A Good Start

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 19th October 2009

Characters: T'mahl, E'naer
Description: T'mahl and E'naer discuss the weyrlings over lunch.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 6 of Turn 5

"Thank you for coming on such short notice, E'naer. I apologize I couldn't make time sooner," the Weyrleader waved the Weyrlingmaster Third to take a seat across from him at the table. "I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of ordering lunch for both of us. It saves time."

"Thanks T'mahl, " E'naer replied, "lunch sounds perfect idea. I've running between in dragon infirmary and candidate barracks whole morning." He spoke with familiarity, since they had been in same wing for so long time.

"I have to admit, E'naer, I miss that," the Weyrleader sighed, picking a sandwich from the platter of food provided. "I like working with Weyrlings much better than navigating politics."

"It can be stressful but also rewarding. I've been in this position for

two turns now, and I wouldn't want to go back to be normal

wingrider and dragonhealer," E'naer said and picked food for himself.

"I can promise you, you won't be going anywhere any time soon." With all the Weyrlingmasters turning over, they had all had to depend on E'naer's consistency.

"I'm happy as I am right now. My training as dragonhealer is certainly handy when dealing with the dragonets."

"That is one of your many skills that make you ideal for the job," T'mahl nodded as he poured them both a glass of juice. "Hopefully it hasn't been necessary so often with this latest round of weyrlings."

"Dragonhealing or the other skills?" E'naer asked.

"Dragonhealing. I'm _sure_ you've had to rely on your other skills. I hear we've had some... challenging weyrlings this time around." T'mahl had received regular reports.

"Oh, yes," E'naer sighed. "J'nev."

"Has his attitude improved at all?" The Weyrlingmaster doubted it, but he would hold out to hope.

"Not too much, perhaps he controls himself a bit better but..." it was very telling but.

"Are you quite sure he's ready to graduate?" T'mahl knew sometimes it took being held back when all his Clutchmates moved on to wake an unruly bronzerider up.

"Based on his knowledge and skills, yes, " E'naer said. After all, the young man had mastered all his lessons and classes. Those weren't the problem.

"I want no rider to graduate who will be a danger to himself or others," the Weyrleader said in all seriousness. "I could use bronzeriders for sure, but if the boy could benefit from more time with the Weyrlings, that's where he belongs."

"I'm not sure if he would benefit from it," E'naer winced at the thought of releasing J'nev on some newly impressed, unsuspecting, bewildered young blueriders. "Some riders just don't get it until they face the reality of the fighting Wings."

"Perhaps you're right," the Weyrleader sighed. "But Faranth knows, if it decided he should graduate, he does not deserve the honor of flying in the Weyrleader's wing."

"I wouldn't place him on same wing with his father either," E'naer pointed out. "Are they still at it? For Faranth's sake, how long is that boy going to punish the poor man?"

"Forever?" E'naer suggested wryly. "Well, of the others, L'rew, Kamalia, M'eyx, Trealeina and R'len are now all old enough to be place to the fighting wings. J'sul and Salire are still under sixteen and should stay in Weyrling wing."

That was a start, T'mahl thought as he tried to picture all the weyrling's faces. He had worked with them for so short a time. "And has the Weyrlingmaster suggestions as to which wing they should be placed in?"

"Here," E'naer pulled out a hide and handed it to T'mahl.

"It never seems to get easier, does it," the bronzerider said with a shake of his head. "At least we have some good riders coming out of this group that outweigh the troublesome ones."

"Thankfully so. Kamalia, for instance, has a good head on her shoulders. She'll be fine addition to any wing," E'naer remarked. "We could use more greenriders. Wingthird is not a position to be taken lightly." T'mahl gave the Weyrlingmaster an acknowledging nod. It was really too bad E'naer was no longer able to fly Thread. But then again, he seemed to have found his niche.

E'naer took in the compliment with a small bow. "So, which wing needs greenriders most?" he asked.

"U'kaiah's could use a few," T'mahl replied thoughtfully. "Though my own could certainly use greens as well. Their speed and agility is invaluable, though we have to switch them out so fast because they lack stamina."

"Browns have more stamina, so perhaps Azure should take R'len then? L'rew is also a brownrider," E'naer suggested.

The Weyrleader nodded. He needed some good browns. He was losing a few very good riders to retirement soon, for all that they protested that they could see the Pass through to the end. "I would take them both off your hands."

"Do we split the greens and blues evenly between wings?" E'naer asked.

"I should think so, baring any disastrous Falls between now and then." There was always the possibility, especially if T'mahl was going to start leading them soon.

They went thru few more placements and then E'naer said: "That should be all of them. Let's see if I got it right..." he studied his notes "J'nev, Kamalia and M'yex to the Cyan wing, L'rew, Trealeina and R'len to the Azure wing...."

"It's a good start," T'mahl smiled, motioning to the greenrider to go ahead and eat. They both had other places they would soon need to be, and they could continue the conversation after the meal.

Last updated on the November 15th 2009

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Good Start