Following His Lead

Writers: Aaron, Heather
Date Posted: 16th February 2024
Series: Lavender Run

Characters: Brennault, Zavek
Description: Brennault shows Zavek around Dolphin Cove
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 10

Brennault

Zavek was not a nervous person by nature, but he found his stomach a knot of nerves as he walked with Brennault into the Weyrbowl of Dolphin Cove Weyr. It was his first time ever seeing the Weyr and the stories and paintings of it did not do it justice. The sheer magnificence of the ridgeline that rose up in a half-circle beside the ocean was jaw dropping.

"That's... quite a view," he said to Brennault.

"It's probably my second favorite!" said Brennault. He spent enough time away to keep it breathtaking every time he came back. "Right after looking up at you."

Zavek turned his head to look at Brennault, studying the man's face in the brilliant sunlight of the Dolphin Cove coast. It amazed him still how they had found one another. What were the odds that out of this vast continent, Zavek had found the one person who could fit into his complicated life so perfectly?

Despite the people milling about, Zavek reached out and took Brennault's hand. "Show me around?"

It was glorious to be able to hold Zavek's hand where everyone could see. Brennault beamed brighter than the shining sun, and the wind blew through his hair.

"I'd love to," he said. "There's not much of interest to see when it comes to what I do, but everything else? Have you ever seen so many dragons?"

Zavek's eyes went up to the weyrrim where many of the great beasts lounged indolently, reminding him of felines on a windowsill. "No, never. The closest I've been to a dragon is your friend's Tsogath." The massive size of some of the dragons was mind-boggling.

"We could make this a regular thing," said Brennault. "I'll come visit you, then you come visit me?"

"Maybe." Zavek squeezed Brennault's hand. It wasn't that he didn't like the idea, but the idea was scary. Risky. If anyone ever started to be suspicious about Zavek's "trips"....

"What about the Hatching Sands?" he asked curiously. "I mean... are we allowed to go see them?"

"Yeah, that should be all right. There's nobody in there to bite our heads off right now." Brennault chuckled. "You would have made a great bronzerider."

He led Zavek to the hatching cavern and gestured for him to go first.

That made Zavek chuckle. "I like to think that if I had been a dragonrider, it would have been to a blue. They've always struck me as the most beautiful. And their speed sounds exciting to me."

"It's funny," said Brennault. "As much as I love speed on the ground, when I played dragonman as a kid, I always wanted to ride the biggest and strongest one. But I have my little bronze now, and I wouldn't give this life up." He stroked Marvel's head, and the fire lizard shared his contentment with Brennault.

"I guess we both still ended up riding what we like in the end."

Zavek shot Brennault a fiery look, full of desire, as the corner of his mouth lifted. "I guess we did, didn't we?" His attention was momentarily drawn away as they entered in the Hatching Cavern, which yawned above them in its enormity. "Wow," he breathed softly, trying to imagine eggs and a Queen on the sands.

"You should see the next Hatching," said Brennault. "It's even more amazing." And, fate willing, there would be significantly fewer attempted murders. "A'vel came and picked me up from my dad's station so I wouldn't miss the last one. I bet he would come get you, too. I could send Marvel to check whether you can make it."

Marvel cheeped at hearing his name.

That would certainly be a spectacle to behold.

"If you think A'vel wouldn't mind, I don't want to wear out his kindness."

"I always do my best to give as much as I take," said Brennault. "For this time, I'm going to ask my father to hire him to play his common room."

"Well, after that, let me know what I can do to help out. I'm in his debt, too." It was weird asking a stranger for help, it went against Zavek's nature, but it was worth it to spend this special time with Brennault. "Now... where's a good private place in the Weyr?" he asked, eyes gleaming.

"Well, we have A'vel's weyr tonight... but for now, there are little private places all over, if you know where to look." Brennault grinned and tugged Zavek toward the store rooms.

"I'll follow your lead then," Zavek said, placing his hand back in Brennault's.

Last updated on the February 23rd 2024

[Prev: Supporting a Friend] Series: Lavender Run [Next: Good Feelings Gone]

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Following His Lead