Hatching a Plan (2/2)
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: Len, Sia
Date Posted: 23rd June 2024
Characters: Jaylene, M'thos, L'fael
Description: Lafael decides to try the Hatching at DCW
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 9, day 25 of Turn 11
Lafael was dirty, tired and depressed. He had kept to himself yesterday, after the Hatching. There had been no point in hanging out with anyone anyways. They all got to continue being candidates, his time as one was finished. And it wasn’t like any of them had been particularly kind to him. He wasn’t such an airhead that he hadn’t heard all the cruel little remarks made about him when they thought his back was turned. In a lot of ways, life here wasn’t all that much different than it had been at the Hold. True, no one beat him here, but also, no one seemed to stick around. He still keenly felt the loss of kind E’naer as Weyrlingmaster 3rd. The man had done so much to help Lafael. And Yanley too, as the older Headwoman. She had always had a kind word to say to him when he was down.
And today had been a ‘Fall, so he hadn’t any time to think about his future. Other than that it looked quite bleak. No, he chided himself as he shovelled firestone into the sacks, at least it_wasn’t_completely the old life he had led. Maybe he would go back to that old dream, of being a cabin boy. He even knew his words well enough now that he could even ask to apprentice at seacrafting. Where would he have to go for that?
Before he could give it anymore thought a gentle voice entered his head. }:Lafael? Mine would like you to meet her at the Weyrlingmaster 2nd’s office.:{
**I’ll be right there.**
Lafael finished his sack and brushed the firestone dust off his clothes. He looked down, feeling"and looking"grubby. But no matter, both Jaylene and M’thos had done the same thing, once…before they were riders.
}:Come, mine has an idea.:{
Lafael was mortified. He hadn’t meant for Reanth to hear his bitter disappointment.
}:It’s okay, come to me for a moment.:{
Lafael shook more dust off himself and ran out into the Weyr bowl. Beautiful, tiny Reanth stood at the entryway into the Weyrling barracks. Her newly washed sea green hide shone in the light of the setting sun. The young man ran to her, to bury his face in her soft neck. She crooned to him. Of everyone in the huge Weyr, Jaylene, her brothers and their mother had been the closest Lafael had to a family. They had taken him under their boisterous wing, showing him warmth and humour and love.
}:You shouldn’t keep them waiting.:{ Reanth was aware that some time had passed since she had reached out to the lad. She gave his shoulder a gentle nudge. }:Go now, mine has an idea.:{ Her eyes whirled yellow, showing her anxiety for the young person who could hear her.
Lafael nodded and gave Reanth’s neck one last squeeze. She sounded hopeful, it would be just like Jaylene to have something good up her sleeve. She was like that, as close to a big sister as he’d ever have.
Lafael stepped into the cover of the weyrling barracks, trying to shield his mind from the chattering of young, excited dragonets. He rushed to the Weyrlingmaster 2nd’s door and knocked, hard.
"Come on in, Lafael." M'thos called. They'd been chitchatting as they waited, and he made himself comfortable again. "Jaylene here has made a good point that you might be too old for the next hatching here at Dragonsfall. We don't _usually_ do this, but she's made a case for you to transfer to Dolphin Cove Weyr. The Weyrwomen rarely say no to transferred candidates, in my experience, but it's an entirely different Weyr. It's on the other side of the continent, and you wouldn't have any of your friends or familiar dragons. That's usually why droves of candidates don't want to transfer at each hatching."
“It’s only for one Hatching, they have eggs n the sands right now, hardening,” Jaylene added, waving for Lafael to sit in the empty seat in front of the desk. “If you’re not successful I will come back and get you. What do you think?”
Lafael quickly slid into the offered seat. He took in what his Weyrlingmaster 2nd said and what Jaylene added. “What do I think?” Was there any choice? Stay here and turn down on last chance? “I…I…” Was this really happening? Was he actually being given another chance?
}:Yes, you could be a good rider for your lifemate:{ Reanth gently prodded him out of his shock.
Sitting up straight, he said, “T-thank you for the kind offer, Weyrlingmaster 2nd. If it’s okay, I would like to take this offer.”
Jaylene reached over and squeezed his hand. “Then it’s settled.” She turned to M’thos. “I think I should take him over as soon as we can. Tomorrow morning would be good.” It was already close to dinner time at Dragonsfall, and would be in the middle of the night at Dolphin’s Cove.
Last updated on the June 24th 2024