Books and Bargains (2/2)
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
Relsath gave a dramatic sigh when her rider gave her an expectant little nudge, but lowered her big head to regard Sybana. }: You’re very pretty. :{ The green didn’t particularly like addressing anyone who wasn’t her rider, but the pair reasoned that as long as the girl wasn’t totally unable to hear her despite being addressed directly, or entirely unnerved by the experience, it meant there was probably no reason she couldn’t Impress, or at least no reason for the weyrlingmasters to dismiss her.
Sybana’s eyes widened. There were no moving lips. Just a voice, suddenly in her head, clear as day. The message was as much a surprise as the source. It was nothing she hadn’t heard before, but from a dragon-- she beamed warmly up at Relsath. “You’re very pretty too,” she said sincerely. “And it’s so kind of you to shield us from the rain.”
She didn't know how Searching worked or what a dragon could see, let alone what they looked for. Dalgarian had seemed certain she would be deemed suitable. Still, she tried to muster all the bold and noble and possibly gold-ridery thoughts she could in the forefront of her mind. Iwanttohelp, she thought fervently. Iwanttomakeadifference. Iwanttobeyourfriend. Iwanttochangetheworld.
Relsath preened at the praise, and Zariah chuckled. “Well, alright,” Zariah said cheerfully, turning to dig in one of her bags. Pulling out a search token, she offered it to Sybana. “Do you want a few days to prepare yourself or were you in a hurry to get to the Weyr?” She didn’t exactly look ready to travel, in Zariah’s private opinion.
“Oh,” Sybana blinked as she took the token. “A few days would be nice. I’ll have to pack. …That’s it?” She had seen Search from a distance before, but had never been allowed to close. She thought there’d be more to it.
“Mostly. Usually a formal search would involve a whole crowd of people, so it looks a little more impressive than just Relsath here inspecting you. I can come back and pick you up in two days? In the evening after my drills?” In a lower tone, though they were still some distance away from the girl’s brother, Zariah added, “You can change your mind if you want to. Now, in two days, or even when you get to the Weyr. It’s going to be quite the adjustment. And if you’re just doing this to get out of a… delicate problem, you don’t have to go so far as to move to the Weyr. If it’s just a quick trip /between/ you need, we can just take care of that.” She just hoped the hold girl would take her meaning without her needing to risk offending her by being more blunt.
“Oh, no. It’s nothing like that,” Sybana said, clearly surprised by the offer and the implications. She dropped her voice too, sheltered as they were by distance, rain and Relsath’s wings. “That’s kind of you though. Really, I wouldn’t expect--” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “I didn’t think a rider would care one way or another.”
“Some would, some wouldn't. We're just people, after all. There’s a lot of variety,” Zariah said.
Her gaze dropped to the search token in her hand, running her thumb lightly over its surface.
“...Did my brother say something to you?” She asked at last, not looking over her shoulder to where the man loomed large in the shadows of the Hold. Her grip tightened on the token. “I _am_ truly Searched, am I not?”
Sybana looked up, meeting Zariah’s eyes with earnest intensity. “This _is_ what I want.”
Zariah smiled reassuringly, “I just like to make sure no one is being pressured when the family approaches me first instead of the candidate,” not ‘potential candidate', just ‘candidate’. “But that's good enough for me. Relsath and I will come pick you up in two days.”
“Two days, thank you. I’ll be ready.”
///// End flashback /////
Galgaith loped up to the greenpair, Sybana following at a more moderate pace behind. The young gold was about half the size of the green and clearly excited. }: Hello! :{ she called to Relsath with a happy little bugle. }: You’re the one that brought my Sybana here for me. Thank you! :{
Zariah was clearly in some silent conversation with the green when Relsath’s head suddenly snapped up, turning towards the approaching gold. After a moment, the green bobbed her head in a polite little nod. }:It was our pleasure.:{
“Yes,” echoed Sybana as she caught up. “Thank you, Relsath-- and you, Zariah. Everything worked out.”
Less reserved, the rider waved cheerily, “Sybana! Galgaith. You both look well. A little muddy maybe,” she eyed the gold’s feet, “but well.” She beamed at the young goldrider, “I’m glad. I’ll make sure to tell your brother the next time I make a delivery. He’s always asking about how you’re doing.”
“Please do,” Sybana laughed. “I’m not writing as often as I should, between training and all the bathing and oiling and feeding… I’m sure he appreciates the updates.”
“Well, if you ever do find time to write, I can drop a letter off with my deliveries. I am glad this turned out the way you wanted. Really,” Zariah smiled at her. “But now, if you don't mind excusing me, weyrwoman Sybana, I need to report in with my Wingleader.”
Sybana beamed at the title, waving happily as the greenpair left.
Last updated on the April 15th 2025