Post by Zen on Jan 2, 2018 15:31:43 GMT -5
10th Pass, 4th Turn, 4th Month
Mavros finally had a new Weyrleader, a proper Weyrleader and not some thrown together council divvying up his duties. It seemed things were finally looking up for the Weyrhold, possibly. The man was new to his role, and from what Treyjen had heard, he was quite young... but no younger than he had been when he'd become a captain. It wasn't exactly the same thing, he was quite confident a Weyrleader had far more responsibility, but youth did not mean the man was incompetent. After all, the last Weyrleader was a fellis addict that had been removed from power by the Council of Weyrleaders so surely he was doing a better job than D'ze. Not that Treyjen had really helped on that front. The man had done very good business with him to get his hands on whatever fellis Treyjen had managed to procure.
However, with that good news came some bad as well, some very, very bad news. The Weyrwoman Karredy was apparently incredibly ill. It was still about a month away from the time at which her Gold would lay her prospective clutch, and if the woman died before then, it would leave Mavros with no clutch, and even worse, no Gold at all. The Weyrhold would never survive without its own Gold, they would have to beg the other Weyrs for help and acquiesce to any and all demands they laid down. And that could spell the end of his fleet's visits to Mavros, the end of calling the island home, and it might even mean some of his crew would leave him in favor of staying with the families they were building at the Weyrhold, or be forced to abandon them.
With the Weyrwoman ill, his relationship with this new Weyrleader was even more important, and so Treyjen prepared to make his way to meet the man. Only to have his sister block his way out of his cabin. He raised an eyebrow, “What do you want, Nalyra? I have a meeting t'get to.”
“I know. I'm coming with,” she stated matter-of-factly, her gaze narrowing slightly, daring him to argue.
He ran a hand over his face in frustration, “Nalyra....”
She smirked, looking entirely self satisfied, “You can stand here and argue with me for the next several candlemarks and miss your meeting, or you can just shut up and take me. Your choice, brother.”
He knew very well her threat was a promise, “All right, all right. But there are conditions.”
She raised an eyebrow, “I may or may not agree t'them... what are they?”
Treyjen made an annoyed sound, “Keep your mouth shut. I don't want you offending the man with a careless word. I don't know what sorta man this A'zael is going t'be, and until I can get a good read on him, stay outta the way.”
Being told to keep her mouth shut didn't sit well with his sister, he saw very well on her face, but she set her jaw, “Fine. Until we've figured out what sorta man he is, I won't say a thing.”
“Mmhm...,” he was aware she had worded her agreement carefully and knew very well what she was doing, but it was likely the best he could hope for, so he would have to hope it was enough. “Come on then.” He waved her aside and she moved to let him pass, following after him. Karosh was waiting at the bottom of the gangplank. He had wanted the man with him for this meeting, after all he was also a captain and deserved to be introduced to the new Mavros leader. He seemed surprised to see Nalyra and Treyjen shook his head, “Just pretend she isn't here.”
“Hey! You know I have ways'a making myself known when I'm ignored,” her tone hinted at another threat and Treyjen threw a look back at her.
Karosh laughed, “Do try t'behave yourself, Nalyra, this meeting is rather important for us.”
She stuck out her tongue at Karosh, to which the man reached out to grab it, but she slapped his hand away, “You needn't worry about me.” Treyjen let out a disbelieving grunt at that and she smacked his shoulder, then feigned a hurt expression, “My dear brother, your lack'a trust wounds me.”
He gave a short half laugh, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “Mortally, I'm sure.”
“You two aren't going to bicker through the entire meeting, are you?” Karosh broke in before they could continue, teasing the both of them.
“Not if Nalyra keeps her mouth shut as she agreed,” Treyjen cast a suspicious glance at his sister. She gave him her sweetest smile in return, which did not reassure him in the least, “Now you're really making me nervous.”
“Good,” her tone was smug and he rolled his eyes.
“Come now, best behavior children,” Karosh teased once more and they both turned a glare toward him, to which he laughed, “Well, at least I got you t'agree on something, in a manner'a speaking.”
The three of them arrived at the Weyrleader's weyr to find the door wide open, though Treyjen paused at the threshold anyway, glancing back at Karosh and Nalyra.
Nalyra strode past him, shaking her brother off as he tried to grab her back, “Obviously he's expecting us. If you want t'stand outside all day, be my guest.” Karosh shrugged and followed after her, leaving Treyjen to sigh and bring up the rear or be left standing there on his own.
A'zael stepped out of the Weyrleader's office as he heard a voice, coming face to face with Nalyra. In one swift glance he took her in, and he quite liked what he saw. He saw the same pleased expression mirrored on her own face as she gave him a once over, then held out her hand in greeting, “Well, hello there... Weyrleader A'zael, I assume? I'm Nalyra.”
He took her hand, “Nalyra.... What a beautiful name. It suits you. Yes, I am. A'zael, that is. Forgive me I....” He then became aware of the two men standing behind her and glanced over at them curiously.
Treyjen stepped forward and gave Nalyra a look. She smiled softly and released the man's hand, taking a half step back as her brother introduced himself, “I'm glad to finally meet you, Weyrleader A'zael. I'm Captain Treyjen, and this here is Captain Karosh.” He gestured back toward Karosh briefly.
“Ah! Yes. Right. Oh and, please... just A'zael. Or... Weyrleader A'zael I suppose, if you're more comfortable with that,” he waved his hand dismissively, “Whichever you prefer. Shall I call you Captain or...?”
Treyjen gave him a friendly smile, relaxing a bit, “Just Treyjen is perfectly fine. I much prefer to think of us as friends, and titles rather muddle that all up, don't they?”
A'zael laughed lightly, “Indeed. Couldn't agree more, Treyjen. Ah. Come, I've had foodstuffs brought up, some wine, if you like....” He waved them all into the office area, where a few finger foods were laid out on the great table that dominated the room, along with glasses and a bottle of wine.
Treyjen glanced back at Karosh, somewhat amused. The man was indeed young, and clearly very uncomfortable in his new role. He also seemed a bit... haggard. The three of them followed A'zael and Nalyra moved forward to pour a cup of wine, moving over to the Weyrleader to press it into his hands, leaning close, “Seems like you could use a drink, A'zael.” She gave him a small smirk and turned back to pour herself a cup.
“Yes... thank you,” his blue-gray gaze trained on her, clearly enjoying what he was seeing.
Treyjen was briefly annoyed with his sister, but after a moment wondered if his attraction to her couldn't be used in some way.... No. He shook his head lightly. How would that be any different than his father trying to marry her off for ships? Though... she at least seemed agreeable with the man for now. It was something they could discuss later, perhaps. Having his sister close to the Weyrleader would be rather beneficial.... Still, it left a bitter taste in his mouth to be thinking about using his sister like that. He wouldn't become his father.
“Please, sit if you like,” A'zael finally tore his gaze away from Nalyra, gesturing at the various chairs arranged around the table. Nalyra took the seat closest to him.
Karosh moved to pour them both a cup of wine while Treyjen pulled out a chair for himself, “I'm sorry to hear about your Weyrwoman. I do hope she recovers quickly.”
A'zael winced visibly and took a drink of his wine, “Mm... we all do. Your... well wishes are appreciated.” Nalyra gave her brother an incredulous look, clearly wondering why on Pern he would bring that up.
Treyjen took the cup Karosh offered him and took a drink, “My crew and I rarely stay in any one place for too long, but... if there's anything I can do while I'm here, I would be more than happy to help in any capacity that I can.” A'zael looked at him with surprise clear on his face, and Treyjen offered the man a rare, genuine smile, “For many of my crew, Mavros is the only place they've had to call home for many turns, some have even started families here. Our loyalty is with you.”
“That... thank you, Treyjen. I... don't know what you could possibly do, but... the offer is appreciated, at least, and I'll keep it in mind,” he scratched the back of his neck uncertainly, “Faranth knows Mavros could use all the help it can get right now....”
Treyjen laughed shortly and leaned forward, “A bit of advice, from a seasoned leader.” A'zael raised an eyebrow at that, clearly interested in what he was about to say. “When you're dealing with a political climate,” he gestured to their current situation, “You should not admit weakness so flippantly.”
Irritation flitted over A'zael's features briefly, and Treyjen knew it was at himself, rather than the advice he had offered. “Ah. Yes. Right...,” he paused to take a breath, reminding himself that everything he said or did now could affect Mavros as a whole, for better or worse. Ugh. He didn't ask for this. He'd honestly considered refusing the post, letting the Council remain in place, but in the end he decided that would honestly be even worse for Mavros than his bumbling leadership. When did a newly made Weyrleader ever outright refuse the role? It would only cause more chaos, more uncertainty, more doubt. If the new Weyrleader thought leading them was too much, then how could anyone have faith in what they were doing, that they could survive?
Treyjen studied the younger man as he seemed to fall back into his own thoughts. Yes, he was clearly overwhelmed by the duties of his position, coupled with his Weyrwoman's sickness. But, he was willing to listen to advice. That was good. His inexperience could be balanced by those he chose to surround himself with. “You seem a decent man, A'zael,” the Weyrleader's gaze refocused on his guests at the sound of his name, “I look forward to working with you.”
“Mmm, me too,” Nalyra agreed, eyeing A'zael with a predatory gaze.
Treyjen shot her a look as A'zael's attentions returned to her, however the pirate noticed how he seemed to relax under his sister's appraising eye. It seemed he was much more in his element when dealing with women. He wondered if the Weyrleader had any idea what he was getting himself into with his sister. From his current impression, he was sure Nalyra could tear the man apart from the inside out if she was so inclined. He would have to tell her not to break the Weyrleader if she was so interested in turning him into her newest plaything.
“Ah... thank you,” A'zael spoke at last, glancing over at Treyjen, “So, you are traders then. With Karredy... indisposed, it will be best for you to deal directly with our Headwoman. I can have a meeting arranged for you, if you wish?”
“Traders,” Treyjen mused in agreement, swirling the wine in his glass briefly. Nalyra eyed him curiously, but he continued before she quite figured out where he was taking the conversation, “Sometimes. Generally we're pirates.”
A'zael stared at him, clearly unsure how to react to the blatant admission. Was he... joking? Why... why would he tell him that? Nalyra gaped at him, for once in her life at a loss for words.
Treyjen went on, “If we're going to be friends and have a good business relationship, I intend to be frank with you, A'zael. Our loyalty is with Mavros, and Mavros needs all the help it can get, you said it yourself.” He met A'zael's wide gaze steadily, “My crew has family here, and my crew's family is my family. I protect my family. I do whatever it takes. Something you'll likely soon learn for yourself... as a leader you have to make difficult choices and do things you might never otherwise do, for the sake of the people that follow you. We do what we do to survive, A'zael, and if you're able to live with that fact, we can help Mavros survive as well.”
He studied the Weyrleader as the younger man digested this new information, turning it over in his head. A'zael knew some of the fisher folk had turned pirate... well he heard rumors of it anyway. It's not like he'd gone down and talked to any of them about it. If he was able to live with the fact? His fingers drummed on the table in front of him with an anxious energy, the only sound in the room for several tense moments.
Treyjen took a drink of his wine, patiently awaiting the man's response. Better he give A'zael the honest truth at the beginning than have it reach him later on. He liked to think he was pretty good at getting a read on people, and this one... he would appreciate him being up front. And the fact that he was overwhelmed also meant he was likely a touch desperate for whatever help anyone could offer Mavros. It was a safe bet, in Treyjen's opinion.
Finally A'zael looked over at him, a slight frown pulling at the corners of his lips, “I... can appreciate where you're coming from.” And he could. He didn't know the circumstances that led Treyjen to the life he lead, but the man was dead serious when he talked about protecting his family, that much was very clear to the Weyrleader. Difficult choices, Treyjen said, like the one he'd laid out before him. Accept help by means of someone else's suffering, or turn away needed supplies that were hard to come by and take the suffering onto those he was sworn to protect. Either way, someone came away at a loss. With a grimace, he continued, “The methods by which you... procure your inventory are no concern of mine, so long as they can aid Mavros.”
Treyjen allowed a small smile to pass over his features, “I'm glad to hear it. We have been serving Mavros for several turns now, I would hate to be turned away at this point.” He could tell the Weyrleader was still very clearly uncomfortable and he leaned forward slightly, “All that matters is that your people survive, Weyrleader.” He placed slight emphasis on the man's title, reinforcing the conclusion that A'zael had already reached on his own. Isolated as Mavros was from the rest of Pern, it had to look out for itself any way it could.
A'zael gave a short nod of muted agreement, very much wanting to move on from this subject. Knowing the truth of the matter was enough of a thing to digest, he didn't want to dwell on it any longer than he had to. He cleared his throat, “Well... was there... anything else I could do for you and your crew, Treyjen?” He also spared a glance toward Karosh, who had been standing quietly at Treyjen's side the entire time, letting his friend do the talking as usual.
Treyjen also glanced up at the man. Karosh shrugged lightly and Treyjen shook his head, “A meeting with your Headwoman should be all I require for now. And your leave to set up shop in the commons to sell some of our more interesting, less practical wares to individuals who may have interest.”
A'zael waved his hand, “Of course. Something new to the routine would be good for everyone.”
“Wonderful. And you, A'zael?” he met the Weyrleader's gaze, “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Ah... nothing I can think of at the moment. Thank you,” A'zael replied hesitantly.
Treyjen set his empty glass upon the table, “Then, by your leave, we won't take up any more of your valuable time.” He stood, and so did A'zael, moving to meet him. Nalyra followed the Weyrleader. A'zael extended his hand once more and Treyjen clasped it, “If you do think of anything, simply send a messenger to my ship and someone will reach me for you. We plan to stay for several sevendays.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” he replied, turning to Karosh when Treyjen released him to clasp the other man's hand as well, “Well met, Karosh.”
“Fair skies, Weyrleader,” Karosh responded, to which A'zael smiled lightly in thanks.
The two men headed for the door, but Treyjen paused there to look back as he realized Nalyra wasn't following. A'zael was giving the woman a curious look. Nalyra waved to her brother, “I'll catch up with you. That is... if the Weyrleader could spare a few more moments....” She turned her dark gaze back on the man, a suggestive grin on her lips.
A'zael grinned right back, “A few, perhaps.”
Treyjen grimaced and rolled his eyes, “Behave yourself, sister.” He kept walking. Karosh raised an eyebrow at him but he shook his head, done with his sister's nonsense for the day. She was A'zael's problem now.
