Venturing Forth

Writers: Bree
Date Posted: 1st April 2007

Characters: Jynrek, Shalai
Description: Jynrek talks to Shalai about how she's settling in to the Weyr, and tries to coax her to leave the infirmary.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 3, day 2 of Turn 4

"Good morning, Shalai." Jynrek set a tray down on the small table where Shalai had spread out her latest drawing and took the seat opposite hers. "I've brought breakfast for us both."

Shalai looked up at Jynrek, her shy smile making her look much younger than she really was. "Thank you, Master Jynrek."

Jynrek shook his head as he poured them both a glass of juice. "Shalai, I've told you enough times by now. Just call me by my name." He slid the glass across the table and then glanced at her drawing. "May I look at that?"

"It's nothing special," she said quickly, wiping her charcoal smudged fingers off on her skirt with no regard for the mess it made. "I woke up early, and it helped... helped make things quiet."

"I thought you said it was getting easier," Jyrenk said gently, reaching his hand out to rest it on Shalai's. The first few sevendays had been hard on the woman as she'd struggled to adjust to the constant undertone of dragons talking to each other. There had been bad days when she'd begged to be sedated, and even worse days when she'd gotten so upset that the healers had been forced to sedate her for her own safety.

The only thing that seemed to help was the drawing. Jynrek had commandeered an impressive collection of pencils and charcoals for her, with all the hides and paper she wanted. He hoped that in time she'd learn to cope without spending nights awake drawing endless portraits, but for now he was simply pleased that she seemed to be making progress.

Shalai looked slightly self-conscious now, and her eyes dropped back to her drawing. "I was having... dreams again."

"Ahhhh." Jynrek smiled and gave her hand a friendly pat. "Well, we'll have Th'ron pay you a visit this afternoon. He left this morning to visit his grandchildren at Dolphin Cove, but he said he'd be back to see you. Perhaps you can tell him about the dreams?"

"I will," Shalai promised. She reached out and traced one of the lines in her sketch absently, smudging the shadow on the cheek of the man she'd drawn. "Th'ron is very nice. And I like his dragon."

Jynrek gave her hand another pat before pulling back to set out their breakfast. "And Th'ron says his dragon likes you as well." Finding her a healer who was also a dragonrider had been Jynrek's highest priority, considering her talents. He only wished that U'val was in better shape. Th'ron was still an active rider, and it limited the time he could spend with Shalai.

Once breakfast was set out, Jynrek shifted Shalai's drawing carefully to the side. "Th'ron told me that he said you could start exploring the Weyr almost a sevenday ago, but the apprentices say you still haven't left the infirmary by yourself."

Shalai gave him a startled look at the change in subject, her hand frozen on a sweetroll. "I--I wasn't sure--"

Jynrek smiled gently at her. "You aren't a prisoner, Shalai. You could even have your own rooms, if you wanted, outside of the infirm--"

"No!" Shalai's cheeks flushed and she shook her head. "Not yet. I can't. I don't know if--"

"If what?" he asked gently.

"It's better like this," she replied firmly. "It's better."

The Weyrhealer tilted his head to the side and regarded Shalai thoughtfully. "Shalai, if there's anything you need to tell me..."

But Shalai shook her head quickly. "No. No, I just need some more time, please. I was there for so long..."

"All right," Jynrek said quickly, reaching out to clasp her hand again. "It's all right, Shalai. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. You can stay here for as long as you like." And the very fact that she seemed so upset by the idea of living on her own made him wonder what else was going on that she hadn't told anyone about. It hadn't taken Jynrek more than a sevenday of observing her to be convinced that there was more going on with Shalai than just hearing dragons.

Wanting to change the subject, he gestured to the drawing. "Is that Thian again? He was your husband, wasn't he?"

Shalai nodded warily, her eyes darting to the left briefly. Out of habit, Jynrek followed her gaze, but saw nothing. By the time he looked back, her lips were tight but she was staring directly at him. "He was my husband," she agreed, her voice sounding forceful.

"It's a very good drawing," Jynrek said, resisting the temptation to glance to the side again. The way she was looking at him so intently made him think she was trying very hard to ignore something. "Perhaps you should meet some of the harpers who specialize in art. I thought Th'ron had offered to introduce you to one or two of them."

"He did," she replied, her voice still strained. After a moment, her eyes flicked to the side again, and she visibly relaxed. When her eyes slid back to him, she looked almost determined. "Could I go for a walk after breakfast?" she asked hesitantly. "Just down to the beach."

Jynrek smiled encouragingly. "Of course you can. Just be back to meet Th'ron after the midday meal. The rest of the time is your own, my dear."

"Thank you, Ma--Jynrek." Shalai took a sip of her juice and managed a smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Shalai." And though he was proud that she was going to venture forth, Jynrek made a mental note to make sure someone was keeping an eye on her. Whatever progress she was making, it was clear enough that she wasn't recovered yet.

He just hoped that some day she would be.

Last updated on the April 3rd 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Venturing Forth