The Bard

Writers: Devin, Halyonix
Date Posted: 19th March 2025

Characters: Y'dran, N'vanik
Description: Clan Y arrives at Dolphin Cove
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 15 of Turn 12

N'vanik

}: I believe we have _plenty_, :{ Seriaeth remarked with humor as he
looked over the sacks slung across dragon shoulders.

"Do you think?" Y'dran chuckled. He was leaning against his bronze,
watching his daughter tie off the last sack (or so he hoped!) on to
her green with the help of Y'dran's sister, Ysiel. Ysiel's fosterlings
were already aboard their dragons -- one blue, one brown -- with their
belongings tied off. There was another of Y'dran's sons, a hopeful
Candidate still, aboard one of the dragons. He was leaving a few
children behind here at Vista Point but their decisions were their
own. They supported him, he supported them.

"I think we're finally ready," Ysiel said as she approached, wiping
her hands on her skirt and chuckling at the sheer magnitude of it all.
"Whoever said that dragonriders have few possessions has obviously
never met you two." She winked at her brother jokingly. Y'dran had a
flair for dramatics -- and a wardrobe to match it. Apparently his
daughter has also acquired that trait.

"A harper must always be prepared," Y'dran said with a sweeping bow.
He offered his hand to his sister so that she could board Seriaeth.
With a final look over of the small group of departing dragons, Y'dran
mounted up. "Take us to our new home," he told Seriaeth.

The four dragons took off, following Seriaeth's lead on a wide spiral
around the rim at Vista Point, one final look as Seriaeth spoke with
the watchrider at Dolphin Cove for coordinates. Once they had
clearance, Seriaeth bugled and they all went /between/.

Y'dran immediately noticed the difference in time, going from one
coast to the other, but the ocean lurking beyond the rim of their new
home was a familiar sight. As Seriaeth led their little clan into a
long spiral down towards the Weyrbowl, Y'dran began familiarizing
himself with the Weyr's landmarks. "It's a lovely sight!" Ysiel called
back to him. He agreed. The green mountain range behind the Weyr added
a verdant backdrop to the stony brown of broken caldera.

Seriaeth tipped his wings, warbled to the watchrider, and neatly
landed in the Weyrbowl. **No theatrics this time?** Y'dran teased.
**You only get one chance to make a good impression.**

}: I'm saving that for the golds, :{ Seriaeth replied. His head tilted
towards one of the ledges. }: And maybe that lovely green dragon right
there. :{ Y'dran laughed.

"What's so funny?" Ysiel asked as she unstrapped herself.

"Seriaeth saving his theatrics for later, that's all," her brother answered.

"Hm. Well, I suppose the harpers here will get to know your tastes
soon enough. Be ready to share those songs with them," she replied.
She slid down and went to help the others. "I'll go check in with the
Headwoman while you four meet the Weyrleader," Ysiel said
matter-of-factly.

"Aye, aye, Weyrwoman," Y'dran joked. His sister shot him a sassy look
over her shoulder as the two parted ways. With a snap of his fingers,
a pep in his step, Y'dran motioned for the others to follow him as he
strode towards the Weyrleader's office. He knocked with a bit of a
harper's flourish on the door.

"Come in," N'vanik called. When the door opened he said, "Welcome to
Dolphin Cove, Y'dran . . ." His eyebrow went up. "And family."

While Y'dran made a courtly (though a bit dramatic for a dragonrider)
bow, the rest of the gathered family were more reserved in their
greetings. "Well met, Weyrleader. Thank you for the welcome. Seriaeth
sends his greetings as well." He went around the little group,
introducing them all to the Weyrleader with a father's pride. "At
Dolphin Cove's service!" he ended with.

One of the kids definitely rolled their eyes at that.

The Weyrleader chuckled. "We're happy to have you. Nice to meet you
all." Definitely not the quiet, reserved type. "Decided to drag them
all with you?"

"They came willingly, I promise!" Y'dran replied with a brief look of
theatric shock. "All jests aside, they speak for themselves.
Dragonriders in their own right. Do with them as you will."

"We can always use more riders," N'vanik said. "How've you been? I
haven't seen you in uhh . . . a while." They'd exchanged a few polite
words at a few Hatchings but otherwise N'vanik hadn't seen Y'dran
since he was at Vista Point.

"Good!" Y'dran answered with unruffled enthusiasm. The bronzerider
possessed the sanguine charm that most dragonriders exuded. "No tragic
backstory here about why I'm transferring. I -- well, _we_ -- were
bored with the same vistas at Vista Point and wanted to try somewhere
new. And you? How's Weyrleadership working out for you?"

"Not too bad, when the holders aren't trying to kill us," N'vanik said
with dark humor.

Y'dran's eyebrows shot up. One of the children behind him made a
surprised sound. "There...is a story there," the bronzerider replied,
his tone equal parts harper-focused and rider-concerned. "Perhaps we
catch up on our lives over a drink later? I'd hate to keep you tied up
in getting us sorted out."

"Do you not get news out at Vista Point anymore?" N'vanik snorted.
"I'll let you get you and your clan settled. The drama of the last few
Turns can wait."

A twinkle entered Y'dran's eyes. He did love a good drama. "You know
how it is. A story gets embellished or watered down by the time it
make its rounds. I prefer to hear it straight from the source. When
said source is willing."

"Well . . . we'll see what kind of mood I'm in," the Weyrleader said.
"Sometimes it's all too much." He could only hope the worst of it was
behind them.

Y'dran debated on whether or not to use a flippant, lighthearted
phrase as a response for a moment before answering empathetically
with, "Heavy are the knots." Better N'vanik than Y'dran. Y'dran had
absolutely no desire to sit in that seat.

"Yeah, it's not all fun." A hint of humor crept back into N'vanik's
expression. "But better than having someone else in charge."

The other bronzerider opened his hands as though he had been found
guilty and smiled. "Better than someone else for sure. Like me. Have
you seen how my name is spelled? 'Disaster'."

One of the kids grumbled something about moving this meeting along so
that they could unload their dragon.

N'vanik flicked a glance at them. "I think your kids are bored."

"Inconsiderate," Y'dran replied with a roguish glance their way.
"You'd think their fostermothers had raised them better." The second
statement had a more lighthearted jest to it but still held a firm
reminder that they were talking with the Weyrleader, not some lowly
drudge. Y'dran looked back at N'vanik. "I think a day or two on night
watch duty might rectify that?" he played with a conniving grin.

"It _is_ nice when people volunteer themselves for the job," the
Weyrleader said. "I think some of your kids are eager."

"They're yours to do with whatever you want," Y'dran answered with a
grin. He thought he heard one of them start to protest but it was
quickly quieted.

"Should I let you all go so you can have a nice first day here?"
N'vanik asked. "They can talk themselves into watch duty tomorrow,
maybe."

"I'm sure one of them will be happy to oblige you," Y'dran replied. He
reached forward to grip N'vanik's arm. "Good to see you again,
N'vanik. I look forward to those drinks later."

"Me too. Fair skies."

Last updated on the April 3rd 2025

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