That's Not Possible!

Writers: Emma, Estelle
Date Posted: 20th January 2019
Series: The Great Bandit Trial

Characters: K'sedel, R'fal
Description: K'sedel gives R'fal some bad news about his father.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 1 of Turn 9

K'sedel

R'fal was at dinner when Marlath told him that the Weyrlingmaster wanted
to see him. Luckily he'd almost finished eating, because he immediately
lost his appetite.

**What have I done now?** he wondered. He had only just finished his
punishment duty with the healers, and was enjoying having a little free
time once again, even if he couldn't use it to leave the Weyr. Did the
Weyrlingmaster have some further duty in mind for him?

}: We are not in trouble, but... :{ Marlath sounded uneasy. R'fal had
never felt such emotions from his dragon before. He quickly excused
himself and left the dining cavern.

**What is it?**

}: I don't know. It's just that Nikornath seemed concerned. :{

**He could be concerned about something that has nothing to do with us.
Maybe he's going to tell me I can go and visit my family now,** R'fal
suggested hopefully. All the same, he couldn't help but share his
dragon's sense of foreboding, and he hurried to the Weyrlingmaster's
office as quickly as he could.

Hearing the steps outside his office, K'sedel rose to open the door.
"Come in R'fal," he said, his tone even.

The boy entered the room, trying to figure out the Weyrlingmaster's
mood. He didn't look angry, but didn't seem pleased either. "Sir? Have I
done something wrong?"

"No, no you haven't." K'sedel gestured to a seat, even as he took his
own. This was not going to be easy, to tell the youngster that his
father had been taken under guard to be questioned on charges of theft
was not something that he relished in any way.

R'fal sat down, wondering what it could be. Of course, Blooding was not
far off, and graduation to the fighting Wings for those who met the
required standard. His heart sank as he wondered if he was going to be
held back with the younger riders.

"Your mother wrote to me, and she asked me to speak to you about
something that affects your family. She thought it might be easier for
me to talk to you before you read the letter yourself. I need you to
listen to me, and then I'll let you read it and try to answer any
questions afterwards." Aware that the weyrling was now probably
worrying, he paused for a second, "Are you ready to hear this?"

The young brownrider looked more confused than worried, as if it had
never occurred to him that anything out of the ordinary could take place
in his family. "Yes, sir. What's happened?"

"There was an incident, it involved theft, your mother didn't seem to
know all the details, but your father was arrested by the Emerald Falls
Guards and taken for questioning in connection with it." K'sedel hoped
that he hadn't scared the boy too much. "It seems he was implicated in
storing stolen property."

"Arrested?" R'fal stared at him in stunned disbelief. "But...that's not
possible. My Da would never have anything to do with thieves!"

Everyone thought that their parents were perfect at that age, thought
K'sedel as he passed the letter over the R'fal. "Have a look for
yourself, if there is anything you don't understand, or have questions
about, you can ask me, or I can see about finding you a harper to talk
to about the legal part if you'd like."

R'fal took the letter. He recognised his mother's handwriting, but he
was still reeling from the shock and could hardly make sense of what
she'd written. He managed to focus on the part of the letter where she
described what had happened. It didn't give much more detail than what
the Weyrlingmaster had already told him; his father had been accused of
collaborating with a band of holdless thieves and taken to Emerald Falls
by the guards.

"It must be a mistake." He looked up at K'sedel. "They'll realise he
didn't do anything, and let him go." Another phrase in the letter caught
his eye: 'very serious charges'. He half-rose from the chair. "I've got
to... Can I go and see him?"

"I don't know if that would be possible," K'sedel said. "Until the
guards have finished asking their initial questions he might not be
allowed any visitors at all. What I can do is ask the question on your
behalf, but you do need to know that the answer will most likely be no."

R'fal sat down again, though his instinct was telling him to run to
Marlath and fly to Emerald Falls at once. His family needed him! He
thought about his father, locked up alone in a dark cell. What would he
be thinking? Could he have been falsely accused? But who would do such a
thing - and why? R'fal couldn't imagine that of anyone in the hold, or
their neighbours. He _had_ to speak to him! But if he couldn't...

"What about my Ma?" he asked. "Can I see her?"

"I'll send word with the watchrider that you want to see her. If she
wants to come here to speak to you, we can organise that," K'sedel's
tone made it clear that was what he'd prefer, where someone could keep a
discreet eye on the weyrling pair. "Otherwise, if she wants you to visit
her, then we'll have to see what can be arranged to get you and Marlath
there and back safely."

"Thank you, sir." R'fal knew he had to talk to his mother. Did the
guards know about the poaching expeditions? A cold, sickening feeling
crept through him. If they did, then he was guilty too. Should he
confess? He had never heard of a dragonrider being convicted of a crime.
What would happen to Marlath if he was sent to prison?

}: You are afraid! :{ The young brown dragon had been resting with some
of his clutchmates, but R'fal could sense him rising to a crouch and
letting out a low moan of distress.

**I'm all right. Just some bad news. We can talk about it later.** He
tried his best to put his fears aside, reassure his lifemate and focus
on what he needed to know.

"If they don't let him go, what will happen? Will there be a trial?"

"It's too early to say, but I can ask that word is sent here. There are
no guarantees of course."

R'fal swallowed. "But...if there is a trial...can I go there and speak
up for him? I could tell them that he's a good man, and he wouldn't do
what they're accusing him of."

K'sedel thought for a moment. "Maybe the harpers can answer that one for
you, they'd be able to explain better than I how things are going to
work," reaching for a scrap of hide he began to scrawl a note. "Take
this to the harpers, and ask if they can make time for one of the
Journeymen who has experience of legal matters to talk to you after
classes tomorrow."

"Yes, sir. Thank you." R'fal took the note. Speaking to a harper about
legal matters. It sounded awfully serious. What did a farm boy like
himself know about such things? But he would have to learn, if he wanted
to help his father. "Can I go and be with Marlath now? He's worried." He
stared down at the papers in his hands. "I don't know how to explain
this to him."

"Just use simple words," said K'sedel. "And if he gets upset, tell him
Nikornath is there."

"I'll try. I'm not sure I understand it myself. But it's probably all a
mistake," R'fal said, doing his best to sound hopeful. "The guards will
realise that, and let him go."

"We'll see what happens," K'sedel told the boy. "Now go and see your
dragon."

"Yes, Weyrlingmaster." He got to his feet and left the office in a daze.
His feet took him to the weyrbowl to meet Marlath almost by instinct,
since his mind was so distracted that he hardly noticed where he was
going. It had to be a mistake. His mother would know - he'd see her, and
she'd explain everything, and it would all turn out well.

It had to, because if not, he could hardly bear to think of what it
would mean for his family.

Last updated on the January 29th 2019

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That's Not Possible!