Difference between revisions of "Logs:The Weyrleader's Council"

Monaco insisted on the council meeting occurring before their eggs hatched. With potentially only days remaining, K'del sucked up all his courage, and gathered the Weyrwomen and Weyrleaders of Pern to listen to his case.

He delivered his case quietly, not detached as such, but certainly without the fiery desperation he felt. He wanted to appear calm and composed: a man with all the information. He tried not to look at Tiriana, whose presence was beginning to make him sick in the stomach. She looked so... hurt, hurt and angry, really; he almost couldn't take it.

He spoke of violence against himself and others. He spoke of theft of monies rightly belonging to Holds. He spoke of dereliction of duty, quiet example after quiet example. He spoke of the breaking of tradition, of how he was doing this to save his weyr even at the expense of his own position. He had witnesses: Lujayn, Harpers, residents of High Reaches. He swore that Cadejoth would not chase Rielsath, that he would deliberately leave the weyr to ensure it.

Not everyone supported him, of course, and he felt his hackles rise as they spoke against him. His actions damaging the weyr? All he was doing was try to help it! Hadn't he already said Cadejoth wouldn't be chasing Rielsath? That he'd be giving up his position? And N'muir's implications... He had to hold his hands in his lap to avoid showing how white his knuckles were, how hard he was having to try to avoid yelling.

It wouldn't do, he reminded himself, to resort to violence, no matter how angry he felt.

If only Cadejoth hadn't tried to go after Isyath.

And Ali... had she lied to him? She'd been strange, that day. More skittish than normal. Perhaps...

But why? All he'd asked is that they consider his proposal - was that so impossibly difficult? No one else had refused to listen, even if they ultimately decided not to support him. But all he had to do was look at the Fortian pair, and it was immediately and undeniably obvious that they had never considered it, never even for a second listened to what he had to say.

They win this one, he thought to himself, wryly, though they hadn't yet. If this was intentional, Ali, you got me good. It was almost kind of impressive. Almost.

His hand snuck into his pocket, fingers running over the solid cords in that knot. He'd been carrying it for days, now, reminding himself of its presence at odd moments. Unfinished business. More of it.

He'd never mentioned it to Tiriana. And now...

In the end, the votes were close. A few people aimed apologetic glances in his direction as they voted against him. A few people looked at Tiriana and just shook their heads. A few people aimed meaningful stares at him as they voted for him. Yes, there were favours owed. Yes, it wasn't over. Yes.

They voted yes. Enough of them, anyway, that it went through - but barely. So close; he couldn't imagine what a failed vote would have meant, though he suspected his welcome at High Reaches would have been short-lived. Lujayn's, too, probably; he was glad for her support. Glad, for her sake, that they'd won.

But he felt so tired, now.

And the look on Tiriana's face... those tears. Angry tears, but still: tears.

That was an image that might haunt him for even longer than that hanging had.

Suddenly, he was no longer entirely sure of the rightness of his actions.

But he'd won.

It was supposed to be a victory. It was supposed to be glorious.

I did it for High Reaches he reminded himself. Not to make myself feel good.

But did it have to feel so bittersweet?

As of Day 19, Month 12, Turn 28, Tiriana and Iovniath are no longer recognised as Senior Weyrwoman of High Reaches Weyr. They will have twenty-four hours to vacate and find a new home. Until such time as the next queen rises at High Reaches, Lujayn and Rielsath will stand as Acting Senior.