The Start of Something New
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 22nd August 2007
Characters: Chalzie
Description: Chalzie swims and contemplates her move to the Dolphin Hall.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 3 of Turn 4
Notes: This is an introduction to Chalzie, as well as my first post.
**97, 98, 99, 100.** Chalzie came up for air, gasping. She had finally managed to hold her breath for a full 100 seconds. And she hadn't even sped up her counting at the end. It was a great feeling.
"Time for a break," she told herself, swimming slowly back to the beach. Her breathing was still hard when she walked out of the water and took a seat to rest. Several dragons were in the water, riders in the middle of the long task of scrubbing them clean. A brown flew overhead with his rider, probably headed to their weyr. Beginning in four days, these were sights she wouldn't see very often. She would miss the Weyr, her home for all of her life. But she was also very excited at the prospect of moving to the Dolphin Hall, apprenticing to the craft, and starting a life very different from that of a weyrbrat or candidate. "I hope I like it," she whispered, one hand playing idly with the sand. Luckily, the Hall was just a short walk from the Weyr, so she knew she would still see her friends as often as she wanted. Soon, maybe she would even be able to swim to the Weyr. Was that possible? If so, it would be a good goal to work towards.
Was she really meant to be a dolphineer? She didn't really know. But, at 13, she knew there was plenty of time to return to the Weyr if she decided, and stand again as a candidate. Chalzie was ready for a change. She had Stood at several hatchings and seen friends Impress while she had been left empty-handed. It was a humbling feeling to have to walk off those Sands alone. She knew she was young, but didn't know if she could wait for turns and turns, just hoping for something that might never come to her. That acute feeling of defeat, combined with memories of the hurricane that were just beginning to fade, made Chalzie want to try something new. She had always loved swimming, and admired the partnership that could form between dolphins and dolphineers. She just worried she wouldn't be good enough at the craft.
Since making the decision to transfer, she had gone swimming as much as possible to prepare herself for the long candlemarks she expected she would be spending in the water. She had been pleased at the improvement she'd been making, although she had only her own standards by which to measure her abilities. Hopefully, she wouldn't be found lacking. **I can do this.**
What would the Hall be like? It was hard for her to imagine. She was used to taking classes and sleeping in a room with others her age. In many ways, her routine there would be similar to what she did at the Weyr. But no mating flights, no eggs, no hatchings; and no friends, at least not yet. This would be the start of something new. It could be the beginning of a career, a craft she would practice for the rest of her life. This was a pretty serious thought for a girl only 13 turns old, and a bit frightening.
She took a deep breath and let it out quickly. "Ok, time to get back in." She hoisted herself up, not bothering to brush the sand off, and waded back into the water. "Just 10 laps." Picking an area with no dragons, she began swimming at a steady pace. She was beginning to appreciate the silence that surrounded her when she swam. It was just her and the water, the soft sound of her arms and legs pushing through it and her steady breathing. Hopefully some day a dolphin partner would share this time with her. Of course, she had many turns to go before she could hope for a partner, and a lot to learn and experience in that time. Still, it was fun to imagine.
Soon, the rush of thoughts that had been racing through her mind left, leaving, not emptiness, but a certain calmness. Chalzie relished these moments, when time seemed to stand still. However, after several minutes her breathing became too labored for her to ignore it. The rest of the swim was only completed by her urging her legs to keep kicking, her arms to keep moving. Then, it was done. The girl tread water slowly for a minute, letting her heartbeat return to a slower pace. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her it was time to eat. Chalzie left the water again, slipped on her sandals, wrapped a skirt around her waist, and headed to the Candidate Barracks to change before going to the Dining Hall.
As she walked, her mind turned back to the new life she was about to begin. New place, new craft...new friends? She hoped so.
Last updated on the October 18th 2008