One Step at a Time

Writers: Estelle, Devin
Date Posted: 9th January 2025
Series: Guarding Gil

Characters: Gilbek, Tr'vel, I'lek, D'stan, Terella, Ochyra
Description: Gil has breakfast with Tr'vel and his wingmates
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 1 of Turn 11

Tr'vel

Eboroth landed on Gil's ledge, single eye whirling a happy blue. Unlike
the other times he'd escorted the prisoner, Tr'vel was smiling as he
dismounted. "Good morning!"

Gil was waiting on the ledge. He was still keen to be out, but after the
previous day's fiasco he intended to keep a low profile. He needed to
get more familiar with the Weyr, and build up his strength - and if
possible, put on weight so he couldn't be carried around like a sack of
firestone. "Good morning, Bluerider, Eboroth." He looked cautiously from
one to the other. "You're in a good mood today?"

"We're going to have company for breakfast." Tr'vel's grin was a little
predatory. "My wingmates want to meet you."

Eboroth tilted his head to get a better view of Gil. }:The others say
their riders are also eager. I do not know why you are all so excited.
He is just a human, not even a rider. But I like that you're happy.:{ He
nudged Tr'vel, who absently reached back to pat the blue's nose.

"Oh." Gil hadn't expected that. So far, Tr'vel had seemed to regard him
as half way between useless encumbrance and dangerous criminal, and he
certainly hadn't made any effort to introduce him to other weyrfolk.
Perhaps this was progress. "I'd be honored to meet them."

Tr'vel couldn't help a little chuckle. "Let's not keep them waiting."
Eboroth lowered himself as much as he could and his rider hopped up
easily before turning to help Gil.

By now Gil had got used to mounting the blue with the least possible
strain to his back, but he accepted the help, reasoning that he couldn't
possibly be humiliated any further in Tr'vel's eyes. Once he was
strapped in, they took off for the short flight to the Weyrbowl.

"Does your wing have a name?" he asked once they'd landed and were
heading for the dining cavern. He'd noticed the dragonriders wearing
different badges as well as the knots that he'd learned as a young guard.

"Lightning. It's all the retired riders, so there's a big range."
Eboroth had alerted the others and it was easy to spot the Lightning
Wing table because a few of them stood and waved as soon as Tr'vel and
Gil entered the dining cavern. Tr'vel waved back to show he'd seen them.
"Let's get our food and head over."

Gil wondered about what Tr'vel had said as he collected his breakfast.
The dragonrider looked far too young and strong to be retired with the
elderly aunties and uncles. It must be Eboroth's injury that had caused
him to be relegated to guarding a prisoner.

He followed the bluerider over to a table where a group of riders of all
ages were gathered. They were staring with avid curiosity, but didn't
seem hostile. One young greenrider was positively beaming at him.

"Tr'vel, good morning - and this must be your charge." A grandmotherly
lady beckoned to them. "Come and sit down and introduce us."

"Everyone this is Gil," Tr'vel said as he set down his tray. "Gil,
this is everyone." After a beat, he said, "All right, all right. That's
Terella, that's D'stan, that's Ochyra . . ." He named a few others
before pointing out the young greenrider. "And the cute one there is I'lek."

"I'm so happy to meet you." I'lek enthusiastically offered a hand for a
surprised Gil to shake, then patted the bench next to him. "Tr'vel, I
can't believe you've been hiding him away from us!"

"For a whole two days," Ochyra said, with a sly glance at I'lek.

"I was doing the job the Weyrleader assigned me," Tr'vel said. "But . .
. escorting him to breakfast is one of my duties, so there's no reason
we can't eat with you awful people."

Somewhat taken aback by the warm welcome, Gil took the spare seat next
to the friendly greenrider, I'lek. He wondered why Tr'vel had singled
him out. Perhaps he was romantically attracted to the young man? He'd
heard that was nothing out of the ordinary for blue and greenriders. It
had been one of the most common complaints made about the depravity for
the Weyr, back at the hold.

"How are you finding life at the Weyr, Gil?" I'lek asked, his gaze fixed
adoringly on the newcomer. "I hope our customs don't seem too strange to
you."

"It's a little different from what I'm used to." Gil glanced at Tr'vel.
"But I've only been - uh, outside for a day so far. If I'm allowed to
stay, I expect I'll get used to it."

Tr'vel took a bite, trying not to stare but watching with interest.
Wondering when I'lek was going to pounce. "So you think you'll overcome
the horrors of the bathing cavern?"

"If I must," the holder replied dryly, well aware by now that he was
being teased. "It's only that at the hold, it would have been considered
offensive to try to bathe with the opposite sex."

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that!" I'lek's eyes lit up
immediately. "No one here could possibly be offended by the sight of a
handsome man bathing. In fact, you should tell me when you're going to
go, and I'll join you! I can always use the help to scrub my back." He
gestured to his right arm, which was missing below the elbow, with an
inviting smile.

"Of course." Gil's eyes widened. He guessed the arm must have been lost
to Thread and the instinct to help an injured comrade overcame his
discomfort with the bathing arrangements. "That is, if it wouldn't be a
problem?" It occurred to him that even if it wasn't against orders,
Tr'vel might prefer that he didn't share a bathing pool with the young
greenrider. He wasn't sure if it was different at the Weyr, but some of
his fellow guards had been touchy about their sweethearts so much as
speaking to another man.

Tr'vel tried to keep a straight face. "You could join us today, after
Gil has his exercise," he told I'lek.

"Exercise?" If possible, the greenrider's smile widened even further.
"What kind of exercise? Are you going to work up a sweat?"

Ochyra snickered. "Watch out, I'lek, you're drooling."

"No, I'm not." He made a face at her.

"Actually, I'm supposed to take it easy for now," Gil said, unsure what
to make of that. "I had a fever and I'm still recovering, so the healer
said I should stick to walking."

"He's _swimming_ today," Tr'vel said. "He picked out a bathing costume
and everything."

"A bathing costume! I must see it." I'lek clapped his hand to his chest
in delight. He frowned at Ochyra's giggles and D'stan's suppressed
snort. "Ignore them, Gil. I know you'll look perfectly adorable."

Gil's cheeks flushed. He knew now that he was definitely being made fun
of. Were they all going to come out and watch? The costume, while
preserving his modesty, didn't cover his scars. No wonder Tr'vel had
looked so pleased with himself this morning.

Well, if they were expecting him to put on a show of outrage, he would
disappoint them. He took a deep breath, and smiled at I'lek. "Thank you.
I know it's not the custom to wear one, but I'm taking one step at a time."

Gil was being . . . gracious and it threw Tr'vel off a little. "A lot of
things to get used to at the Weyr." And Gil didn't even want to _be_
here. What if he truly was a man who was trying to make the best of what
life had thrown at him?

"Not so many that I shouldn't remember my manners," Gil said quickly.
"Tr'vel told me that your Wing is for riders who've retired from
fighting. As a holder, I owe you my thanks, and my regret for serving
people who forgot that."

The wingriders looked at each other, bemused. How could they carry on
tormenting Gil after that?

After a moment, Terella broke into a grin and laid a hand on the man's
shoulder. "Thank you. You'll have to keep an eye on this one, Tr'vel.
He's smarter than he looks."

"That's the trouble. Can't figure out if he's smart or sincere." Tr'vel
took a bite of his food, reminding himself Gil was a prisoner. That he
might have knowingly tried to kill baby dragons. Velaria and her green
could have _died_.

Terella looked at Gil, now chatting with I'lek and Ochyra, and her
expression turned thoughtful. "He could be both."

"I hope he's being honest," Tr'vel told her quietly. "I don't want to
hate him. I don't want to hate anybody." But he _did_. He hated everyone
who'd planned such a horrible thing.

"That'll be why the Weyrleader chose you. He knows you'll give him a
fair chance," she suggested. "But you're not naive, either."

Tr'vel nodded. "He's hoping, too." The Weyrleader had seemed torn and if
Tr'vel could feel the weight of being responsible if Gil did something
terrible, it must feel all the heavier for N'vanik.

"It must have been a difficult decision to make." So much easier,
Terella thought, to just drop the man /between/. She wasn't sure she
wouldn't have made that choice. "But if he's right, and this man is
honest, he might end up doing good for the Weyr."

Tr'vel watched his wingmates interacting with Gil. "I saw what those
holders did to his back. He's suffered, that much is true. And if he
really was just a messenger who didn't have all the facts . . . I hope
the Weyr can be good for him."

"So do I. It'd be good if we can change some of their minds." Terella
followed his gaze and smiled. "And if anyone can change a holder's mind,
it's I'lek."

Hearing his name, the young greenrider turned. Whatever he'd been saying
to Gil, it had made the former holder turn rather red, but he was
valiantly attempting to keep his composure. "I like him, Tr'vel," he
purred. "You can tell the Weyrleader he can lock him up in _my_ weyr any
time."

Tr'vel put a hand over his mouth, doing a poor job of covering his
laugh. "What about it, holder boy? Ready to expand your horizons?"

"That's very hospitable of you, I'lek," Gil said, politely. "But for
now, I'll confine myself to expanding them as far as swimming."

The greenrider grinned, undeterred. "One step at a time, eh? Look me up
when you're ready." He jabbed his fork in Tr'vel's direction. "Eat up!
I'm looking forward to my bath."

Tr'vel chuckled. "So am I." Even if Gil was being far calmer and more
polite about it than he'd expected, I'lek's irrepressibly cheerful
flirting was still a delight.

~*~
Estelle (ektidey.writing@gmail.com)
Gilbek, weyr resident, DCW
I'lek, Terella, Ochyra and D'stan, retired riders, DCW (NPC)

Devin (darkwolf58@gmail.com)
Tr'vel, retired rider of blue Eboroth, DCW

Last updated on the March 5th 2025

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