A Quiet Meal

Stepping into the kitchens, T'hex flirted with one of the kitchen staff, while playfully stealing a piece of food. He loved being around the Weyrfolk, each and every one of them seemed so happy, even though hard times were among them. Without the constant support of the Holds, the Weyr had had to start providing for itself. Of course, since there hadn't been Thread in the sky for some time, the Riders had learned how to help out, but it didn't come near close enough to the tithe trains reported in the old days.

However, as T'hex began walking through the kitchens, he noticed the one person that was probably having a tougher time than those being sent out on Searchers and raids. N'rim, Rider of the Aoi Kaesurath that had caught young Midori Nagith and now the Weyrleader of Sabishi Weyr. T'hex could honestly say he didn't envy the slightly younger man, and he was glad that Syrlith hadn't won that Rise. With N'rim's position of Weyrleader, that put him as his Wingsecond, at least until he chose another to take his position.

Nodding as he passed a group of Riders, T'hex made his way back to his Wingleader. Reaching the table, he bowed at the waist, arm crossing his chest and closed fist over his heart. "Weyrleader N'rim," he stated, lifting a brow as he regarded the younger man that he honestly hadn't had much chance to speak with before he had received his orders to search out the Holds. "I just wanted to say congratulations on your Aoi's sired clutch on the Sands," he offered, knowing his words were a little off, but these were troubling times.

"You're being humble, Weyrleader," he stated, head cocked to the side as he regarded the man. No, he didn't keep up with other people's dragons and the clutches they sire, but he knew from talk around the Weyr that this was N'rim's Keasurath's first Midori. "Your Aoi has done well by the Weyr, siring a future Queen."

As the last Weyrleader's Wingsecond, T'hex knew his position was limited, as N'rim and he hadn't been working together long, and from the past knowledge of N'rim holding a position as Wingleader in other Wing's, T'hex was sure he had another Rider in mind to be placed as his Wingsecond. It didn't bother him, in fact, he was happy just being useful to the new Weyrleader. If they were asked to step down, Syrlith and he would do so willingly.

Since N'rim asked a question that seemed to be an indication that he wanted to talk for more than just a little while, T'hex took a seat across from his Wingleader. He sighed as he sat down, free hand coming up to move his hair out of his eye sight before answering the Weyrleader's question. "It's hard. I can get into most Holds and Kohaku can blend into most mountain sides, but once they figure out I'm a Rider, children and stored away. Last Hold we stopped at the Holdfolk actually thought it was a good idea to try and fight back," he stated, a grin actually crossing his face. "I applaud their attempt, but . . ." it was one thing for Rider to fight against Rider. They had to be trained to care for themselves and their Weyr. But Holdfolk, though strong in their own way, . . . T'hex is a big guy. "One of the Holdfolk actually shoved a little skinny man out in front of me, like I was going to eat him or something and go away."

"I spoke with Kelit of Kuroi Askookth the other day and she said she had no trouble finding the potential Candidates, but she's not strong enough to take them and she doesn't like having Askookth take them and scare them half to death. I believe, if I can get her Wingleader to let me borrow her, she and I can go into the Holds together and not waste time. Her Kuroi can Search and I can watch her back," he explained, hoping his Wingleader could give him some advice on if his idea was a good one.

When he stated what Wing Kelit was apart of, T'hex nodded. "Yes, Wingleader. She is simply one of their Wingriders." Of course, the Weyrleader would know who the Kuroi was. At his comment of he would speak to her Wingleader, T'hex felt a little bit of the weight off his chest. This idea would be a good way to get into the Holds and not only have a Searchrider protected but also finish his list of which Holds would accept the Riders and Candidates coming to the Weyr.

He shook his head when N'rim asked if he needed anyone else. "I think the more Rider's take into a Hold it wouldn't be a good idea," he stated.

T'hex actually blushed as the Weyrleader corrected him. That wasn't what he had meant, but looking back on his words, he saw how it sounded. "Understood." His own father had been a Ginrider, and he had siblings that rode a Murasaki and the mother of his son was on the back of a Sakura. Each had their own important job, each one had a role that the higher ranking dragons couldn't due to either work load of their rank or just general size.

Thinking on N'rim's question, it didn't take T'hex long to answer. "I would think it would be a good idea. Syrlith isn't sensitive to the point of being able to see who will make a goo Candidate, just that one is in a crowd of people. The Rider you replaced had us out riding through the Holds simply because Syrlith could intimidate while the smaller, more Search able dragons couldn't," he offered. He was also concerned about the smaller Riders with their smaller dragons. Of course, all Holdfolk considered all dragons large, but there was something different when the folk knew a Duo was one of the smaller dragons; therefore, not as threatening as if the higher ranking dragons came in with them.