A Weyr In Need

Writers: Estelle, Nici
Date Posted: 1st August 2005

Characters: T'moran, N'klos
Description: T'moran writes to N'klos in the hope of persuading him to return to Dolphin Cove Weyr.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 8 of Turn 3

T'moran had made progress in the past days on rebuilding his Wings. For the first time he could allow himself to feel confident that Dolphin Cove would be able to fight the next Fall without overstretching its riders or taking risks. Yet he remained in his office, reading over Record after Record, in a search that had so far proved fruitless.

Numbers were important, but without enough bronzeriders with leadship experience they were next to useless. And he had very few remaining who were fit to fly. The other Weyrs had been generous - he was grateful to have U'kaiah and so many Dragonsfall riders, in particular - but understandably they were less than willing to part with the best of their bronzeriders.

There was one rider who fit the bill perfectly, but T'moran's pride rebelled somewhat at asking him. The man had left Dolphin Cove in search of better opportunities than that of leading only a Wing.

In the end, however, he had no choice but to try. Taking out pen and paper, he began to write.

***

"To Bronzerider N'klos, greetings.

"You may have heard of the heavy losses Dolphin Cove suffered in Fall on the first day of this month. The situation was such that the Wingleaders bore the brunt of the Thread - some were lost, and many of the others will be grounded for a long period. As the newly elected Weyrleader after Bronzerider O'dan's injuries forced him to retire, I find myself sorely in need of bronzeriders with leadership experience to take over my Wings.

"My riders and I would be most grateful if you would consider returning to Dolphin Cove to lead Hurricane Wing, even if only on a temporary basis until another can be found to take over.

"Sincerely,

T'moran, Weyrleader Dolphin Cove Weyr."

***

N'klos read the letter in disbelief. He'd heard of the Threadfall incident, naturally. There wasn't a Weyr in the South who hadn't. Speculation and rumor ruled around the matter--and the Weyrleader who'd been in charge during it.

He'd fled Dolphin Cove for a number of reasons--many of them surrounding his difficulties with Kalina and the frustration regarding her dragon's ability to pick everyone save _his_ dragon to mate with. O'dan becoming Weyrleader, that was the final straw!. The gold was so irrational in terms of choices that she'd put someone into leadership who didn't even _want_ it, who ran from duty rather than embracing it. As his Wing second in Hurricane, he'd been passable; N'klos knew as Weyrleader he'd be a disaster. And, he could say that even though he _liked_ the man!

But T'moran. He was different. N'klos had respected him. And thoughts of Hurricane wing...there were those in the wing who'd never really liked him but they had respected him. And he'd come to feel the same. So many losses, so much waste.

Perhaps instead of running from Dolphin Cove, it was time to run to it in its time of need?

He picked up his stylus and tried to formulate a reply.

***

"Weyrleader T'moran,

' I cannot express enough how much I regret the many losses you must now be faced with after the terrible tragedy Dolphin Cove has recently endured.

I left there to see if I could attain the ultimate in leadership--becoming Weyrleader myself one day. But I have to admit to fond memories of the wing I lead at Dolphin Cove and the friendships, though few, that I made there.

I will consider your offer and discuss it with the Weyrleader here. If suitable arrangements can be made to replace me as Wingleader of the group I lead here, I will write you immediately. I cannot promise that the arrangement will be permanent, but I must admit that the challenge of assisting in making Dolphin Cove the strong Weyr it once was again is almost irresistible.

Regards,

~N'klos, Wingleader Vista Point Weyr

***

The return message came back slightly less carefully composed, though on a clean and neatly rolled sheet of paper. It was a measure of the pressure T'moran felt himself to be under, to anyone who knew him, that he did not attend to the strictest and most formal methods of letter-writing.

***

"Wingleader N'klos,

I received your prompt response with gratitude. If you are willing to leave your Wing and your Weyrleader can spare you, then rest assured you will be warmly welcomed at Dolphin Cove Weyr, as befits your rank and experience. Any help you can offer with Hurricane Wing, whether it be permanently or even for a few short days, would be much appreciated.

Please excuse my haste in writing - your reply reaches me as I am about to leave for an extra Wing drill with our new riders. As you can imagine the Weyr is scrambling to prepare for the next Fall - I have no wish to endanger the riders who have been so generously lent to us by Dragonsfall and River Bluff.

With thanks,

T'moran, Weyrleader Dolphin Cove Weyr

Last updated on the August 20th 2005

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A Weyr In Need