Lessons Learned

Writers: Duskdog, Halyonix, Sia
Date Posted: 18th June 2025

Characters: M'kayre, E'kavas, I'serin
Description: I'serin talks with M'kayre and E'kavas about what happened
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 18 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Zariah, L'val

M'kayre

E'kavas

I'serin

Notes:
~*~

The Weyrleader of Dragonsfall Weyr looked as though he had not slept in months as he called E’kavas and M'kayre into his office the next morning.

His hand was bandaged neatly. His hair was tousled. He had, at least, cleaned up the ash off his face from the previous day. But it was quite obvious, upon entering the room, that something had happened overnight and that I'serin was still unsettled by it.

E'kavas gait was awkward when he arrived at the Weyrleader's office, an embarrassing but not uncommon sprain from being thrown into a harsh turn that he hadn't expected-- he and Roquath had been distracted by the chaos happening in the wing below that the two of them hadn't noticed a patch of Thread to their left. Roquath banked hard, missing the center of the clump and only catching a piece on his chest. They blinked /between/ fast enough that the only injury was a minor burn for the brown and a sprain and deep purple bruising along E'kavas' thigh. "Should we see the other guy?" He asked, gesturing at the bandage on I'serin's hand.

The joke fell flat, evident by the less-than-half-hearted huff of laughter that came from I'serin. "Please, sit," he said wearily as he motioned towards one of the open seats.

M'kayre was in one piece, at least, as he entered and glanced over I'serin. He didn't recall the Weyrleader getting injured in Threadfall, and he was sure he would have noticed if he had. "You asked to see us?" he said diplomatically as he sat, though his eyes lingered on I'serin's hand.

I'serin nodded. "I will not take up much of your time," he said. He did not hide his bandaged hand like he wanted to. Instead, he pulled on the shame and anger he still felt simmering, as he began talking. "First, I must apologize again for my error during Threadfall yesterday. I..." He wanted to call forth an excuse. He wanted to tell them how exhausted he was from the last few days, how much stress he was under because of the Holdless. But an excuse would not absolve him. "I will do better next time," he instead said.

"By now, word may have spread that I...lost my temper with my father, A'len, last night," he continued, raising his bandaged hand. "Because of this, I will be unable to fly the next Fall, possibly the one after that." He looked at M'kayre. "I will need you to take charge of drills and fighting until I am declared fit for duty again."

E'kavas sat gingerly at the edge of his seat. He hadn't heard the rumor yet, but that sounded like Zariah would be around with gossip later. Normally he might've asked, but not in an official meeting with M'kayre sitting right there. He glanced between them both, silent.

M'kayre had heard the rumor, but hadn't realized the injury was a result of that. "Of course," he replied, nodding. "As you're not doubt aware, I'm more than prepared to take charge until you're once again fit for duty. Perhaps the break will give you a chance to... clear your head." He could only imagine that A'len's continued antics had been part of what had weighed on the Weyrleader's mind during Threadfall. "And as for your father... _good_. A'len has always been a rider that I considered respectable, but in his apparent desire to live vicariously through you -- in the absence of becoming Weyrleader, himself -- he has clearly forgotten how to comport himself. It's long past time he was reminded, before he makes an even bigger fool of himself than he already has. I can only hope your little... tussle... has given him a chance to pause and reflect, as well."

In all honesty, I'serin had expected M'kayre to defend A'len on some front. He was, as M'kayre said, a well-respected rider, being a former Wingleader. It was heartening to hear that, even just for this one instance, I'serin had M'kayre's support against A'len's meddling antics. "A'len, and his latest decisions, is something that I intend to address for certain," he added, thinking about how Saibra mentioned possibly transferring the bronzerider to another Weyr. But that was a conversation for later.

The Weyrleader took a slow, steadying breath. "I am afraid to ask but...how is the Weyr today? And your own dragons?" Shells, he had forgotten to ask about that. He needed to sleep, for days if possible.

"Roquath and I have our pride hurt and some bruising, but we'll be fine for next Fall." E'kavas began, then continued carefully, "Multiple injuries across Teal and Cyan Wings, ranging from some superficial scoring to severe injuries. A couple pairs need long-term care and it's too soon to know if they'll eventually be able to return to the Wings. One dragonless, and currently only two dragonpairs lost entirely. It could have been worse-- healers expect we should still have an acceptable complement for the next Threadfall."

"Bhelth is fine and healthy, fit to fly," M'kayre said, not without some pride. "We were luckier than Teal and Cyan, of course," he added, his tone shifting into something decidedly _judgier_. "You're going to have your work cut out for you regaining _their_ respect, I have to say."

Privately, he thought that I'serin's injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the young Weyrleader. It might look as if he's unconfident in his own ability to lead (at best) and as if he's hiding or unwilling to face his riders (at worst). It could be handled, possibly, with the right support and a great deal of finesse, but... well. That was I'serin's own problem. The Weyr would persist, regardless, so long as M'kayre was there to lead competently in his stead while he... hopefully... got himself straight.

I'serin was keenly aware of the atonement he would be making. "I am scheduled to speak with L'val and S'lahr separately after this meeting," he informed M'kayre gravely. "And I will see to the injured riders personally. It was my mistake that cost them. It is on me to let them know that their sacrifices were not in vain." The dragonless riders would be the hardest but I'serin would find the courage somehow. "Without rearranging the entire hierarchy of the Weyr, I am open to any ideas on how to prevent this sort of error again, if you have them."

"Become better," M'kayre replied bluntly. "As to how to do that... well, as I've said, fix your head. I cannot pretend to know what's plaguing you enough to have caused such a lapse in judgment. You've flown plenty of 'Falls in control of your Weyr up until now, with relatively little issue, so I'd not chalk it up to a rookie mistake. Regardless..." and his tone softened, almost imperceptibly, "Your plan right now is sound. Face the wingleaders, face your riders. You clearly understand the gravity of the situation, and are clearly endeavoring to ensure it never happens again. If you were merely a wingrider, I would say practice until it becomes second-nature, and I'd drill you until you had it down or you dropped. If you were a wingsecond, I would demote you and let you watch someone else in your role for a while. But obviously errors _this_ high in the chain of command aren't so simple to fix." He paused, cocking his head. "I'll... honestly give it some thought, however. For now, focus on what you can immediately control -- the needs of your riders -- and on healing so that you can return to duty."

"Speak to the dead riders' families, too." E'kavas added somberly. "Those are the worst casualties of this Threadfall. What happened out there?"

The Weyrleader accepted M'kayre's scathing assessment with stoic patience, though he felt as though he was being whipped by the truth. "I... have not been sleeping well lately," he admitted, thinking of the nightmares that were plaguing him at night and the pressures that haunted him during the day. "I began the Threadfall knowing that we were in Fall 77 and...lost my concentration during the crossover. I gave the crossover call for Fall 78."

"And they executed it perfectly... to their eternal regret," M'kayre said drily. "If sleep is the issue, see a healer. They'll get you the controlled dose of fellis that you need."

I'serin closed his eyes to mask the sting he felt at those words. "Wise advice. And one I should have taken sooner." Surely asking another healer for privacy on the matter would prevent someone from telling his healer mother. "I will do so. Tonight." He exhaled slowly through his nose. "Is there anything more you two feel I need to address today?"

E’kavas shifted slightly in his seat, the ache in his thigh a constant, throbbing reminder of his own mistakes during yesterday's Fall. "No, sir." He said, "But whatever is going on with you lately...you need to work through it. Or get over it, if that's what it takes. This little mistake cost us. How bad is the next one going to be?"

The Weyrleader of Dragonsfall Weyr looked like he was going to be sick.

"Noted," he answered in a strangled tone. E'kavas was absolutely right. Aluneth rumbled his own agreement, though he pressed lovingly against I'serin's mind to support his rider as he looked to see if M'kayre had anything more to add.

"Couldn't have said it better, myself," M'kayre agreed, but that was all.

I'serin nodded. "I...thank you both. For your...insight. I will take it all into close consideration," he vowed. "Dismissed."

Last updated on the July 15th 2025

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