Decision
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
Date Posted: 5th August 2025
Characters: I'serin, A'len
Description: I'serin informs A'len of his decision
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 21 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Saibra, L'val, M'kayre, Tsaera, E'kavas, K'mai
Notes:
~*~
I’serin’s fingers rested on the two signatures at the bottom of the paper.
He knew it was the right move. He thought about M’kayre and E’kavas, how they had adjured him to find a solution to whatever had bothered him enough to make that disastrous crossover call. He thought about Saibra, who not only had not judged him for his admission but had also encouraged him to take this very step. Tsaera, L’val…others. Whatever regard the leading members of the Weyr once held for A’len had withered somewhere along the way over this Turn. Now, they looked to I’serin to draw the line.
**Call in Tirenth’s rider.** Formalities. He could hide behind those. He had done it for Turns. This was not his father he was speaking with -- this was an insubordinate rider who needed to be reprimanded and removed. He could do this.
As expected, A’len did not knock. He simply walked in. “Well, at least that shardin’ bluerider isn’t here,” he remarked with snide joviality. It set I’serin’s teeth on edge immediately, yet reaffirmed his decision. It helped that if he thought of his father as someone he did not know intimately, say, a wingrider from one of the other Wings, he could distance himself more and see the behavior for what it was: arrogant, self-seeking, disrespectful. “Please tell me you’ve called me here to tell me that you’re reinstating the _traditionally_ River Bluff Wings.”
“Rider A’len,” I’serin said with what he hoped was command in his tone. “Have a seat.”
“No need to use that voice with me, boy,” A’len replied as he sat down. “I’m the one that taught you how to use that.”
“Perhaps,” I’serin answered evenly, “but that is not the discussion we are having today.” With his heart hammering, he rotated the transfer paper so that A’len could read it and slide it his way.
His father read the paper. Twice. And I’serin felt like he was going to throw up.
}: Courage, :{ Aluneth whispered, bolstering his rider quickly.
“What. The shell. Is this?!” A’len asked, punctuating each word precisely. “A _transfer_?! You’re TRANSFERRING me?!” He erupted from the chair, throwing the paper down. “You think you have the _authority_ to transfer me?! Who gave you this idea? Was it that bluerider? Was it M’kayre?” A’len had rounded the desk and was in I’serin’s face. “You ungrateful brat! I got you to where you are! I was-”
“ENOUGH!” I’serin yelled. Feeling weak in his guts, he still stood. He had to. He could not back down from his decision now. If A’len was going to use his playbook of attacking I’serin through emotionally charged words, I’serin was going to parry with logic and truth. “As Weyrleader, I _do_ have the authority, the right to transfer out any rider that I see fit. And, as you can see by the signatures, I am not the only one who agreed to that. And while I was the one who brought it to the table, it was heartily agreed upon by others, A’len.”
Outside, Tirenth roared indignantly. Aluneth immediately answered with a sharp bellow, demanding the elder bronze’s silence.
A silence that stretched for a terrible heartbeat while I’serin mentally regrouped for his next flurry of attacks.
“You forget, rider, who is Weyrleader here. A conversation that we have had _multiple_ times over the last few months. You have repeatedly breached protocol when it comes to your rank and mine, so much so that your brazen ambition is ruining the harmony of this Weyr and has soured your good faith with other riders. Even if you rose to Wingleader again, none would follow you, because frankly, you are not a _good_ leader. Not anymore.”
“You little fu-”
“Be _quiet_, A’len!”
Surprisingly, he did. But fury glittered in his flashing eyes. I’serin already felt exhausted from having to deal with this man. When had the chains become so wearying? Was this the next step of his healing, ready to shed this restrictive shell? “This decision was mine to make,” I’serin said in a low tone. “Had you respected my rank and the decisions I make with my life, we would have been having a very different conversation. But since you decided to act as you have, this is my response.”
I’serin inhaled deeply as he met A’len’s furious gaze. “You have three days until you are expected at Far Island Weyr.”
“Your moth-”
“Healer Isoria may make her own decision whether or not to accompany you.” Shells, that felt so disgusting to say. I’serin hated the thought of having to say farewell to his mother but he had to hold his fragile ground. “Dismissed.”
“If you think-”
“I said _dismissed_, rider!”
There was a moment, a terrible pause between heartbeats, where I’serin thought that his father might throw a punch. It was written in his expression. I’serin was not sure he would be able to maintain his composure if so. But then, I’serin watched as the mental gears turned and A’len shifted tactics, retreating until he had a better advantage.
As A’len left I’serin’s office, the young Weyrleader could only imagine what that might be.
Last updated on the August 29th 2025