Family and Duty

Writers: Aaron, Devin
Date Posted: 11th March 2024

Characters: Z'ku, S'kand
Description: Z'ku and S'kand discuss the upcoming Weyr Games and balancing family life with the responsibilities of rank.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 10 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Pierka, K'sedel

Z'ku

After receiving permission to enter, Z'ku stepped into his
Wingleader's office. "My duty to Jagobroth. I have those reports for
you, sir."

"Thank you, Z'ku!" S'kand set down what he was working on and added
them to his ‘in’ pile. "How are you and Xemroth holding up?"

"Very well, sir, thank you. And thank you again for making me your
Wingsecond." Z'ku had coveted rank even before he Impressed, and was
pleased to have risen so quickly.

"You earned it, of course!" said S'kand. He remained impressed with
Z'ku's potential. "What's your read on how everyone's feeling about
getting ready for the games?"

"Many seem to be excited." Then a brief frown crossed Z'ku's face.
"Although I have noticed a few of them trying to show off. We should
remind them that drills are drills, not auditions for the games." He'd
had to control Xemroth several times himself.

S'kand smiled, pleased that Z'ku had made that observation. It meant
he was both paying attention and cognizant of the need for discipline
himself.

"Good eye," he said. "We should set a date for auditions, though. That
will give them something to look forward to and something to hold back
for. Do you have any thoughts about who will put on the best show?"

"Xemroth is convinced he can win everything," Z'ku said with a little
smile. "I think auditions are the best way to determine who our
strongest pairs are for each competition. Though I have a feeling the
blues and greens will dominate the races and acrobatics."

"They tend to! There's a scrawny brown or two who might have a chance,
but we'll leave it up to the trials. You know, Jagobroth would have
said the same thing when I was your age. That he could win
everything." S'kand chuckled.

"And he doesn't believe that now?"

"I'd say he's become a bit more realistic in his middle years," S'kand
laughed. "But all the more sure of himself when it comes to the things
bronzes excel at. He says he'll outlast any of those fancy flyers."

Z'ku chuckled. "The bronzes and browns could certainly make a showing
in the rope-flaming contest."

"Oh, I expect us to be the best! I know we have it in us," said
S'kand. "And I know Xemroth is already convinced."

"That he is. It's nice to have something positive to look forward to.
Good for morale." Especially considering what the Weyr had been
through lately.

"Let the wing know we'll hold auditions on the next rest day," said
S'kand. "We can hash out exactly what we mean for them to do,
something based on what they'll be expected to do for the games, but
leaving room for some training and improvement. What do you think?"

"That sounds good, sir."

"Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?"

"Well, sir." Z'ku shifted. "If you wouldn't mind a personal question . . .?"

"Not at all!" S'kand gestured to a chair. "Have a seat if you like."

Z'ku slid into the chair with a distracted expression. "Thank you,
sir. While I'm thrilled and very honored to be your Wingsecond I was
wondering . . . how do you balance your additional duties with having
a family?" He hoped S'kand would understand as the Wingleader had
close ties with his own family.

"Well. The only way to have time is to make time," said S'kand. "And
that, of course, requires giving up some me time. Are you having
trouble making the time to spend with your boys?"

The young bronzerider ducked his head. "Well I don't want to neglect
my Wingsecond duties. Or Xemroth of course. I don't seem to have much
time for anything else, except on restdays."

"That's what restdays are for! When they're a little older, they'll
love helping you with Xemroth," said S'kand. "And that's a great
opportunity to bond. How old is the big one again?"

"Kazom is four. I swear every time I turn around he's gotten bigger."

"Blink and he'll be a Candidate!" said S'kand. "Lestondric is champing
at the bit to get onto the Sands himself. And then only one more after
him for me. Assuming we don't have any more."

"How old is Lestondric?" Z'ku remembered that one of S'kand's children
was currently Standing.

"Eleven!" said S'kand. "Sprog number four."

"Ah, not long to wait then," Z'ku said. "But of course at that age,
it'll seem an eternity."

"It'll seem that way to me, too, if he spends the whole time begging
me to convince K'sedel to make an exception for him." S'kand chuckled
and shook his head. "Kid is persistent, I'll give him that."

"I'm glad it'll be a while before I have to deal with any of that."
Z'ku's expression turned pensive. "I didn't really plan on having a
family, at least after I was Searched. Especially after I Impressed
bronze. All I wanted was to be important, to be noticed, to gain rank
. . . and now that I have it, I'm worrying about missing out on time
with my family."

"Raising kids is one of the most important things we could do. That's
why we all do that work together here," said S'kand. "Life has a way
of laughing in the face of our plans." He grinned. "But you're living
the dream. You've got the full package.

Z'ku nodded with a small, distant smile. "I don't at all regret
accepting the Wingsecond position. Xemroth and I were meant to lead.
Maybe I've just gotten too used to the little family life Pierka and I
built together. Maybe there's too much holder left in me."
Dragonriders were supposed to leave most of the childrearing to foster
parents.

"You can't be there for every moment of every day like a holder can,"
said S'kand. "But that doesn't mean you can't be there at all. I
wouldn't try to get rid of the holder in you. There's nothing wrong
with it. It just has to learn to live with the rest of you."

"Thank you, sir." Z'ku felt lucky that S'kand was his Wingleader and
didn't seem to think less of him for his struggle.

"Any time. My door's always open."

Last updated on the March 14th 2024

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Family and Duty