A Promise Made

Writers: Anika
Date Posted: 20th November 2014

Characters: R'taran, P'ton, Toniapaulene
Description: R'taran attends his brother's wedding and makes a promise to his younger brother.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 27 of Turn 7

R'taran sat on the fringe of the main activities, contentedly
listening to the music with an arm around his youngest sister. To his
dismay she was too old to sit in his lap anymore, but he'd been
pleased that her greeting when he arrived was as enthusiastic as
ever. Toni had been thrilled with the little bracelet and attached
dragon charm that he'd brought for her. To be fair he had given one
to his older sister as well and she too was very appreciative. His
brothers had received no presents except of course for his eldest who
was given the carved wooden chest that was his wedding gift.

Both his mother and the woman she had chosen as his escort had seemed
pleased by his appearance and R'taran was silently thankful for the
Headwoman's help in choosing appropriate attire. With his large, well
muscled frame, he cut a striking figure in the turquoise tunic and
black trousers. Having trimmed his auburn hair so that it fell neatly
to well above his shoulders and scraped the stubble off his face, he
looked every inch the dashing dragonrider. During the dancing he'd
had no shortage of partners, much to the dismay of the simpering
female with whom his mother had paired him. Despite his usual
affinity for demure women, he'd found he had absolutely no interest in
the insipid, mousy female and was more than glad to be rid of her. He
was frustrated when his mind kept drifting to thoughts of a certain
greenrider with long brown hair and hazel eyes.

"Why must you always stay away so long?" his little sister demanded,
twirling a long auburn curl around her finger.

"I've a job to do, Toni. Someone has to keep Thread from the skies you know."

"But you have restdays, don't you?" Her deep blue eyes sought his gray
ones imploringly "Couldn't you come see me more often?"

Squeezing the girl affectionately he sighed. "It's complicated, but I'll try."

"I miss you. Everyone is always so sour and now that I have finished
my harper classes, mother says I must do more chores and learn more
about the household tasks."

"Yes, that's your responsibility to the Hold, darling."

Toni's dramatic sigh made it sound as if she were very put
upon. Being born premature and tiny, not to mention holding the
position of youngest child for 5 turns, she had been somewhat spoiled.
The girl did not much care for growing older and finding more and more
expected of her. Though she was twelve turns, she looked younger and
favored more childish activities still.

Their private discussion was interrupted when a petulant Paulton threw
himself in a seat next to his siblings with an irritated huff. "Our
father is impossible! R'taran, you simply MUST take me back to the
Weyr with you!" the boy of fifteen turns insisted.

Raising an eyebrow, the brownrider asked, "Have you and father been quarreling?"

"When aren't we? Please, can't you take me to the Weyr? Life here is
soooo dull. I want excitement! I want to become a dragonrider like
you and flame Thread right out of the sky!"

His conversation with L'pin came to mind and R'taran was quick to pass
on the bluerider's sentiment to his brother. "It's not the Harper's
tale you think, Paulton," he admonished, "Fighting Thread is sweaty,
exhausting, frightening, and even heartbreaking work! We train
constantly and still many are injured or lose their lives."

"But you can't tell me it isn't incredible to fly a dragon - to have a
bond with someone so, so powerful and wonderful."

With a sigh, R'taran had to agree, "No I can't. My partnership with
Qharterioth is indescribable."

"And the Weyr must be a great place to live. All those women who -"

R'taran cleared his throat glaring at his brother and looking
meaningfully down at their little sister. Paulton took the hint but
grinned widely at his brother. "I'm just saying there must me so many
_pleasurable_ activities as well."

"Father has threatened to thrash Paulton within an inch of his life if
he finds him with another drudge," Toni informed R'taran primly. "Is
it true that men and women bathe together at the Weyr?" the girl asked
innocently.

R'taran's attention now focused on his young sister wondering when she
had grown up enough to be interested in such questions. "Not together
precisely, but there is communal bathing. People tend to stay to
themselves, though."

"I'd not stay to myself if I were there!" Paulton informed his
brother, eyes alight with humor.

Once more R'taran fixed his younger brother with an angry glare. "If
you don't hold your tongue, _I_ may thrash you within an inch of your
life."

"R'taran, please, please can't you take me to the Weyr with you?"

"You have a duty here to your family."

"But you went."

"I was Searched. I was honor bound to try and Stand."

"Please, R'taran, I'll do anything," Paulton begged. Having lost his
cocky tone, he sounded far more like the little brother that the
brownrider remembered cajoling him for piggyback rides turns ago.

"They need responsible candidates, not surly young boys who complain
about their chores."

"I can be responsible," Paulton stated firmly.

"I suppose I could at least talk to father - not tonight, though, and
if I hear you've been shirking your responsibilities I won't do it at
all."

"You won't. I promise! When will you talk to him?"

"Soon. One of the golds at Dolphin Cove will clutch next month so
there will be a Hatching the following month."

Paulton's breath caught in his throat, his blue eyes shining with such
hope that R'taran grew concerned. "I won't take you if father doesn't
agree, certainly not if you aren't behaving at home, and a
Searchdragon will have to say you have potential. You are needed at
home if you aren't likely to Impress."

To his utter amazement, R'taran found himself practically tackled by
his teenage brother, but awkwardly returned the enthusiastic embrace.

"Thank you R'taran! I won't let you down."

Belatedly, R'taran wondered if he wasn't going to regret this promise.

Last updated on the December 9th 2014

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A Promise Made