A Good Omen
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: Devin, Dana
Date Posted: 15th November 2008
Series: Proving His Worth
Characters: N'vanik, Traelyn
Description: N'vanik is one proud Weyrleader.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 4 of Turn 4
N'vanik sat atop his dragon on the rim and swept his gaze around at the fighting dragons, their eyes already whirling with a touch of red. He tried to focus on his breathing. **Is everyone ready?**
}:Yes,:{ Loseth replied. Then the bronze added. }:We'll do fine. We were born to lead!:{
N'vanik wished he shared his dragon's confidence. He took one more deep, slow breath and gave the signal for the dragons to take wing. Seconds later they went /between/ and came out far above the lush jungle. Ahead of them were the ominous clouds that signaled Threadfall. N'vanik fought to keep his fear down. He focused instead on formations, what particular actions would need to be taken, the adjustments that needed to be made for the conditions.
Then the leading edge appeared and he felt Loseth's anger at his age old enemy. }:Thread comes!:{
Yes, the one thing in life that he was good at. Fighting Thread was his outlet, his contribution to Pern. This time, though, he would have to lead. N'vanik gripped the straps tighter. **Tell the greens to move slightly lower. Not much wind today.**
Then he gave the command to start flaming.
~ ~ ~
Tired, covered in crackdust and stinking of firestone, N'vanik waited on the heights with his heart in his throat. But the sound he feared didn't come. **Loseth? Ask the Healers for a report.**
He waited while his bronze spoke to the Healers and listened to the list of injuries. Most of them were minor. He waited a few seconds after Loseth finished. "No deaths?"
}:No deaths,:{ Loseth confirmed.
N'vanik sagged in his straps.
}:N'vanik! Is something wrong?:{
**No. I'm just relieved. So relieved.** He recovered a little. **Take me to Nyith's.**
The queen wasn't hard to pick out in the Weyrbowl. Loseth landed close to her and N'vanik slid off as soon as the dragon touched down. He had his helmet off and was standing next to the huge queen in a few strides.
"Trae! Get down here!" N'vanik put a growl into his voice.
Raking the sweaty tendrils of hair away from her forehead, she hooked her helmet under her arm before sliding down from her dragon. Her smile was exhausted, but genuine and bright when her dark eyes met his. "You did it."
He broke into a grin and grabbed her. "No deaths! No deaths!" He swung her around in a circle.
It was a good omen, she thought, grinning back at him, feeling giddy with relief as reality began to sink in. She gripped his arms as soon as her feet touched the ground again. "You can bet that there'll be dancing in the Hall tonight!"
"And I hope you'll be there!" He laughed. Shards, it felt so good to get through that. He hadn't failed. He'd done better than most Weyrleaders their first time out, men who had leadership experience and riders they'd worked with for turns. N'vanik had gotten through his first time leading with _no deaths_!
}:I told you!:{ Loseth was as proud as he'd been after catching Nyith.
"As if I wouldn't!" she snorted, swatting him lightly on the arm. "The whole Weyr will probably turn out tonight."
"I hope so. They all -- we all -- deserve to have some fun." He might even cancel morning drills.
"You're right." Her smile turned sly as she met his eyes. "Will we get to hear a speech from you tonight?"
"Not unless 'Good job! Let's drink!' counts as a speech." He laughed.
"Well, maybe something along those lines," she chuckled, releasing his arms. "But I do think you need to acknowledge their efforts, N'vanik."
He made a face. "I'm not good at public speaking." He'd never had much reason for it.
"Neither am I," she murmured, wrinkling her nose. "But I really do think you should. It doesn't have to be a long speech, you know. Just....five, well-meaning sentences?" It would certainly make a good, personal impression on the Weyrfolk who would be gathered in the dining hall tonight.
"Eh, I'll try." He wasn't looking forward to it. Maybe he'd get drunk first.
Almost as if she could read the look behind his eyes, she pursed her lips. "Get drunk _after_. That is my advice to you--one Weyrleader to another."
His lips twitched. "But I'm more eloquent after a few drinks."
She rolled her eyes as if to say "suit yourself." "Well, I know I need to bathe before I make an appearance tonight. But first I need to bathe Nyith." Both queen and queenrider smelled rancid. Hearing her name, the gold lowered her head to touch the top of her rider's with the tip of her snout--and then whuffed an agreement to her lifemate's unspoken observation. "Care to join us, Weyrleader?"
"In a little bit. I need to see Tal first." She'd been hiding it well, but N'vanik suspected she'd been more nervous about this Threadfall than he had been. Loseth had reported to her that they were safe as soon as Fall ended.
Traelyn nodded, reaching up to pat Nyith. "All right." She smiled at him. "I'll see you later."
On impulse, he grabbed her and kissed her soundly. When he pulled back, he grinned at her. "Later."
Last updated on the November 18th 2008