Needs of the Weyr

Writers: Anika, Avery
Date Posted: 21st November 2014

Characters: Kapera, R'taran
Description: Kapera and R'taran discuss the need for candidates.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 4 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: L'pin

Kapera

"Kapera, I was just speaking with L'pin and he asked if I might
deliver these to you," R'taran said offering some hides to the
Weyrwoman's Second.

Kapera did more work in the queen's wing lounge then she did anywhere more
private, so she was usually found there when it was hide work time. She
looked up and smiled. "Hello. Yes, thank you, ah - "

"R'taran, rider to Qharterioth," he supplied, offering the goldrider an
admiring gaze. She was certainly attractive. "Anticipating Riyanth's
clutch I see," he observed, indicating the hides bearing information on
candidates.

"A pleasure to meet you, R'taran," she said with an appreciative look.
"Hoping to have at least twice the number of candidates as there are
eggs," she admitted.

"How are we set for candidates?" he asked, his mind drifting to his
brother's request and the dilemma that had been on his mind of late. His
family needed his siblings in the Hold, but the needs of the Weyr were
paramount to the survival of all on Pern. He'd been Searched so what were
the chances that his younger siblings would Impress if they were to Stand?

"So far we have around 40, several new-searched but many from the prior
clutches." Her face twisted when she thought about another of Riyanth's
dragonets crying on the Sands for lack of choice. "If an average queen's
clutch is 30 or more, that's not good odds."

"Do we have a Search dragon meet each of the candidates? Just to have an
idea how many have a good likelihood of Impressing at some point?" he
wondered.

"It was my policy at Dragonsfall. I should ask the Weyrwoman here," she
said. "I know many weyrbred Stand because they can, but are unfit."

"I suppose it is their right to Stand but it would be good to know, given
forty candidates how many the Search dragons prefer," his brow furrowed.
"Riyanth hasn't clutched, there is still time to Search more candidates.
I've been thinking of asking my father if I might bring my younger brother
to the Weyr to meet a Search dragon. I had thought to wait until he was a
bit more mature, but..." R'taran let his voice taper off in uncertainty.

"You could also fly out with one of the newer Search dragons," the
goldrider suggested. "The Search, if it happens, would look more organic
and you'd just be along as an accompanying rider. How old is he?"

"He's fifteen turns, unaccountably cocky and taken with chasing pretty
girls." R'taran didn't comment on Kapera's suggestion just yet, mulling it
over in his head instead. What he hadn't mentioned of course were his two
sisters. He was confidant that Toni was still too young despite her twelve
turns. She had always been young for her age. Tarizzia on the other hand
was sixteen turns. Who all might be tapped if he took a Search dragon to
his father's Hold?

She laughed, unaware of his other thoughts. "Sounds like prime
dragonriding material. Would you feel shown up if he Impressed a bronze?"

Running his hand thoughtfully over the stubble on his chin, R'taran
considered Kapera's question. "No, I don't see that bothering me. I
couldn't be more happy than I am with Qharterioth, and quite frankly I
_could_ see Paulton Impressing a bronze, though I can't say that I
think he's ready. I'd not relish the idea of my little brother as my
Wingleader, but I would have turns before I had to worry about that."

"Oh, you'd probably have at least ten before you had to worry about it,"
she said. "Was there a large age gap between you?"

"Ten turns. Of the nine children my mother bore, seven survived and
we were fairly evenly spaced for the most part. I've an older brother
and one just younger that the Searchdragon showed no interest in when
I was brought to the Weyr. That was more than six turns ago so
Paulton was too young to be considered."

"I see. So you probably aren't close to all of those siblings. Unless you
visit a lot when you're free?"

"I visit, but not often, maybe every third or fourth month. Paulton
is probably my favorite brother despite the fact that he's brash and
annoying and at fifteen turns thinks he knows more than anyone else,"
R'taran replied with a grimace. "My youngest sister also holds a
special place in my heart," he added fondly, feeling a bit embarrassed
by the admission. "But generally, no, I wouldn't say that I'm
particularly close with my siblings. My focus is here, fighting
Thread," he stated matter-of-factly with a shrug.

"I think all 15-Turn-olds feel that way. I thought I was immortal at that
age." She'd learned better now, a lesson that had had to be beaten into
her over the Turns, but that she'd finally learned.

"Suppose I was just too serious minded and busy working to build our
Holding," R'taran mused. Of course to this day the brownrider had his
own share of arrogance whether he noted it or not. His mind traveled
back to the initial topic. "With Thread falling it makes sense to
focus on older candidates, but I suppose the _most_ important thing is
having a good selection."

"Better a 14-Turn-old Impresses then a dragon goes alone. I think they
know what they need, though. Dolphin Cove had that nasty business with the
15-Turn-olds awhile back, didn't they? And since then I thought the
dragons have been choosing older choices."

"I think older candidates are being presented," R'taran stated
thoughtfully. "Of course you're still allowed to Stand at twelve
turns, so we still have some young ones, especially those that are
Weyrbred. They won't be ready for the fighting wings for turns, but
as you said, better to have young ones Impress than a dragonet left on
the sands. I apologize, I've interrupted you from your work," he
pointed at the hides before her.

"At least the young ones can help the weyrlingstaff and provide transport
duty. There's still use for them even if it's not Thread."

As for his latter comment, she waved her hand. "I've enjoyed chatting with
you, even if it has been half just me talking about the burdens of a
queen's clutch. It's interesting to get another perspective."

"It's been good to talk with you, Kapera," R'taren said truthfully.
She'd helped him realize that he needed to fulfill his promise to his
brother and go speak with his father sooner rather than later. "And
don't worry, we'll get those candidate numbers up before the
Hatching."

"I appreciate your reassurance, R'taran. Please feel free to seek me out
again, to talk about work or otherwise."

"My thanks. Good day to you." He nodded his head and took his leave.

She settled down to read the new hides. Hopefully R'taran was right, and
they'd be fine...

Last updated on the November 30th 2014

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