Balancing the Wing

Writers: Avery, Devin
Date Posted: 11th June 2019

Characters: A'kades, N'vanik
Description: N'vanik meets with his Wingsecond and they discuss possible choices from the graduating weyrling class.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 17 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: K'sedel, Cosani, D'hol, T'lin, Dessa, K'don, L'pin, R'fal, R'enh, K'ran
late due to LOA

N'vanik

A'kades arrived at N'vanik's office slightly in advance of their
scheduled meeting. He was particularly looking forward to this
meeting. It was about time for Panitath's latest clutch to graduate
the wings, and to start assessing them to determine which ones would
be requested for their wing. He was interested in seeing how N'vanik
wanted to choose those who might qualify for Hurricane Wing, since as
the highest wing they were the most selective.

"Hey A'kades," N'vanik said as he entered. He pushed a few hides off
to the side to make room. "Did you bring the reports from K'sedel?"

"I've got them," the 'second confirmed, bringing the hides in and
setting them down. "The full gamut of weyrling reports, plus their
drill schedule for the final month of weyrlinghood so we can go watch
them and scout out who we want."

"Thanks." N'vanik flipped through a few of them. "Your son should
probably go to another Wing, though I hope he's doing well."

A'kades nodded. "I would be proud to see him in this wing, from his
performance, objectively. But I'd worry far too much."

"I didn't take Cosani for my Wing for the same reason. She seems to do
well under D'hol's style of leadership, which I don't get." N'vanik
shook his head. His daughter was like him in many ways, including have
issues with authority, yet she seemed to thrive in strict Wing
discipline.

"D'hol's style is intense. Similar to how mine used to be," he said.
"Do you still worry about her even now?"

"Yeah. It's hard not to. But I also know she's a good rider -- smart,
capable. She's got as good a chance as anyone of surviving up there."

A'kades nodded. "I'm glad my other two have never seemed to think
about Impressing. One's hard enough. I'm proud of him. L'pin's reports
in particular are glowing. And yet I know that weyrlings can do so
well up until the Blooding..." His voice trailed off as he thought
about it - for V'rel, for the friend he cared for so much T'lin, for
Dessa, as well.

Shaking his head, he said, "Well, we know one weyrling we're for sure
not getting."

"Two. No golds for us." N'vanik was still incredibly proud Loseth had
produced another little Queen.

}:I'm very strong,:{ the bronze said sleepily from where he dozed on
the heights.

"Ah, yes, we wouldn't want flamethrowers up at this altitude." He fell
silent for a moment, remembering nights watching Lenala care for her
equipment. Then he shook his head. "Anyone you had an eye on?"

"I've been looking at a few of the older weyrlings. We need people who
can adapt fast." N'vanik sorted through the hides, laying the relevant
ones on the desk. "Merefin and Lulorth struggle a bit in class but do
well in drills. We could use another green pair."

"If they're a more practical learner, no harm in that," A'kades said.
"It's a shame young K'don won't be able to join the wings yet, he'd be
a solid brown addition."

"We can keep an eye on him." The brownrider wouldn't be going to
Cyclone, not with his father being the Wingsecond.

A'kades nodded. He looked at the file list and said, "If you're
thinking older, I'd like to have a few more greens and blues for the
nimble coverage. What about T'lin? L'pin's report is glowing, and he's
older."

"I was looking at T'lin too. He seems to learn fast. Not surprising
with a technician background." N'vanik preferred to take weyrlings
with a solid record for quick learning and adaptability. Flying high
altitude was demanding and didn't allow much time to adjust.

"It's a mentally demanding craft. Him, Merefin, and J'sirra would make
a solid trio of greens and blues to fill out the wing."

"That sounds good," N'vanik said. A'kades was an easy man to work with
and N'vanik was glad he'd chosen him. It wasn't the same as working
with R'enh, but nothing could replace working with his best friend.

A'kades thought about the weyrlings remaining. He didn't want to be
_too_ greedy - there was more than just the weyrling wing to
distribute 28 of the old-enough ones through - but they had room for a
few more. "Any of the browns catch your eye?"

"Not especially. R'fal maybe, but I think I want to give the other
Wings a chance to take him. We have enough browns for now. And we have
plenty of bronzes, too."

"Of course we do. Every ambitious young bronzerider, or older one, is
chomping at the bit to learn this wing's patter, hoping they take your
spot the next time Panitath goes up," A'kades said in a droll tone.
"We could pass a few to K'ran and D'hol."

"Maybe we can convince one of our bronzeriders they'd have more room
to shine in another Wing." Hurricane had become a crowded field.

"I have at least one idea. Z'lon and Talerath. His hard edges and
conflict still aren't sanded off yet. What if we sent him to K'ran?
He's patient and encouraging, maybe he can find a way to get through."

"Maybe we should see how K'ran feels about it first." It would be nice
to push Z'lon off on someone else, but N'vanik liked K'ran too much to
dump a problem on him without discussing it.

"You don't like just handing problems off to others without warning?"
A'kades grinned. He was just teasing N'vanik now, figuring out if he
could get away with it.

"Not to people I _like_." N'vanik held up a finger. "Unless they piss me off."

A'kades laughed. "I'd be happy to approach about a trade of some
wingriders if you'd like."

"I'd appreciate that." N'vanik glanced down at the hides. Soon
Loseth's newest clutch would graduate, including a gold, and although
he was worried for the young pairs to face Thread, his heart also
swelled with pride.

Last updated on the June 24th 2019

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Balancing the Wing