It's Perfect

Writers: Aaron, Estelle
Date Posted: 28th December 2021

Characters: Lorican, Brennault
Description: Lorican brings the finished sword to Brennault
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 28 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Urlene, Zavek, Lusilk, J'ackt (not by name)

Brennault

Lorican arrived at Dolphin Cove well before his usual time for visiting
his son, and with a long, cloth-wrapped package in his arms which made
his descent from the dragon a little awkward. He had two errands in the
Weyr today, so rather than heading for the lower caverns where he
usually met Urlene and Lorgelen, he waited in the Weyrbowl, looking
around for Brennault. He'd sent word ahead to expect him, since with a
runner's schedule he couldn't rely on the young man being at home by chance.

Brennault was in quite the good mood, as he had had a very good day. And
a very good sevenday. And a very good month, even. He was probably due a
bad day, actually. Even his bad days had been amazing in their own ways
lately.

So he was practically bouncing when he went to meet Lorican. He must
have been, because Marvel cheeped at him with annoyance at how much
Brennault was jostling him and took off to fly above him.

When Brennault saw the smith, he waved and ran to meet him. And Marvel
whistled down at him from above.

Lorican's face lit up and he raised a hand in greeting. "Brennault! It's
finished." He held out the package. Although he knew his friend didn't
intend on keeping it, he hoped he'd like the design all the same.

Brennault's eyes went wide as he opened it to examine the finished
product. He never could have imagined anything better if he had tried.
And if he were not already thinking about seeing Zavek again, his first
thought _might_ have been that the sword Lorican made might have gotten
him laid in addition to swordfighting lessons.

Well, maybe. He was a bronzer after all, was he not? And it seemed silly
to Brennault, but the dragons seemed to have strange thoughts about
which riders they wanted when it came to who their riders wanted to ride.

Marvel screeched at Brennault from the air above at the horrible play on
words.

"Sorry, sorry," Brennault groaned at the firelizard. "Oh, Marvel, I
mean," he explained to Lorican. "He's mad at me for something or other.
The _sword_, though. It's absolutely perfect. You are the best smith in
the whole world!"

Lorican laughed. "I don't know about that, but it turns out the sword
was passable enough to earn me my Master's knots, along with my other
pieces." He pointed to his shoulder. "So it's got my Hall's seal of
approval."

"If it gets you your knots and me my swordplay lessons, I think that
qualifies!" laughed Brennault in turn. "I owe you so much for this," he
said, despite what paltry payment he may have given. "If there's ever
anything you need that I can get, you just have to say the word."

"You don't owe me a thing. You saved my life, remember?" The smith
thought for a moment. "But I wouldn't mind a little more of that
lavender oil one day, though I've still got plenty left for now. The
scent is delightful. Where did you get it?"

"It was one of the stops on my little trading journey," said Brennault.
"My father actually recommended it. I worked out in the fields for a
while to earn it. I bet I could do it again whenever you need more!"

"Between your running and your sword practice, I don't know where you'll
find the energy for field work, but if you can, I'll accept it with
gratitude." Lorican imagined his wife would appreciate it, too, and a
faint color rose to his cheeks. "Anyhow, if your sword teacher needs any
adjustment to the weight or balance, he's welcome to bring it to
Sunstone, although I expect the Mastersmith here at the Weyr would do it
for him too."

"I'll let him know you said so. He can pop over here in the blink of an
eye, so I don't know why he'd want anyone but you to take care of it,"
said Brennault. "I bet he'll think it's perfect, though. You're the best
smith I know."

"Thanks, but really I had...a good teacher at the Hall." Lorican wished
he could give credit to Lusilk for her contribution, but he doubted
she'd want him revealing the extent of her skills to everyone he met.
"So, will you start your lessons at once, or will you be off traveling
first?"

"I have a short trip planned to handle a package I promised to take care
of," said Brennault with a hint of a grin at the corner of his mouth.
"But after that, I'm going to be sticking around for a pretty good long
while. I might take a ride here and there if someone's going, but I
don't plan to run much further that between the Weyr and the station."

"Then I might see you here again. I'm visiting every month to see my
son... My other son," he clarified, trying to remember whether he'd told
Brennault. Shells, his life was more complicated than he'd ever thought
it would be. "Lorgelen. His mother is Urlene. Anyway, I'll be here every
month on the restday."

"Two sons!" Brennault had no idea Lorican had a son at the Weyr. If this
was a new arrangement, perhaps this was a new son. There was probably a
story there, but it was none of Brennault's business unless Lorican
wanted to tell him. "Well, then I owe you another congratulations, then,
don't I?"

"Thanks," Lorican replied, sounding rather abashed. "I promise, he is
the only other one. I didn't know about him until after he was born,
otherwise I'd never have left the Weyr, no matter what trouble I got
into with my Craft. I wish I could be nearer him, but I know he'll be
happy here."

"Would it set your heart at ease if I looked in on him now and again?
Like a... big brother sort of thing? Maybe more like an uncle."
Brennault stroked his chin thoughtfully. He had seen this sort of thing
before, and it did not faze him. But he understood why Lorican might be
embarrassed at having fathered a child with a woman who was not his wife.

"That's a kind offer." Lorican thought for a moment. "Let me talk to his
mother, see what she thinks. I wouldn't want her to think I don't have
confidence in her to take care of him. Though when he's older,
certainly, if you could be a friend to him I'd appreciate it."

"I wouldn't dream of doing anything his mother isn't comfortable with,"
said Brennault, showing his palms. "And of course, any family of yours
is my friend. I hope you don't mind, but I think I'll always feel
connected to you."

"I feel the same," Lorican said, smiling. "Who knows, maybe one day
we'll live in the same area again. Well, I'd better get on to see
Lorgelen. I don't want to be late."

"And I don't want to keep you!" Brennault agreed. "Thank you, again,
Lorican. This means a lot to me." Even if the sword lessons themselves
were ultimately silly and impulsive, the fact that Lorican had helped
him did not go unappreciated. "I'll see you next time, alright?"

"All right. Enjoy your lessons! I expect to see a demonstration when we
next meet," Lorican teased.

"Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way," Brennault grinned. "I expect
I'll be the most skilled master in the world after the first lesson." He
winked.

"I don't doubt it." The smith laughed and waved before heading off
towards the lower caverns. He hoped the sword would at least be enough
to get Brennault his lessons, but more than that, he hoped it would
be worthy of a dragonrider. Then his thoughts turned to his son, and his
steps quickened in anticipation.

Last updated on the February 10th 2022

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

It's Perfect