Apprentice Mistakes

Writers: AL, Halyonix
Date Posted: 12th January 2025

Characters: Vandor, R'vkal
Description: Ryvankal injures his head and sees Vandor.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 23 of Turn 12

Vandor

Notes:

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“Stupid,” Ryvankal muttered under his breath as he cradled his left hand. “Stupid man.” He was talking about himself of course, about how he absently had grabbed a hot iron without gloves, thus burning the palm of his hand. It was an apprentice mistake and Ryvnkal, who had grown up around the forges, could not believe that he had made it.

Still grumbling at himself, he walked into the Infirmary and began looking about for a healer.

Thus far, the infirmary was fairly quiet. While there would always be something or another that required the attention of a healer, the need came in waves. During Thread, the entire staff was on alert, and everyone worked without rest, even past the end of a Fall, for injuries were not always quickly treated. On the off days, however, most requests were minor in nature, though occasionally an accident occurred. That day was particularly quiet, and there had been over a full hour since anyone had come in for anything, and all the schedule appointments - children’s wellness visits and prenatal requirements - were all finished for at least another.

Time was never wasted, however. In the infirmary, there was usually something to do. Inventory had to be taken, or cloths and tools washed. Vandor had just looked over their stock of medicinal herbs when he heard someone walk in. Checking off the last item on his list, he stepped out into the foyer and smiled at the candidate who had entered.

“Hello there.” His eyes skimmed over the form, and of course, noted the way he favoured his hand. “How can I help you?”

“Burned my hand on the forge. Picking up a hot iron,” Ryvankal said without preamble. He offered his injured hand for Vandor to look over. “Don’t think it’s too bad but… I figured I’d get it checked.”

The tall healer’s eyes fell upon the injured limb and he studied it for a brief moment before he motioned for the candidate to follow him into a room. Once they stepped inside, Vandor motioned for the young man to sit, then allowed a closer study of the injury. Carefully, tenderly, he held the cadet’s hand in his and took a close look at the reddened flesh. “A second degree, but to what extent only time will tell. What did you do right after picking up the iron?”

“Dropped it pretty quick. Stuck my hand in some water like you’re supposed to but it wasn’t very cold. Forge doesn’t let us keep much cold,” Ryvankal answered. He watched the big man look over his injury and then asked, “How long you been a healer?”

“I became an apprentice as soon as I was able, so for over twenty turns if you count that.” How time had flown, and the young boy who had entered into the craft had grown in many ways, some would say, not only by stature, but by maturity. Then again, some would say he had hardly changed at all. Since he was very young, he’d always been the sort to take responsibility seriously, and he truly enjoyed his craft. “And you? You are a smith?”

Ryvankal nodded. “Family’s full of smiths. Figured I should join in. Been in the forge for as long as I can remember. ‘til I came here anyway. Glad to see the Weyr’s got a forge too, even if it’s not as big as the one back home.”

With the initial assessment done, Vandor stepped back. “Give me just a moment, I’ll return shortly.” Leaving the young man, he procured an ointment and some clothes from one of the apprentices, then returned a moment later. Pulling on a glove, he set about taking a dab of the medicinal muck and slathered it over the reddened skin. “This is a mix of herbs and a touch of numbweed - not much, but enough it should help the pain. Apply it twice a day. Cover with cloths during the day, but you can keep it unwrapped at night so it can breathe.”

Ryvankal nodded, indicating that he understood all of it. As Vander finished up, he asked, “What got you into healing?” Sometimes it was interesting to learn why others had chosen their path. For Ryvankal, it had always seemed like smith and married would be his path. He didn’t imagine stepping off it until last Turn. Now, there were a lot of different things to learn and he was doing his best to keep up.

Now that he had done what he could for the patient, Ryvankal turned the subject to something else. There weren’t a ton of people at the infirmary, so he could spend a few minutes. Besides, it always helped to build a good rapport.

“Thayan Peak. After the disaster, everyone was called to help. I realised how much of a difference healers made, and that’s when I knew it was something I wanted to do.” And Vandor had never regretted it.

Though Ryvankal nodded as he listened, he asked, “Where’s Thayan Peak?”

“It was a Weyrhold, where I was born, and destroyed by an Earthquake when I was young.” At first, it had been difficult to discuss what had happened to the Weyr, but that had been many years prior. Although the memory wasn’t pleasant, it no longer haunted him like it had at one point. “That’s how Dolphin Cove got started - those who survived moved here.” Including him and his family. “That was twenty years ago now.”

Ryvankal’s expression turned confused. “You don’t look that old. No offense meant. Twenty Turns ago looks like you’d be a kid. Must’ve been hard. Losing your home.” He couldn’t imagine losing Green Valley like that! Even being at the Weyr for a Turn, his heart still considered the Hold his home.

He had been a child, and Vandor nodded at the man’s assessment. “It was. I was fortunate, for my entire family escaped, but others weren’t so lucky.” Possessions were merely things and could be replaced, but people were not so disposable. “However, it was also what convinced me that I wanted to be healer.”

“To help those in case it happened again?” Ryvankal asked.

Vandor lifted his hands, one rising higher than the other, then the two switched back and forth, up and down, as if weighing something. “Sort of. I realised I liked helping fix people. There were a lot of wounded, and though I was young, I was still able to do something to help them. I was frustrated that I didn’t know how to do more. So, when I was able to, I apprenticed as a healer.”

The Candidate nodded. “Seems like a good reason. Lots of broken people in the world.” He lifted his now bandaged hand. “Me included.”

“We all get broken now and again.” Sometimes, the brokenness came physically, and other times, it was emotionally or mentally. While Vandor couldn’t help with some things, he would do what he could when he could. “Fortunately, we don’t live in a hole. We have people around us who help take care of us. That’s what a community is about.”

Something about the healer’s words struck a quiet chord in Ryvankal. He nodded again, thoughtfully this time. “That’s the good thing about Holds, I think,” he said, “Strong community. Been…an adjustment, coming here and leaving that, but…think I’m starting to find some of that here now. Been thinking about staying on. Even if I don’t Impress.”

“You would be welcome, I’m certain.” Vandor nodded. There was rarely a lack of space for people who wished to stay at the Weyr, and if they ever ran into that problem, he suspected they would likely expand to another. “It’s certainly something to think about. What hold did you come from?”

“Green Valley. Not as big as Emerald Falls but big enough. Beautiful place. Ever been?”

Vandor had heard of Green Valley, and while he had done a lot of travelling as a Journeyman healer, that was not one of the holds he’d managed to see. “I’m afraid not, but perhaps I’ll have the opportunity in the future. “Coming to the Weyr must have been an adjustment.”

Ryvankal nodded. “Still adjusting too in some ways. Takes me a moment to remember where I’m at whenever I see two guys kiss.” He scratched his head with his good hand. “Not being judgmental. Just…adjusting. You don’t see that stuff at the Hold,” he admitted, hoping that he hadn’t just offended the Healer.

“Yes, that is probably the most common thing I hear from holders who come to a Weyr.” If Vandor was offended, he did an excellent job of hiding it. Instead of concern or a frown, the healer let out a soft chuckle. “Holders are set in their ways and change is slow.” That was obvious from the way society in the South treated women, though that, too, was slowly shifting. “Culture shock is normal. Is there anything else you’re struggling to adjust to?”

The Candidate shook his head. “Getting used to the noise took a bit at first. Dragons are loud. Just started ignoring most of it unless others said something. Everything else has been easy. Better than the Hold in some ways too. Still get to work on my craft in between so that helps keep me grounded.” He looked at his bandaged hand and shrugged. “Guess I’ll be taking a few days off from that though.” It didn’t seem to bother him though. He tilted his head at Vander. “Don’t want to take up any more of your time though. Appreciate the healing. And the chat.”

“I’m always up for a chat if you ever just want someone to talk to.” Vandor offered the young man a smile. He knew what it was like to be far from home, and though he had met people and gotten to see new places, it was still a difficult adjustment. Hopefully, Ryvankal would find where he felt he belonged, whether it was at the Weyr, or back at Green Valley.

Last updated on the January 15th 2025

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Apprentice Mistakes