It's coming along nicely

Writers: Suzee, Eimi
Date Posted: 11th June 2012

Characters: Almonteo, Cyradis
Description: The goldrider meets with the Hallmaster.
Location: Harper Hall, Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 6

Almonteo

Cyradis

After her talk with Qorri, Cyradis knew she should refresh her
acquaintance with the Harper Hallmaster while he was still here at the
Weyr. She had only spoken to him once at the hatching in passing. The
Harpers were busy with their building project and moving themselves
back to Emerald Falls as parts of it were completed.

Cyradis made her way through the corridors to the portion of the Weyr
that had been given over for their use. Finally coming to the correct
office she rapped her knuckles against the door frame. "Master
Almonteo?"

Rather surprised, the Hallmaster rose to his feet. "Lady Cyradis! What
an honor to see you here!" He had been caught a bit unprepared and he
tried to look over her shoulder to see if an apprentice might be in
sight to bring them some refreshments.

"Please," she inclined her head and smiled motioning him to retake his
seat. "I just came to see how things were going with the Hall and your
move." She settled into one of his visitor chairs and smoothed her
skirts.

"Very well, thank you," Almonteo said with a genuine smile as he took
his seat once more. "The building is coming along nicely, and we've
already moved our instrumental workshop to the new Hall." It had been a
big step, and one that had been long over due. Their stay at the Weyr
had never been intended to be a permanent state, and most of them were
looking forward to moving back into a Hold again. His wife, for sure,
would be far more comfortable putting some space between the young
ladies and the dragonriders, he knew.

It was still fairly early in the day so she tilted her head
thoughfully. "And how long has it been since you've been over there to
take a look?"

"A couple sevendays, I'd say," the Hallmaster said with a sigh and a
wave on his desk. "Work does not stop, even for a move such as this,
I'm afraid."

"Well," she smiled. "I would love to see it. That is if you have some
time to show me."

"Now?" he asked, quickly running through the day's schedule. Nothing
that couldn't be postponed, especially for a Weyrwoman. "I think I have
the rest of the day at your disposal, Lady Cyradis. Just give me a
moment to send a message to my wife."

"Of course Master Almonteo," she rose. "I'll have to get Panitath
ready anyway. Meet you in the bowl in say, half a candlemark?"

***
The time passed quickly and Cyradis had Panitath's straps in place and
was changed into her flying leathers by the time appointed. They
descended to the bowl and touched down lightly on the sands.

The Hallmaster was just emerging from out the stone door, already
feeling the heat in his wherhide jacket. "I am all yours, Lady Cyradis.
Just have me back in time for dinner," he said with a bit of a grin.
His wife made it rather clear that she would be less than happy if he
were late for the evening meal yet again.

Panitath offered a foot for the Hall Master to climb up her gleaming
side. There were hand holds and steps to help him make it up into the
passenger seat behind Cyradis. She bent down to offer him her hand
when he got up far enough to reach it. "I'm sure we'll get you back
in time."

Almonteo had grown accustomed to traveling on dragonback and was usually
fairly adept at climbing his way up to the passengers seat. However,
Panitath's neck was a little bigger than he was accustomed to, and so he
took the offered hand. "Well, if any woman could sprout wings and hunt
me down, it would be Carmora. Just be warmed," he said with genuine
warmth behind his words. It was no easy task to be married to him, he
knew, and he was grateful every day that his wife had stuck with it.

She chuckled at his tone and watched carefully as he settled in. She
checked his straps and then they lifted off. It wasn't long before
they were over Emerald Falls and sailing down toward the new Harper
Hall. She could see even from the air that the complex was only
partially complete.

The Hallmaster pointed to a clearing that had been used by the riders
previously, and had plenty of room for a gold to land comfortably. He
noticed a few small specs of people far down below who had seemingly
stopped in their tracks suddenly, no doubt having caught a flash of
brilliant gold against a deep blue sky. It was a sight that still too
his breath away as well.

One of the corners of Cyradis mouth quirked at the stilled shadows on
the ground. She and her lifemate were more than accustomed to that
sort of reaction from Hold and Hall. Panitath circled slightly to get
the best angle then settled lightly with a deft backwing. **Very
prettily done!** Praised her rider.

Almonteo released the straps and shimmied down the side of the gold's
neck rather awkwardly. "She's a little higher off the ground than I'm
accustomed to," he laughed after catching himself from back on his rear
by wrapping his arms around the mighty foreleg.

"It is a bit of a climb," she nodded and she too dismounted. "Of
course I kind of 'grew up' with her." She let her voice trail off as
she looked around at the impressive building going on. "My you do have
your hands full, don't you?"

"Lord Corowal is certainly sparing no expense," the Hallmaster nodded,
and then added a wink. "Well, maybe a few expenses. This way," he
said, sweeping an arm in the direction they were to go and indicating
that she should take the lead.

Cyradis chuckled and nodded her acknowledgement of the point. Then she
turned and walked swiftly in the direction he indicated. The courtyard
would be lovely when it was finished. She could see that at least part
of it was complete. "What do you have here already," she asked as they
walked.

"Our instrument makers have already set up their workshops. They
require a bit of set-up and rearranging. Also, the noise from the
construction of other buildings won't affect them so much. Next will be
the archivists and scribes. Their space is almost ready." He thought
it best because of the amount of time it would take to organize their
Records, but he was sure they would find the commotion a bit more
distracting and irritating. "And construction for the Printers
workshops is going on simultaneously."

"Well, I'm not certain what arrangements you had made with Janani, but
rest assured the Weyr will provide you with whatever you need as far
as transportation of your records is concerned." While she was not a
trained archivist her position as acting Weyrwoman made her very aware
of the importance of the Hall's records.

"Thank you, Lady Cyradis," he said with genuine warmth. "The Harpers
owe much to the Weyr and it's people, and I assure you that will never
be forgotten." Though some may not have appreciated their dragonrider
neighbors as much as they aught to have, he was sure they all could
agree that the Weyr had saved them in their time of need, and it was a
debt that could never be repaid.

"With all the Hall does for everyone Master Almoteo, it is the very
least we can do." She spread her hand as if acknowledging a point. "It
can't have been easy on your people to be housed in a Weyr. That can
be qute the adjustment, I know."

"Oh, for some it was a _very_ easy adjustment," he chuckled, knowing all
too well how some of his journeymen had run amuck, not to mention some
of the apprentices despite their best efforts! But no, it had not been
easy for many of them, if not most. "It will be good to be back in a
Hall of our own."

She smiled knowingly and tapped the side of her nose with a
forefinger. "Well, one hopes those of your people who did not care to
'adjust' were well insulated from any predatory conduct. I have read
the records and our riders were strongly cautioned in their behavior."
She nodded at his last. "I am glad you will be more comfortable
soon." She looked around at the building they'd entered. "Oh my, you
have electricity. How lovely."

"Yes," the Hallmaster grinned, rather pleased with that fact. "Lord
Corowal is most generous. It will make the summers more bearable. I'm
afraid we've grown a bit soft being sheltered from the worst of the heat
in the nice cool caverns at the Weyr."

"Hmmm," Cyradis mused. "Do you have any idea why the Weyr has little
to no electricity?" She'd been puzzled by that since coming back
south.

Almonteo had made a point of learning the history of their new home and
was happy to share his thoughts on the subject. "I would assume that it
is because it was an old Weyrhold that was converted quickly to
accommodate all the survivors from the earthquake that destroyed their
original home, Theyan Peak Weyr. With signs already showing that Thread
was on the horizon, and the desperate need for Candidates for their
growing Clutches with very little support from Hold and Hall, I would
think that updating their electrical facilities was the least of their
worries at the time."

**Well that would explain it.** She also thought she should likely
discuss it with N'vanik. She had the beginnings of a plan but she'd
have to think more on it. "Well Sir," she smiled at the Master
Harper. We'd best be getting you home if I wish to stay in the good
graces of your wife. Thank you for the tour, it has been most
enlightening." **In more ways than one**

Last updated on the June 29th 2012

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

It's coming along nicely