Choosing New Riders

Writers: Aaron, Curious, Devin, Estelle, Suzee, Yvonne
Date Posted: 30th May 2024

Characters: N'vanik, Reyela, Cyradis, M'gan, S'kand, L'saz
Description: Panitath's clutch graduates.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 17 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: I'rad

N'vanik

Cyradis

There was an expectant air in the dining cavern as the Senior
Weyrlings waited to find out where they would be placed. The senior
Weyrlingstaff went first, circulating among the tables to pass
Weyrlingstaff Assistant knots to the youngest riders. The group ranged
from those, like R'ayl, who had Turns left to wait, to those like
I'rad who had a few months yet until they turned sixteen.

Then it was time for the Wingleaders to reveal who would be joining
their Wings.

Reyela watched with wide-eyes and a dry mouth, her heart pounding.
There was prestige in flying with the Weyrleader's Wing, but part of
her wanted to fly with her Auntie's Wing because she was family and
family stuck together. M'gan was also a great Wingleader with a tonne
of experience... but if she was honest with herself, Reyela still felt
an allegiance to River Bluff Weyr. She'd wear Rapids Wing knots with
pride.

}:We will fight Thread, though?:{ Brandith asked eagerly.

**Any Wing would be lucky to have us,** she told her dragon.

Cyradis sat with a smile behind a stack of her wing's knots to hand
out to those they'd agreed would enter the Queen's wing. Between
N'vanik and M'gan, who had a similar stack, waited for the
Weyrleader to begin. This was always one of her favorite ceremonies.

This was always something of a bittersweet day for S'kand. If he could
protect the youngfolk of the Weyr from needing to join the wings for
even longer, he would. But the wings needed them, and they needed the
experience. He would do his best to drill them well, though he could
not save everyone forever.

N'vanik made his way through the graduating class, handing Hurricane
Wing knots to his choices: an older brownrider and a steady, competent
greenrider. They thanked him, and their fellow clutchmates
congratulated them. The Weyrleader nodded to S'kand and M'gan to make
their selections.

M'gan glanced at S'kand, then stood up next. He was short on browns,
having lost one to injury and another to a transfer. Brownriders were
often seen as being solid and reliable, but he'd decided to take a
chance on one of the bolder weyrlings in the group and see how he turned
out. Fighting Thread had a way of taking the edge off a young rider's
recklessness. "Brownrider B'sharg, it will be my honor to fly with you
in Cyclone Wing. Congratulations!"

B'sharg was a _little_ disappointed that he wasn't in the Weyrleader's
Wing. Maybe that incident with Reyela leading their trio had cost him.
But still, M'gan had a good reputation and at least B'sharg wasn't
being held back. He took the knots with a pleased smile. "Thank you,
sir! Hinmath and I will do you proud." The brown was glowing with
pride that he would finally be able to join the other dragons fighting
Thread.

L'saz wasn't exactly sulking, but was certainly quiet and subdued as
he watched and waited. What were the odds that he'd been selected for
a decent wing? Nill, that was what. He was the bottom of the barrel
and he knew it.

Whatever. He didn't want to be fighting thread, might as well pair up
with a Wingleader who didn't want him, either.

Once it was his turn, S'kand stood, smiling proudly.

"Greenrider Reyela!" he called. "It's my pleasure to welcome you to
Rapids Wing."

**Yes!** Reyela accepted her new knots with a giant grin. "Thank you,
sir!" Rapids Wing! She could feel Brandith's answering glow of
pleasure as she returned to her seat.

Cyradis stood and gave a speech she always used in these cases. "And
now for you who may feel you've been overlooked. To the contrary." She
smiled, "you have one of the most important jobs in the entire Weyr.
First, to serve in the Queen's wing is to be always vigilant as there
are no others below us to catch what we might miss. But not only
that, we must catch falling dragons and falling riders. So you must be
the most aware of all riders. Several of you have shown us this
ability to multi-task and protect those around you in training.

Among the several she'd chosen, she named L'saz and another, "Welcome to
Volcano wing where you will protect the Queens."

The Queen's wing. Of course, L'saz should have known better than to
expect anything different. The Weyrwoman could say whatever she wanted
about it being an honor, he knew the truth. He had been an absolute
sham of a weyrling, a mistake impression, the bottom of his class, and
no other wing had wanted him. And where did that leave him? The wing
that could barely be called a wing at all.

Whatever. At least he wouldn't have to deal with as much thread as the
others. That was something, at least.

L'saz accepted the knot with a thin smile and a muttered, "Thanks."

Cyradis bit her lips to hide her smile as her eyes slid to N'vanik. It
wasn't uncommon for new Weyrlings to think that anything less than the
Weyrleader's wing was a failure. But they'd soon find out how wrong
they were.

N'vanik stood. "Congratulations, everyone. For those becoming
Weyrlingstaff Assistants, you'll be helping train those who come after
you, so stay sharp. For the rest, I'm sure you'll do your new Wings
proud. Now," he lifted a glass, "time to celebrate!"

Last updated on the June 1st 2024

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Choosing New Riders