Early Morning on a Riverboat

Writers: Ainsley1, Jane
Date Posted: 22nd May 2007

Characters: Rahona, Barli
Description: Barli gets some time alone with her sister-in-law Rahona
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 4, day 11 of Turn 4

It was still fairly early in the morning and Barli was just a little surprised to see Rahona out and about already. Her sister-in-law was standing on the balcony outside of the staterooms. Anxious for a bit of time with the other woman, but not wanting to intrude, Barli approached cautiously.

"Rahona?"

"Barli, good morning." She remembered Lineal's sister from the day before. "This is beautiful," the former lower caverns worker said as she moved her hand to indicate the river running by them. The sluggish water occasionally splashing against some obstacle or another, the cool of dawn, the sound of avians in the forest that came right down to the far bank.

Within the boat there were other noises. The roar that she was certain must be from the boilers which couldn't be far from where she stood, more than half-way along the boat. The occasional thump or clang from the main deck. Creaking as the very few people up moved about and the very faint movement underfoot as the riverboat moved a little on the river.

"Yes it is! I rather like to be up to watch us leave a waypoint, otherwise I tend to stay abed a bit longer. I'm more for watching the moons over the river rather than the sunrise," Barli said conversationally.

"I will be too, once I get settled in this time zone.
I take it you don't do the early shift in the kitchen, then?" Rahona teased gently.

Barli met this with a wry grin, "Not if I can help it.
I'll shut her down though, like as not, nearly every night," she paused looking out toward a louder sound from the forest. Feline most likely. "Does your room suit you? Must be plenty different from what you had in the Weyr. The hangings and all can easily be changed."

"Oh, no, they're beautiful too. And on the beds. But yes, it is very different. I always wanted to go with Lineal on his ship - just to see what it was like.
Now I'm getting an idea, though he says his room on the ship was half the size and full of snoring seacrafters."

Barli gave a shudder, "Now that's a sight I don't really care to think on overly much. I've shared my rooms with family near all my life, but not with strangers. Hear tell the Weyr's full of all kinds of space," though phrased as a statement, the question could be seen in Barli's eyes.

"It's huge. Dragon-sized, I suppose. Rambling, too, with corridors cut all through the cliffs to rooms here and there. If I wanted to walk from one end of the accommodation to the other it would take more than a candlemark." Rahona looked at Barli and grinned.
"There are over a thousand people living there."

A tremendous smile spread across Barli's face as she slowly shook her head, "Imagine! I'd really like to see that! And people of all sorts? I hear they've female crafters and all at the Weyr, not to mention all them dragonriders," her enthusiasm for a place so different from those she had visited was evident in Barli's excited response.

"Yes, all sorts. My -" She tried to get the relationships straight in her head. "My two brothers are dragonriders and the greenrider who helped bring us here yesterday? Her sister is a journeywoman smith. Mostly, though, we just ordinary folk. I worked in the kitchens."

"Ah, well, now that's a talent that can be used everywhere, isn't it?" Barli took note of the movements about them and realized that the riverboat would be launching before too long. "I have so many questions I want answered about the Weyr," she stated longingly.

"But it's going to be time to get busy soon. I wanted to let you know, soon as the children are settled a bit, Jezz and I'd love to have 'em for an overnight.
Extra bunks you know, and such fun to be had tellin' river stories and having late night snacks with an auntie who cares not about the daytime rules of mum and da. Should give you and my brother a bit of a time alone, when you're all settled in and ready for such," the woman offered with a knowing wink and a smile.

"That's very kind, Barli. I'm sure the children would enjoy sleeping over."

"Not at all, that's what family is all about! Jezz will be lookin' forward to it. Anything at all you need, you let me know, Rahona."

"I will," Rahona promised. "Do you think the children can watch when they start the engine up?"

"Of course! Just as well they start learnin' about the workings of this boat straightaway. Are they already up?" Barli asked in amazement. She had to drag Jezz out of bed each morning and had been known use a splash of water for particularly difficult ones.

"They will be soon, no doubt. Lineal's already up and gone off somewhere." It seemed incredible that she could lose track of him in such a small environment.
"Perhaps I could see if they need help in the kitchen."

"We can ALWAYS use help in the galley! Though, I suppose ours'll be a mite smaller than what you're used to. If you're willin' you can even fill me in on more of those 'ordinary' Weyr folk and happenings while we fix to get everyone fed."

"I'd be happy to do that, Barli."

Last updated on the May 25th 2007

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Early Morning on a Riverboat