Something to Aim For

Writers: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 4th April 2006

Characters: U'kaiah, Teseada
Description: U'kaiah shows Teseada around the Records Room
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 22 of Turn 3

Teseada

"All right, and over here is where the copies of the live births are
kept. Right next to those as you can see are the records concerning
deaths," U'kaiah pointed out. "Do you have any questions so far,
Teseada?"

"Not yet."

The bronzerider smiled. "Good. Shall we go look at where we keep the
tithe records?"

"That's over there isn't it?" she asked, pointing to a bookshelf against
the far wall.

"Why, yes, yes it is," U'kaiah nodded. "Do you spend much time in the
Record Room then?"

"Weyrwoman Ja..." she began, then realized what she was saying and bit
her lip. "Jaela give me a brief tour."

"Oh. Well, she would have taught you well," he said with a much smaller
smile and a nod. Shards, there was just no getting away from her. For
a small woman, she sure had cast a huge shadow over this corner of Pern.

"Those records go back a long time, don't they?" she asked.

"Yes, a very long time," U'kaiah nodded, greatful for the subject
change. "As long has there has been dragons at Dragonsfall Weyr."

"How often do they get updated?"

"As soon as a tithing shipment comes in, they are recorded and added to
the records. Its vital that they are all kept as up to date as
possible."

"So that ideally should be the same day then?" she asked. "How much
detail do they go into?"

"Well, you can see for yourself," he said as he pulled one off of the
shelf. "Pretty much all the info we can get. As you can see here -
date and approximate time of arrival, the items they brought for the
tithe, when they left, who was in charge of the tithe, and... well, you
can see the rest."

"I guess we'd need all that in case of any dispute later on?" It was
half a question, half a statement she said as she studied the amount of
information that was recorded on the hides before her.

"That would be one reason. Or if a caravan went missing. Or if we just
want to compare this turns tithes to those previously. You never know
what you might need it for."

She nodded, "I suppose it's like the way we technicians keep records of
all repairs we make, so we can keep track of what's going on."

"Yes, I suppose that's true. It's a kind of history I suppose. Far
into the future, the history of a Hold's tithe can be just as useful as
the history of a machine can be. We learn so much from the records we
have kept. Sometimes the most mundane of daily activities when recorded
can shine a light far into the future." The bronzerider realized he was
rambling again, but history and records were just about even with flying
a fighting dragon and flirting with beautiful women.

"Have any of the hold round here ever asked to see these records?" she
asked. "I suppose what I mean is are they entitled to see them?"

"These records are free to the public. Since just about anyone can come
in here and peruse the shelves, we would not put sensitive documents in
this room," the bronzerider answered. "We have another room for that."

"What kind of thing goes in there?"

"Oh, well, I can't tell you that. That's secret," the bronzerider
replied with a teasing wink.

Teseada laughed. "Maybe I'll just have to find out for myself one day."

"Oh, that can be dangerous. Just don't tell the Weyrharper I suggested
it," U'kaiah said with a mock stern look.

"I won't," she replied. "You can trust me on that."

The bronzerider smiled. "Good, 'cause if you do, I may never get my
Senior Journeyman knots!"

"One day I had hopes of getting mine too. Journeyman Dhanrik said that
I'd be ready to walk the tables soon, if Onnyth hadn't found me."

"Well, you know, I still find time to craft," U'kaiah said in all
seriousness. "It's a little difficult sometimes, but if that's really
what you want to do, you will be able to find time for it."

"I think I'd like to, but once we're well out of Weyrlinghood and more
settled."

"Well, of course," the bronzerider nodded, "when you're in weyrlinghood
there's little time for much else. And I do have to warn you, as a
goldrider, you would have to be sure to purposefully _make_ time for
your craft. You will have a lot of responsibilities. It can be... time
consuming." And sometimes life consuming too. He wondered if he and
Jaela would have come to an understanding much sooner if she had been a
greenrider instead. But then, she wouldn't have been _Jaela_...

"I know, but my Pa says it's good to have something to aim for,
something to focus on."

"Yes. He would be right," U'kaiah nodded. Something to aim for...
Something to focus on... "Yes, its good to have something to drive you
forward. Something to live for."

"And right now that's Onnyth. She's calling me."

"Ah, well, yes, there is always that," the bronzerider chuckled. "And
I'm sure scratching her highest itch will be much more exciting than the
headwoman's records, which was next on the list."

"It's a bath she's after."

"Well, that's certainly more exciting," U'kaiah nodded. "Do you mind
some company? You said the word 'bath' and now Kalamath is whining."

"Not at all," she smiled. Once upon a time she'd have said no, but she
was learning now that the company of others was at times preferable.

"Well, then, _Lady_ Teseada," the bronzerider said with a quick wink and
offering his arm, "shall we?"

She smiled and took it, accepting the small courtesy with what she hoped
was grace.

Last updated on the April 9th 2006

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Something to Aim For