I'm Here to Learn

Writers: Ames
Date Posted: 30th June 2013

Characters: H'vack, Ameala, L'rarl
Description: Ameala visits the Weyrlingmaster to begin her training as a candidate
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Rhosyn, D'lorn, Fitchan

It had been a few days since she'd spoken to the Weyrwoman. Rhosyn had
told her she could attend classes and start working as a candidate on
a trail basis. She's also told her it was okay to take a few days to
settle in before reporting to the Weyrlingmaster who would schedule
for her since they were so close to things actually happening.

Arriving early in the morning, she knocked on the office door.

"Come in," H'vack barked. It was early and he was trying to finish
preparing things for the day.

Ameala opened the door a bit tentatively.

"Good morning, Weyrlingmaster. My name is Ameala. I was told the
Weyrwoman would let you know I was coming," she was hesitate and
uncertain.

He looked up at the mouse of a girl. She seemed frightened. H'vack
sighed. Yes, Rhosyn had sent him a note about the new Holder girl
who'd been Searched while moving with her family. She was on a
tentative schedule to Stand at the hatching if all went well.

"Come in, sit down. We need to talk. I'll just be a moment." He
motioned or her to sit and then turned back to the hide he was working
on. Moving the quill over the page he wrote for a few minutes in
silence.

Ameala was nervous and the silence was difficult, but she did as he
asked. She sat and waited.

Soon H'vack looked up, nodded, then barked out an order. "L'rarl? Get
in here." In an instant a young boy arrived from a side door.

"Yes, sir," L'rarl asked.

"Take this to D'lorn. He's leading the first lessons today and will be
expecting it," H'vack thrust the hide at the boy, who took it, gave a
slight incline of his head an then darted back down the side corridor
where he'd come from. Then, finally turning his attentions on Ameala,
H'vack sat back and studied the girl.

"So, you are Ameala, the Holder girl who wants to Stand?" He pressed.

She nodded, "Yes, sir," she said, mimicking what the boy had done when
he'd been addressed by the Weyrlingmaster.

"I understand this is more a trial run for you and the Weyrwoman has
not given her full permission yet. She said you have _much_ to learn
if you are to Stand. Tell me where you're from, how you came to be
here, and how you got Searched."

She swallowed. He seemed like a harsh man. So different from her Fitchan.

"Well, I'm from Amber Hills. I spent my whole life there. My husband,
Fitchan, was transferred here to work as a technician. During the
journey here, B'sil and his dragon indicated I would be a good
candidate to Stand for a hatching." There she'd said her piece and
told him the full story.

He contemplated her story before responding. "There are a few things
we'll need to discuss. Rhosyn has given permission for you to attend
classes. If you are serious about this, you need to begin immediately.
Second, you will need to familiarize yourself with the ways of the
Weyr if you are to survive here. Some of that will be covered in your
candidate classes, some you need to learn by meeting people and
learning your way around." Here H'vack paused before continuing.

"The third part concerns me the most. You mentioned a husband. So you
were married at the Hold?"

Ameala nodded, not sure what to say.

"How does he feel about you being a candidate and what might happen if
you Impress?" H'vack pressed her.

"Well, he thinks I should do it. He feels it is an honor for our
little family and that I cannot deny what the dragons are clearly
asking of me. If I don't Impress, then we will most likely move on
when he is transferred. If I do, well, then I will bring honor to my
family." She hoped her answer was enough.

H'vack frowned, "It's not just about honor, but that is a good place
to start. Being a dragonrider _is_ definitely an honor. For a dragon
to choose you means that you are special. If he is in agreement that
you should Stand that is fine, but do you realize all the implications
of what that could mean for you and for your husband?" H'vack had to
make sure she understood before it was too late.

"I understand some, sir. Rhosyn mentioned that there were rules if I
were to Impress where I couldn't do the," she blushed a bit, "normal
things with my husband, but she said it was up to you how that would
work."

"Aye, that she is right about. As weyrlings you are totally under my
control. I am your teacher, guardian, and if necessary,
disciplinarian. There _are_ rules about intercourse and romance for
young weyrlings that you will need to understand. Up until the
Hatching, I can give you permission to stay with your husband and not
live in the candidate barracks. _However_ when we think the time is
close, you _will_ need to move to the candidate barracks for a few
days. You may still see your husband during that time if the eggs
don't hatch." Here H'vack paused to make sure she was picking up the
full meaning of things.

"Now, _if_ you Impress, things change. You may _not_ live with your
husband while a weyrling. You may not interact with him romantically
_at all_ for the first months of your training. That means, no
kissing, no fooling around, and absolutely no sex."

Ameala blushed profusely at the topic of discussion. Her mind was
reeling from it all, but she was still listening and taking everything
in.

"There are reasons for this, of course, which we do cover in candidate
classes. However, so you know, it is solely to protect the young
dragons. They cannot understand the complex emotions such actions
create in their riders. Riders who break this rule," he glared at her
to drive this point home, "face many consequences. There _will_ be
disciplinary action from me, but worst of all, the young dragons have
been known to go /between/ before they are ready and never return. It
is devastating to the rider and the Weyr. Do I make myself clear?"

Her eyes had grown rather wide at his words. She simply nodded, mute.

"As for you, you would be allowed to see your husband, but not kiss
him, or anything of the sort. Hold hands perhaps, yes, a kiss on the
cheek. We would have to see. If your dragonet responded okay to that,
I might allow that much, but no more until you graduate to senior
weyrling. On the other hand, if your dragonet responds badly to
contact between you and your husband, I would restrict it further."

He knew he was being harsh. Her face told him that much, but he _had_
to make sure the young woman in front of him understood just what she
was getting into.

"How...how long does it take to graduate to senior weyrling?" She asked.

"It's usually about four months time," H'vack replied to her question.

**Four months? That's a long time,** she mused, worried about how she
and Fitchan would survive something like that.

When she didn't say anymore H'vack pressed her, "Do you want to back out now?"

She blinked at the man, then shook her head. "No, sir. But I would
like to talk to my husband more, continue learning what I can, and see
where things take me...and us...as we move forward." She bit her lower
lip, wondering what he would say.

"Very well, you may do as the Weyrwoman suggested. Attend classes.
Learn what you can. You will have to speak with her again in a few
sevendays time to find out if you will be allowed to Stand when the
eggs hatch. Understood?"

Ameala nodded.

"Fine, the first candidate classes are starting soon, go to the
classrooms down that tunnel and start learning today. We will set up
the rest of your schedule tomorrow." H'vack pointed to the tunnel the
boy had gone down earlier and then waited for her to leave.

Rising, Ameala thank him, "Thank you, sir," before taking the first
steps on the journey that would possibly change her life forever.

Last updated on the July 2nd 2013

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I'm Here to Learn