A Clean Slate

Writers: Emma, Estelle, Heather
Date Posted: 5th June 2020

Characters: Ashela, Saibra, K'reyel
Description: Ashela meets the Weyrleaders after arriving at Dragonsfall
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 10 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Teseada, Lanniya

Ashela

Saibra

K'reyel

Up until now, Ashela had always enjoyed the attention a gold dragon
received, wherever she went. The awestruck gazes of holders and the
sudden interest of bronze dragons and their riders had given her a
secret thrill of pleasure, when she remembered how differently she'd
been treated before her Impression of Aglayath. All that had changed
with the disaster of Riyanth's flight. She felt the looks like prickles
on her skin as she stood by her lifemate at the foot of Dragonsfall's
cliffs, waiting while the gold spoke with the Weyrwoman's dragon. They'd
recognise Aglayath from her last arrival here, helping to bear the
injured bronze Rogueth. The injuries that she'd caused.

She raised her head, defiantly, and watched her beloved dragon mirror
her gesture. They could think what they wanted. She was still a
goldrider. She'd made a mistake, overreached, but she'd faced down
defeat and shame before. She wouldn't let this crush her.

}:The Weyrleaders will see you now. Their council room is at the top of
the cliffs.:{

**All right.** Ashela touched the gold's hide gently, sharing her
lifemate's strength, then reached up for the riding straps and climbed
lightly to the dragon's back. Getting away from that pathetic Weyrhold
was the first step, and she'd need to make a good impression on the
Weyrleaders if she wanted them to accept her.

"She's here," K'reyel said to Saibra. "Erdenth said she's making her way
up here." The Weyrleader knew this wasn't the normal way to welcome a
goldrider, and that he'd far rather the much more dependable Teseada had
stayed.

Taking in a goldrider with Ashela's reputation had not been a decision
made lightly. Saibra was very satisfied with the working relationship
that she and Lanniya had, adding a newcomer to that mix could disturb
the peace that the Dragonsfall leadership had been enjoying. Yet
ultimately, Saibra had felt that Dragonsfall was the best place for
Ashela. She felt that she and Chioneth could offer a positive
mentorship, and she felt that with Lanniya's ability to hear all
dragons, they could avoid a disaster like what had happened at Barrier Lake.

Saibra tried to place herself in Ashela's shoes, arriving at another
Weyr with a reputation of being careless and selfish. It wasn't an easy
situation to walk into and it would no doubt have the younger
goldrider's guard up. "Here goes nothing," Saibra murmured to K'reyel
with a little smile of solidarity before the knock came at the
conference room door. "Come in," she called.

Ashela entered the room, and if her bearing wasn't as confident as it
had been, her back was straight and she gazed at Saibra and K'reyel with
a look that was far from humble. "Weyrleader. Weyrwoman." She felt a
twist of pain, remembering how she'd hoped that title would be hers, and
ruthlessly suppressed it. There was no point in thinking of that now.
"Thank you for accepting my transfer."

"Have a seat," the Dragonsfall Weyrwoman said with a nod at Ashela's
gratitude.

She sat down and looked from one to the other, keeping her expression
respectful. Ashela had never been to Dragonsfall before and didn't know
either of its leaders well, though she thought she remembered hearing
K'reyel's name while she'd been at Dream's End. She couldn't help sizing
up the Weyrwoman as a rival. Much to her annoyance, the other woman was
attractive and didn't look old enough to be retiring any time soon. She
couldn't read much in the Weyrleader's eyes. She'd have to learn his
character, if her time in Dragonsfall was to be at all interesting.

"May I offer you a drink?" K'reyel asked politely, as he sized up the
new goldrider. She certainly seemed to be keeping her composure for the
moment, which was a point in her favour. But as to how it would go later
on, that was up to her.

"Thank you, Weyrleader. Klah, please, if you have some," Ashela replied
with a smile that was appreciative but not too charming - not yet. She
didn't have to feign the gratitude, at least. There was a definite chill
in the air here at Dragonsfall, after the Weyrhold.

Saibra studied the other goldrider as a cup of klah was placed before
her. "I suppose there is no point in pretending ignorance as to why you
are here and not at Barrier Lake. I think I speak for both K'reyel and
myself when I say we are wondering how we can ensure that an incident
like what happened with Rogueth does not happen here at Dragonsfall."

Ashela's features froze, her lips turning pale. "That won't happen
again, Weyrwoman." The events of that day were burned into her memory,
and worst of all had been the instant when she'd thought Aglayath was
lost. She steeled herself, a bitter taste in her mouth. "I know my
actions endangered my dragon as well as Rogueth. I've learned my lesson."

"We'll take your word for that," K'reyel said pleasantly, although there
was an undertone of 'for now' beneath his words. What had happened was
certainly not the behaviour expected of a goldrider with her experience.
"You'll have a clean slate for now."

Inside, she was seething with resentment, knowing that if things had
only gone a little differently, they might be addressing each other as
equals. Ashela forced herself to remain calm. She couldn't have hoped
that anyone would forget what had happened at Barrier Lake, and this was
better than she might have expected. "Thank you, Weyrleader."

Last updated on the October 13th 2020

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A Clean Slate