You Had the Authority

Writers: Ames, Chelle
Date Posted: 1st April 2013

Characters: Rhosyn, Gelira
Description: The Weyrwoman speaks to the candidate about what happened.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 13, day 29 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: N'vanik, K'sedel, Reeva, Solieira, Y'gel

After the whole debacle with N'vanik, Rhosyn rested and ignored the
rest of the world. Once the fever abated and she was able to eat, she
waited for Gelira to show her face. She knew it wasn?t the girl?s fault-
N'vanik was just as hardheaded as Rhosyn was and it was probably a
mistake to send a girl to block him anyhow. Still, if Gelira was ever going
to be a good dragonhealer or even a rider-hopefully goldrider-she was
going to have to learn how to stand up and take control of a situation.

She entered the room, looking around a bit sheepishly when she
realized Rhosyn was awake. She knew the goldrider was probably upset
about what had happened, but she hadn't known how to stop the
Weyrleader from entering. He _was_ after all a Weyrleader.

"Feeling any better?" she asked, as she moved over to check on Rhosyn's
needs.

"Some. Nice to have food again. And to even want it." She was quiet for
a bit as she watched Y'gel's daughter. "Gelira, tell me what you think about
everything that happened." Her tone was curious, waiting to hear the girl's
opinion.

She bit her lip, wondering what Rhosyn would say to her thoughts. "I
_am_ sorry for what happened. I tried very hard to stop the Weyrleader
from coming in. Yet, it seemed that no matter what I said he got more
and more agitated. I didn't know how to stop him."

"Apparently there was a lot more going on there than even I knew. And
maybe it was a bit naive to think that he would listen to you. I think, though,
Gelira that this can be a very good lesson for you. If you are ever to
be a leader whether as a dragonhealer or otherwise, you need to learn
to project authority. You need to learn how to take control of a situation."
N'vanik was a particular person who required certain handling that was
probably something Gelira wouldn't learn for a very long time, but
Rhosyn could begin with the simpler principles. "Can you think of ways
you might have tried to do that a bit better?"

Gelira listened and took in all that Rhosyn was saying. At her final
question, she thought for a moment, her brow wrinkling a bit at the
effort.

"I'm not completely sure. He was _very_ adamant and I didn't know
_how_ to tell a Weyrleader no. It seemed that all my attempts to
explain things, without telling him what had really happened, only
made him _more_ agitated. Would you have any suggestions for what I
could do if something like that happens again?" She hoped Rhosyn
wouldn't think poorly of her for asking, but if she at least learned
what to try, perhaps she could handle things better in the future.
**Why can I command a dragon's attention but have so much trouble
showing authority towards people?** She pondered that thought some as
she waited.

"Well for one-forget that he is a Weyrleader. In that situation, you
had authority granted to you by me-which means you were on the same
level with him in that case." To Rhosyn, it was that simple.

That seemed easier said than done. He was strong, powerful and
forceful. How was she supposed to stop someone like that?

"What if," Gelira paused, "what if he gets angry with me because of
that? I mean, in his mind, I'm sure _he_ doesn't see things that way.
So he might have thought I was challenging him or overstepping
myself."

"If you came at him-he would. However, if you are respectful but pressing your
authority and your office-which at that time you were my representative-I would
think it would be fine. N'vanik is still a rider, Gelira, and we riders are
students of tradition and duty. It was your duty to follow my orders. He cannot
supersede that since he cannot countermand my orders. Both Reeva and K'sedel
could have, but they did not. Now, he may have sought another answer-as he did
with both Reeva and K'sedel-and then it would have been their choice to provide one."

She listened, taking everything in. "I think I understand. That helps
me. I felt that I didn't have the power to stop someone as powerful as
a Weyrleader, but now, I understand. Respect, but authority." Gelira
nodded her head, her shoulders rising as she stood with more
confidence. "I will not let you down again. I promise you that."

"I think it's a good lesson for you and you need to be prepared. After
all, you could find yourself outranking many, and yet they could be much
older than you." That had been awkward for a long time.

"Me? Outranking many?" Gelira snorted a bit. "I highly doubt it."
**Though I'd love for it to happen,** she thought to herself, knowing
her own inner dreams to impress gold.

"I doubted it myself and then it happened. Then again, Gelira, you could
still experience the same thing if you advanced as a dragonhealer." If the
girl Impressed green, she could still advance in her craft. And she could be
a Master someday despite her dragon color.

Gelira contemplated that. "That is true. I haven't dwelt on that much
since I know right now I cannot advance much further unless I _do_
Impress. I know I have time, but it is hard to Stand and not
Impress sometimes. It does make you wonder why you've not been
chosen." She gave a sad smile at that thought. **Hopefully one of
these days it will be your chance,** she thought to herself.

"If it is meant to be, it will happen. You not being chosen yet just means
your dragon hasn't been Hatched." Rhosyn had her ideas about that but she
didn't want to get the girl's hopes up. Privately, she was hoping this
clutch would have a gold egg.

"Thank you. It gets difficult at times, but I know things will work
out in the end, one way or the other," Gelira replied. "Can I do
anything else for you, now?" She asked, wanting to help Rhosyn in
whatever way she could. Gelira had to admit that she was learning a
lot during this special assignment and found she was enjoying the time
she spent with the Weyrwoman as well.

"I'll be all right for a while. I think Solieira will be sending food
up." She wasn't sure what time it was but it seemed like it was about
time for a meal. She was starving anyway.

"Alright, send for me if you need me. I'll be back shortly to check on
you," Gelira stated. When she turned to leave it was with a
contemplative smile on her face. She _could_ be stronger, more
authoritative. Her talk with Rhosyn gave her new hope and much to
think on.

Last updated on the April 2nd 2013

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You Had the Authority