Beware Her Charms
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: Eimi, Clancey
Date Posted: 30th September 2005
Characters: J'darin, B'ram
Description: B'ram reports to his new Weyrleader with some fascinating information.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 5 of Turn 3
B'ram almost wished he could wait a few days before reporting in to the Weyrleader. He had just arrived, but from all he had heard so far, there had been a change in leadership in the last couple days. Of course, everyone had an opinion on the choice for the new Weyrleader, most of them positive and hopeful, but a very familiar name was being whispered about as the new Weyrwoman. It seemed to be a bit of a scandle in fact. B'ram's natural curiosity was piqued, as much for the juicy story that must lie behind the whispers as he was interested in just how on Pern _Traelyn_ could become Weyrwoman so soon after leaving them at Far Island Weyr... And who better to ask than the Weyrleader! He knocked carefully.
The upheaveal following Nyith's choice in mates, not to mention the news Moriath would not rise again and that it _was_ Nyith that rose at Dolphin Cove was still a massive snarl, and right now, it was giving the new Weyrleader a headache. His new Weyrwoman and he had not reached any kind of understanding at all yet, and he still wasn't sure if she had the skills Dolphin Cove needed. He wasn't sure if _he_ had the skills!
}: We do! We will! I am proud. We have earned our place. And Haldarth says his rider will help if you have need. :{ The knock came then, though the bronzerider did not hear it. Hasaarth's confidence and T'moran's aide was comforting, but J'darin still was not sure what was going to come of this sudden, startling change, not to mention, the shocking conditions under which it happened.
How did Traelyn _not_ know Nyith was about to Rise!?
The knock came again. }: It is a new transfer, a brownrider. :{ Suddenly remembering, J'darin hurriedly called out. "Come in!"
B'ram stuck his spikey red head through the door. "Uh, excuse me, sir. Is now a bad time?"
"Come in, come in, brownrider B'ram. It seems as if all times are bad these last few days, but we must do the best we can." He smiled briefly at the new arrival. No point in scaring off a _badly_ needed rider!
"I'll send for some klah, yes?"
"That would be wonderful, thank you." Truth was, B'ram had just had a couple mugs down in the dining caverns, but sitting down for another cup with the Weyrleader just might give him a chance to find out some tidbits of gossip right from the runner's mouth. He reached out his transfer papers and introduced himself formally. "I am B'ram, rider of brown Girifith, reporting in from Far Island Weyr."
J'darin took the papers in one hand and shook the offered hand with the other, nodding a hello. "You are badly needed, Wingrider B'ram. And Hasaarth tells me he is making the acquaintance of Girifith." He paused to ring down for klah, then went on. "We've had a very recent change in all the top leadership here, lately, but nonetheless, you'll still find discipline and order in all the Wings. You will be assigned to Hurricane Wing. N'klos is in need of Wingseconds and 'Thirds, and we do need some good strong brownriders in that Wing."
"Tell me, B'ram, how is Far Island?" "Far Island is very good, though the weather is not near so nice." B'ram was going to get used to summer all turn round rather easily. His brown also was content with all the excellent sunning their new Weyr promised. "But mostly I found it... a bit crowded."
"You will find Dolphin Cove not so crowded and with amazing weather."
J'darin smiled. "You've been assigned a Weyr and talked to the Headwoman? I'd rather you go to her for all your requests at the moment, since my Weyrwoman is busily working with the Weyrwoman second to get settled in." "Ah, yes, Traelyn, isn't it?" B'ram asked nonchalantly. "I knew her at Far Island. I was in a serious relationship with her sister for some time."
J'darin looked with interest at B'ram. He could find out some things about his Weyrwoman from this brownrider. Considering the ethics of it, he finally decided he needed to know for the good of the Weyr. "Really, now, B'ram?" The klah arrived and J'darin poured himself, settling back for a talk with this brownrider. "Maybe you can tell me a few things about our new Weyrwoman, perhaps? I already know she missed the nearness of Nyith's Rising... "
B'ram chuckled. "Now, that doesn't surprise me, if it's not too bold for me to admit," he said as he reached for his klah.
"You have my permission to be as bold as you please, if you need it, B'ram. I don't know anything about Traelyn yet; we've hardly had time to talk. Why would her missing Nyith's time to mate not surprise you?" "Well, it just seems if there is any way for Traelyn to be the center of attention she'll find it. I didn't know she would go to such great _lengths_ to do it," he said with a shrug. "Was it well known that the previous Weyrwoman's gold would not rise again?"
J'darin's blue eyes darkened considerably in aggravation. "It was not _known_ at all. Except by Nyith, apparently. But I sharding don't _know_ how we wound up with that gold Rising instead of Jyramikah's Ikoladith, our 'Second. Perhaps your Traelyn wanted a Senior position all her own, this center of attention thing you suggest? I would not be surprised at all to find that, though I've had little enough time to get to know her, as of yet." The bronzerider paused, looking at B'ram intently. "I suspect your input will be invaluable, brownrider."
"Now, I didn't say anything was intentional," B'ram said as clarification. "It's just _very_ coincidental timing. And that might be all it was, a coincidence. I would never have thought her capable of stealing the weyrwoman's potition out from under anyone. That would take a lot of planning and I'm not so sure Traelyn thinks that far ahead."
J'darin frowned at this, then nodded. "Aye, I noticed that myself. I will think on what you said, I intend to spend some time getting to know her over the next few days. Is there anything else you can tell me?
Does she handle her duty well? So far, she and Jyramikah seem to be managing, although I don't pay much attention to their jobs, as long as they are done." Again, B'ram shrugged. "I have never _heard_ otherwise. I very much doubt she is completely incompetent. Our Weyrwoman would not have allowed her to tranfer into a Weyrwoman Second position if she were." He leaned forward a bit. "I don't wish to create bad blood between you and your Weyrwoman right off the start. But I do have to warn you to not form an opinion of Trae too quickly. She can be very charming with the menfolk. It's easy to trust her charms. I would recommend a bit of caution. Charms can cover a multitude of flaws if you fall victim to it."
J'darin chuckled dryly as he peered at B'ram. "I'm not completely ignorant to the charms of a woman, B'ram. But I appreciate your candor, and your advice is well-taken. I would have had a Weyrwoman I knew, but this one..." He trailed off, his brows drawing together in worry. "Time will tell. I will look you up after you're settled, though, and visit a bit more on your ..knowledge.. of our Weyrwoman, if that is alright with you?" "Any service I can do for you, sir." B'ram finished his cup of klah in one long gulp. "I am afraid I have taken too much of your time. But I will look forward to talking with you more, Weyrleader."
"It was time well-spent, B'ram. And it is I who will look forward to talking with you. I think you will do very well here at Dolphin Cove, brownrider. Very well." He dismissed him then, with a smile. If only there were more brownriders like him! Not like that _K'deren_!
Last updated on the October 1st 2005