Candidate Lesson - It Begins
Location: Candidate Barracks
Open
Characters: Z'lan, Blue Evreth, & Candidates
As soon as the eggs were laid, Search riders took to the wing and started seeking candidates. Z’lan had been one of them, going far and wide across Pern to find people with just that certain thing that Evreth recognized as a good candidate, a potential dragonrider.
It came as a surprise to everyone, Search riders included, that many dragons indicated the strangers would make good candidates. The Weyrleader had called a meeting with the Wingleaders and Weyrwoman to discuss this, but no order had come down saying the strangers were not allowed to stand on the Sands. So, they were offered the chance and many said yes.
Z’lan stood before the candidates today, outside the barracks, still trying to understand how these strangers had become part of something so integral to Pern.
You’d best start the lesson. Everyone is staring.
Oh, right.
The bluerider cleared his throat and drew himself up. “Good afternoon, candidates. I am Z’lan of Blue Evreth. Some of you know me already, I Searched many of you. I’m here today as the acting Candidate Master to tell you want to expect at the hatching and what to expect living at a Weyr.”
“How many of you are from a Hold or a Crafthall?” He waited for a show of hands and then nodded. “Well, those of you raised in the Weyr should make yourself available to these newcomers. They’ll probably have many questions. And, of course, you can always ask me.”
“In the Weyr, day to day life managed by the Weyrwoman and the Headwoman. They are in charge of the domestic matters and it is from them your chores will come. While the Weyrleader is in charge of the more militaristic aspects of Weyr life. The Weyr is your family, the Weyr will look after you and you in return will help look after the Weyr.”
“As candidates you are Weyrfolk, which means you will work in the Lower Caverns and the Kitchens. After breakfast I will hand out your duties for the day. Those of you raised in a Weyr are already familiar with this routine, I’m sure.”
“If you Impress, and I do stress the if, you will become Weyrlings where your main responsibility is to your dragonet. They demand a great deal of attention and care and so you will have very few chores if any. When your dragon is a Turn or so old, you will join a fighting wing and then your responsibility will be to drill and continue looking after your dragon. The Weyr is a collective, we work together.”
He took a breath. This teaching thing was hard. He hoped he covered everything.
“On the day the eggs hatch, the dragons will hum. It’s an unmistakable sound but I will come to the barracks to tell you it’s time too. You’ll put on your Impression clothing, the white gowns or shirts and pants provided to you, and come to the Sands. Don’t forget to put your boots on. The Sands are very hot and if you’re not wearing boots you will regret it.”
“When you’re at the Sands, you’ll line up by gender. Boys will stand with boys and girls will stand with girls. You will just stand and let the dragonet approach you. There will be Healers standing by in case something goes wrong but you shouldn’t worry about that, rarely do things go that wrong.”
“Uh, any questions?”
Open
Characters: Z'lan, Blue Evreth, & Candidates
As soon as the eggs were laid, Search riders took to the wing and started seeking candidates. Z’lan had been one of them, going far and wide across Pern to find people with just that certain thing that Evreth recognized as a good candidate, a potential dragonrider.
It came as a surprise to everyone, Search riders included, that many dragons indicated the strangers would make good candidates. The Weyrleader had called a meeting with the Wingleaders and Weyrwoman to discuss this, but no order had come down saying the strangers were not allowed to stand on the Sands. So, they were offered the chance and many said yes.
Z’lan stood before the candidates today, outside the barracks, still trying to understand how these strangers had become part of something so integral to Pern.
You’d best start the lesson. Everyone is staring.
Oh, right.
The bluerider cleared his throat and drew himself up. “Good afternoon, candidates. I am Z’lan of Blue Evreth. Some of you know me already, I Searched many of you. I’m here today as the acting Candidate Master to tell you want to expect at the hatching and what to expect living at a Weyr.”
“How many of you are from a Hold or a Crafthall?” He waited for a show of hands and then nodded. “Well, those of you raised in the Weyr should make yourself available to these newcomers. They’ll probably have many questions. And, of course, you can always ask me.”
“In the Weyr, day to day life managed by the Weyrwoman and the Headwoman. They are in charge of the domestic matters and it is from them your chores will come. While the Weyrleader is in charge of the more militaristic aspects of Weyr life. The Weyr is your family, the Weyr will look after you and you in return will help look after the Weyr.”
“As candidates you are Weyrfolk, which means you will work in the Lower Caverns and the Kitchens. After breakfast I will hand out your duties for the day. Those of you raised in a Weyr are already familiar with this routine, I’m sure.”
“If you Impress, and I do stress the if, you will become Weyrlings where your main responsibility is to your dragonet. They demand a great deal of attention and care and so you will have very few chores if any. When your dragon is a Turn or so old, you will join a fighting wing and then your responsibility will be to drill and continue looking after your dragon. The Weyr is a collective, we work together.”
He took a breath. This teaching thing was hard. He hoped he covered everything.
“On the day the eggs hatch, the dragons will hum. It’s an unmistakable sound but I will come to the barracks to tell you it’s time too. You’ll put on your Impression clothing, the white gowns or shirts and pants provided to you, and come to the Sands. Don’t forget to put your boots on. The Sands are very hot and if you’re not wearing boots you will regret it.”
“When you’re at the Sands, you’ll line up by gender. Boys will stand with boys and girls will stand with girls. You will just stand and let the dragonet approach you. There will be Healers standing by in case something goes wrong but you shouldn’t worry about that, rarely do things go that wrong.”
“Uh, any questions?”