The Devious Designs of a Drudge (5)

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 25th February 2019

Characters: Riveenata, Ranni
Description: Riveenata is sent to confirm if Ranni is a Candidate.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 13 of Turn 9

Ranni

**Well, they haven't kicked me out yet,** Ranni thought, licking her
lips as she sat, waiting in the classroom where she'd been told that a
Searchrider would come and meet with her. She'd even been allowed to
sleep in a nice bed the evening before in the Candidate barracks with
the other girls. None of them had spoken to her, but she didn't care,
she preferred to be left alone.

Still, she did feel sorry for the soft-eyed, sweet greenrider that had
brought her to Dolphin Cove. She figured she'd probably gotten him
into some trouble, but in her world it was survival of the fittest,
and she would scrape and claw her way to stay at the Weyr. Ranni vowed
that if she was allowed to remain she would find A'vel and apologize
for the deception.

Riveenata had been given the information that she and Savith were
supposed to investigate someone for Candidate capability, and that was
about it. She hadn't been told anything about the circumstances being
unusual in any way. So as she went up to the classroom, she wasn't
sure if she was going to be seeing a weyrbrat concerned about their
right to Stand, or double-checking the Search of a newer pair, or
maybe investigating someone who'd made their own way to the Weyr -
perhaps on a trader's wagon, she'd heard stories like that, and River
Bluff had gotten their share of women who'd left their husbands or
young men who wanted to pursue who they loved.

"Hi there, I'm Riveenata," she said when she walked in the room,
waving at the girl there.

Ranni stood immediately and dipped her head in a show of respect to
the dragonrider. It still amazed her that women were allowed to hold
such a noble position. A position that she might possibly hold one
day. If she had the right potential. What if A'vel's dragon had been
wrong about her potential as a Candidate, the same way he'd been wrong
about bringing her to the Weyr? Her stomach coiled nervously.

"Good day, ma'am," she murmured in her low, rough voice.

"I'm here to check out your potential to be a Candidate, if they
didn't tell you. What's your name?" she asked, encouragingly. Shards,
the girl looked young and slender, and she didn't recognize her as a
weyrbrat.

"Ranni, ma'am." She was coming to realize that the Weyr cared a lot
more about names than the Hold. No one had ever bothered to ask her
name as she served them at the Hold, but each person she'd met so far
at Dolphin Cove had inquired.

"Hi, Ranni," she said again. "We're going to go outside so my dragon
Savith can get a look at you. While we're walking, anything you want
to talk about? So have you been here at the Weyr long? "

Anything she wanted to talk about? Ranni had a lot that she wanted to
talk about but knew that she never would. "I just arrived at the Weyr
yesterday." She was excited at the prospect of getting to meet another
dragon up close.

"Well, welcome to Dolphin Cove. It must be really exciting to come
here. Or I hope you're excited, anyway. I'm weyrbred so I've never
lived anywhere but a Weyr so I can answer anything you might want to
ask, about Search or riding anyway," she said as she started to lead
them.

"Growing up at the Weyr must have been nice." Ranni said. Her
conversation skill felt rusty because she had only ever used them in
Xeladrie's company. No one else had much to say to a drudge except for
barking orders.

"I got to do whatever I wanted. I'm a Healer, as well as a rider.
Thought I wasn't ever going to Impress, actually. If you stay here,
you could pick up a Craft, if you wanted."

"A craft? I can't even imagine what I would do," Ranni said, although
there was finally a hint of a smile on her face.

"Something you really like? Something you always wanted?" the
greenrider asked. "If you like to cook, there's being a formal Baker.
Or maybe you always wanted to do music..."

The only thing she had really ever wanted was to be left alone. There
had never been an opportunity for her to be around music to see if she
had any sort of abilities, and then she hated the thought of baking or
cooking since she'd seen what the kitchen drudges went through first
hand.

"I suppose it is something to consider," she said.

"You have time," Riveenata said with a blithe surety. They came out
one of the side doors. Savith was waiting outside. "So, here's Savith,
ready to check you out. You want to scratch her face?"

"Oh wow," Ranni said, facing lighting with wonder again, the same way
it had when she'd met A'vel's dragon. "She's beautiful, and she looks
different than the other green I met."

"They come in all different sizes and colors. I've seen really dark
greens like the deep forests in shadow and I've seen bright greens
like the plains at Sapphire Meadows." She liked Savith and her pretty
jade coloration, though.

Savith cooperatively leaned her head forward so her muzzle could be
stroked. }:I look at this one.:{

Ranni reached out and scratched at Saviths' muzzle as she had done with
Tsogath. "I didn't realize that there were different shades of the same
colors. I always wondered how dragonriders could tell all of their
dragons apart."

"Color and hide pattern is what I did before I Impressed," the
greenrider said. "How old are you?"

"Nineteen, ma'am." Ranni said.

}:She looks good. She would be good for the eggs.:{ Savith said,
decisively.

"Well, nineteen will give you a few Turns to stand for the eggs here, if
you're interested," Riveenata said, looking meaningfully at Ranni.

"Oh yes, I am very interested." Ranni wrung her hands together. She
would worry about what might happen if she didn't Impress in a few turns.

Riveenata held out her hand for Ranni to shake. "Congratulations on
being a Candidate."

Ranni felt relief flood from the top of her head to the soles of her
feet, "Thank you."

"Were you nervous you wouldn't; be?"

"Yes," Ranni admitted, scuffing the toe of her boot on the ground. "It
was a very young rider who Searched me the first time. I think that is
why they wanted you to check and make sure."

"Well, congratulations again. Savith's noticed three so far who've
gone on to Impress."

"Let's hope her luck continues," Ranni smiled.

Last updated on the February 28th 2019

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

The Devious Designs of a Drudge (5)