What could it mean?

Writers: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 29th December 2005

Characters: Thanja, Almonteo
Description: The Harper Hallmaster and his Second discuss what Eggs on the Sands could mean for the youth of their Hall
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 3

Almonteo

The excitement had drifted down to the Harper Hall proper by the end of the day. It was impossible to miss out, there was a sense of something, something new in the air.

And there was; eggs were on the sands at the Weyr, a good sized clutch if the rumours were to be believed. That no doubt would draw the attention of the apprentices and perhaps some of the younger journeymen.
What child on Pern hadn't grown up dreaming of dragons? Of the chance to ride one of those magnificent creatures.

But now there was danger, the return of thread proved that. Two of her own children were riders, and Thanja went through agonies each time thread fell, what if something happened to them?

With those thoughts mulling through her head, she went to look for Almonteo, the apprentices were bound to ask about it, and it would be best to have a unified stance on this.

The eggs were on the Hallmaster's mind as well. This was a new situation, one that he had known he would have to deal with eventually.
He just didn't realize it would happen so _soon_.

Almonteo smiled as his Hallsecond walked into his office. "So you've heard about the eggs on the Sands, I take it?"

"News travels fast here," she replied.

"Yes, carried on dragonwings, it seems," he said with a grin.

"And the apprentices will also have heard," she said.

"No doubt," Almonteo nodded, his grin faultering a little. "The questions will start soon."

"And we both know what question will be asked." There was no denying that fact.

"Oh yes," the Hallmaster nodded. It was a question he was sure on many a young man, and woman's, mind. "Have a seat, Thanja. I think we should come up with an answer for them, if possible."

She did sit, perching on the edge of the chair. "It worries me that they might want to stand for the wrong reasons. Don't get me wrong, two of my children are riders, but I don't want peer pressure involved in this."

"Well, my understanding is that if the candidate's heart is not in it they will not Impress." Of course, Almonteo would be the first to admit he was far from expert on such matters. "I'm more concerned with the distraction Candidate classes would prove."

"Although some impress anyway, my An'dr did, and that we can't stop."

"Of course. The dragon's know best. And who are we to stand in their way? And its not as if they cannot continue to study after they Impress."

"It just that..." she began. "It's dangerous, I'd just not rather face parents with it."

Almonteo's brows rose in surprise at her choice of words. "Dangerous?"

"Thread," she said. "I go through agonies everytime my two fly in fall.
I don't want other parents to go through that unnecessarily. I know that it is their choice, but I look at my two and see the children they were, and then see what happens to those who are not so lucky."

"Well, I too have a daughter who is a dragonrider, but I would not have kept Almora from Impressing for all of Pern. She is so happy with her little green..." Though he could understand exactly what she meant about worrying each Threadfall.

Thanja hadn't known that fact, or perhaps it wasn't common knowledge. In any case it meant he understood the worry of a parent. "Perhaps this is a discussion we should be having with the Weyrleaders?" she suggested.
If they were to say yes or no once and for all...

Almonteo nodded. "Yes, perhaps. But you did raise a valid point. Our parents are not just sending their sons... and daughters... to give them a chance to stand. They must have some say."

"Perhaps we should suggest that anyone wishing to stand should obtain their parent's consent? With all the firelizards around here, sending letters is not going to be hard," she suggested.

"True. But there has to be an age at which the child choses for themself I should think."

"What if we ask that those who are junior apprentices to obtain consent?" The vast majority if junior apprentices would be under fifteen. "Hmm. Yes. Or perhaps all unders a certain age rather than rank." The Hallmaster taped his fingers on his desk idly. "But we should speak to the Weyrleaders about this matter. Their input might be helpful." He might also consult the Dolphin Hallmaster. They might have had this situation come up before. "Then I'll have messages sent to the Hallmaster, and the Weyrleaders."

He smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Thanja. I would appreciate that."

"Consider it done."

Last updated on the December 30th 2005

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

What could it mean?