The Intangible Gifts

Writers: Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 16th November 2024

Characters: Saibra, I'serin
Description: Saibra and I'serin exchange Hatching gifts and discuss the extra security measures.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 22 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: R'enh, Kapera

Saibra

I'serin

With the Hatching complete, the festivities at the Weyr would enter a
new phase of celebration, with food and flowing libations to
congratulate the new riders. As the crowds dispersed to head to the
banquet, I'serin leaned close to Saibra and said, "If I may have a
moment of your time before we make our next entrance," as he motioned
towards an exit tunnel that would lead towards the Weyrleadership side
of the Weyr.

Saibra, who had spent the last several sevendays secluded in the
Hatching Cavern's goldrider weyr, was happy to be free from her cage.
More importantly, she was happy to be free and able to celebrate such
a magnificent hatching. Easily it was the best Hatching she and
Chioneth had ever had.

"A moment would be nice," she said. He offered her his arm as they
walked, furthering the image of a unified leadership to the crowd
watching still behind them.

"I have read about some of the other traditions of a Hatching,"
I'serin said as they made their way towards his office. "It is
customary for the Weyrleader to present the Weyrwoman with a gift to
celebrate the momentous occasion. I hope you will indulge me this--"
He stopped speaking as they entered his office. Stopped moving
entirely.

Because it was obvious that someone had been in his office and had
made a drastic change to it.

On the long wall of his office, a masterfully painted, and intricately
detailed, map had been installed. It showcased all of Dragonsfall's
territory with flight sectors clearly marked and color coded. The
details were even so minute that the correct crops had been painted
into the fields of each Hold. She had set Esiah to working on it the
day I'serin had won Chioneth's flight.

"I hope you like it, I'serin."

The normally loquacious bronzerider was speechless. He approached the
map with wonderment in his eyes, drinking in every detail like a man
who had just been presented the most delectable feast. "This...is
incredible," he breathed softly. He stretched out his hand to touch it
but stopped just short, reverently holding back in case he marred the
paint. "Saibra, this..." He looked back at her. "How did you know?"

Saibra glanced around his office at the many hides and books. "Well,
it wasn't hard to guess, but also, Aluneth and Chioneth talk... _a
lot_. Especially while she was on the Sands."

**Conspiring against me?** I'serin thought to Aluneth.

}: Looking out for you. You deserve good things as well. :{

I'serin would unpack that statement more later. "I must admit then
that my gift pales in comparison but..." He went to his desk and
pulled out a slim, wrapped rectangle, definitely book-sized, and
handed it to her. "During our first lunch, you mentioned that you
wished you could spend more time with your granddaughter. And while
this will not do exactly that, it is meant to be shared with her."

Saibra smiled a little as she took the package and untied the brown
paper. "I'serin, it's beautiful," she said as she ran her fingers over
the softly tooled leather of a journal. She gently flipped through the
pages, her heart squeezing a little as she saw it was meant for her to
record things to pass along to her granddaughter. She remembered they
had briefly talked about Saikera while waiting for Chioneth to finish
clutching. "This is very thoughtful. Thank you," she said, blinking
tears.

Her reaction heartened him. His boyish face softened in a relieved
smile. Even if I'serin failed at everything else when it came to being
Weyrleader, he at least had done this one, little, poignant thing
right.

"You can leave it here during the feast if you want," he offered. He
wasn't sure if she wanted to carry it around with her during the rest
of the festivities.

"That's a great idea, I'serin. I wouldn't want to risk anything
happening to it or misplacing it," she said, setting it on the corner
of his desk. "Are you ready to head down and bask in the accolades?"

Her statement earned her one of his rare chuckles. "Bask? Never. But
the tradition must be seen to. Today is a day of much-needed
celebration." Unspoken was the tragedy of Barrier Lake. So far, the
additional security that they had placed -- the bronzes checking each
visitor ferried in and trusted riders helping with the new weyrlings
-- seemed to be working.

"Yes, it is," she agreed softly. Outside the door a pair of
dragonriders were waiting for the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman. Ever since
Kapera and Riyanth were attacked at Barrier Lake, well... Extra
precautions were being taken. "I just hope," she searched for the
right words. "I hope everything goes smoothly tonight. After all, I'm
sure Kapera thought she was perfectly safe in her own Weyr, with her
own dragon no less. My greatest fear is being called away on some
emergency in the middle of the Hatching Feast. We're hosting a lot of
people..." A lot of people that had been forced to go through extra
measures to be at the Hatching in the first place.

In another rare move, since he was very careful to keep a distance in
case his intentions be misconstrued, I'serin took her hands in his
comfortingly. "We have done all we can to prepare and protect," he
said, trying to balance the gravity of the moment with a look of
empathy. Yes, he shared her worries but he would not offer false hope.
"If you are called away, please, have someone accompany you. Myself,
R'enh, one of our...escorts."

"I will, of course," Saibra agreed. She knew that Chioneth would
protect her with her life, but Chioneth's life was not something
Saibra ever wanted to risk. Thread was a necessity, there wasn't an
ounce of Chioneth that could sit out when time came to fight it, but
in this, Saibra could try to protect her lifemate. Squeezing I'serin's
hands in return, the Weyrwoman put her arm through his, while touching
her hair with the other to make sure she was presentable. "Let's go
see our visitors, then, and pay the new Weyrlings a visit."

Last updated on the November 19th 2024

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

The Intangible Gifts