The Queen Has Returned
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, Yvonne
Date Posted: 30th January 2025
Characters: Tsaera, I'serin
Description: I'serin welcoemd Tsaera to DFW
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 1 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Saibra, Ashela
Notes:
~~~~~~~~~
When Saibra had told him that Tsaera would be returning as interim leader of the Queens' Wing while Chioneth was guarding their precious clutch, I'serin had felt a melange of emotions, all originating from his time at River Bluff. As a child, he had always known who Tsaera as _the_ Weyrwoman. She embodied in every way -- her stride, her appearance, her mannerisms, her decisions. From afar, young Ioraserin listened to his father praise or protest her leadership. She was formative to his early ideas of what a leader should be like, whether she knew it or not.
And now she was here, in that leadership capacity again, and he was no longer a stripling youth. He was Weyrleader.
He was, in all honesty, nervous about seeing her again as he strode towards the weyr recently vacated by Ashela. **Aluneth, announce me to Tabanirth, please,** he thought, even though he could see the venerable gold ahead.
}:Yours may come,:{ Tabanirth responded. She lowered her giant head and watched I'serin through glittering eyes as Tsaera herself appeared at Tabanirth's elbow.
"Welcome, Weyrleader." The goldrider's smile was broad in welcome, although she was also heavily bundled in thick sweater and boots despite the summer day. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
For a heartbeat, he was twelve. Not yet a Candidate. His father introducing them, even though everyone knew who he was since birth.
Another heartbeat and he was back to the now. Swallowing the past, he gave Tsaera a courtly bow. "A pleasure to see you again as well, weyrwoman Tsaera." His smile was shy but genuine. "Weyrwoman Saibra told me to expect you but it is still a surprise -- a welcomed one, be assured -- that you are here."
"It's honestly a bit of a surprise to me as well." She studied him for a moment, then gestured for him to follow her into her new weyr. It was surprising how little I'serin had changed, Tsaera thought. He was Turns older but still seemed boyish to eyes. "Please excuse the mess. I'm still unpacking. Can I send for anything-- klah, tea? I'm assuming this is a social call."
"Tea would be welcomed," the Weyrleader answered. There was a ritual behind tea that felt just right for interactions like this. It invited quality, connective time. "I am here for mostly social, though a bit formal, as I am the Weyrleader here now." Just when I'serin thought he would get used to stating his title, saying it to Tsaera was awkward. He hoped he was not coming across as proud. "Mostly to check in on how you are settling and if there is Aluneth and I can do to assist."
"Very thoughtful of you, I'serin. But no, we don't need anything... not unless you are offering to unpack my boxes for me." Tsaera smiled as she pulled the cord near the door to summon someone from the Lower Caverns. "Which I highly doubt. My belated congratulations to Aluneth, by the way. To you both."
I'serin had the grace to look a bit less awkward than usual at the offered congratulations. "Thank you. It has been quite the...experience," he admitted. "As a bronzerider, it seems as though everyone clamors for the position. No one truly talks about how difficult it is. How much responsibility you assume. I wonder indeed why anyone would seek it."
"The dragons decide and we comply, and while a metallic hide carries social standing it also comes with burdens that the other dragonriders are spared from carrying." She sat at the table and gestured for I'serin to join her. "Tabanirth rarely had a preference when it came to her mates, so I've had Weyrleaders that desperately wanted the knots as well as those who would rather throw them off the cliffside." Her lips quirked in a smile. "As I'm sure you recall."
Her words briefly brought up the sharp contrast that he saw within his own familial bonds -- his father, A'len, who had been a Wingleader but was now a mere Wingrider, who had always wanted the very same position that his son now occupied and struggled with. How quickly would A'len had grabbed those proffered knots, whereas there were some days that I'serin would gladly throw them into the vast ocean.
"Aluneth certainly carries none of the doubts that I do," I'serin admitted though he tried to offset it with a politely amused smile.
"I suppose that's what makes dragons such good mates. They have the confidence, humans have the memories. We make up for each other's shortcomings." Tsaera paused at a knock at the door. A moment later a young woman entered with a tray of tea and biscuits. She offered a shy smile to both the goldrider and the Weyrleader before hurrying out again, and Tsaera picked up the teapot. "Can I pour you a cup?"
"Please," I'serin said with a reverent duck of his head. After she did so, he accepted the warm cup, cradling it within his hands. "That...is a perspective I had not considered in a while. We always speak about how a dragon's memory is their greatest failing but perhaps, in some regards, it is a wonderful strength. They are not prone to overthink things like those of us with the long memories."
Tsaera looked toward the ledge where her big gold dragon lounged to watch over her new Weyr. "I think it's a gift. Especially now, with Thread in the sky. In some ways they instinctively _know_, and I know that I have let that guide my decisions at times when I didn't know what to do."
I'serin blew on the tea while he pondered this. He had certainly relied on Aluneth during a majority of Threadfall, but then again, most dragonriders did. The rider was truly only there to provide minimal direction and firestone. The dragon handled most of it. But when they were on the ground, Aluneth always retreated to let I'serin take the lead, interjecting his opinion only when he felt strongly about something. "Perhaps I should do that more," he replied. "I...have been overwhelmed with advice from just about every front since I came into this position."
Tsaera smiled wryly. "Every new Weyrleader is. If it's any comfort, you aren't the first and you won't be the last man in this position. You're not alone."
Her words, and her belief in those words, comforted him. If there was anyone who had the experience to counter his doubts, it was Tsaera. The young Weyrleader gave her a small but sincere smile. "Thank you. Sincerely. I am...looking forward to working with you here at Dragonsfall," he said with heartfelt honesty and a bit of relief. Hers was a welcomed, grounding presence and he had a feeling that they would need it in the coming months.
"Thank you. I'm happy to have been invited and to get see so many familiar faces. Although if you have any tips to keep the cold drafts out of my weyr, I am all ears..."
Last updated on the February 11th 2025