Snake in the Grass

Writers: Halyonix, Heather, Yvonne
Date Posted: 11th July 2025

Characters: Tsaera, M'kall, A'len
Description: A'len tries to work an angle with Tsaera and M'kall
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 19 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: M'kayre, Saibra

M'kall

Notes:
~*~

He didn't want to strike while the fire was too hot but he also didn't
want to wait too long for the feelings to fade into memory. And it was
the feelings that were pivotal. There was plenty of historical
precedents of young, inexperienced Weyrleaders -- some even younger
than I'serin -- and their plethora of mistakes but A'len didn't want
people to focus on that. He wanted them to focus on the present, the
pain, and use that to leverage power.

He bowed to venerable Tabanirth as he approached, having had Tirenth
announce him beforehand, and he waited for entry.

M'kall had been less than pleased when the dragons had informed them
that A'len was on approach. He and Tsaera had been enjoying a quiet
evening by the fire, keeping their bones warm. The book he'd been
reading was now laid aside, but Tsaera's feet remained on the pillow
in his lap.

"Welcome, A'len," Tsaera said as the bronzerider entered. She gestured
to an empty seat by the fire. "It's good to see you. Join us for a
bit?"

A'len swept into the space with the aura of a Wingleader coming to
speak with a Weyrwoman. And even though his words were gracious as he
took a proffered seat, he only diminished that aura slightly. "Staying
warm, I hope?" he asked of the two, a broad smile on his face.

"Doing our best," M'kall said cordially. He had known A'len for many,
many Turns. A'len wasn't the type to make casual visits. There was
absolutely something up, but M'kall couldn't guess what it was....
Something to do with the Holdless, maybe? They had been the source of
many conversations among dragonriders recently.

"Aren't we all," A'len agreed. "Especially with all of this snow. We
could use a good hard frost though. Something to really aid the Weyr
against Thread for a sevenday or two. Especially after a Fall like
that last one."

Tsaera made a face. "That was a hard one, wasn't it."

Even M'kall, who was rarely critical, said, "Some mistakes were certainly made."

"We all know he's doing his best -- the mantle of Weyrleader isn't
easy, right? But Falls like the last one, they just make me wonder
sometimes. Wonder if we shouldn't ask someone else to take over for a
bit, so that the boy can shadow another, more experienced leader."
A'len made is sound so reasonable, to be bucking tradition the way he
was.

Tsaera made a non-commital sound. "Perhaps, if he were younger and not
wearing the Weyrleader's knots. You were shaken by the last 'Fall,
A'len?"

M'kall kept his face neutral as he waited for A'len's reply. To unseat
a Weyrleader was practically unheard of -- even one that was
inexperienced or a poor leader. The Weyr typically just survived the
ineptness until the Weyrwoman's queen rose again. M'kall remembered
once when he was much younger, a horrible Weyrleader being easily
replaced in the next flight. He remembered hearing the adults at the
time saying how the will of the Weyr had influenced the senior queen
to choose a different bronze in the next flight. Even now, M'kall
wasn't sure if that was true or just a coincidence.

"Worried! He's my Weyrleader _and_ my son! How could I not be
worried?" A'len answered, projecting the aura of a concerned parent.
"I want him to succeed but I worry that too much has been placed on
him. Not even a Wingthird knot under his belt and suddenly thrust into
the leading position."

"He's been flying Thread as long as the rest of us, A'len. None of us
have more than twelve Turns of experience," M'kall pointed out. "He
received the same training and instruction as we all did. Being at the
beginning of a Pass put us all on the same footing in that respect.
He's certainly not the first bronzerider to not have been a Wingthird
or Wingsecond or even a Wingleader before their bronze caught a queen.
Coming up during an Interval, we had the fortunate of having more
bronzeriders than available rank." It bothered M'kall when the words
"young Weyrleader" were put in the same sentence as I'serin. **He's
thirty-six shardin' Turns old,** M'kall thought to himself, which was
far too old to have his father looking over his shoulder.

"I'm aware that he's not the first bronzerider to take on the responsibility young and inexperienced," A'len countered, keeping his tone as level as possible. He didn't need to lose his temper like he had with M'kayre but didn't _anyone_ else think that I'serin needed to be...sanctioned? Relieved? "And there have been instances in the past where a council of Wingleaders leads the Weyr more than the Weyrleader in instances like that. For the sake and safety of the Weyr, of course."

M'kall privately thought A'len was reaching a bit, but he didn't understand why. Was it just fatherly worry over I'serin? Or was it something else?

"Have you brought this up to I'serin?"

"I have," A'len answered. He desperately wanted to raise his voice in exasperation over that but he kept his tone in check. "He's not speaking to me, or anyone, really, about what happened. He knows he made a mistake but isn't willing to work towards its rectification. He thinks he just needs more experience." It was mostly a lie but it served A'len's purpose.

Tsaera put a hand on M'kall's knee. "Who else have you spoken to about this?"

"The Weyrsecond but he was having a bad day and didn't want to listen," A'len lied airily. "Can't blame him on the bad day, for certain. We're all having those right now." He leaned forward, concentrating his charm into a pinpoint focus. "I'm not a fan of having to go behind the Weyrleader's back on anything, you know that. I'm a concerned rider and the matter of I'serin also being my son complicates things. I want him _and_ the Weyr safe. You can't fault me for wanting to keep our casualties low."

"The Weyr's safety is paramount." Tsaera sighed. At least M'kayre had the sense not to encourage A'len, although she made a mental note to speak with the Weyrsecond herself when she had the chance. Hopefully A'len hadn't spoken to anyone else. A Weyr needed confidence in its Weyrleader. When Thread was in the air, hesitation could mean death - and A'len's condemnation of I'serin would carry more weight than the average Dining Cavern gossip since I'serin was his own son. "I hear your concern, A'len. Thank you for bringing this to me and _not_ going behind anyone's back. I'll speak with Saibra."

It wasn't the exact win he was hoping for but he would take it. "I thank you, weyrwoman. Deeply. I knew I could entrust you with my concerns." He slid from his seat and bowed. "I'll leave you two to your relaxation," he said with a wink at M'kall.

"Let's catch up over ale next Restday," M'kall said to A'len with a nod of his head. Mostly, he hoped the next time he talked to his friend that A'len would be over this notion of trying to circumvent the Weyrleader.

"Good night, A'len." As she watched him close the door, she couldn't help but think that he was becoming a bigger problem than she'd initially suspected. It was hard for all of them to watch the next generation take over the Weyrs, but replacing the Weyrleader?! **Tell Saibra I wish to speak with her tomorrow,** she told Tabanirth. **I think we have much to discuss.**

Last updated on the July 15th 2025

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Snake in the Grass