It Was a Good Ride.

Writers: Emma, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 1st August 2018

Characters: K'reyel, R'ien
Description: The Wingsecond steps down.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 7 of Turn 9

K'reyel

The office was immaculate. R'ien knew that, but he still gave it one
last look to make absolutely sure. The riders' files were in such
perfect order, even a weyrbrats could make sense of them, every
possible surface was cleaned, and the desk chair had been replaced
with something suitable from storage. Yes, everything was fine. It was
time to move on.

The rider nodded to himself. **Donovath, could you please ask Erdenth
if the Weyrleader is available to meet me in my office? If not, I'll
come to his, or ask to reschedule.**

}: Done,:{ the brown answered, and made the call.

K'reyel wondered what it was that R'ien wanted to talk to him about.
even as he asked Erdenth to relay the message that he would be there
shortly, once he had dropped Mayel back with his foster mother.

}:Tell your rider a quarter candlemark at most,:{ Erdenth said.

}:My rider says that is quite all right,:{ Donovath reported after a
beat of silence.

So all there was to do was wait. "I shouldn't have relocated my
worry-stones just yet. I feel as though I could go through all of
them," R'ien said aloud and to his dragon simultaneously.

}:At least you have the one in your pocket,:{ Donovath stated helpfully.

It was just short of the time K'reyel had said when he arrived at the
Wingsecond's office. "May I come in?" he called out, through what
seemed to be a slightly open door.

"Please," R'ien said, and came to open the door wider, ushering the
Weyrleader in. "Thank you for stopping by on such short notice. Would
you like a seat, or shall we just get to business?"

"Business, I think." K'reyel studied the other man, wondering what it
was that R'ien needed to talk about.

"Right." R'ien straightened his shoulders. "I would like you to demote
me to wingrider, Weyrleader," he said, getting to the point. "I don't
ask this lightly; it's something I've given a lot of thought to-
perhaps too much. But I already have some respectable options for my
replacement," he added, motioning to a small stack of hides and papers
on his desk, "and I'm perfectly willing to accept everything that
comes with demotion, including a different weyr as long as my family
can still fit comfortably in it."

That was the last thing the Weyrleader was expecting to hear. "Are you
sure?" he asked after a moment. "You're not making some hasty
decisions you'll regret?"

"I've thought this over for the past three sevendays," R'ien stated.
"This choice was not made in haste; I had to cover all the details
first."

"May I ask why?" K'reyel was wondering what had brought the man to
this decision. He'd found no fault about the man's performance or
attitude.

Only now did the brunet hesitate, and he fidgeted with his wristband.
"In month four, my son hugged me, and I wondered when he had gotten so
tall. I mentioned it in conversation with my weyrmate, and she pointed
out how unusual that is for me. It got me to thinking, hence mulling
this over for three sevendays. In being a Wingsecond, I'm not properly
being a father. I'm missing parts of the lives of people who mean the
world to me. I know my first duty is to Pern and Donovath, and I will
continue to serve. I just don't want to do it as a Wingsecond. Being
just another wingrider again would give me more time with my weyrmate
and children."

"Are you absolutely sure?" asked K'reyel. He had to know before
accepting the resignation.

R'ien nodded. "As sure as anything," he said.

"Then, I accept, reluctantly, but I accept it." The Weyrleader held
out his hand.

"Thank you, Weyrleader. It's been an honor." R'ien shook his hand,
then drew it back and lifted it to his shoulder, where his rank knots
hung. He hooked his fingers in the woven cords and gave a quick yank,
snapping the threads holding the insignia in place, and handed it
over. (He had loosened them in hopes K'reyel would say yes. If the
demotion had been rejected, R'ien would have re-stitched the knots
into place.) "I do hope you'll find a replacement to your liking in
the folder on my desk."

"I'll consider them first, but I wish I didn't have to," K'reyel said
as he took the knots from R'ien

"Well, who knows? You might like the other guy even more," the
brownrider said with a smile. "With your leave, Weyrleader, I'll take
mine."

K'reyel watched the man leave. He'd tried to persuade him, but it was
clear the man had made his mind up. Now the process of finding a new
'second would begin in earnest.

Last updated on the August 21st 2018

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It Was a Good Ride.