A Golden Opportunity

Writers: Bree, Yvonne
Date Posted: 29th January 2006

Characters: Tsaera, Lenala, Zakita
Description: Tsaera, Zakita and Lenala discuss how Lenala's former duties will be split up, revealing some tension between Lenala and the Weyr's youngest goldrider.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 7 of Turn 3

Lenala

Tsaera had trouble sleeping that night. Eighteen eggs in Vilarth's clutch... as much as she hated stripping Lenala of her knots, even temporarily, it would give the Weyrwoman Second a chance to put her life -
and herself - back in order. A vacation to promote peace of mind... **And maybe the growth of one too,** she thought. It wasn't charitable, but then again, thoughts at two in the morning usually weren't. She turned over and stared at the wall until she woke up a candlemark or two later. The Weyr was hushed in pre-dawn drowsy dreams as she got up, took a bath, and dressed for the day. By the time she arrived at her office, she even felt relatively refreshed.

Zakita was the first to arrive, knocking tentatively and looking flushed and rumpled from sleep. Tsaera smiled at the young goldrider and gestured for her to sit. "Did you sleep well?"

Zakita nodded as she pulled her dark hair back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck. "Yes. Mostly. I... have a question though, Weyrwoman."

"Yes?"

"Is it true that Lenala's been stripped of her knots?" The younger goldrider leaned forward on her seat excitedly. "I heard someone talking-
in the halls, saying that you're sending her away since she lost control over Vilarth during her flight?"

The Weyrwoman sighed. "So much for discretion. Yes, I am stripping Lenala of her knots. I-"

"Faranth's Egg!" Zakita's eyes grew wide. "I knew it! She's always been such a-"

"A what?" Tsaera asked sharply. The teenaged goldrider had the grace to flush, and sank back into her chair with her hands demurely linked on her lap. The Weyrwoman fixed her with a steely look for a moment longer but before she could continue Lenala knocked on her office door.

"Good morning, Tsaera." Lenala made a few steps into the office before Zakita's presence registered, and it brought her to a halt.
"Zakita."

"Good morning, Lenala," Zakita said sweetly. Her smile was a tad too smug for her tone, however. Tsaera gave Zakita a sharp look, but couldn't see the young goldrider's face. "How are you this morning, Lenala?" "I'm fine, Tsaera. Thank you." Lenala's voice was perfectly polite as she settled into her chair without looking at Zakita again. "I'm glad to hear it. I know that last night couldn't have been... easy for you." Tsaera herself had spent most of it tossing and turning, and had kept her dragon up with her because of it. Tabanirth was annoyed with her and had made her position abundantly clear: she ought to be easier on Lenala so that Vilarth was happy. The Weyrwoman tried to keep that in mind as she began their meeting. "Which is why I'm splitting your 'Second duties between yourself and Zakita. I'll expect you _both_ to make sure that everything is completed meticulously and on time. Lenala - this will give you until the Hatching to... pull yourself together. And Zakita needs the experience."

Lenala could well imagine how thrilled Zakita would be at the chance to prove herself, which made her very careful _not_ to glance at the younger goldrider. She wasn't sure what she'd do if she saw another smirk. "I'll do my best," she promised in the same polite, agreeable tone of voice. She _would_ be calm. All she had to do was bide her time... M'galec would take care of everything. She trusted him.

"I will too," Zakita said quickly. She glanced at Lenala. "I'm so glad for the chance to see what a Weyrwoman Second actually does all day."

Lenala bit her lower lip and resisted the temptation to reply. Zakita was over ten turns her junior, so petty jabs should be beneath her notice.
Once she'd regained her calm, she smiled at Tsaera. "I'll appreciate the help."

The Weyrwoman felt obscurely relieved. The sleepless night had left her feeling as if she had cotton stuffed between her ears, so it was nice to have everything going smoothly and without the threat of tears, like yesterday. "I hope that you'll use the... time off... well," she said, feeling a little at a loss for words. "The Weyr needs you too, Lenala.
Don't forget that."

"The Weyr needs _all_ of it's goldriders," Zakita chimed in, which earned her a black look from the Weyrwoman. She subsided into silence again.

Tsaera bit back a sigh. "I'll let you two ladies divide up your duties as you see fit. Zakita - don't hesitate to talk to Lenala about anything that you need help with. Or myself. I'd rather that things were done properly the first time around and you ask, rather than having to go back and correct mistakes."

"Yes, Weyrwoman," Zakita said meekly.

"Do either of you have any other questions?" Tsaera asked.

Lenala glanced at Zakita out of the corner of her eye before looking back at Tsaera, her expression becoming the slightest bit pleading. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to divide up the duties, Tsaera? Maybe it would be wise... you could decide." And spare her from having to spend more time with Zakita than necessary...

The Weyrwoman looked a little taken aback. "I think that you and Zakita are more than capable of doing it yourselves. That way, too, you can both play to your strengths and figure out how you're going to deal with anything unexpected that comes up, and how you're going to keep each other informed of what's been done and what needs to be done."

Lenala's shoulders slumped a little. "I'll take care of it."

"Good." **Finally.** "Thank you both. And now, if you'll excuse me..." Tsaera rose to her feet, "I have a dragon who needs tending to. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Zakita? I want to see you after today's drills."

"Of course, Tsaera," Zakita said meekly. She stood as well. "We'll do our best."

"I expect nothing less. From you both," Tsaera said.

Last updated on the January 29th 2006

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A Golden Opportunity