Go Forth and Report

Writers: Chelle, Noli
Date Posted: 29th June 2013

Characters: Rhosyn, N'tur
Description: Natur interviews for Candidacy in Orlaith's clutch
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 27 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Sefanya, Solieira; Mentor Approved

There was no denying it; Natur was nervous. As he waited to speak to Rhosyn,
his palms grew clammy and his mouth dry. He tried to calm himself, tried to
remember the speech he had prepared for this day. Words about duty and
honor, about dedication and undying love for dragonkind. Except he couldn't.
He couldn't recall one. Sharding. Sentence.

Natur closed his eyes and breathed slowly, in through his nose and out
through his mouth. It was a trick his Master had taught him. When you worked
around herdbeasts and runners, you couldn't afford to be anxious: they
sensed your fear, and reacted in kind. Natur briefly wondered if dragons
felt their rider's fear, and quickly came to a conclusion. Of course they
did. Even his mother's firelizards shared her emotions, and they were much
stupider and less bonded than a dragon.

Natur became uncertain at the thought. Maybe he shouldn't try to Impress.
After all, he was not a particularly brave boy, and he lacked
self-confidence. What if he was a hindrance to a fighting dragon? He ached
at the thought. The only option worse than never Impressing was the idea of
Impressing, then failing his lifemate.

Sefanya had constantly reassured him that he would make a fantastic
dragonrider. Natur was not sure that he trusted her confidence though. After
all, mothers were supposed to...

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening. Then he heard
his name being called. He rose to his feet.

The Weyrwoman was getting ready for the Hatching and it was clear there was
a lot to do. Her headwoman was quite helpful, of course, but Rhosyn also had
all of her other duties to contend with. Fiddling with her plait, she waited
for the boy to come in. Hopefully this wouldn't take long.

Natur nodded to Rhosyn respectfully as he entered. "Weyrwoman." He shifted
his feet nervously, then plowed on. "I ask the honor of Standing for
Orlaith's clutch. If it please you."

"Ah...and you are?" Hazel eyes focused on the boy, waiting for him to
introduce himself. She was trying to place him but it didn't come to mind
automatically.

Natur felt his face flush. "Sorry, Weyrwoman. Natur, of Artur the Journeyman
Woodsmith and Sefanya, Weyr foster mother. I was born here at River Bluff,
and my father's father and mother both rode dragons." Just a hint of pride
crept into his voice at the mention of his lineage. "The Weyr is in my
blood."

He felt much more calm now, and it showed. His stance was easy but alert,
his expression relaxed. His mother would have laughed. 'My steady boy. Can't
keep him flustered for long.' It was one of her favorite sayings.

Natur waited, no longer nervous. Whatever would be, would be.

"And your health? Have you seen the healers recently?" That was the one that
usually got the Weyrbred ones. They knew Rhosyn checked healer records.

"I'm as healthy as a runner," he stated matter-of-factly. "I've had a
couple of scrapes and bruises-- I worked with herdbeasts, after all--
but the healers said nothing that will affect being able to fly
Thread." He paused, then his eye took on an imploring shine. "Please,
Rhosyn, you have to believe I would? not ask to stand if I could not
take care of a dragonet, or ride one someday. The Weyr is my life. I
know how important strong riders are for their dragons."

"Being a rider is more than just threadfighting. You do understand
that, don't you?" She wondered if he knew how it felt to always have
another's thoughts within your own. To put aside yourself for a
creature always. "You understand that you might not make it through
weyrlinghood. Your mother might have to bury you. Can you take the
chance, knowing it?"

"Yes." He spoke resolutely-- not from overconfidence, but from a position of
acceptance of the Weyr's ways. "I am no stranger to death and suffering,
Weyrwoman. I lost my father a few turns ago. I've seen friends Impress and
die, and as an apprentice of the beastcraft I've assisted after Threadfall
on occasion. I know it will be hard, and that it is not always like the
songs. But I believe it will be worth it." His eyes took on a faraway look,
and indeed he seemed not to even see Rhosyn at that moment. "I'm nearly
grown, and there is no place in my family for me now. My mother has my
brothers and sisters, and her firelizards. I want to have the thing I see in
the riders and weyrlings. I want a partner. I want to take care of him, and
help him grow. We can help each other." He blushed. "Or her, of course. It
doesn't matter the color. All that matters is that it will be a dragon of my
own."

"And if you don't Impress?" That was another question that had to be asked.
The thought had to be planted. Hazel eyes watched the expressions on Natur's
face, wondering what sort of rider he would be. Would he Impress this time?
Would he survive the Pass?

"Then I will continue my apprenticeship with the Beastcraft. The
Master says I show a talent for beasthealing." Natur hated to think of
not Impressing, but he knew that he would not mind being a crafter if
it came to that. He kept his face steady, to demonstrate that he had
already considered this angle. "Even? if I never Impress, I would like
to stay at the Weyr after I complete my studies."

"Well that's a good craft." **And if he does Impress, he might make a
good dragonhealer** Rhosyn thought to herself. "Anyone who doesn't
Impress may stay here as long as they are useful. So if you plan to
craft, you're welcome." Thinking over all that he had said as well as
considering his bloodlines, Rhosyn herself couldn't? really see an
impediment to his Standing if that was what he really wanted. She knew
Orlaith would approve. "I will ask again-is this really what you want
without a doubt?"

Here was the moment that his fate would be decided. Natur nodded
solemnly.? "It is, Weyrwoman. More than anything. All I ask for is the
chance."

"Very well but if you don't perform in your duties or there are
problems between you and my headwoman or the weyrlingstaff, rest
assured I will be notified." Rhosyn stood up and indicated that Natur
was dismissed. "Go forth and report to the Headwoman for your cot
assignment."

Natur bowed and exited quickly. Once outside, he leaned against the
door and closed his eyes. When they opened again, they had a new fire.
The next phase of his short life was beginning. With a grin, he
straightened and made to find the Headwoman.

Last updated on the July 2nd 2013

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