I'm Here To Help

Writers: AL, Vix
Date Posted: 27th June 2008

Characters: Mahantan, Alydelle
Description: Alydelle delivers some reports to Mahantan for a journeyman, and he questions her.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 10, day 20 of Turn 4

"Master Mahantan?" The door was slightly ajar and the young apprentice carefully pushed it open, though she didn't step through the threshold. She would wait for permission before she would go that far!

He was accustomed to the noise of the Hall, welcomed it because it made him feel less closed in than silence and four walls would do, so it took a moment before the voice registered. "Yes? Come in so that I can see who it is." Alydelle finally stepped forward, clutching some paper work and offering a shy smile to the Master. "I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but Raistlin asked me to bring you these reports." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, and she avoided meeting Mahantan's gaze.

He had to strain to hear her, but moderated his own voice's volume – not quite to her level but not as gruff or loud – as he held out his hand. "Let's have them." "Yes sir." Aly stepped forward, holding out the reports. "He said that he knows one is missing but will get it to you by this evening." As soon as he took the reports, she stepped back, her hands twisting in her shirt.

The Master of Apprentices paged through the papers, stopping here and there to read a bit before nodding and looking up at her. "Tell him that I'll hold him to that. These will be a good start but I need the remaining one before I can finish what I need to do." "Yes sir." Aly nodded in echo of her words. "Is there anything else you need?"

Mahantan glanced up at her, this apprentice who answered to him yet was so quiet. "How is all going with you? Your studies?" "Oh, fine." As long as she could avoid the others, it was fine. Not everyone was mean to her, but those who were made life difficult. At least the dolphins, they never picked on her. "I...I especially like time with the dolphins."

"If you didn't, you wouldn't be a dolphineer," he told her. "But the other portions of your studies are vital as well. Which classes do you like the best?" Aly was silent for a moment as she considered the question, then answered, "History and language. I like those best."

Mahantan raised an eyebrow at her reply. Usually those were the subjects that the apprentices merely endured. "What do you like about them?" "Oh history is so very interesting." The young woman's eyes lit up as she spoke, "I mean, you learn all sorts of things about what happened and what made people and places what they are today. And language, well...I've always had an easy time with language. I don't know what. It just comes easily to me."

He watched her, fascinated, realizing that he had probably not heard that many words from her cumulatively since first meeting her. In response, he nodded. "It's important, and rare to find someone who can appreciate them as they should be known." Aly smiled, her gaze lowering and her hands twisted her skirt. "Is...there anything else you need, Master?"

Mahantan shook his head. "Not really. Is there anything I can do for you? You do realize that I'm here to help you out, you and all of the apprentices." There were a few moments of silence. Should she tell him? But what could he really do about it? If she told him, the bullying would be worse - maybe unbearable. Finally the girl shook her head, still refusing to meet Mahantan's gaze. "No, Master, but thank you."

The man noted the pause, but decided not to push it. He simply nodded. "If you find that you do need anything, let me know." "Yes sir." Alydelle nodded slowly. "May I be excused, Master?"

"Yes," the Master nodded. "I suppose that you'd best be on your way." "Thank you sir." Alydelle bobbed her head politely, then turned and hurried away.

Last updated on the June 28th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

I'm Here To Help