The Next Lightning Wingleader

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 4th June 2025

Characters: N'vanik, I'lek, Tr'vel, Terella, D'stan, Ochrya
Description: N'vanik makes an announcement to Lightning Wing
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: M'trel

N'vanik

Tr'vel

The venerable ancient bronzerider who'd been Wingleader of Lightning
Wing for decades had passed a few days ago at the age of a hundred and
one. While he'd needed a bit of assistance, the work had kept him busy
and happy, and R'garan had been remarkably sharp right up until the
end.

N'vanik had called for the Lightning Wing riders to meet in the Dining
Cavern after lunch. "I'm very sorry for your loss. I know many of you
knew him for a long time, and even your parents and grandparents. He
was good at his job, loved to keep things organized. He'll be missed."
The corner of his mouth turned up. "When I first became Weyrleader, he
told me he'd tan my hide if I screwed up. But he was glad to give me
advice, too. I liked him."

"Thank you, Weyrleader." Terella looked around her wingmates before
speaking up. "We were all very fond of our Wingleader. Joining Lightning
Wing is never an easy time for any rider, but he always used to say it
was only the beginning of a new chapter. He was a truly kind and
supportive man." She smiled. "He used to call me 'young lady', too,
which I appreciated."

"R'garan!" D'stan began to drum on the table with his hands, and the
other wingriders joined in, stamping and clapping.

"Replacing him is going to be a tough job," the Weyrleader said. "So I
thought you should decide who your next Wingleader should be."

"Us, sir?" Tr'vel asked.

N'vanik nodded. "Why not? And since you're not flying drills or Fall,
there's no reason you can't choose a green or bluerider, if they're
the right person for the job. So any of you could be the next
Lightning Wingleader." Lightning had so many riders who were capable
and eager to feel useful, and N'vanik had been a little overwhelmed at
the choices until this idea had occurred to him. A Conclave of Lord
Holders decided who would inherit a Hold if there wasn't a clear heir,
a council of Wingleaders decided on an acting Weyrleader when there
was a need, so why not let the retired riders vote for their new
Wingleader?

"We can really choose _anyone_ in the Wing?" I'lek sounded awed by the
possibilities. His guileless blue eyes fixed on the Weyrleader.

"Anyone," the Weyrleader confirmed. "You'll have two sevendays to
decide, and maybe make your case to your fellow wingmates. Then you'll
write your choice on a slip of paper and put it in a box. M'trel will
tally the votes and I'll announce the winner before the restday."

Ochyra raised a hand. "Sir? What would the Wingleader's responsibilities
be? I know R'garan used to draw up our schedules for sweeprides and
other duties, but I'm not sure what else."

"Schedules, keeping Wing records, welcoming new riders to the Wing,
coordinating with the healers for those with long-term injuries who
might be able to get back to the Fighting Wings someday," N'vanik
said. "Keeping you lot from getting too bored."

"That last one sounds challenging." D'stan eyed I'lek, who was looking
less than enthused by the thought of all that paperwork. But the next
moment, something occurred to the greenrider, he brightened, and his
hand shot up.

"Sir! Would they need to attend meetings? I mean, with the other
Wingleaders?"

"Not usually," the Weyrleader said. "There might be a reason to include
them once in while."

"Oh well." I'lek sighed regretfully as his daydream of being locked in a
meeting room with the Weyr's finest bronzeriders faded. "Once in a
while's better than nothing..."

"You've certainly given us a lot to think about, Weyrleader," Terella
said hastily. "We appreciate the opportunity to select our own leader,
and I'm sure we'll all give it our most careful consideration."

N'vanik spared I'lek a suspicious glance before addressing the rest of
the Wing. "You have two sevendays to think things over. I look forward
to seeing who your choice is." If nothing else, this ought to keep at
least some of them from getting bored until the new Wingleader was in place.

Last updated on the June 10th 2025

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The Next Lightning Wingleader