The Third Degree

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 4th November 2020

Characters: K'yne, K'ran
Description: K'yne grills K'ran on his intentions.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 3, day 10 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Saidrene, Saibra, J'ackt, Erivana

backdated due to Avery LOA

K'yne

K'ran

Even though he had left Saidrene on good terms, and told her he was proud of her, and he was, there was one other person K'yne needed to visit.

As he walked towards the Weyrsecond's office, K'yne admired the beauty and craftsmanship of the new construction around Barrier Lake. It was certainly shaping up as a fine Weyr, he thought.

"K'ran?" he said as he arrived at the bronzerider's officer door and found it open. "Do you have a moment?

"Absolutely, come on in. My duty to Arinoth," K'ran said. He was intrigued to see K'yne dropping in. "What brings you to Barrier Lake?"

"I heard about Saidrene, being pregnant," he made the gesture of a rounding stomach as he took a seat, "so I dropped by to see her. She told me you might be the father." The brownrider looked up, his blue eyes unreadable.

"It's true. Saidrene and I have been seeing each other for some time," K'ran confirmed.

"And your intentions are what, exactly?" K'yne asked.

K'ran blinked, surprised by the phrasing. And by the line of questioning. "I'm sorry, where is this coming from?" he asked in a slightly guarded tone.

"Saidrene is my niece, although since her father's death, she's been more like a daughter to me."

That explained a lot about the line of questioning. "My intentions are to support Saidrene in raising her child. I care about her. I hope the child is mine, and I've told her I'm committing to raising it with her. If you're asking if we're about to weyrmate, I'd say neither of us know each other well enough for that yet..."

K'yne tilted his head. "I think she might be more invested in you than you are in her. Do you think that's the case?" After all, K'ran was a well-known bronzerider who had been not only a Weyrleader but was the founding Weyrholder of Barrier Lake. It was certain that he could have his choice of women at Barrier Lake.

K'ran had to do something with his hands, so he picked up a writing tool and began spinning it around his fingers. "I don't know about that. We come from different backgrounds and have very different expectations around relationships. Originally when things began between us I told her I'd want to take it slow and court her. I'm holdbred and the weyr ways of casual, short-term relationships don't come natural to me. To be honest, I thought that she'd get bored soon and go for someone more accessible, more casual, in her own age or friend group... "

"So you're saying you just see her feelings for you as passing infatuation?" K'yne asked, steepling his hands together.

K'ran shook his head. "When we were at Dolphin Cove, I thought so. Now that we're at Barrier Lake and it's been several months, I know we both have feelings for each other."

"What will you do if the baby is born and it seems like it's J'ackt's?"

K'ran took a deep breath and set down the pencil. "I'm adopted. My brother and I are children of a Blood indiscretion, given away to be raised by a family who would care for us. My parents who raised me are my parents, and it doesn't matter we don't share a drop of blood," he said. "I don't care if the babe is mine or J'ackt's or even if there was a third man involved. I said he or she would be mine, and I'd be involved as the father, and I mean it."

K'yne visibly softened, his spine losing some of its starch. "That's comforting to hear. I don't mean to come across as rude, but Saidrene's real father isn't here for these things and someone has to look out for her."

"And that's you. I respect that you want to take care of her. I know Lady Saibra does too, but Saidrene may..." he hesitated, debating his phrasing. "May listen better to someone else," he settled on. "I was just surprised when you came in here and started interrogating me out of seemingly nowhere."

"I'll admit that was done on purpose, my way of assessing your nature." There was now a hint of a smile. "While I do think things have improved between mother and daughter, there are some things I can say to Saidrene that Saibra can't. Mostly the problem is that they are too much alike."

K'ran said, "Imagine what it would be like if she had a daughter, just like them."

"Oh no," K'yne said, lifting his hands, "my duty is done with Saidrene and Kaibren, it will be up to you to reign in a daughter... and I wish you luck with it. They're the sassiest, most stubborn women I've ever met."

"You're going to be a grandfather. Honorary one. How do you feel about that?" he joked.

"Well, I just had a kid myself so now I'll have a son that's about half a turn older than my grandkid." K'yne shook his head. "That's life for you."

"It certainly is weyrlife, and quite dramatic. I know there are sometimes paternity dramas and hidden children at Holds, but it seems less common to have quite this level of disparity of ages."

He ventured, "And how is your son?"

"Keriv is growing like a hatchling. He changes each time I see him. Trust me, I tried to give Saidrene a hard time about the age difference between the two of you but she quickly put me in my place since Keriv's mother is twenty-two Turns my junior." The brownrider shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.

"I got some of that lecturing with Genna, too." A number of people had accused him of preferring younger women, but… he just seemed to stumble into relationships. Two in four Turns, now. Rarely had anyone of his own age pursued him since he'd Impressed.

"As long as we're happy and sincere, I suppose it doesn't matter. I hope I've convinced you my intentions, as you put it, aren't harmful."

K'yne stood. "I have heard what I needed. Although I obligated to say..." his face became stony once again, "if you hurt her, I'll hurt you." That promise was quickly followed by a quick smile and a wave as the brownrider departed. "Welcome to the family!"

K'ran laughed. "I'll keep that welcome in mind."

Last updated on the November 11th 2020

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The Third Degree