Marching to Doom

Writers: Curious, Devin
Date Posted: 12th May 2024

Characters: Dryvan, T'lin
Description: Dryvan comes to Dolphin Cove and meets with the rider who Searched him months ago.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 6 of Turn 11

T'lin

Dryvan felt like a man on his way to an execution. Which, for all he
knew, he may have been. The Weyr would have no mercy on anyone who
meant harm to them or their precious dragons. If he was discovered, he
was dead - worse than dead, he was _damned_.

But that didn't matter. He didn't have a choice. The Shadow had said
that this was his role to play, and you didn't say no to The Shadow.
So he would play his part, play it well, and pray that he lived to see
the light of another day. On that day, as he shakily dismounted the
dragon he had hailed from Emerald Falls, it meant turning around,
plastering a smile on his face, and saying, "You need to speak to
T'lin. He was my searcher, he can vouch for me."

"All you really need is the Search token," the rider said, "but I can
see if T'lin is available."

"Please," Dryvan said, stuffing his hand in his pocket and fiddling
with the token in there. With the high alert the Weyr was doubtlessly
in, it was better to be safe than sorry, especially under his
circumstances.

The rider's eyes unfocused for a long moment. "He says he's on his way."

Dryvan had to wait several uncomfortable minutes before T'lin arrived.
"Hey!" He waved at both of them. "Uhh, you do look kind of familiar."
T'lin rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry, when did Cal Search you?"

"About... eight months ago, I think?" Dryvan said, rubbing the back of
his head. "It took me a while to decide that I want to accept search.
But, well, here I am."

T'lin was still frowning thoughtfully. "Emerald Falls, was it? Well,
I'm glad you've accepted."

"Thanks," Dryvan said with a vaguely uncomfortable smile. "So... What now?"

"You've got your Search token, right? You take that with you to the
Headwoman and she'll get you set up."

"Cool," Dryvan said, awkward smile still in place. "So I'll just go do
that then? And... Uh..." He rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about
how the search talk went. I needed some time to cool down and think, I
guess."

T'lin shrugged. "It's alright. What made you change your mind?"

"Time," Dryvan said. "I needed some time to think about my future. And
when I thought about it... The Weyr's not perfect and I'll never
believe that dragonmen are all the valiant heroes people sing songs
about, but I don't want to be a drudge all my life."

"Well . . . I suppose." T'lin frowned slightly before his expression
smoothed. "I came here to Craft, so there are options even if you
don't Impress."

"That's good to hear," Dryvan said with a sigh and a roll of his
shoulders. "Anything's better than being nothing, you know?"

"Being a drudge isn't _nothing_. It's still important work," T'lin
said. "But I understand what you mean."

A shadow passed over them as a blue dragon glided down to land. }:He came!:{

**You don't even remember him.** T'lin laughed. **_I_ barely remember him.**

}:I know I Searched him because _you_ know. You store things in your
mind so I don't have to!:{ Calaroth leaned his head down toward
Dryvan.

"Shoveling dung is important work, doesn't mean anyone wants to make
it their life," Dryvan retorted. Then a shadow was falling over him,
and- Ah, right, the dragon. He was supposed to like dragons, wasn't
he? Plastering a smile across his face, the now-candidate reached a
hesitant hand toward Calaroth's head. "They there," he said. "You, uh,
remember me?"

"He doesn't, but dragons have poor memories. Or, well . . . it's more
like he remembers because I remember," T'lin said. "He's happy you
accepted Search."

Calaroth bumped Dryvan's hand and then nuzzled it.

"I'm glad." Dryvan spent a short while petting Calaroth with the same
awkward hesitation that one would pet an unfamiliar canine before
hesitantly pulling his hand back. "I'll, uh, get going then?" he
asked.

"Yeah. The Headwoman will set you up with someone to show you around
and all that. But when I'm free I can help you settle in, if you'd
like," T'lin said.

"Cool," Dryvan said. "I'd, uh, appreciate that. Thanks."

With that, he gave T'lin the world's most awkward thumbs up before
heading on his way.

Last updated on the May 13th 2024

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Marching to Doom