Hunting For Bullies

Writers: Clancey, Jane
Date Posted: 25th November 2008

Characters: Daynar, Kimbel
Description: Daynar enlists Kimbel's help to find out what is really going on in his Hall.
Location: Smith Hall (NPC)
Date: month 12, day 24 of Turn 4

"Come in, Kimbel." The Hallmaster waved at him, nodding toward the seat
across from him. "I've something I'd like your opinion on, if you don't
mind? Its about some of our apprentices."

"Sir." Kimbel entered the Hallmaster's office, as instructed.
"Something good, I hope?" he said, suspecting it might not be. Did
anybody ever get asked to discuss good things with a Hallmaster?

"Thanks for coming so quickly." He smiled, then shook his head at the
question as his smile faded. "Unfortunately, it probably isn't good."
He yelled for Gerreo to bring klah, then went on, talking to the man
that he had so far seen good things from, and was glad to have at his Hall.

"Some time ago, a young apprentice - Nyblek - was attacked by at least 3
other young men at this Hall. I do _not_ tolerate that sort of
behaviour from my apprentices and journeymen, but Nyblek didn't see
their faces and we could never find out who it was, exactly." He
paused as the klah arrived, then took up his tale again.

"I was wondering if you'd keep an eye on the older boys for me - not
that you don't already - but you're much less conspicuous than I,
obviously, and I would really like to know if there are any more
beatings going on, or if they are planning to attack Nyblek again. The
healers say there have been a few more bruises and black eyes than
normal, but it is also project time for a lot of our soon-to-be
journeymen and they tend to .. ahh... hurt themselves in their rush."

"Accidents do happen," Kimbel agreed. "But harassing younger boys -
anybody - I'll certainly keep an eye out for anything like that."

Daynar nodded, looking thoughtful. "What I wish to know is .. why? Why
on Pern would some boys think attacking another boy - who has no odd
habits that I know of - be useful? Is there more to the story? Have I
taught them to be bullies, after all?" His look turned to a frown. He
maintained a tight rein over them, true, but was it too tight? "Have you
seen this at any other Holds or Halls in your travels?"

"I've probably seen a little of everything," Kimbel admitted. "And to
be honest, even if the boy had any 'odd habits' there is nothing gained
by attacking him. Sometimes there sdoesn't seem to be anything more
behind it than that boys in a group can become bullies quite easily. To
be honest, I think they learn it at home, before we get them, and all we
can do is succeed or fail at teaching them better behaviour."

Daynar nodded. He had expect Kimbel to say that, given his colorful
history. Thoughtful, he regarded the Senior Journeyman, his mind
turning over the words he'd said. "You're right, I think. I
believe we are suffering a bit here to do the absence of a Master of
Apprentices. I become too busy to oversee them as closely as I
should, and Nyblek's injury - and resulting need for revenge - is what
has resulted. Do you have any other suggestions on how to prevent
this type of behavior in the future?"

"Keeping a close eye on the boys. Dealing firmly with those that are
doing the bullying. They shouldn't stay in the craft, in my opinion,"
Kimbel said bluntly. It would never be his decision, of course, as a
journeyman. "They need to know that. Even if we can't change their
inclinations we can make them aware that bullying will cost them their
future."

Daynar considered that option for a long moment, then finally nodded.
"I agree with you. Perhaps the threat of removal will be enough to
stop the trend. Smiths who are bullies bring no good to the Craft.
If you can begin to find out who the boys in question are, I will
speak to them of their futures. In the meantime, we need to keep an
eye on Nyblek. He's been learning to fight with a knife. I allowed
it to go on so he could defend himself, but the situation will only
worsen if we can't take away the focus of his anger, and also the
source of the danger for the other boys."

Kimbel sighed. "No good ever comes from making fist fights into knife
fights," he said. "But I can imagine why he thinks it will help. I'll
see what I can do, though if he doesn't trust me I can't make him do so."

Daynar laughed. "Don't worry Kimbel. They're so used to me gruffing
and grumbling at them, anyone who opens to them with warmth and
concern for their well-being will be extremely well-received. Nyblek
will trust you. He trusts me, and you're much nicer than I." He
considered for a moment longer. "I wish you were a Master so I could
make you Master of Apprentices, but perhaps this will work better if
you're just Kimbel the nice, understanding teacher?"

The journeyman was a little embarrassed at that role for him - and a
little flustered by the mention of master rank. He _liked_ being a
journeyman, whether as a worker or a teacher, and had been around long
enough to know that the jump in rank to master wasn't only an accolade
for good work in the craft, it was a complete change in lifestyle, and
one he regarded as an horrifying prospect. "Well, I'll try to live up
to that," he said with a nod. He could hardly object, could he?

"I'm sure you'll do fine." He smiled at him. "You're bound to do
better than me. I'm not the confiding in sort, it appears." He
pulled up a hide of the oldest apprentices, sorted for this purpose.

"Here are some of the names of who I think are the likeliest
suspects.. If you need anything, or have a suggestion, please stop by
any time, alright?" He was well aware he was asking alot more than
one usually asked of a Journeyman, but his Hall was a bit short at the
moment with Masters out and about and not posted here, or in between
postings, and not here yet.

"I'll keep an eye on them," Kimbel said, folding the paper without
looking at it. He wanted to think about it, first, and decide who he
thought the most likely were among the apprentices to be bulling. Then
he would see if his own opinions agreed with those of the Hallmaster.

The journeyman got to his feet. "Is there anything more, sir?"

Daynar was a bit startled by Kimbel's actions; usually he did the
dismissing, but he supposed the man was right. Their meeting was
over. "No, Kimbel. You may go. Thank you, again, for your help."
He stood as well, to see him out. He had to go bother some of the
older apprentices anyway; they were all working on their final
projects.

"We've yet to see how much help I'll be," Kimbel admitted, "But I'll do
what I can."

"Whatever help you are will be more than I have now, Kimbel." He tried
another smile as he and the journeyman came to their separate turns.
"Thank you, again."

"You're welcome, Hallmaster."

Last updated on the December 4th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Hunting For Bullies