One more candlemark
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: Kane
Date Posted: 17th February 2026
Characters: S'neik, S'kawa, Warang
Description: Sanneik has to manage his annoying little brother, Naskamek
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 2 of Turn 13
Dawn crept in slowly over the main Weyr road, turning the dust silver and the watchpost into a silhouette against the light. Senneik stood beside the gate marker with the stubborn endurance of a man running on fumes and pride. His night shift had stretched long and empty, just the hum of tiny critters and the ache in his boots. One more candlemark and he was free. He could practically taste sleep.
Beside him, the older guard leaned against the low stone wall in the relaxed posture of someone whose shift was ending too. Warang had long since abandoned the illusion of vigilance and was cleaning his fingernails with a knife tip.
“Quiet shift,” Warang said, with a sidelong glance.
“Don’t,” Senneik muttered. “You’ll curse it.”
A pebble ticked off Sanneik’s shoulder.
He didn’t react.
Another one bounced off his boot.
Warang’s mouth twitched.
Senneik stared straight ahead, jaw tightening. He didn’t need to look. He knew exactly who that was.
A third pebble struck the back of his helmet with a hollow ‘tok’.
From the scrub beside the road came a whisper: “Guard posture’s sloppy.”
Senneik inhaled slowly through his nose.
“I know it’s you,” he said flatly.
“I know you know,” Naskamek replied cheerfully, stepping into view triumphantly. He was already grinning, hair wild, slingshot dangling from his fingers. “You’re leaning left. Makes you look tired.”
“I am tired.”
“That’s not very guard-like.”
Warang turned away to cough into his hand. It sounded suspiciously like laughter.
Naskamek circled just outside grabbing distance, eyeing Senneik critically. “If a bandit came down that road right now, you’d lose.”
“If a bandit came down that road right now,” Senneik said through clenched teeth, “I’d throw you at him and run.”
“That’s not heroic.”
“That’s practical.”
A pebble flicked again. Tick.
Warang was openly grinning now.
“You’re not supposed to harass guards,” Senneik said.
“I’m conducting readiness drills.”
“You’re conducting your funeral.”
Naskamek gasped theatrically. “Threatening weyr residents. Warang, did you hear that?”
“Oh, I heard,” Warang said solemnly. “Very serious breach of protocol.”
Senneik closed his eyes and took a breath. One candlemark. He could survive one candlemark.
Naskamek kicked at the dirt, searching for another pebble. “You’re boring today.”
“I’m working.”
“You’re standing.”
“That’s the job.”
“That’s a bad job.”
Senneik refused to respond. Silence was his last weapon.
Another pebble flicked. Tick.
Senneik didn’t blink.
“Naskamek,” he said calmly, “Leave.”
“No.”
“Chisel...” Senneik tilted his head slightly and gave a mental summons.
The brown firelizard appeared from the watchpost roof like a stone given wings. Taupe hide flashed grey in the dawn. He didn’t screech and he didn’t hesitate.
Naskamek yelped as Chisel hit him square in the chest, wings buffeting, claws scrabbling for purchase. The firelizard clung like a determined parasite and only _now_ chittered directly into his face.
“That’s not fair!” Naskamek staggered backward, flailing.
Chisel bit his sleeve.
Not hard. Just enough to insult him.
Warang folded in half laughing.
“Call him off!” Naskamek demanded, trying to pry the firelizard off as Chisel climbed his shoulder and began enthusiastically attacking his hair.
“No,” Senneik said serenely. “He’s assisting.”
“This is harassment!”
“This is morale improvement.”
“Morale is definitely increasing,” Warang laughed.
Chisel trilled triumphantly and latched onto Naskamek’s collar and shirt like a backpack. The younger boy shrieked and bolted down the road, skinny arms windmilling, bouncing firelizard still attached.
“I’m reporting you!” he shouted over his shoulder. “This is a crime!”
“You started it!” Senneik called.
Chisel finally disengaged mid-sprint and looped neatly back to Senneik, landing on his shoulder with professional dignity. He tucked his wings and watched Naskamek retreat with bright, satisfied eyes.
Silence settled over the road again.
Warang wiped tears from his face. “Best shift I’ve had in months.”
Senneik scratched Chisel under the chin. The firelizard hummed, pleased.
“Good work,” Senneik murmured.
Chisel puffed with pride.
Senneik stared at the horizon, “I’m going to kill him.”
Warang nodded. “After shift.”
“After shift,” Senneik agreed, and resumed guarding the empty road.
One more candlemark.
Last updated on the April 1st 2026