The Gold Lining (Suynie)

[Lady Smara]

The first order of business today (after the initial 3 cups of klah) was to introduce herself to the gold riders here at the Weyr. Of course, Sakorai had mixed feelings about this. That morning she had caught a glimpse of the gold dragon the Weyrleader had called a ‘weyrling’ and despite her young age and the reassurance from Issarith that the gold had not yet flown, she was easily five full meters larger than Issarith. Of course, her queen reminded her several times that size meant nothing, but even so it made Sakorai wonder what the rider would be like – and how she would take the news of a new gold.

Of course, she was more than confident everyone in the Weyr knew of her arrival the day before – it was clear enough in the stares she received no matter where she wandered. Many time she simply trudged on, though when a good looking rider caught her eye she would stop and wink – promises of good times to come. At first she had been unwilling to accept the idea of staying in the Southern Weyr so far into the future, but as she walked among the Weyrbowl and Hall, she found her eyes falling upon well muscled and sun bronzed body after body and she could not help but feel her mood lifting ever so slightly. Issarith too, seemed pleased with the bronzes here, larger and stronger than back home – many of which were also larger than herself.

I like the idea of large bronzes, they will be more protective of me.
Just remember love, the larger the bronze, the fuller you will be. Do not push yourself too far that you hurt yourself.

At this, her gold simply snorted as Sakorai laughed and asked her gold where she might find Rhiannoth’s rider.

Good Morning, young Rhiannoth. Where might your rider be? Mine wishes to seek her out and introduce herself. Your sun here in the south is wonderfully warm.

[hbk]

Rhiannoth had been lounging in the sun already, her body limply draped across her ledge to showcase her wonderfully golden hue and the sleek muscles of her body. Although a large gold, one of the largest in fact besides her mother Aeriath, Rhiannoth was the picture of elegance.

Good morning to you as well, Issarith, Rhiannoth flicked her tail at a passing bronze who flew over head, My rider is currently in her office. Your rider, she says, is more than welcome to come and join her.

Inside the office Suynie let her eyes wander around her office which was, horrifyingly, in a state of disarray. Hides were strewn from one place to another and ledgers littered her desk. Although A'lez had told Suynie to come to him if she needed something, she preferred to figure it out for herself. Mostly because she didn't care for the man's lack of respect or arrogant demeanor. I'll be a hot day in /between/ before I ask for his help. She thought to herself with a snort as she spun in her chair and began shuffling papers into more organized piles.

Most of the hidework was historical, really, and nothing too pressing. All of the details, however, helped Suynie put together in her mind a framework for the way Raelwyn had run things while she was Senior Weyrwoman at Refuge.

[Lady Smara]

Issarith herself had taken up a spot at the top of the bowl at the eastern point that stretched out toward the ocean as she looked out over the waves and had enjoyed the sun as it rose and then continued to enjoy it as it made its slow travel over those blue waters. Her head, which had been stretched out to watch the waves now swung back to regard the larger Gold as she sunned herself from her own ledge.

Sakorai herself took a better hold of the wine skin she had finally convinced the drudge to actually refill despite the early hour before taking the steps toward the other Queen Rider’s weyr two at a time. Reaching the top, her face was slightly flushed, but the short exertion brought fresh oxygen to her lungs which only helped to finish clearing away what traces the wine from the night before had left upon her. Stopping before the huge Rhiannoth, Sakorai bowed her head before walking past her and glancing about until she found the office door.

A brief, short knock came through the wood though the door opened before anyone would have had a chance to reply as Sakorai stuck her head inside. Another tall rider, Sakorai was pleased to find that the woman before her was only an inch shorter. Good. Sakorai had watched short goldriders be pushed around, hopefully this woman would have more of a backbone.

“Suynie of Gold Rhiannoth?” she asked as she finished stepping into the office. It smelled of old hides which had the oldtimer wrinkling her nose but a flick of her head sent her short blonde hair back from her face once more as she took in the office, doing a slow turn. Shards and shells, that was a lot of hides. Sakorai had a unique distaste that was closer to hatred for any sort of hide work.

Soft tan pants found the chair in front of the woman’s desk and sat there crossing her legs. It was a short matter of time before the wine skin was cradled on her lap and both arms were tossed over the back of the chair as she looked at the dark haired woman before her. Big brown eyes, full lips and a willowy frame, this Suynie was certainly going to be a gold rider who would hold some charm over her bronze riders if she had the mind to do so. The thought of competition in the matter of men made Sakorai smile despite the smell of hides in the room.

“Sakorai of Gold Issarith.” She finally spoke again, offering her own name and that of her gold though she was confident that everyone in the Weyr already knew both names what with their strange appearance the day before. A sigh came after the name, however, as Sakorai jumped straight to one of the problems she had been turning over in her head – one of many.

“I don’t know how much has been told around the Weyr or what rumors have begun, but that’s why I thought it would be best to come straight to you this morning.” A deep breath before she reached for her skin of wine, working out the cork in the top. “I’m rather more than just the rider of Gold Issarith, I’m the Jr Weyrwoman of Telgar Weyr. At least as of Turn 1142 when Issarith made her first mating flight.”

Successfully opening the skin of wine, she took a swallow before continuing. “So, as things may be, Issarith and I have just become permanent guests in your time. As a Weyrwoman in Telgar, well, it was a much larger Weyr than this and clearly run much differently as we had two rising golds, not two weyrlings. I do not know what tasks I should assume here or if your Rhiannoth will be chasing off my Issarith as soon as she attempts to rise with your bronzes, not being from the blood of this Weyr.”

You assume I would give into the will of another gold.
No, my love, I assume that you are a good 5 meters smaller than that massive beast.
Size of body does not determine the strength of one’s mind.
So you keep reminding me.
And I will continue to do so until you believe me.

[hbk]

Suynie surveyed the woman lounging in the chair across from her with curious eyes. The woman certainly didn't look like any old-timer that Suynie had imagined. That realization made Suynie want to laugh at her own poor imagination. It was obvious, as well, by the wine skin in her hand, that Sakorai was still having a hard time dealing with her move forward. Who wouldn't be?

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sakorai. You and Issarith are, of course, most welcome here at Refuge. Even if you are far outside of your time, you are still goldriders nonetheless, and one cannot argue that lineage." Suynie continued shuffling hides into neater piles as she spoke, pausing only a moment for a sip of klah before looking back up at the other goldrider, "Rhiannoth likes her bronzes, of course, but she won't nag with Issarith over them. In Rhiannoth's opinion if a bronze isn't smart enough to choose her over other female dragons then he's not worth her time. As for the mating flights, Rhiannoth, as you know, has yet to rise for her first flight, so if Issarith were to rise first, being older than Rhiannoth, I would assume that would put her into the position of Senior Gold, and you into the position of Senior Weyrwoman. " She grinned a little.

Having been thinking of this since she was informed of Sakorai's arrival, Suynie found that she was able to deliver this piece of information without the slightest bit of malice or jealousy, "Until that time I'll continue acting as Senior Weyrwoman, but would be more than happy to help you come to understand Refuge and the way it works. Being incredibly smaller than your Telgar, I imagine it's vastly different in the way it's ran."

[Lady Smara]

Sakorai could not help but find herself completely surprised by the woman who spoke to her now. It wasn’t that the woman spoke with a calm deminor and maturity beyond her years – far from it, the woman was, after all, old enough to be the rider of a nearly mature gold. Gold’s did not choose women who were not ready for them. No, what surprised Sakorai was that, from everything the oldtimer could tell, she was not the least bit threatened by the arrival of a new gold. Sakorai had come in here confident that she would run into another woman like the previous Weyrwoman of Telgar – and every other bloody Weyr in the North. Women who were threatened by the free-spirited blonde; Women who blamed her for Issarith’s small size; Women who made a point of keeping Sakorai down.

And yet here was Suynie speaking perfectly calmly of handing over her Weyr and title as Senior Weyrwoman should Issarith simply rise first. Oh! If it were so simple… Sure, Weyrs that had three rising golds when the Senior retired was told in records to determine the next senior by which Junior rose next, but would these people, so far into the future and so far down that degrading spiral, really accept a complete stranger – and one of Sakorai’s habits – be willing to accept such a simply determined fate?

Ah, but Sakorai was not ready to breech that topic yet. No, it was far too early for anyone at this Weyr to breech the topic of the three golds and how hierarchy would be determined. There was, however, a curious comment from Suynie that, despite her better judgment, Sakorai could not help but pick and pull at for pure entertainment’s sake. It was this comment that told Sakorai better than any record hide could, that it had been a long time indeed since the Weyr had two rising golds. Where the lifespan’s here so short? Their gold and bronze dragons so infertile to start with 3-4 adult golds and end with a young gold who did not realize more of mating flights? Ah, but then again, she had yet to rise and Sakorai needed to remind herself of this.

“Weyrwoman Suynie, I fear your Rhiannoth might be in for a surprise. With two or three rising golds at the Weyr, it is a disrespect to any of them not to rise when a gold does, no matter which gold it is, senior or junior. In fact, with gold flights, it is rare for even a brown to turn down the chase unless they are too far away to hear the challenging roar. Remember, the golds – young, old, experienced and inexperienced – are all still the queens of the Weyr. ALL of the dragons able to rise will rise for their flights :: for no other reason than to honor that queen in the time that she requires them to. Other adult Gold’s, in my time, made it a habit to leave the Weyr for the day so that jealousy will be kept to a minimum and one gold will not trigger the other to rise in her anger.”

“So you see, when I ask if Rhiannoth would chase off Issarith, I meant it quite literally. Because when Issarith rises – Or when Rhiannoth rises, it does not matter if they are first or second; All of the dragons will rise. They will rise out of love. They will rise out of reverence. They will rise out of obedience to their queen. The only dragons immune are those who have recently risen and successfully flown. Which is a good thing, I’m sure you can imagine. It would do us no good if the Weyrleader were to fly both Queens, now would it?”

By the time Sakorai was done, she could not help but laugh and smirk as she took another good, long swallow of her wine. Ah, but the man was certainly not a bad looking Weyrleader.

[hbk]

Suynie waved her hand, "I didn't mean that bronzes would not rise to chase Rhiannoth, it is in their blood, their genes, to try to catch the rising Queen. What I meant, was that Rhiannoth would not squabble over bronzes now that are trying to woo the Queens into being more favorable of them when the time comes." The Weyrwoman wondered what sort of relationship Sakorai had with the other goldriders from her time period for her to be so worried about the behavior of their dragons.

"We may be small, but we still know the etiquette of mating flights. If Issarith were to rise I would of course take Rhiannoth and leave the Weyr until the flight was over. Don't misunderstand me, Sakorai, I've been training for this position, for this moment, for the past Turn. I want to be Weyrwoman, I have the leadership skills, I have the determination, and I won't let a Weyrleader walk over me, no matter who he is..." Suynie paused for a moment before continuing, "But the dragons know better than anyone how a Weyr should run. Their sole purpose is to fight Thread, and to create a strong army to defend Pern. If Issarith rises first then it must be for the good of the Weyr to have her as Senior Queen. Rhiannoth and I will not argue that should it happen."

Out on her ledge, Rhiannoth lazily butted in to Suynie's thoughts, Issarith is so very small. I doubt she will have large clutches. Not like mine, anyway. I will be like my mother before me and bring many dragonets to this Weyr. A solid, lofty confidence rang in the gold's words as she spoke.

[Lady Smara]

Ah, but she had been training! Training for a whole turn! It took Sakorai every fiber of her will power to lift her flask of wine to her lips again rather than to cover her face with the palm of her hand. A whole turn this young woman had been training. If she’d remember correctly, she should be saying two, weyrling training should not be lightly forgotten, unless things have changed so drastically. But even so, to make such a statement to a woman who had now been impressed to her gold for twelve turns – twelve whole turns as the young woman had so wonderfully put it.

Well, there was one thing that Sakorai could not deny – the woman had spirit. The woman had spite too, you could hear that clearly in the venom of her voice as she spoke of the current Weyrleader. It was not hard, despite how muddled her mind had been after the jump, to tell that the Weyrleader had no soft spot in his heart for this woman he considered to still be a weyrling. So it did not truly surprise her that the willowy woman before her shared no true love for the man either.

Your mind is fluttering fast, what are you scheming? The pale gold asked from her perch across the Weyr, lifting her head as her eyes began to spin a slow green.
This Weyr is already divided.
That does not mean you need to divide it further.
No, but it could mean that we may yet have a place here.

“Walk over you?” Sakorai said, perching herself higher in her seat to look properly interested. “Are you speaking of that bronze rider A’lez? Are you saying he has no respect for gold riders?” Sakorai was more interested in how deep this rift between the two went than actually making friends with either one of them. Unfortunately, like Suynie said, the dragons would play a larger part – but Sakorai never was a Junior Weyrwoman who was willing to sit still and simply take orders either. If she was destined to be Junior once more, well she was going to enjoy it and the torment she could bring with it to those who would keep her down.

First though, she had to have a working understanding of this Weyr. Not of how it was run - after all, that is something that she could easily enough change. No, she needed to understand the underlying relationships that were shaping the current Weyr she found herself a part of.

[hbk]

Suynie shook her head at Sakorai's question, "I didn't say that. The Weyrleader is an excellent dragonrider- a good leader, but he is use to playing the role of Weyrleader and Weyrwoman. Now it is time for him to remember his duties as a Weyrleader and get out of the Weyrwoman's way." She laughed a little and with a wave of her hand she dismissed the dispute, "I'm too young for his tastes, and my dragon too much a virgin for the taste of his bronze. It goes no more deeply than that, I hope." Just because she didn't particularly like the Weyrleader's attitude or the manner in which he went about things, didn't mean that Suynie doubted his capabilities- just his manners.

"I'm sure A'lez will treat you with all of the proper respect that you deserve, Lady Sakorai, for you are a Weyrwoman in the truest sense. You've had experienced and your dragon has flown before. That, to the Weyrleader, puts you on a golden pedestal. Since Rhiannoth has yet to fly she, quite often, gets looked at as a defect gold that may or may not be useful to the Weyr."

Out on her ledge Rhiannoth snarled grumpily at the audacity of some to consider her 'defect'. She would prove them all wrong, she vowed, her eyes whirling quickly with her temper.

Her dragon's snarl made Suynie smile with amusement, "I guess only time will tell."

[parallel]

Elynth was curious to meet the new gold that had arrived at her weyr. She had only heard rumours thus far and was unwilling to trust any of them. So when she felt Rhiannoth stir she knew that the newest goldrider must have gone to talk with Suynie. since Rhiannoth's return Elynth had kept a mental tag on her, wanting to speak with her soon to get to know her better. She felt it would be good for Marlaey to learn from the older pair. Making her way over to a sunny spot of the weyrbowl she uncharacteristically lay down and stretched out to relax. Her thoughts reached out towards Rhiannoth, Greetings Rhiannoth, I hope I find you well. Is yours speaking with the newest queenrider? I would like Marlaey to meet her when your rider is around, it will give her more confidence I think.

Marlaey was aware that Elynth was speaking to the older gold and that the other two goldriders were speaking in Suynie's office. She wanted to go and speak to them both as she was also a queenrider and she felt she deserved the opportunity to voice her opinions among them. Plus, she was also very curious to know more about Sakorai and this would be the perfect excuse.

[hbk]

Rhiannoth looked down at the younger gold. She liked Elynth. Not only that, but Rhiannoth was sure that a friendship between her rider and Marlaey would be a good investment.

Elynth says that her rider would like to come up and meet the new goldrider. Would that be fine? The gold directed her question to her lifemate.

Sure thing, send her up. Suynie agreed even as she brought her eyes up to Sakorai, "I hope you don't mind but the other goldrider in the Weyr, Marlaey, is on her way up. She'd like to formally meet you and welcome you to the Weyr." There was no reason to think that the goldriders of the Weyr couldn't act like rational adults and work together, especially with Refuge in the shape that it was in.

Your rider is more than welcome to come up. I also have room on my ledge if you'd like to join me. Rhiannoth invited the younger queen.

[parallel]

Elynth purred gratefully when Rhiannoth invited her to join her. Climbing up onto the ledge, Elynth stumbled for only a moment, quickly composing herself in front of the older gold. She settled herself down and stretched out her wings. She always did enjoy stretching them and showing them off. Soon she would be able to fly, a prospect she was most looking forward to.

Thank you for allowing me to join you. MyMarlaey is quite eager to meet with the new goldrider. Have you yourself spoken to the smaller queen?

Though Elynth was the youngest gold at the wyer, she was still more than capable of acquitting herself well in company. She had the natural flare with words and confidence that all golds seemed to possess from birth. To her rider she gave a mental nod of encouragement, letting her know she was expected now.

Marlaey swiftly made her way up to the room and knocked gently on the door. She didn't want to keep the women waiting now that they knew she was coming. Though not as confident as her lifemate, Marlaey was quite sure she could hold her own in front of the new queenrider. Her natural curiosity had been sparked when she heard about Sakorai, and not for the first time was she glad she'd Impressed to a gold, it allowed her easier access to more interesting information throughout the weyr.

She pushed the door open carefully and stepped inside, smiling at Suynie as she did so. She looked to the other woman, her smile extending to her as well. "Greetings to you both", she said, wondering if she should introduce herself first or allow Sakorai to instead.

[Lady Smara]

Hearing the other gold rider mentioned, Sakorai sat a little straighter and put the cap back onto the flask of wine she was nursing. Sticking it beside her in the chair, she shook her head. “I don’t mind at all. Better to become acquainted now.” The blond haired woman agreed as she tossed her arms behind the back of the chair once more and watched the other goldrider move about her office. Sakorai had not so much as glanced in the direction of the extra room off set to her own Weyr. Thankfully, however, her own office was not directly connected to the records room – this office already reeked of records and hides, Sakorai made a mental note to find someone to clean her own out of the terrible things.

It was not long before another woman entered the Queen Rider’s office, another woman of height with curly brown hair, colored with natural highlights from the sun. Sakorai took a moment to look the youngest over. Hearing her greetings and seeing her easy smile, the blond woman almost sighed. How much different life had been during weyrlinghood! This young gold was still trusting, and that was easy to see in her quick smile.

“You must be Marlaey.” Sakorai said simply, returning the smile broadly as she stood and offered a hand of her own – a hand well calloused despite being a gold rider. After all, Sakorai always preferred the physical labor over any laboring that needed to be done over scroll work. “Sakorai of Gold Issarith. How are you and yours fairing? I hear you are still a Weyrling, yes? How soon till your own graduation?”