Space and Solitude

Writers: Jane
Date Posted: 27th December 2007

Characters: K'hetah, Ylisahn
Description: K'hetah tells the Headwoman what he thinks about his new weyr.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 10 of Turn 4

"Good morning, Headwoman."

"And to you, Wingleader," Ylisahn said, getting to her feet as the bronzerider peeked around door into her office. "Come in. Was the weyr all right? I'm more than happy to assign you another –"

"No, no." K'hetah rounded the door and entered the office. "The weyr is perfect."

"And Loeth likes it?"

"He loves it. I think he spent all night with his head hanging off his ledge looking down at the waves hitting the rocks."

The day before he had ignored all the weyrs she had offered as 'suitable for his rank' and had instead chosen an isolated spot on the external side of the northern arm of the Weyr. She had cautioned him about the lack of facilities - no electricity, though that seemed typical for many parts of Dolphin Cove, and no easy access to bathing rooms or necessaries. In fact, the only access was by dragon and he had been much amused when she had diffidently suggested that the Weyrleader might not approve of his newest Wingleader holing up in such an inaccessible place.

"Well ... If you're sure," Ylisahn said, still not convinced she had done the right thing in letting the dark-haired bronzerider settle himself in such basic accommodation. "Is there anything you need? I don't think there was much in the rider's quarters. A bed and a desk."
The clothes press was carved into one of the rough rock faces that formed the walls of the rider's quarters and covered with two latticed wooden doors. "Perhaps a comfortable chair? I can get the weyrlings –"

K'hetah raised his hands in protest. "It's perfect the way it is. I'm here to convince you of that. Maybe later I'll want a few more things, but for now it's great to have space and-"

"Solitude?" Ylisahn guessed, thinking back to something he had said laughingly the day before.

The quick grin lit the bronzerider's rather ordinary features. "Exactly."

He wasn't sure why he had even hinted about his reasons for wanting to be alone to this woman yesterday, other than she was a sympathetic listener which was probably part of what made her a good Headwoman. And she had been very concerned about the lack on internal access to the weyr he had chosen. He had countered her list of the disadvantages of such a weyr and he had said that at least it would be better than having hysterical women being able ambush him any time, day or night.

"That happens to you a lot, does it?" she had asked.

Wincing at the memories, he had assured her that once was enough for a lifetime and then agreed with her point that there were still female greenriders and that all manner of weyrfolk were able to ask weyrlings to deliver them to an otherwise inaccessible weyr.

She was right, and the reminder had simply served to make him impress upon Loeth that the dragon should make it clear to other dragons that they were not to bring people to their weyr. It was to be _their_
space; for them alone. He thought Loeth understood, but in the middle of the night had wondered if the Headwoman would be so understanding when some weyrling was warned off delivering a lower caverns woman on cleaning duties.

"There is something I forgot to mention yesterday. There's no need for anybody to clean my weyr. I can manage that myself."

"You're entitled to it," Ylisahn protested. She had enjoyed chatting to this newcomer the day before, but she had to admit that she wasn't sure what made him likeable. He was certainly swimming against the tide at every turn, and she usually distrusted that.

"I know, and I appreciate it. I'd just rather not have anybody assigned, thank you."

"Perhaps ... Just occasionally? When it suits you? You could just tell me when and I'll organise it." She hated the thought that any rider's quarters might descend into disorder, no matter their preferences.

"That might work." He nodded. One day when he and Loeth were around to supervise. "I'll let you know."

"And when you want more furniture or fittings?"

He laughed. "Am I making it difficult for you to discharge your duty to me?"

Ylisahn didn't hesitate to be blunt in the face of his amusement. "Very."

"Well, just reassure yourself that I couldn't be happier. The view is spectacular, the sea a novelty to me, and the room is perfect. I'm grateful for your cooperation; you've given me everything I want."

Ylisahn nodded, thinking of her own skewed reasons for choosing the room she and her weyrmate now occupied. Perhaps the ambush by an hysterical woman wasn't the joke he passed it off as.

Perhaps it was none of her business.

"Space and solitude?" she suggested lightly.

The dark-haired bronzerider nodded in return. "Exactly that."

Last updated on the December 28th 2007

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Space and Solitude