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Central Bowl
Seven spindles brush the clouds overhead, displaying a jagged, spired cotillion grey-stoned majesty. The bowl from here is expansively large, extending a full half-mile in both directions, and though a bit of a stretch at times, most of the hubs of activity can be easily observed. Hard-packed ground shows the common pathways, all of them meandering about the craggy bunch of boulders that form a centerpiece within the middle of the otherwise vast emptiness.
The hatching grounds and leadership weyrs are located to the north, while the sounds of herdbeasts noisily allude to the pens slightly east of there. Constant traffic marks the entrance to the westward living caverns, and a glance southeast reveals the cold, glittering, glacial lake.
"Good. Wait... love muffin?" Nu'ra, again, has that confused look -- if -he- could have question marks form above his head, they would. "I am keeping her. She was planning on moving up to my weyr once she got promoted but... yeah." Nu'ra even makes a sad face. "You're saying all your girls could kick my ass?" Aw, that hurts somewhere.
Krummolt comes out of the barracks, emitting something between an off key whistle and the death rattle of a suffocating fish. The sight of Krummolt so manifestly cheerful, particularly when casually swinging a very large hunk of wood in his hand, must be more than a little alarming.
"Yeah, they definitely could. But you know, if you're ever looking for something to do... Hold that thought... excuse me for a moment?" That is, pending Nu'ra wanting to continue with their little conversation. Else, now is a good time to FLEE! But whatever the case, Il'ad holds up an indext finger before waving a hand towards the current guard captain with a little "Hey, wait up!" to flag him down.
Nu'ra does indeed flee, just because there's the chance of impending doom with all these mystery girls that seem to be more of a man than he is. "I'll catch you later guys," is the bronzerider's called out farewell as he darts past Krummolt. Yeah, that hunk of wood is pretty frightening.
Toooootie toot whoosh toot tootie...too-oot? Krummolt's whistling come to a halt, as does his idle spinning of his over-sized truncheon as he turns his head towards Il'ad's summoons. "Ah. Hello, there, Il'ad." His greeting is a little awkward, but not particularly unfriendly, perhaps reflecting his unnatural cheerfulness.
"Hey," Il'ad greets in return. "How's it going?" It's a generic greeting of sort, but one that frequents nearly every conversation. "I was wondering if maybe I could talk with you for a few," he then starts off while reaching a hand up to scratch the base of his scalp.
Krummolt takes the question as more sincere than Il'ad may have meant it. "Good! Nice to make some of the decisions. Like carrying around clubs." He swings his own, illustratively, safely not in Il'ad's direction. He has also stopped moving to talk with the rider. "What's on your mind?"
Il'ad makes a ducking movement regardless, since the last time Krummolt was swinging anything, he really was heading in Il'ad's direction. But he has nothing but a grin for the older man as he shrugs, tucking his thumbs loosely within a couple belt loops. "Well, I talked with Chey earlier. And, she offered me the lieutenant position, if you're so inclined to have me back."
Krummolt's swinging stops. Then he lets his arm fall as he tilts his head to the side. "She did, huh." His tone is level and his gaze measuring. "So tell me. Can I trust you not to skip around the chain of command next time you get an order you're not too happy with?"
"My delinquent days are over," Il'ad attests, holding his hands up in defense. A curious expression crosses his face though as he replays Krummolt's words in his head, but he says nothing more in regards to it. "I've even made some apologies."
Krummolt continues considering Il'ad. "I hadn't made any decisions about the chain of command, restructuring or the like," he admits. "And I could use someone who's more..." He trails off, then swings his cudgel, which he clearly loves using as a prop, upright and looks at it. "I'm direct," he states the obvious. "I think in terms of action. I expect I could use someone more, uh, brainy to balance me out. But things're gonna be different with me in charge. You sure you're ready to take my orders? I don't mind you arguing with me, but when I make a decision for the guard, it's policy."
"And it's just something I'll have to deal with. I messed up, simply put. Consequences are inevitable and I'm willing to face the fact that I'm no longer in charge. It'll be a difficult concept to grasp at first, as many things are, but I'll cope. And I'm sure you'll put me in my place if I forget that fact." That Krummolt's Captain now and not Il'ad, of course. "I've never been one to back out of a challenge, so I'm ready and willing."
Krummolt nods slowly and thoughtfully. "All right," he says slowly. "Lieutenant Il'ad...welcome back." And he switches the club to his off hand so he can extend his right to the rider.
Il'ad, in turn, extends his own hand for a good, firm handshake. "Thank you. Now what's this I'm hearing about a gauntlet for promotion?" Curiosity gets itchy sometimes. There's a faint grin to follow his question while brows raise with interest.
Krummolt grins at the question with absolutely unholy glee. "Oh, I'm glad that's making the rounds. We've got a few recruits coming due for promotion. I haven't quite decided how I'm gonna work that gauntlet, but I think we should have something. Make 'em /value/ the promotion once they've got it, y'know? I was gonna line the guards up on two sides and let everyone take a whack at 'em with their new sticks, but I think they might not be able pass that." This last clearly disappoints him.
"You know, you were more than welcome to offer suggestions before--all of this." In other words, when Il'ad was still in charge. "You've got a lot of great ideas, and I'm definitely liking this one. Promotions should be earned anyway." But at Krummolt's suggestion, Il'ad squints an eye and quirks his mouth a little. "Maybe something that'll utilize our natural resources" aka, mountains and water, "while testing their skills and knowledge." Like a Ranger Challenge!
Krummolt considers that. "Drop 'em in the wilderness and see if they can find their way back? Hey," he says in a tone of realization, "you've got a /dragon/...you could drop 'em off easy!" Sounds like he's liking the idea. "Then, when they find their way back, we can beat them up! Maybe pit them one on one against a guardsman. Don't have to win, just have to, y'know, go through it without holding back." Violence is, clearly, not going to be kicked out of this concept entirely.
"I could, couldn't I? I mean, we teach them everything they need to know. If they just took it for granted, then that's just their tough luck." As Krummolt once again insists on violence, Il'ad just purses his lips together, feigning consideration. "I'm also thinking at least a fifteen mile ruck march, crossing some of those rivers and valleys. And if they think it's impossible, I'll even be the first to go through it, just to prove them wrong."
Krummolt nods with some apparent enthusiasm. "Yeah!" He bares his teeth. "Oh, this's gonna be fun. Tell ya what. As your first task, write up a proposal for this. I'll see if I wanna change anything, and we'll put it in place. Denalia needs to run through this. She probably oughta run through anything. If she can't do it, we may have to adjust the difficulty."
"So how 'bout this. We drop them off some place out in the middle of nowhere, and give them three days to make it back. I can easily scope the area out, finding the most terrain features. If they paid attention during the map reading classes, then they should have no problem finding the most direct route back. If not, then they'll have a fun time crossing those gorges." He pauses for a moment before snapping his fingers. "I've got a few more ideas looming. I'll jot 'em down and get them to you in the morning, how's that sound?" Il'ad asks, looking more than enthusiastic himself.
"Sounds like a good start," Krummolt agrees. Back goes his thick stick into his right hand and he starts idly spinning it. "Carry on, Lieutenant," he says, heading for the living caverns again. Belatedly, he adds, "Good to have you back!" over his shoulder.
"Thanks!" Il'ad even throws up a salute to the older man, before turning himself, but towards his lifemate.
Seven spindles brush the clouds overhead, displaying a jagged, spired cotillion grey-stoned majesty. The bowl from here is expansively large, extending a full half-mile in both directions, and though a bit of a stretch at times, most of the hubs of activity can be easily observed. Hard-packed ground shows the common pathways, all of them meandering about the craggy bunch of boulders that form a centerpiece within the middle of the otherwise vast emptiness.
The hatching grounds and leadership weyrs are located to the north, while the sounds of herdbeasts noisily allude to the pens slightly east of there. Constant traffic marks the entrance to the westward living caverns, and a glance southeast reveals the cold, glittering, glacial lake.
"Good. Wait... love muffin?" Nu'ra, again, has that confused look -- if -he- could have question marks form above his head, they would. "I am keeping her. She was planning on moving up to my weyr once she got promoted but... yeah." Nu'ra even makes a sad face. "You're saying all your girls could kick my ass?" Aw, that hurts somewhere.
Krummolt comes out of the barracks, emitting something between an off key whistle and the death rattle of a suffocating fish. The sight of Krummolt so manifestly cheerful, particularly when casually swinging a very large hunk of wood in his hand, must be more than a little alarming.
"Yeah, they definitely could. But you know, if you're ever looking for something to do... Hold that thought... excuse me for a moment?" That is, pending Nu'ra wanting to continue with their little conversation. Else, now is a good time to FLEE! But whatever the case, Il'ad holds up an indext finger before waving a hand towards the current guard captain with a little "Hey, wait up!" to flag him down.
Nu'ra does indeed flee, just because there's the chance of impending doom with all these mystery girls that seem to be more of a man than he is. "I'll catch you later guys," is the bronzerider's called out farewell as he darts past Krummolt. Yeah, that hunk of wood is pretty frightening.
Toooootie toot whoosh toot tootie...too-oot? Krummolt's whistling come to a halt, as does his idle spinning of his over-sized truncheon as he turns his head towards Il'ad's summoons. "Ah. Hello, there, Il'ad." His greeting is a little awkward, but not particularly unfriendly, perhaps reflecting his unnatural cheerfulness.
"Hey," Il'ad greets in return. "How's it going?" It's a generic greeting of sort, but one that frequents nearly every conversation. "I was wondering if maybe I could talk with you for a few," he then starts off while reaching a hand up to scratch the base of his scalp.
Krummolt takes the question as more sincere than Il'ad may have meant it. "Good! Nice to make some of the decisions. Like carrying around clubs." He swings his own, illustratively, safely not in Il'ad's direction. He has also stopped moving to talk with the rider. "What's on your mind?"
Il'ad makes a ducking movement regardless, since the last time Krummolt was swinging anything, he really was heading in Il'ad's direction. But he has nothing but a grin for the older man as he shrugs, tucking his thumbs loosely within a couple belt loops. "Well, I talked with Chey earlier. And, she offered me the lieutenant position, if you're so inclined to have me back."
Krummolt's swinging stops. Then he lets his arm fall as he tilts his head to the side. "She did, huh." His tone is level and his gaze measuring. "So tell me. Can I trust you not to skip around the chain of command next time you get an order you're not too happy with?"
"My delinquent days are over," Il'ad attests, holding his hands up in defense. A curious expression crosses his face though as he replays Krummolt's words in his head, but he says nothing more in regards to it. "I've even made some apologies."
Krummolt continues considering Il'ad. "I hadn't made any decisions about the chain of command, restructuring or the like," he admits. "And I could use someone who's more..." He trails off, then swings his cudgel, which he clearly loves using as a prop, upright and looks at it. "I'm direct," he states the obvious. "I think in terms of action. I expect I could use someone more, uh, brainy to balance me out. But things're gonna be different with me in charge. You sure you're ready to take my orders? I don't mind you arguing with me, but when I make a decision for the guard, it's policy."
"And it's just something I'll have to deal with. I messed up, simply put. Consequences are inevitable and I'm willing to face the fact that I'm no longer in charge. It'll be a difficult concept to grasp at first, as many things are, but I'll cope. And I'm sure you'll put me in my place if I forget that fact." That Krummolt's Captain now and not Il'ad, of course. "I've never been one to back out of a challenge, so I'm ready and willing."
Krummolt nods slowly and thoughtfully. "All right," he says slowly. "Lieutenant Il'ad...welcome back." And he switches the club to his off hand so he can extend his right to the rider.
Il'ad, in turn, extends his own hand for a good, firm handshake. "Thank you. Now what's this I'm hearing about a gauntlet for promotion?" Curiosity gets itchy sometimes. There's a faint grin to follow his question while brows raise with interest.
Krummolt grins at the question with absolutely unholy glee. "Oh, I'm glad that's making the rounds. We've got a few recruits coming due for promotion. I haven't quite decided how I'm gonna work that gauntlet, but I think we should have something. Make 'em /value/ the promotion once they've got it, y'know? I was gonna line the guards up on two sides and let everyone take a whack at 'em with their new sticks, but I think they might not be able pass that." This last clearly disappoints him.
"You know, you were more than welcome to offer suggestions before--all of this." In other words, when Il'ad was still in charge. "You've got a lot of great ideas, and I'm definitely liking this one. Promotions should be earned anyway." But at Krummolt's suggestion, Il'ad squints an eye and quirks his mouth a little. "Maybe something that'll utilize our natural resources" aka, mountains and water, "while testing their skills and knowledge." Like a Ranger Challenge!
Krummolt considers that. "Drop 'em in the wilderness and see if they can find their way back? Hey," he says in a tone of realization, "you've got a /dragon/...you could drop 'em off easy!" Sounds like he's liking the idea. "Then, when they find their way back, we can beat them up! Maybe pit them one on one against a guardsman. Don't have to win, just have to, y'know, go through it without holding back." Violence is, clearly, not going to be kicked out of this concept entirely.
"I could, couldn't I? I mean, we teach them everything they need to know. If they just took it for granted, then that's just their tough luck." As Krummolt once again insists on violence, Il'ad just purses his lips together, feigning consideration. "I'm also thinking at least a fifteen mile ruck march, crossing some of those rivers and valleys. And if they think it's impossible, I'll even be the first to go through it, just to prove them wrong."
Krummolt nods with some apparent enthusiasm. "Yeah!" He bares his teeth. "Oh, this's gonna be fun. Tell ya what. As your first task, write up a proposal for this. I'll see if I wanna change anything, and we'll put it in place. Denalia needs to run through this. She probably oughta run through anything. If she can't do it, we may have to adjust the difficulty."
"So how 'bout this. We drop them off some place out in the middle of nowhere, and give them three days to make it back. I can easily scope the area out, finding the most terrain features. If they paid attention during the map reading classes, then they should have no problem finding the most direct route back. If not, then they'll have a fun time crossing those gorges." He pauses for a moment before snapping his fingers. "I've got a few more ideas looming. I'll jot 'em down and get them to you in the morning, how's that sound?" Il'ad asks, looking more than enthusiastic himself.
"Sounds like a good start," Krummolt agrees. Back goes his thick stick into his right hand and he starts idly spinning it. "Carry on, Lieutenant," he says, heading for the living caverns again. Belatedly, he adds, "Good to have you back!" over his shoulder.
"Thanks!" Il'ad even throws up a salute to the older man, before turning himself, but towards his lifemate.