Knowing When to Quit

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 9th January 2015

Characters: K'lvin, Ev'lor
Description: K'lvin has a difficult conversation with one of his wingriders.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 11, day 18 of Turn 7

K'lvin dreaded the conversation that he was about to have with one of
his best wingriders. It was hard, sometimes, finding a trustworthy man
in the Wing that could also be a role model to the younger men and
women, and Ev'lor was that man. When the knock came at his office
door, K'lvin rocked back in his chair, released a pent up sigh, and
then rolled his shoulders.

"Come in." He took that moment to take a drink of his klah as the
brownrider came in. "Ev'lor, have a seat."

"My duty to Xmrenth," Ev'lor said in a polite tone as he took a seat.
"Fine drill today."

"That is actually what I wanted to talk to you about, Ev'lor" He
crossed his fingers together as he leaned forward on his desk, and
then looked up at the older dragonrider. "I think it is time for you
to retire. You know I have the utmost respect for you, I trust you
more than anyone else in the Wing, even my Wingsecond. But your
reaction time has slowed, and there have been increasing mistakes over
the past month."

Ev'lor was stunned. That wasn't what he'd expected when he was called
in. Oh, there'd been a bit of trouble with his firestone tosses today,
but he hadn't expected to be called out. At least K'lvin was doing it
in private.

}:I flew fine,:{ Darrith said indignantly.

"What type of mistakes?" he asked.

"Slow reaction times during transitions to new formations, being
offline when tossing, and," K'lvin sat back in his chair and sighed,
"do you really want me to go through all of it? You know I wouldn't
lie to you, and I can't afford to lose good riders but... Every man
comes to the day when he has to retire or he becomes a liability to
his wingmates."

The brownrider wanted to shake his head and deny it, but his own
honesty compelled him to admit that he was just seconds late
sometimes. The slower reaction time on changeover he'd noticed, but
hadn't thought it was a problem, not when he knew the formations and
they weren't out of place when it counted...

But he'd flown for the Weyr for too many Turns to find the idea of
giving up duty easy to swallow. What would be do with his time? His
Wingleader was fair, maybe he could assist.

"I assume you mean just retire from active Fall, and take on other duties?"

"Of course. You are too valuable to lose, Ev'lor, and I hope you know
how hard it was for me to make this decision. I am a dragonman the
same as you. There are still plenty of duties outside of 'Fall that I
coul use you for, and I am sure the Weyrlingstaff would be ecstatic to
get some of your time as well." Forced retirement was never an easy
thing, but K'lvin hoped Ev'lor realized how valued he was.

"I suppose if you put me on sweeps or night watch it'll take away from
the kids having to do them," Ev'lor said after a moment. He was trying
to put a bright face on it.

K'lvin grinned a little, "I might even send the troublemakers with
you. They need someone to crack their heads and make sure they are
doing their job."

Well - maybe it wouldn't be so bad, he thought. But still it nagged.
He'd always thought to die in Fall, not be put out to pasture.
"Effective immediately?"

"Effective immediately." K'lvin confirmed, although he took no
pleasure in it. Unless he died in Threadfall, some day someone would
say these words to him. K'lvin only hoped that he could take it like a
man with dignity.

He didn't have it in him to crack a smile, so he just nodded. "Can I
still sit at the lunch table, oh Wingleader?" The closest to levity he
could manage.

K'lvin's grin didn't quite reach his eyes, "Of course, someone has to
keep Sh'larn from spewing everyone with food while he talks."

"I'm good for that." It was awkward and he didn't know what else to
add, so he figured he'd better bow out gracefully. "Be seeing you,
then."

"Take care, Ev'lor. I'll be in touch with some assignments for you."
It had gone better than K'lvin had expected, but it stlil wasn't a
conversation he liked having, with anyone.

Last updated on the January 10th 2015

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Knowing When to Quit