The Perfect Gift

Writers: Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 19th July 2024

Characters: Lorican, Cyradis
Description: Lorican delivers the torc to Cyradis and receives an invitation
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 13 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: R'fal, Lusilk, Bryvin, Urlene

Cyradis

Lorican had completed the piece he'd designed for the Weyrwoman a few
days before, and sent a message to the Weyr with the next sweeprider. A
message by dragon felt extravagant, but with this client he wanted to
her to know as soon as the work was finished. Soon, he received word
back that a Dolphin Cove rider would bring him and the piece to the Weyr.

On the appointed day, he took the presentation box he'd commissioned
from Sunstone's woodcrafters out of the locked storeroom by the smithy
where he kept valuable finished pieces. He lifted the lid, checking that
the torc was there. The metal gleamed brightly against the dark blue
velvet lining of the box. Then he slipped it into his bag and headed out
to meet the dragon.

Soon they were emerging out of /between/ into the heat of Dolphin Cove's
afternoon. Lorican had grown used to the slight disorientation of the
time difference, traveling so far to the east in only a few breaths,
and he enjoyed the now-familiar view as the brown dragon glided down
towards the Weyrwoman's ledge.

"Master Lorican welcome," Cyradis smiled. Panitath had told her when
they'd arrived.

"Thank you for delivering him safely R'fal," she added to the
brownrider. "My thanks to Marlath as well." Then she turned back to
the Master Smith. "Please come with me," she said and led him into her
Weyr rather than the council chambers.

Lorican thanked the young dragonrider and made a respectful bow to
Marlath before following her inside. "It's a pleasure to see you again,
Weyrwoman. I hope all is well at Dolphin Cove?"

"It is," she smiled. "Eggs are on the Sands and soon we'll have a new
group of Weyrlings to train. That is a very good thing." She was
excited to see how her concept had turned out and couldn't quite
contain it. "So?"

He took the box from his bag and opened the lid, then turned it so that
she could see. It was always a nervous moment for him when he showed a
client a piece for the first time - he always worried that they'd be
disappointed, even after talking over and sketching the design, and that
was all the more true when that client was the Weyrwoman.

Her eyes lit, "Oh," she breathed in appreciation. It was even better
than she'd thought it would be. Her eyes rose to his face. "You truly
are a Master, Lorican." She looked back down and ran a finger lightly
over the little gold dragon on one end of the crescent and the bronze
on the other. "Those ruby eyes make them look like they're ready to
fight and about to flame some Thread."

"Try holding it - feel if the weight is right." Lorican offered the box
to her. "It shouldn't be so heavy that it's uncomfortable, but it should
feel substantial."

She picked it up and she smiled. "Very nice weight," she said. "And
the way it's curved, it won't be difficult to wear at all."

He relaxed. "I'm glad you like it, and I hope the Weyrleader does too.
It's an honor to work for dragonriders."

She put the beautiful piece on her own neck and while it was too large
for her it still felt solid and easily wearable. "It is truly lovely,"
she smiled at the smith. Then she turned to her desk and pulled out a
fat purse. Handing it to him she said. "The balance of what I owe you
plus a little for my appreciation of how quickly you delivered." She
knew she would tell anyone who asked where she'd gotten the beautiful
piece.

She took off the tork and placed it lovingly back in the box.

"Thank you, m'lady." Lorican slipped the purse into his bag, thinking
that his wife would be pleased with the bonus. "If you find it needs
adjustment, or if there's ever anything else I can do for you, don't
hesitate to ask." Looking at the Weyrwoman, he couldn't help but imagine
designs for jewelry.

"Thank you very much," she said sincerely. She was very used to
artisans trying to gain her attention with this and that trifle but
this man's work was worth every mark. "Would you and your family like
to come to our next hatching?"

His face lit up in honest delight. "Oh, that would be wonderful! My son
will be thrilled." He wasn't sure what Lusilk would think, but figured
that if she'd rather not, he could take Silgan himself. "If it wouldn't
be any trouble?"

"Very well," she smiled and sat down to make a note. "How many of you
will there be?"

"My son and I for sure, but I'll ask my wife. We have a baby girl as
well, not yet a Turn old, so I'll have to see how she feels about
traveling." A brief, fond expression crossed his face as he thought of
his daughter.

"Good," she said. "And will you be staying for the hatching feast? We
can prepare one of the inner weyrs for your family to stay over night
or give your wife a place to retreat with the baby when she gets
tired. I believe Lord Bryvin and his eldest boy are also coming."

"We'd be honored to attend the feast. Though we wouldn't want to make
any extra work for your staff. It must be a busy day." The possibility
of encountering Urlene had also crossed Lorican's mind. They'd be
unlikely to meet in the Hatching crowd, but the feast was another
matter. Would it be painful for her, to see him with his family? He
wasn't certain.

"Don't worry about it, we're prepared to host many people. That's a
standard. I just need to have someone assigned to you and your family
who knows how long you'll be staying." She smiled. "We'd love to have
you."

"Thank you. I could speak to my wife tonight, and send word of how many
of us will be coming the next morning?" Lorican suggested. "There's a
few people at the Hold with firelizards to take the message."

“Or simply inform the watch rider whose dragon will inform Panitath,”
she smiled.

"Yes, of course." Lorican wouldn't have dared to ask a dragonrider for
such a favor before, but now that he was promoted - and the Weyrwoman
had suggested it - he supposed he could. He adjusted the bag on his
shoulder. "I'd better be on my way, but if my smithy can ever do
anything else for Dolphin Cove I'll be happy to help."

"Thank you very much Master Lorican," she said, extending her hand.

"You're welcome, Weyrwoman, and thank you for the invitation," he
replied warmly, taking her hand. "And good luck for your Hatching!"

Last updated on the July 23rd 2024

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The Perfect Gift