Ulterior Motives

Writers: Dana
Date Posted: 23rd August 2008
Series: Proving His Worth

Characters: Traelyn
Description: Traelyn writes to the other Weyrleaders regarding her decision to throw open Nyith's mating flight.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 18 of Turn 4

"To Weyrleader D'wrayt and Weyrwoman Kapera:

I hope both of you and your dragons are in good health. I would come and speak to you in person but Nyith is due to rise very soon, so for obvious reasons I cannot take her out of Dolphin Cove territory. Her mating flight is actually the reason why I am writing. As you probably know, Dolphin Cove recently combated Thread, and Weyrleader J'darin and bronze Hasaarth were 'scored--not severely, thank Faranth, but enough to keep them on the ground for at least a month, perhaps two. Nyith is due to rise at the end of this month, and Hasaarth will not be able to be among the bronze contenders.

Due to the shortage of eligible Dolphin Cove bronzeriders to compete for the Weyrleader position, I have come to the decision to throw Nyith's flight open to the hardworking, competent and talented bronzeriders of other southern Weyrs. Throwing this flight open will undoubtedly broaden Dolphin Cove's chances in having the best possible capable Weyrleader while at the same time bringing new blood to the gene pool.

Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance if you decide to spare some of your eligible bronzeriders for Dolphin Cove's future.

Yours very sincerely,

Traelyn
Weyrwoman of Dolphin Cove"

~~~

Traelyn put down her stylus, carefully blowing on the wet ink of her flowing signature to dry it. Shards, her handwriting could be better, but all in all, the letter was a good one: polite, formal, and to the point. She didn't think the Weyrleaders of the southern Weyrs could pass up the opportunity she offered. If their bronzerider's dragon succeeded in capturing Nyith's fancy, he would be a credit to their Weyr's name--a source of pride. As a Weyrwoman herself, she knew that if she received a letter like this, she wouldn't pass up a chance to glorify her own Weyr.

But there was only one bronzerider whom she hoped Dragonsfall's Weyrleaders would release to compete. Faranth, if Kalamath caught Nyith, U'kaiah could have everything he was aspiring for now--and he would probably be able to retain the title if he won. Nyith tended to be consistent in her choice of bronze mates, and she had always been fond of Kalamath...and she was well aware how her rider felt about his. And even though Traelyn wasn't Dragonsfall's Weyrwoman, did that truly matter so much? Dragonsfall was just a location--it was the Weyrleader title itself that brought the wealth, power and respect, not the place. And U'kaiah wanted to be Weyrleader. Even before she had really known him, she had known that if he'd win a senior queen's flight, he'd be one of the best in the south. She couldn't recall knowing a bronzerider so passionate and dedicated to a goal as him. It was so intense...but it hadn't blinded him to all else.

She smiled. He wouldn't be able to pass this opportunity up--not when he could have both the Weyrleadership, and her.

Traelyn knew her ulterior motives to throwing Nyith's flight open were selfish, but shards. Was it really so wrong to be happy?

Gently she moved the hide to the side and pulled out a fresh one from her drawer, making a mental note to ask the Headwoman to restock it fairly soon. Tucking a wayward tendril of hair behind her ear, she picked up her stylus and dipped it into the small jar of ink before bending over her desk.

"To Weyrleader K'reyel and Weyrwoman Tsaera:...."

Last updated on the August 25th 2008

Series: Proving His Worth [Next: Risk]

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Ulterior Motives