Fit to Stand?

Writers: Devin, Len, Suzee
Date Posted: 15th June 2024

Characters: R'lor, J'lor, Sh'del
Description: The Weyrlingmasters try to figure out how to handle C’pier and some of the other more troubling candidates and weyrlings.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 27 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: C’pier, Saedyna, Lafael, Zelah, J'ackt, Blue, Corland, Obrosin, N'vanik

R'lor

J'lor

It was getting late. Sh’del tried to stifle a yawn as he looked through the notes that R’lor had given him. In turn he handed his notes to J’lor, hoping all three of them could agree on the easy stuff so they could get to the issue that hung over the three weyrling masters like a dark storm. The only being that seemed relaxed in R’lor’s office was Trouble, who slept sprawled on her back across the candidate papers that had already been looked over by the three men. The only sound were the rustle of papers and her small snores.

Sh’del held up the paper in his hand to catch the other two men’s attention. “Zelah? We okay for her to keep Standing? You had some sessions with her, right J’lor?” He looked over to the bluerider, hoping he’d say she was fit to Stand.

"Yes," he nodded. His eyes flicked to R'lor. He was aware that Zelah's former life was unknown to most including Sh'del so he smiled. "She's stable and quite capable of Standing."

"That's good to hear. I like her." R'lor smiled. "I did my best to convince her to Stand."

“I like her too, she could be a really good rider.” Sh’del pushed his flit’s tail away and put the paper on top of the large stack. Picking up another one, he glanced at the name. Not one that he knew. “This lad, the one the Dragonfall wingthird brought in from their Weyr…Lafael” He looked closer at the paper. “He can hear dragons…” }:Of course he can:{ his Loranth quipped. “How’re we feeling about him? Everything seem okay?” He glanced up at the ‘lor’s, not sure which one had cleared him.

"Being able to hear dragons is a valuable ability," R'lor said. "And he's been Standing for a while, with only a little time left before he ages out. I have no objection to giving him another chance on the Sands." It was closer to the Hatching than he would like to add a new Candidate, but Lafael was at least familiar with weyr life, even if he wasn't from Dolphin Cove.

"I'm familiar with the boy," J'lor said. "He's a bit timid but solid as far as Luruth says. I imagine he'll Impress green or blue."

"Are there any you have concerns about Weyrlinmaster," he asked R'lor.

"Nothing that would make anyone unfit," R'lor said. "Obrosin will need help with reading and writing, and likely many other things if he Impresses. His Harper teaching was thin at best."

Sh’del picked up another paper. “Blue…I thought he’d Impress last hatching…still good to go in my opinion. Any objections?”

J'lor nodded. "I'll watch Obrosin. There's nothing wrong with his intelligence, just his education. It won't matter as much if he Impresses green or blue, but if he goes brown or bronze then he could end up in leadership and he'll need the skills.

Turning to Sh'del, J'lor's brows came together. "There is something about Blue and I can't quite put my finger on it. But I don't think that's a reason to keep him from Standing."

"I think he may be one of those focused on his inner world, or maybe just shy," R'lor said. "And I don't think his closest friend betraying him helped any. But he's got Corland now, and Blue seems to be doing well in his Smith work. We'll just have to give those boys a reminder about relationship restrictions if either of them Impresses." He looked down at his notes to try and hide a smile.

The unspoken name settled in the office. Sh’del felt like the room was closing in, or maybe he was just having J’ackt flashbacks. Taking a steadying breath, he said, “so what’re we going to do with C’pier?”

R'lor's expression darkened. "I'm still sending him through the entire weyrling training again." He hadn't changed his mind about that, no matter how much C'pier sulked.

“I understand.” Sh’del shook his head and gave a shaky laugh. “And here I thought J’ackt was going to be the most difficult weyrling to deal with.” Come to think about it, didn’t J’ackt say he’d killed people before coming to the Weyr? Despite the heat Sh’del felt cold. Taking a deep breath, he tried to refocus on the problem at hand. “What do you think about sending him to do some Crafting? Something to give him a bit more focus than doing deliveries.” He looked at the ‘lor’s to see what they thought.

"C'pier's work is to compensate Saedyna, and that's by order of the Weyrleader," R'lor said.

J'lor nodded his agreement. "Until his debt is paid at least."

"I haven't yet broached the subject of a limit with the Weyrleader, but I plan to discuss it once C'pier finally graduates to the fighting Wings," R'lor said. He wasn't looking forward to that conversation.

“Okay.” Sh’del looked like he wanted to say more, but inwardly sighed and looked down. Shards, it was late. Instead of picking up anymore papers he stood up to go refill his klah. Still lost in thought he refilled the other two men’s cups as well. The small horrible thought in his head wouldn’t go away. “So…what happens if Saedyna Impresses this clutch…she and C’pier in the same weyrling class?”

"That would be unfortunate." R'lor thought about that unpleasant possibility from time to time. "But we could do our best to make her comfortable. I haven't talked to her directly about it, but all the Candidates are aware C'pier is repeating weyrling training."

J'lor looked back and forth between the two men. "We really can't decide in advance. People change and the problems we would have today are not necessarily what they will be a month from now. "

“So you’re saying things could get worse?” Sh’del tried to go for a joking tone, but it felt like they_were_walking into a disaster. If Saedyna and C’pier were in the same class…

"Worse, or better, or just different," the Weyrlingmaster said. "Impression changes people."

“That it does.” Sh’del thought about how N’vanik was like when they were candidates and snorted. That was a man who had come a long long way.

Last updated on the June 16th 2024

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