A Curious Situation

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 21st May 2021
Series: The Lighthouse Keeper

Characters: M'gan, N'vanik
Description: M'gan tells N'vanik his suspicions about the starsmith
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 3 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Alina

N'vanik

M'gan had thought over all he'd seen at the lighthouse for the rest of
the day following his return, and he still didn't know what to make of
it. There was nothing there to suggest that the starsmith Rehaan was
anything more than a man who preferred to be alone, and yet Alina and
J'pil had definitely seen two different people. There couldn't be a mistake.

He could go to the Smith Hall and clear the matter up, but he'd heard
the Southern crafthalls could be rather traditionally minded and might
not appreciate a dragonrider making what sounded like accusations
against one of their people. So he waited until after the next
wingleader's meeting, and stayed behind while the other bronzeriders
left to speak with the Weyrleader.

"Weyrleader? There's something I wanted to ask you about. It might be
nothing, but..." He frowned. "It's rather odd."

"What is it?" N'vanik asked with a curious frown.

"It's something one of my greenriders reported, from when she was out on
weather duty, gathering reports from the starsmiths." M'gan briefly
explained what Alina had told him. "So, it seems that she has seen a
middle-aged man with an injured hand, while J'pil, who was there before,
saw an old fellow with a limp. I've spoken to both riders and they're
clearly talking about different men, but both living in the lighthouse
and answering to the name Rehaan."

"That is curious. So an old man disappears and is replaced by someone
younger who hurt his hand somehow?" Maybe it was N'vanik's past that
made him consider a sinister possibility. "Maybe you could bring both
Alina and J'pil to the lighthouse to figure this out."

"Yes, I've been thinking about that. I went there myself to take a look
and saw the man Alina described. Told him it was a routine visit, and I
checked the lighthouse. There was no-one else there." M'gan frowned. "I
suppose my concern is - well, first, if it does all turn out to be a
mistake, we might offend the Starsmiths by implying their man's an
impostor. But more importantly, Alina's young, only a few Turns in the
Wings, and J'pil is not as spry as he used to be. His blue's still
recovering from a wing injury. I don't like to risk them, if this man
does turn nasty."

"Would you rather have Alina or J'pil going there alone if this man
_did_ kill the real starsmith?" N'vanik asked. "Maybe I should go with
you."

"Oh, I've told them both they're not to return to the lighthouse until
I've cleared the matter up. But I'd value your opinion of the man." From
what he remembered back at Vista Point, N'vanik might know a holdless
man when he saw one and he'd certainly be good in a scrap. "It's
possible the old man died of natural causes and the young one happened
by and saw his chance for a comfortable home. But even if that's so, he
may not want to leave." M'gan sighed. "Can hardly blame him."

"Well, we'll see what's going on." N'vanik didn't like this one bit.
"Want me to go with you, or should I go alone?"

"I'll come." M'gan didn't feel right about staying behind while the
Weyrleader went alone, if the man was dangerous. "Do you think we should
tell the starsmiths? Perhaps one of them ought to be there."

N'vanik arched an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't want to offend the
starsmiths if this is a misunderstanding."

"Well, it occurred to me, if he says he is a starsmith, I wouldn't know
how to tell otherwise." M'gan made a wry face. "I don't understand a
quarter of the stuff they do. What do you think?"

"We could take Onook. Then we wouldn't have to bother anyone at the Hall."

"Yes, and she'd already noticed something amiss with the reports from
that weather station, or so Alina told me. Even if she doesn't know the
real Rehaan by sight, she ought to be able to tell." That sounded like a
plan, M'gan thought. "I'll go and talk to her. When would you be free to
go there?"

N'vanik sighed and glanced down at his desk. "Why don't you talk to
Onook and I'll look over my schedule. I'll send you a note with my
available times." Best to handle this situation quickly.

"All right. Thank you, Weyrleader." M'gan raised a hand in farewell and
left the room, heading for the crafters' work area. This was a strange
business, and he could only hope it turned out well in the end.

Last updated on the July 21st 2021

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A Curious Situation