The Wing Comes First

Writers: Clancey, Emma
Date Posted: 2nd December 2007

Characters: J'darin, K'deren
Description: J'darin breaks some bad news to K'deren. How do you _think_ that goes?
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 6 of Turn 4

J'darin

K'deren

For the second time in 6 days, he was meeting with K'deren in his office. This visit would be even less pleasant than the last time, and that one had actually been alright given the topic of conversation. He knew that I'ster was not flying Thread yet, officially, though he was in the Wing, and drilling with the other riders. K'deren was, properly so, giving him time to adjust.

With a sigh, he decided not to say anything on that subject, leaving the management to his experienced riders.

The hide with K'hetah's record on it was in plain view, and he struggled to come up with the right words to say, glad K'deren wasn't do for a quarter candlemark at least.

How do you tell a loyal, very good Wingsecond, that he has a Wingleader now? He wondered to himself if he was wrong, for the first time. Was it right to keep trusting bronzes when K'deren continually showed himself able? He sighed again, his fingers steepled as he sank into deep thought, blocking out even Hasaarth.

The time was due, as Donneth reminded him, that he was to see the Weyrleader. With the performance records for the last two sevendays in his hand, he used the other to knock on the door.

"Come in, K'deren." Even his voice sounded a bit.. flat. He was not looking forward to this conversation.

A smile summoned from somewhere, he waved the brownrider in and to his usual seat across from J'darin. He noted the performance records in K'deren's hand, and felt a lump well in his throat. K'deren was very good, wasn't he?

Instead, he started with something he meant to be innocent. He would not interfere in his Wingleaders and Wingseconds duties, but he couldn't help but ask about I'ster. "I'ster settling in alright, K'deren?"

"He seems to be," was the reply. "I've just had him drilling with us for this first sevenday or so, to give him chance to learn our formations. I put him with one or two of my riders who were in his weyrling class to help him adjust."

"That is a good plan; D'ren and he are good friends already, I'm sure he would be glad to help look after him." His voice trailed off a bit, and then he nodded once.

"Well, I called this meeting to talk about the Wing some, but also to tell you of yet another personnel change." A faint pause, then in an odd echo of their last meeting, he passed over another hide - this one K'hetah's.

"I have finally gotten a bronzerider willing to transfer in as Cyclone's Wingleader. His name is K'hetah, and his dragon is Loeth."

"Sir?" the question was unspoken on K'deren's lips. Why now after so long.
Surely he was working out in this role.

J'darin nodded, forcing himself to meet K'deren's eyes. It was his decision, after all, not to have a brownrider as a Wingleader. He just ..couldn't. With a bluerider for a Weyrlingmaster second, his beliefs were stretched already to their utmost.

"I've never stopped looking since M'kel transferred out, but it seems bronzeriders with experience and willing to transfer here are few and far between, even in the North. I'm not surprised, given that its only turn 4 of the Pass, but it has taken this long."

He faltered for a moment. "You have done a very fine job, K'deren.
But one of the reasons I never made the promotion permanent was so you would... know I was still looking."

"Why now?" He had to say it. And indeed it was a valid question. Was he not good enough, not respected or something?

J'darin frowned, wondering how to explain it properly. "Its not really now. I've been looking since M'kel transferred out. This was the first positive response I received after months. It looks like now, but its not really."

For once the usually calm and reasoned Weyrleader was not making sense, or so it seemed to K'deren. "So you're telling me there is a replacement wingleader arriving soon. When?"

J'darin was mentally battling over the entire situation. He just could not put a brown in charge of a Wing. He knew this was foolishness on the outside, but on the inside, it was just the way things needed to be. At least while he was Weyrleader. He believed that tradition was there - and followed - for a reason.

He also believed that displacing that tradition would have consequences.

He just wish he knew what they would be, so he could explain it properly to K'deren.

"I wish I knew how to explain it properly, K'deren." The words in his mind came out his mouth at last. He struggled for a few more moments, then finally went on, "He will be here in 3 days, on day 9. I just found out today, or I would have told you sooner."

"What does this mean for the wing?" K'deren had to ask, they looked up to him, respected him, trusted him and now there was to be a new man in charge.

An eyebrow arched at this, then he answered, "I think the Wing will be fine. They did fine when M'kel took over, although I'm sure they wish he would have stayed. You will stay Wingsecond, if you wish it, K'deren. That will help them adjust, as it has in all the tumultous months before I became Weyrleader. Just as my own Wing has survived lead changes. Several, as you would remember."

He paused, meeting K'deren's eyes, "I will understand if you don't wish to remain in your position, but I have already told K'hetah that I want you there as Wingsecond."

"I'll stay." If nothing else he was loyal to his wing. _They'd_ need him.

J'darin nodded. There seemed to be nothing else to say. "Thank you, K'deren. I'm sure that is the best thing for Cyclone." He struggled again with himself. How could he just _know_ he needed a bronzerider, yet also know K'deren was a good, loyal leader for his Wing?

"The wing comes first," the brownrider managed to say.

There was nothing more to say.

Last updated on the December 2nd 2007

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The Wing Comes First