It Gets Lonely Sometimes

Writers: Noli, Paula
Date Posted: 13th February 2014

Characters: Korkary, Tamah
Description: The Weyr Harbour Master visits the new Seacraft Hall
Location: Seacraft Hall
Date: month 5, day 7 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Relik

The green dragon landed to a safe distance of the port and all the activity around the hall under construction. "You don't have to wait me, darling. I'll send one of flits when I need ride home," the passenger said, unclasping his straps.

"All right, Tamah. Just don't start drinking," his weyrmate replied with a sigh.

"Don't worry, love. This is strictly business," Tamah replied and with good-bye kiss, slid down from Nizenath's back.
The River Bluff Weyr's Harbourmaster had come to the new Seacraft Hall to establish professional connections. Some ships would be docking both ports.

Both of his firelizards swooped around him when he walked towards the docks. Tamah studied them with critical, professional eyes.
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"Dockmaster! Someone is here to see you, sir!"

Korkary turned towards the voice, peering over the wale of the ship to identify the speaker. A young apprentice stood below, his face flushed and his breathing quickened with exertion. Korkary guessed he had made the journey to and down the docks at a sprint. However, the young boy still appeared to have plenty of energy; he was hopping from one foot to the other excitedly, his arms in constant motion. Korkary frowned. "Who is it?"

The lad was very young, probably within his first year of apprenticeship, if Korkary knew anything. That explained his enthusiasm. "A Journeyman from the Weyr. He flew in adragonback!"

**Well this is unexpected,** Korkary mused. However, he was not displeased. Taking leave of the ship's captain, he made his way down the gangway to greet his visitor.

"Good day!" Tamah called a friendly greeting.

"And good morrow to you, Journeyman!" Korkary felt wonderful. The sun was shining brightly overhead, and the winds were blowing just right. "What brings you home to the Seacraft Hall this fine day?"

"I'm Tamah, River Bluff Weyr's Harbormaster. I came to check this place out and introduce myself. And to make useful contacts. After all, same ships visits our port," Tamah replied and offered his hand.

"Aye, and a pleasure to meet you, Tamah." He shook the other man's hand heartily. "I'm Korkary, the Dockmaster here at the Seacraft Hall. Our docks are your docks!"

As he walked slowly, proudly?pointing out various features of the harbor and giving the other Master plenty of time to inspect at will, Korkary considered Tamah's statement about 'useful contacts'. He wondered what the man meant.

Tamah followed the tour with obvious interest, making professional questions. "What kind of facilities you'll have for repairing ships?" he asked, "A proper dry dock?" he sounded wistful. "River Bluff is bit lacking in that department. If ship needs hull repairs, we have to pull it shore and dip it."

"Aye, we've got all the bells and whistles." Korkary couldn't help but puff out his ample chest a bit in pride. He stared lovingly across the docks. "The northerners can keep their Hall. We've got everything we need right here."

"That's good to hear. Our port is too small for anything but emergency repairs," Tamah noted.

Korkary winced sympathetically. He had been there before. Some of the various seaholds where he had held stations had little more than fishing piers from which to work.

"I thought all you Weyrfolk preferred dragons to ships, anyhow." His eyes twinkled mirthfully, but his voice had a slight edge.

"Yes, for people. Dragons don't do cargo and we have to get the tithes somehow. Ships are the most practical way. Over land routes do exist, to those inland holds we protect," Tamah explained.

Korkary nodded to demonstrate his understanding. But even with the explanation, he felt slightly uneasy. Korkary had ridden adragonback many times, of course, as a craftmaster and even as a journeyman. However, he wholeheartedly belonged to the sea. No creature-- not even a dragon-- was preferable to a good wooden ship, in his opinion.

"So, Harbourmaster, what else can we do for you here at the Seacrafthall?"

"That remains to be seen," Tamah replied with a shrug of shoulders. "It nice to have you here," he continued. "It gets lonely sometime, being seacrafter among all those dragonriders."

Korkary smiled sadly. "Aye, I know what you mean. I've never been stationed at a Weyr, but as a younger man I had some fairly remote assignments. A seaman needs his own kind, every once in awhile." He thought about his wife, his daughters, and his young son. "Do you have a family, Journeyman?"

"Aye, I have," Tamah replied. "I'm mated with a lovely greenrider and we have three children. I also have couple older children running around Pern," Tamah continued.

Korkary chuckled conspiratorially. "Aye, we seacrafters are a virile breed, no doubt." He nodded to the flits accompanying Tamah. "And these little beasties? Do they hinder your work?"

Tamah chuckled too. "Naah, they can be useful, taking messages. Especially the bronze."

Korkary snorted. He had no use for the tiny draconic pets, himself.

Suddenly, a crash behind them caused a disruption. Korkary turned and saw some of the shipbuilders in a heated argument, a barrel of tar leaking between them.

"Excuse me, my man. Duty calls." He stuck out his hand. "It was good to meet you. If you want to speak with the Hallmaster while you're here, you can likely find him in his office." He nodded in the appropriate direction.

"All right, I'll head that direction. Was nice to meet you," Tamah nodded. He had already once met the Hallmaster, at River Bluff Weyr.

Last updated on the February 22nd 2014

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It Gets Lonely Sometimes