Another Job

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 31st March 2024

Characters: Cyradis, Alyena
Description: Cyradis makes Alyena an unexpected offer
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 26 of Turn 10

Cyradis

Alyena had almost forgotten what it was like to be around other men and
women her own age all day, after the Turns spent in the cothold with
only her children and the occasional visit from one of the neighboring
farms or the tithe collectors. Now R'ayl was with the weyrlings and
Evalya had gone with some of the children her own age to the harper, and
remembering how in the main Hold everyone had contributed, she had
begun venturing to the kitchens to work.

The buzz of chatter and gossip around her was comforting, much better
than sitting alone in her room with her memories of that night at the
cothold, or wondering what would become of her and her daughter. She
almost didn't notice when it stopped, but someone touched her arm and
she turned to see a woman approaching. Even before she saw the rank
knots, Alyena recognized the Weyrwoman. She hadn't seen her since the
day of Grevan's trial.

"Hello Alyena," she said in a low voiced tone. "Mind if I sit?"

"Of course, my lady." Alyena got over her surprise enough to remember
her manners and made a quick curtsey, then quickly washed her hands
before joining the Weyrwoman. She wondered if the Weyrleader had told
her what they'd agreed about her and her daughter staying, after she'd
given him Gil's name, and hoped she didn't have any objections.

"How are you liking the Weyr," she asked to be straightforward with
the woman. She knew at the height of summer some weyr residents
walked around in skimpy or no clothing and that could be shocking to
Hold folk. "Are you and your daughter feeling settled?"

"Yes, thank you, my lady." Alyena replied. Some of the customs of the
Weyr might have seemed shocking to her once, but after all they'd been
through in the past Turn, she hardly cared so long as it was a safe
place for her children. "It took us a little while to get used to living
around so many people again, but everyone's been so welcoming, and it's
good for Evalya to meet other children her age."

Cyradis smiled and nodded. "I've heard good things about your work
here in the lower caverns."

"I didn't want to be a burden on the Weyr. I'm very grateful to have a
place here with my children." The work wasn't so hard, not compared to
the struggle she'd had at the cothold. "And - I like to keep busy." Work
kept her mind occupied. Without it, the troubling thoughts that she kept
at the back of her mind would return. Thoughts of R'ayl and what it
meant that he was a dragonrider in a Pass - and, deep down and
ever-present, the unspoken grief for her eldest son.

"And you shall always have this place," Cyradis assured her. "Do you
think you'd like a challenge," she asked with a small smile.

"A challenge?" Alyena had been reassured to hear that the Weyrwoman was
also willing to let her stay - she didn't think the Weyrleader would
break his word, but she'd learned enough to know that he'd last only as
long as his bronze won the senior queen's flight. She couldn't imagine
what the challenge might be, unless it was to take up a craft. She'd
thought about that a little, but didn't feel particularly drawn to it.
"Of course, I'd be happy to do anything I can for the Weyr."

'I've noticed a distinct improvement in the kitchen fare since you've
worked there. Additionally, I hear that the stores have been reorganized
which hasn't happened in a great while." Not since before Qorri had left
them. "So, I'd like to promote you to Assistant Headwoman so you have
the rank to educate your fellow workers without having them getting
resentful. Does that make sense?'

"I - it does, I just... I'm surprised." Of all things, this wasn't what
Alyena had expected. It was true that, perhaps, the long months living
alone in the cothold had made her a little more independent, more
willing to take the initiative, for if she hadn't then nothing would
have got done. "I hope I didn't act out of turn, with the stores. People
were always complaining about how hard it was to find anything in there,
so I suggested we spent an afternoon tidying them, but I did have help."

Cyradis smile made a full appearance. "You shouldn't be surprised,
Alyena. At the Weyr when you do a good job, your reward is... another
job." She reached out and touched the other woman's arm. "I need all
the help I can get, and I like it when people take the initiative when
they see a job needs doing and then _do_ it. Thank you." She pushed
herself up. "I need to go put my feet up or the healers are going to
have words with me." She smiled and smoothed her hands over her
rounded abdomen. "Come see me tomorrow and bring tea. We'll talk more
about what I expect."

"Yes, Weyrwoman." Alyena rose as well, wondering at how strange her
situation was. A few short months ago she'd never have imagined that she
and her family would be living in the Weyr, much less that she'd be
given a role with such responsibility - or that she would feel,
unexpectedly, proud.

Last updated on the April 7th 2024

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