They Can Choose ...
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: Jane, Devin
Date Posted: 17th January 2010
Characters: N'vanik, Zharesti
Description: N'vanik speaks to the River Bluff Weyrwoman after the Hatching at that Weyr.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 6, day 18 of Turn 5
"Weyrwoman Zharesti." N'vanik smiled at the tall woman. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, N'vanik. Five bronzes," Zharesti said with more pride than graciousness. "_Five._"
"We only had three, but we also had a gold." He couldn't help being competitive.
"Oh? Is there some problem with your senior golds that there was a need for another one?" she asked with apparent concern.
"We didn't have enough golds. We don't have enough of any color, really." N'vanik tried to keep an edge out of his voice and only partly succeeded. "You've been up North, so maybe you didn't hear about Dolphin Cove's run of bad luck. Before my time, of course. Things are better now."
Zharesti rather thought that typical of a new Weyrleader - and most bronzeriders - to think that they had solved the Weyr's problems just by existing. "I'm sure they are. And here Tsaera's long tenure has provided a stabilising influence." Never mind that it was rare for the former Weyrwoman's gold to allow any bronze to fly her twice in a row, thus causing a lengthy list of former Weyrleaders, because Zharesti believed far more in the influence of Weyrwomen than in their male counterparts.
"And then you come in and shake things up," he said.
"It's probably a little early to make that call," Zharesti admitted with some reluctance. She had greatly respected Tsaera - a goldrider like herself from the days when such women were truly rare - and didn't necessarily want to be regarded as somebody changing everything the older woman had established at River Bluff.
"Making everyone of age stand? I'd say that's shaking things up." It had been a popular point of discussion at Dolphin Cove.
"Oh, that." She shrugged. "Veyeth hatchlings deserved a good selection of Candidates."
"Even if the Candidates didn't want to be there," he said. "I didn't know River Bluff had a shortage of Candidates."
"They had a lot of people choosing not to Stand," Zharesti said in exasperation. "And less than twice the number of eggs that were eventually clutched. That's not right. Neither part of it."
Typical self centered goldrider. "So quantity is better than quality?"
"Do you know some method of choosing who will Impress or not, N'vanik? Because if you don't then you'd do well to give your own Hatchlings the best possible choice, too."
"I _do_ want to give them the best choice. That's why I wouldn't put Candidates in front of them that don't want to be there. And if a Hatchling needs to find someone in the Stands, they will." He thought of F'gol, who wasn't even supposed to be there, but he'd wandered in and his blue had found him.
"Everybody says that but how common is it? They nearly always find somebody on the Sands, so on the Sands all their choices should be."
"And the Candidates should get no choice?" Ultimately, the dragon chose, but Candidates should be willing to accept the responsibility of dragonriding before they Stood.
"They can choose to live somewhere else," Zharesti said sweetly.
"Ultimatums. Well, if they can't take any more of your power trip, let them know Dolphin Cove would be glad to have them." He gave her a false smile.
"Oh I certainly will," the Weyrwoman promised. She would even organise somebody to transport them there, if it came to that.
"Good." N'vanik held up his half full wine glass. "Here's to choice."
Zharesti looked at her own empty glass but raised it anyway. "Here's to duty."
Last updated on the January 19th 2010