Tempting offer

Writers: Emma, Yvonne
Date Posted: 11th July 2006

Characters: Tsaera, K'sedel
Description: Tsaera tempts her Weyrleader away from hidework with promises of backgammon
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 12, day 4 of Turn 3

K'sedel

K'sedel was sat studying a formation that one of his wingriders had passed onto him. It certainly had potential to be useful, but there were a few problems possibly when the first wave of green and blue riders swapped out. It seemed to him that there may perhaps be a few moments when there wasn't quite enough cover on the left, but there was potential for working with the idea.

He made a note to raise it with K'reyel and their Wingthird, perhaps he was being over cautious. Putting the hide to one side, he picked up a stack of fitness reports that no doubt just needed his signature.

There was a light knock at the door, then Tsaera let herself in. "I thought you'd still be here."

"Of course I'm still here," he said. "I mean there's so much to do!"
He grinned to show it was a joke. There was a pile with his 'second's name on it, and a slightly smaller one for the Wingthird.

"If you're that busy, I won't invite you over to my weyr for a game of backgammon, then. Nor will I entice you with the promise of a bottle of wine - chilled, if you're curious." White wine, light and fruity, and perfect for a hot night. "I can find partners anywhere, you know."

"Are you trying to tell me I'm working too hard again?" asked K'sedel.

"No, I'm saying we both are." Tsaera sank into the chair opposite his and rubbed her tired eyes. "The hidework never ceases, and after playing hooky to visit Garnet Valley's earnest young Lord Warder I'm not feeling very enthusiastic about spending tonight working. And neither should you."

"If I get through this inside the next half candlemark..." K'sedel grinned. "I have pile to go on K'reyel's desk, and as Ciara is spending time with her children, well the evening is mine."

The Weyrwoman smiled slightly. "I keep forgetting that I don't have you all to myself anymore. How is Ciara?"

"Starting to slow down a little. The healers say that there isn't too much longer to go. Sometime around Turn's End they think."

"Turn's End - that is coming up quickly. Speaking of Turn's End, though," Tsaera shifted a little uncomfortably in her seat, "Tabanirth will be rising again sometime mid-month."

"It's that time again?" It had gone so fast, his second term as Weyrleader, and it was something to consider, given that there would soon be a new baby arriving. But, on the other hand it was something he was used to now. The hidework, the responsibility, he wasn't sure he wanted to turn that over to another.

Tsaera nodded. "Will Nikornath chase?"

**Will you?** he asked quickly.

}:Tabarnith will be mine again,:{ was the reply.

"He says so. No doubt he's out there paying court to her now, trying to impress her."

"No doubt." She hesitated. "Tabanirth's always been... fickle, however. She's been caught twice by Nikornath, and twice by Zackariath. I'm... not sure that it will last."

"The dragons fly, the riders comply," he stated the old adage.
"Tabarnith will decide, and decide well I think."

"She usually does. But... just be prepared. It's not that I wouldn't want you back in this office, but she's never been overly faithful."

"How about we just leave it for the moment?" he suggested. "Only time will tell what happens next."

He was right - there was no use in worrying over things that she had no control over. She decided to change subjects instead. "So what did you think of the dinner at Garnet Valley?"

"It seemed to go pretty well. Lord Ishek seems to have a fairly good head on his shoulders."

Tsaera's lips twitched. "He reminded me of an overeager puppy."

"Very young, isn't he."

"Very. Although that seems to be the general trend, doesn't it? Pern is being inherited by the next generation, and old codgers like us are being quietly shuffled off into retirement."

"I don't think I'm quite ready to retire just yet," he teased. "We've got turns on these kids, and we should show them that."

"Ha! No one is going to inherit River Bluff until Tabanirth and I go /between/." **And until someone _other_ than Lenala is able to take over...** She smiled and leaned against the chair's arm. "I honestly couldn't imagine retiring. What would I _do_?"

"Your craft?" he suggested. "See more of your family?"

"See more of my family, yes. Or what family is still speaking to me."
Everlyin was still holding a grudge because of Felarin's wish to Stand... "But somehow I doubt Crafting truly constitutes a retirement."

"I couldn't imagine going back to the fields, not now."

"'Back breaking labour' is the phrase that comes to mind... I suppose you wouldn't, not after dragonriding and having a hot bath and a Weyr at your beck and call to come home to at the end of the day!"

"Not to mention what Nikornath might think of the whole idea, I mean who could picture a farming dragon?"

The Weyrwoman grinned, picturing just that. "Oh, come now. Think of how quickly he'd turn a field if you hooked him up to a plough!"

"And how fast the livestock would scatter... And how fast the beatcrafter would want my hide!"

Tsaera laughed. "That settled it. You're not allowed to retire."

"Only if you agree not to retire either."

"Didn't I already announce our intention to go /between/ before we got too useless to fly?"

"Exactly!"

Tsaera gave him an odd look, then shook her head ruefully. "I'm sorry, K'sedel, but you've lost me."

"No quitting before we're ready."

It was a circular argument, that led straight back to the comment she'd made moments ago. The Weyrwoman smiled and indulged him anyway.
"Of course not. Are you still up for a game of backgammon?"

"I am indeed. Maybe this time I'll manage to beat you."

"Perhaps." Tsaera stood, and stretched. Her shoulders popped audibly.
"But you'll never know if you don't come visit my weyr in- oh, I'll give you a quarter candlemark to finish up. But I won't wait any longer than that."

"I'll see you in a few moments then." He looked at the hides, "I'll just have to drop this off with K'reyel first." "All right. I'll see you soon." Tsaera paused at the door and, struck by a rare fit of whimsy, blew him a kiss before leaving. Tabanirth's flight was coming up... it had to be feedback from the gold dragon's own moods. }:If you say so,:{ Tabanirth replied, amused.

Last updated on the July 12th 2006

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Tempting offer