If a Dragon Could Change Crafts
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: Devin, Jane
Date Posted: 25th July 2009
Characters: N'vanik, K'hetah
Description: N'vanik and K'hetah have a chat on the beach.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 9 of Turn 5
"Does that bronze of yours ever leave the water?" N'vanik asked.
"On Threadfall days," K'hetah grumbled. "And sometimes at night when he realises that floating is not a natural talent for dragons and that he can't do that _and_ sleep at the same time." The Wingleader's light-coloured eyes flicked up to meet the other bronzerider's hazel ones, and he grinned. "Are you thinking of asking me to transfer down the coast to the Dolphin Hall?"
"No. Although your dragon probably wouldn't mind pretending to be a dolphin," N'vanik said. Most dragons were fond of water, but he hadn't seen a dragon that loved it as much as Loeth.
"If a dragon could change crafts, he would," K'hetah agreed with a sigh. He adjusted the loosely woven plant-frond hat he wore to keep the sun off his head and out of his eyes and spared the Weyrleader another glance. "Did you want me for something?"
"Nothing major. I just wanted to see how things were going with your Wing." N'vanik reminded himself to do a better job of checking in with the Wingleaders and 'Seconds.
"We fight Thread, we mostly don't die." K'hetah shrugged. "Perhaps it's more to the point how _you_ think we are going."
"I think you're doing a fine job. I've got no complaints."
K'hetah nodded, wondering if there was more to the other man raising the subject or whether it was nothing more than giving _him_ an opportunity to discuss issues he might have on his mind. "Let me know if you have. It's easier to fix things sooner rather than later." He paused and then added: "I'm thinking of making some changes to the rosters and drill timings. Basically making the support duty and watch duty more predictable for the riders and cutting down on the duties during the middle of the day."
"Sounds good." N'vanik nodded. "Let me look over the changes before you make them."
"I will." In front of the bronzeriders Loeth rose out of the water in a flurry of wing beats and then fell back with a splash. K'hetah winced. "That's the dolphin's fault," he said with a sigh. "There's something to be said for living in a high mountain range with only a weyrlake for washing in."
N'vanik laughed. "Just as long as he doesn't drown anyone." He watched the dragon for a moment. "How do you get up to your weyr, if he's in the ocean all the time? Or does he come out just long enough to take you?"
"He's kind enough to call a weyrling on elevator duty." He adjusted his hat a little in a gesture of discomfort that was more about a memory than a physical thing. "Except one time he called one of my more senior wingriders. It was pretty embarrassing."
"You could get a more accessible weyr," N'vanik suggested with a chuckle.
_Exactly_ what K'hetah didn't want, regardless of the difficulties the sea cliff weyr and Loeth's behaviour caused. "It has a great view," he told the Weyrleader non-committally. "Unless you're thinking of giving yours up," he added, hoping that would steer the conversation in a different direction.
"That's up to the dragons." Thought of losing Nyith's next flight made him nervous. "I'd rather keep it, though."
"Good to hear," K'hetah said with a laugh. "Saves the rest of us from having to learn a new job."
"No dreams of Weyrleadership for you?"
"No ambitions in that direction, anyway. Whether it happens or not -" The other man shrugged. "It's a dragon thing that we have to make the best of. In the meantime I can only make sure I'm ready in case that happens, and be glad when it doesn't and I'm left to my peaceful life." If any dragonrider's life during a Pass could be peaceful, let alone that of a Wingleader.
"Peaceful ... well, your dragon has that down." N'vanik smiled. "I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing. Have a nice day, K'hetah."
"And you, Weyrleader."
Last updated on the July 26th 2009