It's Just not Right

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 2nd January 2020

Characters: Dunrik, Lorican
Description: Lorican approaches Dunrik about having time off to see Urlene
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 1, day 4 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Urlene, Lusilk

That morning in the forge, Lorican had needed all his powers of
concentration to focus on the piece of metalwork for the generator that
he'd designed to the technicians' specifications. The prospect of a
return to Dolphin Cove to see Urlene, even if it was only for a brief
time, had filled him with excited anticipation and it wasn't easy to
keep his mind on his work.

They were busy, though, and the apprentices always in earshot, so he
didn't get a chance to speak to Master Dunrik until they broke for the
noon meal. Lorican had finished the piece and measured it to make sure
it met tolerances - which it did, to his relief - and put it aside,
stretching the tension out of his shoulders. He hung back while the boys
hurried out gratefully into the cooler air outside the smithy.

"Master?" he asked, before Dunrik could leave, too. "Could I have a word?"

Wiping his face with a cloth, Dunrik looked up. "Certainly. We've not
been able to speak as much as I'd like. I'm afraid I've not been making
the time for you that I should have been." He studied the younger man
with a brief smile. He'd been meaning to speak to him for a few
sevendays, but pinning Lorican down in the evenings without Rikol's
company had been difficult. "What's on your mind?"

"Well, I was wondering if there's any business you need doing back at
Dolphin Cove." Lorican could hear the eagerness in his voice and felt
himself flush despite the heat of the smithy. "If so, I'd be happy to go
back. I know the Mastersmith there."

Dunrik took the time to consider Lorican's question, going over the
multitude of orders and issues that he was sent daily. "Well, no, I
can't say that I do. I don't communicate with Dolphins Cove regularly,
just the main Hall." He put down his soiled rag and cleared his throat.
"Any particular reason you'll need to be going back?"

"There's...someone there I wanted to see," Lorican admitted, feeling the
familiar warmth and shyness as he spoke of Urlene. "We're courting. She
asked if I'd be able to make a trip back to the Weyr, just for a short
time, and I thought perhaps, if there was any message I could take to
the smithy there..."

"Courting is it?" Dunrik's lips thinned and expression revealed real
disapproval as broad hands went to his hips. "Now, forgive me for saying
so, Lorican, and it's certainly none of my business, but if you're
courting a woman at the Weyr, you shouldn't be playing with poor
Lusilk's heart if yours is already taken, especially with her having a
young, impressionable boy like Silgan. I know you think you've been
discrete with your sneaking off with her, and I know that Weyr ways are
different, but if I'd known you were courting at two women, I'd have
spoken to you sooner. It's just not right."

Lorican stared at him, mouth agape, but no words came. Inwardly, he
cursed his own stupidity. Of course, he'd been aware of the whispers
about how he spent his evenings, but he'd thought weyrhold gossip to be
the least of his worries. Until now. **Poor Lusilk?** If the situation
hadn't been so awful he might have laughed.

"But we're not - it's not like that," he managed at last. "Lusilk and I,
we're...not courting. She's not attracted to me in the least."

Dunrik arched a brow, clearly not believing him. "Lusilk is a strong,
handsome woman. And she's respectable and a hard worker. I can't blame
you, lad. I really can't. I've seen the way that she watches you. We
all have and we _were_ cheering for the both of you. If you're not
courting her and just..." He sighed, shaking his head. "Well, I can't
tell you how to live your life. But she and her boy are respected and
well liked here. He's a sweet, loving little lad. Just keep that in
mind."

"Your personal life aside," Dunrik continued, "There's really not
anything I can think of that needs to go to Dolphins Cove. Everything
goes through the Master Smith there and to the Hall and then to me. We
have so much work here to be done, that I've not taken a rest day in
over two months. I allow the apprentices because they're young and
don't need to strain anything or get worn out." He exhaled. "You've
been working hard, though. I've seen it. Your work is exemplary and
you've never complained. Six months, and I think you'll have earned
your Master's knots, especially with the work you've been doing on the
generator parts. But we're still behind." He scrubbed a hand through
his greying hair. "Next rest day I can spare you for maybe three
candlemarks. No more than that."

"Thank you." Lorican felt a rush of relief that he'd be able to see her
again, if only for a few candlemarks, and a sudden lightness of heart.
**Six months.** He could tell her when he saw her. Finally, there'd be a
time limit to their separation. Or was there? He still brought danger
with him; he couldn't go back to her until that was resolved. Perhaps
he'd best say nothing.

He sighed, wishing he could convince the master smith that his
relationship with Lusilk was...well, innocent wasn't the right word, but
it was hard to see how he could do so without breaking his promise of
silence.

"Master, I've always been honest with Lusilk, I swear. She knows all
there is to know about me." That was true enough.

Dunrik sighed, shaking his head once again. "You're welcome. Well, as
long as the other one knows, then I suppose it's all between you and
your two women. Weyrfolk....I don't think I'll ever understand their
relationships.." He waved at Lorican. "Just make sure you're not gone
longer than that. You're needed here."

Lorican reddened, desperately wanting to protest and explain that wasn't
what this was, that he wasn't that sort of man. It was clear enough that
Master Dunrik was disappointed in him, despite his encouraging words
about his work. Keeping his mouth shut was hard, but he was on dangerous
enough ground already. "Yes, of course. I'll ask around, see if there's
a dragonrider going there early, so I won't miss as much." Uncomfortable
saying more, he turned to hang up his apron and put away a few tools.
"Thank you, again."

"You're welcome." Dunrik nodded, then lightly clapped Lorican on the
shoulder. "One day, you'll settle on one woman, lad. And that right
one, she can change your world in ways you can't imagine. Rikol's
mother was that one for me, from the moment I saw her. Now go and get
something to eat." He cleared his throat. "Seems like you might need
your strength."

"Yes, Master Dunrik." Lorican's blush deepened and he hastily left the
smithy before he was foolish enough to tell the truth. Which was that he
knew exactly what the older man was talking about when he said that one
woman could change his world. It had already happened, in the Infirmary
at Dolphin Cove Weyr.

Last updated on the February 1st 2020

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It's Just not Right