Tiny steps

Writers: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 21st June 2006

Characters: K'deren, Karaleigh
Description: K'deren and his children talk to Karaleigh whilst Deralie takes her first steps
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 21 of Turn 3

K'deren

K'deren put Deralie down as the brownrider and his family took seats in the dining cavern. He tried to make sure that they all ate together at least once a sevenday, it was something Vonalie liked to do. To him it made sense to continue the tradition, while they would always miss her, she would have been the first to say that life goes on.

He leaned across the table, listening to something that Kedon was saying about harper classes, before turning his attention to Rondera. His eldest hadn't got long left in her classes and was beginning seriously to consider her options.

"I could just become a candidate straight off Da, but I don't think I want to," she said sounding surprisingly mature. "There are craft halls near here, and they all accept girls. I could be a dolphineer, or a harper or a printer."

"You could," he replied. "I'm glad you are thinking about this, you know that not everyone impresses, and that for some it takes a while. You know your Uncle K'reyel took several turns to find his bronze, while it just never happened for Meredel. Maybe you get the interest in the harper craft from him."

Karaleigh walked back through the crowded dinning hall with her dinner safely wrapped up and ready to be eaten in the comfort and solitude of her own weyr. A hand waved furiously in her direction caused her to stop. "Well, hello Trievan," she smiled down at K'deren's five-turn-old son. "And Kedon and Rondera. Brownrider," she nodded in greeting.

"Harper," was K'deren's greeting.

"Harper Karaleigh! Can I ask you a question?" asked Rondera.

"Of course, Rondera," she nodded.

"What exactly would I need to do to apprentice with the harpers or printers?" asked the girl. "My classes here have nearly finished, and I want to do something."

"Well, you would need a letter from me detailing your performance during harper classes, and then you would need to talk to the Hall about tests and assessments," the Harper replied. "Have you talked to the Hall at all?" she asked, looking at the young girl's father.

"I haven't yet," he said.

Meanwhile, Deralie was getting fed up of just sitting there, or crawling around. She pulled herself to her feet, hanging onto a chair leg for balance, and began to totter along, hanging onto the chair as she moved.
After a moment, she got to the end of the chair, and let go with one hand, reaching out for the next chair. But it was further away than she thought, and she had to let go.

"Da!"

"Don't interrupt Kedon," said K'deren.

"But Da, look at Deralie!"

Karaleigh looked over at the tiny toddler as she looked intently at the chair before her. "My, isn't that little one getting big," she smiled.

"She is indeed," a proud smile spread across the brownrider's face.

Then, standing tall, the little one took a tottering step on her own, then another.

"Aw. Isn't she cute," Karaleigh gushed.

"Deralie," the brownrider just looked at his youngest. "Her mother would be so proud."

"Is this her first time?" the Harper asked surprised.

"Yes, she's not a turn until next month."

Karaleigh nodded. "Well, that's about the right time for walking. Oh, and look at that smile. She knows she's done something wonderful."

"Maybe one day soon you'll have a little one of your own to look at you that way," said K'deren.

"Perhaps," the Harper smiled. "But at the moment I have enough children to take of."

"And I'm sure this lot all behave themselves perfectly in class."

"Hmmm," Karaleigh hummed doubtfully as she looked at each of her students in turn. Her face quickly broke into a soft smile. "Some of my best, in fact."

Last updated on the June 22nd 2006

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Tiny steps