A Reply

Writers: Emma, Yvonne
Date Posted: 25th November 2008

Characters: K'reyel, Tsaera
Description: K'reyel and Tsaera discuss Dolphin Cove Weyr's request, and send a reply
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 12, day 13 of Turn 4
Notes: Special thanks for the letter to River Bluff Weyr goes to:

Becki (darkwolf58@gmail.com)
N'vanik, lifemate to bronze Loseth and Weyrleader of DCW

Dana (dana@triadweyrrs.org)
Traelyn, Weyrwoman to gold Nyith, DCW

K'reyel

To Weyrwoman Tsaera and Weyrleader K'reyel of River Bluff Weyr,

We hope both of you and your dragons are in good health. We have a favor
to ask of you. Over the past several months Dolphin Cove has suffered
extreme hardships, which have resulted in far too many casualties. We have
tried replacing those who have been lost to us with younger riders, but
many are still too young to take their place in the fighting Wings.

We have decided to revoke the rule that put fifteen Turn olds into the
Wings, so you can understand that we have an even greater need for riders
to fill our ranks. We would be grateful if you would allow some of your
older Candidates to Stand at our upcoming Hatching. We understand that if
you do extend our invitation to the Candidates, it will ultimately be up
to them to decide. With this in mind, they should be reminded that if
they do Impress at Dolphin Cove, they will have to stay until our Wings
are at their full strength.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Weyrwoman Traelyn and
Weyrleader N'vanik, of Dolphin Cove Weyr

~*~

"Well? What do you think of it?" Tsaera leaned back in her chair and stared
across the desk at K'reyel. It had been a while since she'd had a Weyrleader
so youthful, and it was still a little jarring to see a face sitting in that
chair with so few lines.

K'reyel read the letter again. It wasn't quite what he'd been expecting when
he'd been told of the message from the new Dolphin Cove Weyrleader. "I'm not
sure what to think. I'd expected that they would keep their rule about
fifteen turn old riders in the wings in place for a little longer, something
my brother said made me think that way."

Tsaera shrugged. "J'darin's decision wasn't a popular one, and this N'vanik
obviously disagrees with him. In my opinion fifteen turns is too young, but
I also don't think there's much of a difference between a youth of fifteen
and one of sixteen. Still," she said, sighing, "we do what we must to keep
Thread from the ground. Have you met N'vanik before? I don't believe I ever
have."

"No, I haven't met him either. All I know is that he's known Weyrwoman
Traelyn for a while," was K'reyel's response. "The decision about the age of
Wingriders, is of course theirs to make."

"How is our own Wingstrength? My Weyr isn't exactly
bursting at the seams, but in my opinion we could spare a few riders, should
they wish to transfer." Tsaera frowned briefly. "I won't forcibly reassign
anyone who wouldn't want to go. But if Wingriders are interested in transfering to where they are needed, I'd think about
putting a cap on the number of riders who can transfer... how many do you
think we could lose without straining our own Wings?"

"I," K'reyel paused to think for a moment. "We have some newly graduated
riders, and another class not too far off. That will help us. I think we can
spare a few, it's just finding any riders willing to make the move. Not to
mention any of our older candidates- I know some would at least want to be
offered an extra chance to stand."

"Well, I cannot them deny that, should any candidate request it." The
Weyrwoman frowned again. "But historically we've always had a little trouble
finding candidates of our own. If we send candidates, then it's with the
caveat that they'll be sending their candidates our way when Lenala's Clutch
hatches... and that any of our candidates who do not Impress are coming home
as soon as the Hatching Feast is over."

K'reyel nodded. "That should be in our reply. I also can't help wondering if
they have asked the same of Dragonsfall as well. With a hatching just over a
sevenday ago they must have a quite a few youngsters who were disappointed."

"I'd imagine so. Both Traelyn and N'vanik come from Dragonsfall, after all.
I'll write up a letter, then, and send it on to you to look over and sign...
and perhaps you could discuss a Wingrider transfer, and find an acceptable
cap for one if you decide our Wings can handle it, with the other
Wingleaders at the next meeting? I won't mention anything about it to
Traelyn until we have something concrete to offer them... or not offer, as
the case may be."

"Sounds like we have a plan then. I'll see what U'das and R'syl have to say.
They'll know those in their charge the best."

Tsaera nodded, then stood and ran a hand through her grey hair. "I'll send
you a draft of the letter, then, before dinner. See you then," she said,
then left K'reyel's office, her mind already on the drills she'd be leading
just as soon as an impatient Tabanirth was fitted with riding straps. The
letter - and Dolphin Cove's Weyrleaders - could wait until later that
afternoon.

~*~

To Weyrwoman Traelyn and Weyrleader N'vanik,

May we extend our congratulations on behalf of River Bluff Weyr to Nyith and
Loseth, and by extension, to Dolphin Cove Weyr's Weyrwoman and Weyrleader,
on a successful Flight and what will undoubtedly be a prolific Clutch. Both
K'reyel and I look forward to meeting Dolphin Cove's new Weyrleader in
person.

We will be happy to extend an invitation to Stand at the upcoming Hatching
on behalf on Dolphin Cove to our Candidates, with three caveats: that any
candidates who do not Impress at Dolphin Cove will return to River Bluff
Weyr, that Dolphin Cove will extend the same offer on behalf of River Bluff
to any of their candidates who fail to Impress at Nyith's Clutch's upcoming Hatching, and
that Dolphin Cove candidates who Impress at River Bluff are unable to
transfer back to Dolphin Cove until two turns have passed since their
graduation into a fighting Wing. Just as Dolphin Cove must protect the
safety of their Fighting Wings, so must I.

Once the offer has been put forward to our Candidates, we will write to
confirm the number to expect, and to discuss arrangements for their
transportation and eventual boarding closer to the Hatching date.

Clear Skies,

Weyrwoman Tsaera and Weyrleader K'reyel
River Bluff Weyr

Last updated on the December 4th 2008

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