A Choice In The Matter

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 17th September 2009

Characters: Briata, Zharesti
Description: Briata tells Zharesti she doesn't want to Stand.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 5

Briata

At her old Weyr it had been the fine ashy soil that had been
continuously tracked into her office, but there the ledge of the dragon
weyr had extended past her office door, making a flight of steps
necessary for people to reach her and the steps had gone some way toward
reducing the mess coming in the door. Except when it had snowed. The
snow had been more problematic.

But at River Bluff nearly everything conspired against Zharesti. There
was no ledge; both the dragon weyr and her office gave straight out onto
the river flat that bore the nominal name of the 'Weyrbowl'. And so
close to the sea it wasn't the ashy soil of a volcanic Weyr, but the
almost pure sand of a cliff Weyr set on a beach.

Some former Weyrwoman - more likely a Lady Weyrholder - had arranged for
the area directly outside the office door to be paved with large slabs
of some reasonably smooth grey stone. It kept some of the sand at bay
but after any amount of wind there were drifts -

"Drifts!" Zharesti exclaimed aloud as she wielded the stiff-bristled
broom, addressing the pile of sand she had swept from the floor of her
office as she pushed it off the edge of the paved semi-circle with
vigour and a sense of satisfaction. She then looked up and her rather
smug expression changed to one of amusement. "Did I get you, Briata?"
she asked, trying to sound apologetic.

"Nothing but a bit on my shoes and its only a little." In truth, the
young woman had hopped away as she saw the cloud of sand burst toward
her which had helped most of of it off from her. "I get as much walking
through the bowl." She glanced past the Weyrwoman as if to see if she
was alone, then asked, "Might I have a word?"

"Of course. Dust yourself off and come in," the Weyrwoman said,
stepping back into her office herself and hiding the broom behind the
open door. "There are some seats over by the desk there, Briata."

Briata nodded and entered after shuffling her feet a bit in an attempt
to get the sand off of her shoes. She moved over to one of the chairs
and sat down. She settled before the Weyrwoman, not comfortable with
the situation, but feeling strongly enough about it that she would
forego feeling comfortable. "It's about your recent declaration."

"Oh?" Zharesti quite liked the word 'declaration' but it sounded like
Briata didn't. The goldrider settled herself in a chair opposite and
promised herself she would find something more comfortable for visitors
to her new office. "I'm guessing the one about Standing for Veyeth's
Hatching. That one?"

"Yes ma'am." Briata nodded slowly. "I'd like to request permission
_not_ to Stand."

"You're about the last person in the Weyr that I want _not_ to Stand.
Why would you want that? You're obviously very in tune with dragons."

"Yes, but I am not a dragonrider type. I never wanted to be a
dragonrider. I still do not want it." Briata thought it was unfair of
the Weyrwoman to force people to do something they didn't want.

"I didn't want to ever have to fight Thread, either," Zharesti pointed
out coolly, "But I've had to."

"But were you forced to stand for your dragon?" Briata queried as her
eyebrows rose. "Did someone force you to go on the Sands to see if you
would impress?"

"We all knew our duty, Briata. And in those days we weren't sure _why_
dragonkind had to continue, but now we know. Why do you think you're
not a dragonrider type? What 'type' is that?"

"You didn't answer my question, Weyrwoman." Briata pressed gently but
firmly. "Duty or no, were you forced to Stand at the hatchings?"

"Yes, I was. And you didn't answer mine, Briata."

"You were forced to stand?" Briata found that hard to believe. She
wasn't going to answer the Weyrwoman's question just yet, she wanted
clarification. "You had _no_ choice in the matter at _all_? They made
you, against your will?"

"I had no choice, none of us did. Why would we?" the weyrwoman asked
with a shrug. "The dragons come first."

"So the Weyrleaders at your Weyr demanded that you stand and gave you no
choice in the matter." Briata's frown deepened. "I thought the Weyr
felt that people should have the right to choose how they lived. Isn't
that why the Weyr helps women who are in trouble? Yet if you make this
demand of us, how is it any different than what the holders do to their
daughters?"

"Dragonkind must prosper," Zharesti said. "Now more than ever, and
everybody's free to leave if they won't do their part. And now, Briata,
answer my question. What 'type' are dragonriders, that you don't think
you are?"

"I only know that I am not one." Briata stood, her expression
conflicted. She could understand the Weyrwoman's position, but her
demand was akin to fathers forcing their children to marry, to do
something they didn't want. When she spoke, her words were hard, but
her tone was soft and almost tender in a way. "Dragonkind can and will
prosper and just because I don't wish to Stand does not mean that I
don't do my part. I do my part but in other ways. I contribute. I
tell you now, Weyrwoman, I will not Stand. You can not force me, I will
not do it. I wish you a good day." With that, she turned upon her heel
and stalked out of the Weyrwoman's office without giving the goldrider a
chance to respond.

Last updated on the September 21st 2009

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A Choice In The Matter