DCW: The Heart of A Weyrleader
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Clancey
Date Posted: 8th June 2007
Characters: J'darin
Description: J'darin makes a bitter decision. See below.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 21 of Turn 4
Notes: Thread fell on 3d20 and will fall again on 3d26.
He stood on the ledge of the temporary weyr he and Hasaarth had taken
(until the lower weyrs could be cleaned out and habitable again), and
almost he wanted to sob. Hasaarth lay nearby soaking up the brief
moment of sun, which dared to shine beautifully over the _very_ calm
waters of the sea. It had rained earlier, but the sun was shining
now. He thought it might rain again later. But for now, it was
that lovely after rain sun.
How dare there be calm and beauty out there, when inside, everything
was broken and wrong? There was not enough food, not enough riders,
not enough water, not even enough to feed the dragons unless they went
far afield.
And there were no eggs.
He choked back strangled sobs again, both of his hands making fists.
Weather was as mindless as Thread, and he knew that he should just
take the blow and move with it, as his father had taught him when he
was young. But he couldn't. He was being forced into a position
that threatened to tear him apart from the inside. He was turning
Tradition on its ear. Two things that did _not_ agree with him.
But Hasaarth agreed.
}:We do what we must. Dragons are able..:{
In less than a Turn, his Weyr had been decimated by tragedies that put
all the folk around them in danger because he couldn't perform his
Turns old duty to protect their home properly. He had never thought
being Weyrleader would be so _hard_.
}:She chose us. She knew. I know. You have to know too.:{
Hasaarth said firmly in his mind, as if he could will his lifemate to
believe him on that one sending alone.
His head bowed with grief and he hid his tired eyes from the sun and
clouds, and made his way to Hasaarth's warm hide, breathing in the
scent of dragon and _home_. He didn't want to do this, not at all.
But he had to do _something_.
**Know what? That we were supposed to be leading Dolphin Cove now?
But if we were supposed to be leading, why don't I know if this is the
right decision? I can't keep them safe from anything Hasaarth! We
lost 4 more riders /between/ and at least 20 to injuries in the Fall
yesterday because everyone was tired, not paying attention, and even
with Dragonsfall's help, we just didn't quite have enough. I don't
have enough of anything!**
Hasaarth crooned softly, but it rose in noise to a bugle. }:You have
me. That is all you need:{
Foolish dragon. Sentimental creatures, they were. But his life with
Hasaarth was a beautiful thing. He could not imagine doing without
him, and for a moment, his heart went out to the young greenrider from
Dragonsfall. He'd heard the tale, as had many dragonriders. It
broke his heart in two again. And made him reconsider the decision
he knew he had to make for the thousandth time.
}:I am here. I am here. We are together.:{ Hasaarth sent over and
over until J'darin could see once more. He shook off the sadness
threatening to drown them both, and sought down his bond with his
dragon for strength. As always, it was there and freely given.
He stood and turned from the safety of Hasaarth's side to the
uncertainity of the sky and the sea. Thread would fall.
Hurricanes would come again. They would survive. Somehow, they
would survive.
Dragonriders always did.
He strode to the edge of the ledge and looked down. He needed
something _more_ from his Weyr. But what he proposed to do would be
even more young riders in danger. However, he would bear the pain of
the decision if it meant more of the folk entrusted to his care would
survive. He _must_. That is what a Weyrleader did. Bear the pain
so others did not have to bear it.
He felt his heart tear, even as he gave Hasaarth direction. The sun
disappeared.
**Hasaarth, send to the Wingleaders, 'seconds, and thirds. The age
restriction will drop from 16 to 15 turns for the Wings until further
notice, as long as they have completed Weyrling training. They will
fly with the Wings in 5 days for that Threadfall. Y'sani and I will
assign them to wings evenly tonight and they start drilling tomorrow.
4 days of double drills and they _must_ be ready. They need to work
hard and get them ready. Then tell Luthinath that I want to see his
rider privately. **
He swallowed thickly but nodded once he heard Hasaarth doing as he had
asked. He would gain 10 to 20 more riders this way, if the figures
were correct. And gain more, faster, through upcoming clutches. He
had to have riders. He could not bear to hear the keening again. Not
while he lead this Weyr.
Dragonriders may always survive, but right now he wasn't certain about
the hearts of Weyrleaders. How could _he_ survive?
}:I will be your heart. We will survive together. It is right to Fly
against Thread. I have told them all that what you said, and that it
is right to Fly. Luthinath's is coming now.:{
J'darin nodded, but stayed facing the sky and the sea. It was only
rain. And what did the heart of a Weyrleader matter when Thread
fell?
Dragonriders must fly when Thread is in the sky.
He looked up.
There was definitely more rain to come.
Last updated on the June 21st 2007