Taking the Lead

Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 29th January 2021

Characters: M'gan, Z'ku
Description: Z'ku gets an opportunity to lead
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 11 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: T'ner, K'deren

Z'ku

After the wing meeting was over and the riders began to file out of the
room, M'gan called out to one of the younger bronzeriders. "Z'ku? Could
you stay for a moment, please?"

"Of course, sir." Z'ku briefly wondered if there was a problem, but he
and Xemroth hadn't had any issues lately.

"Don't worry, you've not done anything wrong," M'gan said reassuringly
as the last of the wingriders left. "I wanted to know if you'd still be
interested in helping out with a new wingrider who's joining Cyclone
from the Weyrling's Wing? Answering questions, helping out with our
drills and generally getting them settled in."

Z'ku's chest swelled a little. "Yes, sir. I'd very much like that."
More responsibility, exactly what he'd been waiting for!

"Good." He took hold of one of the chairs that the wingriders had been
using and turned it to face Z'ku. "Have a seat. Now, keep this to
yourself until graduation day, of course, but I've asked the Weyrleader
to assign us a young bluerider called T'ner. He seems to have a steady
character and has done well in his training. He's about your age, so if
he has questions or wants guidance I expect he'll find you more
approachable than me."

Z'ku nodded. "And of course I can direct him to you or K'deren if it's
a question or issue the Wing leadership should address."

"Yes, of course. If there's anything you're not sure about, just have
Xemroth ask Isarth or Donneth," M'gan said. "As far as drills, I'd like
to put him in a nine with you taking the lead, and some experienced
greenriders and blueriders to back you up. How would you feel about that?"

"I would love that, sir." Z'ku couldn't help a small smile. He'd led a
nine before here and there, but it felt like he'd been waiting forever
to have more responsibility.

}:We will lead well,:{ Xemroth said, the bronze feeling equally pleased.

"Glad to hear it. It'll be good for you to be leading a group of riders
more often, and train together with them." M'gan paused for a moment.
Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of other riders, and how they
worked together, was also a skill that a bronzerider had to learn.
"Besides T'ner, are there any riders you'd like with you in your nine?"

Z'ku thought a moment. "Wassorel, B'neld, A'rie. . ." he said, naming
some of the older riders. "and Cosani." They'd been weyrlings together
and wingmates since graduation, so they were used to working together.

Those were steady wingriders with many Turns of experience between them,
and M'gan was pleased with the choices. Cosani was younger and he wasn't
sure yet what he made of her character, but she was a competent rider
and perhaps they knew each other well. "Good. I'll see what I can do,
and I'll fill out the nine with some younger riders. We'll try it out at
the next drill. How does that sound?"

"That sounds excellent, sir. Thank you for putting your trust in me."
Z'ku knew he and Xemroth had earned it through their performance. Even
D'hol had trusted Z'ku enough to put him in charge of a three, and
even a nine on occasion. But it was easier to be upfront about his
desire for leadership with M'gan, and it was already paying off.

"Don't thank me yet, bronzerider. I'll be expecting you to report to me
regularly on your nine's progress, and your ideas for improvement,"
M'gan said, his lips twitching in a barely suppressed grin. "You can
start after the drill. Make sure you're prepared."

Z'ku schooled his face into a serious expression. "Yes, sir. I will
be." He was determined not to let his Wingleader -- or himself --
down.

"Good." M'gan thought to himself that if Z'ku did well, he'd be ready
for a further promotion. It would be tricky, since he already had a good
Wingsecond, but he didn't particularly want to lose a talented young
rider to another wing. Still, if he'd been in the young bronzerider's
boots, he'd not have wanted his Wingleader to stand in his way. He'd
have to think it over. "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll let you go
and celebrate."

"Thank you, sir. Xemroth and I will do our best for you and Cyclone."
The bronze was radiating pride, as eager as his rider for this chance
to prove himself.

"I'd expect nothing less. I'll see you tomorrow, Bronzerider Z'ku."
M'gan gathered up his papers as he watched the young man leave, the
smile he'd been holding back spreading across his face. Had he ever been
so young and eager? Yes, he was fairly certain he had. Nevertheless, he
was looking forward to seeing how Z'ku did in his new role.

Last updated on the February 19th 2021

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Taking the Lead