Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows

Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold

Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold

Elsewhere on Pern
NPC Weyr
River Bluff Weyr
Seacraft Hall

Story Listing
Series Listing

Weyrling Training

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 24th February 2021

Characters: Reyela, Tek
Description: Reyela and her latest beau have an intreaguing conversation on the beach
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 14 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis, K'reyel, K'sedel

"So you really think that only Weyr-born people should Stand?" Reyela asked curiously.

Her companion nodded. "I know it's controversial, but I just don't think that really hidebound people should be on dragons. They're just... too different to be trusted with something so precious." Tek ran a hand down her back.

Reyela shivered and lay down beside him. They were lying in the shade on the beach, a good ways down from where most of the people and dragons were. Tek was another Crafter, a Smith who'd recently earned his Journeyman's knots. He was funny and kind, and more importantly his work at the forge had given him a chisled body to die for. She smiled and put a hand on his chest. "Cyradis was from the Vintner Crafthall."

"That's not what I meant." Tek rolled toward her. There were only inches between their bodies and their conversaton suddenly felt very intimate. "Well, maybe it was, but you make a good point. Maybe it's just that candidates should be screened better. Like, given a test or something besides just getting Searched to see if they'll fit in. How many times do the Weyrlingmasters have to deal with some girl who can't stand greenflights or some boy who won't listen to women? Maybe they're eligible to stand but they cause more problems than they're worth."

Reyela made a face. "Is it worth dragonets who don't find a lifemate?" There'd been a couple instances when she'd Stood when a dragonet couldn't find a lifemate and it was heartbreaking any time.

Tek shrugged. "So we cast the Search net wider. I think you're right... we do need _some_ new people from the Holds because we lose so many people to Thread. We just need to find a way to weed out the bad ones."

It sounded so logical when he said it, or maybe it was the little dimple in his chin. Reyela nibbled her lip as she thought. Perhaps it would be easier if there were fewer truly hide-bound candidates. The Weyr had enough problems to deal with already without having to deal with ignorant holders as well.

"I sometimes wonder what they get taught out there," Tek said. "My uncle, for instance. He's got a family out by Amber Hills Hold and he won't let my cousins come visit because they'll 'get ideas'." The smith rolled his eyes.

Reyela giggled and lowered her lashes in what she hoped was a beguiling fashion. "What sort of ideas?"

"I think you know what sort of ideas," Tek said in a growl as he rolled on top of her.

The beastcrafter forgot all about what they'd been talking about as he rained kisses down on her neck and his roaming hands tugged at her bathing top. The sun was setting and shrouding them in shadows, and Reyela didn't mind. This was why she'd invited Tek out for the evening in the first place.

Later that evening Tek walked her back to the Candidate barracks, and she exchanged a last, lingering kiss with him before slipping into the dorm rooms. She'd missed lights out, but she'd be fine dealing with the slap on the wrist that it would earn her-- an evening with Tek was worth it. Their earlier conversation returned to her as she quietly slipped into her bed, the muffled sounds of the other candidates breathing all around her. How many of them were happy here? How many actually wanted to Impress, and how many felt homesick and out of place? How many would give her grandfather grief because they couldn't or wouldn't make themselves fit in? Their issues wasted time that could be spent making sure that the real candidates and weyrlings had attention and training they needed to prepare themselves for Thread.

She tried to imagine living at a Hold, not being able to Craft or wear pants or do any of the things she liked to do, and couldn't. Who would want to live in a place where the skies weren't full of dragons? Reyela closed her eyes. Perhaps if she Impressed this time, she could suggest that test to her father or aunt... it would only improve the Weyr... wouldn't it?

~*~

Last updated on the February 24th 2021