A Few Moments More
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: Yvonne
Date Posted: 28th July 2025
Characters: Ketlyn, Kemmin
Description: Ketlyn's brother Kemmin makes plans to move to the Weyr.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 6, day 21 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Thiseta
The stars were coming out over the bay in twos and fours against the black. Ketlyn and her brother were wrapped in a blanket, their backs warm against Varinth's flank as they shared a bottle of beer and the last bites of the pastries they'd brought up from the Dining Hall. They'd spent the day exploring the Weyr and its labyrinthine halls, the Crafter's village and the Dining Cavern, and Ketlyn had even let Kemmin persuade her into taking him to the bathing caverns, although he'd quickly backed out again.
"I really hope that you don't get into too much trouble for being here." Ketlyn rested her head against her brother's shoulder. "I had a good day."
"You mean you hope that _you_ don't get into too much trouble. I'll be fine."
She could hear the smile in Kemmin's voice, but she still worried. Their father had looked furious... "I can fly away when they scream at me. You can't."
"Not yet. Do you think..." Kemmin trailed off. "Are dragons ever wrong?"
Ketlyn frowned. "About?"
"About people... being good for dragons. Getting Searched."
**Ah.** A chill ran down her spine and the light buzz from the beer evaporated as quickly as it had come on. There was no way she would ever sleep again if she knew that her brother was in Threadfall with her. She was terrified enough for herself and her clutchmates. "You're not too old to get Searched, you know. And it might still happen for you. But.... Kemmin, being a dragonrider isn't... easy."
"It's better than being a farmer and looking at the same flaming hills for the rest of my life. I'm just another tool in Father's toolbox, but here... I could have my own weyr and my own life. I could do what I wanted."
She could hear the wistfulness in his voice, but for the first time she wondered if bringing her family to the Weyr was the right choice. Perhaps it would be better if her siblings all stayed home where it was safe... the thought troubled her. "The Weyrwoman still has to approve any transfers, and you'd still have to work. And if you're new to the Weyr chances are you'd be put into one of the dormitories or a shared room. You wouldn't get your own weyr."
"I could just stay in yours," Kemmin said breezily, oblivious to the way she scrunched up her nose in dismay. "And there were so many people today just... not doing anything. Work has got to be easier here than at home."
"It's a rest day," she reminded him.
"So? Father wanted me to dig an outhouse on a rest day," he reminded her. "I'm sure the Weyr needs outhouses, or someone to chop wood or haul tithes in. The tithes... it would sure be nice to be on the receiving end of the tithe train instead of the one loading up your goods for the Weyr."
Ketlyn thought of the blood and screaming in the Weyrbowl after each Threadfall and wondered if the tithes were an adequate trade. "Have you spoken to our parents yet?"
Her brother shook his head. The dark had fallen thickly enough that he was starting to blur into the night sky. "Maybe you could do it for me? You're so much better at making them agree."
She shuddered. "No way. If you want to move to the Weyr, then you have to do it."
"Fine. I'll do it. Next time you see me, they'll have agreed."
She doubted it. Kemmin had always relied on her to negotiate with their parents. She was the one who had managed the entire family's feelings and desires until the day she'd been Searched. She'd always been the responsible one. Kemmin had kept his head down and obeyed.
The silence between them was comfortable as it grew. She could hear the waves lapping the lakeshore and the gentle rasp of Varinth's breath at her back, and the heat from Kemmin's body was keeping her warm. Despite her worries, she really was glad to have him here. She'd missed her family.
Finally the greenrider yawned, then stretched. "I should take you home."
"Just a little longer," Kemmin said. He put an arm around her shoulders, and Ketlyn couldn't find it in herself to argue. The night was cold and /between/ was even colder, and a fight loomed at the other end. A few stolen moments more couldn't hurt.
Last updated on the August 1st 2025