Time to Pay

Writers: Curious, Devin
Date Posted: 28th April 2024

Characters: Saedyna, Ay'ell
Description: Saedyna turns the tables on Ay'ell.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr, Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 10 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Ç'pier

Borrowing marks was really the _last_ thing she should do, but she
needed to send a letter. Thankfully she was able to gather a few
quarter and eighth marks from her fellow Candidates, and the
weyrlingstaff assistant who was carrying messages to Dragonsfall that
day recognized her and agreed to take her letter for less than half
the usual cost.

"And you swear you won't read it?"

"No, ma'am." The young greenrider tucked the letter into a sack with
other letters and small packages. "Your letter is safe with me." His
smile was a little bit sly.

It made her sick to think what people might assume from a Candidate
sending a letter to a dragonrider, but so be it. "I appreciate your
discretion."

In another few minutes he was airborne and on his way to Dragonsfall.

The greenrider kept to his word. In a short period of time, the letter
was moved from Dolphin Cove to Dragonsfall, where it was delivered
right into the hands of a disgruntled bluerider.

Ay'ell did not receive much in the way of mail. He only had a single
loved one, his daughter, and she lived at Dragonsfall with him. Thus,
receiving mail in the first place was suspicious. The fact that the
letter came from _Saedyna_ set off unspeakable alarm bells. With a
scowl, he opened the letter, preparing for a headache before he even
started reading.

"Your plan to kill me failed. C'pier -- Pierce before he Impressed --
confessed. He didn't name you but I know you're the one he owes money
to. You probably sent him to break my thumb too. Him or someone else.
Here's what's going to happen now. _You_" -- this was underlined
twice-- "are going to pay _me_." Again underlined twice. "Five marks
every month, or else I tell everyone what you did. The Weyr isn't
going to kick me out even if they find out my Search was fake. I'm the
poor girl who got beaten almost to death in a storeroom. Everyone
feels sorry for me, and I'll just cry and tell them how scared I was
of you. I heard the Weyrleader even lets holdless people stay here!
You can't scare me anymore. And you better not send anyone else to
kill me, because by Faranth I will tell everyone what dirty lying scum
you are with my dying breath."

"Your first payment is due now."

It did not take long for Saedyna to receive a response.

"Are you sure this is a game that you want to play? I've been doing
this a lot longer than you, little girl. Stick your hand in the fire
and it will get burnt. Do you think you can live with the long-term
consequences of your short-term power trip?

Congratulations on growing a spine though. I honestly expected you to
roll over and die."

Saedyna frowned at the letter. Had she really thought it would be that
easy? She had to wait until another rider was carrying letters to
Dragonsfall. The older woman was nice enough to take it for free.

"Maybe I'll die, maybe I won't. I wrote a note with details about how
you "Searched" me and then threatened me when I didn't pay you. How
you sent someone to attack me _twice_ and now you're threatening me
again. I hid it somewhere that will be found if I die. So at the very
least, I'll take you down with me. My life is worth exactly ten marks.
How much is yours worth?"

"Your life is worth exactly what you make of it," came the response
written in smooth, delicate ink. "It's not my fault that you could not
find a solution other than to beg to me for assistance. And now your
lack of creativity shows once more. Do you really think that physical
harm is the only way to rid ones self of a pest? If so, you have never
truly been hurt, whatever sob stories you may weave.

This is your final warning. Back down now."

Maybe he really _would_ kill her. Maybe Ay'ell would fly here and do
it himself. Saedyna certainly didn't want to die, but she'd already
decided she wasn't going to live in fear anymore.

"I did want money, but I suppose I can also live with the satisfaction
of taking you down. What do they do with dragonriders who fake
Searches and try to kill Candidates? I guess we'll find out."

This time, Ay'ell's letter came back with three marks included in the envelope.

"'Foolish' and 'brave' are often synonyms for the same thing. You will
accept three marks a month, or you will find out what happens to
foolish girls who play at being brave."

Her first reaction was a flicker of disappointment because it was less
money. But as Saedyna held the wooden pieces in her hand, she realized
she was going to get _three_ whole marks _every month_! Only a short
time ago she'd wondered how in the world she was going to get ten
marks to pay her debt, but now she didn't owe anyone anything and this
money was all for her! She clutched the marks in her hand and spun
around, giggling like she was ten turns younger.

What should she buy first? A new dress? Earrings? Fancy shoes to wear
on restdays? The possibilities were endless, and suddenly the world
seemed bright.

Last updated on the April 30th 2024

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Time to Pay