A Helpful and Serious Young Rider

Writers: Aaron, Devin
Date Posted: 23rd February 2021

Characters: R'lor, K'don
Description: K'don interviews with R'lor in his role as a weyrlingstaff assistant.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 5 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis, K'deren, K'sedel

R'lor

K'don

After meeting with the older riders in the weyrlingstaff, R'lor moved
on to those who were too young for the fighting wings. K'don was
scheduled to arrive shortly and R'lor was eager to meet the young man.

K'don reported punctually, stood formally at attention, and saluted R'lor.

"K'don of brown Maciath, sir," he announced himself. He was not sure
he had ever met a leader who insisted on such formality, but it was
within their rights to do so. K'don always gave them the opportunity
to choose to relax their interactions if they would, rather than
assuming that they would.

R'lor held back a smile. Formality wasn't a bad thing, especially for
a first meeting. "Well met, K'don. Please, have a seat. I hope Maciath
is in good health?"

K'don sat down on the edge of his seat with his hands on his knees.

"Yes, sir." Maciath was always cheerful, it seemed. And there was
hardly any occasion for him to be injured.

"I hope Kularth is... in good spirits." Reflexively, K'don had nearly
wished him good health as well, but he caught himself in time. It
would hardly do to need to be reminded that the man was a
weyrlingmaster because his dragon was injured.

"Kularth is very excited there are eggs on the Sands. He loves new
weyrlings." Now R'lor did smile. "How do you like being on the
weyrlingstaff? Do you and Maciath enjoy helping new pairs?"

"I do. We do," K'don said. "It doesn't always feel like I'm as helpful
as Maciath is. But I do enjoy it when I can help."

Maciath loved every minute of any opportunity to train and to help
others train as well.

"We are both going to do whatever we can to help you."

"That's wonderful to hear. I know some young riders can feel very left
out when their older clutchmates move on to the fighting wings, but
serving on the weyrlingstaff is an important role." R'lor made a quick
note on the hide in front of him.

K'don's cheeks colored, and he glanced downward for a moment. Of
course, he felt very left out. But he had duties just like everyone
else, and if he let his feelings get in the way of that, he would just
be proving them right for keeping him back.

"Thank you, sir," he fumbled, not sure how else to answer.

"It's all right to have those feelings if you do, but I'm glad you see
the value of your work."

"Thank you, sir," K'don answered again. He did appreciate R'lor's
understanding, but everyone understood, and it did not make any of it
easier.

In some ways, his craft time was easier. At least, it put some
distance between him and the source of his frustration.

He looked up nervously, wondering if perhaps he should have more to say.

R'lor planned to bring it up again, maybe when they were a little more
comfortable around each other. But for now he decided to change the
subject. "I see that you're training to be a dragonhealer. That's a
very noble Craft."

"Thank you, sir. I was a beastcrafter apprentice before I Impressed.
But after, it seemed... better to learn dragonhealing," K'don
explained. It gave him another chance to help during Fall in a more
meaningful way. Or, at least, he thought so.

"Dragonhealers saved Kularth's wing, and I'm eternally grateful to
them for that. Does Maciath enjoy the work as well?"

"He doesn't really like the studying. He thinks it's boring." K'don
winced. He could hardly blame his dragon – there was not much for him
to do when it came to that part.

"But he really likes helping to talk to dragons who are hurt to...
encourage them," he said. "You know, to tell them they're going to be
OK. To be strong."

"Most dragons aren't interested in studying and details," R'lor said.
"But it's good that he likes giving comfort and encouragement. Those
are necessary for healing too. It sounds like he's a good partner to
you in both your staff duties and your Craft."

K'don smiled at the praise for Maciath, briefly relaxing from his
stiff posture – though when he realized it, he sat back up straight.

"Thank you, sir. We're doing our best."

"Your record shows that seems to be the case. I think you and Maciath
are valuable assets to the weyrlingstaff and I look forward to working
with you." He seemed to be a serious boy, but that might simply be how
he acted around authority figures. Serious, but not cold or stiff.

K'don was happy to be judged helpful, of course. But it was often hard
to believe that he could really be very helpful. He smiled long enough
to wonder whether R'lor might be complimenting him because he was
K'sedel's grandson... but then he set that aside. K'sedel had never
shown him any favoritism while on duty. R'lor might not even know they
were related yet.

And if he did not know he was K'sedel's grandson, then he surely would
not know he was Cyradis's son. Sort of. Few others ever seemed to
consider her his mother just because his father was her mate –and any
other mother he ever had was dead or gone. And R'lor could not yet
have had the opportunity to see him treat her like a mother. Could he?

His face was contemplative while he wondered all these things. And
then he remembered R'lor was waiting for an answer.

"O-oh. Thank you, sir. I'm looking forward to it, too."

"Before I let you go, do you have any questions for me?" R'lor asked.

"I'm kind of bad at having questions," said K'don. "Is there anything
else you think I should ask about?"

R'lor smiled. "That's fine. This is just our first meeting. If you do
think of any questions later, feel free to ask me."

"And if you need me for anything, I'm here to help," K'don answered.
It seemed that there was not much else to cover, but of course, he was
not about to be the one to end the meeting.

R'lor thought he was a very promising young man. "It was a pleasure to
meet you, K'don. You may be dismissed."

Last updated on the February 24th 2021

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A Helpful and Serious Young Rider