Early Retirement?

Writers: Chelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 19th March 2013

Characters: D'hol, M'ran
Description: D'hol checks in on an injured wingmate
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 9 of Turn 6

D'hol

D'hol's face was set as he walked into the infirmary,
catching a passing healer to find out where his wingrider was.
The notification that one of his wing had been injured was not a welcome
one,
and he wanted to know exactly what happened. Taking the direction from the
healer, D'hol strode to the cot and tapped on the privacy curtain.

Old M'ran was not doing so well. The poor brownrider had found himself
falling down the side of the hill before he knew it. And by the time he had
stopped falling, he was bruised and slightly broken. Making it back to the
Weyr
had been a feat and had only been accomplished when his son had come looking
for him after hearing from his dragon.

Stepping in, D'hol looked at M'ran, flicking his eyes over the outward
injuries. "What
happened, M'ran?"

"Well I was standing on the hill see. And then I wasn't. And then I was
falling. Finally,
I landed." Many had no idea how the old rider was still living in the Pass
since he probably
should have retired long ago. He carried his sacks and they flew their
Falls, however.

D'hol sat and rubbed his chin slowly. "How bad are the injuries?"

"The healers say I've bruised my ribs and probably broke my right leg.
It'll heal." Of course
he didn't heal as fast as these young guys, but he was a tough old wherry.
He grunted and
reached for the glass of water they had left him and drank to quench his
dry throat.

D'hol refilled the water as M'ran finished, then looked at the man with a
faint hint of
regret. "You're not young anymore, M'ran. And neither is your brown. You're
good
in the wing, but I have to tell you, it may be the time for you to move to
the Lightning
Wing."

"Now now we've still got fight left in us yet. And to be honest with you,
we'd rather go
down fighting if we're going to go down-not sitting idly by." Since the
return of Thread,
M'ran had spent considerably more energy, though he was proud to do his
duty to Pern
finally. "I'll heal up and the healers will let me go on. Just going to
take a bit," he grousled
not yet ready to admit defeat or even old age.

"I know you do." D'hol replied calmly. "Which is why I don't think you
should be grounded
completely. But the Lightning Wing will still allow you to fight, M'ran.
You're a good
wingmate, but you are slowing down and it's a risk to the entire wing. You
know that."
D'hol could understand to a point, he was no young wherry himself, but
still far more
spry than old M'ran. "We can't afford it."

"No, the Lightning Wing means I go on watch duty," he corrected the new
Wingleader. He
wasn't stupid. Once you were put out to pasture, your role was limited.
"'Course, it's your
decision sir, but I don't think my time is done yet." If he did get sent to
retirement, there was
a likely chance the old rider wouldn't try to heal as quick as he could.

D'hol stroked his chin slowly. "I won't make a decision yet, but M'ran, if
I feel that you're
not healing well, or won't be up to par, I won't have any other choice."

"I understand that. If I can't do my duties, I'll be the first to admit it.
But right now, I can still
fly." Well not right then. Grunting, he shifted just a bit and winced.

"I hope I don't have to retire you M'ran. We need all of the riders we
have. But you'll
let me know if you need anything?"

"Aye sure and I know the healers will probably send you reports." M'ran
also didn't want to be
retired since he was sure it was going to kill him before Thread would.

"Of course they will." D'hol replied coolly. "It's necessary." He poured
M'ran another cup
of water and stood. "I'll come and check on you in a few days. Until then,
rest up."

"Sir? If you will....My boy will look after Vecieth but maybe tell the
others what happened?
Don't want them thinking something else when I'm not at drills." M'ran was
very connected
to some of his younger wingmates and he didn't want them worrying after him
or thinking he
had retired after all.

"Of course." D'hol nodded. "I'm sure they'll be visiting shortly. But you
will tell me if you have
needs?"

**If I don't, the healers will** M'ran nodded, groaning some before he
settled down. This getting
old stuff was for the wherries. His hide was tough enough, though. He would
mend and be back in
action before they could say shard.

"Good. I'll see you in a few days then." D'hol gave a sharp nod and turned
on his heel,
moving to speak personally to the closest healer.

Last updated on the April 18th 2013

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Early Retirement?