A Weyr Befitting Your Rank

Writers: Estelle, Francesca
Date Posted: 9th April 2025

Characters: Alyena, R'kede
Description: With his recent promotion, R'kede asks Alyena for a larger weyr.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 4 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: M'gan, R'ayl

R'kede

There was so much to do to get ready for his first Threadfall leading
Cyclone Wing. The list of tasks kept multiplying. However, one item on
the list was a selfish one, which was what brought R'kede to the
Headwoman's door after lunch. Hopefully she, or one of her assistants,
could help him.

"Wingleader R'kede. Come on in." Alyena greeted him warmly. The news
that a brownrider was to lead Cyclone Wing had reached the Lower
Caverns, and then the Headwoman's ears, with the lightning speed of all
good gossip, so she'd been expecting this visit. "Congratulations on
your promotion."

"Thank you, Headwoman." He didn't think hearing his title would ever
get old. R'kede took a seat, leaning back in the chair. "It's a lot of
work, but very exciting. I suppose you faced something similar when
you were promoted."

"Yes, I hadn't expected it at all. I'd been assisting our previous
Headwoman, but it's different when the the responsibility is suddenly
all yours. Exciting, but a little terrifying, too." Alyena knew she'd
been an unusual choice, not being weyrbred, and she imagined it'd be as
difficult in some ways for a brownrider taking up a role usually
reserved for bronze. "I'm getting more settled in now, but every day
still brings surprises."

Exciting and terrifying was what he imagined his first Threadfall
leading Cyclone Wing would feel like. "Well, I don't think I'm coming
with any surprises. I'm wondering if there's a different weyr I can
move into. Maybe one with some additional space and a private bathing
pool?" he asked with a smile. He wasn't above turning on the charm to
get the best weyr he could.

"It would be more fitting for your new rank, and Osherith's dignity."
Alyena kept her face straight, but there was a glint of amusement in her
eyes. "Most of the larger weyrs are designed for families, but we have a
few that might be suitable. Wingleader M'gan's old weyr is free, if it
wouldn't trouble you to take it." She'd found that weyrfolk were not
generally sentimental about taking over the quarters of a pair who'd
gone /between/ - or vanished - but she thought she'd better check. "Or
there is an empty junior goldrider's weyr. Most of the space is taken up
by the dragon's couch, which might perhaps be too big, but there is a
study and a bathing pool."

**What do you think?** R'kede asked his brown, wanting it to be a
shared decision.

}:We don't need a goldrider's weyr:{ was Osherith's immediate response.

He smiled at the brown's quick decision. Not having any reason to
choose differently, he shared Osherith's words with Alyena. "Any
chance we can see the place?" he added. He was curious to see what
furniture, if any, was there and if it was nicer than what he currently had.

"Yes, of course." She stood and went over to a shelf to fetch a large
rolled-up sheet of paper, then spread it out on the desk to show a view
of the Weyr cliffs. Each weyr entrance was marked with a letter and a
number. "Here it is - on the north side, looking over the lake. It's a
little more peaceful over that side and you'd have another Wingleader in
the neighboring weyr. If you and Osherith want to fly up, I could meet
you there?"

R'kede looked at the page with interest. "Looks like a nice view," he
commented. His current weyr was on the other side of the Weyrbowl.
"You don't want a ride? It would only take a moment to add straps for
you." It seemed silly for her to walk.

"If it wouldn't be any trouble, I'd never turn down a chance to fly,"
Alyena said, her expression lighting with pleasure. Even short flights
up to the higher weyrs were still a thrill for her. She rolled up the
map and replaced it on the shelf. "Or to meet a dragon."

"Osherith is always happy to meet a pretty lady," R'kede said with a
smile. "Just give me a few minutes to grab the straps and we can meet
in the Weyrbowl."

R'kede was finishing a final check of the straps when he saw Alyena
approaching. Osherith turned his head towards her with interest.

She raised a hand in greeting, and bowed her head to the dragon. "Good
afternoon, Osherith. You're looking very well today. I hope you're
looking forward to seeing the new weyr - it's very spacious, with a
sunny ledge."

The brown lowered his head to her eye level. }:I am looking well.:{ he
agreed. }:Although I'll probably take a bath later.:{ His rider
translated with a laugh.

R'kede quickly mounted, Osherith crouching low to assist, and held out
a hand to help her up. "Your son's a rider, right?" he asked as she
settled herself. "Have you gone on rides with him?"

"A few times, since he completed his weyrling training. R'ayl's not old
enough to join the Wings yet, but he's allowed to leave the Weyr, and
he's taken me and my daughter down the coast a way on a restday for
swimming. I think all the dragonriders have their favorite coves and
bays." She shaded her eyes, looking up at the cliff. "Ready when you
are! It's that one, I think - two weyrs along from where that brown is
sunning himself."

R'kede nodded, quickly checking to make sure Osherith was ready. "Ok,
let's go." The dragon took off smoothly, in consideration of his
passenger. He greeted the other brown as they passed, then landed as
delicately as he could, making an approving noise at the size of the
ledge. R'kede slid down first, staying by Osherith's side in case the
Headwoman wanted assistance dismounting.

Alyena reached out to him to steady herself as she descended. It was
further down, since Osherith was larger than her son's blue and the
weyrling dragons who transported the staff up and down the cliffs.
"Thank you. Well, here we are." She took a moment to look out over the
Weyrbowl and the lake. It was peaceful at this time of day, with a few
dragons bathing in the water. She wondered briefly if the vanished
Wingleader had looked out over this same view before his last flight,
then shook off that somber thought. "Shall we go on in?"

R'kede gave Osherith a final pat and stepped into the weyr, looking
around with interest. It was certainly larger than his current space.
The table and chairs looked nicer than what he had, while the living
area wasn't as colorful as he liked. He took a quick look at the
bedroom and bathing pool, happy with everything he saw. **Any
concerns?**

}:No. I like it:{ was the brown's quick reply.

Standing in the spacious living area, he looked at Alyena with a wide
smile and a nod. "It's perfect. There's some furniture here that I
like and other pieces I'd like to bring over from my current quarters.
Are there some of your staff and weyrlings who can help me move things
in the next few days?"

"Yes, of course. I'll assign you a couple of my staff for anything that
needs to be handled with care. The weyrlings are willing and
enthusiastic, but I wouldn't necessarily ask them to move anything
fragile." Alyena knew who she could trust not to scratch the
Wingleader's furniture or smash his favorite mug. "And I'll see if the
Weyrlingmaster can lend a few pairs to move anything that's more robust
to damage. If there's anything you're missing or would like to swap, let
me know and we can have a look in the storerooms."

R'kede wanted to continue walking around the space to take it in, but
he had a few other tasks to do before the evening meal. "Between
what's here and what I have in my weyr, I think I'm in pretty good
shape. I'll let you know though. And you're invited to a party once
I'm settled in."

"A party?" Alyena had never been invited to a dragonrider's party
before, but she had cleaned up after a few, and hardly a sevenday went
by without some rider trying to sweet-talk bottles of wine or trays of
snacks out of her staff. This was a Wingleader, though, so perhaps it
wouldn't be quite so wild. "Thank you! I'd be delighted. Let me know if
you'd like any drinks or refreshments, and I can have some prepared and
sent up here."

"I wouldn't want to create extra work for you, but I can't say no to
refreshments," he said diplomatically. "It will take me a few
sevendays to settle into the new weyr, but I'll let you know when I
have a date." He took a final look around the space, trying to
memorize what was there. "Let's head back down."

"Good. If I can trouble you for a lift back down?" She followed him back
out on to the ledge where the brown was waiting, mentally adjusting her
plan of the Weyr. She should keep his old weyr free for the moment, she
thought, in case he chose a wingsecond who might need it. All in all,
she was glad to see this weyr occupied, rather than standing empty in
the forlorn hope that its owner might return, and she hoped R'kede would
make some better memories there.

Last updated on the April 22nd 2025

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Weyr Befitting Your Rank