Books and Bargains (1/2)
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: Corrin, Shawna
Date Posted: 13th April 2025
Characters: Sybana, Zariah, Dalgarian
Description: Sybana runs to Zariah again and remembers the first day they met...
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr, Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 4, day 22 of Turn 12
Galgaith was one month old and miserable.
She had spent a happy half candlemark playing the puddles left by yesterday’s storm, but now she slumped dramatically in front of the weyrling barracks, resting her head on her forelegs and rumbling grumpily. }: But why is it still clooooudy? There’s nothing to sun in, and it smells like wet rock everywhere. :{
** I thought you _liked_ the wet, ** Sybana laughed, following and crouching down to stroke the dragonet as she whined. ** You were happy just a moment ago. **
Galgaith huffed and nosed at her booted ankle. }: But now I want sun. Bring it back. :{
** I’m sorry, my love. I can’t do that… ** The gold’s blind faith in her still took Sybana by surprise sometimes and she bit back another laugh as she cast around for something else to do before the next feeding time, while Galgaith made a sound like a dying wher.
Fortunately there was a greenrider landing in the bowl and the dappled hide was instantly familiar.
}: Galgi, :{ Sybana patted a golden shoulder encouragingly. ** Stop making that silly noise, Galgi--That’s the dragon that Searched me for you! Let’s go tell her thank you! **
///// Flashback to M3 D6 T12 /////
It was storming the day Sybana was Searched.
Rain rushed over the stone of Skyvale Hold, gilding the carved cornices and fresh-cut friezes with water and silver light. Even in poor weather, Skyvale stood proud: All sharp angles and new construction, its granite outbuildings capped with copper-green tiles, its walls lined with banners that rippled wetly in the wind. There was no sign of struggle or strife, only confidence and clean lines-- the prosperity of wealth built into every corner.
And Skyvale had treated Zariah well. In her side job as _the_ Printer Hall delivery service, one of her best customers was Dalgarian, the heir of the hold. He was always courteous, always gentle with his books, prompt with his returns and generous with his fees-- and never more generous than today. They had been making small talk about Dragonsfall’s new gold egg and the lordling had mentioned he had a younger sister of candidate age that he hoped she and Relsath might take a look at. He said the Family would be very pleased if she were Searched, and then, when he was paying for his latest delivery, he handed her an extra purse of marks. “Just for you,” he said with a smile. “For your time… and your instincts.” He also implied there may be a feast later, if they had something to celebrate. What better way to spend a rainy evening?
An elegant bribe.
It took Zariah a moment to hide her surprise, but she took the coin purse willingly enough, tucking it away. “Of course, Relsath and I can take a look at her while we’re here. It won’t delay us too much.” She liked Skyvale; it was never a delivery that gave her any trouble, and she always kept a few search tokens on her when she was out and about. There was no reason not to at least look.
The sister met them in the eastern courtyard, in the dry lee of the hold, young and beautiful and maybe nothing more. It would be for Zariah and Relsath to decide.
Relsath had never shown any particular aptitude for search, had never called her rider’s attention to a candidate unprompted, but also it wouldn’t be the first time an earnest plea had convinced the greenrider to hand over a search token. That this one had come with a bribe was even better.
There was no harm, Zariah reasoned. Either the girl would come back to the Weyr and Impress, or she’d come to the Weyr and be disappointed. If the former happened, Zariah had potentially saved a hatchling from dying on the sands. If the latter happened… well, putting a candidate up cost the Weyr little more than food, and they always had that in surplus.
“A little privacy, if you don’t mind,” Zariah said, giving Dalgarian her most charming smile and gesturing the younger woman towards the green. Obligingly, Relsath raised a wing to shield them from the rain when they approached. Turning her back towards the main house, Zariah lowered her voice to address the young woman.
“Do you want to go to the Weyr? You know there will be 20 greens on the sands for that one gold, yes?” She studied Sybana for a moment. The young woman was far from the half starved and threadbare youths she usually gave a search coin to.
“I do.” Sybana met the rider’s eyes, her expression resolute. She had thought about it a lot since her conversation with Dorix. “My uncle was a rider. He was very clear about the risk. I know what it would mean to Impress green…” She knew _exactly_ what it would mean. No influence. No control. No real say in a world she’d have given up everything to enter. It still horrified her. “But even so… I don’t want a small life in an insignificant hold somewhere. I want the chance at something more.”
(cont.)
Last updated on the April 15th 2025