A Games Idea

Writers: Avery, Devin
Date Posted: 2nd May 2024

Characters: A'kades, N'vanik
Description: A'kades remembers convincing N'vanik to do the Weyr Games.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 7 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: A'vel, T'lin, S'kand, R'ayl, Corowal

N'vanik

Even though it was a restday, that didn't mean all the wings were off. N'vanik had approved the Wingleaders' plans for Weyr Games near the end of the last Turn, and the leadership had gotten together to plan out what the events would be. There had now been a set of drills on the rest days for those who had volunteered. A'kades watched the Hurricane wing members drilling and judged their performances.

}:Best time for Tsogath improved by 2 seconds,:{ Volaith told his rider.

**Tell her a good job. How goes the relays?**

}:We're going to have to drop Niraveth, he's not able to keep up with the others...:{

He sat and listened to the feedback as his mind drifted off back to the approval conversation...

~*~

A'kades tapped on the door to the Weyrleader's office, ready for the
Weyr-related topics meeting that they had at least once a sevenday. He
had the idea from the bronzerider's drinking session on his mind, and
was hoping N'vanik would think favorably of it.

N'vanik had been trying to finish up some hidework in the moments
before the meeting with his Weyrsecond. "Come in!"

"Good afternoon. Saw Loseth up on the weyr rim, he's looking good
today. How's the hides?" A'kades asked.

He shrugged. "Not as bad as they could be." Then he got a glint in his
eye. "I'll be pushing some of it off to you."

"I suppose I deserve that, being your 'second and all. What's top of
the list?" he asked as he took a seat and set down the large glass of
juice in his hand.

"There's a few records updates, and then I need you to check return
dates with the healers and confirm if the pair can go back to full
duty or need time in Queens." There was always a lot to do, but
N'vanik didn't have to do everything himself and he was glad to have
A'kades to lean on.

"Happy to take the returning ones off your hand, that's one of the
more fun duties," he said. "How goes the situation with the Holds?"

N'vanik made a face. "Holders keep sending letters in support and
denouncing what happened, but I can't help imagining tunnelsnakes
scheming all over." At least he had a few eyes and ears gathering
information, plus whatever the Harper Hallsecond was willing to share
from her own informants.

"I understand the feeling. Part of me looks at everyone who doesn't
have rider knots now with suspicion, even everyone who's been here
awhile. It's not a healthy way to think long-term. Which is actually
something a few of us bronzeriders were talking about."

"Yeah?" N'vanik said. A'kades had that I-have-an-idea look.

"So I went out for drinks with a few of the Wingleaders. We were
discussing the situation with the holds. S'kand pointed out that we
just fly and die above them and they never get to know us. I spoke
from the point of view of a hallbred man about how the weyrfolk were
always so strange and distant before Thread started to fall, how many
of them never get to see us up close, so we became bogeymen."

"The idea came up to try to resurrect the old Weyr Games we used to
practice before Thread came back. Ask to appear at a Hold's Gather and
show off. Let people see and touch our dragons. Do some competitions
like have Wing teams do role drill contests, or showcase formation
flying, acrobatics, things like that."

The Weyrleader made another face. "They don't deserve us showing off for them."

"The ones who are afraid of the Weyr, or are contemptuous, feel like
they are getting things taken away from them by distant people they've
never met and heard only the worst of, think they don't deserve how we
disrupt their lives. Outside of Search, when we're taking away their
kids, when does the average Pernese holder actually see us? Package
running, personal transport, that's almost always from main Holds and
Crafthalls - folks of privilege. Not your average cotholder who may
just see us from a far distance," he argued.

"Watching our dragons do death-defying stunts and seeing us as regular
people when we're not mounted would help reduce their fear, and with
less fear there should be less hatred."

"Maybe we should give them metal hats and have them watch us fight
Thread." N'vanik was in no mood to win people over with entertainment.
Some of them had tried to murder _baby dragons_.

"Then if some fell on them we'd look incompetent for letting them get
killed and that would stir up more anger," he said. "Watching rope
drills to get a sense of what it's like, while they're on the ground
and safe from real danger, can be awe-inspiring and give them the
feeling."

"Or they'll sneer at us for being frivolous and keep plotting against
us. Enali was here for _months_. She lived among riders with scars and
missing limbs, she saw us come back from 'Fall with our dragons still
covered in ichor."

"I don't have an argument against that. She was callous, and selfish,
and evil," A'kades conceded. "But I refuse to believe _everyone_
outside of the weyrbred are that level of selfish, shortsighted,
maliciousness and resentment. If we can reach those people and sway
them against the ones who are, we can end this. Isn't it at least
worth trying something? Do you have a better idea?"

N'vanik rubbed his temple. "I know you're trying to help, but I don't
think a few games are gonna stop people from thinking we're spoiled
and arrogant. And frankly, I'm too pissed to give a show to a bunch of
people who hate us." A'kades was a good man, which was why N'vanik
didn't mention his plan was to find as many of those responsible as he
could and make sure they were never able to hurt anyone again -- one
way or another.

"It'll boost the morale of our riders, as well. To show off and
compete. Is there anything I can say to convince you?" A'kades said.

The Weyrleader opened his mouth and then paused thoughtfully. "I
suppose some people might enjoy showing off."

"The three of us thought many of our riders would be chomping at the
bit to," A'kades said. "I've already a few candidates in mind,
depending on what tasks we choose."

N'vanik stared off into the distance for a moment and tapped his
fingers on the desk. The holders didn't deserve a show, but if it
wasn't so much for _them_ . . . "Our people have been through a lot,
so if we can give them something to look forward to . . . Hmm, it's
not the worst idea." And A'kades was obviously keen on it.

"I think you'll be impressed by the benefits it will do. Things can be
training, and outreach, and fun at once. At least talk to the other
Wingleaders before saying no?" A'kades was too old and mature to
wheedle, but he was coming dangerously close to it.

"Well the _riders_ deserve a break." N'vanik tapped his fingers again.
It would show the holders how strong the Weyr was, that they weren't
afraid. "I should send R'ayl, if it's after the clutch learns to
/between/. Show the ones who tried to kill Delorth how strong and
healthy he is. Show everyone else how _young_ R'ayl is."

"That's brilliant," A'kades said.

"And _you_ can set everything up." N'vanik gave him a brief smile. "I
can talk to Corowal to see if he's even willing to do this, but if he
agrees, the rest of it is up to you."

"And you'll see it well done," A'kades promised.

Last updated on the May 9th 2024

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A Games Idea