Let Me Have This

Writers: Aaron, Devin
Date Posted: 18th March 2024

Characters: N'vanik, Calbarran
Description: Calbarran begs N'vanik to lead the investigation into the newest attack on the Weyr. Follows "In For a Penny"
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 3 of Turn 10

N'vanik

Once they had made a thorough inspection of the scene of the crime and
interviewed the only witness to their satisfaction, Calbarran did not
wait for N'vanik to return to his office before be beseeched him.

"Sir. If you'll let me, I want to take the lead on this investigation.
I have to do something, anything to bring every single one of these
faithless holders to justice." Nothing he could ever do would bring
G'fand and Olisrath back. Or the girl, Saedyna, if she did not pull
through.

But he could stop any more from suffering their fates.

N'vanik's first instinct was to investigate everything himself. But
he'd learned to delegate, and even if this was a crisis, that didn't
mean he couldn't rely on others. With this on top of everything else,
he felt like a worn riding strap stretched taut, ready to snap under
the pressure. And Calbarran . . . he'd watched his lover get murdered
by one of these people. N'vanik could hardly find anyone more
trustworthy. The Weyrleader nodded. "You have free reign to
investigate this. Let me know if you find anything significant."

Calbarran was almost shocked that N'vanik had agreed so quickly. He
had been prepared to make an impassioned plea.

"Th-thank you, sir. I won't let you down."

He was going to start by scouring each and every one of the storerooms
for signs of unauthorized habitation. He doubted sincerely that if
anyone were hiding there on a long term basis, they would not have
left some kind of trace.

And once the Harpers were done with their sketch, he would find
someone, anyone who had seen the man Pierce had described.

"Calbarran . . . be careful," N'vanik said. "We don't know who this is
or how many people are involved. Shuvan said they had people all
over." As far as he knew the Lower Caverns could be full of traitors,
every tithe delivery that came in, every visitor . . .

"I will." Calbarran knew well enough how to stay safe in the abstract.
Always have a partner. That kind of thing. But it had not done much
good for G'fand. They had trusted too much.

"I'll make sure you get a copy of that sketch as soon as it's done."
N'vanik checked with Loseth to see if anyone had found someone
suspicious yet. Nearly everyone was out looking -- watching the main
entrance, searching the beach, scouring every storeroom, combing every
nook and cranny of the Weyr.

And yet there was nothing. _Nothing_. N'vanik clenched his fist.

"Thank you, sir. I'll keep you fully briefed on any progress I make,"
said Calbarran. "We'll find them. They're not going to win this."

N'vanik wanted to punch a wall. Or strangle somebody. He let out a
breath. "Thanks. I appreciate you handling this for me." He briefly
wondered if he was taking advantage of the man's grief, but N'vanik
understood the need to be active, and he didn't want to deny Calbarran
that. How many more attacks would there be? How many more would be
hurt . . . or killed?

Last updated on the March 19th 2024

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Let Me Have This