A Cascade Question

Writers: Avery, Paula
Date Posted: 18th May 2017

Characters: Lenala, K'ran
Description: The leaders discuss what to do about Cascade Wing.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 12, day 5 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: K'sedel, A'kades, Ciara, Genna, Orlaith

Lenala

K'ran

There was always a stream of fresh klah and juice in the ranker
offices, and K'ran appreciatied that every time he sat down to work.
He had brought hidework to the Council Room so he and Lenala had a
little more space to spread out. Especially if they'd be calling
people in like he planned.

When the goldrider arrived, he stood up to greet her. "How are you and
Vilarth doing?"

"I'm fine. Vilarth is being cranky, demanding and irritable, in
otherwords, with eggs," Lenala replied. "How about you two?"

"We're doing well," he said. His personal life was still kind of a
mess. And he was being worked to the bone by how busy he was
professionally. But overall, they were okay.

"I wanted to chat with you about Cascade's flying once Vilarth is
grounded," he said.

"I've given it some though too. They are going to be Wingleaderless,"
Lenala replied and took a seat. The matter had given her few restless
nights.

**And secondless, and thirdless.** Those could potentially be dealt
with by tapping existing riders Lenala trusted, and he planned to ask
her about that. But the Wingleader concern was the most pressing.

It wasn't that the Weyrlingstaff had nothing to do. Orlaith and
Rogueth's class were in the drilling for the Wings and Blooding stage,
which meant that they were doing aggressive amounts of practice
drilling and training, and the Weyrlingmasters were leading them in
that role. If one stayed with the class, while one went to Cascade, it
wouldn't leave either shorthanded.

"I had an idea about that. Vilarth's last clutch just graduated, and
Orlaith's is due to graduate by the end of this month. So, why not see
if either the Weyrlingmaster or his Second could take Cascade? Both of
them have combat experience leading a wing."

"That's one way to do it," one she hadn't thought of. "What I was
thinking was borrowing a goldrider from another Weyr, especially from
one that has more than three golds. Some of those junior goldriders
are hungry for opportunities and promotions. There's also an option to
let our younger bronzeriders take a change to try leading a wing.
Perhaps rotate the position among them," Lenala told him what she had
been thinking of. "If you consider capability only, I could let Ciara
lead the wing. Except the other dragons won't take orders from green."

He'd wondered about the younger bronzeriders, but worried that they
wouldn't have the skill to jump straight into leading the wing. "I was
thinking younger bronzeriders to handle the Second position. But Ciara
is a good option if the dragons would only listen." After all, she was
experienced in the ways of the queen's wing...

"It seems like the problem is someone with authority needs to lead in
the Fall, but someone with experience is also needed. I wonder if
they'd take to her in the Second spot, creating and relaying the
orders. Then have a younger bronzerider or another junior gold in the
actual leader spot doing the drills?"

"That could make it work. I trust Ciara but dragons are such sticklers
for protocol. Only metallics can lead a wing. Since 'Thirds are most
often greens and blues, one giving orders shouldn't be issue, if there
is someone higher up backing her."

"A metallic as 'Leader, Ciara as 'Second sounds good," K'ran said.
"Your wing doesn't have a permanent 'Third. Do you want to rotate any
of your blues or greens into that job? Or you could also offer that to
a young bronzer," he mused.

"Genna was supposed to be the `third," Lenala said with frustration.

"I know. I'm sorry it didn't work out," he said with a sigh.
Personally, and professionally, he missed Genna. "We can apply for
another junior, that would be the best solution for Cascade. But I
don't know how long it will take us to get one. Do you want to write
the letter and have me sign off on it? Or should I write it while you
work on choosing the staff for your the wing?"

"I think we need more golds on permanent basis than just me and
Rhosyn. The dragons don't respond to Vilarth like to do to Orlaith. I
can write the letters, I know most of the other Weyrwomen more or
less," Lenala replied. It was obvious that the dragons in River Bluff
Weyr still considered Orlaith their Queen, despite her absence.

"I agree with you. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help
with that letter." he said.

"I will," Lenala promised and rubbed her temples.

"And if you want to borrow anyone from my wing to fill in for Cascade,
let me know and you'll have them," he added.

"I need to study the rosters to see who would work out best. It's a
matter of personality as well. Some of those bronzes don't want to fly
in the low altitude wing."

"Then they'd be missing out," he said genially. Privately he wondered
which bronzes wouldn't want to be by the queens. "At least the blues
and greens would love the chance to work in the third spot, if that's
what you want."

"Yes, they will be. I have no problems giving some green or blue a
change to shine," Lenala replied.
"There are some very good people among them."

"I look forward to seeing them do well. I'm sure you'll pick
outstanding ones and mentor them," K'ran said.

"Anything else about Cascade?" He asked.

"No, that was my major concern," Lenala replied. "We're quite used to
switching people in Cascade wing."

"In that case, I did have one other question for you..." he started off.

Last updated on the June 10th 2017

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A Cascade Question