The Benefit of the Doubt

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 23rd August 2018

Characters: L'keri, D'ale
Description: L'keri reports to his new Wingsecond, D'ale
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 3 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: K'ran, K'reyel

L'keri

D'ale

L'keri stood, arms folded, and surveyed his new weyr. It seemed bare and
empty, the only sign of occupation being the bags dumped in a pile on
the floor beside the bed and the set of riding straps hanging on the
wall. It was also chilly; he'd forgotten just how cold it could get at
Dragonsfall. If he didn't want to be shivering all night, he'd better
find some extra blankets and warmer clothes.

"What do you think?" he asked.

}:It is comfortable.:{ Rhalith lifted his head to gaze at his rider, his
eyes glowing with the cool blue-green shade that showed he was relaxed
and contented. }:I have been talking to the others here, while you found
a place for the hatchlings. Some of us have flown together before, I
think, although I do not remember it clearly.:{

"Probably. It was Turns ago that we were here." L'keri felt a flicker of
interest at the prospect of meeting some old wingmates. They'd had some
good times back then, when the Pass had just begun.

}:Torerath says his rider would like you to report to him, when it's
convenient.:{

He frowned. The dragon's name was vaguely familiar, but he couldn't
think from where. The fact that he'd been asked to report suggested
someone of rank, which wasn't exactly welcome news. He could only
imagine what kind of record his former leaders had sent them about his
various misdemeanours. "Is he our Wingleader?"

}:Torerath is a brown. His rider is Wingsecond.:{

"Well, that's just typical. My new Wingleader can't even be bothered to
meet me," L'keri grumbled. "Probably has something more important to do,
like stroking his rank knots, or polishing his ego..."

}:I think that unlikely,:{ Rhalith said, a note of reproof in his voice.
}:Perhaps Torerath's rider will explain.:{

"Better get it over with, I suppose." He picked up his jacket, and
headed out of the weyr. Unpacking could wait until he returned,
hopefully unscathed.

}:Rhalith's comes:{ Torerath reported and D'ale picked up his cup of
klah for a sip while he sorted through his notes for the ones about
L'keri. He pulled it toward him and nodded. He preferred to make his
own decisions about his wingriders but the comments of former wing
leaders were fairly consistent. Still he'd give the man the benefit of
the doubt until it was proved otherwise.

L'keri arrived promptly, finding that at least he hadn't forgotten the
layout of the Weyr in the Turns since he'd been there. He knocked at the
door and entered when called, looking cautiously around him. Being
summoned to see the wing leadership was never a comfortable experience,
even if he hadn't actually been here long enough to be in trouble.

At least Torerath's rider was an older man and not some eager young
bronze or brownrider in his twenties of the sort that L'keri
particularly despised. He didn't think he could have endured the
inevitable lecture from one of those.

"You asked to see me, Wingsecond," he said, politely enough, but with a
wary edge to his tone. "L'keri, Rhalith's rider."

"Yes," D'ale smiled. "I'm D'ale, Torerath's rider," he reached out to
offer his hand to the other brownrider. He'd been leading the wing ever
since K'ran had left to become Weyrleader at River Bluff. For some
reason K'reyel hadn't found exactly the right rider to replace him yet.
Personally D'ale felt it was a compliment to his own skills that the
Weyrleader wasn't in a big rush. Although it did increase his own
workload. "Please," he nodded toward the nearest chair.

L'keri shook his hand and sat down, wondering at how friendly the
Wingsecond was being. He'd become used to standing to attention and
being barked at, and wasn't quite sure how to react. Maybe they'd lost
his records, and had no idea he was anything other than an ordinary,
dutiful wingrider? He wasn't sure whether he felt relieved or insulted
by that idea.

"So what brings you to Dragonsfall," D'ale asked mildly.

**Yes...they've definitely lost my paperwork.** He wondered what to say.
Should he enjoy not being in disgrace while it lasted, or confess? Maybe
it was a test.

If so, L'keri had no intention of playing along. "I was asked to
transfer. I suppose the Weyrleader must have thought it was a good idea.
Rhalith and I have flown here before," he added, hoping to divert
attention from his recent past, "but we left about seven Turns ago."

"I remember," D'ale said with a half smile. He'd been at Dragonsfall of
and on for most of his career and when he wasn't he'd been at River
Bluff. He'd also had a rather party life for most of that time. Though
his attitude wasn't quite as contrary as L'keri's appeared to be. This
had just been an opening to see if he was going to be honest about it.
"So, do you plan on turning over a new leaf or continuing in the same
vein as before? Just curious, you understand."

"I plan to keep on doing my duty, fighting Thread and caring for my
dragon." There was a challenge in the brownrider's eyes. "Just like I
always have. If my former Wingleader has written anything different
about me, he's lying. Other than that, I hope what I do in my own time
is my own business?"

"Actually, I'm rather a friendly sort of guy, but you seem to see
everything I say as a challenge. What does that say about your
attitude?" D'ales expression was still open and friendly.

**That I don't trust friendly. Not from people who outrank me.** L'keri
kept that thought to himself, though. He didn't really want to
antagonise the Wingsecond, not on his first day, anyway. He sighed. "I'm
sorry. I just don't like people trying to reform me, that's all. I'll
show up for Fall and drills and duties, but don't expect me to turn into
a good little wingrider."

"Alright then," D'ale mused and began writing a note to himself. "That
answers my question." **Continuing in the same vein rather than trying
to turn over a new leaf** It didn't seem that this rider would be. "So
how do you feel about punishment detail... I mean, since you're telling
me what you will and will not be doing here." D'ale arched a single brow
with the question. He was pretty much done with friendly.

So much for making a good impression, L'keri thought. Rankers were all
the same. At least now they understood each other. "I'm used to it. But
I suppose you already knew that."

"I did," he said. "But I was willing to give you the benefit of the
doubt. Not all transfer records paint an accurate picture. Anything else?"

"Well, I do have a question. What happened to our Wingleader?" L'keri
asked. "Is he busy? Or is it your job to meet the unwanted transfers?"
he added with a half-smile.

A slow smile spread across D'ale's face. "He became a Weyrleader, if you
must know. At some point I'm sure our current Weyrleader will find
someone to replace him. But he doesn't seem to be in any great rush." He
let that lay right where it was. Obviously K'reyel felt he was doing
well enough at the present. "So I get to meet all transfers, wanted or not."

"Oh." Well, a wing without a bronzerider in charge seemed good enough to
L'keri, even if he hadn't quite got off on the right foot with the
Wingsecond. He had certainly been in worse situations. "Do you have a
schedule for me? If I'm going to be punished, I want it to be for
something more exciting than being late for drill."

"Sure," he said and pulled one from his stack. He pushed it across the
desk. "There ya go," he nodded. "Don't mess with me and I won't mess
with you. Dismissed," he waved toward the door.

Last updated on the September 28th 2018

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The Benefit of the Doubt