The Burden of Battle
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: Halyonix
Date Posted: 6th January 2025
Characters: I'serin
Description: I'serin tries to keep up mentally during Threadfall
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 5 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned Chioneth
Even as Aluneth's thundering roar rallied the Wings to Threadfall, I'serin could be found quietly trying to calm his stomach in his office, just moments before he would have to lead the Weyr into battle again. Some three months into his rank as Weyrleader and Threadfall days were still, by far, the worst. The memory of that disastrous first one followed him into each one, plaguing him with a morbid wonder of if this Threadfall would bring another death.
His fingers traced the Threadfall's pattern along the map. Standard Fall 468, according to the Records. And yet, even with that knowledge in mind, doubt pressed along the corners. The Records had been wrong before. No, he could not trust outlier data as the norm. He could not give in to that. He would never trust anything he read again if so.
}: I'serin, :{ Aluneth rumbled. His dragon's voice dispelled the shadows momentarily, as there was no more time to think, there was only time to act.
~*~
There was rainfall on the horizon but it would not be enough to aid the battle, I'serin dully thought some candlemarks later. And the seasons were changing so that frost would no longer be their ally.
}: First wave greens switching out, :{ Aluneth reported as he veered around for another flame, in interrupting his rider's observations. No time to think. I'serin palmed a firestone rock, ready for when Aluneth next asked. He looked down to see where the switchover was happening, just in time to hear a surprised squeal as one green came too close to another on her entry point. He spotted it happening with another pair as well.
**We will need to adjust for that,** I'serin thought to Aluneth. Was that a bronze dragon out of formation over there? Middle Flight Right Wing, unless I'serin was incorrect. No, Spar Flight Right Wing.
}: Later, :{ the dragon instantly said, drawing his rider back to the _now_ as flames met the tangle in front of them. I'serin heard a scream from somewhere behind him. }: Talenoth is hit. Returning to the Weyr. :{
I'serin did a quick calculation. **Shoulder Flight Left Wing is down three. Have Lower Flight Left Wing cover the crossover.** Was that the right call? It would have to be. I'serin was beginning to feel the strain of having to remember which Wing was where at all times -- how did Weyrleaders _do_ this?
}: Practice, :{ Aluneth replied as he folded his wings for a dive. }: Crossover soon. :{ This was possibly Aluneth's favorite part because it meant that for a brief moment, he flew just above the Queens' Wing and could admire Chioneth as I'serin orchestrated the crossover maneuver. Aluneth purred proudly at his golden mate as I'serin gave the order.
The Wings began their massive reshuffling, one Flight shifting back as another rose to cover as Wings reformed into a new structure, a second breath, a reset. I'serin counted one, two, no, three dragons out of formation, winking out at the last second, made note of which ones (why was it always a blue dragon?), until Aluneth said, }: We go! :{ And they were back at it.
By the time Thread was over some three candlemarks later, I'serin could barely remember which three dragons he was supposed to be looking for to reprimand. And the four greens that had messed up their entry. And the two browns -- one that had nearly knocked a green wingmate from the sky in their eagerness to flame and another that had simply cut a turn far too close, causing a Wingleader to shift his entire Wing for a moment. Had there been another brown in there to speak with? Or had that been a bronze? With a groan, I'serin tiredly remembered two other incidents that needed to be handled as well. And Aluneth had not yet finished giving him the list of the injured.
As he listened to the reports coming in through his dragon, I'serin leaned his forehead against Aluneth's ridge, certain that he painted the picture of no confidence to anyone who happened to see their ash-smeared, exhausted young Weyrleader at that moment.
He quietly feared that there would never be enough practice in the world for him to get used to being Weyrleader. But for now, he dully listened to Aluneth's reporting because the Weyr had to be run and all I'serin really wanted was a comforting cup of tea.
Last updated on the January 11th 2025