Good To Be Back

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

Characters: N'klos, T'moran
Description: N'klos reports to T'moran on his return to Dolphin Cove.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 12 of Turn 3

N'klos tucked his riding helmet under his arm and knocked soundly on T'moran's office door. He'd ridden the 'long way' most of the way there. Part of it was avoiding facing the reality of _why_ he was here, but most of it was to center his tumultous thoughts.

There had been a lot of anger involved in his leaving. He had to set it aside so that he could do his job effectively. And at least T'moran was a Weyrleader he could _respect_.

"Come in...ah, N'klos!" T'moran's eyes lit up as he recognised his visitor, though by this point the sight of any bronzerider not either elderly, injured or barely out of weyrling training was enough to lift his heart. "I must admit it was a great relief to receive your letter. Despite the support of the other Weyrs, I'm desperate for good bronzeriders."

"Well, after some thought, I really couldn't say no." N'klos moved forward and shook the other man's hand. "I've heard it's not been easy..."

"We lost too many," was all T'moran said. And he'd been forced to wait on the ground with the weyrlings, unable to help - but N'klos was the last person to whom he intended to show emotion. "But it's under control now."

"How supportive have the other Weyrs been?"

"Very. I was surprised - I only had to visit a few of our nearest neighbours before I was promised enough extra riders to fight Fall without overstretching ourselves." He handed N'klos a sheaf of papers. "The losses in Hurricane Wing weren't as bad as in Cyclone, but there are still a significant number of riders out of action. You'll have a few riders from Dragonsfall and River Bluff taking their places, but I hope to replace them with permanent transfers soon."

N'klos looked over the list with some trepedation. "It might not be smooth, but we can make exceptions in formation for riders not being used to one another or the way we do things...."

"I know it's not ideal," T'moran said. The corners of his mouth lifted in a wry grin. They both remembered when a past Weyrleader had foisted so many transfers and substitutions on the Wings that the wingleaders had been all but tearing their hair out. "But we're all experienced in pulling together Wings out of riders who hardly know one another."

N'klos grinned as well. "Oh, yes indeed! At this is for a _reason_ in any case and not a whim. It's a reason I'd have preferred not to occur, but I can promise you I'll do my best to help us overcome this, T'moran."

"I appreciate that. It's not been easy with so many bronzeriders out of action, and I'll be glad of your support. As, I've not doubt, your Wing will be to have you leading them again," T'moran said, straight-faced. "I put K'deren, the Wingsecond, temporarily in charge but I'd rather not have had a brownrider leading for long."

N"klos winced. "I trust I won't have attitude from him when I take over?" Otherwise, K'deren might find himself _Wingthird_. N'klos had no time for pouting when they had a job to do.

"I doubt it. K'deren's a good Wingsecond. In fact, if you don't object, I'm quite keen to transfer him back to Cyclone Wing to be my Wingsecond...we've worked together for a long time," T'moran said. He could order the transfer, but it was rather bad form for a Weyrleader to poach another Wingleader's 'second. "That would leave you free to choose your own."

"Let's not start out by fighting over bodies when we need to focus on fighting Thread!" N'klos barked out a laugh. "If he's impressed you thus far, then by all means make him your 'second and then I'll work on filling in my ranks."

"Thank you. As it is there are only a handful of riders in Cyclone who've flown together before - at least the leadership won't be strangers to one another." He made a mental note to speak to K'deren after this and let him know about his new posting. The Wing needed some intensive practice and there was no time to waste. "I'm sure you know the transfer drill - see the Headwoman about a weyr and furnishings and so on, and the next Fall is on the eleventh. We'll have a Wingleaders' meeting the day before to discuss tactics since we've so many new or unfamiliar leaders. Is there anything else you'll need?"

"Not at all, Weyrleader. It's....good to be back." His adrenaline was on high and the challenge was a good one, so much so that he even _meant_ his statement!

Last updated on the August 20th 2005

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Good To Be Back