From a Certain Point of View

Writers: Aaron, LadyRose
Date Posted: 6th September 2025

Characters: Aicha, S'tall
Description: After dinner, S’tall reveals the other half of those half-truths.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 5, day 20 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: G'fand (NPC), Kapera, Tr'fal (NPC), Ristalle (NPC)

Aicha

"You ride like you do this a lot," said S'tall once they had been on the road long enough for him to get a good look at Aicha's riding form.

Aicha smiled to herself, proud that someone had noticed her skill with a runner. Her Papa and brother generally just took it for granted, she felt. "I would hope so. I had the best of teachers." She glanced sideways at Ostallric, "You seem to be doing alright yourself."

"I've had a little practice."

Onalith huffed loudly in his head again.

"And they give me the sweethearted beasties when I come by to borrow one." S'tall grinned.

The ride didn't take long at all, in Aicha's opinion, and she thought Ostallric really did have a good seat for riding.

Once they arrived, it seemed like the time just flew by as they ate and talked, and yes, maybe there was some light flirting. And near the end of their meal, Aicha glanced up at Ostallric, "Do you know what it's like at Dolphin Cove Weyr?"

Well, if she was curious about the Weyr, that _could_ be a good sign. And S'tall had not noticed any hint so far that she was one of the anti-weyrfolk sorts.

"I've been there, yeah," he said. "What did you want to know?"

Aicha considered for a moment, then took the Search token out of her pocket and showed it to him. "A rider gave this to me about a sevenday ago, and I've been debating with myself _and my parents_ about whether to go or not. I've never been there, and I just want to know what it's really like." She'd heard stories and rumours, of course, but nothing directly, just secondhand, or more, tales.

"Well, for starters-- it's nothing like those people at White Hollow and places like that want us to believe." S'tall could not help but defend his home, especially now that he knew Aicha would even consider accepting Search. None of the dragonkillers would do that. Of course, he never even considered that she might be baiting him into revealing his true identity.

"Weyrfolk are just like everyone else. Sure, life is a little different at the Weyr than it is here, but that doesn't mean it's _bad_."

Aicha sighed, her gaze on the token in her hand, as she wondered -not for the first time- why anyone would chose her as a Candidate. But deep down, she wanted something new, even though it would be a big change, and mean that she had to leave her family, and Cade, behind. "Why would they even want a runner crazy Hold girl like me?"

"The dragons like who they like," said S'tall. "There's no reason they shouldn't like a runner-crazy Hold girl like you. But even out of Candidates who get Searched, not everyone Impresses." He leaned in closer and lowered his voice more. "I happen to know one. A dragon, that is."

}:You have a lot of nerve, you know.:{

**You know you love me.**

}:You're lucky I do.:{

Aicha half shrugged, then nodded. It was true, everyone knew some Candidates weren't lucky enough to Impress. Then she raised her eyebrows at Ostallric's declaration that he knew a dragon. "Personally?"

"Yeah. You can meet him if you want to," said S'tall. "I saw him back at the Hold before we rode out here." All true. Technically. "I'm sure he's still there."

Aicha frowned and gave Ostallric an odd look, then tried to remember if she'd seen a dragon. But the Hold and all its surroundings were too big for her to know everything that was going on. Still, she was a bit uncertain. "How can you be sure?"

"Let's head back that way, and I'll tell you all about it on the road." S'tall smiled.

Aicha eyed Ostallric for a moment, then tucked away her token and nodded as she stood and left the table. "This sounds like it might be an interesting story. Are you a Harper by any chance?" He didn't particularly look like one, and wore no blue, nor carry any instruments, but one could never tell.

"Not a proper one," said S'tall. "But I apprenticed with them for a little while once upon a time." That had been his parent-mandated backup plan for if he did not Impress, but that had not been a problem after all. "Want to hear my gorgeous singing voice?"

Aicha wasn't surprised to hear that Ostallric was a Harper apprentice, but... "Once upon a time?" She shrugged as she stood up. "If you're not a Harper anymore, what are you?" She smirked and shook her head at his offer to sing. "No need for that."

"Come and let me tell you the tale," S'tall sang, and although it was in a silly tone, he really did have a decent singing voice. He stood and waved to Ola and then opened the door for Aicha.

Aicha gave Ostallric an amused glance as she waved her thanks, then ducked past his arm and out the door.

Once they were mounted up and on the road again, S'tall started the ball rolling.

"The whole truth is, I know a dragon because he's _my_ dragon. And I know you might be a little miffed that I never said so... but riders have been killed here. I just wanted dinner and a couple of drinks without worrying whether some crazy might stab me," said S'tall. "Now, I don't think _you_ would do that. But Ola's gets folks from all around the territory. And there's no way for me to know them all."

Aicha was more than happy to listen to Ostallric's story, but his admission that he was actually a dragonrider was a bit concerning. Still, she could understand his need for secrecy. The stories of what had happened had made the rounds. It was a relief that he didn't think her capable of hurting anyone, and she didn't blame him for hiding. "So you're a rider. I guess I can see why you'd keep that to yourself around strangers."

Aicha gave Ostallric a _look_, "So, go on with the story."

"Oh, is there more?" S'tall laughed. "What else would you like to know? About my time with the Harpers? I apprenticed when I was a boy because my parents wanted me to have something to fall back on if I didn't Impress. But then I did, and I didn't stick with it."

Aicha gave Ostallric a smirk of amusement. "Yes, there's more. How about starting with your real name? And tell me about your dragon."

"Oh." S'tall laughed as he realized he had forgotten to elaborate on that part. "My name _is_ Ostallric, or else, it was. That was the name my mother gave me. But now I'm called S'tall. And my dragon is a brown, Onalith. And _he's_ miffed at me right now because I'm riding someone else."

Aicha smiled and waved at S'tall after he reintroduced himself. "Nice to meet you. A brown dragon, that's impressive." She raised her eyebrows, "I wouldn't want any dragon mad at me."

"Oh, he's a pushover," said S'tall. "It's nice to meet you properly, too. Are you thinking of going? To the Weyr, that is. We'd be happy to help you get there, Onalith and I."

Aicha coughed to cover a snort at the image that popped into her head of a man trying to push over a huge brown dragon. Then she grew serious. "I think I probably have to, right? It's going to be so different, though."

"You don't _have_ to," said S'tall. "We need all the Candidates we can get, but it could very well end up being a lifelong commitment if you Impress. It's something you should do because you want to, not just because you feel obligated.

"I'd be happy to give you a preview, though, if you want to get a taste of what you'd be getting yourself into."

Aicha was quiet for the next few minutes as they rode, thinking about the possibility of leaving the Hold, and her family, behind. She'd always been on the adventurous side, and this would definitely be a chance to see something new. After clearing her head with a slight shake, she glanced at S'tall and nodded, "I think I'd be glad to have you take me there."

S'tall's face lit up. She certainly did not have to ask him twice.

Last updated on the September 18th 2025

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

From a Certain Point of View