I Have Something to Say
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 11th January 2009
Characters: Kamalia, Arrilon
Description: Arrilon tells Kamalia he is going to DCW to Stand at the Hatching.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 4
Notes: Mentioned: E'naer (not by name)
They had been together for over a quarter candlemark, Arrilon helping his
sister wash green Alaudath. Over a month had passed since the Hatching
and she was much larger, although still quite manageable to wash. She
had hatched one of the smallest in the clutch and was still a bit smaller
than all but one of her green sisters. She splashed around in the water,
staying still for a minute or two so they could scrub her and then moving
again. Her tail lashed back and forth, frequently spraying brother and
sister so they quickly became soaked, and then remained so for the
duration of the time.
Kamalia had dominated the conversation, as usual, going on and on about
Alaudath this and Alaudath that. She gushed about the little green's
intelligence, and cuteness, and just about everything else. Alaudath was
perfect in every way as far as her rider was concerned. Arrilon agreed
with the cuteness of the green, but it was annoying that she didn't stay
still.
When he said something to this effect, although in much nicer words,
Kamalia giggled and said, "She's not usually like this when I wash her.
It's because you're here, and I'm excited to see you, so that makes her
excited."
"Oh." He did not know what else to say. That was actually very sweet,
that she was so glad to see him. And, it was true, they had only spent time
together a handful of times since the Hatching. Kamalia was very busy
taking care of Alaudath and attending classes, and Arrilon was still jealous
that she had Impressed and so had avoided her.
Her comment made it even more difficult to tell her what he had been
wanting to say since they had met up. Even though he had not felt
comfortable around her since the Hatching, she was still his sister. If her
excitement bled over to Alaudath that easily, what would happen when he
made his announcement?
Kamalia was, as usual, oblivious to his internal debate, and was now
telling a story about Alaudath eating too much, getting stomach pains, and
having to call the Weyrlingmaster Third for help.
"And then, he told us to go outside and walk around a bit. Almost as soon
as she got up, she….farted!" Kamalia would have collapsed laughing if
they had not been in the water. "It smelled awful, and she kept doing it
every few minutes for over half a candlemark."
Alaudath stopped her playing in the water and obviously said something to
her rider, which made Kamalia rub her eye ridges for a few moments and
probably comfort her. "After that, she felt fine. But, now I'm very careful
about how much she eats, and how quickly. It could have been much
worse." She was completely serious now, and Arrilon caught a glimpse of
the depth of the dragon-rider bond.
Ignoring the jealousy he felt as much as possible, he said, "I have
something to say."
"Well, say it then!" Kamalia kept scrubbing the green.
"I'm leaving, going to another Weyr to Stand at their Hatching. There's a
large clutch and they've invited older candidates from other Weyrs to
come. So, I'm going in a couple of days."
Kamalia stopped and both she and Alaudath looked at him. "You're
going? When? Why?!"
"I just said."
"But, why?" she repeated. "There will be another clutch here soon, and
you still have time, and you won't know anyone over there."
"I don't know many people here either. And, I don't have much time
before I'm too old to Stand."
Kamalia patted Alaudath and sent her into deeper water to wash off the
sweetsand. Then she took her brother's hand and led him to the beach,
where they sat down, ignoring the sand now clinging to their clothes and
legs.
"But, I'm here. If you go, when will we see each other? Alaudath is still
young and, if you Impress, it'll be forever until you can come visit here.
And, I won't be able to go to the Hatching. I was looking forward to
sitting in the Stands and seeing you Impress. It would have been so much
fun!"
Arrilon repressed a sigh. She always thought of herself. What about his
feelings? He had always wanted to be a harper, but now that he was, he
realized he wasn't all that good at it. His voice was nice enough, but he
just couldn't seem to remember all of the techniques taught in private
lessons. He knew part of the problem was that he had apprenticed late,
and did not have much time for classes or studying due to his duties as a
candidate. However, there was a constant nagging doubt that maybe he
was not cut out to be a harper. Maybe, this dream of his was just that, a
dream. The reality was that he just wasn't good enough. Whereas, if he
Impressed a dragon, he would not need to worry anymore. He would
know his path in life, and be able to devote himself to it without the doubts
that plagued him now. And, if he never Impressed, and failed at being a
harper? The thought was terrifying. So, to decrease the chances of that
day coming, he would go to Dragonsfall Weyr, and then perhaps another
Weyr, until he Impressed or became too old to Stand.
However, he couldn't tell his sister the logic that had brought him to this
decision. Instead he sighed and said, "This is just something I need to do.
And, it won't be long before Alaudath can take you to visit me, whether
I've Impressed or not. And, if I don't Impress, they might send me back
here and it'll have been like I never even left."
Kamalia looked like she was about to continue arguing, but then it seemed
Alaudath told her something and she smiled. "Alaudath thinks you should
go. And, I guess, so do I. It would be better for you to Impress and be
half a continent away than for you to stay here and maybe miss your
chance. And, if there's a dragon for you, I wouldn't want you to take the
chance of missing him."
She gave him a big hug. "I'll miss you, Ari."
"You have Alaudath now," Arrilon protested, but he returned the hug
gratefully. It was nice to have his sister's full attention on him, for the
first time in what felt like a long time.
"Of course I do. But, just because she's more important than anything
else doesn't mean she's the only friend I need. You're my brother, and
my friend. Even though we don't see each other very often here, at least I
know you are here, in case I need you. And, how will I even know what
happens at the Hatching?"
There she was, talking about herself again. "I'm sure you'll find a way.
Many people from here will be going there to watch. Have one of them tell
you what happens." He paused for a moment. "You know there's a gold egg
on the Sands…"
"Yeah, I heard." Then, looking at the expression on his face, "You don't
think I'd even consider…" She shook her head. "When you Impress,
you'll understand. I could never ever regret Impressing Alaudath.
Nothing else would be right."
Arrilon shrugged. He couldn't help but be a bit skeptical, but then, he had
not Impressed. She was right. He couldn't possibly understand. He
stood, not bothering to brush the sand now caked to him. "I need to go get
clean before lessons."
"You'll come find me before you leave, right?" Kamalia asked, anxiously.
"Of course. I won't just sneak away. I promise."
She hugged him again. "I hope you find your dragon at that Hatching,"
she said solemnly.
"So do I." Then at least some of his problems would be solved.
Last updated on the January 20th 2009