Everything you need
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: Eimi, Rebecca
Date Posted: 30th November 2005
Characters: T'kala, M'galec
Description: Takala returns M'galec's harness and they discuss his plans for the future.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 8, day 28 of Turn 3
"Sir? My father asked me to return your harness." Takala waited nervously in the doorway, his arms full of stamped leather.
"Ah, yes. Have a seat, apprentice," M'galec said as he finished up the last few lines of his report. "I owe your father no more marks, I take it."
"It's all taken care of sir" the young man was nervous, he had not expected to be asked to remain. Had he done something wrong?
"How long have you been a candidate, apprentice?" the bronzerider asked as he continued to make notations.
"About two weeks sir, I just got permission. It took a while to convince my mother to let me stand, what happened at Dolphin Cove scared her pretty bad, me too really." He admitted. "I think it helped convince her to let me stand at the same time. I know it sounds weird."
"Well, it certainly reminds us of the risks dragonriders take when we fly Thread. We need all the good riders we can get." He frowned. Those figures didn't seem right! Calculating them one more time he shrugged. Same answer. Huh. "And will you continue crafting after you Impress?"
"Not very much, I know I won't have time while he or she is young, and when we join a wing I guess I won't have time either. With drills and everything. I want us to be as good as we can. I'll be their first dragonrider in my family and I want them to be proud." Takala hoped his answer was the one the bronzerider was looking for, even if it wasn't the answer he wanted it was true.
M'galec frowned slightly. "You have the time you make, apprentice. If crafting is something you are serious about, which I _hope_ it is, you can find the time to practice it. Remember, this Pass will end in your lifetime. You must think ahead."
Surprise showed clearly on his face, "I never thought about it ending like that, I mean it seems like it's been falling forever and will keep doing so." He thought for a moment. "Tanning a a good craft in the Weyr with all the leather riders use. I'd like to think I'm doing something that helps riders, even if I don't impress."
"Yes, tanning is respectable," the bronzerider nodded. "And we could always use talented tanners, not just for straps but for jackets, helmets, boots... Everyone on Pern can contribute _something_ to the fight, whether they Impress or not."
Takala nodded, he wouldn't ever dream of arguing with the bronzerider, it sounded too much like the things his father told him nearly everyday.
M'galec was satisfied with the boy's apparent understanding. Far too many candidates felt that being a dragonrider was all they ever wanted to be. He, on the other hand, felt it was no excuse to not continue their education. "I for example am a bronzerider, a Weyrlingmaster Second, and a Surgeon, and I find time for all three in my life. Don't worry,apprentice. You will find the time to be a wingrider and a crafter. Pern needs smart young men like you."
Takala flushed slightly, this time because of the praise. "I understand sir, I've seen the weyrling running around with their lifemates, it seems to be a dream, but when I think about Dolphin Cove it's puts things in perspective"
"As it should. We must all learn lessons from tragedies such as that so that it will not be repeated again. But we must also see it as a reminder that every person on Pern, not just the riders, are valuable. Where would Dolphin Cover be without the Healers who treated them, he weavers who made the cloth for the bandages, the farmer and herdcrafters who produced the food to keep them strong, the tanners whose wares offered them some protection from the Thread... We are all important in our own way. You may be called on to serve Pern as a dragonrider, but it is not the only contribution we can make. Remember that lad."
"Sir, if I may ask, what's it like? Impressing?"
"Like finding pieces of your soul you didn't even know you were missing," the bronzerider said with a knowing smile. "Until it happens to you, you will never be able to understand it. I hope you will know for yourself soon."
"So do I sir. I wonder what my dragon will be like?"
"I don't know, son. But I do know that your dragon will be everything that you will ever need."
Last updated on the December 1st 2005