The Price of Gold (2/2)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyrhold
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr (NPC)
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall
Writers: Corrin, Sia
Date Posted: 28th October 2024
Characters: Sybana, Dorix
Description: With her marriage plans in ruins, Sybana contemplates risking everything for a chance at power on the Sands, heedless of her uncle’s cautions.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 2, day 23 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Corofel, Dalgarian (NPC), Damarin(NPC)
"Have you thought about what happens if you don't Impress the gold?" Dorix asked.
“Is that likely?” Sybana asked, eyes wide and serious. “I know there’s a lot of greens, but don’t they only Impress to a certain… type?”
"Half the clutch, give or take. And no, they don't, though that assumption continues. That's half a Weyr's fighting force. And…" He paused again, unsure whether he should scandalize his young niece. But if Dalgarian was sending her off to the Weyr… "I'd say the blues Impress to a certain type more than greens."
“Well, surely I'm at least safe from those. I know they say it’s happened to a few girls now, but-- Uncle. Do you actually think I’m mannish?”
He leaned back in his chair to look at her, as if seriously considering the question. He might have laughed about it before, but a deadpan joke was all he could muster these days. "No, but male greenriders aren't all effeminate, either. The Searchdragon only says you're suitable to Impress, not to which colour. You'd have to fight Thread."
Sybana’s brow furrowed as she processed her uncle’s words. She didn’t see a joke, just a warning. Fight Thread? The idea was foreign, uncomfortable, like a gown that didn’t quite fit. She wasn’t a boy or weyrbrat to have dreamed of such things. It wasn’t so much the commitment she minded, the reality of putting her life on the line. It was just all too… common. A few months ago it seemed she might be a great lady. To go from the heights of Emerald Falls to the ranks of a greenrider was unappealing to say the least. She had spent Turn upon Turn getting a fine education, watching her brothers build up their hold in privilege and prestige. That all had to be for something. She wanted to be a part of something bigger. She wanted to be more than a face in the crowd.
“I suppose I could do that if I had to,” she said after a long pause, though her tone lacked any real enthusiasm. “But really, uncle. Don’t you think I’m suited for gold?”
"It's not me who chooses." Dorix diplomatically said after a little consideration. "The gold does. Dragons have their own agendas, and that's still quite a mystery to us. But being there means you need to be prepared for any option. A green or even a _blue_ might find you suitable instead. It's not like …courting. You don't get to find out if you might like them first. Don't go just because Dalgarian tells you to, that's all."
Silence stretched between them again as Sybana mulled over his words. The idea of _not_ being in control terrified her. She had been raised to take gentle control in life, to gracefully wield influence over others. The notion that a dragon"some uneducated creature fresh out of the shell"could determine her fate unsettled her more than she wanted to admit, but she had hopes and dreams riding on this. “I think I have to, uncle. What’s left for me otherwise? Corofel won’t have me. There’s no other eligible lord on the horizon. I’ve done _everything_ I was supposed to and it _still_ fell apart.” Her voice wavered dangerously and there were the beginnings of tears in her eyes. “I’m tired of this. I want something that belongs to me" something no one can take away. I want to be formidable in my own right, not through daddy or Dalgarian.”
Oh. _oh_. Dorix didn't know what to do with this. He was better at it, turns ago, with Saeruth to lean on. "I understand that feeling." He said as he reached out to touch her arm in what he hoped was at least somewhat comforting. "And if that's what you want, any dragon colour would suit you. But you have to accept that once you're on the Sands, there's no turning back. It's a gamble- a good one, the _best_ one- but no matter what happens, your life won't be the same afterwards."
Sybana sniffed and bitterly dashed the tears from her eyes. He didn't understand. He didn't understand at all! Just any color wouldn't do. Greens and blues weren't formidable, not in the way she meant. She hesitated to tell him that though. He had ridden a blue himself and she didn't want to insult him. Surely he meant well, but it was devastating to hear that her new and best avenue to real influence ran such dire risks. Anything less than gold would be another failure, another door closed in her face.
Still, what other option was there? She wanted to be like Dalgarian, like Damarin, the titans of her life. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, they said. They sneered at their father’s complacency. She could not be complacent. She had to dare.
“I understand,” she said at last, putting on a brave smile. “I’ll risk it-- and I'll make you proud, you’ll see.”
Last updated on the October 29th 2024