A Commission (1/2)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 13th August 2019
Characters: Lorican, Urlene
Description: Lorican receives a commission from Urlene
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 22 of Turn 9
Lorican hesitated outside the door to the Infirmary. Almost, he was
tempted to turn around and walk away, to depart the Weyr in secret just
as he'd done before. Even the memory of the hopes he'd begun to cherish
filled him with a burning shame. What if she'd realized, and been too
polite to say anything? He must have been obvious. That picture...
But he couldn't leave, not without getting the approval of the healers.
Not if he wanted to travel to the new Weyrhold on a dragon. And despite
everything, he couldn't help hoping that Urlene would be on duty. Taking
a deep breath, he pushed open the door and walked in.
She was indeed on duty; the new position had thrust her into a state
of activity that she was thriving in. Moving between apprentices, she
delegated duties from a roster, then approached two journeyman healers
with details of their own duties for the day. The infirmary wasn't
busy, thankfully, so it was being restocked and thoroughly cleaned. As
she set down a packet of hides, she looked up, seeing Lorican and
paused, tilting her head. Warmth came to her eyes and there was a hint
of a smile at his appearance, but she maintained her cool composure
around the other healers.
Urlene was glad to see him, though she hid the bloom of warmth in her
chest at his appearance. She could admit that she liked the man and
his unassuming, sweet awkwardness. It was...charming, she decided. And
it was a far cry from the brashness she often encountered from riders
at the Weyr. "Lorican, you're looking much better. How is your back?"
"It's much improved, thank you, Master - " He recognized her new knots
and his eyes widened. "I mean, Weyrhealer." For a moment, he forgot his
own embarrassment in his genuine pleasure at seeing her so happy in her
new role. He smiled. "It seems as though every time I see you, you go up
in the world! Congratulations."
Urlene couldn't help but enjoy his surprise and felt a surge of pride
at his visible pleasure in her accomplishment. "Thank you. Thank you
very much." Unable to help herself, a smile spread over her face
revealing a sparkle in her eyes that wasn't seen often by others.
"I've worked very hard for it." She gestured to a table with a hand.
"Let me check on your back and chest wound. I figure you're wanting
clearance to get back to forging?"
"Ah, yes. Forging. My shoulder doesn't ache so badly, and I think maybe
I could start working on some small pieces." The look in her eyes made
Lorican's heart leap, but he told himself firmly that he was being a
fool. She could not possibly be interested in him, unless it was for his
varied collection of injuries. The least he could do was to let her
enjoy her promotion without making it awkward for her.
He seated himself on the table and loosened the ties on his shirt, still
careful of jarring the injured shoulder. "Also, I've been offered a
posting, and I'd need to ride a dragon and go /between/ to get there.
They want to know how soon I can travel."
Urlene pushed aside the neck of his shirt to see the healing wound on
his chest, then looked up as he mentioned the new posting. Her smile
fell with a flash of disappointment that was quickly cleared. "Oh.
Well, I was hoping you'd be able to find a position here. You'd be a
benefit to our forges and I would have loved to see some of your art
come into being." She studied the stitches. "It's time for those to
come out."
"All right." He waited until she'd fetched her supplies and drawn the
curtain before carefully easing the shirt over his shoulder. "I wish I
could stay here, too. I've never lived anywhere so beautiful, so
hospitable, and you know, it's a real honor to work for the
dragonriders. But I go where the Masters send me...and the posting I've
been offered is to that new Weyrhold they're opening up, over near
Garnet Valley."
He looked up at her. Every moment he was here in the Infirmary reminded
him of how reluctant he was to leave, but he'd made his choice and was
determined to make the best of it and, after all, he did feel excitement
at the prospect of the work that awaited him there. "It's a grand
opportunity for a craftsman. Of course, I'll be one of many, but perhaps
I'll help build something that folk will still be using after I'm long
since forgotten."
"I think I can understand that." After carefully swabbing the healed
wound on his chest with redwort, she picked up a small pair of
scissors and tweezers.. "This may sting a bit.." She cautioned. "But
not enough to need numbweed. Just hold still." she bent, her head
closer to his as she carefully snipped below the first knot and with a
quick gesture tugged the first stitch free. Before continuing she
tested the scar carefully, making sure that the healing flesh remained
in place. "Good."
Following to the next knot, she continued speaking. She had done this
so often that it could have been done blindfolded. "I'd like you to at
least wait another sevenday before traveling anywhere, Lorican. Going
between will probably make your shoulder ache, but it probably won't
hurt it more than that." She plucked another knot easily, discarding
the stitch in a small basin along side the other. She glanced up at
him quickly before turning her attention back to the next stitch.
"Before you leave, I'd like to commission a piece from you."
Last updated on the August 19th 2019