Severance
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: Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 31st July 2025
Characters: Saibra, I'serin
Description: I'serin talks to Saibra about his decision
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 19 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: E'tariax, N'vanik, Ki'ben, Saidrene
Notes:
*******
It was placed away from all of his other hidework. One simple sheaf of paper, one simple form. A name, a reason, a destination.
All it was missing was his signature.
I’serin had signed half a dozen of these transfer papers before in his short term as Weyrleader. All voluntary. At least one of them had been because of a rider eager to get away from his inexperience. The rest had been more amicable. But there would be nothing amicable or voluntary about this one.
He was still staring at it, telling himself that it was the correct move, that it was the allowed move, when Saibra walked in for lunch.
“Dragontails, with all the fixings,” the Weyrwoman said, setting the tray down on I’serin’s desk. Her eyes fell on the transfer paper. “Is this a working lunch?”
He was still for another long moment before answering, “Perhaps.” But he pushed the paper to the side so that he could enjoy the dragontails she had brought. “Saibra, have you ever had to lock someone out of your life?” he asked softly.
“Not exactly, but I’ve been close.” She thought about Ki’ben. “Saidrene did it with me, though,” she said softly, taking her seat. “She moved to Barrier Lake to put distance between us…. It has improved our relationship, actually.”
It was a role reversal of what was happening with him but I’serin sensed that there was something to be gleaned there. “Your daughter with your granddaughter, correct?” He knew he had it right. It was the for the granddaughter that I’serin had gifted Saibra the journal. “Will you tell me what transpired there?”
“It’s very difficult to tell it all,” Saibra said hesitantly. Going back there was like opening the lid on a seething cauldron. The contents might come heaving out if she wasn’t careful. “Let me boil it down to this, she was stifled living in the shadow of her Weyrwoman mother. Our paths were continually setting us on a collision course. She could never be her own person.”
The left side of his mouth quirked with a knowing, ironic smile.
“And as someone who has been on the receiving end of that, what advice would you give to someone like me, who is about to repeat a piece of your history with someone else?” he asked quietly.
“Do it.” Saibra’s voice was soft. “Set the boundaries that you need. Either your father will come around and your relationship will improve, or he won’t. You’ll be free either way.”
Free.
The word fluttered on fragile little wings within his heart. He idly wondered what that would truly feel like, to be free of A’len’s constant presence, to be his own person fully. Not just as lover but as leader and friend. It was a bright, scary dream, much like E’tariax told him it would be. “Thank you,” he said with quiet, heartfelt gratitude. “I…have been debating it for sevendays now. It is not an easy decision to make.”
“It is an impossible decision and you’re strong to make it.” Saibra picked up one of the dragontails she’d brought along. “A’len could be a good dragonrider for another Weyr. He has experience. He’s knowledgeable. The separation will be good for him. Help him think more clearly, maybe.”
And help I’serin think more clearly.
The young Weyrleader inhaled and exhaled softly. “You are correct,” he agreed, though he did not feel strong at all. He felt…scared…like he was cutting away something familiar, something that comforted him, even though it pained him greatly. But had not N’vanik advised him of the same thing for the same reason? Something about holding on to chains.
}: I am here, :{ Aluneth said softly, encouragingly. }: No matter what you decide. :{
Still scared, I’serin realized that he had to do this. He had to make the decisions that were best for him and the Weyr, else they would end up with another disastrous Threadfall. “If I can get your signature on the transfer form before you leave, please?” he asked of Saibra.
Saibra took one of the writing utensils off I’serin’s desk and signed her name, putting an extra flourish on the ‘S’. “Clear skies, A’len,” she said, sliding the paper back to the Weyrleader.
Last updated on the August 1st 2025