshop..."

"Tomorrow, then," Desh murmurs, looking at Annik. "We'll all make it better, Craftmaster. If there's one place on Pern that can handle something like this, it's Smithcraft Hall. Yes?" He nods to Annik and Loren, and turns to make a careful inspection of the damage.

There are a number of bulletin boards accessible via the global bulletin board system. They all use a standardized set of commands.

Loren chuckles softly, amused by the apprentises optimism. "Of course, Desh. We'll see this through, I'm certain."

Annik nods at Desh and Loren, but their words don't seem to console her much at the moment.

Loren slides off the table, hissing as his aching legs rebel against more usage. "Ugh.. well, I think things will hold together through what's left of the night. I'll be off, Jannea's probably frantic with worry, not that she'd ever show it, though." He takes another look about the ruins and nods. "Desh was right. We can fix it." he reassures. "Good night!"

Annik nods and attempts a smile. "Night, then. I'd say see you in the morning, but I have a feeling that it already is morning."

Loren waves and slumps off for the meadow.

Loren pushes open the large metal doors to the meadow, disappearing as they close behind him with a heavy thud.

Loren has left.