A Dilemma

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 20th April 2024
Series: The Hunt for Gil

Characters: Jayala, N'vanik
Description: Jayala talks to N'vanik after her meeting with Gil
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 18 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Talryne, Enali, Alyena, Corowal

Jayala

N'vanik

Jayala was thoughtful as the brown dragon glided into the shelter of the
Weyr bowl, leaving the cliff side weyrs behind them. She hadn't learned
exactly what she'd come to the Weyr hoping for, but the trip hadn't been
wasted, either.

The brown landed and his rider jumped down with easy grace, while Jayala
descended with more care and took the hand she was offered. "The
Weyrleader's weyr is just up there, Hallsecond. He's expecting you."

"Thank you - and you, Tymarith." She nodded to the dragon. "I expect
you'll be told when we're ready, and we can collect the journeywoman on
the way back to the Hall."

N'vanik stepped out onto the ledge and gestured for Jayala to come up.

"Weyrleader." Jayala glanced around out of habit as she reached the
ledge, but the advantage of the Weyr was that there was much less chance
of eavesdroppers. No one was around to overhear them apart from the huge
bronze dragon. "I've just spoken with Gil."

"What did you learn?" N'vanik asked as he led her inside. Talryne was
in the Weaver's workroom so they were alone in his weyr.

"Well, unless he's a truly superb actor, I don't think he burned down
the Harper Hall." Jayala sighed. She'd been hopeful that the mystery
would be cleared up and the culprit brought to justice, but it seemed
they'd have to go on looking. "To tell the truth, there were a few
things that didn't add up about that theory, but back then, people were
angry and looking for answers and he got the blame. We did have a talk
about how he got involved in the conspiracy, though."

"And?" So she had the same thought of Gil either being an excellent
liar or telling the truth. Harpers were trained to be observant, and
N'vanik had been curious to see Jayala's read on Gil.

"He was in the Hold guard at the time of the fire. Afterwards, although
there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of the arson, he was
dismissed - and given all of the rumors, he was having a hard time
finding another position, even as a drudge. Then this Holder, Obriel of
White Hollow, offered him a job guarding his quarry," Jayala explained.
"According to him, he wasn't too keen, but it was that or be made
Holdless. That can be a powerful fear, for a holder in a Pass."

N'vanik sighed. "I want to believe Gil. I really, really do. I'd like
to think some of the people caught up in this don't actually want to
kill us and our dragons. But it's hard not to wonder if he's just a
sharding good liar." If he could fool N'vanik _and_ the Harper
Hallsecond . . .

"If he is, he's a committed one." Jayala thought of the beating the man
had suffered, which must have been bad - she'd noticed that he didn't
move so easily, after what must be almost a Turn. Could he still be
loyal to the conspiracy? He'd have had to keep up the act for months,
with the cotholders, before the Weyr found him. "It's unlikely, but that
would make him extremely dangerous. You'll have to think very carefully
about what you do with him."

"That's the dilemma. If he's a liar I can't trust him around my
people. But if he was just a man faced with hard choices, who didn't
know how far things would go . . ." It would be easier if Gil had
started raving like Enali and Shuvan.

Jayala considered that for a moment. The Weyrleader certainly had a
difficult decision to make. The simplest solution would be if the man
was quietly made to disappear, but she doubted that a dragonrider's
conscience would permit that. And if the accusation of arson had left
him no option but to work for Obriel, then the Harper Hall owed him for
what he'd suffered there.

"There is one person who might be able to help," she said eventually.
"Gil's wife stayed with the harpers after the fire. She's in our
Northern Hall now - I believe she earned her journeyman's knots. Perhaps
she could speak to his honesty, though she wouldn't have seen him for
eight Turns."

"Time for a reunion then," N'vanik said. At the least, it might show
Gil the Weyr wasn't heartless. "I can arrange for message delivery and
transport, if she's willing."

"I'll write a letter to her, and to the Craftmaster." Jayala paused. "I
don't think this will stop her coming, but from what I've heard, she has
met someone else during those eight Turns. That reunion will be
bittersweet at best. No doubt I'm being overcautious, but I hope you'll
keep an eye on him while they're together."

That could certainly complicate things. "There's always a guard
watching that weyr. I'll make sure they're inside with them when that
visit happens. The transport rider too."

"Thank you." In Jayala's opinion the man was too broken-down to be a
threat, but emotions could run high and it was wise to take precautions.
"Oh, I've been through that list of names that he gave you. So far,
everything makes sense; all of them exist and match the descriptions,
and the information about White Hollow Hold agrees with what my
journeyman found out. As for the unnamed person on the steward's staff,
there was someone sounding very much like that who left Emerald Falls
rather hastily after Shuvan's arrest."

N'vanik arched an eyebrow. "Well, hopefully that's good news, because
that particular idea was worrisome. Someone that close to the Lord
Holder being involved in this . . ." And that list of names had been
much too long. "At least Gil is telling the truth as far as we can
tell."

"It seems so. As long as he hasn't left anyone out." That was a
possibility that kept her awake at night. "The Harpers are keeping a
discreet eye out for this missing steward, and we'll let you know if
there's any sign of him, or if there's any more news about the others.
They're being watched, too."

"Thank you again for all your help, Jayala." It gave him hope that
they might be able to root out the conspirators.

"It's our duty, and the Weyr has always been a friend to the Harper
Hall. I just hope we can put this matter to rest before they strike
again." If the conspirators had a plan, it was a closely guarded secret,
and they now no longer had Alyena to warn them. "I'll speak to the Lord
Holder if I can. He's preparing for his son to return from fostering, so
I expect he won't make any arrests until after that."

N'vanik made a slight face at the idea of anything delaying something
this important. "I suppose he'll need to make a plan to catch all of
them at once so they don't get word of someone being arrested and
flee."

"Yes. White Hollow will be the tricky one. My reports tell me there's a
large number of practiced fighters there, supposedly to guard the
quarry. He'll need a considerable force to be sure of arresting the
Holder." To do that and pick up the other conspirators at the same time
would require a carefully laid plan, and the Hold guards would still be
spread thin. She could only hope none of them were involved in the
conspiracy. "I suppose at least they don't have Gil on their side any
more. If he's got any thoughts on how best to approach White Hollow,
they might be useful."

"The Weyr can provide assistance, if Corowal wishes," N'vanik said.
"We worked together to capture Shuvan, we can do the same at White
Hollow." Hopefully with less bloodshed this time.

"I'll speak to him." For a moment, the Hallsecond sounded uncertain,
which was far from her usual manner. "None of us want to put another
dragon and rider in harm's way."

"Neither do I." The image of Calbarran crying over his dead lover
still haunted N'vanik. "We can provide transport and watchful eyes and
leave the arresting to the Hold guards."

"I'm sure the Lord Holder will appreciate it. White Hollow's isolated
and hard to get to, so dragon transport would be a great help." Jayala
glanced back to the ledge. "I'd better be on my way. I'll keep you updated."

Last updated on the April 22nd 2024

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