Bad Propaganda

Writers: Anika, Devin
Date Posted: 11th April 2015

Characters: R'taran, N'vanik
Description: R'taran reports some new Harper songs that are less than flattering to the Weyr.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 7
Notes: Notes: Thanks to Leigh for providing the verses to the song

Mentioned: J'ackt, Cyradis

N'vanik

Entering the council room with some trepidation, R'taran had the hides
in hand. Usually bringing news of new Harpers' ballads to the Weyr
leadership would be the furthest thing from his mind. Given the
recent happenings and political climate, he thought they should be
made aware, however. He'd been rather surprised when he'd visited home
to find how much anymosity had arisen against the Weyr so quickly.

"R'taran, have a seat." N'vanik gestured toward a chair. "So what's going on?"

"I just returned from a visit to my parents Hold in Emerald Falls
territory. My brother and I went to a tavern while I was there and
some of the songs played took me by surprise. I wouldn't normally
bother bringing this to your attention but," he shrugged. "if you
hadn't seen these I thought you should at least be aware."

Tossing the hides onto the table for the Weyrleader to see, the
brownrider watched for N'vanik's reaction. Perhaps the Weyrleader was
already aware of what was being said about them or maybe he didn't
think it was of any concern. On the first hide was written a satire
that started by indicating that the Weyrs were so desperate for riders
they were clearing out the mines. The refrain was rather poignant:

"Weyrs command and send the call:
'Come one, come all,
Leave Hold and Hall;
If they rise, we'll make them fall.'

'Come thieves and dealers,
Holdless and free-wheelers;
Come crooked traders,
We'll have use for you later.'

If Holders dare to toe the line,
The knives in their backs will be
The rungs for our climb!"

The raucous song ended by posing the question, "Dragonmen protect us
from our old foe, but who shall protect us from the dragonmen,
though?" On the second hide was a tragic ballad about a brave Hold
guard who had courageously sought justice for his injured father and
other's wronged in his Hold, but nearly lost his life for his efforts
while justice was never served.

"What a load of shite," was the Weyrleader's verdict.

"Agreed. I just thought you should be aware. They were both
requested multiple times, and quite frankly I don't think I've ever
been so poorly received. Not that I care much, but a younger or more
temperamental rider might have been hard pressed to ignore the jibes
and dirty looks."

N'vanik drummed his fingers on the table. "I don't suppose we can burn
the tavern down." He certainly felt like burning _something_ to punish
those ungrateful bastards.

Cocking his head to the side as if seriously considering the
Weyrleader's proposal, R'taran finally offered a chuckle. "I'm not
sure that would help the situation much. When it comes down to it,
they _do_ need our protection, whether they like us or not." It felt
strange to hear the words come from his mouth. R'taran still clung to
many of his Hold values, but when it came down to it, he was a
dragonman.

"Guess we'll have to find a way to remind them of that fact."
Frowning, he looked at the hides again. "And maybe come up with a
counterstrike. Fight fire with fire."

"Are you going to ask the Weyrharper to do some composing or go
directly to the Harper Hall?" R'taran asked, his lips quirking at the
Weyrleaders idea. "We should be on fairly good terms with the Hall
considering their stay here."

"Why not both? I'd like to get multiple people working on this.
Different ideas, different styles." And songs from different sources
might spread in a more natural manner.

"True enough. They won't do us any good just being sung in the Weyr."
His brow furrowed, "I tried to explain the Weyr's position to my
family and they at least listened. They were appropriately aghast
that the man had drawn steel against a weyrling and in the Weyr no
less. More than the guard though, they were concerned with J'ackt's
past and if the Holders will be safe from him or others like him.
Some of the rumors say he raped a Hold girl, threatened murder, and
nearly succeeded in killing a Hold guard," R'taran shook his head. "I
tried to reassure them but they're scared. That's what bothered me
more than the dirty looks and the jibes. Women hiding or bustling
their children away as if I were going to attack them."

N'vanik sighed. "So we need to reassure the holders that we're not
villains in a harper tale. I'll talk to Cyradis about that. That's her
area and I'm sure she'll have better ideas than I would." If all this
was about someone else, he might be able to deal with it calmly, but
since it was about J'ackt it pissed him off.

R'taran nodded. "I wouldn't know where to start on that and don't
envy her the task. I'll stick to fighting Thread. Sorry to be the
bearer of such news but forewarned is forearmed they say."

"Thanks for bringing this to me." N'vanik thought he might tell J'ackt
about this. Better to hear it from him first instead of someone else.
The poor boy had been through enough and now the bastards were writing
songs vilifying him.

Last updated on the April 29th 2015

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Bad Propaganda