One Less Candidate (2)

Writers: AL, Rochelle
Date Posted: 31st October 2009

Characters: Briata, R'syl
Description: R'syl introduces himself to Briata, and they commiserate about the Weyrwoman's universal Standing policy.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 15 of Turn 5

Briata

His eyebrow quirked. "A dragon? Or dragonrider?" He asked with a slight smile. "I doubt you'll ever manage to become a dragon. But what makes you think you aren't meant to be a dragonrider? Usaeth tells me you greeted him personally -that's a rare gift. Very useful for a dragonrider."

"I just know." Briata couldn't explain it any other way. "I have a gift, but that doesn't mean I'm suited to be a dragonrider or that I even _want_ to be. And the Weyrwoman's ultimatum is horrible. I've already told her I'm not standing."

"And she listened?" R'syl was surprised, but only for a moment. If he remembered Briata's situation correctly, she was applying for a divorce, but was still a Lady Warder. Denying such a request would have been political suicide for the Zharesti. "You're very lucky."

"No, she didn't listen." Briata shook her head. "She said that everyone had to do their duty, insinuating that I do nothing to help. I work in the lower caverns and care for the children of dragonriders, but evidently I'm still not doing my duty." It irritated her just thinking about it.

R'syl couldn't help himself. He gave a short, barking laugh at the Weyrwoman's sheer gall. Briata was a Lady Warder, and Zharesti was still insisting on her ridiculous charade? By Faranth's golden egg! "That makes two of us." His smile was bitter, but warm. "The Headwoman and I are bearing the brunt of her little 'decision', and she still had the gall to accuse me of not doing my duty when I told her I that I didn't have the staff to deal with half a weyr's worth of candidates."

"Well, there's one less you'll have to deal with." At least she wasn't the only one. If the Weyrwoman accused R'syl of that, then Briata knew her statement was an empty one. "So that's something of a relief." She paused for a moment, then asked, "Most of the candidates...from what I've heard, they do things outside of their craft even if they're crafters. Things that you have to coordinate, am I right?"

"Yes. And with so many it's become a full-time headache just dealing with the crafters who want their apprentices back. That's not even considering everyone else who doesn't want to or just shouldn't Stand."

"Why not just let the candidates who craft stay with their craft?" Briata suggested. "Have them come to the classes, but don't worry about scheduling the chore times. Let them go back to the craft. Maybe schedule some of the classes in the mornings and some in the afternoons and that way you won't have all of those candidates all at once, you can rotate them."

"We already do." He informed her with a sigh. "The problem comes with the sheer number of them that we have to schedule. I've only so many staff, and there's only so much time to work with, and most of the people don't want to be there. It seems like I'm always dealing with complaints and fights or parents and masters who think that I might somehow have more sway with the Weyrwoman than they do now. I wish I did. It's one thing to choose to Stand, another entirely to be forced to."

"I'm sorry, Weyrlingmaster. I wish there were something I could do." Briata didn't know anything about what it took to train candidates and future weyrlings, but she could appreciate R'syl's frustration. "At least you'll have one less to worry about."

R'syl felt his stomach churn a little as he shook his head. "I never thought that I'd be relived to hear someone say that. Normally I'm trying to convince reluctant ones to Stand."

"If I hear anyone grumbling that they don't want to stand and are being forced to, I will encourage them not to." And who needs to go to the Weyrwoman about it? They just won't show up to classes and won't go on the sands. Briata was certain she wasn't the only one who just didn't want to be a dragonrider.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea either." R'syl grimaced. "Thanks for the offer, but don't worry about it. Actually, encourage them to speak to Zharesti instead -maybe if enough people complain she'll eventually realize that this wherry chase isn't working."

"I hate to say this, Weyrlingmaster R'syl," Briata stated slowly, "But I don't think Weyrwoman Zharesti is going to change her mind." It was sad, she thought, that the woman felt like she could have so much control over people's lives. It was eventually going to bite her back and she wouldn't like it. The question was, would she learn from it? Briata certainly hoped so.

"You may be right." R'syl agreed calmly. "But I need the hope." He glanced in the direction of the weyrling barracks, then gave her an apologetic smile. "On that note, I have an evening candidate class to teach. Have a good night, Lady."

"And a good night to you, Weyrlingmaster." Lady. Briata wished he hadn't used the title. She hadn't heard a thing from the harpers, but she didn't consider herself a Lady any longer.

Last updated on the November 15th 2009

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One Less Candidate (2)