One Day You'll Fall

Writers: Halyonix
Date Posted: 6th August 2024

Characters: I'serin, A'len
Description: I'serin's father comes to pay his regards
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 4 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: R'enh, Saibra
musical inspiration from Beartooth's "Messed Up"

I'serin

Just when I'serin thought that he would be in time to make an appearance at dinner, Aluneth said four words with such disdain that the newly made Weyrleader knew he was going to miss the meal because of this conversation.

}: Tirenth's rider is here. :{

Tirenth's rider. I'serin's father. A'len. A bronzerider who had been hard on him as a child until he Impressed a bronze, and then had treated I'serin like a weyrling long after he had graduated. A former Wingleader with high expectations for his sons, his hard predictions tempered only by their mother's tenderness. Had River Bluff endured, I'serin had no doubt that A'len would have risen to Weyrsecond somehow, if not Weyrleader by flight's chance. Since seeking refuge at Dragonsfall though, A'len was still a wingrider, like many displaced bronzeriders, and I'serin knew that it chafed him to report to someone else.

How would he feel about reporting to his son now?

**Allow him in,** I'serin thought back. He continued to stare at the notes that R'enh had left him, though he rose to stand at his desk.

"There he is! My son!" A'len crowed proudly as he strode in. Silvered from the Turns, there was no mistaking a bronzerider's confidence in that tone and swagger. It was an aura that I'serin had worked hard to tone down within himself. He did not return his father's greeting but that was mostly because A'len continued to yammer on, yet another mannerism that I'serin avoided. "The first gold that Aluneth catches and it's the senior queen! Look at you! A fine catch, yes, both dragon and woman. I hear that Saibra is quite the excitement in bed. I don't blame you for taking the rest of yesterday off before tackling all of the work you have on your plate today." A'len winked saucily, suggestively.

I'serin considered throwing him out. Turns of listening to his father speak about women in such a demeaning way bubbled up in his memory.

"I'll not have you objectifying the Weyrwoman in my presence, bronzerider," he instead said. Which, while it wiped the smile off A'len's face rather quickly, was the wrong move to take overall. I'serin realized that he was going to have to work on his tact when it comes to situations like this.

"One day in the straps and the power's already gone to your head, I see," A'len replied darkly. "You, who've never led a Wing, now in charge of an entire Weyr. How do you think it's going to go if you act all high and mighty, alienate your allies?"

I'serin felt Turns of anger pressing against his ribs but contained it. It would do him worse to lose his temper, no matter how much he was being goaded and belittled. He reminded himself that he was not a weyrling, not a child, that he was a full-fledged rider and an adult is in his own right. His father had no business talking down to him. "I am well aware of my inexperience," he said with forced calm. "While I have done my best to study for leadership, I am aware that nothing can actually prepare you for being a leader except taking that step. If you are hear to talk about allies, then speak. I am late for dinner as it is."

A'len's posture changed to one of consideration. "It's time we River Bluff riders get our due, now that we have one of ours in charge," he said carefully. "These Dragonsfall riders, they're good, but they're keeping our experience in the lower ranks. Promoting _greens_ ahead of us! You can't lead a Weyr that way."

I'serin was quiet though his mind was spinning through implications and outcomes. So that was it. Power. Resentment. The ruins of River Bluff, the scars that wouldn't heal. The first of many headaches that I'serin would have to handle.

"And what do you propose?" I'serin asked, careful not to let his tone give any indication of hope or consideration. If A'len had a viable idea, fine, but if the former Wingleader was just seeking to cause trouble, then I'serin would say that he would take it under consideration and discard it just as quickly. The harmony of the Weyr came first.

"You need a Weyrsecond with experience. Please don't tell me that you offered it to R'enh," A'len said. I'serin gave no indication either way about the situation, which garnered him a frustrated sigh from his father. "You know I'm right. You need someone to manage up on you, give you advice. A seasoned Wingleader at a minimum."

"Do you have someone in mind?" I'serin asked. Before A'len could answer, the young Weyrleader held up his hand. "If the answer to that question is you, then my answer is no. For numerous reasons that I will not waste our time elaborating."

A'len replied softly, dangerously. "Words like that would have gotten you the back of my hand when you were a child."

That did it. Before his anger could explode, I'serin clenched his hand tightly at his side, focusing on the pain of fingernails versus the pain he wanted to inflict. "I will take your advice into consideration, bronzerider," he managed to say, though he was certain A'len could hear the anger in his voice. "If there is nothing else to discuss, you may leave."

A'len huffed, opened his mouth to get the last cutting word in, and then, surprisingly, thought better of it. He bowed, mockingly, and said, "Congratulations again, _Weyrleader_."

But thankfully, he left. And in the silence that followed, I'serin wondered if he made another wrong move somehow.

**I hate that man,** I'serin thought to Aluneth, who was pointedly watching A'len leave with glowering eyes. Surely A'len understood why I'serin couldn't promote him to Weyrsecond based on the complaints of nepotism alone, much less how disastrous that would be for I'serin, who would be stuck in his father's shadow once again.

}: He did have a viable point though, as loathe as I am to admit it, :{ the bronze replied.

I'serin sighed, releasing his anger. He focused on calming breaths while he said, **He did. But he needs not know that. It was on my agenda already.** He began packing up his notes, while thinking ahead to the rest of the evening. A meal would be a good refresher. **Let him think that it was his idea,** I'serin said. **I'll not concern myself with his ego, only what is good for the Weyr.** Hopefully, he could find someone that would help bridge the rift that the River Bluff riders felt. Else, who knew what drama would come of it.

Last updated on the August 29th 2024

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One Day You'll Fall