What Comes Next
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 27th August 2015
Characters: F'lin
Description: F'lin reflects on his first sevenday wearing a Wingsecond's knots
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 15 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: K'sedel, K'reyel
F'lin stared at the glowbasket in the corner of the office and tried to blink. Too much staring at hides. His hand was cramped and he smelled bad; he hadn't bothered to go back to his weyr to bathe after drills, and that had been the worst decision of the day. But drills had gone late, and there were verbal sweepride reports from the sweepriders to write out and compile for K'sedel. And all this before dinner. His stomach growled.
}:We did well in drills today,:{ Seneth's mindvoice rumbled. }:Do not forget that.:{
**I know we did.** The hunger was diminished by a little spark of pride. Ever since they'd been assigned to Rapids he'd watched K'sedel and K'reyel, the way they moved in the air and their commands rippled through the Wings. In drills they did it together, but in a Fall K'reyel mostly minded the entire Weyr while his son directed his Wing. It had been a task Turns in the learning for F'lin to teach himself to anticipate mid-air corrections and orders directed not only at himself, but at his Wingmates too. Who was out of line, who needed to be somewhere else to account for shifting conditions. The only clue he had was when a Wingmate did something different-- that was K'sedel or K'reyel's work.
And then it was his. To be at the head of the Wing, then below, then behind and above. To ask Seneth to bring a green back into line; to ask a trio to move a dragonlength to their right to account for shifting winds. And despite what his Wingmates might think of his youth or relative inexperience, they'd listened and obeyed.
**What do you think will happen tomorrow?** F'lin asked. **Think K'sedel will keep us on for the full month, like he said he would?**
}:Yes.:{
Of course that's what Seneth would say. F'lin smiled and massaged the crick in his inky fingers, then stretched his hands above his head until his back cracked. Typical draconic confidence.
Tomorrow was his week review with his Weyrleader. He'd worked hard that week, harder than he ever had in his life. As much as he enjoyed giving orders, he'd also never felt the weight of his words so heavily. He'd only had a few drills with the Wing before it was Threadfall day. There was no time for hesitation or self-doubt; every order he relayed through Seneth had to be correct or people would get hurt and die.
And nobody died. Sure, there were a few minor 'Scorings-- nothing a bit of numbweed and redwort wouldn't cure. F'lin had toured the Infirmary after the Fall, taking the time to check in with his wingmates as well as the riders from other Wings. That night he'd slept like the dead.
But would K'sedel invite him back again to fly by his side? F'lin pushed his chair away from the desk and stood. Perhaps. He'd worked hard and proven himself. But the old Weyrleader might also decide that he was too young to wear a Wingsecond's knots, even though the evidence from the last few days proved otherwise. Maybe he'd rotate someone else though, or maybe he'd announce that he'd found a more permanent replacement.
F'lin knew what he hoped for. He paused by the door to close the glow, then quietly let himself out of the Wingsecond's office. _His_ office.
He hoped.
Last updated on the September 7th 2015