Time Served

Writers: Eimi, Roxanne
Date Posted: 30th January 2007

Characters: D'wrayt, U'kaiah
Description: D'wrayt has a surprise for U'kaiah
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 25 of Turn 4

The senior weyrlings were finally graduated and D'wrayt could relax for a moment. He had decided that he was not going to put up with the antics of the current Weyrlingmaster any longer, but he was having trouble finding someone to replace the man. He had been tempted to ask U'kaiah to be Weyrlingmaster,but he knew the young bronzerider wanted his wing back.

While he was thinking of the bronzerider, he decided to call him in to discuss that very idea. **Kalamath, can you ask U'kaiah to swing by my office when he has a moment? Thanks.** he asked the younger bronze having decided not to wake his own sleeping dragon.

While he waited, the Weyrleader decided to review the transfer papers that were delivered that morning. Perhaps there was a good request for Weyrlingmaster in there somewhere.

"You asked to see me, sir?" U'kaiah asked as he ducked his head into the Weyrleader's office.

"I did, come have a seat!" D'wrayt replied putting aside the papers having found one possible candidate in the stack, but only if they got desperate enough. He wondered if all Weyrleaders had such hard time finding dependable Weyrlingmasters or was it because _he_ had held that position for so long that no one seemed qualified enough to do a good job.

U'kaiah did as he was directed. He could feel a little edge of anticipation. Shards, he hoped that this meeting was going to bode good news! "How are you today, sir?"

"I am doing fine. I was wondering what your opinion was of the Weyrlingmaster's job performance." he said deciding to make sure it wasn't just him that thought the man was in the wrong profession.

The bronzerider considered the question a moment. He had never been known as a snitch, but weyrling's lives were in the man's hands. "I think he has to go, D'wrayt. His drinking... He can't take care of himself, let alone weyrlings. He needs help."

"I am glad that I'm not the only one to see that. The only problem I have is who can I get to replace him? You wouldn't want the job would you?" D'wrayt asked even though he was positive the young bronzerider wanted his wing back more than he wanted to be Weyrlingmaster.

"It would be an honor, sir, but I was born to fight Thread. As much as I have learned from working with the weyrlings, I am made to fly in a fighting wing. Besides, I could never wear the knots quite like you did." No Weyrlingmaster could have been better than D'wrayt in U'kaiah's mind.

"I didn't think you would take the offer. Can you think of a rider already here at Dragonsfall that would be willing to take over even just temporarily?" D'wrayt said with a chuckle. It seemed that the young bronzerider held the same opinion he did when it came to the Weyrlingmaster position. Perhaps he could shed some light on the current staff member who might be fit to take up the position. E'naer was not able to being injured and a greenrider, but the man was a wonderful Weyrlingmaster's third. He'd have to talk to the greenrider as well about this particular problem of replacing the good for nothing current Weyrlingmaster.

"Why not his 'Second, T'mahl? He has proven himself a good leader when the Weyrlingmaster has been 'unavailable'. He still has to work on his patience, but its not from spite. He just likes to see things done right. I'd give him a chance, and with E'naer there to guide him..."

"We can give T'mahl as chance. Anyone will be better than who we have currently. Who put him in charge of the weyrlings in the first place?
Oh, wait..I think I did. What was I thinking? It doesn't matter, what's done is done." D'wrayt said pausing when he realized he was rambling aloud. He shook his head and asked, "Now, what do we tell J'nus?"

**J'nus** U'kaiah felt a little spark of hope. Did this mean...?
"Well, we could say you're going to give T'mahl a try as Weyrlingmaster..." he said, falling back on dry humor.

"Well yes, but I wasn't referring to that. I'm almost positive I told J'nus that it was only temporary, but it was quite awhile ago. I'm sure he would be willing to give your wing back to you, if you still want it that is."

"I do. I'm ready," U'kaiah nodded, his heart beating faster. **I'm getting Cyan back!** The bronzerider knew Kalamath shared his joy as he could feel his lifemate's love and pride moving through him.

"Then it is my great pleasure to return these to you." D'wrayt said handing the young bronzerider the Wingleader's knots that he had been keeping safe.

U'kaiah reached for the knots and cradled them gently in his hands, feeling the familiar weight of them. "Is this effective immediately, sir?"

"Yes, unless you have something you need to take care of first?"

"No sir," he quickly assured him. "I think my duties with the weyrlings are done now that they're graduated."

"You did a wonderful job with them, U'kaiah. Would you like to be there when I tell T'mahl about his promotion?"

The bronzerider felt a swelling of pride. It was amazing how an approving word from the Weyrleader could still make him feel like a weyrling again. Maybe it was that gentle sincerity that made all the riders follow D'wrayt so loyally. U'kaiah wondered if he ever had the same effect on any of his riders. "I would be proud to, sir."

"I'll let you know when for sure, but I was thinking after drills tomorrow or the day after." D'wrayt replied thinking aloud. He really wanted to make it a public announcement, but knew that there would be a lot of talk once he demoted the current Weyrlingmaster. He wanted to make it special for T'mahl, but didn't want to embarrass the man either.

"That's fine. Just tell me when and where." And speaking of weyrs....
This meant U'kaiah could finally have his Wingleader weyr back! Private bath... space... It was going to be good to be back!

"I will do just that. It'll be good to have you in the skies again, U'kaiah." D'wrayt replied.

Last updated on the February 3rd 2007

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