Keeping a Promise

Writers: Anika
Date Posted: 4th December 2014

Characters: R'taran, Rizpaulen
Description: R'taran talks to his father about his younger brother.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Sh'del

It was with trepidation that R'taran made his way to his father's
study following a tense meal with his family. Seeing his father's
large frame and graying hair, the brownrider paused at the threshold
of the room, trying to determine how best to proceed. His father had
toiled relentlessly to rebuild this Hold and every hand was needed to
make his dream become reality and bring the minor Hold back into the
standing that it once held.

"Finally decided on havin' yer say, eh?" Rizpaulen asked gruffly as
he poured a drink. "Come on in and shut the door."

"What?"

"Ya come not two sevendays after yer brother's weddin' an' in the midst
of a sevenday at that. Must be somethin' p'ticular on yer mind." He
passed the glass of amber liquid to his son and poured another for
himself. "Out with it, then."

After taking a sip and letting the fire in his throat calm his nerves
R'taran started in. "I've come to discuss Paulton with you."

Rizpaulen snorted and took a hefty swallow of whiskey. "Asked ya ta
carry him off ta the Weyr did he? Not surprised. Oughta jest say
good riddance and let ya take him. Boy's gotta stubborn streak the
length o' the Southern Continent. More trouble'n you and all the
rest o' yer brother's combined, that one, an' not for want of feelin'
the business end of my belt often enough." The man took another swig
of his drink before continuing his rant, "Randy as a green dragon,
too. Can't keep him away from the girl's o' the Hold. Only a matter
o' time 'fore he gets a child on one."

"Still, you need all the able bodied you can get to help with the
Hold. The family has done it's duty to the Weyr. I told him his duty
was to Hold and family. However, Thread has taken its toll and fit
dragonriders are needed as well. One of our Queens is due to clutch
this month and candidates are scarce."

His father looked sharply at R'taran, the concern obvious. "You've a shortage?"

"Not precisely," R'taran shook his head. "We'd like to add another
twenty candidates or so before the Hatching, but there's time yet and
the Weyr will persevere. There's nothing to be concerned over."

For several moments each man let his own thoughts play in his mind,
sipping at the strong liquor. Rizpaulen broke the silence with his
next query, "Yer askin' though."

"Paulton wanted me to and the Weyr _is_ in need. I don't want to
deprive the Hold, especially if he doesn't even demonstrate any
potential for Impressing. Maybe if I had a Searchdragon consider
Paulton -"

"I don't want a Searchdragon at the Hold again!" his father insisted
vehemently before flushing, remembering that he was speaking not only
to his son but a dragonrider. Quietly with almost a note of apology
in his voice he said, "Last time they took the very best of my line.
You'd have been my heir, Riztaran, and would have carried this Hold to
greatness."

Utterly dumbfounded by his father's words, R'taran took several
moments to recover. "Rizton is eldest."

"Aye, he is. Past is the past, but it's the future we're speakin' of."

"I was thinking I could take Paulton to the Weyr to meet a
Searchdragon. I'd make it clear before doing so that if the dragon
detects no potential, then his duty is here at the Hold."

"You don't think he's...that he..." Rizpaulen's faltering tone could
only mean one thing.

R'taran laughed loudly, dispelling some of the built up tension in the
room. "From what you've described of his escapades with the girls
here in the Hold, I seriously doubt he would Impress green."

"He's stubborn that one and cocksure as well. Won't be easy to train up."

"Oh, I think our Weyrlingmaster has faced worse than Paulton. The
training is rigorous and no nonsense is tolerated. You'd appreciate
that aspect of it."

"He's a bright lad if only he'd get his head outta the clouds. Might
be this is the best thing. Get it outta his system. And if he's
chosen, well - I'm plenty proud of the dragonrider son that I have.
I'll hold out hope he turns out as well."

R'taran swallowed heavily. His father was not usually so
demonstrative, but he supposed many men mellowed with age and he'd not
spent much time with the man in the past six turns.

"I can make arrangements for the interview and come for him first
thing on restday."

"Very well."

Sharing a look, both men emptied the contents of their glasses.

Last updated on the December 9th 2014

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Keeping a Promise