Winter Weather 1

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 27th October 2005

Characters: Firsa, Jacek
Description: A late tithe from Sandstone Gorge brings Jacek to the Weyr
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 14 of Turn 3

"Tithe from Sandstone Gorge?" Firsa coaxed her frozen fingers to undo buckles and snaps to release the runner from the sled. Frost glimmered along the whiskers that bordered its mouth, and she wished for nothing more than to bury her hands in its mane to warm them up.
Their driver nodded. "Woodworking, fleece, and blankets. And some apples. The harvest was late this turn." Frost rimmed his mouth, too, turning his beard into a crescent of premature silver. He smiled, exposing a dark gap between his front teeth. "Worth the trip."

Firsa turned back to her task, but was smiling even as the wind slipped icy fingers down her back. Finally the last buckle came free and the pair was loosed from their wagon. The Stablemaster gathered up the reins and pointed at the second pair who shivered miserably in the lee of the wagon they'd so recently abandoned. "Bring them, and follow me." She started off down the well worn path from the unloading zone to the stables, and the two runners plodded quickly after her, knowing they'd soon be somewhere dry and warm. Snow was piling between the stones of the walkway and drifting against the walls; an apprentice would be by to shovel in the morning.

It was a relief to get out of the wind. The stable's warm, humid air folded around her as she put the two runners into separate stalls, then directed the driver who'd followed her to do the same with his, and the apprentice who'd led in the third pair did just that without being told. Firsa tucked her frozen hands into her jacket pocket.
"You can go up to the dining cavern and get warm, if you'd like."

The driver shook his head. "I won't leave you to take care of six animals alone."

"I've got Vernalt." Firsa nodded at the apprentice, who was scurrying into the tack room to find grooming supplies. "Three beasts each."

"Two's still quicker." He held out his hand. "Jacek, from Sandstone Gorge."

Firsa shook it. His fingers were cold and rough. "Journeywoman Firsa.
I'm the Stablemaster here. I take it that this is your first time to Dragonsfall?"

Jacek nodded. "I've always wanted to make the tithe run, but getting m- things have prevented me."

"It's good to have you here, then." Vernalt the apprentice reappeared and handed both Firsa and their guest a bucket containing the various brushes, combs, and picks for the runners. Firsa gave him a faint smile as praise and turned to her work. Turns of practice meant that it was just under a half candlemark later that she finished. Jacek was finishing up his second runner, and she cleared her throat to get his attention. "I'll give them a bit of hay, and you can fill me in on their normal diet in the morning. Do you want any grain for them?"

Jacek nodded. "About two handfuls each of oats, and a half handful of corn if you've got it."

"Vernalt?" The apprentice nodded; he'd see that it was done. She waited until Jacek was finished with the last runner's feet before speaking again. "I'll show you to the dining cavern, and where to go for a bath and a bed."

"Thank you." Jacek smiled again; he really was a handsome man when he smiled, Firsa mused. Even with the beard. He took the time to murmur a goodnight to each of his charges before following her back out into the cold, and then into the Weyr. "How long have you been here?" he asked. His long legs matched hers as she strode down the hall.

Firsa shrugged and stuck her gloves into her pocket. "Since I was about fourteen. I've been in the Stables since."

"Not bad. Not many women could do what you've done in such a short time." Firsa snuck a sideways look at him, but his expression was genuine. He caught her looking and smiled. "The Stablemaster at home is an old man, and he inherited it from an even older one."

The Journeywoman didn't quite know what to say to that. She cleared her throat. "If you go down that hall, it'll take you to the Headwoman's offices. Speak with her or one of the assistants and they'll give you a bed."

"Thank you." Jacek was quiet for a moment, his eyes wide as he peered down branching halls and up staircases. "I've heard the weyrs are quite roomy."

"They can be." She shrugged. "The dragonriders' are. Mine's gotten better."

"Gotten better?" Jacek asked.

"I lost a roommate."

"You're alone now?"

Firsa smiled, a slow warmth radiating out from her centre that had nothing to do with the warmer air inside. "Yes, I am."

Jacek smiled and held out his arm gallantly. "Then you'll join me for dinner?"

"Yes. I'd like that," she said. It had been a long time since she'd joined anyone for dinner, and Firsa found she rather liked the proposition.

Last updated on the October 29th 2005

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Winter Weather 1