Holding a Grudge

Writers: Shawna, Sia
Date Posted: 15th August 2025

Characters: E'kavas, Zariah
Description: Zariah brings frustrations and books
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 19 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: L’val, T’mhas, I’serin, Saibra, O’dyn, M'kayre, T’gyrlan, K’mai

E'kavas

“E’kavas!” The yell came from the ledge above Roquath’s, “Are you home? I have your book delivery.” It was late- after dinner, but not so late that he should be asleep. Or so she hoped, “I even made sure you got your first choice.”

E'kavas didn't shout, but Roquath rumbled a greeting instead, lifting himself up into his hind legs and stretching to try and peer up between ledges. The kids did scramble for their own books when she arrived- a high-flying dragon adventure for Kevia and a child investigator series for 'Nico. The books E'kavas passed back to Zariah were well-loved, though not badly damaged.

"I appreciate it. It's hard to keep them entertained when it's too cold outside." He said. "Tea?"

Zariah reached down to pat the tip of the brown nose she could reach before bustling down to the weyr below, loaded up with an armload of books. She took the books from the previous order back, giving them a quick once over before tsking, “Kevia, I gave you a bookmark. You have to stop folding over the corners.” It was the resigned tone of someone who knew the scold was falling on deaf ears.

“I’d love some tea. Today was exhausting. Everyone wanted to argue with me about their dues or why they didn’t get their first choice.” Zariah shook her head, “It’s like they’re taking the book dragon for granted now. Not one of my stops even tried to feed me, I had to snag dinner from the Printer Hall, and Raleri wouldn’t even join me! Apparently she had a study session!”

"Welcome to the teen turns. Jev is the same and he's just in the candidate barracks." E'kavas said mildly, "I'm sorry people are being rude. Did you suggest that tea and a snack might get them their first choice? I've had some success with that."

“Ugh. I’m not enjoying the teen Turns.” Zariah flopped onto a seat, “E’kavas, are you implying I should encourage people to bribe me? I would never. I am an upstanding Book Dragon with Integrity.”

"Relsath is the Book Dragon." E'kavas pointed out. "It's not bribery, it's showing appreciation for the job you're doing. Although you're right, I shouldn't be encouraging you. The Weyrleader's wingsecond should set a better example."

“Alright, if you’re going to get technical about it, but ‘Book Dragon Rider’ doesn’t sound as snappy. Is it weird being a Weyrleader’s wingsecond? Since there’s a Weyrsecond? I always thought the Weyrleader’s wing was asking for a ‘too many cooks’ issue. Hard not to wonder if that’s not what happened…” Her expression soured.

E'kavas frowned. "No. Most of my job is outside of Threadfall, because we've got M'kayre to lead if I'serin has to leave. Coaching individual riders, getting the new weyrlings settled in, doing the Search and Sweep schedules. Getting T'mhas up to speed." His nose also wrinkled briefly to match the sour expression at the thought before smoothing into a more neutral look. "We all moved on I'serin's orders."

“I’m going to tell T’mhas you said that,” Zariah lied. Sighing, she said, “I know. He said jump and we all jumped… I’m lucky Relsath is so fast. I could have reached out and touched that blue from Teal who was in our spot. I’m still having nightmares about it.”

"I didn't say anything." E'kavas protested. "Cyan-- _Alpine_ Wing-- was very lucky to make it out the way they did. It was like time stood still for a minute. All I could do was watch."

Zariah rolled her eyes, “Don't get me started on the name change. It's not like we're going to forget who's missing just because we have a new wing name. I just got a new cyan blue jacket. I'm not tossing it,” she added defiantly.

"You don't have to toss any of your stuff." E'kavas said dryly, "As long as the jacket doesn't have 'Cyan Wing Best Wing' along the back. I'm sure you look very nice in bright blue."

“No, I hadn't gotten around to embroidering it yet,” Zariah teased. “It's just silly. What was wrong with the colors? It was so easy. We'd better not have to get used to new wing names with every new Weyrleader now.”

"Ah yes, Wingleader L'val of…That Wing." E'kavas said, "Do you have any bets going on how long it takes for people to transition? We're going to be turns before people stop using the old names. We're such creatures of habit."

“Oh, we’ll call it Alpine in our wing reports and Cyan behind his back, and I just hope Chioneth rises sooner rather than later and whoever replaces him has the good sense to change things back. It will be an easy way to earn a lot of good will. I know I’serin is your friend and I’m sure he’s fine as a person, but I’m counting down the days until I can stop worrying he’s going to get me killed.”

"I understand. Though I think Saibra has some say over the Wing names themselves." E'kavas said with a shrug. "There's no telling who will win Chioneth when the time comes. Could be someone with even less experience. Could be M'kayre. There are always worse options."

“Oh, Saibra shares some blame in this,” Zariah acknowledged. “I'm not sure the options get any worse than ‘ordered two wings into the same spot’, though. M’kayre’s an awful dinner partner, but he’s not likely to make a mistake like that. I feel a little sick at hearing myself say that, but,” she shrugged.

E'kavas gave a soft grunt of agreement. "He's done almost a full turn without any major mishaps." He said instead, carefully. "Not every Threadfall can be the perfect threadfall. It was only a matter of time. It's awful all around, and it was a _bad_ mistake, but it could have just as easily been me giving that order."

“Maybe, but it didn't happen to you. And changing the wing names after just feels like an attempt to pretend it didn’t happen,” Zariah shrugged one shoulder. “But we’ll see what happens, you’re right.”

"Oh, much worse would happen to me if I was Weyrleader. Believe me, I've had enough nightmares about it to know." E'kavas said. "It's all awful. We don't have to be happy about it, but nobody is the villain here." Then, after a beat, "I'm not the right person to vent to about it, I'm sorry."

“No, you’re fine. It doesn’t help to get all riled up,” Zariah said. “And it’s not like I should be ranting at anyone else, either. T’gyrlan would not approve,” she managed a weak chuckle. “He might tell I’serin, and that would make for an awkward time to find out I’serin knows me by name.”

"I don't think he'd tell on you, but he might lecture you. Luckily you have ways to shut him up." E'kavas teased. "Doesn't I'serin already know you? He's a bookish type. It'd be even worse to know the delivery woman is holding a grudge. Hm. Maybe I should tell him."

“I would never use my powers against T’gyrlan for evil,” Zariah promised solemnly. “Don’t you dare interfere with my side job. Besides, K’mai has proven he’s willing to fund the book subscription without I’serin’s input, so you’re going to the wrong person to get me fired.”

"I don't have to get you fired. Just… maybe I'serin asks for that little printer dragonboy instead. And the kiddo can report right to you afterwards."

Zariah went completely still, eyes unfocusing, “I’m trying to imagine the boy who talks too much and the man who talks too little in the same room. Let’s not do that.”

Last updated on the August 29th 2025

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Holding a Grudge