Gardening

Writers: Steel, Yvonne
Date Posted: 12th April 2026

Characters: G'weld, Thiseta
Description: Thiseta checks in on G’weld
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 1, day 6 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: Tzenketh, J'nic, M'kadja, T'thalin

Thiseta hesitated, then knocked at G’weld’s door to see if he was in. Tarsenuth’s injury had been on her mind. **Tell Tarsenuth it's me,” she told Imbeth.

}: … Mine. Imbeth’s rider is here.:{ Tarsenuth said, the bronze curled on his weyrledge, good eye facing outward and showing no signs of being inclined to move.

Well. He wasn’t going to be _rude_.

G'weld let out a slow breath, and rose, crossed to the door and opened it. “Weyrwoman.” He greeted quietly.

“Hi G’weld.” Thiseta held out the small bundle of blue and yellow wildflowers she’d gathered earlier that morning. The stems were tied with a scrap of green ribbon. “I wanted to stop by to see how you and Tarsenuth are faring?”

“... Thank you.” G'weld responded, accepted the flowers and stepped back. “Would you… like to come in? I've got kaf.” He offered. “I… It's been an adjustment.” He added.

“Thank you. I’d love to.” Thiseta stepped inside and tried not to make her curiosity too obvious. It was always fascinating to see what other people did with their weyrs, but now was not the time. “I just realized that I ought to have brought you a vase as well. Do you have a cup of water or a jug for the flowers?”

“... I've got a water jug.” G'weld offered, and placed the flowers in it. “I'll go down and get a second one or a vase later.” He added in assurance.

The weyr itself was spacious, if simply decorated, two chairs at the table and a blanket slung over the couch.

Tarsenuth’s bronze bulk was just visible, beyond, and the dragon rumbled a greeting.

Thiseta sat on one of the chairs at the table. “How’s Tarsenuth adjusting? Imbeth’s told me he’s doing all right, but he might not be completely honest with her.”

G'weld retrieved the pot of kaf and two mugs, poured Thiseta one and then himself, before settling down in the opposite chair.

“He's… smarting, a little bit.” The bronze’s rider admitted, quietly. “He went from one of the best fliers in the Wing to being effectively retired. We can't fly Fall. Not if he's blind on one side. And… he's still getting used to having to turn his head any time he wants to see something on that side.” He let out a long sigh. “We can still fly straight at least. I… haven't wanted to try betweening.”

Thiseta nodded. “I can imagine…it’s a hard change to make. I’m so glad that he’s still able to fly. If you want… Imbeth and I can come with you when you decide you’re ready to go /between/? We could go visit the Vinter Hall and I’ll buy you a bottle of wine?”

“I'd like that.” G'weld said, quietly, and took a long sip of his own klah before he continued. “I know it could have been… worse. That we were lucky.” He added. “He can still see. We can still fly. Even if he's a little unsteady in flight right now, I'm sure he'll adapt.” He exhaled. “The Vintner Hall sounds lovely. When we're ready to try.” He promised.

A pause. “How is Imbeth?”

“Quite happy with herself. She bullied Tzenketh into catching a herdbeast for her yesterday, then only ate its belly and abandoned the rest to a pair of greens,” Thiseta said fondly. “She wasn’t even hungry. I think she’s settling in… she was notorious for making other dragons hunt for her at Windswept Islands.”

“... She's free to tell Tarsenuth if she wants him to catch her something too.” G'weld told Thiseta. “The last thing he ate, one of the dragonhealers’ dragons killed and brought him. And… it'll be good for him.” He added, the idea gaining merit. “He’ll stir himself for a gold. And… it's good she's settling in.”

“I’ll tell her that.” It _would_ be good for Tarsenuth, and for G’weld too. Thiseta made a mental note to push Imbeth in the bronze’s direction. “Next time she’s hungry. Maybe in a sevenday or so. Actually, speaking of bronzeriders… there were a couple of new bronze dragons in Tymborikath’s latest clutch. Do you think it’ll be an issue that we don’t have any bronzeriders with the Weyrlingstaff?” she asked innocently.

“They should have an older bronze rider.” G'weld said, immediately, if a little oblivious. “Wouldn't even have to be anything official, of course, but just having someone around, especially when they get to the age where their lessons get more specialized by colour.” He added. “Faranth knows Tars and I were a pair of clueless miscreants in our weyrling days, even with an older bronzer around.”

“Really? I can’t imagine it,” Thiseta said with a small laugh. “You look so confident!”

G'weld laughed, himself. “Oh, I was a terror.” He told her, and managed a smile. “Paraded around like Tarsenuth and I were Weyrleaders in miniature. At least, until the reality set in. I might have also been punched by another Weyrling.” He admitted.

Thiseta’s eyes widened as she rested her chin on her hand. “Really? Tell me more!”

“It was a long time ago.” G'weld demurred. “But it was this brown weyrling-- M'iwa or something. Decided he was tired of us prancing around with our noses in the air. I… might have left fish in his dragon's wallow after he called me a wherry brain.”

“Oh dear! Please do _not_ pass that along to the next weyrling class!” Thiseta said with a laugh. “A _fish_!? Gross!”

“Oh, I won't.” G'weld assured her lightly. “I'm behaved now. Not to mention, I'm not a weyrlingmaster.”

Much like planting a seed, ideas needed time to germinate. It would be interesting to see if this one would grow. “As fun as being a weyrling was, I don’t miss it. I like having my own weyr and being able to spend time in the gardens.”

G'weld huffed. “Weyrlings are the worst.” He agreed, though lightly. “I like having my own weyr, too. And… as for free time… I have a lot more of that now. Maybe I'll take up a hobby.”

The idea of at least offering to talk to the bronze weyrlings lingered.

“Those weyrlings-- the bronze ones. I heard they were both Holdless?”

The Weyrwoman nodded. “I wasn’t sure about allowing them to Stand here, but then a bunch of them Impressed at Dragonsfall Weyr… I suppose the dragons see something in them, and I trust dragon intuition.”

“The dragons know.” G'weld agreed, then let out a sigh, settled back in his chair. “Do you know much about either of them?”

“Only that they were part of the group that Dragonsfall rescued from a flooding cave half a Turn ago. They lived at Dragonsfall without any issues. Dragonsfall accepted them and I trust their judgement,” she added. At least, she tried to trust their judgement. Saibra had been Weyrwoman for much longer than she had.

G'weld nodded once more. “I see.” He responded. “Well, if _bronzes_ chose them, they've got to have potential at least.”

**Potential for what?** Thiseta kept the thought to herself. “I think J’nic will have his hands full with this latest weyrling class.”

“More kaf?” G'weld offered, lifting the carafe. “... Maybe I'll talk to J'nic.” He added.

Thiseta hid a smile.

Last updated on the May 1st 2026

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Gardening