For The Best
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: Clancey, Estelle
Date Posted: 21st July 2005
Characters: J'darin, T'moran
Description: J'darin complains about T'moran's choice of a new Wingleader, and they wind up discussing something else entirely.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 5 of Turn 3
"He did what?!" J'darin looked at his bronze in great startlement. He was so startled, in fact, that he spoke aloud and stared blindly at Hasaarth for long moments, even after his dragon answered.
}: Donneth and his rider were made Wingleaders. :{
Growling in inarticulate aggravation, J'darin shook his head. He would allow himself a little time to relax, but then he would go right down to see T'moran. A _brown_rider a WINGLEADER? What was he thinking? Faranth knew they were shorthanded and in the midst of tragedy, but this was too much, even considering that!
}: I do not know why he has done that; Donneth is a mighty brown, but still brown. It should be bronze :{
Since he wholeheartedly agreed with his dragon, J'darin did not answer. Instead, he took a few deep breaths, and went looking for T'moran in his office.
"J'darin!" T'moran looked up from his work with a weary smile - after a morning of dealing with problems, it was a relief to have someone visit him who was unlikely to be difficult to deal with. As he registered the other bronzerider's expression, though, his heart sank. "Something's wrong?"
Because he liked and respected T'moran, he did not react crazily and jump on him immediately, instead he tried to be calm and rational. The man _must_ have a good reason. "Good day, T'moran, and I wish there wasn't something wrong." He paused. "Are things so bad that we must make _brownriders_ Wingleaders?" Arrogance and traditionalism lifted his chin, though he did not act overly angry with the man. "After Lena.." a correction.."...the Weyrwoman second from River Bluff visited, I expected we might get help, so we would not have to do such....things."
"Are you talking about K'deren?" T'moran was too surprised to be angry, at first, that his judgement was being questioned. "He's only acting Wingleader until I can persuade an experienced bronzerider to transfer in, though that may take time."
J'darin sank to a chair, looking at T'moran for a moment. "Only acting Wingleader.. even still, a brownrider? I didn't think you would ever agree to that dire a circumstance, though certainly our...circumstances.. couldn't be more dire." J'darin frowned, torn between his desire to trust T'moran's judgement, and his irrational dislike of K'deren. It seems he had many - perhaps too many - folk in his life he irrationally disliked.
"There's no-one else. Our Wingleaders suffered badly - most of them are out of action, and I'd rather have a steady brownrider with leadership experience as Wingleader than a young bronzerider not out of his teens."
T'moran smiled, albeit grimly. "I could do with another half-dozen of you, J'darin. But rest assured K'deren will be replaced by a bronzerider as soon as possible. If nothing else, I need him as Wingsecond again - so I'm already making inquiries for a bronzerider to transfer in."
J'darin found a very faint smile at the praise, but it didn't ease his mind completely. "Thank you, sir." However, he trusted T'moran enough to not dwell overmuch on the subject. He did add, with the same unsettled tone, "I do not like it. O'dan has brought this Weyr so low.." He murmured, then finally glanced up at T'moran. "But your words make sense, even though I do not care for K'deren over-much. We could hardly stand another accident, even one minor Scoring would be too much."
Silent for a time, he decided to change the subject. "And did your meeting with Lenala go well, Weyrleader?" His smile brightened a moment, and there was no correction this time.
"Fine. Lady Lenala has generously offered the Weyr medical supplies that we badly need - our stocks are running low with the Infirmary so busy." T'moran's reply was slightly defensive - though he himself realised the absurdity of that reaction even as he spoke. Of course J'darin would be interested in the purpose of the goldrider's visit.
J'darin cocked one eyebrow at the Weyrleader. He had an odd tone. Not quite realizing it had to do with the goldrider, J'darin went on quite obliviously. "That was very nice of her. She seemed quite a lovely goldrider, actually." J'darin said with a rueful twist to his mouth. He meant compared to their Weyrwoman, of course, but it certainly didn't come out the way he meant!
"She was a very...pleasant, well-mannered woman," T'moran said, as though he'd hardly noticed her loveliness. "And her generosity and thoughtfulness in this time of crisis does her credit."
J'darin looked curiously at the man as he waved off comments about Lenala. "She's nice to look at too, no doubt," he said, meaning it bronzerider to bronzerider, though it didn't come out that way.
"Well, enough of Lady Lenala - how are your weyrlings?" T'moran asked, changing the subject quickly. Though he'd never wanted the job of Weyrlingmaster and had only held it for a few short months, he'd still grown rather protective of the young riders who'd been placed in his charge. They ought to be moving into their own weyrs now - this reward had been delayed by the chaos of the last Fall. Now, unfortunately, there were more empty weyrs than ever for them to choose from.
As they moved on, the carver smiled proudly. "The current group of Weyrlings are doing well, T'moran. They are all taking their classes and drills more seriously than ever, and they were serious before, as you know. I see sadness in their eyes, but also a determination to fill the skies with flaming dragons. I think they will do well as they move into their own Weyrs."
"I hope so." T'moran said, a little shortly. The casual mention of Lenala had annoyed him somewhat - what business did J'darin have commenting on her looks? A queenrider deserved more respect. "Well, I appreciate your concern about K'deren, but I believe my decision to be for the best. Was there anything else?"
"No, Weyrleader." J'darin stood to his feet, frowning at the man. He was acting like someone had poked him with an agenothree tank. "Good day."
Last updated on the September 6th 2005