Vignette/D: Leaving the nest
D'rian knew M'uri wasn't happy when Taikath sent the message from Kelkoth - a viable snap of anger, chased with a command that left the young bronze shaking and unsure. Meet me. Now.
D'rian found an excuse to slip off after reassuring Taikath and making him promise to stay put until he returned. Then, he went to his father's weyr.
M'uri stood waiting for him, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression dark and unpromising. "You spoke to him."
J'lor. D'rian's chest tightened with apprehension, but greater worry for J'lor. "After Cassiel-"
"The greenrider," M'uri corrected sharply, not confirming the use of the name.
"The greenrider came back, he looked upset."
"Are you a woman now? Do you go and comfort him when he's sad?"
"No."
"What else did you ask of him, D'rian?"
"Nothing."
"J'lor was under the impression you needed time away from me, that I was interfering with your learning. You didn't lead him to that?"
"No." D'rian paused, then hesitantly added, "I didn't mean to if I did. I'll go tell him-"
"No." Sharply, M'uri cut him off and approached him. D'rian tensed and waited, "J'lor won't know we had this conversation. Do you understand me?"
"Sir."
"Go."
Surprised and confused, D'rian looked up at his father. M'uri pointed over D'rian's shoulder, "I said get out."
D'rian lingered, still. M'uri taking another step toward him finally had D'rian moving. He turned quickly and fled the weyr, scrambling down the slight incline leading up to it and at last onto the path carrying him back to the Weyrling clearing.
He was still confused when he slipped back into the weyrling area and rejoined a worried Taikath. Though the bronze never questioned him or asked him of the summonings, he prodded D'rian gently with his maw and refused to settle until D'rian himself was calm.