Something Very Drastic
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: Emma, Jane
Date Posted: 27th August 2009
Characters: K'sedel, Zharesti
Description: Zharesti tells K'sedel her plan for generating more Candidates.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 4, day 23 of Turn 5
"I am _dismayed_," Zharesti said as she entered the Weyrleader's office, speaking with a tone that suggested annoyance more than dismay, "absolutely _dismayed_ by the low number of Candidates available at River Bluff." She frowned at K'sedel as she crossed the room to stand in front of his desk. "Are you busy with something?" she asked belatedly and without much concern.
"I was," he replied, pushing the hide he'd been scribbling on to one side.
"Was it more important than the woeful lack of Candidates?" she asked, pulling up a chair and seating herself close to the desk and putting her sketch pad and pencil down on a space she cleared.
"Wing fitness reports," said K'sedel. "Need to know which of the riders have been cleared to fly in the next fall." And that was important, but so was finding suitable candidates.
"So you've settled back into the job, then?" she asked. "And your son back into the Wingsecond's role?" It was a polite enquiry since the fighting Wings were his responsibility completely - just as the Weyr itself was hers.
"We're managing." It wasn't as hard as it could be with a stranger, and at least they knew they could work on things together.
"Good. Now, these Candidates, or lack of them. I'm going to have to do something very drastic to get the numbers up. Perhaps a few drastic things ..." she said, looking rather pleased at the prospect.
"Drastic how?" There was a note of caution in K'sedel's voice. "We've got the searchriders out daily, excluding fall days or rest days."
"Hmm. I don't suppose we can take their restdays off them," Zharesti mused aloud. "And I understand River Bluff is owed the loan of Candidates from a couple of other Southern Weyrs. But no, I was thinking of the people we already have here. I think we should make them _all_ Stand."
"Are you serious?" K'sedel stared at his Weyrwoman for a moment, then realised from the expression on her face that she most likely was not joking. "We can't make anyone stand, we can request that they do."
"They live in our Weyr; if they're of suitable age and physical condition then of course we can make them Stand. Why not offer the Hatchlings the very widest choice possible?" Her slanted eyes narrowed. "It's all about protecting Pern, isn't it?"
"There will be people who feel they have valid reasons," pointed out K'sedel.
"They can come and tell me their valid reasons, then," the new Weyrwoman said and her tone suggested the reasons might not be well received. "Explain to my face why they think they're too special for Veyeth's hatchlings and to serve Pern in this Pass."
"If I were you I'd speak to the healers, there might be a rush of people wanting to be told they are not fit to stand if you do do this," K'sedel told her.
"I shall speak to everybody," Zharesti said, getting to her feet and snatching up her pad and pencil. She made a note on the uppermost page. "Discussed with the Weyrleader," she murmured aloud.
"You have other people to see?" A not of amusement crept into his voice. The hidework might not have looked efficient in her office the first time he had been there, but it was more than clear that the mind behind it was.
"Of course. This is not the kind of thing to tell people by sticking a piece of paper on a noticeboard. I shall be telling the Headwoman and the Weyr craft masters in person." She wrote on the pad again. "Speak with healers ..." She looked up with a nod for the bronzerider. "Thank you for your help, K'sedel."
"Any time," he told her.
Last updated on the August 29th 2009