Leadership the Hard Way

Writers: Halyonix, Suzee
Date Posted: 22nd August 2024

Characters: R'enh, I'serin
Description: I'serin and R'enh speak after the Weyrleader transition
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 4 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Saibra, K'yerel, W'ser

R'enh

I'serin

Notes:
~~~~~~~~~

The night, and what bare sleep had come of it, had given I'serin
plenty of time to lay out his options and decide how he wanted this
next step to proceed. In the interim created by former Weyrleader
K'yerel's injury, Wingleader R'enh, who was Saibra's weyrmate, had
stepped up to lead the Weyr. Now Weyrleader, I'serin could not
discredit the man for taking charge -- someone had to and it made
sense given their close relationship. The Weyr's harmony was
important.

One flight, one Threadfall, was all it took, he reminded himself. It
was not the comforting words he had expected it to be.

Aluneth, of course, had absolutely no qualms or concerns about the
transition of power. He had won Chioneth, Mnoranth hadn't. As the
leading bronze, all other dragons now fell into proper order behind
him. Simple as that. But I'serin knew his dragon. There would most
likely be issues down the line between the two bronzes. That was a
problem for another day.

I'serin's fingertips splayed lightly across the desk, taking in the
Turns of use from the Weyrleaders before him. The decisions made and
engraved here. He closed his eyes, feeling the weight of history and
yesterday's flight settling on his shoulders.

When he opened his eyes again, he sent a simple message through
Aluneth. **Please enquire if ... R'enh is available to meet.** Acting
Weyrleader no longer. I'serin wondered what rank R'enh would take now.

R'enh was still in a bit of shock and worried about Mnoranth as he made
his way to the new Weyrleader's office. He'd removed his Weyrleader
Knots before he knocked on the door and walked in. He smiled and laid
them on the desk. "Congratulations I'serin," he said with as much
sincerity as he could muster. His tenure had been temporary and he
knew it.

I'serin stared at those knots for a long, long moment. Eventually, his
hand reached forward to take them but he did not tie them in place.
"Thank you," he said quietly. He turned them over in his hands one
moment longer and then met R'enh's eyes squarely. "How is Mnoranth?"
he asked.

"He'll recover," which was the first thing that needed to be said.
R'enh sighed. "Mind if I sit? It's been a day."

R'enh's words that Mnoranth would recover relieved some of the weight
on I'serin's shoulders and it showed. He motioned to the empty chair
across from him as he said, "Please. Join me. I...have a great many
things that I would like to discuss with you. Can I offer you
something to drink?" When Saibra had said that the office had been
furnished, he had been mildly surprised to discover that it also came
with a small stock of alcohols, which I'serin was certain were going
to be used at some point during his tenure. But, given the hour,
I'serin hoped that they weren't getting started on that just yet.

"Sure," R'enh smiled. "I'll help in any way I can." he took a deep
breath. "Mnorath will not be ready for the next 'fall. His wounds were
deep. W'ser said he'd need time to heal before he could safely
/between/."

To that, I'serin nodded. He hadn't seen the injuries but he knew how
easy it was for the heat of the moment to lend to terrible, unintended
violence. He could only imagine Chioneth's regret.

"Take all the time that Mnoranth needs," I'serin said. He busied
himself with preparing two klahs, then set one down in front of R'enh.
"If Aluneth can be of assistance in providing meals--"

Aluneth's mental snort was sharp, indignant. Defiant. While unheard to
R'enh, it did not go unacknowledged. **You will render what help you
can. Not to atone but because leadership is not just commanding the
Weyr. It is taking care of those entrusted to us. You will set an
example.** I'serin's tone was unrelenting. Aluneth could be proud of
his win all he wanted but he would _not_ hold that win over another,
especially injured dragon's head.

"Thank you," he said. Both for the Klah and the generous offer. "My
most recent notes are in the lower drawer on your left."

Obediently, I'serin located the notes. Though he placed them flat on
the desk in front of him as if to read them, he said, "Perhaps you can
give me the most important points to consider first. This...is quite
obviously all new to me." It was one thing to study. It was another
thing to apply the information learned.

"Well," he began. "I think the current critical issue is the dwindling
supply of firestone. The shipment was supposed to arrive yesterday but
we've had no word. You may want to send sweepriders towards the mines
to see what the delay might be."

I'serin's hazel eyes widened. "Is there...enough for Threadfall
tomorrow?" he asked. Faranth forbid his first test as Weyrleader was a
lack of dragons flaming and Thread falling unchecked.

"Yes," R'enh nodded, "but not the week after."

The young Weyrleader's brow furrowed. He quickly jotted down some
notes to remind himself to check for the shipment after tomorrow.
"Thank you for alerting me. I will see it handled," he said. "If I may
leap ahead on topics." I'serin inhaled calmly, as if steadying
himself. "As I told the Weyrwoman, you'll not have to worry about me
coming between you two. She is your weyrmate." I'serin, scared as he
was about admitting his own sexuality, did not elaborate as to why. He
hoped that R'enh wouldn't ask. "Though, I would like to speak about
your plans now that you are...stepping down. I would offer you the
Weyrsecond position, if you desired it." Having R'enh as Weyrsecond
would go a long way to calm the fears of the Wingleaders who now had
to deal with an inexperienced Weyrleader.

R'enh looked down at his hands for a long moment. "Thank you for the
offer," he said. **but I'd prefer not to be tempted to strangle you.**
"I think it would be better if I returned to the Wings. I can take
Cobalt if you're good with that."

I'serin's expression fell. He had been hoping for R'enh to take
Weyrsecond but he absolutely understood why he would decline. I'serin
himself would be hard-pressed to say yes if the positions were
flipped. "I...understand. And I support your decision. Cobalt Wing is
yours." An awkward silence passed before I'serin asked, "Is there
anything more you would like to bring to my attention? I would greatly
appreciate your insights." His expression was one of hope. He wanted
to make sure that there would be no bad blood between them, that they
started on the right foot.

"I'm always happy to help for the good of the Weyr," R'enh nodded. He
leaned forward realizing that the new Weyrleader had vastly less
experience at this point in time even though they were almost the same
age. "Do you have a good knowledge of the other bronze and brown
riders?"

"I have what is in their files," I'serin said. He had studied that
extensively in his spare time in the last Turn, along with maps of the
area and Threadfall patterns. All in preparation. But preparation on
paper could only go so far. "Though what is public record and what is
privately known can be vastly different."

"Well," R'enh nodded, "that's a good start. If any of them are
competent and who you like and trust. Make that rider your 'second."
He smiled. "I'd start by meeting with each of them. You don't need any
conflict with your 'second."

That would take a few days but R'enh was right: I'serin didn't need
conflict with his Weyrsecond. He nodded. "A wise course of action,
thank you." He exhaled. He had his work cut out for him. In so many
ways. With an earnest, open expression, he said, "I'll leave you to
take charge of Cobalt then. But if there is anything more...please, do
not hesitate to bring it to my attention."

"Of course," R'enh nodded, recognizing the dismissal. "The knots for
Cobalt are in the third drawer behind you," he smiled. "Oh and one
more thing. "Pay attention when Saibra 'suggests' something to you.
She's usually right. Remember, you want a good working relationship
with her even more than your second."

Last updated on the August 29th 2024

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Leadership the Hard Way