I Read the Book
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Francesca, Sia
Date Posted: 26th May 2025
Characters: Aleriand, Lindora
Description: Lindora returns the book to Aleriand.
Location: Printer Hall
Date: month 5, day 11 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: J'ine, R’lor (not by name)
Lindora couldn’t believe only three days had passed since she had been
Searched and visited the Weyr to talk to the Weyrlingmaster. Since
then, her thoughts were in constant disarray as she jumped between
imagining two completely different futures: one as the Hallmaster’s
wife and another as a future (gold?)rider. She couldn’t figure out
what she wanted. And it was frustrating that either option depended on
the actions of someone else. If Aleriand wanted her, she’d stay. As a
Candidate, it would be up to a dragon to choose her.
Her lack of concentration was so evident as she attempted to work, the
head cook pulled her aside to see if she was ok. Lindora took
advantage of the situation and claimed a headache. She promised to go
speak to a healer but, instead, decided it was time to have a serious
conversation with the Hallmaster. She needed to know what he thought.
So, after swinging by her room to pick up the book he had loaned her,
she went to his office, hoping for once he’d be there.
Aleriand was, surprisingly, in his office doing the work he was
supposed to be doing, which was reviewing the latest orders before
sending them along to journeymen to complete. He felt the presence at
his open door before he saw who it was, and expected a new, nervous
apprentice, not Lindora. He'd expected (hoped) that she'd gotten the
message from the book. That she'd return the book to the library and
not bother herself with trying to track him down anymore.
"Lindora. Can I help you?" He asked as he set down his papers and
mentally braced himself.
Lindora sat down, the book in her hands. She had rehearsed this
conversation in her head so many times, trying to anticipate how it
would go, it took extra effort to remember that the conversation was
actually happening now. “I read the book you recommended. It was…
interesting.” She wanted to see how he would talk about it, hoping it
would give her something concrete to respond to.
Aleriand studied her expression, trying to catch any kind of glimpse
that she'd caught on to the message he was trying to give her. Hoping
that her reluctance was because she was unsure how to talk about it
freely. Hold girls often didn't. "And what was your takeaway from it?"
He asked.
So that’s how it was going to be; him just putting it back on her.
Time to be bold. “Well, I was surprised the romance was about two male
greenriders. It wasn’t what I was expecting.” She paused, tempted to
stop there. But this was her chance to finally capture his interest.
“Do you have friends at the Weyr like the male greenriders? Because,
that’s ok. I know things are different at the Weyr, and you spent
Turns there.”
Oh for-
He hadn't been subtle, not really. He hadn’t been subtle, not really.
He thought the book would say what he couldn’t. Shouldn’t. He thought
she’d read between the lines and turn away on her own. He folded his
hands on the desk, not looking at the book she’d brought but at
her"really looking, with all the care she probably thought meant
something else.
“I do,” he said quietly. “I have friends like that.” He pressed on,
gently but firmly. “A friend of mine was Searched, when we were
apprentice harpers, before I transferred to the Printer Hall at Topaz
Seahold. Books like this make me think about what might've been if I'd
been Searched instead, or if we'd both Impressed."
What was he saying? “But, you were at the Weyr. Why didn’t you stay if
you liked the life there? There are plenty of crafters. I thought…
You’re at the Hall, and you’re unmarried…” She looked up, blinking to
try to keep from crying. **I’ve been so stupid.**
"The Harpers were welcomed back to Emerald Falls, and the printers
went back with them. Once we were able to rebuild the Hall, it made
sense to stay with them, given how close our crafthalls are
connected." And even if he had wanted to stay-- well. J'ine had left
for Barrier Lake a few turns later, and he couldn't pack up the Hall
and follow him, either. "A Hallmaster's choices affect not only him,
but everyone in his crafthall. I wouldn't have had any right to move
the Printers again, even if I had the interest to do so. Not everyone
can, or wants to, run off to the Weyr."
Some of her despair turned to anger. Anger at herself for being so
desperate to marry, she’d tried to catch the attention of countless
Journeymen and then set her sights on the Hallmaster, who she now
realized was unattainable. Anger at the Hallmaster for trying to
communicate with a stupid book rather than just talking to her.
“Well, good thing I can run off to the Weyr,” she said harshly. She
reached into her bag and grabbed the search token, then slammed it on
his desk. “I was Searched a few days ago. Even went to the Weyr to
take a look and talked to the Weyrlingmaster. He said my daughter and
I would be welcome there … that I could apprentice to any craft I
wanted. I told him I needed to think about it. I think I’ve thought
enough.” She stood up, taking back the search token and replacing it
with the ridiculous book.
Aleriand didn’t flinch at the sharp crack of the search token hitting
the desk. Didn’t wince at her tone, either, though his mouth tightened
faintly. He watched her stand with her chin high and her pride
bristling, and he didn’t try to stop her. Her words stung; not because
she’d lashed out unfairly, but because she wasn’t wrong. He had chosen
to retreat behind paper and ink and a quiet, indirect refusal. And
she'd read that cowardice as mystery, or promise.
"I meant to spare you. I'm not in a position where I can speak about
this openly. I'd hoped that you'd read the book and come to the same
conclusion as I. That we could skirt around the excuse of 'it's not a
good match' and be done with it. For what it's worth, I am sorry."
Maybe someday she would be able to accept his apology. For now, it
didn’t dull her anger. He could get away with remaining single without
being looked down on. She couldn’t. “So am I,” she said. **Sorry I
thought I had a chance at a better future here.** “I’ll be gone by
tomorrow afternoon.” She walked to the door, assuming she would never
see him again.
Aleriand watched her go, the finality in her stride hitting harder
than the words she’d left behind. He didn’t call after her. There was
nothing left to say that wouldn’t make things worse.
He reached for the book, flipped it open to his favorite part with
practiced ease, and began to read.
Last updated on the June 10th 2025