Searchrider 101

Writers: Francesca, Halyonix, Heather, Sia, Yvonne
Date Posted: 17th February 2025

Characters: K'lvin, V'dryn, J'cello, A'lin, Casmari, Ketlyn, Kailis
Description: The green and blue Weyrlings received specialized search training.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 3, day 6 of Turn 12

A'lin

Casmari

Kailis

“Welcome Weyrlings,” K’lvin said as the green and blue dragonriders from Riyanth’s final clutch filed into their regular classroom. It had been nearly a month since the senior queen’s passing, and while her absence still left a gaping hole in the Weyr, time and the growth of the dragonets swept them forward regardless.

“I’ve invited some of Barrier Lake’s Searchriders in today to talk with you about Search etiquette and training. Not all blue and green dragons are good at Searching new Candidates and other dragons also have the capability, but we’ve found that greens and blues tend to be the best at determining Candidate eligibility.” He looked around the room. “You may be thinking to yourself that you’re not interested in being a Searchrider, and that’s perfectly fine, but today’s lesson will at least give you the foundation you need should you decide this is something you want to pursue later.”

In the last few sevendays, Zhomoth had shown…something…that had piqued V’dryn’s interest in this lesson. At most, all V’dryn could say was that Zhomoth had started making remarks about some of the Candidates, about how he could “hear” them or something, but even the dragon could not quite explain it. V’dryn chalked that up to his age and inexperience. He hoped that this lesson would provide some answers.

J'cello leaned back in his chair, well prepared to spend the next candlemark or so half-listening and doodling idly in his notebook. Bairelth _was_ showing some inclination at having the knack for Search, just from an off-comment or two when an over-interested weyrbrat got close enough to be roped into helping with her bath, but the thought of it stressed her out enough that it wouldn't be worth it.

A’lin sat next to V’dryn, interested in learning more about Search. The idea of Oberlith having special abilities was interesting, but he was not particularly keen on visiting remote cotholds and potentially dealing with those who did not like the idea of their children becoming Candidates.

}:We will be the most _excellent_ Searchriders.:{ Sebiath assured Casmari as she entered the classroom and slipped into a seat beside V’dryn.

**What makes you think that?** His confidence was sometimes a little unnerving. It was a lot of pressure living up to your dragon’s supreme confidence.

}:Because we are the most _excellent_ blueriding pair to ever grace Barrier Lake.:{ Sebiath sighed, as if it should be obvious.

Whether Varinth showed interest in being a Search dragon or not, Ketlyn had he notebook out and a list of questions prepared. If she was Searched it was entirely possible that her siblings could be as well. She suspected that if they were, it would make moving her family to the Weyr much easier.

“Everyone, this is Remera of green Hesperith and Q’lian of blue Tivorth. They both have decades of experience and will be leading today’s instruction.”

Remera was rather short of stature with a shocking mop of blonde hair that was braided away from her face. A woman who looked to be in her early fifties, the only thing that softened her otherwise no-nonsense appearance was the wry little grin on her face.

“Morning,” she said, giving the Weyrlings a jaunty salute.

Q’lian was wiry and moved like a man who was always formulating a plan, rubbing it between his hands, but his mannerisms lost all of their oiliness due to his soft, kind smile. He was nervous, speaking to a crowd, even Turns into being a Searchrider. “Good morning,” he said in a tone that projected equal parts warmth and anxiety.

“Why don’t some of you,” Remera said, looking at the Weyrlings, “tell us your experience with the Searchrider who determined your potential and brought you to the Weyr?”

“Well,” said Kailis. She had waited for someone else to speak, and eventually, the silence began to annoy her. “I was already here. But a dragon poked me in the belly while I was fixing her rider’s fan.”

Remera quirked a little smile. “And then? What did the dragon’s rider do?”

“Oh. He said I could be a Candidate if I wanted to. So I decided to try it out.” Kailis supposed that would have been obvious, but she had clearly wanted more detail.

“Did he give you a Search token?” The greenrider’s patience knew no limits.

Kailis was genuinely not sure whether Remera was trying to find fault with the way the rider had Searched her or if she was just doing that thing where someone asked you questions they already knew the answers to.

“Well… I made it this far without anyone noticing, so it's probably too late to kick me out now.”

Remera laughed. “Well, traditionally, a Searchrider gives you a token to present as proof to the Headwoman.” This she said looking back out at the group of green and blue Weyrlings.

“You see everyone, as a Searchrider, you are an ambassador from the Weyr. Your dragon will know whether a person possesses the potential, but it is upon you to make the sort of impression that would cause a holder or crafter to allow their son or daughter to leave home and come to the Weyr. How you talk and interact with people matters. Your disposition matters.” Remera dropped a sweet candy onto the table in front of Kailis. “Thank you for helping out,” she winked.

“Now, who else can tell us about the experience they had when they were Searched? I have plenty of candy to hand out.”

Ketlyn eyed the candy. “I’m from a cothold. The Searchrider came and had us all line up, and then handed me a token and asked me if I wanted to Stand. My parents agreed so the Searchrider came back for me a sevenday later.” It had been the longest sevenday of her life.

“Was your Searchrider a man or woman? What color dragon did they ride, and what did your family think about them?” Remera said, digging a little further, even as she tossed a candy at Ketlyn.

“A man riding a green dragon,” Ketlyn said as she caught the candy. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember his name... It was a few Turns ago at Dolphin Cove Weyr. My family was more concerned about losing a set of hands to the Weyr than they were about the Searchrider.” They’d only thought about how losing Ketlyn would mean that her mother would have more to do, and hadn’t ever discussed what being Searched would mean for Ketlyn herself. Moving to the Weyr had been a shock.

“Excellent point,” Remera said. “If you become a Searchrider, this is something that you will have to face. Many families rely on their children to help financially. Some families will be reluctant to allow their children to come to the Weyr for this reason. This is something you will have to be sympathetic about and ultimately, respect the decision the parents make. Leave a token with the individual Searched, however, because they may yet decide at a later point to come to the Weyr.”

“Now, Q’lian is going to take over and work with you, your dragonets specifically, on how to determine if a Candidate has potential.” The greenrider stepped aside so that her bluerider counterpart could take over.

The wiry man stepped forward again, still rubbing his hands together thoughtfully. “So, um, Searching has less to do with _you_ and more to do with your dragon, as you’ve probably guessed. Thing is, um, kind of like Impression, Searching is just a thing that they _know_. Like, innately. But those that really have a knack for it, they start with this hunch. This interest. Tivorth once told me it’s a little like hearing the notes to a song and you want to know who’s singing it. Captures your interest. Like a scent. Yeah, that’s a good analogy.”

He paused to look over the gathered weyrlings. “Have any of your dragons felt something like that? Maybe not in those words but you get the idea, right?”

"Not quite like that." J'cello said. "But an interest, yes. It's more like Bairelth is noticing something I'm not."

“Sebiath seems more interested in some people than others. I’m not sure if it’s because they have potential, though, or if he’s just nosy.” Casmari’s lips quirked upward as an outraged bugle blasted in the background.

Ketlyn glanced between the two and seized her chance. “Sometimes Varinth is… interested in people?”

Q’lian nodded with each response. “It’s easier to feel out of the Weyr.” He motioned towards the Weyr in general. “You’re surrounded by people who are riders and Candidates, Weyrfolk with dragonrider ties already. So, um, it’s noisy. Hard to tell they’re being just naturally curious or if there’s something there. But as you get out there, on sweep and such, listen to your dragon. They’ll know.”

“Any other questions for our Searchriders before we get outside and practice a bit?” K’lvin asked, looking around the room.

J'cello did not raise his hand, but after a moment of silence he cheerily said, "Would either of you be available to answer questions later, if we have them?" He directed the shit-eating grin mostly towards Q'lian- poor man looked ready to jump clean out of his skin- even as Bairelth's secondhand embarrassment on his behalf teased the edges of his mind.

A’lin shook his head. At this point, he wasn’t sure if Oberlith could be a Searchrider, but was curious to see if anything developed.

Last updated on the February 24th 2025

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Searchrider 101