Some Gossip

Writers: Avery
Date Posted: 31st January 2016

Characters: K'ran, Corran, Serra, Neja
Description: Corran has some gossip for his family
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 3, day 14 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Genna, Yusanis, Zathris

K'ran

Warden lifted his head and cheeped. Corran looked up and saw a dragon's
shape appear from /between/. From its size and shape, he knew it had to be
Rogueth; he'd seen his brother's dragon so many times before. So he got to
his feet and once the dragon landed, walked over to clamber up the hide
and strap in.

"Dallying with Genna today?" he teased.

"Wingrider problem. Not important, just annoying," K'ran responded.

Future teasing from Corran was put on hold when the bronze leapt skywards.
He wanted to enjoy the flight - the way it felt to rise sharply into the
air as Rogueth climbed, feeling the dragon's muscles working beneath them,
the smell of spiciness that somehow came with dragons, the wind whipping
past his face. He felt his brother stiffen and had enough time for a deep
breath before the cold of /between/ hit. Three breaths, then it was
appearing very high above the cothold and a rapid descent until they
landed and could slide off.

"Regret not Standing yourself?" K'ran asked as they slid down.

"When flying like that, yes," Corran admitted. "It is rather exhilarating."

K'ran nodded as they walked to the door and knocked. "You should see what
it's like on a blue or green. I've got a few friends who'd give you a
truly wild ride."

Neja opened the door, and both men were quieted at the sight of the man
who'd raised them. He was leaning heavily on his cane today and his leg
was shaking.

K'ran escorted the man back to a seat. "It's good to see you again father.
How are things here?"
"Well enough," Neja said. "Summer is lovely as always."

"I'd much rather summer than cold winter," Serra said, emerging from the
small kitchen with a large serving tray.

Corran took it from her to settle on the table. "Thank you for feeding us,
mother. Even if we were a bit late."

"It's not cold yet," she said. "Though we did wonder if you'd forgotten
the day."

"Wingrider troubles," K'ran explained. "Dragonsfall has just had a change
in leadership. It makes some of the men restless."

"Oh, who won?"

"K'reyel of Erdenth. He's late of River Bluff, became our Weyrsecond
recently, and scored Chioneth. People are still evaluating where he fits
into place."

"Do you wish it had been you?" Corran asked. His brother had never
displayed obvious ambition as some men did, when it seemed that they lived
to amass more power and glory to themselves. He'd heard his brother's
stories about wanting wingrank, on trying to come up with innovative
patterns and implement changes - but it had always been rooted in wanting
to improve how things were done, it never seemed to be about personal
accolades. But surely Weyrleader was the highest expression of all of
that.

"I like leading the wing," K'ran replied. "If I'm meant to be Weyrleader,
it will happen eventually. I certainly wouldn't have wanted it without
being a Wingleader first."

"I'm sure you'll get your chance," Serra said. "A queen will realize you
and Rogueth are a good pair."

"Will the new man implement many changes?" Neja asked.

"Too early to tell yet. It's possible he might decide to reorganize. This
first month should be most instructive. I'm just hoping we get a
Weyrlingmaster in to train the young dragons," the bronzerider replied.
"That's the need I think is most critical."

"There's no teacher?" Serra asked.

"There's a Second and Third, and they do well, but a full staff is
preferred. The weyrlings are our future wingriders, they deserve a full
staff to educate."

"Sounds like maybe you should take the job," Corran said.

"If the Weyrleader asks me, I'd consider it."

"Speaking of young dragons, how's Lissath? Full grown now?" Serra asked.

"Yes, she's full sized and beautiful. She and Genna are healthy and well,"
K'ran assured.

Neja turned to look at Corran. "And is there any news from Amber Hills?"

"There is, actually," the guard said. He hesitated. Everyone seemed in
good spirits today, joking and teasing. He hoped the next words from his
mouth would be welcomed by all, and not put anyone on edge or be
upsetting.

"Do you remember a man named Yusanis at all?"

Serra's eyes lit up. She was from Ruby Ravine Hold, had grown up there and
assumed she'd spend her whole life there, until Neja had passed through on
a caravan and they'd fallen in love and started a courtship. As such, she
had a familiarity with the Lord and his family. "Yes, he's one of Lord
Yuvalis' sons."

That was in fact who Yusanis was, one of the legitimate issue from the
Ruby Ravine bloodline. As it so happened, he was also Corran and K'ran's
cousin. The twins had been born from an illicit liaison between a married
man of the Bloodline, and an unwed hold woman who happened to be Serra's
sister. The babies had been given to Serra and Neja to be raised as if
they were their own children, concealing the evidence of social shame and
removing the problem from the Hold. The boys hadn't known their background
until they were men, and as such they'd never had a chance to get any airs
about being a noble bastard.

"His last few letters to me had been full of disappointment that the Lord
of Malachite Gulch was promoting his second son to main Steward, even
though the man had less time as an understeward than he did. So I sent him
a message about the Steward position at Amber Hills when it opened up. He
was interviewed by Lord Zathris and offered the position," the guard
revealed.

"Oh, that's wonderful for him. Did he say what his family thinks of it?"
Serra asked.

"I'm not sure they know yet, and he doesn't seem to care," Corran said.
"He did ask if we'd be interested in dinner with him. I didn't feel right
inviting him to this gathering without checking it past everyone first. It
could also happen at the Hold, of course."

Mostly he was protecting his father's feelings. Serra and Neja were his
parents by raising and by affection, the real ones in every way that
counted. He didn't want to jeopardize that by inviting along a blood
relative they barely knew and making Neja feel uncomfortable. Mentioning
Yusanis wanted contact was enough. Bringing him to the cothold Neja had
worked so hard to make his own might have been a step too far. He held his
breath as he waited to see what his father would say.

"I wouldn't mind the chance to see the main Hold again," Serra said,
jumping to the diplomatic solution. "Assuming, of course, my son would be
happy to convey us?"

"If Corran gets me a day and a mealtime, I would be happy to bring you to
the Hold. I'm interested in seeing how our cousin is," the bronzerider
responded.

"I would also like to see the Hold," Neja agreed. "After all, it's not
every day mere cotholders like us are invited."

"There's nothing 'mere' about either of you," K'ran protested. And with
that, any lingering tension in the room was dissolved, and the
conversation moved on.

Last updated on the February 1st 2016

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Some Gossip