An Honest Future
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
Writers: Halyonix
Date Posted: 30th May 2024
Characters: R'vkal
Description: Thoughts after a Hatching
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 5 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned L'saz
He hadn't been chosen.
Somehow, Ryvankal had a feeling that he wasn't going to Impress that day. Even though he had been at the Weyr for months, he still felt like he was adjusting to so much. Maybe the dragons knew that. Maybe they were giving him time to adjust more.
He twirled the glass of wine cupped between both hands, looked over at the celebration happening for the newly made riders, then looked back down. Took a drink. He wasn't going to remain at the party for much longer. He didn't want to risk someone coming to talk to him again.
Mostly, he didn't want to talk to his cousin, L'saz.
Ryvankal felt like he was a shifting tide of emotions lately. Before coming to the Weyr, he had been engaged, lost his fiancee to an accident, and had been told that his cousin, whom he had grown up with, had Impressed a bronze dragon. Resentment had bubbled up within Ryvankal when he heard that news. His cousin, who had once been his best friend but had become a bit of a spoiled brat, getting a bronze. Ryv had stuffed down his feelings, focused on his upcoming marriage. Decided to let L'saz be the same old Larsaz he knew and live his life.
Maybe coming to the Weyr had been a bad idea. Even though it had seemed like a good idea at the time -- why not take the same chance L'saz had and just Stand once -- it meant that he was going to run into his cousin.
Ryvankal took another drink. To discover that L'saz had Impressed a green dragon and not a bronze had...well, that had brought up a new wave of feelings. Disbelieving laughter. Betrayal over being lied to. Disappointment that L'saz had hurt him again. Vindication that even the dragons saw through L'saz's personality.
That vindication felt sour today when the dragons didn't choose Ryvankal at all.
Maybe coming to the Weyr had been a bad idea.
"Quitter talk," Ryvankal muttered to himself after a moment. He twirled the glass of wine between both hands, staring deep into it as though it had all of the answers. He could go back to Green Valley Hold. He could pick up where he had left off -- find a girl, get married, carry on the tradition. His family would be thrilled to have him back.
Or...
He could stay. Try again. He was one of the older Candidates so eventually he'd have to step out of Standing but he still had...a Turn? He couldn't remember. A Turn to try again. A Turn to decide. No need to rush a decision, especially tonight.
He could also stay and just be a smith here. At the Weyr. Far more interesting being here than Green Valley but Ryvankal could see how he might one day miss the quiet, steady rhythms of the Hold. But he could still give the Weyr a bit more time, learn a bit more. Maybe find someone here as another reason to stay.
When he looked at all of his options, he didn't feel so bad. He hadn't Impressed that day but he still had a future somewhere. An honest future. Not one built on lies like his cousin.
Ryvankal finished his drink. Abandoned his seat. Left the celebration but didn't feel like he was a swirling tide of emotions anymore. He'd go work in the forge for a bit, then go check in with the rest of the remaining Candidates. Start again tomorrow.
Seemed like a good idea.
Last updated on the June 1st 2024