A Family Decision

Writers: Estelle
Date Posted: 4th August 2024

Characters: Alyena, R'ayl, Evalya
Description: Alyena talks with her children about their future and hers
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 8 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis

Evalya splashed out of the sea and ran up the beach to where Delorth
lay, scattering drops of water from her hair that glittered in the
evening light. Under the shade of the blue's wing, her mother and
brother were sitting together, R'ayl leaning against his dragon's side
and Alyena resting on her side with a book open on the blanket they'd
spread on the sand.

"Aren't you coming in?" she called.

R'ayl shook his head, his eyes still half-closed, and Alyena smiled.
"He's had a long day."

"The weyrlings are learning to go /between/. The Weyrlingmasters do the
actual training, of course, but still, it's scary." He had got to know
the class quite well now, and hated the thought of any of them getting
lost. "Everyone was fine today, though."

"Good. Come and sit down, Evalya, you'll get cold." She closed the book
and placed it back in the basket she'd brought, then handed a towel to
her daughter. "How was your day in class? Have you talked any more with
the harper?"

"Yes, a bit. She says I can still graduate with the others when I'm
twelve. I just need to go back a couple of times a sevenday afterward to
catch up on Weyr history." Evalya towelled her dripping hair, then
spread it on the sand and flopped down. "It'll be with some of the other
holdbred candidates."

Alyena was glad to hear that, though she'd heard as much already from
the harper. She'd made sure the children kept up with their reading and
writing and figuring while they were at the cothold, and sung them the
Teaching Ballads as best she remembered, but she knew there must have
been gaps which her daughter had worked hard to fill.

"So you still want to Stand?" R'ayl asked.

"Yes, if the Weyrwoman will let me." Evalya glanced at her mother. She'd
seen the tension in her each Threadfall day when her son flew firestone
to the Wings, but her longing for a dragon was too great. If only she
had a fierce and beautiful green like Imarith, she thought, nothing
would ever frighten her again.

"If I do Impress, it probably won't be for Turns and Turns, Mama. Not
everyone's an infant prodigy like R'ayl."

"Hey!" The young bluerider pulled a face. "I'm not the youngest _ever_."

"Got to be close, though. All the weyrlings are older than you. And bigger!"

"And have you thought about what you want to do while you're a
Candidate?" Alyena interrupted them before an argument could develop.
"You could learn a craft here. R'ayl practised his weaving when he first
came."

"I was thinking maybe I could ask to work in the infirmary. Nyenne's
older sister apprenticed there. She says it's hard work, the Weyrhealer
is strict and you have to memorise an awful lot of herbs and bones, but
when they save a rider, even if you just bring the cloths and the
redwort, it's the most amazing feeling." Evalya sat up, her eyes bright.
"And if I do Impress it's still a good skill to have. The harper says
I'd be ready to ask, if I want, but I'd have to be accepted. Not
everyone is."

"You've got as good a chance as any, and there's still a few months to
prepare." Alyena felt a swell of pride, both at how hard Evalya had
worked over the past Turn to catch up to her age group and how she was
preparing for her future. Even in their most difficult times, the young
girl had rarely complained.

They sat quietly for a while, Evalya lying on her back and gazing up at
Delorth's half-lidded green-blue eyes. Alyena thought of that night when
they'd come to the Weyr, scratched and bruised, half-starved, the scent
of smoke from their burning cothold still in their clothes. That had
been the first night Evalya saw a woman riding a dragon, the first
female healer, too. Perhaps it had influenced her daughter more than
she'd realised.

"What about you, Mama?" R'ayl asked. He sat up and reached for the
waterskin they'd brought. "How was your day? Did anything happen?"

Alyena glanced at her son. He'd always been a perceptive one. "It did,
as a matter of fact. The Weyrwoman asked to see me."

"Really?" Evalya sat up, interested. "Did you see Panitath?"

"No, it was in the Headwoman's office. She asked me to make some more
iced klah rolls."

R'ayl's brows rose, clearly expecting more though he was too respectful
to ask.

"Oh, are there any spare?" Evalya asked.

"If you're early to breakfast tomorrow then perhaps there will be."
Alyena smiled. "She also told me that the Headwoman is retiring soon,
and - she asked if I'd be interested in taking her place."

"You're going to be Headwoman?" The girl's eyes went wide, and then she
flung herself into her mother's arms, damp hair, sand and salt and all.
"Mama! That's wonderful! You should have told us!"

Alyena glanced over her shoulder at R'ayl, who didn't look as surprised
as his sister. He must hear more lower caverns gossip than she knew.

"I haven't said yes yet. I wanted to talk to both of you first," she
explained. "R'ayl, you're settled in well with the weyrlings, but
Evalya, I know this is an important time for you, and you've got a lot
of decisions to make soon."

"But I've made them." Evalya leaned against her shoulder. "And anyway,
it's months away."

"I know, but you might still change your mind, or want to talk it over
some more. If you do, I'll be here for you, Headwoman or not."

"I think you should say yes. You'll be a wonderful Headwoman," Evalya
said loyally. "And if they don't let me be a Candidate or a healer, then
I'll just work for you!"

"I'd be lucky to have you, but I don't think that's likely." The
Candidates, at least - she knew less about what the healers required of
their apprentices, but it sounded as though the harper thought Evalya
had a good chance. "What do you think, R'ayl?"

"The Weyrwoman asked for you, Mama." The young bluerider scooted over to
her other side, so she had both of her children close to her. "It must
be because she thinks you're the best person to help her. And I agree."

"It's a great honour, that's certain. We all owe the Weyr so much." A
shadow crossed the fading sun, and with it, the memory of her eldest
son, never far from Alyena's heart. She'd thought, once, that the Weyr
had taken him from her. His short time here had been all darkness, rage
and pain. Now, after all that had passed, it was those who'd sent him
here who she blamed. The same people who'd put the knife in his hand had
tainted Delorth's first meal with fellis and sent men to her cot with
torches. They'd used her sons and then thought to destroy them all, but
they'd not succeeded.

Her family was still here.

She looked up. "Delorth?"

The blue rumbled, and bared his teeth in a draconic grin, drawing a
laugh from R'ayl. "He says yes, too."

"Then it's settled. I'll tell the Weyrwoman in the morning." Alyena gave
the children a last squeeze, then let them go, reaching for Evalya's
discarded tunic. "Time we were going back. Dinner will be ready soon,
and it's getting chilly."

The blue stirred and rose to a crouch, careful not to shake sand on
their heads. Evalya pulled on the tunic over her bathing costume, then
shook out the blankets and towels before rolling them up and tucking
them into the riding straps, while R'ayl climbed lightly up to his back
and reached down for Alyena to hand him the basket.

"Congratulations, Mama," he said softly.

"Does this mean...extra iced klah rolls?" Evalya grinned as she reached
up for her brother's hand. She was getting taller, too, and didn't need
help to mount any more. "Or would that be favouritism?"

Alyena hid a smile as she followed her up. "Even a Headwoman can make a
treat or two for her children now and then. If they're good and finish
their chores..."

The downbeat of Delorth's wings gusted away the young girl's response,
and then he was in the air, the crimson sunset purpling his hide as he
glided over the beaches, back towards the Weyr where Alyena's decision
awaited her.

Last updated on the August 11th 2024

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A Family Decision