Could Dragonriders Get Bored?
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: Jane
Date Posted: 23rd March 2007
Characters: O'rian
Description: Odarian decides to Stand at the next Hatching.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 6 of Turn 4
It wasn't about what he _wanted_ to do, the healer apprentice suddenly realised half way through his part of the preparations for the Threadfall injuries that would soon start arriving. It was about what he _ought_ to do.
For a moment his hands stilled and he went over the sudden realisation.
Not everybody _could_ Impress – he didn't even _know_ if any dragon would find him suitable – but the children of a dragonrider were considered to be more likely to do so. He was the child of two dragonriders and he wasn't sure if that made him more suitable or not.
Even with only one dragonrider parent he was entitled to Stand without being Searched, with the approval of the Weyrwoman.
His hands went back to their work, restocking the shelves in the treatment room so that there would be as many dressings and bandages as were needed. Hopefully it wouldn't the number needed as on that awful day when his father's mistake had led to so many injuries and deaths.
Was his change of heart about Standing anything to do with that?
"No." He smiled as he heard his voice. He was talking to himself which was probably a sign of some mental disturbance that he would learn about one day.
It wasn't about his father's mistake, but perhaps just a little about his father's acceptance that he didn't _have_ to Stand. That seemed to have cleared his mind, in a back-to-front sort of way.
"You done in there, Odarian?"
"Nearly. Is there a problem?" He glanced around at the journeyman.
"Nothing like that. You'll be working with me during 'Fall, though, so I'd like to talk to you before that starts. Get that finished first then come and find me."
Odarian said he would to the man's retreating back. The 'talk' would be about what he was expected to do himself and what he was expected to get help before doing. Standard enough stuff and probably a bit more seriously meant since the massive injuries as a result of the disastrous Threadfall. Then every healer apprentice had been expected to do more than they would usually have attempted.
Setting the limits. Sometimes it was a little frustrating but at least everybody knew where they stood. One day it would be him setting the limits for his apprentices.
Except he might not ever become a journeyman; he might never get to help other apprentices learn what he had had to learn. He might never get to study those mental illnesses that had people talking to themselves.
He might be actually _be_ dragonrider.
It didn't totally preclude carrying on in healercraft but it effectively meant his progression was over. Always a senior apprentice, able to help out when necessary but never with any authority in an infirmary full of more highly trained craftsmen and women.
What if dragonriding wasn't enough? He knew his strengths were in study and learning – what if after weyrlinghood all there was was just doing the same thing over and over again? As terrifying and exhilarating as Threadfall must be, what if it wasn't a mental challenge? Could dragonriders get _bored?_
"Odarian?"
"Yep. Done here." He grabbed the stock trolley and hauled it out of the room behind him, leaving the room ready for whatever came its way over the next few candlemarks.
Whether riders could get bored or not, he was fairly certain his mind was made up. He was an able-bodied child of dragonriders, old enough to Stand. It was a Pass. He had a duty to make himself available.
And he was going to.
Last updated on the March 25th 2007