The Fate of Rapids Wing

Writers: Avery, Devin, Miriah, Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 29th July 2017

Characters: Cyradis, R'enh, N'vanik, F'lin, K'ran, Kapera, D'hol, Lanniya
Description: The Dolphin Cove leaders welcome Rapids Wing to the Weyr and discuss what happens next.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 2 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: J'ackt

Cyradis

The council room was set up with drinks and light refreshments as the
Wingleaders and 'Seconds arrived. "Thanks for coming, everyone,"
N'vanik said. "I'd like to welcome K'ran and Wingsecond F'lin to
Dolphin Cove." He gave them a nod.

Cyradis stood behind N'vanik's shoulder with a big grin on her face
nodding and clapping with the rest of the riders.

D'hol stood to the other side of N'vanik, inclining his head to the
newcomers as they entered.

Kapera remembered K'ran from Dragonsfall. She'd thought him very
peculiar for a bronzerider then and had been surprised by his
elevation to Weyrleader. Given that he'd been at Dragonsfall right
before River Bluff, she hadn't expected him to come here at all.
"Welcome," she said in addition to clapping.

K'ran waved with his good hand at the Dolphin Cove leadership who were
assembled there. He knew a surprising amount of them, as he had been
at Dolphin Cove for two Turns. He'd flown with K'deren in Cyclone,
with N'vanik at both Dragonsfall and Dolphin Cove, knew Kapera from
Dragonsfall, and had been here for the start of Cyradis' term as
Weyrwoman. He had only seen D'hol and R'enh at formal functions, so he
didn't know them well at all.

"I do look forward to being at Dolphin Cove again. It's a lovely
Weyr," he said, managing a smile. Everyone knew how horrid the
circumstances were, but it _was_ good to see riders he respected as
leaders.

"Thanks," N'vanik said. "Aside from the circumstances, it's nice to
have you here. Of course, now we need to figure out what to do with
all these new riders."

"Are we going to split them up among our wings?" Kapera asked.

F'lin glanced at K'ran. Break up Rapids Wing, after all they'd been
through!? His Wing and the relationships he had with his Wingriders
was all that that the young bronzerider felt he had left.

Cyradis' brows drew together and she threw a dark look at her 'second.
What was she thinking? Certainly she and N'vanik would discuss options
with the Wingleaders but that wasn't a discussion for a party and it
wasn't Kapera's place to bring it up! She looked at N'vanik with a
small shake of her head. She was beginning to see how much more
Kapera really had to learn.

"I'm sure we have more pleasant things to discuss right now," she
stepped forward and gave K'ran a hug. "We're very glad to have you
back here with us K'ran," she looked into his eyes with all her
sympathy. "And we are all very sorry for your loss."

"Actually, I _did_ want to talk about that." N'vanik had been
wondering what to do with the Wing since he agreed to take it at the
conclave. "I'm not going to break Rapids up, although we might need to
shift a few pairs around to make sure the Wing is balanced." They were
down a few dragonpairs from injuries, a death, and some who had
transferred to other Weyrs. "I hope you don't mind taking on some
Dolphin Cove riders."

Watching the by play between Cyradis and Kapera, D'hol's facial
expression didn't betray his thoughts. He spoke up after N'vanik, his
voice even. "Perhaps K'ran and F'lin can decide who might be better
being dispersed into the other wings. They know their riders best."

R'enh stepped up beside his friend with a smile. "We're glad to have you here."

Kapera caught Cyradis' expression, but said nothing. She'd been
curious and it was going to be the large herdbeast in the room until
someone had brought it up.

K'ran returned Cyradis' hug with a smile. "Thank you for
understanding, and for taking us in," he said to her, nodding at R'enh
to include him as well.

K'ran was pleased that N'vanik seemed committed to Rapids staying
intact, at least in the short term while they settled in. He had come
to love his wing and he thought that it would be harder on them to be
completely broken up than if they blended in for a bit.

"I like the idea of mixing some Dolphin Cove pairs into Rapids. Our
color ratio is biased and we need to fix it. We could move a few of
ours out into your wings to help even it out, as well."

There was one other concern which he should bring up, though he didn't
want to. Rogueth had been injured saving lives - but injured he was,
and that meant he'd have to cede the wing to someone else. **If it's
the price for Rapids staying intact, I'm fine with that,** he told
himself.

"There's also the topic of leading Rapids into flight, since Rogueth
is grounded for at least another month or two. F'lin has been an
_excellent_ Wingsecond, he has led Rapids in the past with solid
performance, and I have full confidence in him," he emphasized.

R'enh looked back and forth between N'vanik, K'ran, and F'lin. The
latter was very young for his position but his wing was likely used to
relying on K'ran's experience as well. "You know," he started
smoothly. "I'd be willing to help in the short term. That is until
K'ran and Rogueth were ready to fly 'fall again." He nodded toward
F'lin. "I'm sure you've got your people very well trained, but you
don't know the bulk of our territory. What do you think of my
temporary transfer to Rapids."

**So that's how it's going to be.** F'lin glanced at K'ran before
meeting R'enh's gaze with his own. "As my temporary Wingsecond, I
presume?"

**Uh oh.** They didn't need to be starting off on the wrong foot.
"I"ll let K'ran decide what's best for his Wing," N'vanik said. He did
think F'lin was young, but K'ran obviously knew him well enough to
determine if he could lead Rapids.

R'enh shot an amused glance at N'vanik. **Well that's not happening**
He just slapped the boy on the shoulder and walked away. He was an
easygoing kind of guy but he was also Weyrsecond and had led 'fall for
the Weyr more than just a few times. He wasn't offering to be the wet
behind the ears bronzers backup no matter how much K'ran trusted him.
**Maybe we should give him J'ackt.** As amusing as that might be he
did want Rapids to succeed at Dolphin Cove. He was fairly certain
K'ran and N'vanik did too.

"I'm in agreement with N'vanik." D'hol's voice was calm and
surprisingly soft. "Looking strictly at morale for the wing, at
least." He inclined his head towards K'ran and F'lin.

Lanniya had remained quiet, looking subdued throughout the meeting.
She finally spoke, keeping her glass cupped in her hands. "F'lin's a
good rider." She didn't look at him, instead directing her gaze
towards the leadership of Dolphin's Cove. "I've seen him and I think
that we don't have anything to worry about."

K'ran watched the byplay between R'enh and F'lin. He didn't speak up
immediately, taking time to gather his thoughts. He _did_ trust
F'lin's oversight of the wing. Lanniya's backup was appreciated. But
R'enh was right that he knew the new territory better, and as
Weyrsecond he knew the Dolphin Cove mass formations of the wings as a
unit.

The best decision for Rapids to integrate into Dolphin Cove was clear.
But he knew Rapids' morale was also going to take a hit from it, and
F'lin's would be especially impacted. Even as he spoke, he wondered
how he could make it up to the younger bronzerider. He was going to
speak to F'lin after this, if the younger man wasn't too angry.

"I think R'enh should lead Rapids in drills and the first few Falls as
the acting Wingleader, given his experience with Dolphin Cove
territories and patterns. I'd say after Turnover we should re-evaluate
the decision. Rogueth may be well enough to fly."

**No.** F'lin heard a roaring in his ears as the earth fall out from
under his feet. This wasn't right. Why would K'ran put Rapids under
someone patronizing and ambitious like R'enh had just shown himself to
be, especially if he wanted to keep his Wing together?! They were the
_Weyrleader's_ Wing, the most high performing and capable group of
dragonriders at River Bluff Weyr. They didn't need a new leader in
unfamiliar skies-- they needed someone they knew and trusted, who in
turn had a guide to order to learn the lay of the land. R'ehn didn't
even know Rapids' drills, let alone the way they interacted in the air
or how they met Thread.

But that was not his decision to make. Clearly. And everyone was
watching. The young bronzerider took a breath and quietly addressed
the group. "Wingleader D'hol is right that morale is a serious issue
for the Rapids, given what we've been though. Too much change can
be... disorienting, especially given our circumstances." F'lin paused,
bracing himself for what he'd need to say to protect his Wing the best
he knew how. "But if that's your decision, Weyrleader, I will happily
work with R'enh." Saying his name left a bitter taste on his tongue.

"That sounds good to me, K'ran." N'vanik wondered if R'enh was going
to have a difficult time with F'lin or if the young bronzerider would
actually swallow his pride and follow him.

R'enh realized that the younger bronzerider would likely be difficult
but he had only meant his offer to help the new wing find it's way
around Dolphin Cove's territory in the absence of it's true
Wingleader. Perhaps F'lin didn't even realize how his comment had
insulted R'enh, but he could be the bigger man and would have no
matter which way the decision had gone.

Perhaps F'lin's quip was a sign of his own immaturity. Perhaps he
thought only about himself and the way this affected him and not how
they all needed to help one another in the crisis. Maturity wasn't
always easy, it was a process and an education, but then he wouldn't
really know until he got to know him. R'enh didn't smile or give any
kind of body language to communicate triumph but rather nodded his
head at F'lin, K'ran and N'vanik, accepting the duty.

Last updated on the September 1st 2017

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The Fate of Rapids Wing