Risks and Reasons (2/2)

Writers: Halyonix
Date Posted: 15th April 2026

Characters: Laithan, Maeryld, Isoria
Description: Maeryld arrives at Healer Hall and meets the Hallmaster
Location: Healer Hall
Date: month 1, day 15 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: Jisalle

Laithan opened his mouth to serve a cutting reminder that one should _wait_ for permission to enter _before_ entering but it died the moment he saw who had opened the door. Well, some people just didn't care about rules because they thought they were above them. And, combined with Isoria's recent loss, Laithan was really not in the mood to start a headache that early in the day.

Look, he really wasn't trying to be misogynistic but when he merrily agreed that the Hall should be open to women crafters, he firstly did not expect how _many_ would apply but also the sheer range of _personalities_ that were going to start clashing underneath his roof. And not in any sort of vapid way either! Well, maybe the teenagers who were too hormonal for their own good.

The woman standing next to Isoria was definitely _not_ a teenager. She was possibly a few Turns younger than himself. Obviously a mother. Or just very well fed. Or both. She had a spark to her dark eyes that matched pretty much what she had written in her application. Well, hopefully the rigors of the craft wouldn't beat that out of her.

"Thank you, journeywoman," Laithan said to Isoria, who inclined her head formally but left without a word. Grief and all that. Not his problem right now. He crooked a finger imperiously at the other woman. "Have a seat."

Maeryld didn't quite bounce into the room but there was an excitement to her movements that emphasized that spark in her smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Hallmaster Laithan. Thank you _so much_ for approving my application. I can assur--"

"You can stop with the promises already," Laithan interrupted. Her stunned expression didn't stop him but it gentled his tone just a tad. "Yours is an unusual case. Most apprentices are decades younger than you and none of them come here because they decided to divorce their husbands in order to get here." Well, none of them yet. Maeryld was probably a precedent. He'd have to make sure he didn't accept too many of those. "What I need to know from you right now is this: am I going to have an irate ex-husband banging down my Hall doors any time soon?"

Maeryld blinked a few times as she regrouped emotionally. Yes, Master Laithan had been gruff in his letters but she had assumed it was because he was busy. Some people were like that. "If that's your fear, then why even accept me? Why not deny me?" she countered with a brave tilt of her chin.

His charcoal dark eyes bore into her equally black ones for a long moment. Maeryld calmly curled her hands into fists to bolster her courage. She was here. She had risked so much to get here. She was _not_ going to beg. She had been accepted on her own merits and she was going to prove herself.

Laithan spoke first. "I know what it's like to have a mother who sacrificed everything for her children, including her own dreams."

Maeryld had not expected _that_ response.

But as quick as that vulnerability was revealed, it was closed away just as fast. "So, do I have your word that we're not going to have a domestic dispute to handle while you're here?" he asked in a steely tone.

Maeryld had planned for this. She reached into a small pouch on her belt and, with trembling fingers, she unfolded a worn piece of paper and laid it on the desk in front of him. Tears pricked her eyes. Faranth, it had hurt so bad to sign that paper but she had done it and it was done and now...

His fingers traced the words slowly. When Maeryld opened her mouth to explain more of the situation, assure him that it was done, to beg -- no, she was not going to beg -- he held up a stern finger, stopping her.

He folded up the letter. Handed her pain, her price back to her. "You won't starve or freeze while you're a student here," he assured her. "We don't have much in the stores but whatever is available, have your pick."

"I have clothes," she insisted proudly. She hadn't come _completely_ destitute. Only poor in the ways that had mattered the most to her before she had the courage to dream.

He seemed unimpressed. He scribbled some notes down. "I'll give you the rest of the day to get situated. Get someone to show you around. Classes start an hour after the breakfast bell. You said in your application that you knew herbalism?"

Maeryld nodded proudly. It had been the only semblance of a craft that had been passed down through the women of her family. If she failed at everything else in Healercraft, she at least knew that she could pass any class involving plants.

"You'll work with Jisalle then. She's the head gardener. New to this whole woman in a craft thing too. You'll have a lot in common."

Maeryld nodded. Jisalle. She would ask for her immediately. "Do the stores have note-taking supplies?" she asked. That was one of the few things she had been unable to take from her old home. It would also be good if she was able to eventually send her family a letter. They would probably burn it without reading but she would at least let them know that she had made it to the Hall safely. Or was that the wrong action?

"Should. Or one of the instructors can get you some." He picked up the letter attached to her application, facing it towards her. Clinical curiosity flickered across his features. "Did you write this?" When she nodded, he made a sound that might have been one of mild approval. "We might have you copying records sooner rather than later then."

Maeryld's heart soared for the first time since she had stepped into the room. Useful! She could be useful! "My mother made sure that I would be of use in handling as many domestic matters as I could, including handling sums," she said with pride.

"Good. You won't mess up any dosages because you can't tell if it's a five or a six written down," he muttered. He tossed her application back on the desk. "Off with you. Go get settled in and don't make me regret this."

Maeryld curtsied primly, her chin high. "When you hand me my journeywoman knots in a few Turns, I'll remind you of this moment," she said in a light challenging tone, hoping that she wasn't grossly overstepping.

He huffed but seemed mildly amused. Victory filled her veins. "Can't wait to see that happen," he said with another shooing motion.

Last updated on the May 1st 2026

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Risks and Reasons (2/2)