Testing Boundaries (2/2)

Writers: Corrin, Duskdog
Date Posted: 24th April 2025

Characters: Sybana, M'kayre, N'dhavi
Description: Weyrsecond M’kayre steps in. He and Sybana connect over the Holdless Situation.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 15 of Turn 12

Sybana

M'kayre

N'dhavi

(cont.)

“Goldrider,” M’kayre said in a clipped tone, his eyes not actually leaving the holdless man. “Is this boy bothering you? I’m sure you’re expected somewhere.”

Those clipped tones were a welcome relief to Sybana, an elegant reprieve from the vulgar scene that had developed. She had _tried_ to be polite. She hadn’t said the words she wanted to scream-- that the holdless didn’t deserve dragons, that they couldn’t be trusted with dragons, that their feckless and wanton ways had no place in a weyr.

“Only as much as a dragonet bothers a dragon, Weyrsecond,” she replied coolly, emboldened by his presence. The smile she turned on the holdless man would have been sweet, if the look in her eyes wasn’t so cold. “But you’re right. I do have better places to be. It’s almost feeding time.”

Naldhavi seethed silently. Making a scene wouldn’t get him anywhere, of course, and getting into it with a goldrider _and_ the Weyrsecond could only end poorly for him.

“My duty to your dragons, then,” he said, though his smile betrayed some of his actual feeling now. He knew, he just didn’t care. Let them know how he felt about it. “Thank you for your time, Sybana.” He allowed himself to be familiar. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

He didn’t wait for either of them to reply -- just inclined his head briefly as if to say goodbye, and left.

“_Appalling,_” M’kayre grumbled, watching the young man retreat, before turning his attention more fully to Sybana. “Are you well? That exchange was merely verbal, I hope. He didn’t dare lay hands on you?”

“He didn’t touch me,” Sybana replied, brushing a hand over her sleeve as though to rid herself of the lingering presence of the man and his impudent familiarity. She glanced back at her guard, Rhalen, who was standing more strictly to attention than ever before. “He wouldn’t have dared.”

“Thank you for stepping in,” she continued, flashing a grateful smile. “It was becoming unpleasant.”

“Of course.” He gave a polite nod. “When I saw that ruffian accosting you, I knew it couldn’t stand. I’m certain you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself, but you shouldn’t have to so long as Dragonsfall riders are here.”

He glanced around accusingly at those still lingering in the Dining Hall.

“It isn’t safe with these _people_ free to roam wherever they please,” he continued. “Were it entirely up to me, they’d be under guard in their little camp. Allow me to escort you?”

Sybana gladly took his arm and followed him out into the cool evening air.

+++

Discretion held her tongue until they were out in the relatively privacy of the weyrbowl, but once they were out of the dining hall and the holdless camp was in clear view--a blemish upon the riverbank--she couldn’t help but confide in the older man, her voice low and fervent: “I wish they _were_ confined to their camp, under guard. Were it entirely up to me, they would be already gone.”

Tsaera had cautioned her to keep her thoughts, the ones that differed from the leadership line, to herself. Sybana felt a pang of guilt at this disloyalty, but she was so relieved and gratified to have found a likemind that the words were across her lips before she could stop them. At least the Weyrsecond wasn’t one of the hoi polloi that needed to be sheltered and led. It was surely an excusable indulgence.

M’kayre, too, was gratified to see that _someone_ here had some sense. He’d not sought the opinions of the newest goldrider, as he’d felt them largely irrelevant (for now, at least), but perhaps he should have been paying more attention, he reflected. Her development could someday be of the utmost importance to the Weyr.

“We saved them,” he said. “It was the right thing to do. I could even allow -- with proper precautions, mind you -- housing them there in the Bowl until winter has passed. But allowing them to roam free, when we have been literally keeping our goldriders under guard to keep them safe from outside threats is…” the words on the tip of his tongue were _ridiculous, idiotic, naive at best_, but even now he felt there was a level of decorum necessary in criticizing the leadership, “_not_ the decision I would make, were I completely in charge.”

The tents were an eyesore, regardless. He couldn’t keep his lip from curling at the sight of them.

“What _did_ the little ruffian want with you?”

“He said he’d been Searched, and that he wanted my ‘perspective’,” she said, disapproval darkening her tone. “_Searched_. I couldn’t believe it. Some rider out there thinks it’s a good idea to give Them a chance at a dragon. Who knows what his history is? He’s quite probably a villain. And what sort of message does that send? That a dragon's choice is more important than our laws?”

He hummed thoughtfully. “The dragon’s choice at _Impression_ is more important than our laws. But a dragon’s Search sense? We don’t _owe_ candidacy to anyone. In fact, I’d say we owe it to our dragons to thoroughly vet anyone who comes in before ever allowing them onto the Sands! We don’t sacrifice our dragons to dangerous criminals. We’re not _Dolphin Cove_.” Perish the thought. “Did the boy give you a name? His name, and the rider who Searched him? I’ll be investigating this thoroughly.”

Even though she was still a bit uneasy on the balance of Impression and Law, Sybana found that there was something deeply satisfying about how seriously M’kayre was taking things. He also saw the danger in their charity.

“He didn’t give me his name,” which she found offensive in retrospect, especially since he had made such liberal use of hers. “And he said it was bluerider. A T’kil or T’kar or something? A’nar? He didn’t remember.”

M’kayre huffed. “_Typical_. Not even enough sense or respect to remember a dragonrider’s name when given to him! These people have no respect for anyone, let alone those they should respect most. Rest-assured, though, I will find out. I have little faith in the Holds keeping proper records of all their rejects, but perhaps his crimes can be discovered. If nothing else, I believe those with violent pasts should be kept far from our hatchlings. And far from the rest of our Weyr, for that matter -- from you in particular.”

He smiled a bit -- still clearly perturbed, but more favorable in his consideration of _her_ rather than the holdless. “I cannot tell you where to go, but I would implore you to stay clear of the encampment. And call your guard to task if any of these _people_ approach you again without intervention.”

Sybana suppressed a delicate shudder. “I have no desire to go anywhere near that encampment. And Rhalen,” she glanced at the guard, “will be reminded of his duties.”

They reached the threshold of the weyrling barracks and Galgaith stirred within, sensing her closeness. Sybana could feel the gold’s hunger, her eagerness, but still she lingered, turning to M’kayre with the warmest expression she’d worn all evening. “Thank you, Weyrsecond. For your concern and your company.” She pressed his arm lightly before drawing away. “If you do find out more about that-- that boy. Please, let me know.”

“Protecting this Weyr is my duty,” M’kayre said with a solemn nod, assuming the implication that she was part of “this Weyr” was self-evident. “And yes, I will let you know what I find -- and if, or when, we send him on his way. Until then, goldrider, do be cautious. Let me know if anyone else gives you any trouble whatsoever.”

She thanked him again before slipping inside to feed her dragon. The evening significantly raised her opinion of the Weyrsecond. She found him eminently capable, considerate and kind. A gentleman. Courteous far beyond what she’d expected considering he was Nosarre’s father.

As for the holdless… she was warier than ever.

Last updated on the April 25th 2025

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Testing Boundaries (2/2)