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Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 20th December 2025

Characters: Tarley, Vaile
Description: Tarley and Vaile work together on an injured dragon.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 1 of Turn 12

When: 12 d13 t12
~*~

The rain, that permeating cold kind that wasn’t quite enough to be considered a downpour, made Threadfall all the harder. As Liranth arrowed towards the Infirmary, reporting the injuries, Vaile waved at Tarley, who was also heading to the same destination. “Let’s get Inorth’s scoring first,” Vaile said to the other greenrider as she dismounted, as Liranth had reported that Inorth was the worst so far.

Tarley’s flaming red hair was a darker, russet shade from the soaking rain. The braid that hung over her shoulder dripped water down her riding jacket as she waved at Vaile and jogged inside the infirmary.

“Yes, ma’am,” she said to Vaile as she used both of her hands to ring out her hair. She then shrugged out of her wet coat, peeled off her soaked jerkin, and yanked a clean healer tunic over her head.

She turned while coiling her hair up and pinning it to her head, and stopped short when she saw the extent of Inorth’s scoring. “Oh, wow.”

Vaile’s eyes scanned along the dragon’s side. “Looks like he went /between/ quick enough so it didn’t burrow,” she said as she ducked under Inorth’s wing. Thread had pierced through the closest wingsail and had clawed across the right side of the dragon. “Have Monicath talk to him while Liranth keeps his wing steady. We’re going to need him extra calm. This is all really close to vital organs.” She didn’t like how the scoring covered most of Inorth’s ribs. If one strand of Thread had escaped…

}: He would already be gone if that were the case, :{ Liranth reminded her rider as she took up a spot supporting Inorth’s wing so that the two women could get to work.

“Yes, ma’am.” Tarley relayed the instructions to Monicath as she went about setting up the materials they would need while she assisted Vaile.

}:Easy Inorth,:{ Monicath soothed as the women began their work on his side. }:I have heard from the infirmary that your rider is doing well. I am sure he will be awake soon.:{

The blue dragon moaned piteously. }:I want to see my rider. I need him to wake up.:{

}:He will, soon,:{ Monicath answered.

Inorth’s head twisted around so he could see the two women standing beside him better. His side looked like mangled meat, but he was more worried about his rider than anything.

“Make sure you go heavy on the redwort,” Vaile advised Tarley by example. “Looks like they numbed his side pretty well already. Got the suture kit ready? We’ll be doing a lot of stitching.”

Tarley nodded her head as she pulled the tray over. “All set.”

--

The stitching was long, tedious work, especially on a dragon of Inorth’s size. By the time they were beginning to approach the end, Tarley’s fingers, wrists, and elbow all ached. “This has been a marathon,” she said to Vaile, blowing a few whisps of hair away from her face.

“We definitely deserve a glass of wine after this,” Vaile agreed, rubbing her forehead, which smeared ichor on it. “Well, a bath first, for sure. Then wine. Or maybe a wine in the bath.” She stepped forward to inspect the stitches again. “Good work, Tarley. You’ve got a good hand.”

“Thank you,” Tarley said as she finished a stitch and then shook her cramping hand out. “I’ve never had to do so many in one go.”

Vaile exhaled, letting some of the tension flow from her. “Inorth’s lucky, that’s for certain. Just a few fingers in the wrong direction and he wouldn’t be here. Did you do any sewing before becoming a healer? These stitches look like a tailor.”

“No,” the other greenrider said with a blush at the compliment. “But my mother sewed, mostly to patch our clothes and such. She taught me the basics. It’s come in handy with mending riding straps, too.”

Rolling her head to ease the tension in her neck and shoulders, Tarley exhaled in relief as she flexed both her hands. “All done on this side.”

Vaile double-checked the stitches as Tarley stepped away. “Well done. These will heal nicely, so long as Inorth doesn’t do anything to break them.” She squeezed Tarley’s shoulder. “Let’s go finish up. Meet me for a glass of wine later?”

Tarley, feeling a rush of pride over her good work, smiled at Vaile. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

Last updated on the December 20th 2025