There’s a New World to Be Won

Writers: Corrin, Shawna
Date Posted: 19th October 2025

Characters: M'kadja, Viseya
Description: Akadja executes phase two of his Cunning Plan to Stand again this Turn.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 13, day 2 of Turn 12
Notes: Weather: Sunny (88°F)

M'kadja

Akadja had been at Barrier Lake Weyr for a little over a sevenday now, sitting in on candidate lessons while gradually losing his “cough” as the warmer northern weather worked its magic on him-- or, more accurately, as Akadja worked his own magic on himself and everyone watching. A harper show, a plausible excuse. He arrived a convalescent, but he had no plans to stay one for long. As soon as he thought reasonable, he took himself off to the healers to get a clean bill of health.

Of course he got it. It was the easy part, considering he had never actually been sick. The trick now would be getting the local weyrlingmasters to clear him to temporarily join their candidate pool.

The ‘Second was free, so he got in to see Viseya.

“Hardy as a herdbeast,” announced Akadja, putting the healer’s note down on the desk. “That’s what the healer said. The fine weather, the lake water-- whatever you guys put in the stew here. It fixed me right up. I’m back to fighting fit again.”

He leaned forward in his chair, sharp-eyed and keen with an eagerness that teetered between hunger and charm. “And since I’m fit, I’ve been thinking… It’d be a shame to pack back off to Dragonsfall so soon. I might relapse--” Wait. “Not that I’m _frail_ or anything, that’s just something the healer mentioned. A crafterly precaution, I bet. Not an actual thing that might happen. ‘Cause I feel great.”

Had he saved it? He hoped so. “I was thinking, I’d like to join candidacy here for a bit. Officially. The classes here are just… really great. I’ve been learning a lot.”

And Tymborikath’s massive clutch was due to hatch within the month.

Viseya was going to lose a bet. She hated that; she’d really thought he would milk the illness a little longer. “We wouldn’t want any relapses,” the weyrlingmaster second said seriously, “we might have to send you to the Healer Hall for a second opinion.” She picked up the note then, making a show of reading it over carefully (as if anyone could read a healer’s handwriting anyway.

“Oh? What differences have you found in the teaching methods, maybe I can make some suggestions to the staff over at Dragonsfall when we meet up next.” She did manage to keep her face and voice bland and expressionless.

Well shit. Akadja outwardly smiled and inwardly cursed. He wasn’t concerned about what Healer Hall would say, he _knew_ he was perfectly fine, but he resented any delay-- though that wasn’t his biggest problem now. Now he desperately raked his mind for _something_ to say about the local teaching methods. “Oh, I don’t think it’s anything they can copy, really. It’s more… you and J’nic. The two of you have such a passion for what you teach. You make even the simplest lessons exciting.”

“I can definitely go to Healer Hall if there’s a dragon free for transport,” he continued smoothly, wanting to seem agreeable. “But I’d hate to waste their time. The cough is gone, my color is back, and the healers here are top notch too, aren’t they? Surely they know what they’re talking about.”

“Oh, perhaps you’re right. I’m sure the Hall is very busy. Too busy for checkups,” Viseya also sounded casually agreeable. “Well, I suppose I could talk to the Weyrwoman. Technically the approval has to come from her. I could fit you into the chores roster in the meantime. I think there’s an open spot unloading the tithe train we’re expecting tomorrow.” She deliberately picked the most manually laborious task on the list.

His smile didn’t falter, and this time he meant it. Hard labor didn’t scare Akadja, not when he stood to gain from it. “Great. I can do that, no problem. That cough might have taken me out for a while, but I’m still strong. I’ll prove that tomorrow and you can add that to your report to the Weyrwoman.”

“I'm surprised you aren't eager to go back. No friends or family who decided to stay at Dragonsfall? I'd heard a whole group of you had managed to get yourselves searched.” Viseya looked down, making a show of scribbling some notes.

“A whole group managed to Impress too,” Akadja corrected, and enough time had passed that he could feel a little proud of that, and not just frustrated. “My brother got a bronze, Mazyveth. They're all busy with training now… not much time for anything or anyone else.”

“Oh?” Viseya’s voice was maybe a little too surprised, “I didn’t make it to the last Hatching. It was my turn to babysit. That must have been hard then, watching your brother move on.” She made a note to discuss it with J’nic, but it wasn’t the worst reason a candidate had sought greener pastures. Neither was his age. “We’ll do our best to keep you too busy to dwell on it.”

“Good,” said Akadja. “I’m not here to ‘dwell.’ ” He was here to take action.

Last updated on the November 2nd 2025

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There’s a New World to Be Won