Checking a Reference

Writers: Avery, Devin
Date Posted: 20th January 2018

Characters: K'ran, N'vanik
Description: N'vanik gets a reference for one of his wingsecond applicants.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 26 of Turn 9

K'ran

N'vanik

N'vanik headed over to K'ran's office and knocked on the door. After
getting permission to enter he stepped in and asked, "Hey there, do
you have a few minutes?"

"Of course," K'ran said. "How are you and Loseth?"

"We're good. He's still gloating." The big bronze certainly deserved
to. "Are you and Rogueth doing good?"

"As well he should be, a healthy gold hatching is exciting and I'm
sure this will be a fine pair," K'ran complimented.

"We are doing well. Still happy to be flying leading our wing, at
least." The Wingleader folded his hands and tilted his head. "What can
I do for you today?"

N'vanik took a seat. "Well, I've been interviewing possible
Wingseconds and one of them is A'kades. I wanted to get your
perspective on him."

"He's interested in transferring from Dragonsfall? That's good news,"
K'ran said. He took a moment to organize his thoughts in a way he
hoped would be useful for N'vanik.

"I heard he served as a wingsecond at River Bluff, but that was before
I was there. I saw him serve as Weyrlingmaster's Second. The
impression I always had was that he was conscientious at his work and
that the weyrlings respected his authority. When I was looking to pick
weyrlings for my wing there, he listened to what I said I needed for
my wing, and then had a number of solid recommendations for me."

"Good, good." So A'kades would be good at assessing people. "Would you
say he's the hidebound sort?"

"I don't know if I'd phrase it quite like that. He's certainly a
traditionalist. You can tell from his reports and the way he behaved
with the badly-behaved weyrlings. I didn't get to know him well
outside of work, he never seemed to warm up to me. Of course, a lot of
old-time River Bluff people didn't," K'ran admitted.

"On the other hand, he did a good job mentoring some of the weyrlings.
So he couldn't have been too much the martinet. Some of those might
vouch for him, and he got along well with K'sedel."

N'vanik wondered if he should check on one of A'kades's former
weyrlings. That would certainly provide a different perspective. "I
wish you knew him better so I could grill you." N'vanik sighed. "This
is hard. I know I have to pick someone but no one's ever going to feel
right." He tried to remind himself he felt this way the last time he'd
needed to find a new Wingsecond. He'd rushed into the decision and
ended up with R'enh, so that had worked out. But this time he couldn't
help being fussy.

"I'm trying to think of any other details. He seemed very devoted to
the people he considered family. And based on his work alone, I would
have been comfortable taking him on as a wingsecond myself or placing
him into an open Wingleader spot."

K'ran tapped his lip as he thought. "I know he trained Lanniya's class
and two of Vilarth's before that. There's a number of those riders who
transferred over, and a couple are in your wing. Maybe one of those
could help tell you what an average wingrider thinks of him."

N'vanik nodded. "I'll look into asking a few people." Then he smiled.
"If you weren't occupied already, I'd consider you." N'vanik had only
known K'ran casually back at Dragonsfall and during the time K'ran had
transferred to help Dolphin Cove after the big Threadfall accident.
But after K'ran became Weyrleader he'd felt a growing bond of
friendship.

"I'd be happy to serve Dolphin Cove anywhere you put me, so if you'd
prefer me there than with Rapids, it would be fine. Though the wing
might object. As much as I've tried to mix together River Bluff and
Dolphin Cove riders, there does seem to be a prevailing sentiment that
it's a River Bluff wing still."

"I need good Wingleaders too, and I wouldn't take Rapids from you. I
like us carrying that bit of River Bluff's legacy, and when the Weyr
is rebuilt, you can take it back with you if you'd like."

"I got the impression it would be Turns, but I appreciate the offer.
In the meantime, I just want the riders who came over to be happy
here, whether they're in Rapids or your wing or with Cyclone," K'ran
said.

Thinking about the other wings made him consider other bronzeriders he
knew. He decided to venture a question. "For your Wingsecond search,
are you mostly looking at people from Dolphin Cove, or are you equally
open to people from here or outside candidates?"

"I'm looking at anyone," N'vanik said.

"If you get any other applications from Dragonsfall who I might have
overlapped with, I'd be happy to weigh in on those," K'ran offered.
After all he'd spent time as Cyan's Wingleader before going to River
Bluff. "Unfortunately most of the bronzes in my wing are younger."

"But fortunately that means you get to keep them for a while," N'vanik
smiled. "If I have any other former River Bluff or Dragonsfall folks
you're familiar with I'd be glad to discuss them with you. I know you
might still feel out of sorts here, but I really am happy to have you
K'ran."

"I hadn't been sure about Dragonsfall or Dolphin Cove, but I'm happier
I wound up here than anywhere else," K'ran said. It was a good Weyr,
with excellent leaders and solid riders. As long as N'vanik found him
useful to keep around, he'd stay.

Last updated on the March 2nd 2018

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Checking a Reference