A Weyrleader's Qualities
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: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 16th August 2009
Characters: Ri'len, N'vanik, Z'ku
Description: N'vanik meets with the bronze weyrlings to discuss Weyrleadership.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 6 of Turn 5
Ri'len came to a stop at the door and stared at it for a moment. Z'ku was surely not far behind. There was still time before they officially had to be there, so the young man waited, glancing down the hall in search of his fellow bronze weyrlings. He clasped his hands and stood to the side, then offered a polite nod in greeting when Z'ku came into view.
Z'ku returned the nod and they waited a moment before the third bronze weyrling arrived. Now they were all here. Z'ku knocked on the door and waited for permission before opening the door and stepping inside.
"Hello. I know you've been introduced to the wonderful world of hidework, but I wanted to take some time out to talk to you guys," N'vanik said. "If you have any questions about what it's like to be a bronzerider, or a Weyrleader, just ask." He didn't think he was too qualified for that second part, but he supposed he had more experience than someone who hadn't been a Weyrleader at all.
Ri'len glanced over at Z'ku and the other weyrling. Weyrleader. Yes, it was a possibility for all of them. Who knew what would happen. The dragons chose, but Ri'len had about as much of a chance as Z'ku of some day taking the position. Questions. Ri'len mulled over the questions in his mind, not sure if or when he would bring them to voice.
"Don't worry about being proper, or anything. If you haven't heard already, I'm not big on formality." N'vanik smiled.
"Yes sir." Ri'len remarked to himself that calling him 'Sir' was formal, but alas. It would feel strange not calling the Weyrleader by some sort of proper title. "Perhaps, sir, if you could go over a typical day we could get a feeling things."
"Sure. First thing, there's drills, then lunch. After that I usually give Loseth a bath, then get through urgent hidework as fast as possible. Usually I meet with my 'Second or 'Third or one of my wingriders to see how things are going. Then more hidework, and weather charts, and duty rosters and then dinner. If I'm lucky, I get the evening to myself. When I started I was drowning in hidework, but I got a system going that seems to work." He waved vaguely at the shelves and desk, with different sized piles of hides.
"What sort of system?" Ri'len doubted he'd ever be chosen as Weyrleader, but he was interested in how things worked. It seemed the Weyrleader would have to be quite organised. He glanced over at the hides trying to figure out by himself, but that was impossible without looking at the content of the hides themselves. Administrative work wasn't his favourite but it was an important part of any position of leadership.
N'vanik pointed to the end of his desk. "I have this basket for people to drop stuff off in. It's impossible to train them to put it where it actually needs to go. So it all gets dropped off in the same place." He pointed to a small stack. "This is all done, and needs to be handed off to someone else." He pointed next to the final stack on his desk. "That stuff needs to be done today." Then he indicated the shelves. "Those are less urgent things, or finished things I need to keep. Weather charts, duty rosters, injury reports, things like that."
Ri'len nodded slowly, eyes bouncing between the various hides. "Sounds like you spend a lot of time behind your desk."
"I spend as little time behind it as I can. On nice days I take my hidework down to the beach," N'vanik said.
"Is that ... distracting? Sir?" Z'ku asked.
N'vanik shrugged. "Not to me. I usually get more done that way, and it feels less like work."
Ri'len could understand that. Putting something you didn't care for into a different setting, one more pleasant, could certainly make the work seem less tedious. "Sir, what do you feel are the most important qualities a Weyrleader should possess?"
N'vanik couldn't stop himself from laughing. He smiled at the weyrlings. "I didn't expect to be in this position. Other than riding bronze, I didn't think I was qualified to be a Weyrleader." He tried to come up with something. "There's leading the Weyr in Fall, keeping the Wings in order, that kind of thing. but those are more abilities that qualities, right?" He tapped a finger on his desk. "I guess I'd say caring. Not being absorbed with importance and rank and how you can stay on top, but caring about how the Weyr does. Caring about every single rider, and doing your damnedest to make sure they stay alive and whole."
Ri'len nodded. He agreed with N'vanik and it was the same sort of attitude his father had. While his father was not a Lord Holder, he cared about every single person who lived in that Hold, related or not. Ri'len would keep that in mind should he ever become Weyrleader. He had no such aspiration, but it was a possibility, however slight.
Last updated on the August 16th 2009