A Favor For a Friend (1/2)

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 8th May 2025
Series: Guarding Gil

Characters: Gilbek, Tr'vel
Description: Gil asks Tr'vel to visit the cotholders who took him in
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 9 of Turn 12

Tr'vel

Gilbek tipped the last sack of animal feed into the trough and leaned
backwards, stretching out the muscles in his back. The sun was sinking
over the cliffs, and he felt the pleasant ache of the day's labor. He'd
been cleared for regular work rather than light duties, after promising
the healers he'd be careful, and the simple tasks reminded him of the
time he'd spent at the cothold.

He tossed the empty sack into the wheelbarrow and pushed it back towards
the stables. As he approached, he saw a familiar figure waiting and
raised a hand in greeting, his smile lighting his face. "Tr'vel!"

The bluerider returned the smile. "How was work today?"

"Good. Better than peeling tubers." Lighter work wasn't always
interesting work, and he liked being outdoors again. "And you? Have they
given you something else to do, now you don't have to babysit me all day
long?"

Tr'vel chuckled. "Sweeprides and transport duty. The thrilling life of
a retired rider." While watching Gil do simple, repetitive labor had
been boring, he missed having the man's company all day.

"It sounds all right. Flying to far-flung places, meeting different
people." Gil wheeled the barrow over to the beastcrafters' tool shed,
where there was a basket for the empty feed sacks. "Do you ever fly past
- the hold where they found me?" He wasn't even sure which direction it
lay in.

"I've done sweeps in the whole territory," Tr'vel said. "You want me
to drop in, see how they're doing?"

"Would you?" Gil caught himself, surprised by his own forwardness. "I
mean, only if it's on your way. It's just the two cotholders, and
they're older people. I've been wondering if they've been managing with
the farm chores I used to do, and if they have enough meat..."

"I wouldn't mind taking a trip out there." Tr'vel frowned slightly.
"Provided they're, uh, friendly toward dragonriders." He didn't know
how they might feel after having a whole Wing surround their cothold
and take away a man they thought well of.

"They respect the Weyr." Gil wasn't sure if they were friendly, exactly
- they'd not mentioned their feelings about dragonriders while he'd been
there, and he'd been happy to avoid the subject - but he remembered that
the Weyrleader had been polite to them that night and they'd responded
the same way. "I wondered if perhaps I could write them a letter? They
took me in when I was holdless and feverish, when no one would have
blamed them for leaving me to die, and cared for me without expecting
anything in return. It's been bothering me, that I left without properly
thanking them for their kindness."

He hesitated, still not entirely sure how far he was trusted. "You could
read it, if you want - or the Weyrleader..."

Ah, yes, that was a concern. "I'll check with the Weyrleader to see if
he wants to read it." Tr'vel himself had no worries. "I'd be happy to
bring a letter for you."

"Thank you! I'll write it tonight. Oh, and there's Rhysel's jacket and
scarf - they gave me them for the flight here." There wasn't much need
for them in the heat of Dolphin Cove, although he would be sad to part
with the scarf. It had been a comfort to him in the early days at the
Weyr. "I'm sorry to ask, but they may want them back..."

"No problem," Tr'vel said easily. "Usually I charge for letter or
package delivery, but I'll consider this a favor for a friend." And he
wanted to meet the people who'd taken care of Gil.

"If there's anything I can do to repay you, just say," Gil said,
half-embarrassed, though he was warmed by the mention of friendship. He
knew some of the other workers earned marks here and there by running
errands or making small items, but he didn't yet have the free run of
the Weyr, nor those kinds of craft skills. He tried to think. "If you
need your weyr cleaned, or..."

Tr'vel felt heat creeping up his cheeks. "No, I uh . . . I really
don't mind. I'd like to do something nice for you after all you've
been through."

"Well, I expect the cleaning staff would do a better job, anyway," Gil
said, smiling. "Thank you, Tr'vel." He washed his hands under the pump,
and splashed some water on his face, the coolness refreshing after the
day's heat. "Are you going in for dinner?"

"Yeah. Would you like to join me -- us?" Not for the first time,
Tr'vel reminded himself that Gil had been through a lot, and he was
holdbred. He might not take it well if Tr'vel expressed any . . .
interest.

He brightened. "Yes - if it wouldn't be intruding?" Now that he wasn't
under constant guard, he wasn't certain if he was still expected or
welcome at Lightning Wing's table. He'd have missed eating with Tr'vel,
and them, despite the teasing.

"They'd miss you if you weren't there." Tr'vel patted his shoulder.
"Come on."

Last updated on the May 12th 2025

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