Unexpected and Surprising

Writers: Estelle
Date Posted: 24th April 2019

Characters: Gienah
Description: Gienah receives a letter from her father, with surprising news
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 9 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: R'fal
Gienah is now a PC candidate at Dolphin Cove, and I would love coposters for her! :)

***

The girls' side of the Candidate barracks was, for once, blessedly
quiet. It was a warm evening, and most of the others were spending their
free time down at the beach. But Gienah had a letter, and she couldn't
wait to read it under the covers with a handful of glows, after lights out.

She kicked off her sandals and sprawled on the cot. There was only one
person this could be from; she didn't think her grandmother would be
writing to her at the Weyr. Gienah grinned, thinking how scandalised her
Grandma would be if she knew where she was. She'd probably blame her Da,
mostly, but there would be a good share of scolding for Gienah herself,
for putting her reputation in such grave peril.

The girl rolled her eyes. Grandma didn't know that Hold boys were much
worse than dragonriders, in that regard. They regularly assumed that
because she didn't have a mother and travelled around with Da and was
more often in trousers than skirts, that she must be wild to go with as
many of them as possible. Sometimes she'd been able to show them how
mistaken they were, but usually she'd stayed out of their way. If she
got into too many fights, she might cost her Da a job. Meanwhile, at the
Weyr, the riders barely even noticed another Candidate. It was all a
little disappointing.

Maybe, if she Impressed, she'd go and visit her grandparents on her
green dragon. The old lady would have kittens...

Gienah giggled and leaned back against the pillow to read her letter.
She was a little surprised to see that it had been sent from Terren's
cothold in Emerald Falls. She'd have thought her father would have moved
on by now, seeking a new position - and a better employer. He'd not had
much time for Holder Terren.

The letter had taken a long time to arrive, though, crossing the
distance by runner, rather than firelizard or on dragonback. Maybe he'd
moved since then. Maybe, even now, he was on his way to the Weyr...

***

"Dear Giennie,

I know you'll be surprised to read that I'm still at Terren's cot, since
I'd hoped to be on my way by now. There have been some unexpected and
surprising events here. By the time you get this, you may have heard
about them and most likely it'll all be over. but I thought I'd better
write and tell you what I saw, first hand.

A few nights ago, I was wakened by shouting outside the cothold, and
canines barking. I got up and went to find the holder, in case it was
thieves after the ovines, but he wasn't there, only his wife, who had no
more idea where he was than I did. I fetched a good, strong stick and we
both went out to find out what was going on.

There were lights down by the old barn at the edge of the property, and
there we found the Hold Guard, surrounding a group of holdless folk who
they'd taken prisoner. But what was most shocking was that Holder Terren
was there with them, being tied and loaded into the prison wagon with
the rest. It seems he'd been hiding stolen goods in that very barn. His
wife knew nothing about it, and has followed them to Emerald Falls to
see what can be done for him, leaving me in charge of the cot for now.

It's not what I would have wanted, especially since you know what I
think of Holder Terren, but I feel I owe it to Lirena to keep everything
in order until we know the Lord Holder's decision. As soon as I can,
I'll be on my way, and travelling towards the Weyr so I can see you
again. No matter what happens, I'll be with you for the next Hatching,
even if I have to flag down a dragon myself!

Your Da

P.S. Of course you know that Terren's son is at the Weyr with you. It'll
be hard on the lad, but at least he'll have his dragon. I know you'll be
kind to him."

***

Gienah let out a puff of breath and dropped the letter on the cot beside
her. This was surprising news indeed. Not so much that Terren had been
involved in crime - he was well known at the cothold for being somewhat
less than honest - but that he'd been caught, and for something so
serious. She'd heard vaguely about the bandit trial, but hadn't paid
much attention other than to be pleased that they wouldn't be troubling
travellers like her father any more. Now, she wished she had.

She wondered if she should go and find R'fal. She hadn't spoken to him
much since his Impression of Marlath, other than a friendly greeting now
and again in the Dining Cavern. Weyrling training was intense, and the
first few months in the Wings even more so from what she'd heard. Even
so, now she thought about it, she hadn't seen his face in a while. If
he'd heard about this - and he must have - she could understand why,
having lived most of her life in holds. It wasn't like here, where
families were loose and relaxed and her fellow Candidates had a variety
of parents and foster-parents on both sides. In the holds, family was
bound up with pride, and it could bring shame, too.

Here in the Weyr, she was probably the closest to family that he had. On
the other hand, perhaps he just wanted to forget.

She folded the letter and tucked it into her press, deciding to at least
try to track him down. Maybe tomorrow, after dinner. He was a decent
sort, he'd never bothered her like some of the boys, and her father had
told her to be kind. She'd do her best to live up to that.

Last updated on the May 3rd 2019

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Unexpected and Surprising