Strapping up
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: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 25th July 2006
Characters: K'reyel, M'galec
Description: K'reyel prepares to help M'galec with a lesson on making riding straps.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 12, day 25 of Turn 3
"This leather is good enough for them to practice joining the straps to buckles on," said K'reyel as he checked it with M'galec. "Not full quality for fighting straps, but it'll do for them to learn."
"That is all we need at the moment," the Weyrlingmaster Second nodded.
"I appreciate your help. I did not want to waste good leather as practice materials."
"Nobody would, and this way they get to learn safely how to handle the materials and tools. I saw a few sets in my time that would have benefited from such practice."
"I appreciate your willingness to demonstrate you technique to the weyrlings," M'galec said as he folded up the sheets of leather and placed them back in the box. "I think it is important for them to learn from experts, and also to see that Impressing does not mean that they cannot still put their crafting skills to practical use."
"Exactly. I believe I heard one of this group was a tanner already - a bluerider I think."
"T'kala, yes he was a junior apprentice," M'galec nodded. "I hope he will decide to continue with crafting after he graduates to a fighting wing. I have told the weyrlings it is my firm belief that they must look ahead to life after Thread. They will still have a long life ahead of them after this Pass is through."
"If he finds the time to do so. They won't have quite as much time as we did. But where the craft relates to something useful for a rider to know it should be encouraged."
"I have found that every craft touches the lives of the riders, therefore would be useful in their future lives," the bronzerider replied. "After all, they must think of the future beyond, when the threat of Thread will have passed and inveriably the Holds will begin to balk at the thought of tithes. It is a historical trend, unfortunately."
"If indeed the Pass follows the style in the ancient records. We all though thread long gone," reminded K'reyel. "Staying alive and fighting this menace needs to be their main aim for the moment."
"But I will be in my nineties, and live only another twenty or thrity turns if I am lucky. These Weyrlings will barely be more than halfway through their lives," M'galec pointed out. "I practiced a craft and fought Thread successfully for three turns before coming here. Where there is a will, there is a way."
"I suppose you do have a point there. Maybe we can inspire some of them without crafts then."
"I certainly hope so. It is a safe and creative, not to mention useful way for them to spend their energy while not drilling or fighting Thread," the 'second said decisively. Encouraging riders to craft was a serious business in his mind. Too many young riders were not thinking of their future, and with the staggering amount of dragons being Clutched during the Pass, not all of them would find sustainable work as messengers and carriers.
At that moment, the weyrlings began to troop into the classroom and take their seats. "I'm ready to demonstrate this whenever you are," said K'reyel quietly to M'galec.
"Class," the bronzerider began, "We have a special honor today. Many of you know Bronzerider K'reyel as the Wingsecond of Rapids Wing. What you may not know is that he is also a Senior Journeyman Tanner as well as a Wingsecond. That is right, he is an established crafter as well as a brave dragonrider. And he has agreed to come here today to share some of his knowledge of both of his crafts with you."
"Good morning Weyrlings," began K'reyel.
"Good morning," they muttered back, slightly less enthused than their instructor, but politely listening.
Last updated on the July 26th 2006